bob Landre

Yes

What a difference a year makes. My last update was April 2024 I had just moved into my home in Meridian and Punkie had died. Unfortunately this year brings even sadder news. After 47 years together, 12 of them married, Blake passed away peacefully in mid March, after never awakening from surgery on his foot. It was a "perfect storm" of medical issues that his tired body could not overcome. Luckily he died at the assisted living facility which was very comforting. Being in a wonderful facility helps ease the void, but not being able to share our lives together with small talk has left a tremendous void and sadness in my heart. With the help of wonderful friends and family, my bouts of tears are becoming less and less and my energy level high. I am so glad I downsized when I did, it makes life so much easier to maintain.
With spring comes growth and rejuvenation. Here in beautiful Idaho the spring weather brings rain, wind, hail and gorgeous sunny days. I am outside once again planting and cultivating my garden and vegetables.
Thanks to the generosity of family and neighbors a Chinese Magnolia tree was purchased as a memorial for Blake, to be planted later in April. I am so blessed to be surrounded by so many loving people, it makes my life full. Travel will become my next best friend once everything settles down and I figure out what I want to do. Meanwhile there is a front garden beckoning, more soil and rocks to move, sprinklers to install and digging to be done...I certainly don't feel 75??

High School was another time of change. My mother died of breast cancer in my sophomore year, 1965...I was her care giver for six months. No one knew, and I had no support so I did what needed to be done, again it only made me stronger and to be able to find myself with no ones help. I stayed off drugs even with the opportunites, and we all know about those.
I guess the funniest thing was an assembly(as they used to call them) where I was ushering guests in and I was showing Monty Hall the direction, and swung my arm around (as only a drama queen would do) and slapped Joanne Hall (Gleason) in the face by accident....Well.. the show must go on. It was so crazy I recall not much happened and I moved on from there.
Remembering the dress code is just hysterically funny when you see how the kids dress today. Romaine Pauley and the ruler for girl's (my sister was notorious) and of course no long hair for guys...until 1968 graduation.
I also met teachers outside of class, in various compromising situations, both male and female and was surprised how many were homosexual or lesbian.
No names available, as it is such a non issue now, but back then... well, we have thankfully moved on to a much better time for the gay community.