I’m putting together some of the stuff for Mrs. Cox’s 4th Grade Reunion, and running across some old newspaper clippings. This one particularly cracked me up. That’s me, on the bottom right with the pen. This is probably fall 1975. …

First, I think it’s funny that I can’t seem to let anyone else have a pen. [Must be me! Let me write! …] I’ll bet I fanagled for that position.

Then I think it’s funny that my marketing career started way back in the 4th grade. (I think we were doing some pretty fancy footwork, writing a letter on oversized paper to get Governor Brown’s attention and ask if he’d see us when we all showed up on his doorstep.)

Next, I think it’s funny (and sort of sad, really) that I’m wearing the SAME HAIRSTYLE. (You’d think I might have come up with something new in the last 35 years. At least a different part! Holy cow.)

And lastly, I’m really diggin’ the plaid wrist cuffs on my prairie blouse. There was a ruffle down the front in the same plaid. I was all about Little House on the Prairie in those days. (Height of fashion, you know. Always. Me.)

On a happier note, I’m pleased to say that I’m still close friends with the girl on the far left — that’s Dawn, my friend since forever. And the boy at the top left is my old neighbor, whom I’ve seen from time to time when we both show up at our moms’ houses on Thanksgiving Days with our respective clans of children. And the boy between them is someone who’s come to my mom’s house within the last 10 years or so for a picnic celebrating another neighbor — he’s married now with two adorable children. It’s really cool knowing kids since elementary school. … It’s sort of a feeling of “clanship,” I think.

And Mrs. Cox (top right) is now in touch! And planning this reunion. Should be interesting.

Maybe I’ll find a prarie outfit I can wear. …