I Was an Abacist (a.k.a. The Post in Which I Talk a Lot About My Friend Angie)

That's right. I was. And I was only 6 years old!

Actually, I didn't know until today that someone who uses an abacus - that old fashioned calculator - even had a name. An abacist. I don't know about you but that almost sounds naughty or, at least, unhealthy. This one was a gift from my friend Angie. She and I went to school together, graduated together, and now we teach school together smack dab across the hall from each other. If my memory is correct we even had a college class or two together before she transferred to another school. Years ago when they were trashing surplusing a lot of old stuff she managed to save this little gem from an uncertain future. I can't be 100% positive as to if it's the same one, but it's identical to one we had in our first grade class (Angie and I were in the same 1st grade class).

Miss Ruth Carter was our teacher. She was a good teacher and even though she spanked me because I didn't know how to use a broom correctly (Angie did and was asked by Miss Ruth to demonstrate), I always thought her a kindly woman. I believe ours was her last class before she retired.

To have been only six at the time I do remember a lot from that year. Some of my best memories include...

using the abacus, of course

Miss Ruth's pantsuits

being amazed at how fast Angie could finish a math assignment

Tracy L. taking his glass eyeball out for everyone to see

casting votes on the board in our classroom in a mock presidential election. I voted for Ford. I felt to not vote for the sitting president would somehow be disrespectful.

learning how to sweep

One last thing about Angie...with only one house between us, she's my neighbor.