Class Predictions

Hey, Y'all,
Did your elementary school class ever do the forecast thing where there was a prediction of the future of the kids? Well, I was going through some of my memorabilia today and came across the one for my sixth grade class at Belle Morris Elementary School in the 1945-46 school year. It is faded to almost extinction, so I am going to print it here. It is hilarious, and not very flattering to me, but I don't care. It is too good to keep to myself. (I am a blabbermouth, don't you know?) (My apologies to anyone this might offend who is mentioned herein).

Here goes: It is supposedly written by Anna Ruth Barr, one of my classmates.
"As I venture into the years of the future, I find myself, after graduating from college, a professional fortune teller. I am sitting now in my small mobile with my crystal ball before me. I think I shall look into it and spy upon some of my former classmates of '45. Yes, yes, I see them very plainly. There is Maurine Spurling and Carolyn Holiday emerging from the side door of the Tennessee Theater where they are employed as stage dancers. Right behind them is Warren Boop and Wayne Cravans who are ushers but spend most of their time watching the shows.

Now I look on the other side of town into some of the side shows of the circus and there I see Ray Hodge as the tall slender man and Ruby Campbell as the short fat lady. Indeed they make a lovely couple. Over here I see David Bayless and Billy Damewood swinging gracefully through the air. Of course, they sometimes catch hold of the trapeze, but not too often. Well, if here doesn't come Tim Prater and Bobby Dalton with a bucket of water hanging from each arm. I hear they are making pretty good watering the animals. Now I think I'll look around town some more and see who else I can see. Here comes a fine looking couple. I wonder who - oh yes, that's Alfred Ball and Jeanette Chesser. They are married and living in a very beautiful cottage on the east side of town. Well, well, here comes Clifton Cox with his Bible under his arm. I hear he has become a preacher, and there is Joann Cockrum, who, they say has become a choir leader.

I now cast my eye a bit northward and into a large room where many are gathered to see the world's most famous dancers, Eldon Barnes and Betty Jane Dobbs. The show is now underway, and I believe, yes, it is George Dyer who is directing it, and over there is Eric Patterson, playing the piano for the dancers. Now I will drift way down south, and who do I see but Marilyn McClain and Benny Fowler living on  a plantation. (deletion here). Marilyn is reading the newspaper and imagine what the headlines are: Carl Booher and Carl Turner have been nominated for President..wonder who will get it? Jimmy Massengill is Charles Lindbergh the second... doesn't he look handsome in that aviator uniform? 

What's this I see? Why, it is Ernest Elston playing a guitar at the Midday Merry-go-round. Martha Derioux is owner and editor of the New York Times. Now I look into the Station WXIB and whom do I see but J.T. Mealer. What's that he's announcing? Yes, he says they will have a song by Clara Ruth Fitch. Isn't she lovely in her blue and white evening dress, coming out from behind the curtain? I believe that takes care of about all the pupils - no, there's Virginia Hutchison working as a saleslady in a large store and Elizabeth Bales running the elevator. Seems the owner of the store is familiar - yes, it is Mrs. Oldham, our sixth grade teacher. Now I guess I have seen them all, and will put away my crystal ball."   Anna Ruth Barr

Well, folks, was that entertaining or what? I am sure she had quite a bit of help writing that long epistle, aren't you? Hopefully, if any of my old classmates read this or hear about it, they won't mind my reprinting for public view. I hadn't thought about many of the people represented by the names herein for a long time, but it did bring back a lot of memories. As I said, it was not very flattering to think of myself as a fat lady in the circus. I was very short and have always been. But if one can't laugh at oneself, there is not much substance to one is there? I thought this posting to be very apropos, since school is just now out for the summer. 

Well, this is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Much love to each of you, my friends and family. More later. Bye for now.