Pragmatist
Pragmatist

Westminster
Mon Jun 23 2003

Westminster was a small city, when we moved there, in Orange County just across the border from LA County. When we moved there the population was around 16,000. There was a good sized shopping mall and a couple of chain grocery markets. As I mentioned, there was an elementary school and a middle school within walking distance. Also, the high school, when the kids were at that age, was also walking distance, although not quite so close. The usual complement of banks, service stations, drug stores, etc. The city was large enough to have its own city hall which included a police station. We had house-to-house postal delivery. A pretty nice little city.

It was located between two freeways, and pretty much the last of undeveloped land in Orange County, so I suppose it was inevitable that it would grow. Which it did. Except for Stephen, Westminster is the only home the children remember.

My husband gave his usual invitation to come to his office, or telephone him at home, or even come visit. We always had a stock of soft drinks or lemonade, and tea and coffee were available, and the cookie jar was usually full. A few of his students took him up on his offer, and some continued to come time after time.

Some of the funniest, craziest, most philosophical, educational conversation took place in our home. The kids who came regularly were the brightest and best. They even brought their boy/girlfriends for our approval. It really was like an extended family. I was introduced to the best of the science fiction writers by one of the boys who became almost like a third son.

With my free-roaming imagination, you might guess that I took to scifi like a hungry beggar. I roamed the stars, heard new philosophies, discovered alien cultures. What an adventure. Thank you Robinett! I'm still roaming the stars.

Our conversations/arguments/discussions went on until the wee hours, and they covered every imaginable subject: politics, education, exploring, jokes, fantasies, the future, relationships, literature, science, no subject was barred. I treasure those memories. We were friends of those young people. Not just teacher and his wife, but contemporaries. What a compliment they paid us. And I guess we repaid the compliment by accepting their views, no matter how juvenile they may have been. But really, they weren't. These kids were bright and mature beyond their years.

Life was good.

Next: I guess you'll just have to wait and read the next entry. I haven't a clue right now.

Shalom.

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