98. Beat Shit

Often wondered reasoning for the nickname. Last night I learned you always got the bajeebas beat out of you. I discovered why after carrying your almost comatose body to the car. You are the one offering the beatings. Alcohol can bruise.

97. Mr. Bloom

This was our second "chance" meeting. Pulitzer Prize nominee, writer, brain surgeon, musician. You told the most interesting stories about the world we live in and what you have done with your 80years. Thank you for playing your viola for me.

96. Pecor

Talented guitar player. Reminds me of Eyore of Winnie the Pooh fame. I often wondered what he would be like if he really got excited or if he could. One of my favorites of my kids friends. Just a sweet guy.

95. Kayla

Always has the volume on high. A kaleidoscope, colorful and ever changing. A wonderful young woman exploring the universe. I imagine, in time, she will slow down enough to let the blur form an intricate painting. She does give good hair.

94. Geno

“What’d ya mean ya don’t drink alcohol? You realize you hang out in a bar? My bar! Tonight you drink! Barkeep, get this girl a shot!” Thank God the bartender knew to pour me a shot of ginger-ale. Shoot, slam, aahh…

93. Tony

He, the cook and I, the waitress. Worked together for years. Played together after-hours. Always platonically. He once asked if he could do something he had always wanted to do. It never happened again. That kiss changed nothing, except my memory.

92. Red Cross Nurse #2

Is being a blood-sucking-vampire a prerequisite to obtaining employment with the American Red Cross? The sweetest lady but always the first to slap my veins every time I met my mom for lunch. I had no choice but to donate faithfully.

*My mom worked there – we didn’t meet there for lunch.*

*We were NOT the blood-sucking-vampires*

91. Sheba

Protector, confidant, play-mate, best-friend. One who knew when I needed hugs and how to give them. Cried with me when my mom died. Slept with me for 16 years. Understood me like no other, still loved me. My 90lb, three-legged, lap-warmer.

*I don't care what anyone says she was a "real" person!*

90. Wayne

As your friend’s mom, I can see the good kid inside. Thank you for respect I received after the fight broke out and I proved, in your defense, I have a Louisville-Slugger and know how to use it! Wood or aluminum?

89. My "favorite" Matt

The first thing you said to me was, “Can I jump off your roof on my snowboard?” Of course I said yes. My daughter’s boyfriend-Matt hated that I always called you (his friend) my favorite Matt. It wasn’t a lie. COWBUNGA!

88. Dr. Robert Wuagneux

“No-one wants to hear upbeat music anymore. Everything sounds depressing. If that’s the way the world is why aren’t more throwing themselves from rooftops? Damn kids today!” Then he finished his beer and left some of his “happy” cds for review.

87. Diane

Waited tables for lifetimes in one restaurant. We worked and played together. She bartended someplace else. Someplace that taught me never drink tequila and every woman can be an island gardenia. Restaurant people are a very different species from everyone else.

86. Tina and Patty

Sisters to Frank. Patty was older with a baby. Tina idolized Patty. The laws that were broken. How can you do that without feeling bad? I guess they weren’t privy to my good Lutheran upbringing. The life’s lessons I learned then.

85. Brother George

Charismatic, Evangelical, sinner turned saint. You were an expert at flame-sparking in your congregation. Singing, dancing and cheering for Christ. First church I was in with drums behind the podium. I still hear you singing That Rugged Cross with the angels.

84. Pastor Mattae

For years we met every Easter morning at some God forsaken hour. Using powerful and enlightening words you boasted of the resurrection of Christ. I learned so much more watching the way you lived your life then listening to your sermons.

83. Lydia

Looney, zany, all around crazy. Not afraid to speak her mind or moon the band from the crowded dance floor. Laughing, creating energy. Then a glimpse into her deep telling eyes, I realize she feels the same pain we all do.

82. Dana

Your drink spilt. Your pants off. The bar flies didn’t need to know you never wore underwear. Inside the chaos is a caring, compassionate woman who I admire. You’re the one who cares enough to tell me I need a “Mount-n-Dew-Man”.

81. Glen

I loved you for years. Just never had the guts to tell you. You were everything I could have dreamed but you weren’t mine. Then I moved away and changed schools. The first week in 3rd-grade sucked. Then I met Victor.

80. Jason

Colleagues and jokesters. He was Drew Carey, I was Mimi. Never hid the fact we actually liked each other as humans. One night, dressed as Santa and his elf, we crashed a Champagne Tasting ringing bells and handing out stolen candy.

79. Oxygen

When asked what she was on, the only reply was Oxygen. Beautiful, talented and gullible, giving people the impression she is a ditz. Maybe she is but it looks good on her. The baked Mac-n-Cheese is always ready when she visits.

78. LuLu

Who, but us, could take such verbal abuse? You didn’t laugh when I wore the dress and Chuck Taylor’s. I didn’t laugh when your dance partner was a puppet. We both love men who don't know how to love us back.

77. Tammy

We met accidentally. We have been meeting accidentally ever since. Trying to avoid accidents at every turn. We will never be friends. We have no use for each other. What good actresses we’ve become. We both have something the other wants.

76. Kim B.

Dear G,

The wildest thing happened. Was at lunch yesterday, noticed a familiar woman. We graduated together 23years ago in another state. Hadn’t spoken since. What great memories we reminded each other of. It was so way cool!

Love ya,
B

75. Dawn Z.

Junior high neighbor with a schnauzer named Fritz. Choreographing dances to the soundtrack of Saturday Night Fever in our basements was a blast, but we weren’t ever really that close. I chose more adventurous friends. I’ll bet you graduated with honors.

74. Art

Husband to MJ. Expert Fly-Tier and talented writer. Stepped in to be the husband-father they needed. Superman package in a Clark Kent wrapper. All this AND a great sense of humor too! Who else would give me two plastic pink flamingoes?

73. MJ

Paper-pushers extraordinaire! We met on the smoking deck at work. The wonderful friendship we formed filling up on nicotine and gossip. We both moved on, yet still exchange our ever-perfect views of the world. It is hard being so damned F.E.!

72. Gramma (Alice)

“What do you mean you are Polish by injection?” my sister asked. “Don’t you remember the polkas playing in the kitchen? You really ARE Polish!” I remember! Along with BB-Noodle soup, motorized horses and that picture of Jesus on the wall.

71. Grammy

The manger under the Christmas tree, the walks to the co-op, shopping at Remy’s, eating cake. What fabulous memories visiting you in Pemaquid Harbor. More beautiful are those of you playing with my kids years later as you did with me.