The Boy From Splendora Texas

It's 1977 and the last day of my 5th Grade Year. We all awaken to our house being wrapped which starts a whole new set of adventures for the summer.

Virgil and I get a chance to swim again and then are surprised with a nice dinner at Frank's Lakeview Inn in Belton, Texas.

Virgil and I go with Daddy to visit clients. We spend all day together and return to the hotel in the late afternoon.

As soon as we get to the hotel room, Virgil and I change into our swimsuits and head to the pool. Daddy joins us for a little while and then we all head to supper where I meet a waitress named Georgia.

Virgil and I are going to Temple, Texas with Daddy. It will be a "boy's only" trip. We leave on June 07 and check into the Holiday Inn in Temple.

Daddy's out of town on a business trip. Charlotte's making her famous Peanut Butter Cookies, Gena goes on a horse ride with Toni Lockhart and Gayle tells us a funny thing that happened to her at school today.

Virgil and I help with cutting down a tree in our backyard. Afterwards, the 5 of us kids head to the Texan Theatre in Cleveland where I watch my first horror movie.

Becky breaks my heart by telling me she just wants to be friends. Jerry comes to the rescue during Gym Class by making me laugh at the demise of Bobby's blue creation.

The morning drags on at Splendora Junior High School. I see Becky many times that morning, but am unable to talk with her. I also discover what Mike and Joseph have been talking about all morning when I run into Bobby Lemoine.

We arrive at school and I deliver the candy to Miss Russell who will give it to Becky during First Period.

It's Valentine Day 1979. Virgil and I ride to school with Gayle and Charlotte so that we can stop by Hayden's Store to buy candy.

There's a Gibbs Family Reunion at our house! Uncle B and Aunt Betty arrive early bringing me and Virgil a spectacular gift. The rest of the aunt's and uncles arrive and we all learn about Daddy rescuing Aunt Esther.

Virgil and I quickly discover that underwear does not make a good swimsuit.

It's the Summer of 1978. Virgil and I are getting full use of the swimming pool that was finished in the Fall of last year.

After our haircuts, Virgil and I are sent to the Chicken Yard to clean out the egg hutches. We return to the house and bathe. Afterwards, we eat dinner and the enjoy a well-deserved dessert.

We leave Jerry's House and go to our Blackberry Field. It takes us over 2 hours to fill our buckets. We return home where Momma and the girls start the jelly making process. Daddy takes me and Virgil to get our haircut.at Travis Barber Shop in Porter, Texas.

Jerry and I watch The Incredible Hulk and talk until deep in the night. The next morning, Mrs. Scarborough cooks pancakes for breakfast before I have to leave to go berry picking with the family.

It's my sixth grade year! My best friend Jerry Scarborough asks me to spend the night at his house. Before school is out, I embarrass myself in front of the class during Science. I ride the bus home with Jerry and get to meet both of his parents.

Virgil and I get bored and very soon disaster strikes.

It starts to rain and begins to fill the hole for the pool.

The spot for the pool is planned! Virgil and I come home from school to watch the first step which was to dig the pit.

Virgil and I are called home early from Aunt Martha's house because Momma and Daddy have a visitor coming over to discuss some business with them.

I finally shoot my first deer, only after I make a huge mistake.

I explore the area around the campsite and the go with the group of men to assign hunting spots for tomorrow.

The antlers from the deer that Virgil shot last year finally arrive and we hang them up in the Living Room. It is now my turn to do deer hunting with Daddy. The time arrives. Daddy and I head towards Madisonville, Texas and on the way, Daddy teaches me how to drive a car (I was 11 years old).