[Nepeta]

I was in 8th grade Latin class, the last class of the day. The principal came on the PA system and announced that Kennedy had been shot, and then patched a live radio broadcast into the system.

Class stopped at that point. We all listened quietly; no one said anything.

Part of what was good in those days...Men did not use foul language in front of women, and women just didn't use foul language. Neighbors looked out for each other, and for each others' children. Kids walked to schools and parks without deep fear of predators. I spent most of my summers in a deeply wooded area close to my house; I doubt if any kids are allowed in there now.

There were aspects of that time I miss deeply, but it wasn't all wonderful; to recall it as a perfect time is to ignore the warts of the age.

[Windflier]

8th grade Latin class

How times have changed. I doubt if one in a thousand middle schools even have such a class today.

American kids can hardly speak or write their own mother tongue nowadays.