A new neighborhood, new friends and a new school Patricia was thrown into a totally new environment. That would be Kashmere Jr Senior High. It was very different going from class to class in a sea of flowing students in the hallways each hour. I explored the campus to find out about the programs to attend, but I shied away from many until I got my niche. I discovered home economics, speech and drama and the drill squard under the direction of Ms Louis J Bailey. She was hard, but she was fair. You couldn’t fool her, so don’t try. She saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. I tried out for the Cheering Squad and I made it. At that time, the Houston Oilers didn’t have any cheerleaders, so we were on the sideline cheering them on. We went to cheering camps with all the little white girls and learned how, when and what to do when and where. It was called discipline. We visited other schools and went on trips. Kashmere was a model school. They had a Stage Band, Glee Club, Golf, Tennis, Swim Team, Track, Football, Basketball, Woodwork, and Baseball. To me Kashmere had it all. My last year I went to school ½ day and worked at Texas Unemployment Agency. I had gone to summer school for 2 years, and earned enough credits to graduate a year early. I went to work for Sakowitz Store in Accounts Payable before marrying. My next job was at Nabisco Bakery for 16 years. While there I attended San Jacinto College taking computer, psychology, accounting and stained art glass. In the meantime I got interested in traveling to California, Nevada, Jamaica and the Bahamas. In the Children’s Church, I committed myself to steering young lives. At my last count I have helped to raise over 50 youngsters either in my home, in foster homes and little ones that have been abused, mistreated or injured as infants. While working for the Government with the Welfare to Work Program I agreed to do some part time fact checking for an Oil & Gas Publishing Co and was there for 14 years. While there I was in the forefront of a few major issues and was able to attend the Offshore Technology Conferences in Houston, New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lafayette. While there I was able to start my own business selling designer body oils, house oils and I also create and sell my own handcrafted jewelry sets to this day. Museums, Theaters and Art Galleries are a must for me. Quilting has been a passion of mine for over 20 years; it’s not a forgotten art. I have held Quilt shows at country clubs, Senicwoods and The Gregory School Libraries, Community Arts Collective, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft and have invited to participate with the International Quilt Festival Houston 2024. Presently in discussion with the renovated Deluxe Theater on Lyons Ave for a show and workshop. Cross your fingers and toes. Although retired I assist seniors at Cavalcade, Finnigan and Lincoln City with arts and crafts in Precinct One.  While I am there, I participate in exercise, line dance, bike riding, healthy cooking, gardening and bus trips to the bowling alley, small country towns and places of interest. A cruise to the Caribbean on an annual basis is a must, Alaska has been crossed off the list and the Panama Canal is the next adventure with my road dogs, Katie Fields and Linda Caraway. My rule of thumb is, Don’t sweat the small stuff, Life’s too short.