I've written about "My Wife's Vacation" and my recent experience with River Cruising in Europe. I hope you don't mind reading about me and my wife's little experiences. They seem to end up a little different than I envisioned.

We recently flew to the Boston area to attend my 50th (not a typing error) High School Class Reunion in Plymouth, Mass. I actually graduated from Weymouth (Mass) High School in 1957. I think the reunion committee picked Plymouth because some of us were there when the Mayflower (The world's first cruise ship) sailed into the harbor.

Upon arriving in Plymouth at the Radisson Hotel, we noticed a line of ambulances and a small bus marked "Assisted Living of Plymouth". We later found out that these vehicles were some of my classmate's choice of transportation. Of course, as usual we were out of place driving up in a rented red Miata convertible.

The reunion was held in one of the function rooms at the hotel the next evening. There were about 120 classmates plus spouses out of a total 360 in our class. I hadn't attended a reunion in 30 years and was a bit apprehensive as to what or who I would meet and if I would recognize them. We walked down the corridor toward the gathering of what I thought were very old people. I asked for directions to the "57" reunion group. "This is it," one feeble, old gentlemen said. Looking at my badge, he remarked "Are you Peter Stilphen?" I hesitated before admitting that I was that person. As we moved around the room I recognized some people from their facial expressions, but more frequently had to stare at their name badge with their high school picture on it. I actually suffered from a stiff neck and eye strain the next day.

Not one for small talk, I foolishly made such remarks as "is that your great granddaughter( referring to the picture on their chest?) I couldn't understand why they moved along after this amusing (to me) remark. I even met one guy who was still working like me. He was passing around business cards. I first thought he was a travel agent because he kept talking about taking a trip, but upon examining his business card, he turned out to be a mortician. After everyone had their fill of lemonade and prune juice we went in to dinner. So far I was disappointed that no one except one very old former girlfriend, remembered that I was their Class President and Co-Captain of our undefeated football team. Having such a huge ego, I felt sorry for myself. I guess everyone had gotten past that except me.

We sat with some of my dearest friends and reminisced about the good old days. I later on apologized to my wife for some of the things I did in high school that she learned of for the first time. The committee arranged for a buffet dinner. Lots of vegetables, fish, liver and other stuff I hate. Thank God the Shrimp Lady was not there. She would have starved to death. I know some of my single classmates would have hit on her. The only problem with the buffet line was the wheelchairs getting their wheels locked in with other wheels and people using their canes to separate themselves or stop someone from claiming their dessert first.

All in all it was a great evening. My classmates decided to start a pool. Everyone was to put in $100. At each reunion in the future we would continue adding to the pool until the last reunion when only two classmates were left and they could claim the pool. I already started working on them by sending them copies of my newsletter. If that doesn't kill them, nothing will.

I hope I haven't offended any of you seniors poking fun at old people. I know how you feel.