Mary Nell Lott

Yes

Info and pictures are in no particular order except as they came to me from memory lane or the picture box.

Taught Computer Literacy for Teachers - NSU Grad School; taught Computer Applications, Coordinated Space Science Group - NSU; taught Gifted Classes, Natchitoches/Caddo Parishes; regular classroom, all subjects K-8.

At one point, (can't remember dates), I worked in the women's movement for a while -- organizing marches, boycotts, consciousness-raising groups, etc. (Why am I reminded of Al Sharpton as I write this?) Glad that phase didn't last long.

Another time I wanted to learn politics from the inside and went to work as a fundraiser in Edwin Edwards gubernatorial campaign. Raised lots of money (piece o'cake) and he won the election. When I learned that politics is little more than raising and spending money, I lost interest in that too.

Before getting back in education, I worked as a claims representative about 3 years for Aetna. I took this job for a couple of reasons. They furnished all the adjustors with a car and I needed a car. And also because I had known people who, not only got away with murder and arson, but actually profitted financially from it. I wondered how it was that an insurance company would pay a fire claim when "everybody" knew it was arson. What I learned was that they may "know" it was arson too, but if it can't be proven in court, they have to pay the claim.

DUH! on me. I hope nobody else in this class is as naive as I was. Pretty much wasted 3 years career wise.

I worked as Shirley McLaine's stand-in, in the movie, "Steel Magnolias". It was interesting to see how movies were made and to learn that movie stars are just like everybody else, but I wouldn't want to do it again. That once satisfied any curiousity I may have had about show business.

Certified yoga teacher. Spent 3 months at an ashram in Northern California Sierra-Nevada mountains getting certified. Practice it every day. Haven't been to dr. in decades and have none of the chronic problems, aches & pains that people our age are getting.

Vegetarian for last 27 years. As much as Bill Clinton likes Big Macs, if he can switch to a plant-based diet, anybody can. My research and experience show this is the healthiest way to eat...by far!

Frequent trips to India - highlights of my life.

This is not a high school story, but an early memory of Hampton Carver's mother inviting a few of his classmates to their house for bridge lessons, sometime during elementary school. The game did not click with me then, but during my baby-making years I was a stay-at-home mom and needed something to keep my mind from going mushy so I took up party bridge.

I was a member of several bridge clubs when I got pregnant the 2nd time. Because it was a 7 month pregnancy, no ultra-sound was done (maybe they didn't have it back then), and the Dr. could only feel one and hear one heartbeat (they were positioned one behind the other), I didn't know I was having twins until afterward.

I remember going into labor and the next thing I remember is being wheeled on a gurney into an elevator by 2 nurses. I heard one of them say, "Boy, is she going to be surprised when she wakes up and finds out how many she had!" I was awake enough to know they were talking about me and almost afraid to ask, imagining a litter or something, but as soon as I could talk, I asked "how many DID I have?" They told me I had 2 boys - a little small (4 & 5 lbs.) but assured me they were o.k.

Later that afternoon, I got a telegram from a couple of bridge-playing buddies, Glenelle Pearce Brown (2 years ahead of us in school), and Carolyn Roy, (now editor of Natchitoches Times). It read "CONGRATULATIONS! You bid one and made two!"