I spent the summer of ’85 living in the Phi Mu house, just a touch up 15th Avenue, across High Street from the main campus entrance.

Well, it was in those days. That entrance is closed off now, but then, you could drive on to the campus from High and 15th.

My best buds lived in the house that same summer. Suzanne Cantwell, Lori Allison, Connie Snyder, my big sister, Tish Stevning,  Jeannie Leech, and maybe Machelle Caldwell. I can’t remember. Ha!

As a journalism major, it was required to log so many hours on the school paper, The Lantern.

That quarter I was a staff photographer, hunting around campus and the great city of Columbus for anything and everything that would earn me the required credits.

I had a part-time job at a card shop, Oz, which is probably no longer there. But it was very convenient for me. A block from the house.

Sad story about that shop. It was started by two families, best friends from like forever. Seriously, they vacationed together, helped each other raise their kids, started a business together.

But after running the shop together for a few years, their 30 year friendship crumbled. Accusations flew.

Nearly 30 years later, the couple would be in their 80s, if not gone on to the other side, and I wonder… did they ever mend their relationship? Last I heard, they had not.

Anyway, about a dozen girls rattled around that big sorority house for three months. (I loved the quarter system!)

It was a lot of fun.

We laughed. A lot.

Drank too much beer.

And created memories.

My friend Lori and I bought a kiddie pool and put it in the front yard, filled it with water and sunbathed.

I took a lot of pictures.

Spent hours in the dark room. I never really mastered some aspects of photography. But I got by.

Logged more hours in the Lantern office.

“In my own secret room called heart, lots of ideas dwell.”

From my journal:

June 19, ’85

“It’s really quiet. The streets rarely echo the sound of a few passing cars. There are no voices, no talking or laughing, no footsteps cracking along the sidewalk. The chines from the Orton Tower on the oval can be heard piercing through the clear, cool night. The solid, traditional tones are comforting and a reminder of why I’m here.”

June 28,  ’85

Went to St. Elmo’s Fire with my bis sis, “whom I love very much.”

July 3, ’85

To say today was vast would be an understatement. Took pictures of the mayor at a ribbon cutting downtown for new push cart regulations. A reporter from Channel 6, (I think he was) was making eyes at me. (snort!)

Went to see fireworks with Grandpa, Grandma, Great Aunt Dorothy, Beth and Angie. Fun!

July 4th! ’85

Set up the pool in the front yard. Got some sun. Later, went to a cook-out at the Sigma Chi house.

July 7, ’85

David (editor) made fun of my feature photo for tomorrow. But he looooved Rich’s photo. And I lost it. Why am I always second rate. Lord, help me, show me my talents, my strengths.

July 30, ’85

I’ve been playing Rachel Photographer all summer and it’s been fun. I wouldn’t mind doing this for a living. But am I good enough? Scary…

I’ve been thinking a lot late about the Lord, my Lord and His will for me. Sometimes I feel so lost and helpless, alienate from Him. But I know I need Him. Very much.

Aug 2 ’85

Tomorrow I develop my prints for my feature. I’m so nervous. I need GREAT pictures. I’ve had a great time this summer, though, on the Lantern. And everyone is so positive. Mom, Dad, my friends, The Lantern staff. I’m not the greatest the paper has ever seen, but I think I have the raw talent.

Aug 6, ’85

I survived this long day, grueling weekend. I spent from 12 – 10 in the darkroom Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m to 9:30 p.m. It was touch and go for awhile.

Some of my negatives got scratched! And the best ones were ruined. Then, because I was using a lens I wasn’t familiar with, thank you Rich, my pictures weren’t very sharp on focus. To make a long story short, Deanna (my editor) finally picked out some good negatives and did a super layout.

Phil (Advisor) loved it and said we did an excellent job. (I did a photo shoot of lamb judging at the state fair! LOL) Praise the Lord. I was so relieved.

So the Rich Fujita Camera Co lives on. Tomorrow I introduce the new leopard skin camera bag.

Aug 14, ’85

Tonight was really sad. The Fiji’s were having a party because their nationals is here and a limb from a dead tree suddenly fell  and hit electrical wires, which hit the beer truck and electrocuted Mike — who was leaning against the truck.

Connie barged into my room wanting the camera for spot news but when we learned it was Mike, she changed her mind.

So sad. You never know when it’s your turn. This guy, who was supposed to be at work had no idea he’d be dead before midnight.

Aug 25 ’85

Well… the Lambda Chi’s have their nationals here. They’ve been at the house every night. The love us!

We had a blast.

Friday night I shot the Rams and Eagles game in the Shoe. Fun! I met a photographer who decided he was in love with me. He came to the Lantern party we had at the house but he’s a mess. I won’t be his crutch.

This time next week I’ll be home!

***

So was the summer of ’85. What I miss about growing older? The laughter. I don’t laugh enough.

I love looking at my journal to see my immaturity yet how the Lord kept tapping my heart. Reminding me, “Come to Me, I’m all you need.”

What about you? Any summer memories to share? How do you keep laughter in your life?

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