The Sweet Life

I am a product of a small town.

Life was blissfully sweet and unfettered by high tech as we know it today. There was a town square with a statue of Joseph T. Rothrock, founding father of forestry, and his dog. There was a grocery store, two small restaurants, a post office, a gas station and a funeral home. There were two churches: Presbyterian and Methodist.

In the summer, we swam in a nearby farm pond where cows lounged or in the "old swimmin' hole" in a creek. To swim in the pool at "Kish" Park was a special occasion! It cost money to swim there.

In the winter, one of the main streets that led downhill to the square, was blocked from traffic so the local children could "sled-ride." An alley from the elementary school and a hillside at the high school were also favorite sled-riding sites.

My family did not have a TV until I was about 6 years old. And even after we had it, I only watched "The Mickey Mouse Club" the first year we had it.

Some of my favorite toys were a metal doll house with furniture and hard plastic "family" dolls (without moveable joints!), baby and bride dolls, old orange crates, my father's hammer, nails and saw, clamp-on roller skates (with a key!) and, of course, my little blue tricycle. My favorite outdoor activities were playing "cowboys & Indians," swinging on my swing, playing in my sandbox (made by my father), roller skating, and, of course, riding my little blue tricycle. None of my toys or activities required batteries in order to enjoy them.

This is just a sampling of some of the things I would like to share with you.

Ah-h-h! The simple life! The sweet life!