Small Town

I was glad that I grew up in a small town. It really was fun when I think about it. But I am glad that I got on a bus every morning bound for Ruston and Cedar Creek School. I was just thinking about a few things that made me smile, so I jotted them down for you.

I loved riding in the back of a pickup after baseball games to Dairy Queen. It was a bonus to find James Greer there dancing like Elvis.

Thinking for years that Pete Clarey sold Grits. He actually sold The Grit newspaper.

The Blue Christmas Tree Lady. Dad told us she never took down the tree, just closed the shutters.

Knowing it was 6 o'clock when you heard the fire whistle.

Christmas Morning at Momsey and Pops's house on North Polk , waiting for Mr. Mike and the rest of the fire department to come screeching by the house on the way to a house fire across the railroad tracks. Remember folks NO WRAPPING PAPER IN THE FIREPLACE.

Going with Dad to Lindy West's house to pick up Tamales and seeing my first framed picture of MLK, Jr., JFK and Black Jesus. That freaked me out for a few weeks and you can't find Tamales that good anywhere.

Trying to get my hair into a bun like Mrs. Stone. Wanting to drive the
bookmobile.

Being embarassed when mom popped her own popcorn and took it into the theater.

Everyone had a CB Radio, except us.
Everyone had a police scanner, except us. We had Mr. Mike.

The Kiwanis Talent show when Kent and JH were the killer bees. Now that's funny!

It was a great day when we got all those cable channels and we watched WGN and TBS all the time.

When I saw the Junk Yard Dog at the Broasted Chicken Donuts (now Melba's). Wrestlers look much bigger on TV.

Having stores that you called "Broasted Chicken Donuts" and "Ice Milk Beer". The second one is in Winnfield. Does anyone know the real name of those stores?

Riding bikes with no helmets or shoes.

Snakes on your driveway.

Counting the overhead lights in the First Baptist Church wondering how long that old man, the one who sat on right side of the church, could string out a prayer.

Birthday parties at Dambi's Pizza. What was that guy's name that ran that place?

Anyway, I could go on, but it's dancing day and today is parent observation day and costume measuring day. It would be much more enjoyable if they just would serve beer at parent ovservation day. But then again, we would probably ruffle some baptist feathers.

Peace, Love and Continental Can.