My Home Town

Just some recollections…

THIS IS HOW I CHOOSE TO REMEMBER MY HOMETOWN – Leesburg, 1950’s, population 1700 – memories – a walk to school, cold winter days, snow to play in, hills to sled, mittens to dry, feet to thaw, fun in the class, waiting on Spring, days get longer, grass turning green, flowers blooming, shedding the coats, running through fields of violets, school’s out, riding the bicycle, patching the tire, oiling the chain, cards on the spokes, slingshots to make, marbles to win, baseball to play, planting a garden, trees to climb, chasing the dog, dogs chasing me, papers to deliver, shooting BBs, scraping knees, hand-held airplanes to fly, mowing lawns for a buck, climbing water towers, breaking windows, May pole, Summer, picnics, grandparent visits, out past dark, cemetery runs, pebbles in the air & swatting at bats, parades, carnivals, circus, watching the spray plane, collecting buckeyes, cherry-tree climbing, plum-tree climbing, walnut-tree climbing, roof climbing, roof jumping, hedge-apple fights, picking tomatoes, ice cream, 25 cent movies, hitching a ride, roller skating, back-seat cruising, Mama’s meals, sibling fights, cousin visits, cousin fights, cicadas buzzing, catching fireflies, sleeping outside, fishing, sweltering heat, thunderstorms, toes squishing in mud, steam from pavement, sweet smell of Virginia, summer playground, swimming, eyeing the girls, dreaming of the girls, back to school, fun in the class, playing in cornfields, picking the corn, smoking cornsilk, digging the potatoes, building a hay shack, morning chill, recess, Thanksgiving dinner, more parades, homework, learning, sweaters, Winter, coats, Christmas, presents, New Year, cold, wind, snow, a walk to school…THOUGH I NO LONGER LIVE THERE, I UNDERSTAND THE NOSTALGIA OF A LONG-AGO LEESBURG. PROGRESS IS IMPORTANT AND SO ARE MEMORIES. I HAVE MINE.