Been There Done That: Where's My Tee Shirt?

By Steve Melton

Life in the fifties and sixties was like an alternate universe compared to today. We were generally unsupervised for long periods of time. Up with the sun and gone with the wind until suppertime. None of our activities involved electronics or any kind of screen. Not everyone had air conditioning, TV, or refrigerators filled with soda and microwave meals and snacks. What we did have was the opportunity to be as creative as our abilities would allow. Such creativity was constructive and at other times destructive. We built skateboards, go karts, and played no rules football. When that was too tame, we simply plaid "kill the man with the ball." We played with BB guns, slingshots, bows and arrows and rode our bikes too fast and too recklessly. All the boys carried pocket knives and knew how to use them. We weren't constrained by helmets, elbow and knee pads, padded gloves, seat belts and safety glasses. We fished and hiked alone for hours in the woods with no fear or any realization of danger. When we wanted to test our boundaries, we made bolt bombs out of nuts and bolts. We crafted rumble chains and brass knuckles in metal shop when the teacher wasn't watching. And none of it was ever used in a rumble. We thought that girls in pretty dresses and black and white saddle shoes should be highly valued and worthy of innocent pursuit. The first kiss in the back row of a darkened movie theater was the highlight of junior high school. Nothing more was expected or offered. We had great teachers that knew how to handle all the crazy, directionless kids that made their way through their classes each year. And above all we had lifetime friends who often times were closer than family. We were also friends who often times weren't a good influences on each other. Yet we grew up together, learned the real ropes and for the most part managed to stay out of trouble. And over time we could be forgiven for driving the neighbors insane with the shattering racket of homemade bowling alleys in the back yard. Then, using the balls and bowling pins to wreak havoc on the neighborhood trashcans and cars. We learned the value and status of a D minus grade in Jack Shackelford's science class because he was the toughest teacher in the school. We never forgot the thrill of scouting, or the satisfaction of completing a last minute, semester science project. We were allowed to fail without being awarded a ribbon for merely trying. Best of all, some of us have been blessed with a memory that allows us to recall what life was really like in the "good old days." Enjoy these memories. They were written for you.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 154967336X
• ISBN13: 9781549673368
• Release Date: March 2019
• Publisher: Independently published
• Length: 190 Pages
• Weight: 0.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.5" x 6.0"