TEXAS/LOUISIANA BORDER

 I lived right on the Texas/Louisiana border during the Fifties, and felt an affinity for both states; however, when I met and married a certain Texan in 1964, greater amounts of time were spent in Texas.

FULL SERVICE

Purchasing gas at the neighborhood service station was quite an event since self-service was not allowed.  The attendants took over and did everything thought necessary to keep our car running smoothly.   While waiting, we entertained ourselves. 

FLYING HIGH

With a lot of unprogrammed playtime, my friends and I spent hours lying in the grass while looking above at interesting cloud formations.  I wanted to be IN the sky and fly with the birds.  

AMERICA'S FAVORITE PASTIME

The Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Yankees played in the 1955 World Series.  I wanted the Dodgers to win, but couldn't listen to the games on our radio, since school was in session.  Mrs. Wignall, Principal at Anderson Elementary, was nice enough to walk down the halls, reporting game updates.

ENTERTAINING AT HOME

Holidays, birthdays and other important happenings were intergenerational, and took place in our homes.  It was a rare occurrence to meet elsewhere.  Sometimes the food was elaborate and sometimes simply prepared - it didn't matter - just so we could all be together.

PLAYING UNDER THE HOSE

If we weren't swimming at the pool, beach or Cow Creek, playing under the hose was thought special.  The hose was hung over our backyard clothesline and we ran under the water.  It was like a magnet.  Neighborhood persons and pets soon arrived and were greeted with squirts of water.  

EARLY MORNING DELIVERIES

Before the sun was up, the milkman delivered milk from the local dairy right to our front door.  A list was left for him with instructions about how many quarts to leave.  It was placed with the well-scrubbed, empty glass bottles from the last delivery.