Recalling the simple pastimes of days gone by

How simple, but how wonderful, were those good old-fashioned days. We didn’t need computers or electronic games. We exercised our bodies and our imaginations.

Riding your fat whitewall tire bike with no speeds or hand brakes. Riding “no hands” on your bike until the front wheel hit the railroad tracks on Second Street by RB&W, and you went flying over your handlebars and hit the pavement. Climbing as many trees as high as you could. Jumping rope, single or double dutch.

Racing each other and your cat, Bootsie, and playing fetch with your faithful dog, Lady, always at your side. Doing somersaults, cartwheels, handstands and walking on your hands in the grass. Helping Dad cut the grass with a two-wheel push mower, one of us at the handle, the other on the shaft, pushing with all our might, each narrow strip a challenge.

Playing hide-and-seek and dodging “enemy” car lights coming up Wood Avenue. We’d duck behind the trees, which was the “safe zone.” Playing jacks, marbles, dominoes, checkers and rummy. Playing Button button, who’s got the button; I spy; Simon says; Red light, green light; hopscotch; and pogo sticks.

Walking on stilts and singing as I swung on a swing. Playing on a swing set and in a playhouse and riding the steel frame go-cart with a lawn mower engine all over our two lots. Dad could make anything. The carnival in downtown Rock Falls on Kids Day – all rides were 10 cents. The cotton candy was a rare, sweet, heavenly treat.

Sitting on the screened-in back porch during a rain shower. The sound of the rain on the roof and water puddles. Fresh fragrances in the air.

Busy with different games and adventures from the time we arose until we went to bed at night, we just had good old-fashioned fun.