So, What was it like growing up in Groves? (The City on the Grow)

I can tell you that I'm old enough that my generation grew up very different than the Gen Y'ers of today.  I know it's hard to believe Virginia; but there weren't computers in every home.  The only phones around were landlines.  No cell phones, smart phones, Droids, texting are anything else.

It was a much quieter time in Groves back in the early 60's and 70's.  Sometimes I think that's why more people in small towns branched out and moved to larger cities.  While technology wasn't exactly exploding back then, there was nightlife, clubs, restaurants and a host of other places and circumstances where you could pick your poison.

Meanwhile, kids rode their bikes or walked as a means of transportation.  There were basketball or football games in the park or someone's yard.  Once you left home in the mornings, your time was your own until reporting back to dinner at the end of the day.  If your Mom wanted to call you home, she simply stepped outside and yodeled your name which almost broke the sound barrier. There was more freedom without the technology.

It wasn't unusual to see kids reading a book on the front porch or just talking to friends that stopped by to say hello after riding their bikes to Jefferson City and back.

Today, I go to restaurants and notice people waiting in line, texting, phoning, Facebooking, Twittering and glancing at their watches impatiently.  It amazes me that their children are completely mesmerized by video games and can text without even looking at the number pad on their phones.  Why are we so fixated with technology all of the time?  I can tell you this; Swamp Witch, Sarah Jane Road and other tall tales would never be discovered if everyone had their nose buried in their Ipads, cells or other media device 100% of the time.

It was a slower time, back then.  But, it was also a better time too.

Glory Days on Gulfway Drive

My apologies for my extended absence from my blog.  I fell prey to the John Lennon adage, "Life happens while you're planning it."  I wonder if he realized his wisdom while he was alive? 

One thing I have noticed in my absence is that I discovered a group page on Facebook that has reunited the youth of the mid 70's in my neck of the woods.  Yes, there were teenagers galore that drove up and down Gulfway Drive in Port Arthur relentlessly in search of girls, guys, friends and any remnants of excitement they could discover.

I was one of those teenagers who "rode the drag" with my brother or with my friends searching for our next girlfriend.  At first, I wasn't impressed with the monotony of the endless back and forth cruising.  But, then again, we tuned into channel 5 on the CB radio.  Yes, the CB in those days was our mode of communication.  Think of CB's as the old "internet."

As I read the posts, I relived some of my glory days as I was catapulted back into 1976.  All of the old haunts were reminisced.  Lists of roamer of this road are listed to let others know who has left this world.  CB handles were displayed along side of their owners, revealing the person behind the persona.

I tell you, I've had the best time with this page.  Speaking of pages,  why not like mine?  Here's the link:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-JR-Stone/143787462351082.  In the meantime, I think I'll drink a Bud and listen to Boston's "More than a Feeling". 

Sigh, the good ole days.