I live in what most people would still consider a small town. But, like every
small town in America, its just not the same as it used to be. Now I'm not one
of those people who have an axe to grind with big chain stores, but one of the
things I miss most from my childhood is the presence of locally owned stores
and shops. Kinda like Ben Weaver's place I guess. I remember going uptown
with my mother and going into one of the local "Five and Dime" stores (we had
three in town). I still remember the smell of those stores. I guess mainly a
smell of old wood and maybe floor wax or something but a good smell. And I
remember the squeaking of the old hardwood floors as I walked back to look at
all the neat toys they had.
And then sometimes on Saturday morning I would ride with my Dad down to the
local farmers supply store. The "feed store" as it was known. I was always
like a big-eyed boy at the circus getting to stand around and listen to the old
timers loafing there and telling tales. The store had a glass fronted counter
and inside it was a roll of bologna and a hoop of cheese and the proprietor of
the store would slice enough of each for a sandwich if you so desired. There
wasn't much better than a bologna and cheese sandwich and a little 7-ounce (I
think) Coke in a glass bottle from the metal cooler with the sliding top and
the bottle opener on the side. Oh well, I guess thirty years from now, my
daughter can wax nostalgic about going to the electronics store and dreaming
about the cell phones and i-pods on display...
Doug Johnson
What is this "internet" thing I keep hearing about?
_______________________________________________
WBMUTBB mailing list
[email protected]
http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
