Baloney Sandwiches and Cannon Balls

None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm. - Thoreau

Long in the tooth.

I want truth.

The whole truth and nothing but the truth.

I want the lost days of my spent youth.

Outside in my bathing suit, playing in thunderstorms.

Building snow forts.

Playing Wiffle Ball.

Riding my ten-speed bike with the curled handlebars and delivering newspapers.

Going down my neighbors steep, long driveway on a skateboard.

Eating baloney sandwiches and Popsicles with the other neighborhood kids.

Fighting and looking out for each other.

Burning leaves and bugs with a magnifying glass under the sun.

Eating Cracker Jack and flaunting the prizes.

Available in different sizes.

Doing cannon balls and belly flops in the pool.

Thinking we were cool.

Playing spin the bottle.

Living life at full throttle.

I had nothing but everything.

I was poor but rich.

I had innocence.

I had a smile.

I had loyal friends.

I had unrequited love.

I was invincible.

A person of jagged principle.

Shovel and pail in hand, digging for lost gold.

Fearless and bold.

I had God.

My backyard was all-encompassing and broad.

Nothing seemed odd ...

Author's Note

"Rescue the drowning and tie your shoestrings." - Thoreau

"How earthy old people become --moldy as the grave! Their wisdom smacks of the earth. There is no foretaste of immortality in it. They remind me of earthworms and mole crickets." - Thoreau

Reviews

[Kelly Scheppers]

Baloney sandwiches and popsicles... yes, indeed! Did you eat the whole popsicle or just split it in half and save the other half for later? Those were the days, weren't they? My bike was everything to me, of course I had a basket, which came in pretty handy for carrying stuff. Looking back on it now, I know it must have looked pretty girly, but I didn't care. Hey Pete, we didn't think we were cool - we knew it! Awesome journey, my friend. Thanks for taking me back! ; )

[Pete]

we would split it and put half in the freezer for later but as soon as you knew it, we were opening that door again - needless to say, it didn't last long Lol. those sure were the days - i can just picture you with your bike! ... :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I did all those things when i was younger except the skateboarding...but the reminiscence is wonderful, Pete.
I am still active...but do miss those days when we played outside till dark and could never get enough
of being a kid and being active...
with wisdom comes slowing down...inevitable.
but thanks for the trip back,
j.

[Pete]

ah yes - i can hear my mom calling us to come in as darkness is falling. we never wanted it to end. holding onto that youthful enthusiasm is key. thank you for taking the trip back jacob ... :)