Bobby Joe

Do you have a Facebook account?
I do. And I started my facebook account for one reason-
To be found by people looking for me.

Yesterday I got a Facebook "friend request" from a guy named Bobby J. P******.
Listed as his High School?
CGHS.
I smiled and responded instantly.

I haven't seen or talked to Bob since 1966, but he was one of the good guys.
Good thing too... Bob was a fairly big man, with fists the size of cantaloupes...
A good guy to call friend.

Checking out Bob's "Friends" list I see photos for Pookie I*******, Paula D*****, Bill B*****, and Bob's sister Diane, who worked as a carhop at the Frostop.

This may (or may not) be a chance to bring some of those folks into our VK community, we'll see. But there's no question- opening my Facebook account is bearing fruit.

Maybe it's time for you to do the same?

Friday, And Log Inn Pics!

The "Log Inn" wasn't much to look at on the outside. But the line of folks waiting to get in to eat was an indication it might be worth the wait. We didn't wait long to be seated...
Maybe 15 minutes or so. (You can click these pics to enlarge 'em.)










We really didn't know how many were gonna show up, so we sat and chatted for about half an hour to insure everyone who intended to come was there. Here, Cinders and Ferdy catch up on their news.










The lineup on the opposite side of the table from me...
TC, Tracy, Carol, and Ferdy. Cinders and TD are just out of the photo on the right.










Hawk and his Mrs., and Sharon were on my side. Greybeard and Sara Jean are just outta the picture on the left.










TD speaks and TC looks convinced. Cinders seems skeptical. What were you sellin' TD?











This the "Lincoln Room", where Abraham Lincoln supposedly ate during a stop here in the 1840's. We ate in an adjoining room.










Vandy's Kids assembled, just prior to heading home for the evening. This barn, owned by TC's son Scott, is just a wonderful place for a get-together. Thanks again to TC and Sharon, and Scott and Lois, for your wonderful hospitality!

It's Friday once again.
Tell us what's happenin' with ya!

Valley Newsboy

Dennis Sikes, that was his name.
Odd that I can still remember it. He was 12 and I was 10. His family was getting ready to move out of the house that my second-grade teacher Dora Saunders would move into. Dennis had an "Indianapolis News" paper route. Dennis had pockets that jingled. I wanted pockets that jingled. Due to his move he needed someone to take his route, and I felt I was just the "man" to take it.

But there were a couple obstacles-
-I was too young. I think the Star-News people wanted their carriers to be at least 12.
-My parents also worried I was too young. They also knew that having a paper route would complicate my schedule should we want to take vacations or other time away from home.
But I had my mind set on having change in my pockets, so I persevered.

The route manager, a nice guy by the name of Mr. Hanson, came out and interviewed me, then talked with my parents. When he left the route was mine.
(Mom and Dad immediately set out to insure I knew how to make change.)

I delivered the Indy News evenings, Monday through Saturday, then I got up early Sunday to deliver the Sunday Star...
Seven days a week I delivered newspapers for almost 5 years. My pockets jingled. I saved and bought myself nice things. I was King of my world.
My bundle of papers was delivered at the end of our drive shortly after school let out. I'd pack them into a canvas saddlebag and throw them onto my bicycle (until I was twelve when I bought myself a Cushman Motor Scooter similar to this one), and I'd start out Northbound delivering papers to houses along Morgantown Road toward Bill Doty's Standard Station. Then I'd double back Southbound delivering along the way to old Smith Valley Road where I turned West and worked my way to Paddock Road. There I'd again go North to a couple newer houses near S.V. Road, then back South, over the bridge past Cissy, C&C, and Rita's house, delivering my last paper by simply walking through the back patio and into Ode Perry's old house where I'd lay the paper on their kitchen table. (I can still remember the comfortable smell of that place.)

I think I've written before about how much that route taught me...
Because of it I truly became a "small businessman" and learned ya always gotta have more income than outgo. I learned to save for things I wanted.
Much of my Valley clientele was elderly, so I also learned once in a while there'd be no one to answer the door when you came to collect at week's end. Having developed strong relationships with my customers over those five years, that was tough sometimes.

Doty's Standard Service, Effie's Variety Store, and Don Sutton's grocery were all great places to stop and have a cold refreshing "Ski" and maybe a bag of "Planter's Peanuts" in the summer, while affording a place to thaw out in the cold of Winter.

Papers delivered, there was almost always a pick-up basketball or full-tackle football game to be played at Steve and Danny W's house. (We were talking at our latest mini about the evening David W's collar bone got broken. We tackled tough!)

When it was REALLY cold, the creek would freeze over and we'd ride/slide our bikes up and down that stretch just beneath the old iron bridge. How we kept from breaking some bone while doing that is beyond me!

Ahhh.....
So there. I've shared some of my smiles with you.
Please, share some Friday-forum smiles with the rest of us.

The Log Inn Gathering

For all of you that could not make it to the Log Inn, you really missed some great food and again good fellowship with our classmates. Needless to say the desserts were delicious afterwards at the barn.
We want to Thank Terry & Sharon and Scott & Lois for the use of the party barn. It was the perfect end to a very good day. We set around visited and just plain relaxed after our bellies were full. Terry & Steve did play a little table tennis, "Did I say Little"???
David took some pictures so hopefully he will get them posted when he has the time. I hope everyone made it home safely.
Has anyone heard from Echo to see if they are OK and what happened to them Saturday night??

Dreams of Home

I don't often dream of Smith Valley. I guess the thought of visiting with all of you tomorrow sparked this dream last night:
During Winter snows, we'd often bring our sleds to the Hiatt addition hill near John K.'s house and sled down from there. It was tricky, 'cause you had to cross the street at the base of the hill where traffic didn't stop. We'd put a kid at the base of the hill to warn of oncoming traffic in case we needed to abort our sled run due to a car coming.

In my dream there had been an ice storm, coating everything in a thick layer of clear ice. I slid down the hill standing upright, then had to jump the cross street. Jumping/flying are frequently factors in my dreams and this was no different...
I jumped/flew for several seconds, making a perfect landing on the other side of the cross street...
Exhilarating.

Now, about this weekend-
Sorry you cannot make it Cissy. I had really looked forward to meeting the two of you, but fully understand that family is more important. We'll take a rain check for a "date to be named later."

Don't know yet if we'll be spending the night...
I was surprised this morning by my wife who said, "Let's play it by ear", meaning we'll bring an air mattress just in case we need to use it. We will certainly stay until we are "visited out", but then may drive the two hour drive home to wake in our own bed. (I snore when I'm tired, so it may be best for others if we don't stay!)

I'll call the Log Inn later and confirm reservations for 14-
TC and Sharon,
Echo and Shifty,
Hawk and Mrs. Hawk,
TD and Cinders,
JT and Barb,
Carol and Tracy,
SJ and GB.
... If I'm missing anyone, please let me know.

So, no cheesecake from Cissy, but we can look forward to cobbler made with fresh blackberries from Carol, and Sara Jean will make her killer peanut butter cookies.
Yum, yum!
Come hungry. Bring cash. See many of ya tomorrow.

Log Inn Gathering

I talked with Terry & Sharon this morning and they suggest we bring sleeping bags and/or air mattres. Barn is plenty big for whoever wants to stay.
If you plan on staying just leave word here so they will know about how many.
Terry said he would even fix eggs & bacon for breakfast. :)

Carson's Riding Stables

You can't read comments here and not notice there are horse lovers amongst us.
Joker, GH, and DJ all love the critters and, with TD and Cinders alongside (who met because of their mutual interest), will gather and share horsey experiences at every chance.
I think horses are beautiful, and there's nothing prettier than a slow-motion movie of a horse in full gallop... breathtaking.

Still, they are mighty dangerous. Anything that big, powerful, and spirited needs to be handled with discipline and respect. I have commented on several occasions how we often hear motorcycle riders derisively called "donors", while my experience flying injured patients is that horses can be every bit as hazardous to their rider's health. (Chris Reeve is a good example.) Interested in hearing a few gory stories? Ask when you see me next.

TD, DJ, Joker, and GH all owned their own animals and could saddle up when they had the time and inclination. For the rest of us, a place like Carson's was an alternative. My recollection is fuzzy, so help me if I screw up the details but as I recall Carson's was on the South side of Indy, not far from Beech Grove. For a few bucks you could drive the short drive and they'd saddle up a docile animal for you to go ride for an hour. I always did it a couple times a summer and felt it was a good value for the money... another fond memory.

Now, about next weekend...
I called the folks at "The Log Inn" and changed our reservation to 4 P.M..
I also told them our group may be as large as 14 or more. (Tracy and Carol, GREAT!) I trolled around the restaurant reviews and found this one, which seems representative of most:

"Great fried chicken! To-die-for mashed potatoes, slaw, etc. You can't miss this historic place. The service is always great, and quick. You may have to wait a bit for a table unless you get there early. This is our favorite family/special occasion place. "

... The hint at a possible wait to be seated was the most prevalent complaint, so we may have a little time to visit before being seated... Don't come famished.
Another thing I noticed... They don't take credit cards. Bring cash.

I told the gal we were having a mini-reunion and asked if there was a place we could sit and visit before/after eating. She said no, so I joked and said "Fine... We'll just bring lawn chairs and camp outside your front door!" The nice lady chuckled and said "You COULD do that... there's plenty of room, just no furniture."
Remember what happened after "The Best Little Whorehouse...?"
Discuss!

The restaurant is 12 miles North of Evansville, 1 mile East of U.S. Highway 41 on "Old State Road", just North and East of the intersection I-64 and 41. Check Mapquest or Mapblast.
Maybe TC can give us more detail, but I'm sure Carmen the Garmin will get us there just fine.
I'm looking forward to hugging and visiting with friends, both those I know AND those I oughta know!