I am sitting on the Writing Porch and it is still light. Of course, this should not astound me as it is now spring. I reminisce on Fridays in spring when I lived in Eldorado.

Friday is and was a big deal to me…the vestiges of its greatness remain with me in the Golden Years. Friday was the last day of school for the week, with an entire glorious weekend ahead. The Orpheum Theatre had the weekend’s first movie, followed by a Saturday matinee and multiple showings of a different movie on Sunday. Friday night was the night to see and hear the sounds of the motor city in Eldorado. The high school crowd drove their cars around the city square repeatedly. Constructing Model Cars was a big pass time for many kids. I preferred to purchase Universal Studios Monster Models glue them together and then paint them and put them on display.

Friday night movies were always a bit loud with all of the youth of the town in attendance. Often the movie would be a Monster Movie Science Fiction or even Disney.

The Dairy Queen was the eatery to go to after the movie if you like soft serve ice cream or Dilly Bars. In those halcyon days, DQ did not make hamburgers. However, they did sell Marlboro cigarettes. Dennis and I would avail ourselves of a pack to split between us and we would walk down the railroad track puffing like a coal-fired locomotive.

Friday night was the time to be at the Mall in later years. MJ and I and Aaron and Jonathon loved to visit Paducah, Kentucky and their Mall was so full on Friday night that it was difficult to walk down the shiny halls. The was a Candle Store that had Tom Clark Gnomes that we collected and we would stop in to talk with Elizabeth who ran the store. As Elizabeth would tell us the story of each little Gnome we not only felt that we knew them but that they must be a part of our family.

The University Mall was a Friday night destination for us in our early years. It was so fantastical and mysterious and jumping and jiving that MJ and I would drive from Elkville to Carbondale just to be a part of what was going on and coming down. Not only was there a multiplex theatre but also a host of restaurants. Folks from across Southern Illinois made the trek to Carbondale to see what was new and happening…

Friday is a good day to take a long weekend. We often did so once again in Paducah. The Executive Inn had a Two For One special and we enjoyed several Long Weekend stays. The indoor swimming pool was large and the water was cold one time Jonathon jumped in and swam the length of the pool under water and when he emerged he proclaimed, ‘I forgot my water wings!’ He no longer needs water wings but in those days he and Aaron were quite young. The Inn had the most wonderful breakfast and you could smell the bacon and other sundries wafting into your hotel room at around 4:00 A:M:. The Executive had many lovely shops and an excellent gift shop where I purchased a book of O’Henry Short Stories that I have to this day. We saw both Boots Randolph the famous tenor saxophonist in live performance as well as the Coal Miner’s Daughter, Miss Loretta Lynn.

Fridays are fun…