Billy B. visited DeSoto today. He always thought of it as the town between Elkville and Carbondale. But he did have some history with the little community. For instance…in recent years he had the honor of helping his dear friend, Thelma, set up her IPad. Thelma lives in DeSoto. Many the times he had eaten dinner at Thelmas’ table when she barely had enough food for her two sons and yet she graciously invited Billy B. to partake…and he did…he was hungry. Thelma treated Billy B. like a mother would a son…and he loved her for it. Thelma was the example of a strong Christian Woman. She was humble and yet resolute in her commitment to Christ and to all who needed her assistance. Billy B. had never met anyone like Thelma…and still has not…although he is now an old man. Thelma would listen to Billy B. as if he were an adult and he felt humbled by the experience.

Over 40 years ago…Billy B. had attempted to sell Solar Panels for his friends, Margo and Jeff, in their insurance office at DeSoto. He wanted desperately to find his place and fit in with his good friends’ organization. MJ was a dear friend of Margo and Billy B. was a friend of Jeff. Billy B. admired and aspired to the success that they had achieved at a young age. Jeff had been a true Horatio Algier Story of Rags to Riches. Today…Billy B. remembered working in the Insurance Office attempting to sell Solar Panels in DeSoto, Illinois. DeSoto looked different over 40 years ago. It was more thriving and Billy B. knew several people that he attended church with…that lived in DeSoto. Ben and Ethel Mezo lived in DeSoto. Ben told him that the Mercury Grand Marquis that he owned in the 70s…was nothing but a ‘Young Cadillac.’ Later…Billy B. would work on the same crew as Willis Gottschalk who was the son-in-law of Ben and Ethel Mezo.

Billy B. drove through DeSoto on his way to work at Southern Illinois Unversity and on his way back home to Elkville. He often stopped at the Handee Mart for gas and coffee to aid in keeping him awake on the third shift or the second shift. Billy B. traded rides with a colleague, Elbert Eskell Covington, who lived in an upscale area of DeSoto. Elbert Eskell…was a shade tree Historian…and had the history books that he had written to prove it. One time Billy B. forgot to pick up Elbert Eskell…and Elbert Eskell visited him at his office in the basement of the Engineering and Technology Building on the Campus of SIUC. EE was angry and was beet red on his face and spoiling for a fight…when Billy B. rose from his desk and took his Stanley Coffe Thermos in his right hand and told EE in no uncertain terms to leave the building and to not come back…the Stanley Thermos was made of steel…

Saturday found DeSoto in a quiet reflection of its’ former glory. Many of the Towns’ buildings were deteriorated and were in disrepair. There was a wonderful Jayco Camper Sales Display that looked somewhat out of place in the poor confines of the Little Village of DeSoto. I passed a gentleman who remarked that he would just like to be able to afford one of the little Jayco Campers…I agreed and we understood our economic reality…

Today I continued my photographic tours of Southern Illinois. Some to the little towns such as Royalton…I have not driven through in years…while most of them I have failed to pay close attention to the antique and vintage architecture that they contain. I have noticed that over the past ten years or more we have had a proliferation of Dollar General Stores spring up in every town and village and hamlet. I went to the Dollar General in Royalton and was pleasantly surprised to be reminded of my old memories of the Ben Franklins Dime Store in Eldorado…well over 50 years ago. A gentleman was walking from far down the street and as I proceeded to the Dollar General he followed me inside. When I checked out with my three possessions…he smiled and I thought that he looked somewhat familiar…from so many years ago.

During the early 70s, Royalton had a police officer that was notorious for giving speeding tickets. It was an urban legend that if you were very nice to him and called him sir and stayed humble…he would let you off with a lecture…but if you defended yourself or were a bit cock-sure…he would issue you the maximum fine. The speed limit in Royalton in those ancient days was 20 miles per hour and one late night I was stopped for 23 mph. I was humble and took my lecture and he told me to watch my speed in the future. My buddy, Steve, was stopped a few nights later for just a few miles over the speed limit and he attempted to defend his speed…and he paid a hefty fine…

Carterville is my neighbor. It is a highly thought of town with a lot of entrepreneurship and activity. It is my understanding that Carterville has great schools and they certainly honor their sports teams by placing the individual member of the teams’ names on large placards along the roads entering the bustling town.

Little Egypt is full of proud and humble people. Treating each other fair and like you want to be treated is a lifelong creed in our neck of the woods. Church and hard work and dedication to God and Country are admirable and worthy goals…remembering those members of your town who gave the ultimate sacrifice…are memorialized in every hamlet…no matter how poor.

I was taken aback again today when I spoke to a lady in the Dollar Store and she was so kind and somewhat apologetic and humble. I realized that in small towns of Southern Illinois…I may not be recognized by the locals as they often interact with the members of their own communities…but to feel like a visitor to the area that I was raised in…is a bit disconcerting.

‘I have Bacon Lettuce and Tomato sandwiches ready for you…so hit the deck you rubberneck,’ called out Junebug. That was the nickname for Neva J. that she was known by many of her friends. She smiled when she heard it and remembered her brother, Gene, who she called…Fetch…and thought of how he had been at the beginning of…Junebug. Each time Billy B. saw an actual June Bug…he thought of Neva J. Billy B. literally idolized Bacon Lettuce and Tomato Sandwiches… The summer sandwich was his primary nourishment throughout the summer vacation. At times he had them both for breakfast…but also supper. Chet was on his way to his house and they were going to go hiking. Jane and Daryl were to join them at the woods…and Neva J. had packed enough BLTs for the lot of them. ‘I have heard that there is an unidentified creature in the woods and that the Eldorado PD are afraid to go into them too deeply…also here is a Polaroid photo of the monster…but it is kind of blurry,’ said Chet as he met Billy B. at the front door of his house. ‘That looks a bit like Mr. S. when we scared him on the Pounds Hollow Beach,’ laughed Billy B. ‘It is hairy like Mr. S…but it is also smiling…and Mr. S. never smiles,’ noted Chet.

‘I read in the Eldorado Daily Journal that some campers were awoken by the creature and that he asked for a glass of water…when they poured him a glass…he ran when he saw a June Bug on the rim,’ laughed Daryl. ‘Do you think that Neva J. would come with us,’ asked Jane? ‘I not only will come with you…but I will wear my old Halloween Costume…it is a giant June Bug, laughed Neva J. as she winked and had a drink of Red Wine. Neva J. loved Red Wine…preferably Merlot or Cabernet. She and Billy B. had made Balloon Wine on several occasions and Billy B. thought it was wonderful. Neva J. was a once in a while…Day Drinker…and it improved her attitude on life and made the summer day all the more enjoyable.

Robert Frost said it best, ‘The Woods were lovely…dark and deep…’ Neva J.s’ Picnic Basket was full and overflowing with the BLTs and several bottles of Red Wine…and napkins…of course. The little antenna that protruded from Neva J.s head and the black spots on her red costume…make her a compelling sight to see. As the sun began to set…the Creature Hunters set off on their mission…with Merlot in their canteens and a song in their hearts. Neva J. brought up the rear of the entourage and she was on the lookout for the Monster that looked like the Junior High Principle…Mr. S.

‘Did anyone bring some Off Bug Repellant…something is biting my legs,’ said Jane. ‘Me too and I have picked off a hundred June Bugs from my arms, Chet replied. About that time…the sound of rustling and twigs cracking underfoot and a general unease…filled the air. ‘Hello…I am Jim the June Bug…what are you doing in my forest,’ said the six-foot-tall black-spotted and red-bodied…giant June Bug! ‘We were just looking for you…Fetch…when did you get the cool costume,’ asked Neva J.

‘I have been picking shit with the chickens,’ answered Billy B.s colleague at SIUC. Billy B. was new to the University and he noticed that one of his co-workers carried a bag on his shoulder and that he looked somewhat unkempt and life worn. Billy B. later found out that his friend was from a town in Little Egypt called Mulkeytown. He had never heard of Mulkeytown although he had spent the bulk of his life living in Southern Illinois. Billy B. also thought what a unique and clear manner in which the ‘Man-Bag’ carrier had described his life. As he considered the implications of a life that would elicit the very ready response of…’Picking shit with the chickens…’ and having the physical appearance to back up his claim…he reflected on a time in his own life that the ‘Tobacco Road’ response would apply.

Billy B. wanted to be a salesman. He had aspired to this lofty goal ever since he had witnessed several examples of successful salesmen who had seemingly gone from rags to riches…before his eyes. Billy B. loved to read the World Book Encyclopedia. Not the online version…but rather the halcyon days of a full hardback version of 23 volumes with an update to add to the 23 each year. His pastor…at the time…had a friend who had been a former school teacher and now was a recruiter for salespeople for Door-To-Door Sales of World Book Encyclopedia. Even in the 70s, a set of World Book Encyclopedias cost several hundred dollars. Billy B. drove to Herrin, Illinois to meet Mrs. Butler. Mrs. Butler looked him up one side and down the other and pronounced that he was going to have to purchase some new clothes to endeavor to look the part of a World Book Encyclopedia Salesman. When she asked him how old he was…he announced that he was 16…but would be 17 in a month. ‘I have never had a recruit as young as you,’ said Mrs. Butler…with a very worried look on her face. ‘I am sure that I can succeed…Mrs. Butler as I am highly motivated…I live on my own and I need the money for groceries,’ Billy B. said with a large grin. ‘You know what…I believe you,’ replied Mrs. Butler. ‘Your area will be Herrin…and you will have the entire town as your territory,’ Mrs. Butler pronounced.

In the mid-70s Herrin had factories such as Maytag and a vinyl upholstery factory. Billy B. began to work under the tutelage of his supervisor, Dennis P. Dennis P. liked to begin each morning at a local restaurant for coffee and doughnuts. Billy B. simply had coffee…as he did not have doughnut money. Dennis P. talked for up to two hours before they began their training. ‘Let’s have lunch…I will buy,’ said Dennis P. ‘But we have not knocked on any doors yet,’ said Billy B. ‘That we will do directly after lunch…after lunch is the best time to catch the customer at home,’ said Dennis P. with confident bluster. Lunch lasted two hours. ‘I just remembered that I have an appointment in Christopher this afternoon…you will do fine Billy B.,’ Dennis said as he pointed him to the street to begin on.

Billy B. had been to three training classes at Dennis P.s’ home in Christopher before the Big Day in Herrin. There was a word-for-word script from the time that the potential customer answered the door that Billy B. would be knocking on…until the sale was secured. The premise was that Billy B. was conducting a survey as to children’s educational needs…and that he had seen some children’s toys in the yard or on the porch and did the kind mother or dad have just ten minutes to discuss education in Herrin? Of course, the opening statement was a bit of a fabrication. The entire purpose of the visit was to sell the books.

Door after door was either slightly cracked…for a moment…in order to facilitate Billy B.s’ scripted opening remarks…and then slammed…or slammed…outright! Door-To-Door sales are almost unheard of today but in those somewhat safer times…it was just the thing for earning a living…if you had the gift of gab. Billy B. soon discovered that the lie that he had been told to say…did not fit with his personality or ethics and thus he began simply telling the person who opened the door what his real purpose was…that he was selling the wonderful set of encyclopedias and that he would like to take a few minutes to show the kind person how kid-friendly the books were and how they could purchase them on time… Suddenly doors began to open and sets of World Book Encyclopedias were sold. Billy B. knew that he had a quality product and most people that he spoke with knew that as well. Honesty and straightforwardness…paid off. Still finding enough of the poor hard-working people of Herrin to facilitate a living selling Encyclopedias…was hardscrabble and a bit like…’Picking shit with the chickens.

The Time Study Man…came to the door after Billy B. knocked three times. Billy B. had first met The Time Study Man when he had worked at Essex International Factory at DuQuoin. Billy B. had been placed on what was called a Carousel. This was with four women and one very young man. It was his first job soon after high school. His colleagues loved to speak of their fun weekends and sexual exploits. Linda was the Shop Steward for the Union. Billy B. thought that Linda…must have said it all one Monday morning when describing her ribald weekend…when she announced, Girls…I would tell you more…but Billy B. is much too young to hear such talk!’ Billy B. discovered that he was a little slow for the fast-paced circular assembly line. He then recalled the strong coffee that he had drunk each morning before he caught the bus to school. He drank the coal-black coffee of his step-dad…and it opened his eyes and gave him an entirely new outlook on life. He began to place his precious dimes into the coffee machine in the Essex Break Room. When he returned to Merry-Go-Round…he was a new man. He had been transformed from Clark Kent…to Superman…and his female coworkers…were amazed. Linda said, ‘I have never seen anyone perform the procedure that Billy B. is doing…faster than him…I am calling the Time Study Man!’ The Time Study Man came and watched and peered at his stopwatch and then at Billy B…and then again at his stopwatch…and gave Billy B… another task in addition to what he was doing so fast…and well.

Billy B. thought…’Chicken Coop…and Chickens…and shit…

We are all a bit afraid. We must be honest with ourselves and admit that we are still in the midst of our Pandemic Mass Shootings War in Europe and runaway inflation…gas just climbed another ten cents in Carbondale and is now $5.19 per gallon…we want to stay in and triple lock our doors…and shut the curtains. Now with all of the realities that confront us and then there are the conspiracy theories that are perpetrated and promulgated as if they were the gold standard of truth.

Billy B. knew that Gene was Gay. He had always known this fact like he knew that the sun was either shining or that it was an overcast day. Gene was a loner and afraid and living a lie. He pretended that he was Straight and dated girls…but he had a secret life that he told no one about. In the 60s the Closets were made of heavy oak and had solid core doors and were kept locked tightly. Chet and Jane and Daryl were good friends with Gene. Gene kept his secret life…secret from his best friends. Gene was often sad and had endured the taunts and name-calling of his schoolmates for years. What hurt him tremendously was that he was a member of a fundamentalist church that did not accept Gay people. In fact, the pastor made fun of homosexuals and lesbians and gave the congregation the tacit approval to do the same. When a Gay person was hurt or abused or defamed by the so-called religious community this church would rejoice in their Self Righteousness. The Hate Speech that was accepted and secretly welcomed by the revered City Fathers and Church Elders…was a manifestation of the lies that they were living…as many of them were secretly homosexual.

Stan was a great kid! Chet and Billy B. enjoyed talking with Stan and being around him. He was intelligent and had a wisdom that was above his years. Stan was Gay in a hostile world. He kept to himself and kept his own counsel. He was a compassionate person and cared about his fellow human beings.

Billy B. said, ‘Some of my best friends…are Gay.’ ‘It seems that Gay folks really understand what being a friend is all about,’ replied Chet. ‘Well, anytime you have been made fun of for who you are and marginalized by laws that do not include you…and chastised for your love for Christ…you quickly discover who your friends are,’ said Jane. ‘Many of the most insightful religious thought and literature…and deep philosophical ethics…has come from the minds and hearts of our Gay friends,’ noted Daryl.

‘I think that our Gay friends must look at much of the Straight Community and wonder what the problem is,’ said Jane. ‘They are living their lives and working and studying and love their kids and love their partner…and love Jesus…who beckons them to come to him. ‘I am going to ask Stan to come with me to church this Sunday,’ said Billy B. Our church will welcome him and love him as a member of God’s Creation. ‘Gene is a Master Organ Player…one of the best in Southern Illinois…and he has agreed to play our Organ for Sunday Service,’ exclaimed Chet. ‘Finally our beautiful Pipe Organ…will resound with the joy of a child of God…playing it again,’ Daryl said as a tear escaped his watering eyes…

Another morning has come. When I was still working I often said to my colleagues ‘Good Old Monday’ and Nancy would laugh. She told me once that she was waiting to hear me say ‘Good Old Monday… Although Monday is not the first day of the week…it seems like it when you are employed. Everyday life is a bit like a forest…’It is hard to see the forest for the trees.’ Most days are filled with some type of routine. Many of our activities have become muscle memory. So often life is rushing by us…while we are waiting to live. Next year is our motto…or ‘Tomorrow is another day,’ Scarlett O’Hara said in Gone With The Wind…

Learning the Secret of enjoying life on a daily basis is valuable. The ordinary is extraordinary when looked at through the right prism. The joy of small things is another way to see the ordinary as special. I regularly walk in Campus Woods and I see the most magnificent lessons of nature. We of the human family believe that rabbits and deer and my Building Beaver that is constantly working in my pond…are interlopers and visitors to our property and our world. But…how do the wild animals feel when they see us. Are we not interlopers and visitors to their world? Are we truly superior because we can read and write…or are we basically a destructive species due to our hubris?

Of late I have been photographing our surrounding small towns in Southern Illinois. These are towns that I have visited many times and one, Eldorado, that I grew up in. Yet, I did not see the many nuances of the buildings and the people that I now see in my senior years. When I was younger…I did not take the time to really look. We are a bit myopic in our vision and thus in our understanding of what is around us. I could liken our lives to a Gerbil on a Wheel…always furtively running and never getting anywhere. When you keep your nose to the grindstone…and never look up…the panoply of life is on an IMax Screen and Surround Sound is encompassing you…but you are preoccupied with the Stone…

After taking photos of several towns surrounding Carbondale…why not Carbondale. I saw the happiest people this morning. By their classy attire…I feel reasonably certain that many of them had attended Sunday Church Services and they were indulging in some brunch after filling their spirits. I love seeing people of all colors and creeds and countries fellowshipping together. Carbondale is that kind of town. It is unique in the amount of diversity that makes up the community. People were laughing and slapping each other on their backs and in general exhibiting…not a care in the world. Sunday morning in Carbondale in June was busier than I expected.

During my photographic study of the towns of Little Egypt, I have noticed that the churches are often just a block over from the town square. Churches were terribly important to the founders and builders of the towns. Faith and the exhibition of that faith by church attendance were of equal importance with hard work and professional conduct. You did not often have one without the other.

The Railroad was essential to the success of Carbondale as well as most of the communities in the midwest. These Communities were built before automobiles and commerce and goods and commodities…traveled by rail.

Billy B. looked out of the window of the Gulf Transport Bus. Carbondale seemed like the big city to him. He was accustomed to Eldorado and to arrive in Carbondale was to him…enthralling and exciting and energizing…while some would say that he had arrived in Sin City…or Sodom and Gomorrah. He looked around at the Train/Bus Station and wondered where SIU was. He could not see it in either direction that he peered. Not being old enough to drive…he did not know which way to start walking. ‘Excuse me, mam…can you direct me to where the University is located,’ Billy B. asked the kind-faced woman. ‘Well…Delyte and I are going there now…would you like to accompany us, Dorothy said. ‘I sure would, mam, I am going to attend a Play at the Theatre on Campus and then spend the night with my cousin, Brenda, and return to Eldorado tomorrow on the Gulf Transport Bus, answered a happy Billy B. ‘Who is this fine young man,’ asked Delyte? ‘I am Billy B…sir,’ answered Billy B. ‘I am Delyte and my wife is Dorothy…and we live on Campus…we both work there,’ smiled Delyte.

‘Have some Peanut Butter Cookies…Billy B. and some cold milk,’ said Dorothy. ‘I checked the starting time of the Play and found that it does not begin for three hours…would you like a tour of Southern Illinois University,’ asked Delyte? ‘I sure would…Sir…you and your wife are most kind and I will tell Neva J. about your kindness to me, exclaimed Billy B. ‘Good Morning President Morris and Mrs. Morris,’ said the Campus Security Police Officer as Delyte got a bicycle out of his garage that was just the size for Billy B. ‘Who is the fine young man with you,’ asked the Poice Chief? ‘He is a future student of SIU and our honored guest,’ said Dorothy.

Doctor Billy B. sat at the foot of the statue of Dorothy Morris…the First Lady of Southern Illinois University @ Carbondale…and a tear coursed down his cheek…

I made another visit to my Photo Project Of Murphysboro. Again I spoke with a kind lady in the gas/market and I considered how rare it is to confront a kind helpful person in our days of ‘Catch Me If You Can’… Just a few kind words change my entire day. I feel more at peace and confident in my endeavors. The world looks sunnier and more inviting…and I feel refreshed and renewed. Kindness is powerful. After someone is kind to me…I am inspired! A person that is genuinely nice to me…has a friend for life.

Chet could not believe his good fortune. He had been asked to play the Lost In Space Robot in the ‘Lost In Space’ Play at Hillcrest school. He was the main character. Billy B. was to portray Dr. Smith and Daryl would be Will Robinson. Neva J. would be Wills’ mother and Jane would be Penny his sister. Irwin Allens’ Space Opera which was loosely based on The Swiss Family Robinson was a massive Hit in Eldorado. Chet had been portraying the Lost In Space Robot daily for over a year and had requests that were backed up by the other students to see his uncanny rendition of the Television Show Mechanical Star. Chet had purchased an entire Lost In Space Robot Suit from Harry Ackerrmans’ Monster Magazine and he guarded it with his life. Chet had the abiding affection of many of the girls of his class and of the upper-class girls…as well. They described him as; Dreamy…Adorable…and they often exclaimed…’ Awww,’ when he approached…especially with his costume on.

‘Who will be the monster that we fight in the Play,’ Chet asked. ‘Well…the TV Lost In Space has so many unusual monsters…perhaps we can fight the monster of Hate,’ said Jane. ‘I like it a lot,’ exclaimed Billy B. ‘How will we dress Hate,’ Neva J. asked. ‘Let’s dress Hate as an Angel…with secret horns,’ said Daryl. ‘Once again…I like it very much…Hate usually portrays itself as a wolf in sheep’s clothing.’ ‘Judas was one of Jesus’ trusted disciples and traveled with him everywhere that he went…and they ate out of the same dish,’ said Chet. ‘Let us dress up our monster as a Lamb,’ said Chet.

The night of the Hillcrest School Performance of Lost In Space In Eldorado…was about to begin. All of the players were costumed and in their place. Chet had on his Lost In Space Robot Costume and Billy B. was dressed as Dr. Smith and Daryl was there as Will Robinson. In the wings was Neva J. as the Mother and Jane as Penny Robinson…and there was a Lamb…who the others did not know who had on the Lamb Costume…and there was an Angel…with a smile like the Mona Lisa by Leonardo DaVinci. As the Performance was at its’ zenith and the Lamb was to be exposed for its Wolf Nature…it ran from the stage…bleating in fear…

The Angel stepped forward and said…I am wearing a Toupee…

Folks enjoyed my Murphysboro photos so much that I made another trip to the famous old Southern Illinois Town…one more time. I was once again struck by the amount of traffic and commerce in Murphysboro…as compared with the other Little Egypt towns that I have visited over the past few months. Murphysboro has several Antique stores and they seem to be doing a good business. I have felt comfortable walking the streets of the town each time that I have been there. On both visits, I have stepped into a little food/gas station to avail myself of the facilities and to purchase some amazingly reasonable cigars. Cigars and photography are a lovely match. Each time the friendliness of the people and the employees has been refreshing.

I call the above photo, ‘Mannequin Watching.’ As I strolled the vintage streets of Murphysboro…I reflected on what appeared old to my 64-year-old eyes…was new to the residents of this lovely town…in our last century. During our relatively short lives, we have lost much of a feeling of continuity or how the past transported us to our present.

Architecture is a point of pride for we Americans…but when you look at the examples of the building of 100 years or more ago…we fall short of bragging rights.

For much of my life, I have been a resident of Southern Illinois. Often I did not feel the significance of the culture or the heritage of my surroundings. Little Egypt is full of farmers and former coal miners…and professors and Academics of all stripes. It has the ‘High Worship Service’ of the old denominations and the Charismatic Worship of the young and of those who have been forgotten by Denominations. It has the faith that God will heal you if you are sick…and the quiet faith that God will guide the doctor’s hands… In short, I live in a true melting pot of recognized cultures and those that have been a bit missed by the media and some elites. My friends and neighbors and the people of Murphysboro are humble and happy…they often have little of this world’s earthly goods…but they have a deep and abiding faith…that is compelling.

June is a great month. One of my favorite. Neva J. went by the name Neva June for the majority of her life…although her birth certificate showed her name as Neva Jane… Neva J. was born on June 29, 1928. She would have been 94 years old this month. Neva J. enjoyed people and having a laugh and a good time. All of her friends were either Kid or Kiddo to her. She loved to read books ranging from the Bible to Gone With The Wind. She thought the actor, Clark Gable, was just about the epitome of male acting prowess. Neva J. sought to help those who had less than she did. She coveted neither acknowledgment nor fame and had a servant’s heart. Life was a free gift of God as far as Neva J. was concerned and she endeavored to impart what riches of life that she could to her neighbors and friends.

Billy B. watched his mom every day and knew that she was the type of person that he wanted to be. When it came time for the June 2nd trip to Pounds Hollow that he and Chet and Jane and Neva J. loved to take…he was not surprised that Rosie was going to accompany them on the Holiday. Rosie was a round little woman that had variations of one type of dress…the Moo Moo…and she wore them with pride. She had lived by herself for many years although Neva J. had told Billy B. that her parents had been famous in Vaudveile and that she had been a first-grade school teacher before her husband had passed away. Rosie had taught at Hillcrest School in the early 50s and had been much beloved by her pupils. In those days she and her husband, Rudolph, had often traveled to St.Louis to see performances of the premier performers of the day. They had seen Bob Hope and Bing Crosby…and the Play…A Streetcar Named Desire…by Tennessee Williams. Rosie had identified with one of the main characters, Blanche DuBois, who had experienced life reversals and had fallen from prosperity to penury… Rosie loved Neva J. and felt totally at ease with her. Neva J. had purchased for her friend…a comely modern bathing suit that Rosie looked like a million dollars in! When Rosie walked out onto the sandy Pounds Hollow Beach…she felt like Claudette Colbert…who she had met many years previously. Neva J. had taken Rosie to the Beauty Parlor in Eldorado and had her hair styled and she looked like a different person than what she had presented to the world since her beloved Rudolph had died. When Mr. Jefferson said hello to Rosie…he was smiling from ear to ear and he remarked how lovely she looked. Rosies’ cheeks became scarlet and she thanked him with a demure smile.

The Pounds Hollow Water was extremely choppy that June 2nd. It was reminiscent of the ocean…although it was just a large lake. ‘I am going out beyond the rope to swim,’ announced Chet. ‘Me too…that is the best swimming at Pounds Hollow,’ replied Billy B. ‘Not me…I am going to stay with Rosie and Neva J. in the shallow end of the Lake,’ Jane said with conviction! ‘Be careful you guys…you know that there are Water Poccassins out there in the deep,’ Neva J. muttered with a worried look on her face. ‘Do not worry…Mom…you know that Chet and I are expert swimmers, Billy B. yelled with a large grin on his wet face.

Chet began to sputter and spit water and gasp as he went under the large waves. Billy B. was trying to bring him in…but Chet was too heavy for him…and he began to succumb to the rage of the water as well. Suddenly…there was Rosie and Jane…and each grabbed one of the boys and began to easily bring them to the shore. ‘Rosie…you swim like an Olympian,’ said Jane. ‘I swam in the 36′ Olympics in Germany…I got the bronze medal…Hitler was a Prick,’ Rosie said.