Reflections

While rummaging around through old pictures, these brought back some memories. I was about five years old when Daddy built this thing in the backyard called a "climbaround." For a couple of years I had been sickly, diagnosed with a heart murmur, and restricted to house and bed. Then the doctor said I was well and needed exercise. Dad built this climbaround as a result. It quickly became a favorite spot for neighborhood kids too. It was there for several years until some of the boards rotted away.

Dad also put up a swing and a set of rings A neighbor boy - Raiford Daniels - could swing right up into those rings, but it was a long time before I could do that. I had to use an old crate to stand on to get up there.

I also got a vehicle called an "exerciser" about the same time. Pumping the handlebars turned a gear that drove the back wheels. It was guided by turning the front wheels with my feet. Our house fronted on Frierson Avenue, and there was a sidewalk. I could run that thing up and down the sidewalk as long as I didn't cross an alleyway about 100 yards away. The side street - Wilson Avenue - was just dirt back then.

Mama had me enrolled in a tap dance class too, but that didn't last long. I had pretty good rhythm, but I wanted to be outside.