On this October Sunday it is warm and delightful. The trees are in their glory and everything is so beautiful!
    This year is fast drawing to a close, but we still have many interesting things ahead. Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas are all coming up.
    I have time to remember many things that happened during my growing up and schooldays. We walked a mile and a half and never missed a day unless we were sick. I live near our old school ground and pass it two or three times a week. As I gaze upon the place, scenes of my childhood school days come back to me and nostalgia engulfs me.
    It has been said we should not live in the past, but what can one do when one is reminded everyday of those bygone days?
    I remember how we took our lunch in syrup pails. The old trees we sat under to eat are still there. We spent a lot of time exchanging food. The children today have it so much better, with hot lunches and a bus to take them to school. I don't think they are any happier than we were, though. We always stopped on the way home to eat persimmons, sour apples and possum grapes. If there was a sorghum mill making molasses, we stopped to "lick 'lasses."
    I loved it on the farm for I liked the outdoors. I didn't like the sameness of housework, though I didn't mind washing dishes. I remember mama made me wash them over sometimes, when I got in too big a hurry.
    One of my favorite jobs was gathering corn. I always had the "down row." I guess many young folks today do not know what a "down row" is. It is the row of corn the wagon straddled, knocking the stalks of corn down and making it easier to pick.
    I like living today, for I am old enough to enjoy and appreciate the modern things. We are retired, in one sense of the word, but we still keep busy at something. We're not old, just been around awhile. I am reminded of an old lady who told me if we lived long enough, we would be old. Nevertheless, if one keeps young in heart, life can be worthwhile.
    May God bless all the wonderful writers and readers of "Over the Ozarks."

Mellie Smith
October 22, 1975