Skating

When we were youths we four brothers, Robert (Bob), Ronald (Ron), Delbert (Dell), and Leo (myself) found our entertainment in ways strange to today’s younger generation.  Before there was TV, and (believe it or not) even listening to the radio was only for special occasions as we had no electricity, and radio batteries were expensive and (during World War II) sometimes difficult to obtain at best, we did the best we could.

In winter we waited for the weather to cooperate with our desires.  After a thawing spell, followed by a general freezing, there might magically appear giant skating rinks awaiting our escapades.  When the first of winter appeared it was off to the attic to find every pair of hand-me-down skates available.  Each of us would pick a pair that more closely fit our feet size than any others.  Then it was a task to remove the best set of laces we could find among the unused  skates and reinstall them in the pair we had selected.

After skates selection and preparation we each selected our warmest pair of woolen socks, often with a bit of air conditioning, but yet serviceable.  Then it was time to bundle up in whatever old coats, scarves, ski pants, and such as we could find at the moment.

Out to the ice pond we headed.  Oh what a joy if the Matthews girls from next door also decided to spend an afternoon or evening in the same pursuit of entertainment as we boys.  Betty, Gail, Sarita, and Anne were almost the same ages as we four boys.  We had no specific games in mind such as hockey, or anything else.  We knew nothing of such things.  We merely skated all over the ponds, some times possibly playing tag or some other simple game.

Simpler times, simpler games, rosy cheeked children, laughter, and we all survived those times of no entertainment that children know today.