THE REST OF THE DAY PART 25

You do remember I am on a vacation away from California where I am in the process of mentoring myself when I was 12 in 1952.  Easy to get confused without  reminder once in while.  I am writing from my memoirs and have greatly neglected my homestead.  In fact, the City called me and said if I didn't cut the grass in front yard, they would and bill me.  I asked them to cut it and bill me.  They had to use a farmer's combine to cut it, but in the process, they found my Volkswagon .  I wondered where it had gone.  Now, back to Tulsa in 1952.  Having seen Mimi again, and having tasted afresh that wonderful time, I began to think about 12 year old Bob back in Glendale; I needed to get back, but not before going to McAlester, about eighty miles South. That is where Mom grew up.  It was 1952 and Polk Street was still a dirt road.  208 E.Polk; home of Fred and Jennie Swanson.  The four children had left home years before and now it was just Fred and Jennie.  Fred ran a small dairy and Mom helped deliver the milk when she was just a little girl.  Mae died from cancer in 1945, Ruth became a nurse, Ray became an agent for a major railroad, and Edith became my Mother.  Just to bee there and drive by was good enough for now.  There was Jeff Lee Park with its play ground and swimming pool.  There was the baseball stadium where the McAlester Rockets played minor leage.  It seemed the whole town turned out for the games.  Before the game, a water truck went down Polk and sprayed water to settle the dust.  Little urchins used to run behind the truck and dance around in the cool spray.  Lots of small town spirit....it was a big deal.  I was tired and stayed in the Hotel Aldridge....McAlesters finest !!   I hated to leave so soon, but it seems we all have to leave too soon.   I watched in the rear view mirror and saw the old water tower shrink away....wind in the windows...road flying at me.   it was time.   (to be continued)