BA>RN> But in the country, everyone knows everyone else.
 
BA> Boy is that ever true around here.  Everyone who's lived out here for
BA> years knows everybody else for 20 miles around.
 
Back in the 1950s, when you were thinking about joining the Air Force,
 I had a 1st cousin who lived in a rural area north of Slidell
known as Pearl River (not the swamp).  He worked in New Orleans, so spent a
lot of time there, which is how I came to know him and his side of the
family a little better.  I used to spend weekends up at the Pearl River
house and he and I would go into the woods (didn't have to take but a few
steps for that) hunting with our .45 autos.  Not much chance of hitting
anything with a semi-automatic pistol, but the walk into that area was good
for the lungs.
 
One day, I decided to go alone and take their Beagle with me because it
knew the way home and I, as a city slicker, was destined to get lost, which
I did.
 
I looked around for the Beagle and it was nowhere to be found.  Man's best
friend deserted me.  (-:  Well, sir, it got dark very fast and I was
disoriented.
 
Walking at night in an area of the woods that abounds with poisonous snakes
and other dangerous creatures would make the hair stand on the back of
anyone's neck.  Instead of panicking, I started walking in the general
direction of some light, which was sure to be light emanating from the city
of Slidell, some 12 miles away.  I came upon a firebreak and decided to
follow it, as it would surely lead me somewhere.  Sure enough, I came to a
house (I was saved!), knocked on the door and asked the man who opened it
if he knew my uncle.  He did and I explained to him all that I typed before
this and he gave me a ride back to my uncle's house, with the proviso that
the weapons I was carrying would be put in the back of his truck.  No
problem!
 
I NEVER heard the end of this story and everyone who lived in that area for
miles around knew it the next morning.  I didn't go anywhere with that
Beagle after that.  (-:
 
BA> I've heard that the fellow who sold me my acreage has been in poor health
BA> of late. He now lives in Red Oak, which is about 12 miles east of here. I
BA> heard the news of his health from someone who lives in Strahan, about 8
BA> miles southwest of me.
 
I kind of miss that.  The closeness is good for everyone, I think.
 
 
Regards,
 
Roger

--- D'Bridge 2.95