Nostalgia Lane (Part 1)

Like many other places in the United States of America, Southwestern Pennsylvania was known for years for it's coal producing abilities. My dad earned a dollar a day in the mines. Most everyone was a coal miner although we had a man who repaired shoes and the smell of leather permeated his little shantie. My best friend's dad repaired the time pieces of the residents.

Our little town was a hodge podge of immigrants from many different countries all trying to make a living for their families. Situated in a deep valley with one large hill coming in and another large hill at the other end of town going out, we were a town unto ourselves with rows of houses we called the "patch!" We had a general store which gave people "credit" so they could eat even when they had no money to pay for their groceries.

We never had to leave our town to have fun! We had our beloved river which runs clear as a bell and most everyone learned how to swim. Kids would practice their baseball playing abilities all day long in the ball field. Our doors were never locked. Mothers hung clothes out to dry in the summer breezes (and even icy winters where they froze solid on the clothesline.) Mothers also kept an eye out for who was doing what!

It was a happy, peaceful and safe time....this walk down Nostalgia Lane!