I decided that on the tractor whenever I got an urge to smoke, I pulled out a chocolate tootsie roll. I quit smoking but it sure helped tooth decay that summer.

I began by stating that we are a product of our times, from the 1940s and 50’s until the early 80’s, tobacco use was permitted almost everywhere, even in hospitals. We had a player on our high school football team that sometimes would have a chew in his mouth while playing. Can anyone guess who that person was? The use of tobacco in public places slowly changed with time and I saw it coming, along with all the possible health problems associated with it. I finally quit using tobacco. We all should be careful when trying to say how bad one generation was. They were also products of their time. Maybe we should all take note of what Glenn Cambell had in the words of his song, Try a Little Kindness.

I hope at least a few people enjoy reading what I write. I would hope that some other member of a long time Allen resident will write a story about their family.

During my teaching career, I was able to teach students about science and math. I had just enough geometry to be dangerous. I could calculate angles with the help of trig and geometry. But, if you asked me to put two boards together at certain angles, I would be lost if it required accuracy better than a chain saw. Thank goodness that we have wood craftsmen like Sam Johnson. They can see angles in their head, put the wood through a saw and make the wood joint fit perfectly. My geometry is below: Statement: Time passes fast when you are having fun