Over the years, I’ve told stories to my kids and grandkids that provided a glimpse into my childhood. These were usually tales of the many funny things that happened when I was a kid. I grew up quite differently from my grandsons or even my own children for that matter. My entire motivation in writing this book was to give them a comprehensive picture of how it was in the bygone era of my youth. But as I began to involve my brothers and a few old friends in my research, the motivation slowly evolved. I began to realize that the story I had to tell had a much broader appeal than just my immediate family.

 

I soon realized that life in rural Kentucky in the 1950s and 1960s had far more in common with 1900 than 2000. The material differences are striking. Farmers still used horses to work the land. Most roads were unpaved. But the differences go far beyond the material. In fact, the greatest change has been cultural. Subsequent generations have become desensitized to abnormal behavior. For example, the violence depicted in television and movies that shocks Darlene and me, is barely noticed by our children and even less by our grandchildren. Not only is today’s culture more violent, it is coarser.

 

It is no cliché to say that I grew up in a simpler time. This story that is merely a personal history is littered with reminders of an America that the majority of my generation fondly longs for and recalls. Sadly, we can’t go back, but it is fun to remember. Most that read the first limited edition of this book were grateful to have pleasant memories rekindled and many brought to my attention more stories that I had forgotten. Those additional tales necessitated a second edition and with a lot of encouragement, the decision to publish it to wider audience. I sincerely hope that readers of this book have as much fun as I did writing it.