Dear Editor:

From all I read in the paper and see on television lately, we are headed into tough economic times. For me, it brings back recollections of a long past era. They say that history repeats itself. In this particular case, I hope that this doesn’t happen. I’m sure that this will kindle a memory from someone else’s past. The following gives a general idea of how things were back then.

Born in the late 1920’s, times were mighty bad. Back then, a bunch of hungry mouths to feed was all that daddy had. The next meal was an unanswered question, so my mama said. Looking back on those lean years, I wonder how they kept us fed. Jobs were mighty hard to find, food scarce as it could be. The three things that I remember most are poke salad, cornbread and sassafras tea.

Eight kicking feet in a double bed was quite a sight to see. Not knowing we were poor was normal life for me. When you’re young, all life is good. Too soon, it passed by. Sometimes when I reminisce, memories make me cry. Though hamburgers, hot dogs and barbecue are mighty fine you see. I still often eat, lest I forget, poke salad, cornbread and sassafras tea.

Today a daughter came by to visit. Guess what she brought to me? You’re right, you guessed it. She brought me two kraut dogs, a piece of cake and a jug of good ole sweet iced tea.

Thank you Lord for being so good to me.

J. Calvin Foster

LaGrange