E Fromm's Photo Blog...

I used to live in a small town. Or at least what I considered a small place. It's still small. It's no LA or NY by any means. I am glad it's not. But it's interesting to look back on what was home and compare it to today. When I was a kid here there was dirt between the street and side walks. I remember riding my bicycle in that dirt and looking back at the tire tracks behind me. Some streets were just oiled dirt. And the dirt mixed with the oil was a red clay kind of color. And it would stick to my bicycle tires and make them red. It even had it's own kind of smell I can recall.

All around me there were places where there was still the natural woods. People would buy lots and they would just sit. And the city owned lots that went right threw several neighborhoods. I think that they thought that in the future that their would be a street there. So it was a trail about 2-3 miles long of trees and plant life native to this area. There were silk flowers and butter cup's. And pine trees and brush. Birds and squirrels lived there too.

I would ride my bicycle to school threw these paths. And I would enjoy it the whole way. I always liked being outside. Did not really matter what the weather was doing. I liked it out doors. And so these places were great to explore in the winter too. I can remember sledding in the trees. And riding my bicycle in the snow through them. Sadly they are all gone now. Houses sit where the paths used to be. There are a few places where some of these lots remain. And I can see the old paths of youth are still worn into them. A lot has changed over the years around here. Most of home has changed. And yet some places are still the same. Kind of like myself. Some things have changed a great deal, and some are just the same as ever...