Happy summer days to you all.
    We have had a nice spring. The weather lately has been a cool 52 degrees in the mornings. Most unusual for early summer.
    Gardens are growing nicely. I have a garden and enjoy working in it.
    The cute little poem by Bess Nunn, "Our Mini Days and Ways," was so amusing. Wouldn't our grandmothers have been shocked at the fashions of today! I don't think I would have liked wearing a dress which dragged the ground like our grandmothers wore. But nevertheless, fashions do sometimes go to the extreme, whether it be back in the '90's or in this day and time.
    The reader from Willow Springs mentioned her mulberry tree and I was reminded of a tree in my grandmother's yard. We children used to climb that tree and eat our fill of mulberries. A few years ago, I gathered enough berries to make a pie. I thought it would be so good. I used a little lemon juice to give it a tart taste. Then someone told me the berries had worms in them. Naturally, we did not have the pie!
    Our Boone County is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. A big jubilee is planned on the 4th of July at Harrison.
    We remember the 4th of July celebrations of years ago. The band would play all day. Orators would speak. Lemonade stands would be in the Court Park, and a merry-go-round powered by a mule was always there. One could swing for a nickel. Some of us would buy an orange and carry it all day. Oranges were a scarce item in those days! Dinner would be spread on the ground and there was always lots of food. Folks really appreciated their freedom. Even though times were often difficult, people tried to make the best of situations. Problems were discussed and solved to everyone's satisfaction.
    But time marches on, so we live in the present and dream of the future when everything will be better.
    I'd like to pass along this little thought ... "If someone you meet is without a smile, give them one of yours."

Mellie Smith
July 5, 1969