To the south was the creek and the bridge, not to be crossed. To the west the highway. To the north the end of the sidewalk and to the east, the wire fence, denoting the railroad property.
The beneficial part was that I, at the age four and five, knew everyone of the neighbors and everyone knew me. They didn't mind if I dropped in for a visit.
Mrs. Fitch and her sister Frank Patrick always gave me a cookie. They seemed very old to me but they, at that time, were probably younger than I am now.
They told me how, as young ladies, they had often helped my grandparents when they had a large group of relatives for a meal.
I had heard people talk of the ocean and someone told me the water going down Mill Creek went to the ocean.
Shipments, at that time, usually arrived in a wooden box. Taking one from the cellar I dragged it down to the creek.
Thinking it would be a suitable boat I placed it in the water. Like a lot of my projects, it filled with water and sank. Sadly, I realized I would not be sailing to the ocean that day.