Growing Up in a Small Town

You know everyone in the 4th of July Parade.

You can name everyone in your high school graduation class.

You know what 4-H is and can name all four H's.

You used to "drag main street".

Whey you said the "F" word, your parents knew about it within an hour.

You scheduled parties around the schedule of different police officers, because you knew who would bust you and who wouldn't.

You went to parties at a pasture, barn, gravel pit, or in the middle of a dirt road. On Monday, you could tell who was at the party because of the scratches on the legs from running through the woods when the party got busted.

You would never buy cigarettes because every store clerk knew how old you were. Even if you were old enough, they'd still tell your parents.

When you did find somebody old enough and brave enough to buy cigarettes, you still had to drive on country roads to smoke them.

You knew which ditch held the beer your buyer dropped off.

It was cool to date somebody from the neighboring town.

The whole school went to the same party after graduation.

You gave directions by people, not street names.

You had no choice but to date your friends' ex's.

Your car was always filthy because of the dirt roads and no one bought dark-colored vehicles.

Everyone considered a nearby town to be "trashy" or "snooty", but it was actually exactly like your town.

You referred to anyone with a house newer than 1970 as the "rich folks."

You thought people in the "city" dressed funny, until you picked up the trend two years later.

Anyone you wanted could be found at the gas station.

You saw at least one friend a week driving his tractor through town.

You had friends who occasionally drove a grain truck to school.

The gym teacher suggested you should build your strength by "bucking bales this summer."

All directions included "the stop light" as a reference.

You decide to walk somewhere for exercise and five people stop to ask if you need a ride.

Your teachers often called you by your older sibling's names.

Your teachers mentioned when they had your parents in class.

The closest mall was a long drive.

You thought nothing of seeing an old man riding through town on a riding lawn mower.

You've peed in a cornfield.

Most people went by a nickname.

- Al Lowe