When I was 8 and my sister was 9 Mama moved us to the mountains. Monday through Friday, she left for work at 6:30 and got home at 6:30. Come summer kids all over the mountains hiked or rode horses up to the creek to swim, build forts and damns, play games and read books by the dozens.

We found an old tar-pan, carved ourselves a sled run and flew down the mountain like it was a roller coaster.

On Saturdays we set up a lemonade stand on the highway leading into the valley and took turns keeping it open and running home to get more ice. We made ourselves some money and went big.

Signs for our summer carnival were everywhere. Our parents kept telling us not to get our hopes up, but our ambition could not be squelched. Imagine our parent's surprise when several hundred people showed up - and bought the old toys, clothes, arts and baked goods we put out for sale, then played our games and bought tickets for our play. We made so much money that all 14 of us went to the movies and had a hot dog, popcorn and a soda too. After that, we were always working on some money making scheme. Too fun.

The part I remember most, is how good we were to each other. We knew some of the stuff we did was dangerous - like swimming in that creek, or rattlers, or getting thrown off one of our horses - so we stuck together and looked out for one another. Everyone carried a pocketknife and scarves (rattler first aid). We shared our lunches and snacks and made sure the little kids behaved. The big kids were our protectors. If someone was mean, they had to apologize or leave. No bullies were allowed.

Even now, when the world closes me in, I can still close my eyes and return to those years of freedom.

Thanks for the trip down memory lane.