Editor, Times-Union: After a season of hot, torrid summer weather, the pleasant, balmy days of fall are generally welcomed by most mortals, although one often hears many individuals complain: "I hate fall, because it's a prelude to winter!"
Personally, I love fall, when the sky is mainly a soft, azure blue, surmounted by fluffy, snow-white clouds drifting leisurely over the heavens, not to mention a bright, vivid countryside all aflame with leaves of fiery red, orange or yellow.
I miss those autumn days of yesterday. (Here I go again, reviving the past, but readers tell me that they like to hear about it.) I miss those autumn days of another time when one was allowed to burn leaves on his own premises and smell the acrid, but not unpleasant aroma of smoke spiraling up from the smoldering leaves. Furthermore, I miss driving past the newly harvested cornfields to view row upon row of cornstalks grouped together and standing erect like so many Indian tepees, encircled by big, fat pumpkins, all ready for table use or for carving out Halloween jack 'o' lanterns.
Kids in my time truly loved the fall season. What fun we had hiking into the country to gather nuts in the woods. There were walnuts, hickory nuts, hazel nuts and butternuts. Sometimes, we youngsters would find pawpaws along the way ("Indian bananas," they called them). Now, hardly anyone ever admitted that he liked the taste of a pawpaw, for a pawpaw does have an odd flavor, an odd, rather sickeningly sweet taste that doesn't always appeal to the palate.
As a kid, I often took long walks in the fall. Quite frequently, I ventured down what was generally referred to as the "Big 4" railroad that lies between Leesburg and Warsaw and leads to the Tippecanoe River over which spans a strong, sturdy bridge.
One afternoon on my sojourn to the river, while approaching the bridge, as I walked along I kept my eyes focused on the railroad ties, counting them as I moved forward. Then, upon arriving at the bridge, I glanced up to be abruptly shocked by an awesome sight kneeling by the river. A big, burly male was dunking his laundry up and down in the water and his ghastly appearance nearly startled me out of my shoes, for he either resembled the "Frankenstein" monster or some monstrosity from outer-space, as his face was deeply scarred and pitted. I just stood there trembling and staring at him, completely transfixed. Then, when this "frightening creature" glanced up and discovered my presence, in a frustrated attempt at bravado, I blurted out "HELLO!" The "grotesque monstrosity" didn't immediately respond. Then, coldly, he nodded and continued on with his laundry duties.
Well, you can just bet that I didn't linger for long on the bridge, but abruptly turned on my heels and made a bee line for town. Furthermore, one may be absolutely certain that several days went by before I mustered up enough nerve, or enough courage, to challenge another trip to the river!
Don Kaiser, Warsaw
Bus Safety
Editor, Times-Union: I drive a school bus for Warsaw Schools. I have a concern about a stop I have on Ind. 15N. It is a four-lane highway with a turn lane in the middle. I would like the public to be informed all four lanes must stop there. The only time all lanes do not have to stop is if here is a median in the center.
I pick up and drop off on the right side, so my kids don't have to cross four lanes, but there is always a chance of a child chasing a dropped paper or running to a familiar face across the road.
When you see yellow lights flashing this does not mean pass as fast as you can before the bus stops. Those lights are a signal the bus is stopping, and the motorist should prepare to stop also.
Thanks to you who are helping us bus drivers to deliver our children safely.
Bernadine Waikel, Warsaw
Drinking And Driving
Editor, Times-Union: In reply to Albert G. Smith's letter in Sept. 14, it sure seems true about it. You go out and get drunk, kill someone and get away with it. To me it's like telling people it's okay to murder because that's what they are doing, taking another life. I always thought that if you drink, drive and kill, you should get some kind of punishment but anymore they get a slap on the wrist and told do not do it again. But anymore, its a slap on the wrist and told don't get caught next time. Where is the justice at? This also sends the wrong kind of message to our young kids. It just shows them if adults do this and get away with it, they will too. If you're going to drink, please don't drive.
