Especially for my Son,Ricky II,part 1

Looking back to my earliest memories as a child of three-four years old,up the "holler",living in a three room house on the banks of Star Creek,across the creekbed from my grandparents (on my dad's side) homeplace .Our lighting was coal oil lamps.I had no thought of what electricity was.Our running water was what we all,from smallest kid up, ran across the creek and up the hill, to Grandpa's spring where we all filled our buckets and carried our part back down the hill and across the creekbed.My little bucket,I will never forget,It was a little green lard bucket,also used at times to pack lunch in for older brothers or sisters as they walked to the country school.
We had a huge garden plot and I remember a big strawberry patch and helping my mother pick strawberries for the strawberry shortcake, fixed her way,the way I still like it best.Strawberries,plenty of sugar smashed up,over baked pie crusts.She also added fresh, whipped,real cream.I liked it then but now have to have the stuff in a can.We had an old smokehouse,just beyond the house.I close my eyes and to this day and can still smell that smell of fresh, cured hams,sausages and such and when I say fresh,I mean fresh.So fresh,in fact, I will not often pull up the memories of the butchering days,I remember so vividly.It would be a cold day and and can remember the uncles and aunts being there and me not fully understanding,but knowing what the squealing of the pigs meant as my little legs went scurrrying,crying,hiding my face in a pillow.It was an all day affair and a lot of the gory details I block from remembering,but it was a necessary part of life.I remember that for a few days,I couldn't eat the pork,but as butchering day faded away,the ham,bacon and sausage gravy were enjoyed.
During this time when I was about four,I remember my first macaroni and cheese.I was instantly a fan.I still remember that taste and smell.I am elated that my recipe I have tried to make as much like what I remember that my little grandsons,esp my six year old,Phoenix,dearly loves and he tells everyone,that "his grammy makes the best macaroni and cheese in the whole,wide, world!"He wasn't kidding either for when I kept him a few days over spring break,I made my huge soup pan almost full.I did freeze a little and sent some home with his dadddy,but while he was at my house,he ate it every chance he got.He would stand beside me, as I was putting it in his dish and have me keep adding to the bowl,till he was sure it was enough.On the last day he was at my house,he insisted he needed mac'n'cheese for breakfast,as well as his cereal.Of course he got it!Of course this warms my heart in so many ways,but especially,as it connects me with wonderful memories of my childhood.
Another first I remember,during this time, was my first stick of boughten(as we would call it) gum.Our gum was from some tree and it was plenty good for that is all we knew,but one day,a car drove up into our yard and that in itelf,brought a lot of excitement,so yes,my four year-old,skinny legs went racing with the rest,before our mother could stop us.I am not sure who the man was,but I will never forget that bright green,flat package of gum he took out and passed out to us all.I can still remember the wonderful taste and wow,what an experience-my first store-bought,Wrigleys Doublemint gum.I confess I still have to buy it occasionally,just because.
Our entertainment was our own,but it involved,singing,dancing to whatever instruments amongst
the family but there was always celebrating-big dinners for birthdays,weddings,births.