I had to do a lot of chores when I was a kid and teenager in Ekalaka. Despite that, my favorite thing to do was to explore the hills and forest behind and around our home. Sometimes I went with other boys from town and sometimes I even went alone. It was believed then, that at the age of ten a boy could have a .22 rifle, usually a single shot, and I had one at that age. I saved up my money until we could send away for it in the catalog, Sears, I guess. It was a Stevens as I recall. I usually took it with me.

Gun safety was ingrained in us by Dads, Grandpas and Uncles. There were only certai...