Who was the bigger Clown: I do not know if there are similar idiosyncrasies common among folks where you grew up, but they were quite common in the small town that was about 12 miles...

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

I do not know if there are similar idiosyncrasies common among folks where you grew up, but they were quite common in the small town that was about 12 miles from where we lived in an oil patch. This town was named Saint Jo, and was on highway 82 between Gainesville and Wichita Falls.

Saint Jo had nothing to do with saints or Devine persons. It was just a twist of terms and referred to one of the town’s founders who refused to drink whiskey. This town was on the edge of the Comancheria and in the 1800s you had to be rough and ready, armed with all the weapons you could afford to survive.

Saint Jo was on the cattle trail to Kansas and was founded by several former Confederate officers. It would supply drovers with their basic needs as well as a liquid libation and even female companionship for a price. It took quite a while to settle down and be more civilized. So, you see it took several decades to become more civilized, and suitable for families with children to come there to live.

Indian and bandit raids were common because Oklahoma, once called Indian Territory was only 10 to 12 miles north. Usually, if you could reach the Red River, all pursuit would be terminated.

So, am I going to tell stories of gun fights, raids, and such? Nah! This is in the 1940s when folks would drive into town on Saturday, park somewhere around the square and while the wives did any shopping and the kids went to the movies, the men would sit in the shade on the square and were part of what was commonly called the “Spit and whittle” club.

Now, some entertainment came in different forms. Some would park at a convenient spot around the square, or in front of the stores around the square and simply watch everyone else. They might even point out peculiarities of other town visitors and laugh at the other ‘country bumpkins’, their manner, dress, or whatever.

Now one of these families was parked at a spot in front of stores near where the picture show was located. They had purchased a full stalk of bananas and as the entire family sat and were taking in the scene of passersby, they ate these bananas and simply tossed the peels out of their car’s windows. From the evidence, they had been there for several hours, perhaps most of that Saturday.

Upon leaving, when they pulled out of the parking space, there on the ground was a perfectly outlined image of their vehicle, all marked by the proliferation of banana peels. The void was where their car had been parked.

So, as they had been highly amused viewing the passerbys, the passerbys were now quite amused at the very clear impression they had created with all the banana peels outlining their vehicle. I could not help but wonder if anyone was brave enough to inform them of what they had done unwittingly. Just Sayin…RJS

Graywulff Loc: Cortez,Co.

Robert J Samples wrote:

I do not know if there are similar idiosyncrasies common among folks where you grew up, but they were quite common in the small town that was about 12 miles from where we lived in an oil patch. This town was named Saint Jo, and was on highway 82 between Gainesville and Wichita Falls.

Saint Jo had nothing to do with saints or Devine persons. It was just a twist of terms and referred to one of the town’s founders who refused to drink whiskey. This town was on the edge of the Comancheria and in the 1800s you had to be rough and ready, armed with all the weapons you could afford to survive.

Saint Jo was on the cattle trail to Kansas and was founded by several former Confederate officers. It would supply drovers with their basic needs as well as a liquid libation and even female companionship for a price. It took quite a while to settle down and be more civilized. So, you see it took several decades to become more civilized, and suitable for families with children to come there to live.

Indian and bandit raids were common because Oklahoma, once called Indian Territory was only 10 to 12 miles north. Usually, if you could reach the Red River, all pursuit would be terminated.

So, am I going to tell stories of gun fights, raids, and such? Nah! This is in the 1940s when folks would drive into town on Saturday, park somewhere around the square and while the wives did any shopping and the kids went to the movies, the men would sit in the shade on the square and were part of what was commonly called the “Spit and whittle” club.

Now, some entertainment came in different forms. Some would park at a convenient spot around the square, or in front of the stores around the square and simply watch everyone else. They might even point out peculiarities of other town visitors and laugh at the other ‘country bumpkins’, their manner, dress, or whatever.

Now one of these families was parked at a spot in front of stores near where the picture show was located. They had purchased a full stalk of bananas and as the entire family sat and were taking in the scene of passersby, they ate these bananas and simply tossed the peels out of their car’s windows. From the evidence, they had been there for several hours, perhaps most of that Saturday.

Upon leaving, when they pulled out of the parking space, there on the ground was a perfectly outlined image of their vehicle, all marked by the proliferation of banana peels. The void was where their car had been parked.

So, as they had been highly amused viewing the passerbys, the passerbys were now quite amused at the very clear impression they had created with all the banana peels outlining their vehicle. I could not help but wonder if anyone was brave enough to inform them of what they had done unwittingly. Just Sayin…RJS

I do not know if there are similar idiosyncrasies ... (show quote)

RJ, you are incredible.👍👍🤣🤣🤣

bknecht Loc: Northeast pa

Robert J Samples wrote:

I do not know if there are similar idiosyncrasies common among folks where you grew up, but they were quite common in the small town that was about 12 miles from where we lived in an oil patch. This town was named Saint Jo, and was on highway 82 between Gainesville and Wichita Falls.

Saint Jo had nothing to do with saints or Devine persons. It was just a twist of terms and referred to one of the town’s founders who refused to drink whiskey. This town was on the edge of the Comancheria and in the 1800s you had to be rough and ready, armed with all the weapons you could afford to survive.

Saint Jo was on the cattle trail to Kansas and was founded by several former Confederate officers. It would supply drovers with their basic needs as well as a liquid libation and even female companionship for a price. It took quite a while to settle down and be more civilized. So, you see it took several decades to become more civilized, and suitable for families with children to come there to live.

Indian and bandit raids were common because Oklahoma, once called Indian Territory was only 10 to 12 miles north. Usually, if you could reach the Red River, all pursuit would be terminated.

So, am I going to tell stories of gun fights, raids, and such? Nah! This is in the 1940s when folks would drive into town on Saturday, park somewhere around the square and while the wives did any shopping and the kids went to the movies, the men would sit in the shade on the square and were part of what was commonly called the “Spit and whittle” club.

Now, some entertainment came in different forms. Some would park at a convenient spot around the square, or in front of the stores around the square and simply watch everyone else. They might even point out peculiarities of other town visitors and laugh at the other ‘country bumpkins’, their manner, dress, or whatever.

Now one of these families was parked at a spot in front of stores near where the picture show was located. They had purchased a full stalk of bananas and as the entire family sat and were taking in the scene of passersby, they ate these bananas and simply tossed the peels out of their car’s windows. From the evidence, they had been there for several hours, perhaps most of that Saturday.

Upon leaving, when they pulled out of the parking space, there on the ground was a perfectly outlined image of their vehicle, all marked by the proliferation of banana peels. The void was where their car had been parked.

So, as they had been highly amused viewing the passerbys, the passerbys were now quite amused at the very clear impression they had created with all the banana peels outlining their vehicle. I could not help but wonder if anyone was brave enough to inform them of what they had done unwittingly. Just Sayin…RJS

I do not know if there are similar idiosyncrasies ... (show quote)

RJS, you certainly do paint a picture with your eloquent words. You should list along with your numerous occupations…… writer.

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

bknecht wrote:

RJS, you certainly do paint a picture with your eloquent words. You should list along with your numerous occupations…… writer.

That is an actual fact Brad. He's written several.

bknecht Loc: Northeast pa

Flytier wrote:

That is an actual fact Brad. He's written several.

Oops Flytier, I wasn’t aware of that.

J.D. Loc: Western Mt.

Great story. I remember people watching with mom, dad, and brother in the Pontiac convertible. So you see, your story was really appealing to me.
Thanks RJ

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Someone sang a country and western song, I was country before country was cool! and that sure fit us in our neck of the woods. Just Sayin...RJS

rriggs Loc: North Carolina

Same here RJ. My mother could play the guitar and all she knew was country. This was back in Hank Williams time and usually on nice Saturdays there would be several around the front porch playing and singing. Miss those days and I can barely play a radio.