Been sketching school memories the past couple of days.  So it shouldn’t be a surprise  that this will pop up: the elementary playground which today no longer exists in its original location.  The last time I was there, it was covered in concrete and converted into an eating/waiting area, I think. Back in the day, it was the noisiest place on campus, a never-ending chorus of screeching kids and squeaking swings.

Perhaps a new one is being built today? I hope so.  No childhood can be complete without one

This isn’t even the complete set of the jungle jim.  There were various swings, one that looks like a boat and one that was round where two benches were built in.  Back then, there were no electronic toys whatsoever.  If you wanted to be alone, you simply read a book in a corner.  Stuff like jackstones, jump rope, Chinese garter (sort of like “limbo rock” without the music but the challenge is to cross over it instead of going under), and hopscotch required at least two people to play.

What we consider now as limitations was an opportunity for creativity and social skills, forcing us to learn how to make new friends and accept other kids into the game if they asked to join the games.