Editor,

Yes, how did we survive? I lived and grew up in Gravette. I have done everything you mentioned -- climbed trees, skated all over town, rode a bike everywhere without a helmet, drank out of the creek where we went swimming, had a BB gun. My dad had a shotgun (it stood in the corner of the back porch); I never touched it. I went to an outhouse, it didn't flush, rode in the back of a pickup or on the running board.

Did you ever play mumblety-peg? You use an open-bladed pocket knife and flip it as you sit on the ground. The object was for the blade to stick into the ground. You threw the knife with open hand, then back of hand, then fist, then between fingers. Everyone had a pocket knife. Not like it is today, children can't take a knife to school. I loved the outdoors and spent lots of time with the neighbor kids.

I am 90 years old and still going, although slowly.

I like your Griz Bear comments. Read it every week.

Mary Flo Edmiston

Overland Park, Kan.