The church was the largest activity in our lives during the 1930�s. There was always some activity to see or take part in. Then, the Ozarks were different than just about any other place in the world. It was, no doubt, the best place in the world to spend the early years or our lives.

During the summer there would be a special assembly at some church that would last all day. The ladies would bring food that was put on long temporary tables where anyone could partake. The young unmarried girls made sure the young unmarried boys knew which food they were responsible for.

I remember one time when everyone gathered at Freedom Church for one of these all day meetings. My Mom and Dad put us kids in the wagon pulled by two mules late Saturday evening, hung a kerosene lantern on the back and went to the church.

We must have arrived sometime around midnight. There were a number of other people there camping under the trees. Mom and Dad put their bed roll under the wagon, and took Bethel with them. Sis, J.W. and I were to sleep in the wagon.

Several other children came over and we started playing with them. After a while Dad told us to go to sleep so we could have fun the next day. Two little girls stayed in the wagon with Sis while J.W. and I slept with the boys in their lean-to alongside their wagon.

I don't know if Mom knew we were doing this or not, but I do know that we woke up with body lice all over us. When we got home Mom boiled all the clothing and bedding we had taken with us, and Dad cut my brother's and my hair off. We got rubbed down with something that smelled terrible. Whatever it was, it worked. No more bugs.

Sis did not get her hair cut off, but she had to sit in a wash tub in the kitchen while Mom washed her. She stank as bad as we did.