Geographic Area

            The geographical landscape where I was raised is very out in the country and a lot of farm land.  People always called it “living in the backwoods”.  Most people around the area knew everyone and if they needed something would call up a neighbor and ask for it.  I know growing up if my mom need something for cooking and did not have it, she would call the neighbor and I would have to go get it.  The area made people be more dependant and live off the land.  Most people had gardens in the summer time, hunt, fish, and farm.  I grew up on a small farm where we did all that and in hunting season would go out hunting.  The people in this area were close and could always count on each other.

            My papa has told me all kinds of stories from his life around here.  He has talked to me about working on the farm and using a mule to plow it up because grandpa would not let him use the small tractor they had.  He knew how to work on the tractor but was never allowed to use it.  Papa talked about having to go down to the river to get water a lot to use in the house.  If he needed to get somewhere he would walk to it.  As for the weather, he told me a lot of times he wore shorts year round because it never was really cold. 

            Growing up where I did impacted me by learning how to work hard.  I am able to do a lot of things that most guys cannot.  At a young age I was driving a tractor, plowing the garden, taking care of all the animals, and learning about how to work on different things.  If I did not live where I did, I do not think I would be the way I am.  Most of my buddies are all the same because of where we lived.  Living in the country has only made me a better person and showed me how to work hard.