The recess bell rang bringing many smiles and laughter to the faces of children as they gathered in groups on many different corners of the playgroung to attempt to organize their games. That single bell that said lunch is over and play begins. That wonderful break from their not so higher learning.

The children broke into groups to begin playing a seemingly endless array of games as children do all over the world. Boys would play marbles some for funsies but those more serious gamblers would play for keepsies. This would truely upset the guy who lost one of his favorite crockies or prized steelies. If the area provided a nice steep hill many a boy (girl) would get some good cuts, scrapes or sprained ankles playing King of the Hill. Generally the stronger kids would be able to hold the top of the hill from the smaller, weaker ones. If you happened to get a group of kids that might be weaker but they had some generals, a well planned assault could many times overtake the hill. A good learning experience.

The girls would play jacks and maybe make all the way to foursies or fivesies. Along with hop-scotch there was jump rope with an occassional racial slur in the sing-song chant that generally seemed harmless but could be quite hurtful at times but we didn't know any better at that age. But if I remember correctly the little black girls hit right back with racial slams of their own so all in all everyone had a BLAST!!!!!

What I remember most was boys choosing sides and locking arms, forming a line and then came the dare....RED ROVER RED ROVER I DARE BOBBY OVER and Bobby would run full steam ahead and try to break through the line. If he failed he was out of the game, if he broke through he was on that team. The team with the most players won. RED ROVER RED ROVER I DARE YOU OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wasn't it great to be a kid!!!!