When I was a child, my father was in the military and I lived overseas on a military base.
Dependent quarters at that time consisted of blocks upon blocks of identical three story apartment like buildings - same color, same size, same lay-out. However, for a child growing up this was a wonderful life, due to the density of of similar aged kids on every block. Every afternoon featured numerous activities to participate in, baseball, football, marbles, four-square, tether ball, Army, dodge ball, red rover etc, etc.
However, there were days when due to cold, rain or snow even kids eager to play would not venture out. On those days with no TV being overseas, we read.
One dismal day, I reviewed my comic book pile and realized I had read all of my collection - at least twice. I fell into a deeply dreaded "I'm bored with nothing to do mood" and began whining about my dilemma to my Mother.
I explained the situation to my Mother - bad weather and twice read comic books. She responded, with the expected and familiar "We don't have money to buy comic books" argument. Being a Mother however and knowing that after whining comes pouting, she came up with a suggestion, "Why don't you trade comics with your friends?"
I thought this over, looked at her "I'm warning you look" and then bundled up and headed out the door with my stack of comics. Braving the weather, I traveled the neighborhood, going up and down stairways, knocking on doors, asking mothers whether their eight year old sons were at home and whenever successful, I would then engage in bouts of stern and merciless bartering with small but wily kids.
After a hard day of haggling, I would then be rewarded with a brand new stack of unread comics.
Not only did this stack contain many hours of entertainment it also contained many entertainment options, humor, adventure, suspense, mystery, science fiction, etc., etc.
I relate this because
I recently bought a Kindle reader. Then, to my amazement, I discovered there were sites that allowed you to download books on my Mother's terms - no cost!
Now, after I browse my favorite sites, read my fellow readers comments, make my choices, download my books, review my stack and consider the options -
I yearn for unpleasant weather
