West End Water

Up on the Western Prom these water fountains will have to wait til June. Water, water, everywhere. This time of year, in our backyard or at Gullivers, football was still the game. Even as temperatures tumbled, and it snowed or was pouring rain, those were the best days. It wasn't miserable at all. The fun was actually heightened, as we went slip sliding away in the snow or got covered with serious mud in pouring rain. Explanation? Hey, we were guys! We did that for FUN! The games weren't organized. They were just the run of the mill pick-up games, with usually 10-12 of the gang decked out in our rag tag 'uniforms'(jeans, sweatshirts and of course our helmets). Mine was orange with a blue stripe and 4 stars on either side. My brother had a blue one, as I remember, with a plastic facemask. Those afternoons were just loaded with happiness and enjoyment, regardless of the weather conditions. Now the water? We carried those glass gallon jugs, that vinegar came in with the glass finger holders, filled with refreshing, ice cold water for our breaks. As the football games ended and we moved towards home, spitting water through our front teeth became the game of choice. Covering your friends with sprayed cold water or seeing who could spit through their teeth the farthest, sometimes offered just as much enjoyment as the actual romps with the pigskin, that had covered the last few hours. I have enjoyable reminders of those days.