>could not see one person talking to another human being in any direction..., everyone on a device. It felt like I'd got off in some budget dystopian novel>>
This is straight out of the book "1984"."The people will not revolt. They will not look up from their screens long enough to notice what is happening."
Yes I rode my bike all over. We had a seasonal beekeeping business split between Nebraska and California. California was an urban setting for the residence but Nebraska was quite rural. In Nebraska I roamed further with or without bicycle. The shortcut to the shop was through cornfields so no bike and I was never wanting to go a mile up the gravel country rode to then use the state highway for the next mile. Way too many semi trucks which scared me.
In California I was never more than a few blocks away usually until I was about eight and began to make trips to a petshop at the mall several miles away. Imagine an eight year old kid balancing a large package of aquarium gravel on his handlebars. I was too proud to ask for a ride but not too proud to ask for money to get just one more fish.
I checked out library books and purchased how to books to ensure I had the most beautiful aquarium and healthy fish.
When I was about six grandma bought a color TV. (grandparents raised me) I was thrilled and soon glued to that TV most of the day. Grandma said nothing but before the week was out the TV vanished. When I asked grandma told me she had returned it and I should go outside and play. Best decision she ever made.
By the time was eight and had my beloved aquarium I was also going out to work in the bees with grandpa and staying out, sleeping on the ground with spiders and bugs while grandpa slept in the truck. First trip this happened I was in shock and stood there in the field crying but there was no solution but laying down in the weeds to sleep.
So why did I agree to go with him to move bee apiaries and was even eager knowing I would be sleeping outside? I got to use the bee smoker to keep the bees passive and timing was key. I got to use a hoe to remove weeds for the hives and just riding in the truck was an adventure. North on I5 over Tejon pass and back again the next morning. Plus grandpa would stop at the old Fort Tejon to nap while I explored.
Most of all I had a sense of pride that I was useful and needed. This is what kids today really lack. Grandpa was taciturn and never gave praise but when he asked me to go work with him I always felt a sense of happiness. I would have moped about and resented not going. Summers were great that way.
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