Rockford- Paper Routes- RUBBER BANDS!!!

"Necessity is the mother of invention" and in the paper delivery circles of the 1950's, this had a direct application. Early on, we found that the three-fold and roll- fold papers did not work, as DJ has indicated. It took considerable time to pre fold papers before sticking in them gingerly (?) in the canvas paper bags. Unless they were tight (I was about 7 years old, so tight was a misnomer), when thrown, the daily blab would open it's wings about mid flight and leisurely spread out over an entire lawn. Think snow flakes. Worst of all for me was the huge Saturday paper with comics and magazine inserts. What a colorful display. Well, this was perplexing and the answer was found in a huge box of rubber bands. Simply slip it over the paper and voila! Time and many anxious moments saved.

HOWEVER, there was a downside and unforeseen consequence to this strategic development, rubber band fights. Normally, these would occur mili seconds after mom and dad would leave the house for a party. Sides would be drawn- RJ and DJ vs. KJ ( innocently playing with train set and unknowing sides had been called and an attack imminent). Lou would be like Switzerland and given neutrality. She was allowed a border crossing to the upstairs. The door to the basement would be blocked so no escape would be possible. Typically, RJ would take one area and DJ another so they could triangulate a "killing field of fire" directly on the "unsuspecting." Well, you can conjure up the horrific scene. They had a box of rubber bands. I was left to scrounge for bands that had been targeted at me or hit the mark. Each hit left a dainty little red mark. Over time, I looked like I had come down with chickenpox. Little cover was available so I was left to my best defense- screaming and crying "THIS IS NOT FAIR!". Oh, that worked out well......

The battlefield was always cleaned up afterward so no evidence could be tracked. Heck, we needed those rubber bands for the next day's paper route. CSI would have been proud. "Suggestions" of bodily harm further prevented a security leak to mom and dad. They were in the dark. Ah, the hijinks we got into.
Well, more to come on other atrocities, no, childhood memories, but these fond recollections were conjured up just wistfully thinking about PAPER ROUTES.

Left: "Carnage Corner" in the basement - site of many futile last stands