By Junior Johnson
My precious brother Terry and I were probably born 100 years too late; however, neither of us would want to change our lives as they have played out to this point.
Born while our parents lived in a sharecroppers house on CoCo Bed Road near the Village of Cloutierville, myself in the late 40s andTerry in the early 50s, we shared a wonderful childhood that children today would envy. Our parents were the most hard working and loving people that we have ever known, and to this day we are the men that we have become because of their love and guidance.
We lived on the banks of Cane River and would use that setting to provide our enjoyment when we had the opportunity after our chores were completed.
Since I was older my brother would always be there to assist me in projects that we would use to provide our entertainment. We never got into the Cowboys and Indians games that were popular during that time period. We were more inspired by what the two of us talked about, and our biggest project was building a raft.
Our dad had some timbers that he let us have for our project and we went to work on our vessel for Cane River navigation. We even had a tent in which we could sleep on our overnight trips on the Cane. Dad quickly overruled that genius plan because of our young age.
We did spend hours poling our raft up and down Cane River from our home and those memories are etched in our minds, and will be forever. Mom would make us a lunch of sandwiches and kool-aid, along with some of her delicious banana pudding.
Obviously we did not know of the exploits that Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer had back then, but years later we both agreed that we could have been those rascals looking for Becky Thatcher.
I would manage to get some of our dad’s Chesterfield cigarettes and we would get on our raft and, once settled in a spot away from where he could see the smoke, we would light up and puff on them like toads as we waited for the fish to bite on the lines of our cane poles. No license needed back then.
That was many years ago and in a much different time than the young people growing up today. Our parents did not have to worry about some pervert putting us in harm’s way. I will not presume that my brother and I had a better childhood than those growing up today; however, I believe without a doubt that the creativity that Terry and I had went a long way into developing us into the individuals that we are today. Cane River was, and still is, a place that my brother and I hold dear in our hearts.
I’m still on that same bank on the river, my Children and Grandchildren still fish it. I so love this town, your stories are so heartwarming. Indeed it was the good old days.
EXCELLENT,heartwarming story Junior. Upon reading it I was “transported” back to a simpler AND better time. Having been raised in Cloutierville myself, there isn’t a day that goes by that I dont think about that tiny community on the Cane River and long for the day when we my wife and I can once again list Clouiterville as our home address. Keep cranking out those amazing stories…looking toward to your next installment!
This is such a precious Story dear Junior! My Mama and her family, the Felix & Carline de la Cerda LaCaze family, lived on Co Co Bed Road in the 30’s! 💖
Loved your story Mr. Johnson. Reminds me of days gone by. Such sweet memories of our life in a simpler time. Family values and work ethics were certainly in place. I do hope you will be able to write more stories. Thanks for a great read!
Oh those were the days. When parents could let boys be boys and explore and never worry about any one harming their children. Things sure have changed. I love hearing about your adventures Jr.
It’s a great story Junior Johnson, and one I missed out on… we were way too sheltered from the world till I was about 11 or so yrs old..
Good story Jr. I have memories like that to of Natchitoches. I hope to come home for the festival this year. Natchitoches was a great place to grow up at. Thanks
I truly enjoy reading the stories and adventures by Junior Johnson.. he has enlighten me on the ways of the good ole days and has some amazing photography skills too. He’s a gold nugget!
Great short story about a simpler time. Loved reading it.
I enjoyed your story, Junior. I am the oldest with three younger brothers. What they played, I played. We would go to the junk piles where they were building new houses. We’d gather the thrown away wood and take it home. There we would build forts and had the best time pretending. Your story made me think of those little sticks of wood and also the trees tossed out after Christmas. Now, they made great forts! Didn’t cost a cent, yet we were entertained for days.