I grew up out in the fields, dairies and farms here in Mesa. My friends were from those families. We dove hunted, gigged frogs in the canals, went on large camps to fish and hunt. I knew many of the old timers and they taught us plenty... and how to be men.
One story I remember is about Buck Owens, the country singer. They moved to Mesa during the depression, he went to the same elementary school many years prior to me.
But the old timers knew him. Said they were so poor the kids had no shoes for school. All well mannered... just poor as hell.
Success from hard times is always a good story and timeless.
