I am not sure if there is anyone out there, besides me, who would remember a game called, "Acorn Fights," but when I was about 8 or 9 years old, my older brother and I used to play a neighborhood-wide game that consisted of hedges, acorns, strong throwing arms and quick "collectors and retrievers." The game was played by the older boys who were around the ages of 12-15 years old. Each fall, these boys would choose sides for the "fight” as well as a "collector and retriever." I was always on the opposite side of my brother, for some reason, and one of the oldest and biggest of the boys always chose me for his "C & R." I would gather up a shopping bag for each hand and hunt all day for acorns. The filled bags would be delivered to the "team leader." The sides being chosen, we would all take our places behind the hedges of two houses that were across the street from one another. Everyone ducked behind their respective hedges and the boys chucked acorns at one another. Each time an acorn "connected" with an opponent, a point was scored. Sick game....I see now, but it sure did occupy our fall weekends.
Once all the acorns were depleted, a "time-out" was called so the "retrievers" could gather up the acorns for the next round. The faster the retriever, the more acorns you collected, thus making one side stronger. I was small and quick and gathered up acorns for my team. The look of appreciation on my team leader's face each time I returned with yet another full bag, made me feel important.
What makes me remember this old pastime so vividly? Well, it is due to the fact that while doing my "retrieving" an opponent (perhaps my brother???) hurled an acorn at me and hit me square in the temple. Wow, was that painful! My team leader, protective of his little peon, ran out to see how I was and admonished the opposers that someone DARED to sideline his "retriever." Having him be so protective of me was a great feeling - despite the searing pain in my temple. I wish I knew who he was, because I'd like to thank him for making a little kid feel so proud and important.
What makes me remember this old pastime so vividly? Well, it is due to the fact that while doing my "retrieving" an opponent (perhaps my brother???) hurled an acorn at me and hit me square in the temple. Wow, was that painful! My team leader, protective of his little peon, ran out to see how I was and admonished the opposers that someone DARED to sideline his "retriever." Having him be so protective of me was a great feeling - despite the searing pain in my temple. I wish I knew who he was, because I'd like to thank him for making a little kid feel so proud and important.
What fun....a neighborhood game, invented by kids, that the adults wouldn’t understand. I don't think kids today have the same creativity or resourcefulness. We had to find the fun because our parents didn't have the time or resources to plan and provide it all for us. We were told, “Go outside and play.” Life was simpler back then. I am so happy I grew up during Camelot!
My childhood had horse chestnuts being collected in the fall. All along Orchard Street in Peekskill, between James and N. Division, the streets were lined with huge chestnut trees. These shiny brown nuts were collected by the bucketsful and polished or carved into rings, pipes, or necklaces. These were "weapons of mass destruction" but I don't remember using them as such. Unlike the American Chestnut, these were not edible. Oh, and along with chestnut collection was the smell of burning leaves in the gutters. This was a most distinct, wonderful aroma and one that's missed nowadays. Thanks for bringing it back to mind once again. A photo of this chestnut can be seen at: http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:iAd1WM3rm92qeM:http://www.sxc.hu/pic/m/a/al/alesia17/879253_horse-chestnut_fruit.jpg
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