As the splendor of fall takes hold, I am reminded of the recreational pursuits I embraced in autumn as a teen living in God’s country – or as they used to say, “The Boonies.” Living out there required patience with the drive time to go anywhere, and I sometimes longed for neighborhood camaraderie. Yet, a rural residence provided ample space to explore and experiment.

While we could not walk down the street to a town park or school playground where groups were ready for baseball, football, basketball or mischief, we had friends willing to drive north to get away from their neighborhood and convene on our “three-sport court” for a hybrid of activities.

It was unique to have a tennis court in the backyard. My father taught me the rules and we played often. My mother and two sisters played p

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