CLXXl

Duh!

  

     Three of us started smoking on a roof because we wanted to be like adults, it was cool. Everybody was doing it, and soon it became a habit. After a while every time we got anxious about girls, school, sports, anything we lit up. Nicotine soothes our anxieties, and we need to find another way to do that. We need to do what ever works, whether it be meditation, prayer, or medication. But let’s not change one for the other; let’s not substitute one bad habit for another; like food, candy or booze for smokes. Medication should be a catalyst, and once your habit is gone so should the medication. I didn’t quit cold turkey, nor did I use any meds either, then again it took me a very long time to overcome. It ain’t easy guys, it never has been!

      Some people are bone heads, maybe they’re mentally challenged. Sometime after our bone headed misadventure at John’s Candy store, we had another one. But this time it was by a real dumb ass idiot. Perhaps today, he would have been treated with Ritalin or some other drug. I guess looking back Dick just wanted to fit in, but he just wasn’t with it. Today kids would probably use the word “Duh!” That was him- Duh.

    One day James, Joe, Dick, and myself were walking from Brook Av up to St. Ann’s Av. We were going to St. Mary’s Park, 25 acres of land which by the way, was once part of Jonas Bronck’s estate. He’s the fellow for whom the Bronx was named. I practically grew up in that park, P.S. 27,
our elementary school, is still there across the street on St. Ann’s Avenue, and 148th street.