Remembrance of Things Chemical

OK, I'm going Proustian!

Playing space invaders in that little arcade room in the back of Sears after school in the old brick St. Brigid's school building. Buying my cub scout numbers from the little bins in the part of Sears next to the stairs. Buying loud Miami Vice shirts from Moeggenberg's men's wear. Buying "cream horns" from the bakery on main street for Mary Battle and eating the sugar crystals first. Pizza Sam's and the scary looking fire escapes on the back of the buildings on Main Street. Bicentennial fire hydrants. Feeling like the 80's were the 50's due to some powerful magic in Alden Dow's architectural byproducts. The pine tree in the woods in the undeveloped land across the street from which I could see the water tower and the presbyterian church. Banana seats. Gray skies all winter long, and thinking every winter would bring a blizzard. Getting alone at the chippewa nature center. Peaches covered in dew from the tree in my backyard (which have spoiled peaches for me forever). The exquisite sensation of wool-polyester-blend cheerleader uniform worn by the occupant of the desk in front of me accidentally brushing against my bare knee. Sugar Springs. Feeling relieved to know that we were high on the list of targets in case of a nuclear war and would most likely be vaporized instantly. And driving around endlessly for fun.