The game of "Numbers"

I was talking to Frank O'Hara this last weekend and at one point he asked me if I remembered the game we played called "Numbers". As we were talking, it occurred to me how "universal" it was. I'll get to that.

For those who don't remember (and if I've got it right) , all players were numbered. The starting player would toss a ball straight up in the air and call a players number. At this moment everyone would run from the expected landing location of the ball, all except the player whose number was called. They would attempt to catch the ball before it struck the ground. If he/she caught it they would immediately toss it up again and call another number, requiring that player to scramble to catch it. If they missed and it bounced away, they had to retrieve it. When they touched it everyone had to freeze where they were. The ball player now had to toss it at and hit another player with the ball, who would now be required to toss up the ball and cal a number after everyone again gathered around. I may have it all wrong and I don't remember what happened if the player missed hitting another player.

I called this game "universal" because it was one of the few activities we did that closed natural divides between us all. We all played it together- girls with guys, little kids with big. I remember many a night arriving at home sweaty, exhausted and happy after what seemed endless hours playing this game - it usually broke up after too many of us were called in by our parents at the end of the day. It was great!

PS - anyone remember "Statue's"?

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Clapham Road Unique?

What is it about a short dead-end road that has left its mark on all those who grew up there? Oh, I know most everyone looks back with fondness on the simpler times of their childhood, but Clapham seems somehow special for all of us who were lucky enough to spend part of our childhood there. I base that feeling on not only my own fond memories, but the excitement shown by all on the Clapham Facebook page reuniting and reliving, for some, long almost forgotten memories. The street and its homes weren't fancy or high end and many outsiders might feel it to be rather isolated at that time. But for us it was perfect. It's isolation worked to keep us safe. The pastures and forests around presented an ideal situation for our young imaginative minds to grow and explore. The forest was a jungle, an alien world, a homestead, a war zone - anything we wanted. I'm sure we all have many tales to tell.

When I look back at my progression through life while keeping Clapham in mind, I find that I subconsciously tried to replicate it for my own children, but with limited success. They never did experience the diverse group of characters we experienced and I feel sorry for it. I also feel sad for the kids of today who with all this technology available will definitely not know what its like to, basically, run free and wild in a safe setting as we did. Could any of you imagine us being driven to and from school? To spend all our time indoors because "bad people" out there might kidnap us?

So I believe Clapham to be unique. Am I right?