I lived in Bethel Park, a suburb of Pittsburgh from when I was two to when I was ten. Nice place for a childhood. We took a shortcut through a neighbor's yard to get to the school bus (Logan School). We had a yard edged with a tree-filled bank on the side leading up to the road. The neighbors across the street grew corn and another family raised chickens. We would pick wild blackberries. Nothing has ever tasted better.

We played softball at Ricky's next door with his dad pitching. I was a Pirates fan of course.

I loved it when my mother would take us into the city at night; the neon signs were so incredible. I still think city lights are just about the most beautiful sight there is.