Spud Gun

Potpourri for $500 has a great little article and link about spud guns. He describes the old days of taping sod cans together (after removing the top and bottom), putting in a tennis ball, pouring lighter fluid on the ground, and then setting the tube on the lit fluid and launching said tennis ball into the air.

Brings back memories of my summers in Owatonna, MN. My brother and I stayed with my dear Aunt Dora, we shamefully called her "Aunt Dodo". The Springer boys (no, not Jerry) lived down the street, and they were about our age. We found all sorts of ways to amuse ourselves during those long, hot summer days. Some of them were legal, and others less so. Incredibly, Owatonna survived our week-long visits in the summer.

This is the Farmer's National Bank building in Owatonna. Located near the central city park, where band concerts and parades were held. This is the "downtown" section of Owatonna. Much of it, when I last saw it, is abandoned, with many store fronts closed. Much retail business has moved out near the highway. One of my fondest memories is of dressing up, and walking with Aunt Dora "uptown" to have a nice meal together. Dora always wore her white gloves when going out, as an proper lady would do. She always shook her head and "tsk'ed" any woman she saw who was not so properly attired. I found it curious at the time.