On our east-side Detroit neighborhood: brick two-family flats with wide porches. Buildings so close together, windows open in summer (no one had AC; it was the 50s) we could hear noises of daily living, toilets flushing and pots and pans banging. The entire block across from us was open except for two houses attached by an enclosed bridge. This was the "recreation center". Beside the buildings on the south, basketball net and tennis court and sandbox pits with stakes for pitching horseshoes. On the north side, the children's playground with swings, monkey bars, and sandbox. The open field to the west, all the way to the next street, held baseball diamonds and soccer/football fields. In the winter, some of that area was turned into an ice skating rink. Bradley Recreation Center -- our go-to place every day.

Where we grew up, thrived
Took chances on ourselves
Met possibilities