Punk Weed

The onset of the smoking habit is something for everyone who has had that habit to examine. A lesson learned is another mistake that will never cast a shadow on your life.

     I was 6 years old in 1953 and it was the heyday of postwar smokers. Still it was no excuse for starting the habit and it was not encouraged by the elders. As it is today, the main problem was the lack of 24 hour oversight of youngsters bent on trying forbidden things. In rural Washington State, enough leeway was given to the young adventurers to get them out of sight for a half-hour or 45 minutes. Our opportunity came on our little trips to the Okanogan river where the Punk Weed vines grew. We never new the proper name for the vine weed that grew in abundance, but it could be cut to any size desired. It smoked much like we imagined a real cigar or cigarette. I don’t remember the taste except that it was almost manageable for a 6 year old. The 35 year habit that followed is the real lesson of life, of lung capacity never recovered. Also, all three of my children were born before I shed the curse and for that they have the blessing of a smoke-free life. Sometimes the best lesson really is to let others see your mistakes and recovery.