What is childhood without a swing? It was 1988 and we had just moved back from a 2-year stent in Tampa, Florida, where we were in walking distance of the community playground. Now, back in the mountains, the closest playground was 15 miles away. So we decided to build our own.
We (the kids and I) scoured catalogs and magazines for the perfect picture to show to DAD - the carpenter. He went along with our plans and purchased the treated lumber for the project. His construction helper was 6-year-old Carrie (the one in the dress).
The grandparents lived next door (well, in the country that is not an exact definition - let's just say they lived down the nearest driveway) and Papaw had to come test the slide before letting the kids get on, (we had slickened it up
with wax paper).
Then everyone had to try it, grownups, kids, neighbors. There were swings, monkey bar, slide, balance beam. It was a very popular place. 
Eventually the grandkids started to enjoy it, we even put up a baby Madison-sized swing.
This is the playset today, the wooden swings were replaced a few years back, but it is not used much anymore, the grandkids are all getting so big... and now the slide is history, on the ground, destined for the dumpster...
Will the playset hang in there for until another generation? Will we be around to see it?
