Grandpa grew up in Muskogee. He says he is proud of it, too. He lived with his mom and dad, three sisters and a brother on the west side of town. Boston street, he says. Grandpa went to sixth grade there, then junior high (7-9th grades then) and one year of high school. Central High was on the east side of town. About a mile walk. No school buses then; either had to get a ride or walk. Walking was ok, except in the winter, when it could get really cold. Had to walk through downtown, then cross a bridge over the railroad tracks, then about another 10 minutes to the school. Right at the foot of the railroad bridge was a little hamburger stand. Steve's Place grandpa remembers. Best hamburgers in town, so he says. Had some tables outside during the spring, summer and fall, and a counter with stools so you could sit there and eat your burger. Coneys, too. In the winter they only served inside; six or eight tables and chairs and the counter facing the grill; always a lot of onions on the grill. The aroma was inviting, so grandpa remembers. Mom and Dad would take him there once a month, or so; if he had any extra of his allowance, he would occasionally stop on his way home from school and enjoy a treat. Hamburger with lettuce, tomato and onion slice, and a Grapette soda. Hamburger was fifteen cents and soda a nickel. Didn't have that much extra very often, so was a special occasion when he did. Steve's was also the gathering place for the "town council.  A group of the older men got there early in the morning for their coffee. Liked the china cups and free refills. Would discuss the football team that year. Oklahomans are fanatics about football. Then they would set straight the mayor and what he was doing or not doing. Steve would also fix up some sage sausage, eggs, and biscuits and gravy for those who wanted. Sometimes hickory smoked bacon. Most days Bluebird would walk by Steve's on his way to the high school. Bluebird was the janitor at the high school. Most people didn't know if he had another name or not; they sometimes referred to him as Bluebird Jones. He was a Cherokee Indian; lived out on the far west end of town, out by Honor Heights Park. There was a museum of what was called the Five Civilized Tribes out that way; and a group of Indian folk living in the area. About a two mile walk from the Park to the School; but Bluebird walked it every day. Once in a while Bluebird Jones would stop in at Steve's and get a cup of coffee, especially in the winter. Didn't talk much with any of the other men; maybe just a nod or "hi . Get his coffee with a cream and two sugars, and move on. Didn't want to be late. On Saturday's about every other week, Bluebird, his wife and two kids would walk to town to do some grocery shopping. If there was any money left afterwards, they would go over to Steve's for lunch. Mom and Dad would get a hamburger, and the children would usua