Back many years ago...

I used to put out a gossip column. Not really.. it was a joke newspaper called "The Corner Bar Gossip Column" and I'd write up humorous stories about the goings on around Tranquillity, my home town. It got popular... it spread from town to town.

Occasionally... not often, I'd run a 'poll' in which I'd ask questions of the readers then print the results. Silly things like , "How many pair of Levis' does your husband own?"... "Who's pickup will you most likely see parked at Scott's Market when you drive by?".

In one of the polls I asked, "Who has the best 'wave'". I didn't need to explain what I meant, we all just knew.... but some readers in Fresno did not, I learned later. They don't wave at each other when passing by. I always knew that, I guess, but it was an eye opener for me.

Not that this will mean anything to you BUT... the winner of that particular question was Mike P. And he won in a landslide. Mike did the 'claw' thing.... He'd raise his whole arm with his hand turned downward like a claw.

You're right, it's somewhat dying out with the younger generation... but it isn't dead, and we do, (we meaning us older guys), even win over a few converts some time. Raul, for example... late 20's and works for my neighbor.... I don't know him well... for some time actually showed a perplexed look on his face when he would pass me by and I'd give him the 'farmers wave'... but no longer, now it's a broad smile and a farmer wave back. - JamesJM