Posts: 7476
From: Lake Ariel, Pa.
Registered: SEP 2000

posted 11-17-2001 06:45 PM         

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One evening a grandson was talking to his grandfather about
current events. He asked what he thought about the shootings at schools, the computer age, and just things in general. The granddad replied, "Well, let me think a minute ...
I was born before television, penicillin, polio shots, frozen foods, Xerox, contact lenses, Frisbees and the pill.
There were no credit cards, laser beams or ball-point pens.
Man had not invented pantyhose,air conditioners, dishwashers, clothes dryers, well the clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air, and man hadn't yet walked on the moon.
Your grandmother and I got married first - and then lived
together.Every family had a father and a mother, and every boy over 14 had a rifle that his dad taught him how to use and respect. And they went hunting and fishing together.
Until I was 25, I called every man older than me,'Sir'; and after I turned 25, I still called policemen and every man with a title,'Sir.'
Sundays were set aside for going to church as a family, helping those in need, and visiting with family or neighbors. We were before gay-rights, computer-dating, dual careers, daycare centers, and group therapy.
Our lives were governed by the Ten Commandments, good judgment, and common sense. We were taught to know the difference between right and wrong and to stand up and take responsibility for our actions.
Serving your country was a privilege; living here was a bigger privilege. We thought fast food was what people ate during Lent. Having a meaningful relationship meant getting along with your cousins.
Draft dodgers were people who closed their front doors when the evening breeze started.
Time-sharing meant time the family spent together in the evenings and weekends - not purchasing condominiums.
We never heard of FM radios, tape decks, CDs, electric
typewriters, yogurt, or guys wearing earrings.
We listened to Jack Benny, The Shadow Knows, The Lone Ranger, and the President's speeches on our radios. And I don't ever remember any kid blowing his (or somebody else's) brains out listening to a song by Doris Day, Elvis Presley, The Drifters, or The Platters.
If you saw anything with 'Made in Japan' on it, it was junk. Pizza Hut, McDonald's, and instant coffee were unheard of. We had 5 & 10-cent stores where you could actually buy things for 5 and 10 cents.
Ice cream cones, phone calls, rides on a streetcar, and a Pepsi were all a nickel. And if you didn't want to splurge, you could spend your nickel on enough stamps to mail 1 letter and 2 postcards.
You could buy a new Chevy Coupe for $600, but who could afford one? Too bad, because gas was 11 cents a gallon.
In my day, 'grass' was mowed, 'coke' was a cold drink, 'pot' was something your mother cooked in, and 'rock music' was your grandmother's lullaby. 'Aids' were helpers in the Principal's office, 'chip' meant a piece of wood, 'hardware' was found in a hardware store, and 'software' wasn't even a word. And we were the last generation to actually believe that a lady needed a husband to have a baby.
No wonder people call us "old and confused" and say there is a generation gap.

And how old do you think I am - ????

ANSWER
This man would be only 58 years old.

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Yellow is DCOOLEST

This message has been edited by butchcee on 11-17-2001 at 06:53 PM

Posts: 313
From: Joyce, Washington, 98343 USA
Registered: JUL 2000

posted 11-18-2001 12:55 PM         

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Well said Al!

Signed,
Another 'Ol Timer - ++58 (and longing for the good 'ol days)

All times are CT (US)