Pete Posted March 21, 2002 Share Posted March 21, 2002 How old would Grandpa be?? <br /><br />One evening a grandson was talking to his grandfather about current events.<br />The grandson asked his grandfather what he thought about the shootings at<br />schools, the computer age, and just things in general. <br /><br />The granddad replied....."Well, let me think a minute. I was born before<br />television, penicillin, polio shots, frozen foods, Xerox, contact lenses,<br />frisbees and the pill. <br /><br />There was no radar, credit cards, laser beams or ball-point pens. <br /><br />Man had not invented pantyhose, air conditioners, dishwashers, clothes<br />dryers, and the clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air and man<br />hadn't yet walked on the moon. <br /><br />Your grandmother and I got married first, and then lived together. <br /><br />Every family had a father and a mother, and every boy over 14 had a rifle<br />that his dad taught him how to use and respect it. <br />And they went hunting and fishing together. <br /><br />Until I was 25, I called every man older than I, "Sir"- and after I turned<br />25, I still called policemen and every man with a title, "Sir". <br /><br />Sundays were set aside for going to church as a family, <br />helping those in need, and visiting with family or neighbors. <br /><br />We were before gay rights, computer dating, dual careers, daycare centers,<br />and group therapy. <br /><br />Our lives were governed by the Ten Commandments, good judgment, and common<br />sense. We were taught to know the difference between right and wrong and to<br />stand up and take responsibility for our actions. <br /><br />Serving your country was a privilege; living in this country was a bigger<br />privilege. We thought fast food was what people ate during Lent. <br />Having a meaningful relationship meant getting along with your cousins. <br /><br />Draft dodgers were people who closed their front doors when the evening<br />breeze started. <br /><br />Time-sharing meant time the family spent together in the evenings and<br />weekends, not purchasing condominiums. <br /><br />We never heard of FM radios, tape decks, CDs, electric typewriters, yogurt,<br />or guys wearing earrings. <br /><br />We listened to the big bands, Jack Benny, and the President's speeches on<br />our radios. And I don't ever remember any kid blowing his brains out<br />listening to Tommy Dorsey or Glenn Miller. <br /><br />If you saw anything with "Made in Japan" on it, it was junk. <br /><br />The term "making out" referred to how you did on your school exam. <br /><br />Pizza Hut, McDonald's, and instant coffee were unheard of. We had 5 &<br />10-cent stores where you could actually buy things for 5 and 10 cents. <br /><br />Ice cream cones, phone calls, rides on a streetcar, and a Pepsi were all a<br />nickel. <br /><br />And if you didn't want to splurge, you could spend your nickel on enough<br />stamps to mail 1 letter and 2 postcards. <br /><br />You could buy a new Chevy Coupe for $600 but who could afford one? <br />Too bad, because gas was 11 cents a gallon. <br /><br />In my day, 'grass' was mowed, 'coke' was a cold drink, <br />'pot' was something your mother cooked in, and 'rock music' was your<br />grandmother's lullaby. <br /><br />'Aids' were helpers in the Principal's office, 'chip' meant a piece of<br />wood, 'hardware' was found in a hardware store, and 'software' wasn't even<br />a word. <br /><br />And we were the last generation to actually believe that a lady needed a<br />husband to have a baby. <br /><br />No wonder people call us "old and confused" and say there is a generation<br />gap. <br />...and how old do you think I am - ??? <br /><br />...Careful now, think before you guess and don't look below..... <br />. <br />. <br />. <br />. <br />. <br />. <br />. <br />. <br />. <br />. <br />...I'm only 58 years old. Isn't that scary?<br />_______________________________________ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDave Posted March 22, 2002 Share Posted March 22, 2002 Heck I still remember 15 cent candy bars twice the size they are now, metro bus rides costing 40 cents and gas back then was 75 cents max.<br /><br />I better stop before I sound like the big brother of the ancient one<br /><br />LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redman Posted March 22, 2002 Share Posted March 22, 2002 And they lived like that?!?! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riggins44 Posted March 22, 2002 Share Posted March 22, 2002 I can remember going across the street from<br />Grandmother's house to drug store and buying a<br />Hersey Bar and a Brownie drink for less than a<br />dollar. I remember the first McDonalds in the<br />area and watching the sign change for every million hamburgers sold.<br />I remember the Redskins had Spears on the helmet.<br />I remember going to RFK couple times of year to<br />see a game...the good ole days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilmer17 Posted March 22, 2002 Share Posted March 22, 2002 My dad tells stories about spending summers in Baltimore with his aunt and uncle. He went to the O's games every night for a dollar. That included 1) Bus passes 2) Bleacher seat 3) Hot Dog 4) Program.<br /><br />Much better story that those "we used to walk to school in 8 feet of snow, barefoot, uphill both ways, chased by lions etc.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo Posted March 22, 2002 Share Posted March 22, 2002 Ah yes, back in the days of 10 cent Slurpees but you only had cherry and cola to pick from. A six-pack of Bud/Schlitz/PBR was $1.49 and Lite beer hadn't been invented. Frank Howard was hitting home runs for the last-place Senators in D.C. Stadium and Otto Graham was coaching the Sonny Jurgensen/Sam Huff Redskins.<br /><br />Oops, sorry. This Grandpa is only 44.<br /> <br /> <small>[ March 22, 2002, 11:14 AM: Message edited by: Jimbo ]</small> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brave Posted March 22, 2002 Share Posted March 22, 2002 I, for one, am glad beer is not $1.49 a six-pack. I am trying to be a good father/husband/person and that wouldn't make things any easier. <img border="0" title="" alt="[smile]" src="smile.gif" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Posted March 22, 2002 Share Posted March 22, 2002 I remember when McDonalds was mostly a drive in, grab and go, type of place. If you wanted to eat there they had those red and white striped swivel stools at the counter.<br /><br />And in those days Americans were satisfied with a cheeseburger, coke (only one size - small), and fries (ditto on the small). Now look at what we can pack in.<br /><br />Those were the days before 'gourmet' meant make it twice as big and slap some extra icing on it.<br /><br />They were the days when a kid didn't need an allowance, as long as you could find soda and milk bottles.<br /><br />Those were the days with no electronic toys. And it wasn't a Red Ryder we lusted after - it was a Johnny Seven OMA gun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Om Posted March 22, 2002 Share Posted March 22, 2002 Along with Command Control Electric Football, and classic Rock'm Sock'm Robots, my Johnny Seven was my absolute pride and joy. I killed more monsters and bad guys in defense of friends, family and imaginary girlfriends than any other kid on the block. We was bad.<br /><br />And a day's entertainment on summer vacation meant getting up when the dew was still on the grass, gathering up our gloves, bats and baseballs, basketballs, street hockey rig and, of course, a couple of footballs, and heading for the school. We won a lot of World's Championships on those long, hot, wonderful days. <br /><br />And were late for any number of dinners. <img border="0" title="" alt="[smile]" src="smile.gif" /><br /> <br /> <small>[ March 22, 2002, 02:22 PM: Message edited by: Om ]</small> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilmer17 Posted March 22, 2002 Share Posted March 22, 2002 I swear I am going to make my son (and any subsequent kids) play outside and not sit inside on a computer or video game (like his dad).<br /><br />My neighborhood had about 12 guys within 2 years of each other. And everybodies house had a "ballfield". One kid had a real soccer goal with little uprights. Another had a fullsize basketball court (it was a tennis court) and another a huge yard big enough for a baseball diamond. <br /><br />ahhhh the memories. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Posted March 22, 2002 Share Posted March 22, 2002 Speaking of a different time, and heading to the schoolyard for summer ball.... <br /><br />If you have kids, or you remember fondly those simpler times, I highly recommend the movie 'The Sandlot'. <br /><br />It's an outstanding movie! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy-the-Greek Posted March 22, 2002 Share Posted March 22, 2002 I remember the 5 cent hershey ice pops on those hot summer days. Playing with my Evil Kneval stunt cycle and my stp racers. Digging holes in the backyard to make forts for my 100's of army men. And my evil cousin who could get a pack of firecrackers for a dime to blow my men and fort up. After I spent a whole day to set them all up. I remember my Gi Joe with the kung fu grip. My chuck taylors, which then turned into Dr. J's for 12.99. I remember being grounded for 2 weeks for taking my little brother's bionic man and making it hump my sisters barbie. I remember all my hotwheels and how after I broke the track, my mom used the pieces of track to whoop my *** . Ahhhhhh the good old days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Die Hard Posted March 22, 2002 Share Posted March 22, 2002 </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by tommy-the-greek:<br /><strong>I remember all my hotwheels and how after I broke the track, my mom used the pieces of track to whoop my *** . Ahhhhhh the good old days.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finally a memory I can relate to <img border="0" alt="[laugh]" title="" src="graemlins/laugh.gif" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Tater Posted March 22, 2002 Share Posted March 22, 2002 We had a creek in the back yard. It was great for building a fort for my army men then attacking them with rocks or, if I had 'em, m-80s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skins24 Posted March 22, 2002 Share Posted March 22, 2002 Man, you guys are old.<br />Ya'll probably bleed burgandy AND gold. I just bleed burgandy <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" /> <br /><br />I remember when pay phones and the Washington post was 25 cents <img border="0" alt="[bow]" title="" src="graemlins/bow.gif" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCS Posted March 22, 2002 Share Posted March 22, 2002 Terry. Sandlot. You betcha! Anyone see the Boomerang Network? The days of a handmade or 50 cent slingshot so I could play Zandor of the Herculoids and wipe out all kinds of vicious monsters and aliens cleverly disguised as trees,bushes, or my 2 little brothers. That's when my dad found the Hotwheel track..... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> <br /><br />No super articulated action figures, just Major Matt Mason or the 12" G.I. Joes with the hair.(mego superheroes did come out when I was on the threshold of puberty). MARX army men sets and dirt clods. Yea baby! Funny how my aim was just a tad off when it was the Germans turn. And how about a 10 cent Spider Man or FF or X-men to go along with that Slurpee? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo Posted March 22, 2002 Share Posted March 22, 2002 I can remember being livid when comics went from a dime to 12 cents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy-the-Greek Posted March 22, 2002 Share Posted March 22, 2002 Oh yeahhhhh 7-11 football/baseball slurpee cups, getting the mini football helmuts at the gas station. And <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" /> I never had a sling shot when I had the army men......had to use rocks and the hose.....loved drowning the jerry's and the japs <img border="0" title="" alt="[smile]" src="smile.gif" /><br /> <br /> <small>[ March 22, 2002, 05:12 PM: Message edited by: tommy-the-greek ]</small> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy-the-Greek Posted March 22, 2002 Share Posted March 22, 2002 Thank God I didn't have a slingshot at that age. The aforementioned hot wheel tracks would have tattooed a permanent mark of zorro on my ### <img border="0" title="" alt="[big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /><br /> <br /> <small>[ March 22, 2002, 05:18 PM: Message edited by: tommy-the-greek ]</small> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henry Posted March 22, 2002 Share Posted March 22, 2002 Scary to think that college freshmen were born when Reagan was starting his second term as President, ten years after we pulled out of Veitnam. They were six when we fought the Gulf War. They were eight when Clinton was elected Prsident. They've probably never owned an LP, or an Atari, or known life before micorwave ovens.<br /><br />Ok, I'm making myself feel real old. Who started this thread anyway? <img border="0" title="" alt="[smile]" src="smile.gif" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy-the-Greek Posted March 22, 2002 Share Posted March 22, 2002 My daughter was up in the attic and found my record/album collection and didn't know what they were. That really made me feel old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted March 22, 2002 Author Share Posted March 22, 2002 I'm guilty Henry. The way I look at it, your age is in your head. Going to the corner candy stoor, and getting a spaldeen for a dime (Spalding ball)and steeling my moms mop handle to play stick ball in the streets. we also played a game called Skullie with bottle caps, and a chalk drawn board on the sidewalks in the Bronx. The burbs were even better. Camping out at the swimin hole, with my trusty Crossman 760 by my side, roasting crayfish on sticks for dinner. When I swung my leg over a motorcycle for the first time, I could fill the tank and get pack of smokes for a dollar. Sandlot ball was the best, and so was the movie. I guess I lucked out having the high school right up the street, although the caretakers would get pissed when I would tare up the 1/4 mile running track with my dirt bike. Back then, when you got caught, no cops were called. He handed you a rake, and would stand watching till you were done fixing the rutts. It was a fun time to grow up, but the original post shows just how fast things change, and the rate of cahnge seems to get faster every year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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