I Want My Country Back

 I understand that I am officially a cranky old lady.  Come summer, God willing, I will hit the 80 year mark.  I am truly amazed that I have lasted this long.

But having acheived cranky old lady status and apparently having brain cells that still work, I have memories.  Lots of them.

I remember when kids could play outdoors all day without needing an adult holding their hands.  My friends and I rode our bikes all over town, played at the local park and in winter, ice skated at the local ice rink 5 blocks from my home.  And when we heard my friend Larry's mother call him (Lovely lady.  Voice could be heard 3 blocks away.) we all knew it was time to go home.  (Grin)

I remember when one of the neighbors would have his car parked in the driveway, hood up, trying to figure out what might be wrong with the engine.  And there would always be a couple of the neighbor men, leaning on the fenders, offering advice.

The ladies often met to sip coffee, nibble cookies and share gossip.  For a time I recall my mother and the neighbor ladies meeting once a month in what they called "The Fat Ladies Club."  None were fat, but all had senses of humor.  Hence the name.

Evenings spent on front porches with friends were common.  I can still taste the lemonade and homemade gingersnaps.

There was a time as a teenager when I would go with a couple of friends for lunch at a small family restaurant in the downtown part of my town.  I am told that harassment is common in those areas now.

I can't recall any place - city or rural areas - that we were afraid to go.  Now I am positive that I would not enter any downtown area of any city without protection.

I realize that the past years are not all bunnies and roses.  We had protests against the VietNam war.  There was a movement to insure civil rights for all.

But even then, our country wasn't so full of entitled people, those who don't seem interested in working but would rather live off taxpayers, those who don't seem to think they are responsible for their actions, and so many full of just plain hatred.

Yep.  I really do want my country back.