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.
I’m thinking back to Guy Drake‘s “Welfare Cadillac”. WOW, 55 years ago.
ReplyDeleteRJW...I have to admit I had forgotten about "Welfare Cadillac." But now that you have reminded me (thank you), I think the same sort of thing when I see videos of women complaining about their SNAP EBT cards, all the while dressed to the 9's, jewlery, fingernails that only a professional could make happen. The rest of us worked - saved!
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling that terrorizing a church congregation crossed a line that will lead to thousands protecting their houses of worship armed, and dangerous.
ReplyDeleteThe times in the past were because of the peace allowed by demanding people behave. I think those time will come again, and woe be it to those that think otherwise.
Jess...I'm pretty sure I would not wish to piss off our Creator by rudely interrupting a worship service. Sounds incredibly stupid to me, to say nothing about the rudeness of it.
DeleteI truly pray you are right about about the old times returning. Chances are excellent that I won't live to see it happen, but I would much rather have my grands and great grands know the kind of world I grew up in than the one they are living in now.
Keep up the good work on your blog, Scratching to Escape. (Link in the sidebar.) Always an inspiration!
So good to have you back-I so enjoyed reading your blog and the comments-so nice you are posting again. Keep stacking and be safe.
ReplyDeleteDeb
So nice to hear from you, Deb. Yes - still stacking - inbetween the rants that seem to be irritating me lately. :) God bless you and yours!
DeleteI want mine back too.
ReplyDeleteSure was nicer back then, wasn't it! I just want my grands and great - grands to be able to go to work without needing a conceal-carry permit like some I know. Remember freedom? Me, too! When did we get to the place where 'stupid' was so prevelant and freedom was optional?
ReplyDeleteTake care, Ed...love what you write!