BACK IN THOSE DAYS
I really like this and wanted to share it with you
How old is Grandma?
Stay with this — the answer is at the end — it will blow you away.
One evening a grandson was talking to his grandmother about current events. The grandson asked his grandmother what she thought about the shootings at schools, the computer age, and just things in general.
The Grandma 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 was no:
radar,
credit cards,
laser beams or
ball-point pens.
Man had not invented:
pantyhose,
air conditioners,
dishwashers,
clothes dryers,
and the clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air and
man hadn’t yet walked on the moon.
Your Grandfather and I got married first-and then lived together.
Every family had a father and a mother.
Until I was 25, I called every man older than I, ‘Sir’- and after I turned 25, I still called policemen and every man with a title, “Sir.’
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 in this country 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 the Big Bands, Jack Benny, and the President’s speeches on our radios.
And I don’t ever remember any kid blowing his brains out listening to Tommy Dorsey.
If you saw anything with ‘Made in Japan ‘ on it, it was junk.
The term ‘making out’ referred to how you did on your school exam.
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?
I bet you have this old lady in mind…you are in for a shock!
Read on to see — pretty scary if you think about it and pretty sad at the same time.
This Woman would be only 58 years old!
I would have said 50, because I remember all that stuff!
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This is a great diary!
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I always learn something from your diary..or at least come away smiling..thanks for writing..even if it is just for yourself!
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well, the date is a tad off, but probably right if you get rid of the reference to radar. It was in use during the second world war, even the early years – so the person would have to be over 65… but it’s close.
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maybe they meant *weather radar* 🙂 you know, no weather channels, dopler radar 🙂 great info! too true!!!
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Lunesta…why does that sound familiar? Someone at St.Elsewhere is on that, I’m certain. We have many sun-downers. It must have been given on the 3-11 shift. I have my drug handbook….on my way to check this out. I should know drugs better than this. Maybe it’s a new one…or maybe I’m behind in the drug information scene.
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Makes ya think.
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I love historical things written like this!
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Penicillin was invented in 1928, but used widely beginning in WWII – 1940. It was expensive at the time ($20 per dose) but by 1946 it only cost 55 cents per dose. Doncha just love all these know-it-alls debunking a perfectly lovely story? Heh. *slithers away*
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Oh that nsrider…..Grandma is still young.
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ryn: That brown paper package is the fastest reality check I know. I keep it nearby.
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RYN Lunesta: Yeah…wasn’t in my 2005 Drug handbook. But the name LUNESTA has the first syllable of LUNA (moon) in it. Makes sense. I think I’ll go online and check this new drug out. Might be worth the effort. Thank you, my nursing buddy!!
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I loved this entry.
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This is cute. 🙂 ryn: I posted some before pictures on Saturday, so yes, I plan to take some pictures after I *finally* get my hair colored. I think I’m going to cut it, too. Boy, is it looking bad right now, though! 🙁
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Well we sure have improved the world since then.
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RYN: Me to, Girlie, me too. Now I need to concentrate and read your entry. Hugs!
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So who is having a birthday very soon? Hmmmmm? YOU???
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I saw this. I printed it out. I loved it. This was so cool!
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have a great weekend at the cabin! hey, how do you get your faves list to show?i can’t get mine to do that; the DM won’t answer me, either. grrr. i’ve tried the *show faves list* – public. but that doens’t work.
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oh wow, that’s so right! I’m 49. My kids are blown away when I tell them we had no computers, cell phones, microwaves, or even cordless phones when I was growing up. No color television until I was in college. The kids wonder how I ever “survived”!! *LOL*
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I found you through Alyx. I also see that I am on your favorites list. In that case, I think it is only appropriate that I add you to mine. So now you are. 🙂
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Gawd, pantyhose are evil. I was born late.
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