Time to feel old again
HOW OLD IS GRANDPA
One evening a grandson was talking to his grandfather about
current events.
The grandson asked his grandfather 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 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 grandmother 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.
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 ???.
This man would be only 58 years old!
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