Mike Roberts sent this bit by e-mail, making this comment:
"Good morning Karla ! My brother-in-law sent me this email and I immediately thought of the folks who visit your amazing labor of love, "THE BLOG" ! I think it defines our generation. I have seen others similar to this but this one simply struck me as perpetual. Just thought I would pass on my thoughts of the day!”
How Old is Grandpa?
Stay with this -- the answer is at the end. It will blow you away.
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 Grandfather replied, "Well, let me think a minute, I was born before:
Ttelevision
Tpenicillin
Tpolio shots
Tfrozen foods
TXerox
Tcontact lenses
TFrisbees and
Tthe pill
There were no:
¶credit cards
¶laser beams or
¶ball-point pens
Man had not invented:
¶pantyhose
¶air conditioners
¶dishwashers
¶clothes dryers
¶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 me, "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 those who closed front doors as 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 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 man 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.
Are you ready ?????
This man would be only 59 years old.
CLICK HERE to return to the top of the main section of the blog after reading comments below, and/or making your own comment.
Mike,
It seems to me that one thing was left out of the part...Our lives were governed by ...considering what is going on in our country today......The Constitution. This document written by our fore-fathers seems to have gone by the wayside somewhat...or has it?
Posted by: Lynn Chatfield Cartwright | April 18, 2010 at 07:22 PM
Hi Lynn, I very much enjoyed visiting with you, Kay and Melba during "OUR PICNIC" Saturday and trying to name all those little kids in our 4th/5th grade class photo. What a "HOOT".
You are exactly right, nothing was said about politics in this piece. But truly, being part of the silent majority, raised in an era of family traditions and values, we never realized that sometimes progress not only has its benefits but without constant vigil the opposite can also be born and expand behind the scenes as we enjoy the blessings of an enriched life.
I do have concern for "OUR CONSTITUTION". Perhaps one day we might have coffee and conversation on the subject or reach me on the internet. Mike
Posted by: Mike Roberts | April 19, 2010 at 12:54 PM
Mike,
My computer has been down and I am testing to see if I can send you an e-mail.
Lynn C. Cartwright
Posted by: Lynn Chatfield Cartwright | April 29, 2010 at 08:24 PM
Hi Lynn, I received your note thru this venue as I often check "the blog" for new deposits ! Evidently your computer is working fine. My email addy is - [email protected] - and I check it most every morning. Send me something. I await your reply ! Mike
Posted by: Mike Roberts | April 30, 2010 at 01:17 PM