The World of Grandpa Don

. The Grandson Asked His Grandmother

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 were no 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 had yet to walk 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, day-care
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 every 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, candy bars and
a RC cola were all a nickel.

And if you didn't want to splurge, you could spend your nickel on enough
stamps to mail one letter and two 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 grandma is???

---pretty scary if you think about it and pretty sad at the
same time. This is something to think about. How time has changed..