So much for what was…

The digital thermometer shows 32 degrees on the back porch this morning. Much different than the 70’s we had yesterday; there will be no shorts and T-shirt worn today.

Growing up, the only heat in our house was a gas heater with grates that would glow red from the heat. It would get so cold in January that a sheet or bedspread was placed over the entrance going to the rest of the house to keep one room warm. The only insulation in the attic, floor and walls was spider webs if any. It was so cold it took five minutes for the old Dumont television to warm up… Actually they took that long anyway.

That was a time when war was a card game.

Spinning around, getting dizzy and falling was a time for laughter.

One placed baseball cards with clothes pins or tied a balloon on the fender supports to make your bike sound similar to glass packs.

Ladies hose had a seam going up the back and came in two.

A kid that failed at school was held back a year. Trust me on that from experience.

You got a wash rag or a towel in a box of washing powder.

Getting sent to the office at school didn’t hold a candle to what would happen when you got home.

Popular horses at the time were Trigger, Buttermilk, Champion, Goldie, Topper, Buck and Duke. Who was Goldie you ask? Arthur Godfrey’s. Topper belonged to Hopalong Cassidy. Buck belonged to Marshall Dillon. Last but not least, Duke belonged to John “Duke” Wayne.

Cafe’s had a music selector at each table.

Area codes were unheard of much less a zip code.

A quarter would get you in the picture show, buy a bag of popcorn, drink and a candy bar.

Milk was delivered to houses with paper stoppers.

Grocery stores had home delivery and drink bottle pick up too.

Salt pork was considered a staple in the house.

Double Bubble or was it Double Up bottle drink? As well as Double Cola were on the grocery store shelves.

Canola oil was unheard of as lard was used to fry foods.

The main course at our house on the hill was cornbread, peas, corn, sliced tomatoes and onion with fried fat back.

Out in the country was 14 miles out and across the Chattahoochee River. They milked a cow, churned the milk and had real butter.

When a storm came up, one unplugged the television and disconnected the television antenna.

WCKY in Cincinnati as well as WLS in Chicago were picked up as radio stations.

Wearing white socks was cool and crew cuts were popular after duck tails.

Banks made hundred dollar loans and downtown closed every Wednesday afternoon.

Furniture companies had salesmen on a debt route to collect each week for furniture payments.

One could get their windshield washed, oil check and tires checked at a gas station for free.

Sweet gum tree branches made excellent tooth brushes for those that dipped snuff.

One could drink out of a stream without fear of polluted water.

Nobody locked their doors and the keys were left in the car.

Department stores were called five and dime.

So much for what was once was. Cherished memories are as much to me as heaven as anything this old boy can comprehend.

Turn to.