First we survived being born to Mothers who smoked, and/or drank, while they were pregnant, they took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing,tuna from a can, and didnt get tested for diabetes. then after the trauma we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead based paints, we had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets, and when we rode our bikes we had no helmets, not to mention the risks we took hitchhiking, as infants and children we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats or air bags, riding in the back of a pick up truck on a warm day was always a special treat., we drank water from a garden hose, not a bottle, we shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle, no one actually died from this., we ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank kool-aid made with sugar, but we weren’t overweight, because we were always outside playing, we leave home in the morning, and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlight came on, no one was able to reach us all day, and we were ok., we fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents,we rode bikes or walked to a friends house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them., the idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of , they actually sided with the law, these generations have produced some of the best risk takers, problem solvers and inventors ever., we had freedom, failure, success, and responsibiliy, and we learned how to deal with it all., if you are one of them CONGRATULATIONS…
And best of all we lived in a time when steam was still king and passenger trains served nearly every hamlet in the country.
Mark
Now if I can just survive through the upcoming election…
I’m a little worried about surviving after it.
I was born in ‘63 so I guess I can qualify. I grew-up when those diabolical monkey bars, Jungle Jims and swings were erected on asphalt-paved playgrounds (no wood chips and sand like they have now to soften the concussion). I swear to God the teachers were in the windows at school crackin’-up seein’ us fall off those things.
It was also a time when wig-wags were still common, like in Kansasville, WI near where I went to parochial school, and we crossed-over the MILW’s Sturtevant-Beloit line (and we never once saw a train - in fact in the 9 years or so we lived in that area I never recall seeing a train on that line).
"I’ve been through Herbert and J. Edgar Hoover / Gee, that was fun and a half;
When you’ve been through Herbert and J. Edgar Hoover / Anything else is a laugh!"
- From song “I’m Still Here” by Stephen Sondheim, ca. 1970
…I’ve survived all of the decades mentioned.
Me too and even more concerned bout our grandkids future.
If you remember the 60’s you didn’t do the 60’s.
I had to think about this for a minute and then I had to laugh!
Fortunately - I do remember them - [tup]
I survived the 40s 50s and 60s and do remember doing the 60s.
Recently had a neighbor who was still doing the sixties and they institutionalized her finally. Thank God!
By the way to all of the Ladies Happy Mother’s Day.
Al - in - Stockton
Quentin, it appears we have walked in the same shoes or at least had the same years for experienceing the several items mentioned in the 1st post.
My 30’s were spent on a farm and ranch in SE Colorado where we had the Dust Bowl storms in addition to all mentioned above. But having never smoked; and because of great parents and a wonderful wife I enjoy very good health and much happiness.
Jack
…dinningcar:
Yes, '31 is my date…Grew up in southwest Pennsylvania. Parents survived the Great Depression and somehow we all came out the other side and we’re here now…Hanging in there.
Being born in 1956 and having parnets who both survived the depression and served in WW 2 gave me the work ethic that I have today, and tried with success to instill into my childern . The greatest generation as they are known as was in my opionion just that they saw this country at its worst and at its best and for that I will always be gratful. Amd on this Mothers day I miss my Mom and always knew she let me go after my dreams whether they were my choicwe to make the Military my career and later realize a dream when I hired on with the Union Pacific Thanks Mom Larry
Being born in September 1950 I guess I also qualify and (wait a minute, let me check and make sure…tick, tick, tick) yep, I’m still here.
Don’t forget us kids who grew up in the 70’s. I was born in '66, and alot of the original post pertains to me. My kids don’t get it when I tell them that when I was a kid we didn’t have Remote Controls, Cable TV, VCR’s, Microwave ovens, Computers, DVD’s, and the TV had only 7 channels. 2(CBS) 5(NBC) 7(ABC) 9(WGN-TV) 11 (WTTW), 32(WFLD) and 44(WSNS).
I remember riding bikes without helmets, and skateboards, scootes, and rollerskates. During the summer we played with friends from morning 'til noon, and then from after lunch 'til dinner time. In the evening there was “Ghost in the Graveyard”, or tag, catching fire flies, cold drinks on the neighbor’s porch, a trip to the corner store for a Sno-Cone. Weekends were garage sales with Mom and Dad, watching trains with dad, Grandma and Grandpa’s on Sunday (playing with my cousins over there).
Ah well, life changes, and things change, and in some ways, the more things change, the more they stay the same…
I was born in 1957, and grew up in Elizabeth, NJ.
Close-knit neighborhood…everyone looked out for everyone else…played on the street or in someones backyard…the parents of your friends were your surrogate parents when you were playing. Did all the requisite things a kid used to do.
Also got to see trains of the Pennsylvania, Jersey Central and B&O Railroad.
What good times!
Thank you…I resemble a lot of that.
As for the 60s, it was the best of times, and the worst of times. Most of the experiences I mentioned in the “mean railroader” thread took place back then.
For a kid these days to do some of the things I got away with back then, with knowledge and consent of adults involved, there would have to be a lot more latitude shown now. Some things that used to be routine (riding in the back of a pickup truck, for example) are now illegal. Maybe there’s just no pioneer take-a-chance spirit left. Or maybe people have learned that there are easier, safer ways to do things now than back then.
Do the current and future generations a favor, write your experiences down. Young people today will not believe that era actually existed, and how folks made it through it. Plus I will add this. Folks like you, who have seen technology go from party line telephones to today, are the most amazing people in my book.