Xoutpost.com - View Single Post - Classic note to the kids, from the 30+ crews

JCL · #32 03-28-2010, 07:09 PM

We went to the library every week, but our parents also bought either the World Book Encyclopedia, or Britannia Encyclopedia. You got an update volume every year that covered what had changed in the past 365 days. These days, one volume wouldn't cover it.

I only mowed our own lawn (and didn't get paid for it), but I did have several paper routes. 80 papers every day, earned enough to buy a 66 Mustang when I was 15. Rebuilt it ready for when I was 16. I could have any car I wanted as long as I paid for 100% of it.

TV was black and white until I was 10 in our house. Maximum 30 minutes before dinner, we could decide if we wanted to watch Get Smart, Hogan's Heroes, or Green Acres. Hogan's Heroes was later banned at home, as it was considered demeaning to the Germans. We didn't know any Germans, but mom didn't like the humour. Cable tv came much later.

We built forts, played King of the Castle on the roof (and broke arms and legs occasionally), and built go carts constantly. The first one with a Briggs & Stratton 5 hp engine salvaged from a lawnmower was great, up to that point they only went downhill.

Every neighbourhood had a Kool Aid mom, who fed all the kids. In summer it was home made popsicles.

We were always out on our own, just had to be home for dinner. We could go to anyone's house after school, we just had to call and say where we were (on the rotary dial phone, similar to MD, but ours didn't have a party line)

I remember being driven to school on the first day in Grade 1. That was the last time I recall getting a ride. In grade 2 I got a bike, and never walked to school again.

Cubs, and then Scouts, were every week except in the summer. There was always a bottle drive, or paper drive, to earn funds for scout camp.

I am glad I grew up that way as well. We developed self-reliance, and judgement, something that many kids today seem to struggle with.

Sponsored Links

Sponsored Links