You Know You Are Old When

[airbiscuit]

we got a phone call from officer Obie. He said, "Kid,
we found your name on an envelope at the bottom of a half a ton of
garbage, and just wanted to know if you had any information about it." And
I said, "Yes, sir, Officer Obie, I cannot tell a lie, I put that envelope
under that garbage."

 

[BackRoad]

^^^ That happened to me. Local neighborhood, 3 or 4 guys taking turns to drop trash at the dump. It wasn't my turn, but a bag with a letter with my name and address turned up on the side of the road as litter.

Try to explain that to the Officer Obie without throwing the neighbors under the bus...

 

[ultrarunner]

I also have great memories of Western Auto. At age 14 I had snagged a high paying job ($0.85/hr) as a janitor for a local chemical company. Needing transportation to get to work after school, I needed a bicycle in the worst way. The manager of our local Western Auto sold me a beautiful Schwinn cruiser for $54, on a handshake. I promised to pay $5.00 a week until it was paid off, which I did.

Yes, I have great memories of that bicycle. But I have greater memories of people back in the day that put more trust in a handshake than on a written pieces of paper.

Sadly, now days both the honored promise on a handshake and a $54 Schwinn a simply fading memories do days gone by.

Yep like going to the Bank of America at 14 to cash my paycheck not having any ID in the world...

Walt Kendall was the branch President and he came to the teller window and was told I was here to cash my check...

He looked at the check and said working man are you...

I said yes, washing all the cars at the car lot a few blocks over every Saturday...

He said any one with a paycheck should consider opening a checking account... so I did on the spot...

No parents or co signer...

I.liked depositing my check and looked forward going to the Bank where they called me Mister...

The old B of A has been a store front church for decades...

It had a big chest high table with a bronze day and date calenders inset... about 25 pounds of bronze...

I was in the branch the last day it was open and saw it going to the dumpster and asked if I could have it and Mr Kendall said why would you want it and I said memories and he said it's yours!

 

[goeduck]

I remember my father saying he had the grip. I always assumed a cold or flue. Never was really sure.
I also remember the Dr. coming to the house for me when I was aboot 5.
I don't remember being sick but that he was going to give me a shot for something.
When I saw him preparing the needle and the size of it I took off. I remember them trying to corner me.
I was small enough to run under tables etc.
Funny thing is I don't remember if I got that shot or not. Must have but...?

Or maybe you got it in the butt as you were climbing under the kitchen table.

 

[JasperFrank]

Opening a can of Spam this way.

 

[Jstpssng]

Opening a can of Spam this way.

They don't open like that anymore? Another part of my youth has been shattered!

 

[LouNY]

Opening a can of Spam this way.

I much preferred the key type over the pop lid ones, much easier to get the spam out to slice it.

 

[CalG]

I wanted to move the York rake by hand this afternoon. It's the type with real trailer wheels and a draw bar frame, not 3 point. I grabbed hold and gave a lift, NADA! I had to hunker down and get everything I have in order. Two years ago I could have done it.

must be getting old.

 

[goeduck]

I much preferred the key type over the pop lid ones, much easier to get the spam out to slice it.

Spam. Specially Processed American Meat. A clever invention if nothing else.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

I figured there are three stages of life:
1) you know who the actor Walter Brennan was.
2) you laughed at crotchety old "Grandpa" that walked funny on "The Real McCoys".
3) you've become Walter Brennan.