Usually, we’re in Cass Lake, Minnesota deer hunting, and attend the Veterans Day activities while we’re there. This year, we didn’t go deer hunting because of the virus. While in Albert Lea, Hy-Vee, Applebee’s and Green Mill Restaurant made my day. How so? They each provided a free meal to this old Korean veteran on Veterans Day. A click of the heels and a snappy salute, plus a full tummy to the three recognizing all military veterans. I thank them!
How about joining me in a drive down memory lane? (You should be at least 40 years old to ride along.)
Remember when?
1. Your car had a clutch.
2. Gas was less than a dollar a gallon.
3. Your food was delivered by a car-hop at the local drive in.
4. Ear muffs were popular.
5. Ladies wore scarves to protect their hair on windy, cold or rainy days.
6. There was a local drive-in movie theater.
7. There were pay phones.
8. Your phone was just a phone – not portable and no batteries.
9. Penny loafers were popular.
10. You could buy a candy car for less than a dollar.
11. Sixty-five was a very old age.
12. Male bell bottom trousers were popular.
13. Burn barrels were a garbage can.
14. Your car head lights did not shut off automatically.
15. On a date, the man always paid.
16. You couldn’t start your car without a key in the ignition.
17. Most baseball players chewed tobacco.
18. The first time you went to the Mall of America.
19. Roller skates were clamp-on.
20. Going on your first date.
21. Learning how to tie a Windsor knot with your tie on.
22. Yogi Berra saying, “It’s not over til it’s over.”
23. Shoveling snow to ice skate on the lake.
24. You started getting gray hair.
25. Going swimming at Beaver or St. Olaf Lake before lifeguards.
26. Going to your first prom.
27. You learned to drive a car.
28. You first saw your children.
29. Your first ride in an airplane.
30. You got lost driving in the Twin Cities.
31. You got your first pet and the name.
32. Buying a bottle of pop for less than 50 cents.
33. You wondered if there really was a Santa.
34. The tooth fairy left less than a dollar.
35. You first found out about the 9-11 attack.
36. You first voted in a presidential election.
37. The first time you went to a ski resort.
38. The USA sent a man to the moon and back.
39. Gene and Roy were your heroes.
40. I-90 opened from coast to coast at Blue Earth.
41. There were no pink garbage cans.
42. Pink was not a legal color when hunting.
43. You experienced your first earthquake.
44. When as a youngster, the dentist gave you a treat for being a good patient.
45. You first learned to ride a two-wheel bicycle.
46. You got caught in a blizzard.
47. You broke an arm, leg or other bone.
48. Attended your first Vikings or Twins ballgame.
49. You couldn’t find your car in the parking lot.
50. When the editor of this paper was Margaret.
51. You couldn’t remember when!
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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent, currently working on his master’s degree in Volunteering. His wife, Genie, is a retired RN, currently working on her doctor’s degree in Volunteering. They have two children, Deb in North Carolina, and Dan in New York. Bob says if you enjoy his column, let him know. If you don’t enjoy it, keep on reading, it can get worse. Words of wisdom: There is always room for God.