New Zealand Ghosts & Other Haunts

WHAT A LIFE - Can you relate??

One evening a son was talking to his father about current events. He asked
what he thought about the shootings at schools, the computer age, and just
things in general.
The dad replied, "Well, let me think a minute...I was born before
television, penicillin, polio shots, frozen foods, Xerox, contact lenses,
Frisbees and the pill. There was no radar, credit cards, laser
beams or ball-point pens. Man had not invented pantyhose, dishwashers,
clothes dryers, (clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air) electric
blankets, air conditioners, and he hadn't walked on the moon.
Your Mom and I got married first -- and then lived together. Every family
had a father and a mother, and every boy over 14 had a rifle that his dad
taught him how to use and respect. And they went hunting and fishing
together.
Until I was 25, I called every man older than I, 'Sir' -- and
after I turned 25, I still called policemen and every man with a title,
'Sir.' In our time, closets were for clothes -- not for 'coming out of.'
Sundays were set aside for going to church as a family, helping those in need, and visiting with family or neighbours. We were before gay-rights,
computer-dating, dual careers, day-care centers, and group therapy.

Our liveswere governed by the Ten Commandments, good judgment, and common sense. We were taught to know the difference between right and wrong and to stand up and take responsibility for our actions.
Serving your country was a privilege; living here was a bigger privilege. We thought fast food was what people ate during Lent. Having a meaningful relationship meant getting along with your cousins. Draft-dodgers were people who closed their front
doors when the evening breeze started. Time-sharing meant time the family
spent together in the evenings and weekends -- not purchasing condominiums.
We never heard of FM radios, tape decks, CDs, electric typewriters, yogurt,
or guys wearing earrings. We listened to the Big Bands, Jack Benny, and the
President's speeches on our radio. And I don't ever remember any kid blowing
his brains out listening to Tommy Dorsey. If you saw anything with 'Made in
Japan' on it, it was junk. The term 'making out' referred to how you did on
your school exam. Pizza Hut, McDonald's, and instant coffee were unheard
of. We had 5 & 10-cent stores where you could actually buy things for 5 and
10 cents. Ice cream cones, phone calls, rides on a streetcar, and a Pepsi
were all a nickel. And if you didn't want to splurge, you could spend your
nickel on enough stamps to mail 1 letter and 2 postcards.
You could buy a new Chevy Coupe for $600, but who could afford one?
’Too bad because gas was 11 cents a gallon.’ In my day, 'grass' was mowed,
'coke' was a cold drink, 'pot' was something your mother cooked in, and
'rock music' was your grandmother's lullaby. 'Aids' were helpers in the
Principal's office, 'chip' meant a piece of wood, 'hardware' was found in a
hardware store, and 'software' wasn't even a word. And we were the last
generation to actually believe that a lady needed a husband to have a baby.
No wonder people call us "old and confused" and say there is a generation gap......and
I am only 57 years old.