OK, retirees!
How often, when among family members, friends, seniors, does conversation become nostalgic – recalling “the good ol’ days?”
If the “ol’ days” occurred during our childhood they certainly are old. But whether they were as good or better than life in 2007 perhaps is arguable, depending on personal and individual circumstances.
However, I’m sure we can agree that growing up in the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s certainly was less complex and hectic, and probably more relaxing. Why? One reason: fewer choices … decision-making was much easier, less complicated.
To illustrate this point look at our buying habits, products we purchase regularly — groceries, our weekly trips to the supermarket.
Growing up in Cudahy I recall weekly Friday night visits with Mom and Dad to their favorite grocer/butcher. It was a family affair – including brothers Sev, Leon and myself. Transportation? It was a six-block walk pulling our little red coaster wagon to haul the food home. (We had no car.) Three bags full: $7.50-$8, lasting until the next Friday.
So, let’s compare choices of basic fare – breakfast cereal.
In the ol’ days it was Wheaties, corn flakes, Rice Krispies, toasties or oatmeal.
On a recent shopping trip to Pick ‘n Save, I surveyed the store-length cereal aisle. It’s a conglomerate of 16 different brands representing 219 varieties. Hmm, I can’t make up my mind. Decisions. Decisions. For a box of cereal?
Another dilemma: the ice cream aisle! Among the half-gallon, quart, pint varieties I counted 12 brands representing more than 200 flavors. Obviously, considering container sizes, there were some duplications, but Kemps, for example, accounted for 85 varieties; Edys, 75; Ben and Jerrys, 31; and Breyers, 26. And, to these totals let’s add all the novelty types and varieties of cones, bars, cups, sandwiches, Popsicles, Creamsicles, sherbert, yogurt, custard and fruit-flavored specialties. The freezer aisle is mind-boggling. Decisions. Decisions. Did we forget Baskin-Robbins’ 31 flavors?
Reflecting on the “ol’ days,” I can’t forget the two-scoop cookie cone from the drug store soda fountain. Then came Tompkin’s ice cream parlor. Wow, what a treat — and variety. Three scoops on a cone for 19 cents with a dizzying choice of vanilla, chocolate, strawberry or butter pecan.
How about “staying in touch?” As a youngster, I recall all phones were the wall-connected, operator-assisted and/or the rotary variety. Remember the party line, the busy signal when the line was in use? Phone numbers were two letters representing the exchange and four digits. For example, though we moved into our house in 1932-33, we did not get a phone until 1944. Our Wisconsin Telephone Co. number was SH (Sheridan) 1945. Easy, no-hassle operation and service. No comparison with today’s cord and cordless models, those sometimes annoying cell phones and innumerable service providers. What a way to stay connected. Decisions. Decisions. We stayed connected by telling Mom and Dad where we were going and where we’d be.
What about sports? In my childhood sports were fun time. Now they’re an obsession. In the 1930s and ‘40s sports generally were unorganized. Except for American Legion-sponsored baseball, there was no Little League, coaches, fancy shoes or uniforms. Softball was our summertime favorite. A public school playground near our house attracted neighborhood players. Teams included the kids on our block vs. the kids across the alley or in the next block. Each one brought his own bat, ball and glove.
For professional sports: baseball, the one and only American Association Milwaukee Brewers. They played at old Borchert Field at 8th and Chambers. Streetcars stopped at the gate. Ted Gullick was a popular Brewer, I recall. The old wooden “stadium” seated 10,000-15,000 (I’m guessing). Admission: 50 cents; soda and hot dog, a quarter. Decisions. Decisions. Not really.
Basketball captured our attention in fall and winter. Teams consisted of boys from one neighborhood vs. those from another. We played in an alley behind someone’s house or in the hall/gym in the basement of St. Frederick School and church building.
Alley basketball, after school and weekends, consisted of three- or four- player teams. The basket was a bottomless bushel basket hanging from the top of a garage. On Saturdays and in winter St. Frederick was a popular place; that is, if the hall was not being used for another activity. The challenge there was its low ceiling. High arcing shots? Never. Straight shots and lay-ups were the best bet. If we played in a grade school or CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) league we may have worn uniforms. Gym shoes were standard: Keds black, high-top style, $1.99.
Today? Teams for boys and girls; organized for all grades and age groups wearing NBA-style uniforms and designer, idol-endorsed shoes in the $75-plus category. Coaches are ex-jocks. Competition is fierce. Decisions. Decisions. We played for fun.
Football also was fun time. Sunday afternoon was radio listening time for our parents. For myself and my brothers it was fresh-air exercise. As grade schoolers, I recall, we didn’t have a pigskin football so we improvised. Imagine playing football in our front yard. The “ball”: an empty three-pound cloth salt or sugar sack stuffed with fallen leaves. Sound bizarre?
The Packers? No TV. Games were on radio and probably listened to occasionally. Certainly not as rabidly on the tube and in person like today. I’ve never been to Lambeau Field. Sounds sacrilegious! The one and only Packer game I attended was in 1943 at State Fair Park. With brother Sev, his friend Curtis and his dad, Simon, we stood in the end zone to watch the Irv Comp to Don Huston Packers battle the Slingin’ Sammy Baugh-quarterbacked Washington Redskins. The final score: Redskins 33, Packers 7.
Golf? I started playing with neighbor Charlie in high school. Grant Park was closest (three-four miles south) in South Milwaukee. Many a summer morning we’d start out in pre-daylight saving time darkness, 4:30-5 a.m., to be first on the course. But first I’d have to wake up Charlie, tossing pebbles at his bedroom window and softly urging “Charlie, Charlie, get up, it’s time to go.” On our bikes, with bag and clubs slung over shoulder, we’d pedal south on South Lake Drive. Mission accomplished. We were first in line! The first hazard—early morning dew. By the time we reached the first green our shoes and socks were soaked. By the time we finished the 18th hole they were dry. Later on when Charlie’s dad (Charlie, Sr.,) joined in he’d drive us. Those were fun days. Now, while still enjoying life but playing sporadically, and with Charlie’s recently surgically-repaired knee, the ol’ days at Grant Park were priceless.
So, how do we compare our childhood/youth years to 2007?
Were they old? Certainly. Were they as “good” or better? Maybe. Did we have fewer choices? Positively! Did the “ol’ days” require bewildering decisions, decisions? Never! Was life less confusing, less hectic? Obviously! Were the “ol’ days” unforgettable fun times? Absolutely!
(Out and About is a regular feature of Mature Lifestyles
which looks at arts, entertainment and leisure activities
in the older adult community. Horn, a retired Catholic
Herald staff writer, is a member of St. Roman Parish
in Milwaukee.)
