Growing up in the 60’s and 70’s proved to be an interesting time for those of us who were alive to remember it.  So yea, I’m giving away my age but I’m not ashamed to say that I am 44 going on 21 and most days I act like I’m 17 but, c’est la vie!

My parents were great.  My mom had a great sense of humor, was very caring, big heart and literally would give the shirt off her back to help someone. Ill admit when I was a teen I managed to get my face slapped more then a few times for running at the mouth but, I deserved it.

My dad, well he is very quiet and very short! he he. My dad never laid a hand on me though I’m sure the thought did occur to him more then a few times. My dad is now 85 and was drafted into WWII and spent time in Germany, Japan, and Africa.  He also worked on the railroad and retired as a welder from a major chemical company.

So thinking back, these are the things I remember as a child…..

We were taught not to speak unless spoken to.  You didn’t go to anyone’s house and ask for anything. You didn’t get into their fridge or leave the room you were sitting in unless it was to use the restroom and even then you asked permission before you went wandering around their house.  This included aunts, uncles, even grandma’s house.   To do this meant a nasty ass look from mom and a smack upside the head when you left.

Television…oh gawd…..the TV was black and white and got a whopping 3 channels.  Channels 2, 4, & 11 and then….sometime in the 70’s we got channels 13 and 53.  Got to use that SECOND dial on the TV,WOO HOO!!! The UHF dial that seemed so useless until then.  So, while we are talking TV, let’s not forget the awesome antenna on the roof to help with the shitty reception! This was one step up from the rabbit ears that sat onto of the TV and usually had some thing like aluminum foil wrapped around them to help with the reception. I don’t think this really worked but…it was all the rage!!  The antenna that was so securely strapped to the chimney on the roof came complete with a small box with a dial that when turned would rotate the antenna to give you that wonderful snowy reception. For what ever reason when the TV didn’t seem to tune in as well as usual you always had dad say…go out and look at the antenna. Ok, as a child I would do this.  Now, I sit here and I think…why the hell did I have to look at the antenna?  What was a small child of average intelligence going to be able to decipher from the Looking at the antenna? Yep…its still there dad…or yep…it’s spinning. Any who!!!  So…ya got the black and white TV with the 3 stations that were more snow then anything and …let’s keep in mind…ONE television in the house.  So you had to share…which really was an oxy moron cause, you didn’t share the TV; you used it till an adult wanted it.  I could be sitting on the couch watching a movie and my dad would walk in, turn off the movie, put on baseball or football and sit down in his chair.  I would just sit there….staring blankly at the TV…trying to look nonchalant and inevitably my dad would say. “Were you watching that?”  Yea ok…… But being brought up to always show respect the answer was always…no…I was just sitting here.  What I wanted to say was, no, I was sitting here watching it hoping someone would come in and ruin the day for me!  But. I didn’t……I would sit there for another 5 or 10 agonizing moments then go outside and find something to do.  Another thing about TV….it went off at 3am ever single morning. If you have ever seen the movie poltergeist, where they play the national anthem and then the TV turns to a lovely snowy screen…yep…..that was us.  Better hope you’re not having trouble sleeping.