27 Comments

Epic, John. Thank you for this. Brought back the kind and wonderful milkman, who always taped a stick of Beemans gum on top of every milk bottle for us kids. Teachers put different colored stars on our papers and God help us if we brought a black star home to the parents. we played outside until dark and my mother would ring a loud cowbell to bring us in for the night. We watched Walt Disney every Sunday night on the black and white TV. We had manners and respect because we were raised by parents who had manners and respect for other people. We ate supper as a family, good home cooked meals. We were paid an allowance of .25/week for doing dishes and filling the wood box and weeding in the garden. We had strict parameters, but those rules and regulations made us feel safe. Those times are gone. I can't imagine being a kid growing up today. I feel sorry for them, and that's not progress, in my opinion.

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SM: Good explanation. Yes, standards have been eroded, with great consequences.

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There are two ways to take your comment. We were safer then. Everyone in my area was respectful to everyone regardless of there "culture". No problem with any one that comes here IF they want to assimilate and become a part of our country. But you can't have allegiance to two countries. Become an American and don't try to make our country like where you came from.

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Carolyn: We were safer and more respectful then. In those times people were more religious — e.g., a much higher percentage attended church, etc.

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I remember ALL of these. Life was so much better then.

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Thank you! I needed this!

I remember well.

This is why many of “us” have a frustrating time with today…because it SUCKS!

I always find beauty in God’s beautiful world.

I can honestly say, I’m so glad I’m not a kid today.

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Renee: Indeed children today have some difficult challenges. This is why proper parenting (e.g., by example) is so important.

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You show a 1955 doubled die Lincoln Cent. Do you know the rarity of that coin? It is one of the most highly sought cents and very expensive in the condition of the coin you chose to use in this article. It caught my eye immediately because I spent my youth looking for one in circulation.

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Jim: I didn't intend to do that. The better quality picture shows it as a 1943 (D). I started a coin collection myself when I had a paper route. It wasn't that unusual to get change that would have an 1800's coin in it...

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I remember when, and I love this post. Thank you for reminding us of the “good old days” - I still miss summers like that!! Thank you for putting this together along with the photos. This is such a special post and the nostalgia is so loved and appreciated. Sending love and gratitude for this and you!!!!

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Dr. Rodgers: TY for your support. Glad I revived some pleasant memories.

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You certainly did. I always loved hearing the party line stories from my family members when I was growing up with the phone with real cord on the wall!!

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You're welcome! Unlike John, I set aside some time to read fiction of merit to support alternative voices. It's a good read! I also enjoyed Leslie Corbly's poetry.

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You have cherry-picked what we like to remember. But you failed to remember the Watts Riots, The National Guard in Newark, the killing of numerous national leaders, and a time when I couldn't wear my US Navy uniform off-base because the military was so disliked. In short, we need keep change in perspective to find solutions. See www.killAbill.com for an example of how we are being misled.

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Frank: The perspective here was from that of a young person, not an adult.

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Ever notice that a trust-based, wholesome society like the one John describes is NOT culturally diverse?

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Rebecca: TY for that insight.

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I agree, John there is strength in a shared culture and belief system!

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Bellatrix: I agree with that.

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Great memories John, thanks for putting all this great info together.

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Robert: You're welcome. It was enjoyable rethinking about some matters, that had drifted too far back in the closet of my memory.

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Would like to see your assessment of Breuning's The Jane Goodall of Goats.

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I am and my soul weeps for you! Though fictional, it is based on Breuning's research into mammalian behavior with an eye on today's pedagogy, and how it has gone astray by ignoring basic reward-punishment strategies. She thinks modern ed first traumatizes students, inducing them to avoid the pain of it, then rewards them for their avoidance strategies.

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So true, Robert! John Dewey education = teach kids what to think instead of how to think. It's brainwashing. Sounds like an important book. Thanks for the reference.

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Robert: Sounds interesting. Maybe they will put out a Classics Comics version!

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Robert: Assuming that you are referring to this book <https://innermammalinstitute.org/goats/>. Regretfully, I haven't had the time to read a book for quite few years...

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Lovely blast from the saner past.

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