The Superior Express -

Though today’s times call for fast food, hundreds of channels offered on the large screen television, loads of entertainment and the latest in technology. There are times when we realize how lucky we were growing up. I remember when the only dogs we had as pets were “mutts” No one back then owned a purebred dog. We were taught patience while waiting at least three minutes for the television to come on. We were thankful to receive a quarter, made of real silver, for an allowance.

Gasoline was 30 cents a gallon and some gasoline stations offered trading stamps. Boxes of detergent, or oatmeal had a free glass or dish packed inside. A box of Cracker Jacks held not only a tasty treat but also a prize. Owning a 60s Chevy was a dream of every youth to cruise around in and even peel out in. People went steady and exchanged class rings. Things purchased in stores did not have safety caps. It was safe to leave the car keys in the ignition and to leave the car doors unlocked. Being sent to the principal’s office was nothing to what fate awaited when you got home.

Fond childhood memories included laying on the ground looking up into the sky and finding clouds in the shape of animals, roller skating down the sidewalk, playing a game of Jacks or marbles with your friends, and catching fire flies at night. The heroes we looked up to were Roy and Dale Rogers, Gene Autry, The Lone Ranger, Dick Tracy and Tarzan.

Childhood treats were wax bottles filled with sugar colored water inside; candy cigarettes, soda pop in glass bottles, Black Jack chewing gum and a Tootsie Roll. It was great to sit down in a cafe booth and have a jukebox stationed right on the table. Having a weapon at school meant you had a pea shooter or a sling shot tucked in your pocket. There were words everyone knew, like “oly-oly oxen in free,” “eeny meeny miney moe” and “Annie Annie Over.”

If you remember any of these or most of them, you have truly lived in the best of times.