By Dick Juhl, Becketwood Member
That is a bit of an affected title, isn't it? But really, I do as I get older sit and review my day, or days past. Does that happen to any of you?
I saw an ad on TV last night where a man was running down a flight of stairs. When did I do that last? Now I hold on to every railing I can and carefully place my foot on the next stair so as not to trip and fall. When did I stand on my head last? Probably thirty years ago or more. I'd probably hurt my neck these days.
Did any of you wear knickers when you were young? I did until I was about 11 or 12 years old. I can still hear the "whish-whish" of the corduroy wales as I walked along. They also had button flies that a young boy had to negotiate. I was so happy to get zippers, soon after I ditched the knickers. And how about three- or four-buckle overshoes? When did you see anyone but a dairy-man use these ugly but handy foot covers? I also remember when you could get zippered overshoes. They were much more classy, were they not? How about Storm Coats? I had a wonderful one I bought myself, with a mouton collar and mouton lining. I wish I still had it, but it would be a bit tight around the middle today.
I had a job during the summers between semesters at Grand View College (University today). I had to join the union of "Misc. Hod Carriers and Helpers" to get the job. I worked for Christ Kurup, a Danish contractor, here in the Twin Cities. For the first time in my life, I made fairly good money. I made what I thought was a "big check" when I worked 60 hours one week. I think it was more that my dad made that week.
My dad took me along on a trip to the East Coast in 1945 when I was 13 years old. As we drove through Wisconsin, we stopped for gas and were told President Roosevelt had just died. A passenger with us said “Good riddance to the old S.O.B.” I remember being so surprised because I did not think we should say that about our President. I understand better now, how people can have their own feelings about politics.
My brother Allan served in the Navy during WW II, mostly in the Pacific Theater of Action. It was my duty each night to remove the front page of the newspaper and save it for Allan to have on his return home. I believe he had them up to his death. Allan was a saver of stamps, flags, matchbooks and, I think, coins too. I always thought of Allan as my helpful “big brother.”
Well, I believe I will sit more and more with "profound thoughts" each and every evening as I listen to Public Radio's classical music programs. I have many CDs to listen to, but most of my grandkids no longer have a player for those CDs--imagine that?
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