How Old is Grandpa?

One evening a grandson was talking to his
grandfather about current events.

He asked what he thought about the shootings at
schools, the computer age, and just things in general.

The granddad replied, "Well, let me think a minute
... I was born before television, penicillin, polio shots,
frozen foods, Xerox, contact lenses,Frisbees and the pill.

There was no radar, credit cards, laser beams or
ball-point pens. Man had not invented pantyhose,
air conditioners, dishwashers, clothes dryers, well the
clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air and
man hadn't yet walked on the moon.

Your grandmother and I got married first, and then
lived together. Every family had a father and a
mother, and every boy over 14 had a rifle that his
dad taught him how to use and respect. And they went
hunting and fishing together. Until I was 25, I
called every man older than I, 'Sir'-and after I
turned 25, I still called policemen and every man
with a title, 'Sir.'

Sundays were set aside for going to church as a
family, helping those in need, and visiting with
family or neighbors.

We were before gay-rights, computer-dating, dual
careers, daycare centers, and group therapy.
Our lives were governed by the Ten Commandments,
good judgment, and common sense. We were taught to
know the difference between right and wrong and to
stand up and take responsibility for our actions.

Serving your country was a privilege; living here
was a bigger privilege.

We thought fast food was what people ate during Lent.

Having a meaningful relationship meant getting along with
your cousins.

Draft dodgers were people who closed their front
doors when the evening breeze started.

Time-sharing meant time the family spent together in
the evenings and weekends-not purchasing condominiums.

We never heard of FM radios, tape decks, CDs,
electric typewriters, yogurt, or guys wearing
earrings. We listened to the Big Bands, Jack
Benny,and the President's speeches on our radios. And I
don't ever remember any kid blowing his brains out
listening to Tommy Dorsey.

If you saw anything with 'Made in Japan' on it, it
was junk.

The term 'making out' referred to how you did on
your school exam.

Pizza Hut, McDonald's, and instant coffee were
unheard of. We had 5 & 10-cent stores where you
could actually buy things for 5 and 10 cents.

Ice cream cones, phone calls, rides on a streetcar,
and a Pepsi were all a nickel. And if you didn't
want to splurge, you could spend your nickel on
enough stamps to mail 1 letter and 2 postcards.

You could buy a new Chevy Coupe for $600, but who
could afford one? Too bad, because gas was 11
cents a gallon.

In my day, 'grass' was mowed, 'coke' was a cold
drink, 'pot' was something your mother cooked in,
and 'rock music' was your grandmother's lullaby.

'Aids' were helpers in the Principal's office,
'chip' meant a piece of wood, 'hardware' was found
in a hardware store, and 'software' wasn't even a
word.

And we were the last generation to actually believe
that a lady needed a husband to have a baby.

No wonder people call us "old and confused" and say
there is a generation gap and how old do you think
I am - ????

...... This man would be only 59 years old.