As I mentioned prior, in the coming weeks, I plan to blog about items and happenings from the ‘do you remember’ posts I see on Facebook. With that in mind, I may give a story from my own life regarding the items or happenings. Perhaps this will trigger a memory or two of your own.
Last blog I mentioned to take a moment to think about ice cream and running out to the truck for a treat on a hot summer day. One of the ‘do you remember’ posts I recently saw had to do with the ice cream truck ringing the bell or playing music as it traveled from street to street.
I lived in Chicago and also out in the suburbs. In the city, I remember a few different types of ice cream vendors. One was coming around in a big truck selling soft cones, I think it was Tastee Freeze or Mr. Softee; the other rode a large trike with a box of treats on the back; the third I recall and my favorite was the Good Humor Man. There was just something about the man in the white truck and white uniform that seemed so appealing. I don’t think I ever saw a stain on any of their uniforms. Good Humor offered a variety of delicious frozen items such as a Toasted Almond bar on a stick; the original chocolate and vanilla bar on a stick; ice cream sandwich and the one I enjoyed was a watermelon flavored frozen bar on a stick. Somehow it made those hot, humid summer evenings cool and refreshing.
One story that makes me chuckle about Good Humor did not occur during my childhood years, but when I graduated high school and began my first job. I still lived at home like many of my friends and had younger siblings like a few also. My half-sisters were ten and twelve years my junior. It was the summer after high school that the incident happened. I just got home from work (I commuted from the suburb where I lived to downtown Chicago). The total trip was over an hour. One evening I arrived home as the Good Humor Man began his slow drive down our street. My sisters wanted a treat but my mother was too busy to listen to their pleas; my step-grandmother was out someplace that evening. As I walked up our driveway they came running out to me begging me “please buy us ice cream’ they both cried. I thought well okay, why not. So I took them out to the curb and the truck stopped. It was then I got the shock of all shocks. The driver was not the typical older man who usually drove on our street but a young man of about twenty-two. In my opinion he was a hunk. My sisters got their treat and I asked the driver if he was the new driver in our area. He said, he worked our area during the summer now three days a week. (Yes I did get the days he would be in the area). I called one of my friends (she too had a sister nine years younger). Over the course of that summer on the days this hunk drove the truck, my sisters would get treated to a Good Humor product. My friend would come around to visit about the time the guy would be on our street and her sister also would get the benefit of a tasty treat. The driver thought my friend and I were just the best sisters ever in how we would make purchases for our younger siblings. If he only knew it was just a chance to see him.
My friend and I learned a lot about the driver during that summer. We found out he had a girlfriend; he was a college senior; a possible candidate for the draft. August arrived and the driver had left the employ of the Good Humor people to return to his last year of school
I always wondered if he caught on to the real reasoning behind the being nice to the younger siblings. If he did, he kept it to himself.
The days of the Good Humor Man, like the dinosaur are in the past. You can purchase their products now at the store along with a variety of other frozen favorites. A few years ago, I picked up a package of Good Humor bars, my husband enjoyed them; for me there was something missing. No doubt it was the fact I purchased them from the grocery store and not from the man in the spotless white uniform driving the white truck.
My grandkids will never know the thrill of standing on the curb, waving one little hand while the other tightly holds on to the money to pay for a summertime treat. Of course back in my day it costs less then a dollar for my siblings to enjoy a treat; no doubt today it would be five or more dollars.
Until next time…..try to remember those packs of candy cigarettes and those bubble gum cigars. Another interesting story from my younger years awaits you.
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Back in the Day Part I
One thing I enjoy seeing on Facebook are the ‘do you remember’ items that are posted now and again. In weeks to come, I plan to blog about some of these items. There are more then quite I few I remember.
A few of my favorites recently have been the ones about remembering the old black rotary telephones. Youth today have no idea that once the telephone sat on a counter or would hang on a wall. Using the phone required you either sit or stand in the area where it was located and not travel throughout the house or even the back yard to have a conversation. Most everyone in the family heard the what was being said.
One thing I recall in my home was when the phone rang, you would try to answer it after two rings if possible; pick up the receiver and say “hello, who is this”. If you had to take a message, you better be sure to write it down word for word. The use of the phone was restricted for the use of the grown-ups in my home. If one of us kids wanted to talk with a friend, it would have to wait till the next day at school or if they lived within a few block radius, go over to their home and it had to be before dark. How times have changed.
Long distance calls were not made before 7:00p.m. as after 7:00p.m. the rates would be a bit cheaper. Phone numbers began with a two letter prefix such as ST(State) TR(Triangle) VA(Valley); depending on where in the country you resided.
Not everyone had a telephone in their home back in my growing up years. I recall when my family moved into an apartment building consisting of six units. We were the only unit at the time that had a telephone. Ours was a black wall mount in the kitchen near the pantry. The other tenants finding out we had a telephone caused a lot of excitement. They would knock on our door and ask if they could make a call; of course they would leave a dime (as a phone booth call was a dime). I never understood why everyone did not have a telephone, but I heard many say it was too expensive.
As back then, many still do not have land lines in their home. The reason now is they use the cell phone for all their calling needs. The cell is more convenient. A portable device that goes everywhere you do; personal business can be conducted from anyplace the person happens to be. No longer do you need to sit home waiting for a call from family, friends etc…just head out the door with cell phone in hand.
This morning as I looked up what I term the wacky/weird holiday for the day, I saw one of the wacky/weird holidays was Land Line Day.
I wondered just how many still have land lines in their home? How many still use them? Are they becoming a thing of the past? I still have a land line plus my husband and I each have a cell phone. What I like most is I no longer need an answering machine for the land line as with my cell phone voice mail, I can get messages I miss.
Today in honor of Land Line Day, I plan to make all my calls from the one sitting next to my computer. I just have to remember, I can not get up and walk into the kitchen to get a cold beverage or a snack while using it.
Take a moment today (if you are a certain age) to remember how you would need to use the rotary dail on the telephone. Do you remember how upset you became when you dialed a wrong number? Think about also if you had a two letter prefix phone number and the days of no caller ID, no answering machine and no voice mail.
Until next time…. think about ice cream and running out to the truck for a treat on a hot summer day.
A few of my favorites recently have been the ones about remembering the old black rotary telephones. Youth today have no idea that once the telephone sat on a counter or would hang on a wall. Using the phone required you either sit or stand in the area where it was located and not travel throughout the house or even the back yard to have a conversation. Most everyone in the family heard the what was being said.
One thing I recall in my home was when the phone rang, you would try to answer it after two rings if possible; pick up the receiver and say “hello, who is this”. If you had to take a message, you better be sure to write it down word for word. The use of the phone was restricted for the use of the grown-ups in my home. If one of us kids wanted to talk with a friend, it would have to wait till the next day at school or if they lived within a few block radius, go over to their home and it had to be before dark. How times have changed.
Long distance calls were not made before 7:00p.m. as after 7:00p.m. the rates would be a bit cheaper. Phone numbers began with a two letter prefix such as ST(State) TR(Triangle) VA(Valley); depending on where in the country you resided.
Not everyone had a telephone in their home back in my growing up years. I recall when my family moved into an apartment building consisting of six units. We were the only unit at the time that had a telephone. Ours was a black wall mount in the kitchen near the pantry. The other tenants finding out we had a telephone caused a lot of excitement. They would knock on our door and ask if they could make a call; of course they would leave a dime (as a phone booth call was a dime). I never understood why everyone did not have a telephone, but I heard many say it was too expensive.
As back then, many still do not have land lines in their home. The reason now is they use the cell phone for all their calling needs. The cell is more convenient. A portable device that goes everywhere you do; personal business can be conducted from anyplace the person happens to be. No longer do you need to sit home waiting for a call from family, friends etc…just head out the door with cell phone in hand.
This morning as I looked up what I term the wacky/weird holiday for the day, I saw one of the wacky/weird holidays was Land Line Day.
I wondered just how many still have land lines in their home? How many still use them? Are they becoming a thing of the past? I still have a land line plus my husband and I each have a cell phone. What I like most is I no longer need an answering machine for the land line as with my cell phone voice mail, I can get messages I miss.
Today in honor of Land Line Day, I plan to make all my calls from the one sitting next to my computer. I just have to remember, I can not get up and walk into the kitchen to get a cold beverage or a snack while using it.
Take a moment today (if you are a certain age) to remember how you would need to use the rotary dail on the telephone. Do you remember how upset you became when you dialed a wrong number? Think about also if you had a two letter prefix phone number and the days of no caller ID, no answering machine and no voice mail.
Until next time…. think about ice cream and running out to the truck for a treat on a hot summer day.
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Marching Ahead in March
The ground hog came out to make his predictions; hearts, candy and flowers given; Mardi Gras beads thrown; President’s Day honored; and Leap Year celebrated. February ended and March began. I have my own take on the saying of March; ‘it comes marching in like a lion and leaves meek as a lamb’.
For some, March is just the tail end of winter and the beginning of spring. Of course it depends on where you reside as although spring will begin March 20th; one of the March offerings.
Many look at this month as just the last month of winter; a month of anticipation for warmer weather, birds to return north and longer days. A few years ago, I penned a poem about just what the month of March has to offer. There are many things to look forward to this month besides the end of winter.
For the Irish (and those who are Irish for one day a year), St. Patrick’s Day will be celebrated. Although it is on a Thursday, many places will have parades the week prior and parties held. Beer will flow; Irish whiskey consumed; corn beef or ham, cabbage and potatoes eaten or perhaps a nice Irish stew with soda or Sheppard’s Pie. Green, the color of the day, worn by one and all.
The Boys of Summer are in the throes of spring training in Florida and Arizona. While a few of the lucky take in a game, sports fans will flock to their favorite sports pub and bar to catch March Madness.
Easter is the last weekend of the month. Children look forward to egg hunts and the arrival of Peter Cottontail who will bring a basket full of delights. Stores begun their candy sales the day after Valentine’s Day. No doubt many have already consumed a few jelly beans, crème or peanut butter eggs.
What else happens this month:
a. Women’s History month is celebrated.
b. It is the birthday month of two veteran’s organizations; The American Legion and La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux (The Forty and Eight)
c. Spring Break time
d. We turn our clocks ahead one hour. Days will be longer and our nights shorter.
March, it sure does keep us ‘marching along’ with events and activities.
DON’T OVERLOOK MARCH!
Find a reason to rid yourself of the winter blahs while waiting for the first day of spring to arrive.
Until next time….let’s all find something to ‘march along and enjoy’. Me, I think hubby and I will enjoy the veteran’s organizations birthdays…cheers to the veterans and the organizations; we will enjoy a few brews on St. Patty’s Day; have a few jelly beans; and watch some basketball.
MARCH OFFERINGS
©Scottie-ann Murphy
(Written in March 2012)
The early morning sun tries to move from behind the gray clouds
it does nothing to warm us; the blowing winds of March chill our bones
i put on a pair of red framed glasses to read the mail
Sipping black coffee laced with a small bottle of Bailey’s Irish Cream
I tear open an envelope containing a St. Patty’s day greeting card
A Claddagh with the words LOVE- LOYALTY- FRIENDSHIP printed
semi-circle on the front
Inside picture….shamrocks pouring out of a Kelly green bowler
TOP O’ THE MORNING written beneath in bold black lettering
The main verse states that there are four things needed for
a wonderful St. Patrick’s day……shamrocks, Irish derby hat,
pot of gold and most importantly a mug of brew
My mouth salivates at the sight of the glasses of beer illustrated inside
White foam pours out over the top and spills down the sides
I mentally taste a frosty Guinness chilling my taste buds
Perhaps this should be our appropriate beer choice for the month
March….thirty-one days packed with excitement
St. Patrick’s Day falling on a weekend; celebrations and parades to enjoy
March Madness….jeers and cheers for fans of college basketball
Who will reign as number one for this year many wonder?
Beach towns and destinations will greet with open arms spring breakers
arriving from the frigid north to enjoy sun, sand, surf and suds
Clocks will be pushed ahead for that one extra hour of daylight
Highlands County will welcome the masses of race car fanatics
clamoring to central Florida to watch the ‘Twelve Hours of Sebring’
The boys of summer return to the diamond for spring training games
Women celebrate Women’s History Month…. we all await springs arrival
I spot a book of poetry and quotes on the coffee table
Picking it up I flip through the pages and find the passage
from an unknown author….it is an Irish saying
“An Irishman is never drunk as long as he can hold onto one blade of
grass to keep from falling off the earth. “
I book mark the page to refer back to it during the month
It will become our mantra while enjoying all the festivities
that March has to offer
For some, March is just the tail end of winter and the beginning of spring. Of course it depends on where you reside as although spring will begin March 20th; one of the March offerings.
Many look at this month as just the last month of winter; a month of anticipation for warmer weather, birds to return north and longer days. A few years ago, I penned a poem about just what the month of March has to offer. There are many things to look forward to this month besides the end of winter.
For the Irish (and those who are Irish for one day a year), St. Patrick’s Day will be celebrated. Although it is on a Thursday, many places will have parades the week prior and parties held. Beer will flow; Irish whiskey consumed; corn beef or ham, cabbage and potatoes eaten or perhaps a nice Irish stew with soda or Sheppard’s Pie. Green, the color of the day, worn by one and all.
The Boys of Summer are in the throes of spring training in Florida and Arizona. While a few of the lucky take in a game, sports fans will flock to their favorite sports pub and bar to catch March Madness.
Easter is the last weekend of the month. Children look forward to egg hunts and the arrival of Peter Cottontail who will bring a basket full of delights. Stores begun their candy sales the day after Valentine’s Day. No doubt many have already consumed a few jelly beans, crème or peanut butter eggs.
What else happens this month:
a. Women’s History month is celebrated.
b. It is the birthday month of two veteran’s organizations; The American Legion and La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux (The Forty and Eight)
c. Spring Break time
d. We turn our clocks ahead one hour. Days will be longer and our nights shorter.
March, it sure does keep us ‘marching along’ with events and activities.
DON’T OVERLOOK MARCH!
Find a reason to rid yourself of the winter blahs while waiting for the first day of spring to arrive.
Until next time….let’s all find something to ‘march along and enjoy’. Me, I think hubby and I will enjoy the veteran’s organizations birthdays…cheers to the veterans and the organizations; we will enjoy a few brews on St. Patty’s Day; have a few jelly beans; and watch some basketball.
MARCH OFFERINGS
©Scottie-ann Murphy
(Written in March 2012)
The early morning sun tries to move from behind the gray clouds
it does nothing to warm us; the blowing winds of March chill our bones
i put on a pair of red framed glasses to read the mail
Sipping black coffee laced with a small bottle of Bailey’s Irish Cream
I tear open an envelope containing a St. Patty’s day greeting card
A Claddagh with the words LOVE- LOYALTY- FRIENDSHIP printed
semi-circle on the front
Inside picture….shamrocks pouring out of a Kelly green bowler
TOP O’ THE MORNING written beneath in bold black lettering
The main verse states that there are four things needed for
a wonderful St. Patrick’s day……shamrocks, Irish derby hat,
pot of gold and most importantly a mug of brew
My mouth salivates at the sight of the glasses of beer illustrated inside
White foam pours out over the top and spills down the sides
I mentally taste a frosty Guinness chilling my taste buds
Perhaps this should be our appropriate beer choice for the month
March….thirty-one days packed with excitement
St. Patrick’s Day falling on a weekend; celebrations and parades to enjoy
March Madness….jeers and cheers for fans of college basketball
Who will reign as number one for this year many wonder?
Beach towns and destinations will greet with open arms spring breakers
arriving from the frigid north to enjoy sun, sand, surf and suds
Clocks will be pushed ahead for that one extra hour of daylight
Highlands County will welcome the masses of race car fanatics
clamoring to central Florida to watch the ‘Twelve Hours of Sebring’
The boys of summer return to the diamond for spring training games
Women celebrate Women’s History Month…. we all await springs arrival
I spot a book of poetry and quotes on the coffee table
Picking it up I flip through the pages and find the passage
from an unknown author….it is an Irish saying
“An Irishman is never drunk as long as he can hold onto one blade of
grass to keep from falling off the earth. “
I book mark the page to refer back to it during the month
It will become our mantra while enjoying all the festivities
that March has to offer
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