By Mike Rainone for the News
At the age of 77 I will readily admit that I am slowing down just a little, have become forgetful and grumpy on the odd occasions, and I’m stubbornly set and stuck in some of my old ways and habits that I should quite likely change if I am going to keep up and survive in this much more modern and fast-moving age, which I cannot compare to that era that I was trying to grow up in? But on the other hand, like so many others, I have always been so blessed to have a loving and patient wife and family, lots of great friends, and the Good Lord, all of whom will always be there for all of us. How great it is that whatever each day may bring, we should always look forward to gathering together to share our joys, our sorrows, our misgivings, our mistakes, and our challenges, while also taking lots of quality time to love, laugh, and make fun of each other.
Even though as grandparents we know that our young siblings can beat us at most of the games we play these days, we are so very fortunate that if we have any problems with our computers or any other day to day boo-boos that they will always be just a phone call away from coming to ease our senior stresses and keep the old home fires burning. Yours truly will always look forward to sharing the joy and the fun by having the great opportunity of putting together the stories, the photos, and the colourful history and accomplishments of my favourite hometown through the weekly features of Reflections, Remember When, and the Hammer’s Column in your Ponoka News. This has all been possible over the years with the kind and ongoing support, contributions, and ideas from the Ponoka News staff, the Fort Ostell Museum, and so many others from our town and county. As long as I can still sit down in front of my laptop and hammer out a tale or get a chuckle I would love to keep it all going and will always appreciate and look forward to your ideas and photos, along with the emails to jrainone@telus.net and phone calls before 9:00 p.m. to 403-341-5750. Thanks for the memories.
Can you remember those days gone by?
It was in the 1960s when they would come around to your hospital bed selling cigarettes and your favourite candy bar! I remember as kids when we had to walk 9 feet through shag carpet to change the television station, and when we got back the couch was full.
In those days the newest invention for child care was a new safety harness for your car that prevented the little duffers from climbing, sliding, and falling while you were out for a family excursion? It was priced at $6.55 and came adjustable for both the front and back seats. As today’s seniors who were growing up in the roaring 60s,we will always claim that those good old days were the best … including old things like … jeans-movies-friends-tunes-and girlfriends, which were and always will be way more fun than eventually turning 60.
Just for fun facts
If we are paying $3 for a bottle of Smart Water it’s not working. As seniors we should never call it getting old … just have fun outliving the warranty.
The Brain is the most outstanding and amazing human organ in our body. It works for 24 hours and 365 days a year from our birth … at least until we fall head of heels in love.
I finally did it — went out and bought a fancy new pair of memory foam insoles. Now there will be no more forgetting why I walked into the kitchen or where I came from.
True confessions of an old-timer
I was chatting with a vibrant old timer last week who was out running laps on our first really cold day and he insisted that we should quit complaining about winter, because this is nothing compared to what it used to be when he was a kid.
He recalled that on many days it was so cold outside that: when we milked the cows we got ice cream; you had to bring your pajamas off the line and thaw them out before going to bed; Starbucks was serving coffee on a stick; Levi Strauss was manufacturing electric jeans and when you threw out the wash water it froze instantly in the air. On the positive side we haven’t seen any bugs for a few weeks and we should know by now that winter has arrived in earnest.
So let’s dig in, or dig out, dress accordingly, and enjoy the “coolest” season of the year to the fullest. Have a great week, all of you.