Maddog Mad Blog

I grew up in the 50s, and the memories of my youth are of a different time and different perspective. Families were important, but I was raised by every adult person on my block. There were 13 families with children, and the total number of children was over 30, The rest of the homes on my block were occupied by adult couples, a retired schoolteacher, and two older sisters who lived together. All of the families with children, had fathers who worked outside of the home and mothers who stayed home and took care of the “children. “This was the typical household dynamic, during that time.

All adults were “in charge and could reprimand or punish any children, if said child was “out of line.” Most city blocks back then had dirt alleys that cut through the middle of the block. That along with any empty lot, became the gathering place where all the kids in the neighborhood hung out. Winters were spent more indoors, but summers were the highlight of our existence. We spent the vast majority of our lives outside. The standard routine was get up and get dressed, eat breakfast, head outside until your mom called you in for lunch, eat lunch, back outside until your dad called you in for supper, eat supper, and back outside until it was dark and the streetlights would come on. That was your signal to return home for the night. Tomorrow was another day, and the cycle was repeated. Kids were expected to behave, not get in any trouble, obey their parents and other adults, and to be seen and not heard.

You were taught to respect others, to be honest and to not lie, that your word meant something, and a handshake was more binding than a signature on a piece of paper. If there were people that you didn’t like, you just avoided them and went on with your life. Our biggest fear back then, was Russia dropping an atomic bomb, but we were all taught in school that crawling under our school desks would save us from any harm.

We had limited tv channels and most tv channels went off the air at 10pm. We also didn’t have video games to occupy your time. So, most children were not exposed to what was happening outside of their neighborhoods unless it was discussed in school or by our parents. it was simpler time and sometimes I wish that I still lived in that era. I am not saying that everything was perfect. Maybe it was just the innocence of a child. News was just the news.

When did politics become the number 1 issue and news became secondary. When did political parties become more important than the performance and ethical behavior of the person running for office. When did politicians start placing more importance on getting reelected, rather than passing any laws. The list goes on and on, and in the meantime, our country is not number one.

What era of time would most people wish to live in… for me, any era where there is peace, understanding, and compassion for others.

Later friends, be back soon.