March 2016
Page 27
Windsor Writers
Here are a few historical facts that young people about to graduate
high school do not know or remember:
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The Cold War? What was that? Was it fought in the Arctic?
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A Russian Premier banged his shoe on a desk to get attention?
Khrushchev? Who was he?
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Stick shifts in most cars? How did that work? Are they available
now?
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Metal caps on pop bottles? Haven’t they always been screw-off
and plastic?
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Archie and Edith Bunker? I Love Lucy? M.A.S.H.? Never heard of
them!
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Gene Autry and Champion? Roy Rogers and Trigger? Ward Bond
and Wagon Train? What are you talking about?
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45 RPM and 33 RPM records pre-date high schoolers. 78’s, if they
could find them, are now nothing more than Frisbees! But it’s OK,
because they’ve never owned a record player and have only heard
about 8-tracks.
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They have always had an answering machine and have always had
cable. What were those things you called ‘rabbit ears’?
Remember When?
by Hap Hansen
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They have probably never seen black and white TV and would not
believe we only had 13 channels to watch.
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What do you mean, you didn’t have a remote control? How did you
change channels?
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Jack Paar? Was he a Senator? ·
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A key to your roller skates? What for?
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How could you possibly put a’hard’ glass contact lens in your eye?
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They never heard, “Where’s the beef,” “I’d walk a mile for a
Camel,” or “De plane, de plane!”
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I’m pretty sure a High School Senior never heard Ed McMahon open
the Tonight Show with the words, “He-e-e-e-r’s Johnnie!!”
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Finally, they have never enjoyed or laughed at Ernie Kovacs and the
Nairobi Trio.
I hope this stroll down memory lane doesn’t make you feel too old.
But even if it does, there is pleasure in knowing that many of us have
lived through some of the most exciting times in history. Now we much
teach that history to the younger generations.
If you want to live to a hundred and two
There are certain things that you must do:
Stay away from tobacco whatever you do!
Don’t sniff or snuff or even chew.
And never be tempted to smoke!
Except in Colorado –
With a substance sometimes called M.J.
Now they say that it’s okay
If you want to have a toke.
Smoking and drinking used to be in
But nowadays they’re considered a sin.
Oh, a glass or two of wine a day
Are still considered to be okay,
If that is your desire.
But if you light up you’d best stay away
’Cause you’re considered a social pariah.
Get plenty of sleep – don’t be like me.
I go to bed at 9:00 o’clock
But then get up at three.
I get my day’s work done before
The sun comes up –
Now what do I do with the rest of the day?
How to Live to a Hundred and Two
by Marilynn Reeves
Be sure to eat right and don’t get fat.
But they keep changing the rules –
What’s up with that?
Pasta was in but now it’s verboten.
Butter was out, but now it’s okay.
Don’t drink coffee they used to say –
But now you can have up to five cups a day.
I don’t know what it’s all about –
If they told me I’ve forgotten.
But the key seems to be, and it works for me:
If it tastes good spit it out!
Get plenty of exercise.
Lift weights. Do yoga.
Walk a mile a day.
I count the steps to the refrigerator
And stay in shape that way.
Last but not least, inherit good genes.
If your parents lived to a hundred and two,
Follow the rules, don’t get hit by a train,
Then there’s a good chance you will too!
I never said I follow the rules
But I wrote them down for you.
Life’s expectation is to show up through me.
Life lives and grows in this body through me.
Life feels joy and laughter through me.
Life shares anger and fear through me.
Life knows health and sickness through me.
Life’s Expectations
by Donna Bishop
Life touches and is touched through me.
Life loves and is loved through me.
Life lets go of this body through me.
Life’s expectation is eternal through me.
