Thank you for sharing @Hockey4Gary — the good old skate key! It was practically a badge of honor to wear it around your neck, ready for action.
Did you skate with friends around the neighborhood, or was there a local rink you loved going to? And do you still have your skate key tucked away somewhere?What a fantastic throwback @Cher1223 ! Telephone party lines were such a unique part of growing up — the idea of sharing a phone line with neighbors is almost unthinkable now. Did you ever have a moment where you accidentally eavesdropped (or maybe got caught)? And was there a particular time of day the line was always busy?
Thanks for bringing that up @Sissyj ! Playing Jacks (or Jack Rocks!) was such a simple but addictive game — all you needed was a good flat surface and a steady hand. Did you have a favorite set, maybe the shiny metal ones or the colorful plastic kind? And do you remember how many bounces you could handle before scooping them all up?
Now that’s a memory worth smiling about @rfalk1315 ! Turning grocery boxes into doll houses was such a beautiful example of childhood creativity. It didn’t take much — just a few boxes and a big imagination — and suddenly you had a whole world to play in. Did you decorate the “rooms” or make little furniture too? And was there a particular store you always visited for the best boxes?
Such a classic — thanks for reminding us @Arlene ! The rotary phone was practically a rite of passage. That satisfying click-click-click sound as the dial spun back… and the patience it took if the number had a lot of 9s or 0s! Did you ever mess up the last digit and have to start all over? And was your family’s phone mounted on the wall or sitting on a little table with a notepad nearby?
Love this — it really takes us back @JoyJB ! Those classic playground games like Shadow Tag, Red Light Green Light, and Mother May I? brought so much laughter and excitement. No equipment needed — just friends and a bit of space! Was there one you were especially good at? And did you play mostly at school or out in the street with the neighborhood kids?
This one gave me a smile — thank you for sharing @Marilea ! Watching soap operas with Mum and MASH* with Dad sounds like such a lovely family tradition. It’s amazing how certain shows become tied to special memories with the people we love. Do you remember which soap was your mom’s favorite? And did your dad ever quote MASH* around the house?
Ah yes, that brings back some memories! Thanks for sharing @Larry B ! Black and white TV had its own charm — and finally upgrading to color felt like stepping into the future!Definitely black and white TV. I didn't have a color TV until I was an adult and bought my own.
Do you remember what the first show or movie was that you watched in color? And was it as magical as you’d imagined?Such a classic memory — thanks for the reminder @Lynn1957 ! There was something special about the old home telephone — the ringing sound, the cord you’d stretch across the room, and the conversations that couldn’t be rushed. Do you remember your first phone number? Or maybe the one sound that meant it wasn't for you — like a sibling yelling, “It’s for me!”?
Appreciate you sharing that gem @Marie14 ! No cell phones, just a rotary phone and a party line — now that’s a real throwback! It’s wild to think how we once managed without being instantly reachable. Did you ever get caught mid-call by someone else picking up the line? And was there a certain “phone voice” you used when others might be listening in?
That definitely sparks some nostalgia @moppyroda ! Dial phones had a charm all their own — the clicking sound as the wheel spun back, and the patience it took if you got one digit wrong! Do you remember the color of your family’s phone? And did it sit on a little table with a phone book and a notepad nearby?
What a fantastic throwback @davidsvine ! Life without a mobile phone or an ATM really did require a bit more planning — and a lot more face-to-face interaction! You had to actually go inside the bank and memorize phone numbers! Do you remember your routine for getting cash or staying in touch while out and about? And was there ever a moment when you really wished you had a mobile?
Love this @Gary H. — it really takes us back! Playing marbles was serious business — and if you had a steelie, you meant business!
That satisfying click as you knocked one out of the ring was the best feeling. Did you have a favorite marble or a lucky steelie? And were you more of a collector or a fierce competitor?What a vivid memory — thanks for painting the picture @teresasanders78 ! Helping your Gramma bring in coal for the cast iron heater is something kids today would hardly believe. It must have felt like an important job, being trusted with that heavy bucket! Was the heater the main source of warmth in the house? And did she ever let you help start the fire too?
That’s a classic blast from the past @Mrcapuano ! Those black and white TVs with rabbit ears really tested our patience — adjusting them just right (and maybe standing on one foot!) to get a clear picture. And with only a couple of stations, you really made the most of whatever was on! Do you remember putting foil on the antenna to boost the signal? And was there a favorite show you never missed, even with the fuzzy screen?
This one really paints a beautiful picture of the past — thank you @JAC74 ! Hanging laundry outside, wearing hand-me-downs, and playing 45s… there’s something so comforting and real about those simple routines. Each one tells a story of family, music, and making the most of what you had. Do you remember a favorite song you used to play on those records? And was there a hand-me-down outfit you actually loved wearing?
Ah, this really brings it all back — such vivid memories @Peterbee ! The slow rhythm of the dial telephone, one number at a time, and the sight of clothes swaying on the line… it was all part of the everyday pace of life. And that old-school dryer with the arms that spun around on a pole — so simple, but it did the job! Do you remember if you ever had to race outside to bring the washing in before the rain hit? And was the clothesline in the backyard or tucked down the side of the house?
That’s such a powerful memory — thank you for sharing @Oak Park Marilyn . Air raid drills at school must have been both unsettling and surreal, especially looking back now. It’s hard to imagine children today going through something like that as part of their school routine. Do you remember how often those drills happened, or how the teachers explained them to you at the time? And was there ever a moment when you thought it might be real?
What a fascinating memory — thank you for sharing it @Nita614 ! Printing on a letterpress is such a hands-on, skillful process — there’s something so satisfying about the look, feel, and even the smell of freshly inked paper. Were you using the letterpress at school, work, or just for fun? And do you remember what you printed — maybe a newsletter, cards, or posters?
We didn’t have to bite in Saturday mornings because it was cartoons. I really didn’t have a favorite, it was just great laying on our stomachs on the floor watching TV.
