'60s Memories

Being at home in the daytime was one of the best things I can recall. Normally I'd be in school, but for whatever reason I was at home, that was the best place to be. I loved all the wonderful shows that came on, and some of them I watched faithfully with my mom. She was a busy bee in the morning doing laundry, kitchen prep for dinner, or whatever else that needed doing. Household chores kept her occupied, so I stood sentry at the TV commanding the channels, and engaging in wonderful morning shows. Some of the old classics were intolerable to me: Jack LaLanne's exercise show was one of them. He bored me to death, and even though I tried exercising along with him, it was no fun at all. Doing leg raises and jumping jacks in the early AM wasn't nearly as exciting as "The Real McCoys" or "Make Room for Daddy." Listening to Walter Brennan's "Weeeel, daygg-nabbit!" was funny, and far more entertaining than a basic leg stretch.

Afternoons were another story indeed: lunch was served, and later in the afternoon for a snack, Mom came up with something wonderful. I remember the first time I ever had a Moon Pie; it was banana flavored, and the flavor was out of this world! And though I pleaded desperately, Moon Pies never became a standard item in our kitchen cupboards. What a joy it was to be up on the couch with Mom watching reruns of sitcoms and listening to canned laughter on the TV. We also watched exciting game shows, and a particular favorite time was watching "The Loretta Young Show" with her. There was a soft and easy ambiance to our house in the daytime; hearing Mom's knitting needles click-clacking a steadt cadence is still a peaceful reminder of those days.

A peek through lace curtains on our front room window revealed the neighborhood outside. It was a sleepy place in the daytime. I was perhaps supposed to be at school writing numbers or letters, then erasing them like a mad man in my Big Chief tablet. Sometimes I was sick, and on those days, even more special treatment was in store. These are all favorite ghosts hearkening to me from the past. I love to recall game show fanfares, warbly organ soap opera music, and the excitement of Art Linkletter's "House Party." Come late afternoon cartoon shows were on, and supper would be in preparation. Dad would be home from work, my brothers home from school, and our house would be once again filled with life. Bread and butter and love was served up every night with the evening meal. This is a page of my life torn from the early '60s.