Here are some photos that I took, risking getting kicked out by an over zealous aisle attendant.
Also: Baby Boomer Music – Happy Together Tour and Photos of The Beatles on Ed Sullivan Show
Originally posted 2014-03-30 00:32:05.
Now I am 62 and my oldest daughter is in her 40’s. Unlike my Mom, I am divorced and still working. My wardrobe consists of uniforms, jeans, tee shirts, sandals,shorts, and leisure outfits. There is no apron and my hair is bright RED. I only put on dresses for weddings and such. Most of my meals are fixed in the microwave. My air conditioning runs at top speed in my apartment. I DO complain if it does not work properly. The nearest shade tree that I can sit under is down the street at the city park. There is no garden to work in because my little concrete patio is outside my front door and gardening is not allowed here. The patio is big enough though for a potted plant.
Mom was so happy to see 62. Sixty two meant that she and my Dad could finally draw their social security and not have to worry about working outside the house. It even enabled them to be able to purchase their first little home. At 62, I have owned and sold five houses which are gone along with husbands. Social security does not mean security nor the ability to purchase a house. Mom wrote me letters each week and sent them by the United States Postal Service. In them she made many strong suggestions on how I should live my life in the big city. I don’t write letters to my daughters but do read about them on face book now and then. I don’t tell my kids how to live their lives because that would not go over well with them AT ALL.
At 4a.m. most mornings, my Mom was ready to get out of bed to fix a down home cooked breakfast. Since I work the night shift, 4a.m. is a time to stretch, rub my red eye balls, and dream about going to bed. Mom never drove a car. I drive one all night at work. I wonder what she would say about THAT.
Yes, being 62 today is a bit different than when my Mom was age 62. There are still some things that are the same. My mother loved her children and I do too. My mother appreciated the value system that her Mother taught her and I do too. My mother did what was necessary to live her life one day at a time and I do too. My mother had pride and I am grateful to say, “I do too!”
Originally posted 2011-04-14 22:06:50.
WorkingBoomer has inspired me with her Boomer Stories. I get the premise that Baby Boomers have lived through many exciting decades and have stories to tell. Living is experiences and some experiences you remember more than others. When you tell these personal stories to others it becomes part of your life’s story. Boomer blogging is done by people who want to share some of these stories.
WorkingBoomer has inspired me with her Boomer Stories. I get the premise that Baby Boomers have lived through many exciting decades and have stories to tell. Living is experiences and some experiences you remember more than others. When you tell these personal stories to others it becomes part of your life’s story. Boomer blogging is done by people who want to share some of these stories.
OK I accept the task to write one of my boomer stories. What shall I write about? Inspiration? Generation perspective? World peace? No, I think fishing stories. Fishing and stories kind of go together, don’t you think?
Here we go.
1. CATCHING A MESS – Growing up in a small town in middle Georgia, when I was about age 15, I went fishing just about every day during the Summer behind the dam at the spillway at Lake Tchukolaho with my two brothers. This particular day I was catching the bream like crazy with my Zebco 33 spinner. Wearing Calypso shorts and low cut Converse tennis shoes with no socks I waded out in the water almost up to my waist, to get closer to the fish. After a while my fish stringer was full of bream and getting heavy so I double tied it to my belt loop so it would not come off and turned to start back to shore . That fish stinger sure was heavy and I couldn’t wait to show my brother waiting on shore, so with both hands I hoisted up the stringer of fish. What happened next I still get goose bumps over. There was a huge ugly water moccasin snake who had swallowed up the bottom half of my fish stringer. Gasping jaws wide open trying to sallow the whole string. I don’t know who was surprised more, me or the snake. Remember the string was tied to my belt loop. There was a lot of high stepping and splashing and eventfully I got to shore with out the snake.
Ok on to better times.
2. WHAT DO I DO NOW? – When I moved to the city and got married, Mary Ann and I lived in some apartments near Stone Mountain Park which had a nice lake. I would come home from my Accounting job, change out of the suit, pick up my fishing gear and head over for 30 minutes of bass fishing before dusk. Each time I would ask Mary Ann if she wanted to go, and the answer was “No, you go ahead”, but this day she said yes. Off to park we go and stopped on the side of the road and took the short walk through the woods to the lake . Bass fishing is done by casting along the shoreline in the shallow water. But we couldn’t both do that so I set Mary Ann up with a plastic worm and a large weight on her spinner and cast it straight out in the lake. You just slowly reel in the line and then throw it back out, were my instructions. There that would take care of here while I do some real Bass fishing.
I quickly disappeared along the wooded path along the lake to the better fishing spot. Thirty minutes later, I had a couple of hits but no fish. Since it would be getting dark, I headed back. As I came out of the woods to the clearing, I see Mary Ann standing there with her spinner rod pointed up and a big bass flip flopping on the ground. “What do I do now” I heard her say.
On to the last fishing story.
3. TALK ABOUT A BIG CATCH!. – So Mary Ann and I are fishing at a country pond. It is getting late afternoon and time to bass fish. We are on the side of the pond. I plan to go along the pond’s edge fishing for bass. Mary Ann needs something to do. I rig up a spinner with a Jitterbug lure, the type that wobbles back and forth across the top of the water. Planning to keep her clear of my fishing grounds, I say “throw it over there towards the other side of the pond by those cattails”. Mary Ann, where? At that time three cows were walking along a path on the other side of the pond going to wherever cows go at the end of the day. I said “over there by the cows”. Mary Ann reared back and slung that Jitterbug lure with a mighty sling . The lure sailed high in the air and took off. It landed on the cows back!
The cow keeps strolling down the path. The fishing line is reeling off.
Mary Ann said here! and gave the spinner to me. I made sure the line was letting out as the cow continued down the path. What to do? The lure after hitting the cow on the back must have jumped off on the other side. The line fell off the cow just before we gave out of line.
Originally posted 2010-12-26 23:33:30.
Boomer memories: A get-away turns dangerous when a Winter storm hits, trapping the girls in their cabin at the top of the mountain. Memories are to be shared and Working Boomer lets up know the rest of the story that she always will remember.
It was late March, a beautiful early spring day, as my friend Lou and I set out for the Ozark Mountains for a much needed get a way. I had received one of those free offers to a resort for two nights and three days as guests to view a vacation community. Since funds were low this was an opportunity that we just could not pass up. The sun was shining bright, the sky was crystal clear as we pulled into the resort entrance where we were met by a Realtor who graciously showed us to our condo. It was much more than we had expected. The view from the balcony looked down on the quaint village nestled at the bottom of the mountain. It was a dream come true; a place for rest and relaxation, no stress, no worries, no responsibility. For two gals in their early 30’s it was an escape from reality; a little peace of heaven on earth placed there for our enjoyment. Yes, 1984 was going to be a good year.
Lou and I were ready! After taking our cooler and bags from the car we jumped into our comfortable pajama pants and long sloppy tee shirts. We tuned into our favorite radio station and brought out our manicuring sets, facial masks, curling irons, chocolate candy bars, chips and soda pop. Of course, Lou had her favorite love story book while I had my mediation and inspirational book to read. Lou flopped down on one couch with her legs hanging over the end as I spread out on the floor with my feet and legs in a chair. After pampering ourselves for a few hours, we decided to go to bed early to get some much needed sleep before our sightseeing trip that we had planned for the next day.
After sleeping for about two hours I woke up to a pounding sound on the window by my bed. I pulled back the curtains to see sleet, ice and snow falling all around. The driveway was covered in ice and of course we were at the very top of the mountain. We were iced in a snow storm to be remembered! Old man winter had returned in full force. I awakened Lou. Immediately she started to panic. She was crying as fear over took her. We both were due back to work within two days and could not afford to miss any pay. I had a fear of driving in bad weather and always avoided it. After listening to the weather news, we learned the snow was suppose to continue for two days and there was talk of shutting the highways down. I felt scared, powerless and out of control.
Lou was not into meditation and prayer but I was. I asked if she would pray with me. She agreed and we held each others hands while I prayed. A since of peace came over me that words can not even describe. The answer came!
Some how we de-iced the car and I drove it down the steep mountain. We made it to the highway where there were no vehicles in sight. Along the way, we stopped at a gas station for a fill up. A truck driver asked us if we were crazy for driving in the weather. I smiled and replied, “ No Sir. There is something more powerful than me behind the wheel of this car.” We then continued on our way. It was a fourteen hour drive which in normal conditions would have only taken five hours. I remained calm during the entire trip. My fear of driving had been removed. My faith had been strengthened. We arrived safely back in the big city. Lou now prays and meditates. As for me, I have a story. I have a memory. It may not have been the escape that we wanted but it was the Gift that we needed. It was The Power Of Faith and Peace Within. The Gift was priceless and now it is being shared with you!
Originally posted 2011-02-26 09:11:27.
Do You Remember Your First Kiss?
There was a hand made Valentine”s holder pinned to the wall. It was stuffed with Valentines. As a matter of fact, it had more in it than all the other holders on the wall. Slowly, I removed the holder from the wall. I laid it gently on the table. Then I reached for the largest valentine in the folder. The envelope was bright red. The words, I love you were printed in bold on the front next to my name. With my small hands shaking, I slowly took the card out of the envelope, as others watched in anticipation.
I opened the card. It was signed, “Love, Johnnie.” My heart beat fast as I read the words. I looked up and it happened right there. Yes it did! Johnnie puckered up and laid the big one on my lips. It was wet and messy. The others started to giggle. Yep, that was my first kiss. The memory is as strong as if it just happened yesterday. It was kinder garden class. The giggles echoed from my friends. Johnnie’s two front teeth were missing and there he was with a dumb GRIN on his face. What a visual! I didn’t know whether to crawl under the class room table or cry.
Now I can look back and laugh about the silliness of being a child. There has been a few years since that episode happened. Many kisses have passed these baby boomer lips. That kiss was special, even though it did not feel like it at the time,because it was the FIRST. Now I am waiting for my last kiss. If his teeth are missing so be it. I say, “No matter what age you are pucker up and enjoy the moment!” These baby boomer lips are not ready to retire. 🙂
In all sincerity, I hope each of you had a wonderful Valentine’s Day. Do you remember your first kiss?
Originally posted 2012-02-14 22:14:59.
Working boomers reminds us how we love our dogs, from Lassie to Rin Tin Tin and Ole Yellow. But Working Boomer tells a scary story about encountering a security dog at work.
Since I don’t have a two legged Lover for Valentines Day, I thought I might just write a little about my four legged dog friends
Do you remember Lassie? What a beautiful dog. I just loved to watch the Lassie episodes. Then there was Rin Tin Tin. He was a brave soul. Do you remember Ole Yellow? I think I cried for a week after that sad movie. Then there were the Dalmatians. What a bunch they were. Yes, it is just amazing how many popular dog stories that there are that have been dear to some of our hearts. In today’s society dogs are used as therapy for the elderly. Dogs work in police departments and are used to help solve crimes. Dog stories always seem to make the news. Now I don’t think any of my dog stories have made the newspapers or magazines. Therefore I would like to share one of my dog stories. .
The Security Guard Meets Up With The Guard Dog
As a security officer one has to always be prepared for the unexpected but some times the unexpected may catch an officer off guard as it did me one night. I entered a building from the front entrance to do a few checks and wanted to vary my routine. It was around 1a.m. in the morning. After completing my checks I decided to go out the back door to do an exterior check. As I rounded the corner the unexpected happened. There stood a huge dog barking loudly at me with big teeth showing. Each step that I took brought the dog closer to me. The dog was doing a great job of guarding the building even though it was suppose to be my job. Now I was in a fix. The dog had me cornered. Slowly I edged my way along the building wall as I tried to stay calm. Sweat was rolling down my neck. My heart was pumping fast. It seemed like hours but was only a few seconds and I felt a door handle. I slipped my master key in the lock. The door opened! Swiftly I jumped inside. With the door slightly cracked I peeped out. Mr. Big Dog looked so proud. He stood at attention. He had caught what he thought was an intruder. I was trapped like a rat but the building was safe. Needless to say, I was in a storage closet. Much to my embarrassment, I had to call another officer and the police so that I could get out. The moral of this story is: If you work security then be careful. There is always a four legged Dog critter just waiting to take your job and get on the payroll. I really could have used the Dog Whisperer that night!
Now this encounter did not take away my love for my dog friends
Originally posted 2011-02-13 19:48:17.
