This Is How Old I Am

We watched the end of the Vietnam War and this country’s First Earth Day. Movies included The Godfather and the summer splash hit… Jaws.

Later, in our high school years, we quickly found and loved: Prince, Madonna, Michael Jackson, R.E.M, Billy Idol.

And we can’t forget disco’s funky hits that made us want to dance: Donna Summer, The BeeGees, KC and the Sunshine Band.

SIGH. I do enjoy daydreaming about that era.

I will readily admit those times are still so close to my heart. My friends from that generation can still picture those moments in time and feel the actual vibe that was generated.

Like others, I still feel that those memories are a mere 10-15 years ago.

Except they were definitely not!

Those times were decades ago. A different zeitgeist. A long-gone past that lives on in our recollections. I cannot deny… that life is from many moons ago.

Some days, I may feel 28 years old. Others, I feel like I’m 42.

But to truly think back to when I was young (let’s be honest!), it was a looooong time ago.

This Is How Old I Am

Here’s a sampling of how long ago those memories actually area. Enjoy this peek from the past…

This is me with the full baby cheeks. My mom looks like she hasn’t had much sleep. My older sister looks grumpy as usual. And will you check out that refrigerator?! (Or did we actually call it an “icebox” when back then?)

A few years went by, and I could get around on my own. Here I am at my grandparents’ home in Roseland, blowing bubbles with my sister, Kim. Do kids blow bubbles like this anymore? Or is it all done with a large bubble wand?

But that’s beside the point. Here, I want you to check out the TV tray with the cabbage roses on them.

And what about that PLYMOUTH? Hubba hubba.

Later that same year, my sister and I posed with our parents, Howard + Dorothy. My mom was expecting our baby brother at this time.

Folks, what do you think of the lamp from Sears Roebuck? We were a stylish family.

Adding a few more years and – VOILA – I had an adorable baby brother named Holden. I was trying to be the star of the show and show off my teeth. But it’s the high-chair that stands out here. When have you last seen one of them??

Almost one year later, we visited the Morton Arboretum on a splendid Fall day. My mom still wonders how she got us all dressed up and out the door in those days. I tell her it’s because she’s AMAZING.

My question here: what do you think of our coats? I thought we looked divine. I wish folks still dressed this way.

The Arts Scene

Both of our parents “dug” culture. Mom dressed us up and we all went to see the unveiling of the Picasso in Daley Plaza – Chicago.

We lived in the era when mothers sewed our Halloween costumes. Here, I was a princess. My sister — a drum majorette. Holden was a cowboy. And our dog Fido played himself.

What talent my mom has! Her creativity always impresses me.

Okay, some years went by and the family took one of many road trips. This time we landed in Missouri to see Tom Sawyer’s famous whitewashed fence. Again, we were very fashionable. Ahem.

Back to Reality

And here we are today — its 2025. Not too shabby, for all I’ve seen.

In fact, this past weekend, I saw an 80-year-old Rod Stewart show us his groovy moves in live concert. He’s still got it! And I’m glad I was here to see him.

What do you think?

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Thank you for reading – PIZZA FOR BREAKFAST