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February 4, 2020
Growing Up In Bandera
By Glenn Clark
Special to the Prophet
I've been sitting around thinking about how things might have been different if we had some of the modern conveniences back in the day which are available to the younger generations today.
Personal cell phones are a good example. If I had one back then I could have called to explain to my mom why I was running late getting home. But then I think she would have been calling me first telling me to get home, "Right now!!!” Shortly thereafter she would have made my phone disappear. So much for that fantasy.
What has become of the clunker vehicles common to the high school parking lots of yesteryear? You know, the ones we spent most of our time and money on in an attempt to keep them running. The teachers used to drive better cars than the students. Not sure that is the case today.
As cheap as gas was during those early years it was still a challenge at times to come up with gas funds. A steady job was a good solution but that also limited your social calendar and the need for gas in the car. When soda and beer bottle deposit rose to a nickel it only took a couple dozen to get enough gas for dragging main street for the night. I heard there was something called an "Oklahoma Credit Card" available too.
Sure we had fads which we tried to follow as best we could on what little money was left after taking care of our old jalopies. In the modern world I don't see how it's possible for young folks to keep pace with all the new trends and styles. Might be mom and dad who are footing the bill but that would never have happened in my earlier Bandera life. "Daddy, I need $100 for a new pair of shoes". My dad's response after he stopped laughing would have been, "Boy, you need to get a better paying job.”
Dining out with the whole family was a real rarity when I was living at home. With six kids it was understandably rare. That is one of the luxuries my wife and I have enjoyed in our retirement years. My needs are simple when it comes to food and eating out. I would rate a good burger and fries right at the top of my food chain.
Things will continue to evolve through the generations. It's kinda entertaining to sit back and reminisce while comparing how things were back then to current times. I have to wonder if today's youngsters think our early life was a little bit horrifying as we were Growing Up In Bandera.
#215 2019
Personal cell phones are a good example. If I had one back then I could have called to explain to my mom why I was running late getting home. But then I think she would have been calling me first telling me to get home, "Right now!!!” Shortly thereafter she would have made my phone disappear. So much for that fantasy.
What has become of the clunker vehicles common to the high school parking lots of yesteryear? You know, the ones we spent most of our time and money on in an attempt to keep them running. The teachers used to drive better cars than the students. Not sure that is the case today.
As cheap as gas was during those early years it was still a challenge at times to come up with gas funds. A steady job was a good solution but that also limited your social calendar and the need for gas in the car. When soda and beer bottle deposit rose to a nickel it only took a couple dozen to get enough gas for dragging main street for the night. I heard there was something called an "Oklahoma Credit Card" available too.
Sure we had fads which we tried to follow as best we could on what little money was left after taking care of our old jalopies. In the modern world I don't see how it's possible for young folks to keep pace with all the new trends and styles. Might be mom and dad who are footing the bill but that would never have happened in my earlier Bandera life. "Daddy, I need $100 for a new pair of shoes". My dad's response after he stopped laughing would have been, "Boy, you need to get a better paying job.”
Dining out with the whole family was a real rarity when I was living at home. With six kids it was understandably rare. That is one of the luxuries my wife and I have enjoyed in our retirement years. My needs are simple when it comes to food and eating out. I would rate a good burger and fries right at the top of my food chain.
Things will continue to evolve through the generations. It's kinda entertaining to sit back and reminisce while comparing how things were back then to current times. I have to wonder if today's youngsters think our early life was a little bit horrifying as we were Growing Up In Bandera.
#215 2019