justplainbil

Just Plain Bill

Do you know how to iron?

 (And other thoughts about 

becoming the man I am)

There’s one major advantage of growing old, besides being able to continue seeing the world evolve, with an open mind, and while holding on to an active sense of humor. That advantage is that we seniors, and I loosely define that group as those of us over 65, have most likely picked up some invaluable knowledge, experiences, and skills during our lifetimes, such as:

·     Having no frozen foods, only fresh, before freezers

·     Changing spark plugs and points

·     Hanging clothes outside on a clothesline to dry

·     Shining our own shoes

·     Changing our own oil

·     Many neighbors using ice boxes instead of refrigerators - getting ice delivered by the ice man (and knowing all their names)

·     Making a crystal radio that cost $.75, but without FM

·     Using push mowers on our lawns

·     Having fresh milk, butter, and eggs delivered daily to our front porches

·     Cooking soft boiled eggs and eating them in an egg cup

·     Clipping the grass with a hand clipper

·     Changing a faucet washer

·     Wrapping sandwiches in wax paper, before plastic bags

·     Cooking oatmeal or Cream of Wheat for 5 minutes

·     Sewing on a button

·     Making a bed with sheets that are not fitted, and folding hospital corners

·     Wearing socks that have been darned

·     Ironing our own clothes – which is how I earned $.50 an item ironing uniforms in the Marine Corps

The items listed above may sound frivolous, and while I enjoy many of the advancements that have impacted me in my seven decades, I still appreciate remembering how things were in the old days – back when being industrious and handy was a gender-free role.