One of the things that I love about spending time in an antique store is to listen to the folks strolling the isles, reminiscing about their younger years when finding something that jars their memory of days gone by. Hearing them say things such as: “Grandma had these on her kitchen table” or “I remember these when I was a kid and I always wanted one but we could never afford it” or “Now this is something I’ve not seen in quite a long time” never fails to make me smile and wonder if I, at that moment, am in a segment of The Twilight Zone.
Walking through the store the other day allowed me to take a mental walk back to the 1960’s. Though being a youngster during this era, there are many memories that are permanently etched in my mind. Rocking horses on metal frames with bouncy springs that allowed the most awesome of horse rides – back and forth, back and forth for hours on end. Red Radio Flyer wagon rides down the dusty dirt lane of my uncle’s dairy and weekends spent playing house with the metal dollhouse that was a Christmas gift one year.
And if you were around in the 1960’s, you will remember “The Fab Four” – The Beatles. Take me back to The Ed Sullivan Show and watching John, Paul, George and Ringo make their debut on TV. From that point on, I was a fan – and in love with Ringo. Why Ringo? I don’t know why, but I was, and I was only five. Go figure. Perhaps if I’d been a bit older, I would have fawned over Paul. Or George. Or John.
One Christmas my parents – oops, I mean Santa - gifted my brother and I with new bikes. I got a pink Schwinn with a cool banana seat and my brother got one that looked very similar to the one below. From sun up till sun set, we rode the tires off of our new bikes. Mom always would say, “Come home when the street lights turn on” and away we went, only coming home to catch a quick bologna sandwich, a peanut butter cookie and downing a glass of frosty cold milk.
No cell phones or internet to occupy our day…just good old child play time. Those were the days, eh?
Groovy baby, just groovy! Yea, those were the good ol’ days. Makes me miss that simple time in life.
Note: photos compliments of The Antique Warehouse.
This was such a fun post. I found myself saying similar things seeing these items particularly the metal dollhouse, which just so happened to reside in my kindergarten classroom.
ReplyDeleteI like that you smile at such comments. That's a lot better than the sign revealing cranky owners at my antiques store: "Don't tell me that your grandmother had one of those. We'll charge you an extra five dollars."
Thanks for the trip down memory lane! I used to love to ride my bike. I got it for Christmas one year, probably when I was about 8 or 9.
ReplyDeleteI was in love with Ringo too! He was not the cute one like Paul, but he was the fun one. Kids are always attracted to the fun one.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Susan and Bentley
The simple times of live....ah, weren't they wonderful? Nostalgic post.
ReplyDeleteJudy
Reading your blog today was like a visit to my own childhood. We played house with our baby dolls, putting them to bed with a sigh...our husbands, John and Paul were off on tour...leaving us to take care of the kids. Lol! Thanks for the memories. =D
ReplyDelete"I WANT HOLD YOUR HAND" I was a
ReplyDeleteteenager with a very loud record player. I know I said record, for
all of you young ones, it's a black
disk that sings when the needle glides along the grooves in the disk. LOL. I still have all of my
records from the 60's and I play
them sometimes when I clean house.
My grandson who is 16yr. had never seen a record and I showed him what real music was...he was stunned. LOL. He didn't like it.
I had the Beatles posters plastered
all over my walls. Wished I would have kept my posters. I loved the 60's. Great post Becky.
Becky I forgot to say the only thing that I can remember taking
ReplyDeletea battery was my transitor radio.
It took a 9 volt.
I was a child of the '70's but I still know what you are talking about! I love collecting old golden books and sharing them with my kids! They were better written back then. Funny how seeing something can bring back a buried memory!
ReplyDeleteThat is my blue bike...I had the same exact banana seat! Oh it takes me back...thanks for the memories...smiles..Renee
ReplyDeleteHello, my sweet friend!
ReplyDeleteIt is funny how we are drawn to the good old days. Thrift shops have such a knack at taking us back to the land of sweet memories, fond family times and treasured relationships.
Thank you for this lovely post, Becky.
Blessings,
Carolynn xo
Aren't we lucky to have grown up during the 60's? The Beatles, Sting Ray bikes, and street lights?? Just the Best!!!
ReplyDeletechris
Hi Becky! I really liked this post - is the Antique Warehouse in Modesto?
ReplyDeleteHa...so funny! I was in love with Ringo too! I thought he was so cool because he played the drums!!
ReplyDeleteI love that dollhouse...I had one like it. I remember the little fence around the top of the garage...it was always coming loose. Oh, I wish I still had that dollhouse. Wouldn't my grandgirls love it!!!
Thanks for some sweet memories Becky!
I actually miss those days. Everything seemed simpler then. Long days of bike riding, coming in when the streetlights came on, games of tag and hide and seek.
ReplyDeleteI loved Paul. Got to see him in concert a few years ago - my young girl self was so happy!
xo
Claudia
I was born in 1962, so I don't remember the Ed Sullivan show Beatles debut. I do remember Mum waking us up to watch the first walk on the moon. I remember crying over MLK and RFK assassinations.
ReplyDeleteOn a happier note, about 1971 or so, I got a gorgeous magenta Schwinn with a floral-printed banana seat and a white wicker basket on the front. I put a lot of mileage on that bike!
Those were relatively care-free times. I admit that I thought the purpose of the evening news was to look at maps of Southeast Asia, and learn how many Americans were killed today. A chilling and all-too-familiar thought.
Oh man, I always wanted a banana seat. My brother had one, but I had a boring, regular seat. I never even got handlebar tassels. What a deprived childhood I had. lol I did have one of those cool metal dollhouses though. Loved those!
ReplyDeleteHi Becky,
ReplyDeleteI remember! I think you over heard me and my sister saying "Grandma had those"...My sister and I always went to The Antique Warehouse when she visited. I have not been there since March. After my hair cut and cover the gray day at the beauty parlor I strolled over to Unique Boutique. I always enjoy spending time there.
I had a banana seat too I think it made me ride faster...LOL
Have a sweet week, sending love and hugs, Elizabeth
My uncle used to swipe my bouncy horse just till I would give him a kiss goodbye. I loved that thing!
ReplyDeleteI loved that metal doll house then and I love it now. Cool man!
ReplyDeletebecky, Fell in love with the burlap ruffled table runner, are you making any more? My table is a smallish rectangle. If not where do you buy the burlap at,time I pull out my sewing machine. later,Lori
ReplyDeletefeel free to email me at pinkfadedroses@sbcglobal.net
In 1960 I was 8 years old! I had a metal dollhouse just like the one in the picture. I loved that thing! It had a few sharp edges here and there so we had to be careful when rearranging furniture! That would probably mean a lawsuit today. Thanks for the memories. Mimi
ReplyDeleteI had that dollhouse..many hours of fun decorating with plastic couches and tables :) Seems like yesterday...how did I get to be almost 62 years old?
ReplyDelete