They didn't have the green thing back in her day

[Steven McGarthwaite]

I thought I should share with you a email sent to me by Rodger Ole Olsen, a member of FAOL. I remember those days, because I live through them myself, and in retrospect, those days life were better and more meaningful in many ways, than how things are today! ~Parnelli

In the line at the store, the cashier told the older woman that plastic bags weren't good for the environment. The woman apologized to her and explained, "We didn't have the green thing back in my day.";

That's right, they didn't have the green thing in her day. Back then, they returned their milk bottles, Coke bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, using the same bottles over and over. So they really were recycled.

But they didn't have the green thing back in her day.

In her day, they walked up stairs, because they didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. They walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time they had to go two blocks.

But she's right. They didn't have the green thing in her day.

Back then, they washed the baby's diapers because they didn't have the throw-away kind. They dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 220 volts, wind and solar power really did dry the clothes. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing.

But that old lady is right, they didn't have the green thing back in her day.

Back then, they had one TV, or radio, in the house; not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a pizza dish, not a screen the size of the state of Montana. In the kitchen, they blended and stirred by hand because they didn't have electric machines to do everything for you. When they packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, they used wadded up newspaper to cushion it, not styro foam or plastic bubble wrap.

Back then, they didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. They used a push mower that ran on human power. They exercised by working so they didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity.

But she's right, they didn't have the green thing back then.

They drank from a fountain when they were thirsty, instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time they had a drink of water. They refilled pens with ink, instead of buying a new pen, and they replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull.

But they didn't have the green thing back then.

Back then, people took the streetcar and kids rode their bikes to school or rode the school bus, instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service. They had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And they didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.

But isn't it sad that they didn't have the green thing back then?

[Steve Molcsan]

Steven,

I am not one to be green with envy but your post makes me so....

[Boyscout]

That was classic. Never thought about it that way but I can remember staying with my grandparents every summer and I bet they produced 10% of the trash, used 10% of the power, and burnt 10% of the gas my family does today.

One thing that has changed for the better is the amount of voluntary C&R. I remember my grandfather kept almost every fish brought to hand. I remember "accidentally" dropping fish back in the water when he was near.

Excellent post!

[fishdog54]

Steven McG,

Traded in the gas mower for the push jobby a few years ago. Have too small an area to mow, to justify the gas/oil/air filters/spark plugs etc. Rode the school bus for one grade only, walked to all the other schools (uphill only one way though! LOL!!) Dry clothes outside when I can, and recycle everything I can get the recycle center to take. There are so many plastics and styro foam that still have to go in the garbage (GROOOOAN!!) The packaging of many products are redundant. Way too much waste. We have built our shopping areas so far away now that you have to drive to them, and even if you could walk, you are taking your life in your hands due to many places being unsafe/unfriendly for pedestrians. I see very few bicycle riders also. Used to be, every kid had a bike - and even a lot of adults. Now you have to put your bike on top your car and drive it to some place safe to ride it - crazy!! Anyway, this is definitely not your Grandmothers green world or even what used to be mine!

Best regards, Dave S.

[rayhill190]

Steven,
A better time,slower pace,had time to think.The milk man delivered milk to the metal box at the door.We said hi to people.