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Just reminissing and probaly being boreing
joeaf1911a1
Member Posts: 2,962 ✭✭
Now having passed my 80th birthday a while back I have time to think back. Yes, I feel that I have had the best time of my life in this country that few know. Sure, I was born in the beginning of the depression era and survive it, sure I enlisted in WW 2 and served as a Infantry Rifleman in the ETO. What else is new. So did one hell of a lot of us older guys. I recall growing up, working on farms picking everything that grew for next to nothing. We were lucky here, being a farming, fishing and clamming village on the NJ east coast, we always ate fairly decently here. Everyone helped each other out in this time of need. For us youngsters many of also trapped during the trapping season. Farm work, in season was usually available but the pay was not great but we made do to supplement the family income. We survived without what is now called necessities (luxeries). Rum running during phrobition was also a way of life for our olders and many tales of these eposides are mostly true. Unloading rum boats in the night was a good quick buck for many hungry people in this area.
I recall my dad making wine in tubs in the cellar with "wine bricks"
which had on the wrapper "do not add sugar and yeast? to this or it will become wine which is illegal to make". It was only "supposed" to be used for grape juice. (ha ha). Oh well, bored you enough to continue for now.
I recall my dad making wine in tubs in the cellar with "wine bricks"
which had on the wrapper "do not add sugar and yeast? to this or it will become wine which is illegal to make". It was only "supposed" to be used for grape juice. (ha ha). Oh well, bored you enough to continue for now.
Comments
What's your secret?
I am a winemaker, it is strange to think that, when you were a kid, making a batch of wine was illegal.
I have heard of those grape "bricks". That is a pretty good trick, "do not add sugar or yeast."
I just want to say thank you for your service in the war. I am named after my uncle Buddy who was in the First Cavalry. He was killed at Leyte. I am doing research on his Army career, but a lot of the info was burned up in a fire at the St Louis records center in 1973.
Anyway, keep up with the stories of the old days. Growing up in a farming and fishing community, I know it was the depression but it sounds like a pretty good life.
Do you know anything about Jersey Speed Skiffs? Or boat racing @ Red Bank NJ?
Please continue to share
ICE
Anyway, my Paternal Grandfather worked for the railroad and had a steady job throughout. I'm sure they did without some things. But not like many families.
My Mom's family had a farm. So they always had food and were fairly self-sufficient. They were used to a rather hard life and tough times.
I like to listen. That's my boring story.
And those who know me know I don't use smiley faces lightly.
... bored you enough to continue for now.
No, no, not boring at all ... please continue.[:)]
Why is it you, over 80, can operate a computer but my mom (in her sixties) and my dad (in his seventies) can't?
What's your secret?
its an old computer....[8D][:I]
Joe you were not in the least bit boring and i look forward to hearing more of your stories if you can fit us in your datebook.
I can only hope the good Lord allows me that much time to gain your wisdom.
Tell the truth, you are a 12 year old girl...
You, sir, are pure, undiluted evil.[:D]
But I'm pretty sure that it only works the other way 'round
quote:Originally posted by mateomasfeo
Tell the truth, you are a 12 year old girl...
You, sir, are pure, undiluted evil.[:D]
But I'm pretty sure that it only works the other way 'round
Yeah baby!
... I truly wish I could recall everything he ever told me.
First person reminiscences are golden - you should sit back with a small digital recorder and relive those days for the recorder and those of us who followed you.
I've spent the last three years doing exactly that for our family. After my mom died a few years ago I suddenly was aware that the vast majority of the family's oral records would be lost to all those us who have followed all of them, since 1652.[:D]
We go up to our neighbor's every morning and night to make sure the old coot doesn't self destruct.
Last night he was telling us about working on the rebuilding of the Nevada after the Pearl Harbor attack, at the Puget Sound Naval Ship Yard.
He also told us about building submarine nets.
Love you old timer's stories!
You are writing a history book right here on GB.
Please continue, when you feel like it.
village but the electric Trollies that joined many small towns in the area, the shipping and passenger boats, railroads and the likes, years ago. Most of my computer knowledge is "beat into me" by Shooter 4 (from this forum) who usually spends sunday afternoons here. By the way, a quote: " Tell the truth, you are a 12 year old girl...". I sure do wish I was 12 years old again, but Shooter 4 and NJretcop (from this forum) can verify my status. I feel that history must be recorded and passed on for those that are interested. This era I lived in is quite interesting due to the great changes that occured.
I feel that I have seen one of the most interesting eras yet. Once again guys, many thanks and will continue later. Right now, I am going to eat lunch, grab a can of beer and a cigar to take with me
and hop (very slowly) on my ATV and head back in the woods I ajoin
and just poke around for a few hours and check out the deer.
Even on a small and local focus
I am glad I didnt bore you guys. Many thanks, and if wished will from time to time post about years ago. Our local history is quite interesting, in fact I have been writing (about 7 pages so far) of it as I recall something interesting. It will probably never be really completed, even though started about 5 years ago. Not only about our
village but the electric Trollies that joined many small towns in the area, the shipping and passenger boats, railroads and the likes, years ago. Most of my computer knowledge is "beat into me" by Shooter 4 (from this forum) who usually spends sunday afternoons here. By the way, a quote: " Tell the truth, you are a 12 year old girl...". I sure do wish I was 12 years old again, but Shooter 4 and NJretcop (from this forum) can verify my status. I feel that history must be recorded and passed on for those that are interested. This era I lived in is quite interesting due to the great changes that occured.
I feel that I have seen one of the most interesting eras yet. Once again guys, many thanks and will continue later. Right now, I am going to eat lunch, grab a can of beer and a cigar to take with me
and hop (very slowly) on my ATV and head back in the woods I ajoin
and just poke around for a few hours and check out the deer.
Even on a small and local focus
You can write your memoirs right here on GB. I promise I wont sell them.[:D]
first you forget your friends,
then you forget to zip up your fly,
then you forget to zip down your fly.
Glad you haven't reached that stage yet Joe!
You have me by a few, but I got you well in sight.
I go to his place on most Sunday afternoons and we either work on some sort of project or another or just bs. Have lunch and a couple of brews and take a ride out back to check the woods and clear dead fall and such.
He is a machinist, AC/Heat tech that knows his stuff, an accomplished electrician and all sorts of firearm gunsmithing and reloading info he can share or demonstrate or just help you with.
I love the stories of the old days.
Joe,
Tell em about riding to school on your bike with your .22 rabbit gun across the handle bars or walking onto the school bus with it, or the Nikie sites and the ammo pier.
These guys will love it.