08/16/2026
Harvesting History; Knowledge and How it Was – As I wish I could have done more...
Just ponder what it may have been like back in the day, not to measure or compare to today, but to understand how it was back then; no political agendas here.
Did you know that you may know a walking and talking history book? Yep, it's called Grandpa and Grandma, Auntie Jean, or even Uncle Sal. These are the folks who are still around, born in the last century.
Some live with you; some still go to senior centers; others live lonely, just wishing someone would visit or call them occasionally.
What was it like during the big war, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, or any number of skirmishes?
What were the three 'Rs': Reading, Writing and Arithmetic? How did your parents and grandparents meet? Why did they stay together for decades? What were their first jobs; even how did they make a living, a career? Did they go to college or learn to do a trade, farm, or something else?
Did they live in an ethnic neighborhood? Did they know the Joneses, Smiths, Hermanskis, Donahues, O'Malleys, Goldbergs, Ortez's, Aberra's, Wang's, Lius? Were there projects and slums?
What was the Cuban Blockade, space launches, or how was the day that man landed on the moon, during the great depression or Great Recession?
What was dating like back in their day? Tell us about 9-11, tiny neighborhood grocery stores, shiny two-tone automobiles where the models changed every year…and so much more.
Why did telephones hang on the wall, or cell phones in bags; why was TV black and white, with only 3 channels?
How did people live when they had only one bathroom or even an outhouse?
How was it before 'F-bombs' were laced in every sentence as nouns, verbs, adjectives, and even exclamation marks?
What was a 'homemaker ', a plumber's apprentice, a short-order cook/chef, a journeyman, a finishing carpenter; how did they learn to do these things?
What was it like to go to church back then? How did people get along with people of other faiths?
What was life like before texting, computer games, and the internet?
Why did anyone even listen to the radio? So boring...
How did you get to school? Did your mom drive you, take a bus, or did you walk or ride a bike?
What was PTA and grades? Did you ever get in trouble, and what was 'grounded'? Did you have bedtime?
Did you smoke or drink? Favorite drug? Did you have a curfew?
Curious questions that reflect what life was like in simpler times, back in the day. Was it easier and simpler, really?
All these provide insights, beliefs, taboos not to discuss, a look at the times back then and why.
What was statesmanship (and womenship too)? How was patriotism thought of back then?
Was product and service quality the real trademark of a company back then? Did it emanate from both business and government leaders who put their customers and constituents first… or failed to do so?
How were employees treated and work conditions, even health care, way back then?
Were the leaders of the times guidance counselors to the multitudes, examples of the American way; dignity, class, and examples for all to see?
Why was the understanding back then that debate stopped at our shores, with a united message beyond that, as one nation? Was that ever real?
Harvesting history is surely what I wish I had done more of, but now it is too late for me and many others.
Getting history from the people who lived it is very different from hearing or reading about it from those who might have rewritten it.
Hundreds of other questions and answers both exist.
As I wish I could have more…
