Nostalgia

As long as I can remember, I have always enjoyed reading the newspaper. This dates back to my school days, and it might be because this was about the only literary material readily available at our home. Regardless my fondness for newspapers exists even today, and my favorite is the USA Today.

So last week the finance section came out with a headline, "Recession appears over." The response to the announcement that the worst might be over was practically unnoticed. With our great American talent and expertise, we are avoiding a serious depression. There is a saying that when America sneezes, the whole world catches a cold. It appears that we have avoided a major depression so far.

Now I was 10 years old during the depression of 1929 that went around the world. I don't recall what really precipitated that depression, but it was
severe and long. People were committing suicide because they lost all their money and lost their homes. There were long bread lines where people were waiting for food. Then when the economy turned around, there was joy and happiness every where. There was also a song that originated called, " Happy Days Are Here Again." It was sung over and over, and it also expressed a sigh of relief that permeated through out the whole country, perhaps the world.

There is still an element of vagueness and slowness to the recovery, and there is a possibility of premature celebrating. However I believe that positive thinking helps and would help to restore better times. I would also like to see the song, "Happy Days," come back.

Speaking of songs, there was a sad article also in last week's paper. Remember the trio Peter Paul and Mary? Well Mary died last week. They were my favorites with songs like, " If I had a Hammer, Leaving on a Jet plane, Puff the Magic Dragon." Beautiful music,

These were in the 60's, and Dorothy and I made a European trip in 1964. It was a trip where we stayed in people's homes. Our last stop was in London. We stayed with a family that had a young boy about 14 years old. He was able to sing very well, and he sang, "If I had a Hammer,"right there in the living room.He did a great job, and that was our gift before departure.



I wish that type of music would return, because our people today are missing a lot. I also read in the paper that a mother, being interviewed, said that her daughter, after watching Dirty Dancing, lost her virginity. How sad !!! I would like to ask the mother who will take care of the baby? Enough said.