My addiction began over 50 years ago. Before my exposure to the causes of my addiction, I was a happy, normal (if you can use that word) American teenager. It was then that my innocence was compromised. I guess you could say I fell in with the wrong crowd and they led me astray. My friends, some new and others who came with me from elementary school, were all too willing to lead me into the exciting and corrupt worldly pleasures that were so easily available on West Trade Street. There with their help and encouragement, I began the downward spiral that took over my life…the wonders of West Trade. It was there that I succumbed to the temptations and found that I could not make it through a day without a fix.
In the middle of the day, I would join other addicts in the seemingly harmless ritual of purchasing a perfectly normal sandwich at Conder’s Soda Shoppe. It was then that the irrational behavior of an addict would rear its ugly head. We would take these average 1+” thick sandwich whether egg salad, chicken salad, ham and cheese, or whatever the drug of choice was and place it into the toaster grill. At the end of a brief period of time (there were lots of other addicts waiting to do the same thing), I would remove my sandwich which had now morphed into an approximately ¼” toasted sandwich. Add to this, chips and a drink and you have my “junkie’s lunch”.
Once I had satisfied this need, it was across the street to Krispy Kreme. Here my drug of choice was whatever was “HOT NOW” at that particular time. I was not discriminating at all! Riding my sugar high, I would be able to make it several hours before I needed another hit.
It was at this point in my downward spiral that I experienced my first frozen Milky Way, Snickers, Three Musketeers, etc. from the gas station at the corner of West Trade and Irwin Avenue. For 6 years, I was on the caloric binge that has been referred to as HIGH school at Harry P. Harding.
Several months after graduation, my parents sent me away to rehab (some called it college). There I was able to break the toasted sandwich from Conder’s addiction or at least to replace it with something else. This was fortunate since I was 100 miles away from West Trade Street and Conder’s moved and became a flag store. They prided themselves on no longer supplying “sundries” to addicts. However, my Krispy Kreme and frozen candy bar addictions have followed me through adulthood and into senior citizendom. I have been able to temper these addictions but kicking the habit has not happened. This is the story of my addiction. Have you suffered with me?
Today's commedy and humor form classmate Wayne Hopkins
Hi ah...
Humm let me think... why did I send you this... don't tell me... it's coming to me... Oh ya...
Senior citizens are constantly being criticized for every conceivable deficiency of the modern world, real or imaginary. We know we take responsibility for all we have done and do not blame others.
HOWEVER, upon reflection, we would like to point out that it was NOT the senior citizens who took:
The melody out of music,
The pride out of appearance,
The courtesy out of driving,
The romance out of love,
The commitment out of marriage,
The responsibility out of parenthood,
The togetherness out of the family,
The learning out of education,
The service out of patriotism,
The Golden Rule from rulers,
The nativity scene out of cities,
The civility out of behavior,
The refinement out of language,
The dedication out of employment,
The prudence out of spending,
The ambition out of achievement,
or,God out of government and school.
And we certainly are NOT the ones who eliminated patience and tolerance from personal relationships and interactions with others!
And, we do understand the meaning of patriotism, and remember those who have fought and died for our country.
Does anyone under the age of 50 know the lyrics to the Star Spangled Banner?
Just look at the Seniors with tears in their eyes and pride in their hearts as they stand at attention, on veterans day and our great country's birthday.
YES, I'M A SENIOR CITIZEN!
I'm the life of the party... even if it lasts until 8 pm
I'm very good at opening childproof caps... with a hammer.
I'm usually interested in going home before I get to where I am going.
I'm awake many hours before my body allows me to get up.
I'm smiling all the time because I can't hear a thing you're saying.
I'm very good at telling stories; over and over and over and over...
I'm aware that other people's grandchildren are not nearly as cute as mine.
I'm so cared for --- long term care, eye care, private care, dental care.
I'm not really grouchy, I just don't like traffic, waiting, crowds, loud music, unruly kids, Jenny Craig and Toyota (& Viagra!) commercials, barking dogs, politicians - and a few other things I can't seem to remember right now.
I'm sure everything I can't find is in a safe secure place. . . . somewhere.
I'm wrinkled, saggy, lumpy, - and that's just my left leg.
I'm having trouble remembering simple words like...
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps!!
I'm sure they are making adults much younger these days, - when did they let kids become policemen?
I'm wondering, if you're only as old as you feel, how could I be alive at 150?
And, how can my kids be older than I feel sometimes?
I'm a walking storeroom of important facts... It's just that I've lost the key to the storeroom door.
Yes, I'm a SENIOR CITIZEN and I THINK I am having the time of my life???
Now if I could only remember who sent this to me, I wouldn't send it back to them, - but I would send it to many more!
