What kept a Kid Busy in the 1930's
And other comments

Well, it's hard to keep things in their proper chronological order when one starts looking back so many years, and for the type of person who has never written much beyond his own name, it's a chore!!

However, as youngsters we had it really good with the sling shots - "zipzips" - our name for the weapon of David and Goliath fame.

Here, in a painting by Lorie Corbus, you can see what a serious business this was.



Along with 22's and 12 gauge shotguns, when we reached the age of responsibility.

This was serious business too, and we had impressed upon us by our parents (usually Fathers) of the consequences of misuse. This meant thinking where the missile that you were launching would end up, after it had hit the target - or NOT, which was quite often the case. Along with the sport of using firearms we kept in mind the damage that they could cause.

The necessity of putting down an animal that was badly injured or sick was something that one might not enjoy, but which must be done in an humane way.

These were some of the things that our generation had to learn and remember, - and as they would be today our mothers were always concerned about this type of education.

Our days were spent outdoors, but in the evenings we listened to the radio. We did have a fairly good radio and I can remember listening to Tarzan of the Apes and One Man's Family, it seemed like every night.

There were some special programs, like H.G. Wells' broadcast of "War of the Worlds". There have been many people who have been critical of people who were terrified when they heard this radio broadcast about the invasion of aliens from Mars, but the usual expression applies - "Buddy, if you weren't there hold your tongue".




If I remember correctly there were three major stations carrying the story, and each one broadcast disclaimers quite frequently. But as you turned from one station to another, seeking the truth, you would miss the disclaimers.

In this day and age when the knowledge of the universe has become so much more advanced it seems that those who were so alarmed some 70 odd years ago were somewhat foolish, but stop and think of the number of people who believe we are alone in this Universe. I have only one comment. Research has told us that the big beautiful solar system reaches out for billions of light years, and to think that in that vast space this speck of dust that we call earth holds the only intelligence is, IMHO, a complete no brainer.

As I journey back in my mind to those years of growing up, and the pals with whom I spent the days hiking the hills, fishing and swimming, and all the other things country boys were able to do, stories come flooding back. But I will save them for another posting.....