From: Gene Thomas
Columbus
I was born in 1934. When I was 7 or 8, my mother would send me to the store with a list of things she needed. Our town had one meat market/grocery store (long before A&P).
I would walk to the store and give the list to Mr. Engware, the store owner. He would gather up the items and bring them to the front counter and put them in a bag. I would pay him and take the bag home. Some folks would put the cost on a tab, to be paid later.
During WWII the government gave folks stamps which were required to purchase scarce items like sugar, cooking oil, etc. During canning season, we were given an extra stamp for sugar. One of the men in town was hoarding sugar and had a cupboard full of it.
What I disliked most was my mother sending me to the store for salad dressing. Mayonnaise was not available. After I asked Mr. Engware if he had any salad dressing, he would look down at me, smile & say, "No, and I don’t have any undressing either," followed by HA, HA, HA! I still hear that laughter 75-plus years later.
I used to ride my bike for exercise.
Today, I send my grocery list to the store electronically. Someone picks the items for me and I pay with a credit card. Someone brings it to my car. Today, someone is hoarding toilet paper and has a cupboard full of it.
I still ride my bike for exercise.
I think I am reliving my childhood.
As Yogi Berra, the great statesman was reported to have said, " It’s déjà vu all over again."
