I'm nowhere close to a FOG, but I do remember about 2/3 of the list.
I grew up in a town of about 250 people in S. Missouri. We were a little behind the curve on most parts (and still are).
If I had only had the insight to not be so fixated on the nasty stick of gum and some of the cards in it I'd be a wealthy man. Guess my wealth is in that of being able to read this and think of how cool it was to just be a kid.
The old coke machine that dispensed bottles was in the barber shop and a pain in the ass for me. I'd drop my nickel in the machine and I'd have to stand on a chair to yank it out. God help you if you slipped and tore skin from your hands on the cap or tumbled over backwards.
Most of the TV shows were in syndication by the time I was able to remember them but I still loved them. The Three Stooges were classics that were never missed. Sunday mornings sitting in front of my father as he watched Gunsmoke, Bonanza and Wild Wild West. Only to get the clockwork, "Don't you have chores to do?!?"
I still remember parents trusting their kids to do the right thing while they were gone or kids were on their own. The whole "Wrath of Mom and Dad" were enough to keep your butt in line. Real chores, chopping ice on the pond at 1 am on a school day so the cows could drink. Falling in and getting the "Dummy,...cold isn't it!" comment from my father, instead of being coddled and told it'll be ok.
Oh well I guess we can always remember, and say been there done sum' dat.
