Most recently, the war in Ukraine has made them visible, but refugees have been a sad part of our lives for as long as we can remember. Many of us are here because our grandparents or great grandparents were refugees seeking safety and a better life. Think back … how have refugees impacted your life? Were you ever involved in efforts to resettle them or help them in other ways? Share your refugees stories forward.
Last month ushered in the third year of COVID-19. The good news is that Omicron is waning, but questions remain. To mask or not to mask? Gather indoors, or outdoors only? Think back … to the past months and years. What has this novel time been like for you, family, friends, and community? What has gone back to “normal”? What may have changed forever? Share your Pandemic, Year Three stories forward.
The first modern photo booth made its appearance on Broadway in New York City in 1925. Since then, millions of people across the globe have taken advantage of the convenience, be it for a passport photo, to commemorate a special occasion, to preserve the memory of a romantic involvement, or just for kicks. Think back … about a favorite photo booth experience. Share your Photo Booths stories forward.
Finding a comfortable place to stay while traveling can be difficult. When we were young, there weren’t so many choices. Hotels were generally upscale establishments in cities, and motels (portmanteau of motor and hotel) were convenient while on car trips. Now there are Bed & Breakfasts, and AirBnB which doesn’t actually offer breakfast despite the name. Some places have youth hostels, which are not just for youths. Think back … from the swanky Hilton to the six dollar Motel 6, where did your family stay when you were traveling? Where do you stay now? Share your Hotels, Motels, Inns, and Hostels stories forward.
Remember when cheating was about copying your neighbor’s test paper in class? Now, whether it’s doping and fixing games in sports, fudging scientific and tax data, or stealing essays from the internet, cheating seems to be more pervasive, and easier, than ever. And cheating hearts have often destroyed the bliss of romantic relationships. Think back … to when you observed or experienced cheating. How did you react? What could have been done to prevent it? What can be done today? Share your cheating stories forward.
Most houses have basements or attics, some even have both. They might be only for storage, or they might have finished rooms that expand the living space of the house. Think back … did you ever live in a house with a basement or attic as a child or as an adult? If so, what are your memories of those spaces? If not, did someone you know have such a space where you spent time? Share your Basements and Attics stories forward.
Throughout history, people have felt the need to mark time. From sundials and hour glasses to smart phones and Apple watches, keeping track of the minutes, hours, days, months, and years has been central to our lives. Think back … How did you think about time as a child, student, parent, worker, or retiree? Did the saying, “The days are long but the years are short” ever apply to your life? Has the pandemic impacted your perception of time? Share your time stories forward.
Assembling a household item, from a tiny toy to a large piece of furniture, can be challenging. Maybe you’ve confronted unfamiliar tools, missing or extra parts, or confusing diagrams. Or maybe you are the person whom others call for help. Think back … Did you learn applicable skills as a child? Have you bought products that require assembly, or do you avoid them? Do you follow the instructions or ignore them? Are you handy or hapless? What was your greatest assembly triumph or fiasco? Share your Some Assembly Required stories forward.
February is Girl Scout Cookie time, and many of us are waiting eagerly for our cookies to be delivered. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts have been around for more than a century, since 1910 for boys, and 1912 for girls. There are similar organizations such as Campfire Girls (and now boys), 4-H, and religious youth groups as well. Think back … were you ever a member of one of these groups? If so, what did you like or dislike about it? If not, is there a story about why you didn’t participate? Share your scouting (or similar) stories forward.
Baby boomers write about guilty pleasures from their past and present.
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