It always amazes me how radically things change over the years. As a Baby Boomer just now hitting full stride, I think of things like this more and more. Some of these changes are good - some aren't so good.
Here's a good change.
Solid Wood Cribs
Back in the day - and in this case it's way back in the day 40+ years or so - I was in grade school. Nothing fancy, just your run of the mill, ordinary school, typically of what you'd find anywhere in the country during those somewhat turbulent times. However you spent them, the sixties were memorable, you have to admit.
My school - as did most then and now as well - had a playground. Back then, I suppose it was deemed safe.
But in today's litigious society, when lawsuits are filed as much for something to do as anything (there are way too many lawyers out there, but that's another article entirely) those playgrounds of the sixties would have been staked out by whole legion of lawyers waiting for accidents to happen.
First of all, a large part of the playground was covered by macadam, or sometimes, even worse, cement. Somewhere on this field of supposed play was usually a huge swingset, 12 or more feet high, with an unsupported strap affixed to two steel chains. Kids would sit in the flexible seat and propel themselves to astounding heights, and then more often than not, fling themselves off when the swing reached to top of the arc. This was called jumping off the swings.
But that wasn't the most dangerous thing on a playground of old. That title is reserved for the infamous "monkey bars." These were steel pipes - exactly the same ones used in heavy construction - usually between 1" and 2" in diameter, connected together in such a way as to build a framework.
This frame would extend up 8 feet or so, but at my school, the monkey bars towered to a height that today I would put at about 12 feet. Even then, it was scary going all the way to the top.
To make sure this solid steel behemoth didn't move during playtime, it was the custom to anchor it securely-in solid concrete.
Let it suffice to say that concrete and steel are not kid-friendly playing materials.
Thinking back on it, I do remember some kids getting hurt - mainly a broken arm here or there and several chipped teeth - but I suppose it could've been worse.
Today, of course, all of that has changed. Playgrounds are located on plush grass, and usually have a special safety covering to protect the areas where kids play. The equipment is made of wood, or even better, kid-friendly plastic or even rubber. They are a lot safer than when Boomers were kids.
So that's a good change.
Unlike our Golden Years, which seem to be changing for the worse.
Most of us made it through the sixties, seventies and eighties unscathed. By the time the millennium rolled around we thought things were as good as we had hoped they would be.
By the end of the first decade though, we knew differently. And it's unlike it will ever be the same.
Facing retirement today is like doing a handstand on the monkey bars of old - potentially dangerous.
And just as you would carefully climb down off of those bars, so too should you carefully plan what your financial future will be. Only you can do that, and you should start doing it now.
Cyber Monday Stork Craft Aspen Combo Dresser Chest, Cherry 2011 Deals
Dec 02, 2011 20:35:09
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Cyber Monday Stork Craft Aspen Combo Dresser Chest, Cherry Feature
- Made of solid wood and wood products
- Easy assembly using cam-lock construction
- Steel drawer glides with safety stop
- Round wooden pulls
- Durable non-toxic finish, tipping restraint included
Cyber Monday Stork Craft Aspen Combo Dresser Chest, Cherry Overview
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