Old timers.
Bossy has always been enamored of history, especially the early-to-mid twentieth century when everything seemed to happen, and even when that everything wasn’t good–like the depression, war–it fostered amazing stories of perseverance and spirit and unspoiled fun.
Bossy counts herself lucky to have had many close relationships with old timers who indulge Bossy’s love of this period by providing her with details about everyday life, and know this: Bossy falls straight into these stories, head first.
In addition to the amazing stories collected from her family, Bossy worked as a secretary in her father’s medical practice for many years—and since her father is a Cardiologist, the majority of his patients are geriatric. As they sat in the waiting room, Bossy and her coworker would get everybody talking about the way things were, and Bossy soaked-up every detail.
Yesterday Bossy had the privilege of standing next to the veteran pictured above during a small-town Veterans Day parade. Bossy never learned his story, but she can tell you this: he was some looker back in the 1940s.
Rikki says
November 12, 2008 at 9:47 amHeck yes he was! Look at the lovely way he styled his hair! And I’d bet my bottom dollar that he smells good.
Some of my favorite people are old timers. 🙂
MariaV says
November 12, 2008 at 9:47 amHe’s some looker now. He has character.
I have a soft spot for elders. I lived with my grandmother for many years as a child.
Lisa says
November 12, 2008 at 9:51 amthe stories, yes..love to hear them.
I am sure he was a looker, then cuz you can totally tell- even now!
Thank you Mr Veteran
Cat says
November 12, 2008 at 10:03 amOne of my best high school friends’ father was a WWII vet, and when he got drunk, which sadly was not infrequently, he would tell stories about the war. I was the only person who would sit there and listen. Although, to be fair, I guess the family had heard them so many times they were sick of them.
Kristi says
November 12, 2008 at 10:22 amYou and me both! I just wish I would have written it all down when they were told. I have a geriatric memory, unfortunately.
Tuli says
November 12, 2008 at 12:02 pmAs someone who was not close to her grandparents while growing up (they were in the same town as me but it may as well have been China – the emotional distance was that great), I missed out on a lot of stories of history. And I regret that.
Biddy says
November 12, 2008 at 12:40 pmdude…i love old people. some of my very best friends are approaching 80. and yes, he was definitely a looker!
Tootsie Farklepants says
November 12, 2008 at 12:48 pmHal Holbrook was there?
Reeb says
November 12, 2008 at 12:53 pmFrom a novel that I’m reading right now, written in England in 1942 when they just didn’t know how the war was going to turn out but it wasn’t looking so good at that point:
A modest quiet 42 year old woman says
“I like reading the history of heroic ages,” said Miss Brown, “but I don’t think I like living in them very much.”
pam says
November 12, 2008 at 1:02 pmGod that face!
andrea says
November 12, 2008 at 1:37 pmA handsome gentleman! I am with you in my love for old timers. Some folks don’t get it but I love the stories, the manners, the way of talking…it’s all so beautiful.
pamela from the dayton time says
November 12, 2008 at 2:25 pmI thought Bossy was going to talk about how much she likes wrinkles and can’t wait to get to the Old Folks’ Home. This is way better.
Debby says
November 12, 2008 at 2:41 pmI love him! I wish you had gotten his story tho. Maybe next year?
bossy\'s friend martha\'s sister says
November 12, 2008 at 7:33 pmWith that jaw, that chin and slicked back full thick head of hair, yes he was and is a looker!
Chesapeake Bay Woman says
November 12, 2008 at 8:21 pmAnd he’s not a husband or a boyfriend?
Mindy says
November 13, 2008 at 8:46 amYes, oldsters and their stories are so wonderful. I have the privilege of living next door to an elderly couple who have lived on their farm for over fifty years. He served in the Pacific during WWII and is such a dear man. I see him almost every day working in his yard or helping his son, who now farms their place, with chores in the barn. Seeing him outside and busy is always a comfort.