Happy Anniversary Baby Boomers

Now that we're halfway through 2018 I've been informed my Coe College class of '68 is going to have our 50th reunion this Fall. I, most likely, won't attend but the date did give me pause.

1968 wasn't exactly a year to remember for it's glamour and excitement. Actually, it was a pitiful year. Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy were assassinated. It was the year of the L.A. Riots. What the heck, there were Black riots taking place everywhere. Tommie Smith and John Carlos made names for themselves by raising their fists at the Mexico Olympics to signify their love of the Black Power Movement.

Who can forget the terrible twosome of Bill Ayers and his live-in pal, Bernardine Dohrn;  they who founded the Weather Underground. For you kids this group had nothing to do with forecasting storms. They blew up things------and people------to protest this horrible country and government. The more things change the more they stay the same. except at this time their angst was aimed at the Democrats mostly for getting us into Viet Nam.

Of course, this nonsense spread to our nations colleges. The best and the brightest protested everything from school lunches to conservative college professors. while oarading around in green pea coats and wearing Birkenstocks on their tootsies. Gasp!

To be more succinct 1968 was not a pretty picture.

But there is one other aspect of 1968 that paints a more positive picture.


I drove into Walker, Minn. this morning to search out a 50th anniversary card for a college buddy. Al and his wife, Nancy, who will be celebrating their wedding date on July 6. Normally I would sent a congratulatory email but in this case since I was in the wedding a card seemed more appropriate.

There are four card shops in Walker including the Super One grocery store. I searched three of the for a 50th card but to no avail. My last stop was to the Thrifty White store and when I saw the card rack I groaned out loud. The only cards available, and yes they did have 50th ones, were all Hallmark. Ugh! I knew I'd have to go to the bank cash machine and get more money. I was correct. Doesn't $5.95 seem rather exorbitant for for a small piece of paper with words printed inside? Besides, we all know the receiver of such card will (1) look for money and (2) check out the name at the bottom. Step 3 is simple. Drop it in the circular file.

We Baby Boomers now referred to as the 'Checkout Generation', are the front runners in having 50th anniversaries. We were conceived shortly after the cessation of fighting from WWII when testosterone levels were as high or higher than on November 11, of 1918. That's the way it works. For you young people, if you want to have some female action, start a war then wait for the armistice. Evidently, it's magical.

For you card manufacturers I'd start stocking your shelves with 50th anniversary cards. You'll make gazillions. For you folks buying cards stay away from Hallmark. They're made in China.