Yesterday, I emailed two of my buddies about our changing times and how we have to go along with them even though it grinds my loins. As a background I was scrolling down Facebook and came across a post from a guy who was a couple years younger than I growing up in Boone, Iowa. His comment was in regard to one of his best memories as a teenager. His stated: 'I remember going to Clyde Hovick's Hamburger Inn for their burgers'. Well, I recalled those burgers, too. They were outstanding and the cost was the grand sum of fifteen cents--catsup, mustard and pickles included. Of course, this was in the 1960's and prices on items were far less than today. I mean, going to the gas station and putting $2.00 in the tank for ten gallons of gas seems today like going to La La Land with today's prices. Ask any old-timer from Central Iowa the best malted milk they've ever had in their entire being they'd say in unison: Boyd's Dairy! And they'd mindlessly reach into their pockets to find a quarter to seal the deal.
This cost differential was brought home to me yesterday afternoon as I was on my way to the golf driving range. Since it was 90 degrees outside I stopped in at a Sheetz gas station to purchase a bottle of pop.(Pop: Midwestern term for what is more commonly referred to as a soda in states east of the Mississippi River). Without thinking I grabbed a bottle of an Orange Crush and headed for the counter to pay. The guy running the place gave me the verdict: "That'll be $2.57", he said. In mini-shock I said, "Say what" Two dollars and fifty-seven cents for 16 ounces an orange drink?"
Evidently, I haven't purchased this type of item in awhile. For some reason I can't get it out of my head that as a twelve year old a bottle of Coke cost ten cents. There is a positive to the rise in prices though. I find that today that I really don't need to buy items frivolously. It's been ages since I bought a candy bar or a bag of pretzels on the fly. I wonder how many other people are this way.
It seems to me the younger crowd are immune to the cost of items because, unlike those of us who grew up in the Fifties, they're growing up with the prices. Lord only knows what things will cost in 2075. As an illustration, and I mentioned this to my friends, a couple of years ago Her Majesty and I were looking to get out of the house and she suggested we go downtown and watch the Columbus Blue Jackets of the NHL. Since it's one of the few sporting events she enjoys I was all in. We sat in the nose bleed section in the far northwest corner of the stadium. Our tickets were going for the price of $70 some dollars and cents. Does that seem like a lot of money for a sporting event that can be seen on your television in the confines of your own living room mere feet away from a biffy and the refrigerator? Regardless, it was a night out so be it. Anyway, we were surrounded by a group of young people in their mid to late twenties. They were yucking it up; cheering loudly while snacking on foodstuffs and slugging down $8 dollar beers. I looked at the Queen and asked, "Where do these kids get this kind of money?"
The thing is, of course, is they know of no other life. For them we old folks are a part of ancient history. Someday, they'll be at an event, a hockey game maybe, and the price of a ticket will be $200 and and they'll be asking their spouse the same questions I posed.
But seriously--------Two dollars and fifty-seven freaking cents does seem outrageous, right?
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