It Used To Be

• . . . that when I wanted something for future reference, I needed it on paper. Now, I need it on my computer. I scan in pieces of paper, because I know I will lose them some time down the road.
• . . . the best coffee was made in a percolator and was purchased ground and in a can (Yuban, if you were really fancy -- remember the whoosh of the can opening and the wonderful smell?).
  
• . . . possible to buy abalone in fish markets or at restaurants.
• . . . possible to see the Milky Way on clear nights.
• . . . that I dialed a phone and typed on a typewriter. (Does any one else know what a comptometer is?)
  
• . . . required to license your bicycle.
• . . . that I could binge on Mother's Iced Raisin Cookies.
• . . . that making your own clothes was cheaper than buying them. (Patterns now cost $15!).
• . . .that March 15 was tax deadline day.
  
• . . .that making a long distance call was a big deal, only for very important stuff.
• . . .that we got our shoes resoled. And we polished them.
• . . . that only old people thought of things like this.