Were the Good Old Days all fun and games?

Remember ‘the good old days’ when playing outdoors was the entertainment for the entire evening? When you had responsibility for your own happiness?

When families gathered together to play bridge, pinochle, poker or board games?
Where families sang as they did chores and danced the polka during the Sunday morning Polka Hour?
When friends ‘dropped in’ to say hello and left an hour later?
When neighbors became moms and watched over your ‘suspicious’ activities?

Entertaining was social, engaging and cost-effective. In my neighborhood we played hide-and-seek, kick the can, tag, kick ball and kept out of the house till the bugs drove us indoors.

In my middle-class family we struggled with making ends meet (God, what an understatement!), keeping food on the table, bills paid, car running, insurance paid and other day-to-day issues.

Even with all the struggles, we made memories. Our memories were not centered around electronic devices that became obsolete before they were paid off. Our memories were created during active play.

Creating memories can be simple and affordable. Experiences like watching a play, taking a trip to the mountains, playing cards, watching a baseball game, visiting a zoo or something as simple as walking in your neighborhood leads to memories for years to come!

A road trip to a nearby destination is a great way to create a family event that’s affordable and full of memories. Dare to turn off the electronics and turn on your voice? Camp in your backyard? Fly a kite?

How do YOU make memories and create happiness?
Done anything fun that lingers in your memory and makes you smile?

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Tip: Avoid any road trip through Utah!