Living in a Strange New World

Now the Cool Cats and I were born in a civilized time, I would say.  Imagine not have television with modern resolution, quicker imaging, full cable service, and the best yet, Netflix. That is why I know, without a doubt, Momma is old, because when she was born, the radio was the entertainment box where you listened for weather, some skits performed by faceless actors, news, both local and world, a variety of music from diddly to country to current (no Top Ten at this time, in this region), oh, and the local death announcements.  How bizarre, how bizarre!

Therefore, it was no wonder it was a very big deal indeed, according to Momma,  when the first television arrived in homes, especially in the country, when the only fun happened on the radio or at the church social, back in the 1950’s.  The idea of having a box in your living room that showed people, and programs from all over the world, was more than a country brain could comprehend.

When one of the small community  got a television, the ‘have not’ children (or so they thought) were pea green with jealousy and curiosity.  They would wait till it grew dark, walk down the road and surreptitiously, peak in the living room window.  The lights were off, but they could tell that the TV was on because the room was bathed in a blue hue.  The lady of the house, (a June Cleaver double),  always saw them (and probably heard them) standing out at the window, so would graciously usher them in, tell them just take off our shoes and go sit on the couch to watch TV.

In those days, television stations that were accessible came from the Maritimes.    Most of the day, the screen had a test pattern, with news and shows only in the evening.

Overjoyed by the ringside seat, they would go and sit in awe, watching ‘snow’ or a silent Test Pattern of a First Nation’s Chief Brave, in full Head Gear.

 

 

 

A few minutes later, the neighbor lady would tell them they’d better leave now, or their mothers would worry about them, so the children would thank her and walk back home, dissecting what they had seen and how was it even possible.  No one at school ever taught them anything that was relevant in the world they lived in.

By the time most families had television, the TV stations had full programming. By now, it was old hat, so they no longer questioned the why’s and the wherefore’s. Yet still it was very gratifying at the end of a day to tune in to some one else’s reality and dream of being anywhere accept the place you lived.  It was food for the soul.

Changes were rumbling through the world and you’d better believe, even the country folk, had no intention of being left behind…………

Now it is not like changes stopped once television was born.  No, it has evolved at a fever pitch intensity so Baby Boomers have just had to get with the program…or be left behind.

 

I am so glad Momma has stepped up because it is so relaxing to grab a spot on the couch and watch another world…the only thing that bothers me, well, two things, actually.  I hate when dogs bark on television.  Am I under attack?  Are they right here in the room with me?  And when the door bell rings on television.  I am fooled every time.  I super charge, out to the door, to drive those pesky interlopers off my property with my ferocious bark and Momma laughs at me.  I am never convinced she has full respect for what I bring to this family.