Welcome to the new series of Posts from Your Archives in 2020 and if you would like to participate with two of your posts from 2019, you will find all the details in this post: New series of Posts from Your Archives 2020
This is the first post from D.G. Kaye.. Debby Gies she revisits the 70s and 80s and the fearlessness that was part of the time and the teen and early twenties when we felt invincible. I am sure you have your own thoughts on this and we would love to hear them.
#Memoir Byte: – Reminiscences of the 70s and 80s – Fun and Fearless by D.G. Kaye
I was recently invited by an old family friend to join a nostalgic Facebook group – Willowdale in the 70s. The group is based on the suburb I grew up in Willowdale, Ontario and it’s a fun page taking a look back at the days of our teenagedom growing up in the 70s. So many fun and nostalgic posts on ‘remember this?’. As a memoir writer one can see how attractive this invitation was to liaise with people who grew up in the same era and area together, and many who went to my same schools.
Image Greg Malenson
Whodathunk how much fun it is to laugh and commune with others who’ve experienced the same things in a time back in school days from looking at images of swings lifting us high toward the sky where the swing posts lifted up out of the ground the higher we went as we reached for that sky, to contraptions of yesteryear – all great conversation starters and a feeling of comradery with others who lived the same. It’s amazing how a single photo of a simple step stool or plastic wrapped couches can stir up so many memories.
What a gift to be able to grow up as a teenager in the 70s and to be able to spend my 20s – the 80s, lost in some of the best music of our times, big hair, shoulder pads and fearless freedom. A time when we didn’t lock our doors , and cars left running for a quick hop into the local convenience store. Everything is locked now, even our cars as we fill up our own gas tanks.
The brazen girl of the past got me through so much in my younger years. I was unstoppable, daring and not afraid of much – a glaring opposite to how the years have changed me to a more cautious person rather than my old tossing caution out of the window. This group reminds me of those days when working in an office became unchallenging, and I went from a desk job to a salesperson traveling around my province by car, alone, despite weather conditions or distance. I traveled to towns that sometimes weren’t even on a map – and Ontario is no small province. Heck, I even blew the transmission in my first car from the over-spinning tires from my many daring accelerations when desperate to get out of snow piles with no aid in sight.
Wow, I shake my head just remembering some of the crazy things I’ve done. I know I certainly have lost some of the chutzpah I used have back then to get by in life. Traveling to Greece alone for a 3-month sabbatical from life was just another brave thing I did as a young woman of 25 in the mid 80s. Where did I get my gumption? And where has it gone?
But I digress, there’s just something warm and fuzzy about revisiting the past with a page full of images of gizmos that no longer exist, save for the things we kept or passed on to youngsters, or those that have yet to ever be opened, collecting dust in the back of a storage shelf; gifts which once brought us so much joy. And the people, the people who were all there, felt the same pleasure, heroically did the same stunts on their banana seat bikes, played with their Easy Bake Ovens and never wore watches or had cell phones when we played outside. The darkness setting in and the street lights coming on was our clock, letting us know it was time to retreat to inside the house until tomorrow. So many tomorrows as we look back on yesterday.
©D.G. Kaye 2019
Thanks to Debby for sharing this nostalgic post… it got me to thinking about how brave I was too driving thousands of miles without a mobile phone in the US and Europe… now I don’t get in the car without it….how about you?
About D.G. Kaye
Debby Gies is a Canadian nonfiction/memoir author who writes under the pen name of D.G. Kaye. She was born, raised, and resides in Toronto, Canada. Kaye writes about her life experiences, matters of the heart and women’s issues.
D.G. writes to inspire others. Her writing encompasses stories taken from events she encountered in her own life, and she shares the lessons taken from them. Her sunny outlook on life developed from learning to overcome challenges in her life, and finding the upside from those situations, while practicing gratitude for all the positives.
When Kaye isn’t writing intimate memoirs, she brings her natural sense of humor into her other works. She loves to laugh and self- medicate with a daily dose of humor.
I love to tell stories that have lessons in them, and hope to empower others by sharing my own experiences. I write raw and honest about my own experiences, hoping through my writing, that others can relate and find that there is always a choice to move from a negative space, and look for the positive.
Quotes:
“Live Laugh Love . . . And Don’t Forget to Breathe!”
“For every kindness, there should be kindness in return. Wouldn’t that just make the world right?”
When I’m not writing, I’m reading or quite possibly looking after some mundane thing in life. It’s also possible I may be on a secret getaway trip, as that is my passion—traveling.
Books by D.G. Kaye
A recent review for Twenty Years After “I Do”
The author married a man who is twenty years her senior. At the time of their marriage, she did reflect on what could or would happen in the future as the relentless march of time took its toll, but she loved Gordon so much that she decided to grab the happiness and job life was offering her.
I found this book particularly interesting because my mother is ten years older than my father. My mother has always been “young” for her age and my father a bit “older” for his. They are now 80 and 70, respectively, and it has been interesting to watch the changes to their relationship and lifestyle. Ten years is half of twenty years, so such a big age gap does seem rather overwhelming to me and I was curious as to how the couple managed their life together now that they were both older. It turns out that they manage very well indeed, and I found this memoir uplifting and even inspiring.
The author addresses all sorts of aspects of married life, many of which are relevant in any marriage, regardless of the age of the spouses. I learned a lot from her thoughts and ideas, in particular, the idea of counting to ten before speaking in rage and never saying anything deliberately spiteful or hurtful. I have heard this message before, but never understood it quite like this. I am going to take this lesson learned forward in my life especially in my relationship with my one son, who is so like me we often fight like cat and dog.
The information covered in this book about living with a senior and travelling with a senior is useful to anyone who spends time and travels with parents so it is all very relevant and useful. I is also interesting to note how the author manages medications and illness with her senior husband.
This is a great book with numerous important messages that can be enjoyed and appreciated by people of all age groups looking to gain the best from life and relationships.
Read all the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US
and: Amazon UK
More reviews and follow Debby: Goodreads
Connect to Debby Gies
Blog:D.G. Kaye Writer Blog
About me: http://www.wiseintro.co/dgkaye7
MeWe: mewe.com/i/debbygies
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@pokercubster (yes there’s a story)
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/dgkaye7
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dgkaye
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dgkaye
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/dgkaye7
Check out Debby’s new series here on Smorgasbord – D.G. Kaye Explores the Realm of Relationships
Thank you for joining us today and it would be lovely to hear your recollections of your teens and early twenties and how you feel your have changed.
Now you’v’e got me going, Debbie, as I emigrated to Canada – Toronto – when I was 21, living there during 1971/72. My best friend had emigrated there the previous year with her twin brother and I decided to join them.
Oh, what wonderful memories I have of the crazy things we got up to. Tucked away in a box somewhere I have a stack of letters, written to my then boyfriend in England, who I left Toronto for, to return to England, to eventually marry him. He’s still here – 45 years later.
One day soon I will read those letters and, I suspect, they will revive even more memories sufficient, I am sure, to become another book to add to the collection of my life.
And I shall now have to set myself up to reading more about yours.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks Ann and glad it brought back happy memories for you… look forward to reading those posts…x
LikeLike
Hi Ann! So nice to meet you and thanks for sharing your Toronto memory with us here too. They were certainly the golden days – a simpler time in the world. I’m glad this post encouraged you to dive into those letters. Who know what they will spark! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such fun to look back! I was extremely introverted as a teen and took what I perceived as the safe way forward and got married way too young. Many surprises awaited me, of course! I did, however, end up with two great daughters, and I’ve eventually become a more effective communicator. Still evolving, I hope:)
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks for sharing that Becky.. xx
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Becky. It seems we are always evolving. And if we’re not we’ll get left behind. We live and learn through our experiences and mistakes. Like one of my favorite memes says ‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and I’m pretty sure I can lift a park bench by now.’ LOL 🙂 x
LikeLiked by 4 people
Hi Debby, I love reading about other people’s lives. Curious and nosy, I guess…Digging in the past can be great fun. Thank you for your recollections. It’s got me thinking about my teenage years
now…so watch out. Cheers. Hugs xx
LikeLiked by 3 people
Lol Joy, have I sparked some new memories for you to write about? I love your stories too. And like you, I love reading about other people. Is it any wonder we enjoy writing about life? ❤ xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Sally and Debby, Aren’t we the lucky ones! Doubly blessed by remembering…and writing about it!! Hugs xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
True dat! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLike
Apologies, Sally. I meant to thank you for today’s ‘copy.’ Most interesting as always. I love digging in the past. Hugs xx
LikeLiked by 2 people
No need to apologize Joy.. Debby did the heavy lifting on this one..hugsxx ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sal, thanks bunches for featuring my nostalgic post here today. I hope it opens up a memory box for many here. ❤ ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think it already has Debby.. a lovely healthy dose of nostalgia..hugs ♥♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤ ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, lovely. I do enjoy a good wallow in the past, especially other people’s pasts! Great post, Debby.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Glad you are as nosy as I am Mary….xxxx
LikeLiked by 3 people
Don’t forget me! ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
As if we would…. we have you sussed ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Mary. Just reminds me of so many stories within the stories. ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wonderful post! It’s always fascinating to see how far we’ve come from the ‘good ol’ days’. I’ve already started to use the phrase ‘when I was a girl’ to my grandchildren. They don’t believe some of the things – but then I’m a child of the fifties born before most people in the UK had a TV, telephone, car or an indoors toilet…
LikeLiked by 3 people
I was born in 53 and we were only talking the other day about the advances in our lifetime that were inconceivable then.. even on the fledgling scifi dramas or once Tomorrow’s World got up and running..xx
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks Trish. Now we’re going to want to hear your stories! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
I think we were all braver and willing to take more risks when we were younger. It’s natural to become more cautious as we age – it keeps us alive!
LikeLiked by 5 people
This is true.. thankfully I was lucky enough to have a guardian angel who prevented me from doing anything too stupid.. well almost…xx
LikeLiked by 2 people
LOL Stevie, you cracked me up! So true! I appreciate you. ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Enjoyed that – though some of the cultural references escaped me. Despite a love of history, I have mixed feelings about looking back and can’t resist commenting that nostalgia’s not what it used to be.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I suppose in many respects we are looking at it in a rose coloured rearview mirror.. but I do remember it being a simpler time… I think.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Every era has had their problems but the world has changed so much that the 80s are still looking pretty darn good to me. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
“best music of our times, big hair, shoulder pads and fearless freedom.” I remember that too, and it was fun to read this post and smile. It was also a hard time for me, but it’s nice how those memories fade away. Great post, Debby. Thanks for sharing, Sally. Hugs.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Like my husband’s selective hearing, I have selective recall.. and despite some glitches… I did have some fantastic times too…hugsx
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Diana. I’m happy to take you back if only for a few moments. 🙂 So true, what I wrote above to Mike. Every era had their problems but in comparison to today’s chaos, I’d go back there in a heartbeat. I was just saying to my hub today when we ran errands and we have Sirius radio in the car and if I’m in it, only the 70s channel can be on as a favorite America song – Daisy Jane came on, ‘Holy crap that song is like 45 years old! How old am I???” LOL ❤
LikeLiked by 3 people
Lol. I know how that feels to count back the years and gulp!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Ha! I 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Reminiscing is a wonderful thing, Debby. I was a teenager in the 80s and it was fabulous.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks Robbie glad to hear..hugsx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy to take you back for a moment Robbie. Best, best years of my life – until I met my husband. 🙂 xxx
LikeLiked by 2 people
So interesting, Debby! Thank you for sharing, and have all a beautiful weekend! Michael
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Michael…hugs
LikeLiked by 1 person
:-))
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Michael. Happy weekend to you! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Debby, to you too! Great postings, very appreciated. Michael
LikeLiked by 2 people
🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
A little nostalgia never hurt anybody. I belong to some of those old groups, and someone will frequently come up with some tidbit that I never knew about. I’d say that’s worth the price of admission.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Absolutely and I still love the music (and still have some of the fashion) as a reminder..x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol so true Pete. One of the memes this week sticks in my mind: A photo of a stapler with the bottom rubber piece taken off, demonstrating a secret compartment where extra staples are stored with the caption: How old were you before you knew about this? Lol, majority of responses was “I was today years old”. So funny! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
A lovely, heartwarming post, Debby and thanks to Sally for sharing. I remember that gumption and blind optimism. It’s still there in us (I hope). Yes, Sally, I think they were simpler times, as we just did things without information overload! Hugs for you both. ❤ ❤
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you Jane.. I am trying to simplify my life again now and it does make a difference..hugsxx♥♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have been doing the same, Sally. It does help. Hugs Xx ❤ ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you’re right, Jane, that the information overload is what is complicating our lives today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I feel it and we don’t get enough quiet time. Peace just to be… hugs to you, Liz. X
LikeLiked by 2 people
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true Jane. Information overload is the right phrase!! ❤ xx
LikeLiked by 2 people
I enjoyed the post and the comments in equal measure!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Liz 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
An enjoyable read and so are the reactions. Great stuff. x
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Jane.. your era of expertise..hugsx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Certainly is a conversation starter, lol 🙂 xx
LikeLiked by 2 people
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Weekly Round Up – January 12th- 18th 2020 | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine
Fascinating, Debby. To tell you the truth, I was very serious when I was younger, and I think I’ve gone a bit more flexible (not physically, although I’m not doing too bad, considering) and more willing to explore new things with age. Perhaps I’m Benjamin Button! The group sounds fabulous! Have fun! ♥
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks Olga..xx
LikeLike
LOL Olga! Love the reference to Benjamin Button! And you go girl! ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Benjamin Button was a heck of a long film 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
It was and very good too.. xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved it! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh Debby, I loved this! I could say the same for me in the 60’s and 70’s. The littlest thing brought back floods of laughter and memories. For example, my high school friend just reminded me that we wore gloves when we smoked so no one could smell the smoke. What a hoot! Thanks for your memories, and mine. ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
We use to smoke menthols in the mistaken believe that they would not smell..♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! Oh, I remember that well! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person