As each day goes by, more and more of our history is lost or forgotten. At Old Days Past, we find interesting pictures, magazine clippings, vintage comics, exotic places, postcards, country cooking, and other memorabilia from the United States of America and post them as a reflection of the past in hopes that these memories are kept alive.
We believe we have a great taste for things of the past. With today's technology, some of these treasures are as priceless today as they were yesterday. We want to cherish these memories and give those younger generations a glimpse into a world where time and things were simpler.
Through the years, we have gathered some of the most unique old photos, old articles, country cooking recipes, and many other items that we believe you will enjoy. We invite everyone to enjoy this site and invite others as we remember the Old Days Past!
Did you know not too many years ago it was very common to find one or more people sitting on the front porch in the afternoon. Swinging in the swing, rocking in that old rocker, someone taking a puff from the old pipe or making an occasional smoke ring from a cigar. With a light afternoon breeze flowing along the rustic wood borders of that wrap around porch must have felt nice. People used to sit there for many reasons, most people back in the day didn’t have air conditioning to cool their homes. But back then they did just fine. Folks used to work all day in the sun or building without it. If they were lucky, they had a fan. Their bodies had become accustomed to the harsh elements of a long summer or winter's day. During the summer after they’d come out of the fields or maybe make it in from a day at the factory, it was treat and quite relaxing to spend the remainder of the afternoon on the porch. Often, you’d drive down the country roads or even in the city subdivisions and you’d find families out on their front porch. Many times the neighbors around their community knew by seeing their fellow neighbors out on their front porch that they were welcome to drop by. As the family sat out on the front porch playing games, discussing today’s news, gossiping about what happened in town, or just sitting out in the quiet and sometimes you would see a ploom of dust making its way ever closer to their home. The next thing you know there’s another family getting out of their vehicle to gather around and discuss the things that matter to them while the kids play hide and seek and other fun games. As you look across the front yard it wasn’t uncommon to see some old route iron or wicker furniture and maybe even a wagon wheel or milk jug as decorations during the late 1800s and early 1900s. During the mid-1900s the yard ornaments changed and went from wagon wheel‘s and milk cans to things like planters made from tires ,tires for a swing or maybe even a planter made from an old hot water heater or washing machine tub.As radio became popular and then the TV replaced the radio, the front yard gatherings slowly disappeared. Back in the day the front yard was the happening place. Where have those times gone? Over the last 50 years, these gatherings have all but disappeared. Today we have traded our front yard entertainment for video games, TV shows and cell phones. Most of us don’t even know our neighbors. There was a day where you knew every person by name for 5 country miles, or in your town for a city block. A large majority of us have all but self isolated ourselves over technology and entertainment. A place where no one knows your name nor do you know there’s. There are many wise sayings about a porch. If you search the internet on this topic, you will find some inspirational quotes. I would like to add a quote of my own. The gathering of people on your porch will build relationships and a strong community. Why would I say that? Because you’re meeting people and building relationships. You’re communicating with people outside your household. Your building trust and strengthening your community. You’re learning to live with others within your Community. Whether it’s your front porch or your back porch start building relationships, building trust and building your community. In these times that we are facing today isolation appears to be our greatest enemy. This has happened many times in the past where communities around the world have had to in some form or another distance themselves from others. This is not sustainable long term. Doing this systemically breaks down families and communities. There has to be some form of personal interaction in order for individuals to have worth for each, to bond to build relationships. If I had a crisis, maybe a tree in my yard fell during a storm and lay across the road. The neighbors back in the day would come to the rescue and within a short amount of time the road would be clear. This was the way it was. Whether it is your property, my property, their property, it made no difference. There was a bond, an understanding of a community that would come together to get it done. Where are we today with this philosophy? Would that neighbor stop to give a hand to their fellow neighbor? I hope so, because one day that person in need could be you. I hear people say all the time, it’s not like it was 50 years ago, and I usually respond, you're 100 percent correct. It is not like it was 50 years ago because we choose to let it be. In your neighborhood, take the time to reflect and say today I’m going to help someone in my neighborhood. Make that change. Invite a family over for dinner. Sit out on the front porch and start a conversation with a neighbor as they walk by. With a little time, you might be surprised by the relationships you build. One final thought. Pass the suggestion on. The way to build a great community is to work together, work out your differences and find common ground. That’s what real grown ups did long ago and we can still do it today! If you would like to visit our store, please go and check out OldDaysPast.redbubble.com
James@olddayspast
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