THOSE WERE THE DAYS, MY FRIEND
There’s a song that says, “Those were the days, my friend. We thought they’d never end.” Years after the release of that song, those lyrics are not just meaningful, but quite possibly even more so than they were at one time. Let me invite you to take a step back in time with me for a moment.
Seeing this sign seemed to immediately transport me to a day when life seemed so much simpler. It was a time when people knew their neighbors. It was a time when you walked to the grocery store. It was a time when doors were rarely locked. And it was a time when you went into a store, looked around, and realized you knew just about everyone in the store.
My hometown had a drugstore similar to this one. It was called Rowe Drug. I’ll never forget my regular visits with my father. To a degree, it was the hub of the south side of town. There was an original soda fountain that served real root beer floats, real ice cream milk shakes, and Cherry Cokes! Real Cherry Cokes!!! Now that I think about it, this could be the reason I love Coke so much today! I mean, there’s nothing like that afternoon Coke!
My dad would take me into the store on Saturday, where he would pay his utility bills (in cash, of course) and then we would sit at the soda fountain counter and enjoy a Cherry Coke together! I know it doesn’t seem like much of a memory, but I will never forget those times with my father.
Gone forever are those days. But oh, those were the days! Simple – yet, great!
UPDATE: The vote from yesterday’s post finds hat #4 leading at the time of this writing. You can still cast your vote by clicking this link.
Thanks for stopping by. I’ll see you tomorrow.
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Photographyfree4all's Blog 
I remember those days well. Sounds kind of like you grew up in “Mayberry.” I can remember buying a nickel’s worth of cashews at Woolworths and thinking, “Man, this is the life.” Thanks for bringing back some good memories and sharing some of yours. 🙂
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“We’d sing and dance, forever and a day. We’d live the life we choose. We’d fight and never lose. Those were the days, oh yes, those were the days!”
I enjoy a real Coke myself and there is this little Soda Shop on Disney propety in Orlando, FL that still makes them. The vanilla Coke is the BEST!
Some day, THESE will be THE Days! 🙂
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It seems you may be showing your age just a bit pf4a! 😉 Granddaughter and soda fountains! I find myself wondering what “the next big thing” will be.
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Karma, you’re paying attention. Thanks for your comment. Just for the record though, this little drug store maintained the soda fountain looong after soda fountains were a common thing. That’s how I was introduced to them – it was actually waaay before my time. 🙂
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Thanks for your comment, Milkayphoto. And, thanks for the lyrical finish. I hope you stop by again.
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You would love the bike ride – too bad you’re crunched for time. Thanks for your comment, Milkayphoto.
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Great photo….I have a neat place about a dozen miles from me called the Front Royal Dairy that makes milkshakes so right they vary the thickness by season. Your image reminds me I haven’t been down there for a few months. No better time for head cramps than the dog days of August.
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