It was an ordinary day. Reading yet another story in one of my favorite publications, "The Fishwrapper" which is published by-weekly throughout the year. "The Fishwrapper" is known as the most exciting, little, big paper that has become a favorite of young and old alike. I pick up my copy when Carol and I shop at Stauffer's of Kissel Hill, which is located in Manheim Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The 20-page, 8 1/2" x 11" publication is filled with positive news, inspirational articles as well as thought-provoking stories about just any thing imaginable. Perhaps you might have read one of the stories I have written about the publication during the past couple of years. You can subscribe to "The Fishwrapper" by calling 717-933-8091. Well, the story I was reading today that I enjoyed so much was titled "MEMORY LANE For Those of a Certain Age." The writer of the story came across the phrase "fender skirts" is a book they were reading. The phrase "fender skirts" brought back many fond memories for me from my college years when I had a 1958 Chevy Impala convertible. It had fender skirts that covered part of the rear tires of the car. Got me thinking of the many other words that were used back in the '50s and '60s that I haven't heard for years and years. Along with "fender skirts" was "curb feelers," "steering knobs," and continental kits." Anyone remember them? The fender skirts covered about half of the rear wheels, the curb feelers were placed on the bottom of the passenger's side rear tire area, the steering knob was placed on the steering wheel to make it easier to turn the steering wheel, and the continental kit was attached to the rear of the car, in front of the rear bumper, and held the spare tire housed in a decorated covering. At the same time "emergency brakes" were used to hold the car in place when you parked it. Today it is called a parking brake. How about a "running board?" Ever hear of them. They were on either side of your car and ran from the front fender to the rear fender and could be used to help you get in and out of the car. And, back then you could travel coast-to-coast which back then held all sorts of excitement while today means next to nothing. Back then you might have had wall-to-wall carpet in your house or maybe you used your "percolator" to heat up your coffee. My mother had an Electrolux vacuum cleaner and at times my friends and I might have had to stay home from school because we had "lumbago." Not sure what it was, but we could get it. And then we had castor oil that was used to cure...I'm not sure! What words do you use today that will be obsolete years from now? Ever think that the word "supper" may die sometime in the future, replaced with dinner. Words and sayings come and go and perhaps if you read this story 30 or 40 years from now you might have "fender skirts" on your car once again. Just wait...and remember where you read about it! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.
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