"Those were the best days of my life" (movies, friend)
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Summer of ‘69: working at my parents’ Dairy Queen…cones were 15, 25, or 35 cents. Best job ever. Now, after 45 years of grinding it out as a tax person, I’d give anything to have that DQ back, just as it was, with the neon cone sign…
Just now. Retired in a pretty village. Feel easy-going, relaxed, get to read widely, ride my bike on quiet streets, long-term happy marriage, wonderful friends and neighbors, good health.
Feel very fortunate.
Gosh I used to HATE that loud alarm clock waking me at dawn during my working years...no more...
About being productive,
It probably means different things to different people.
Me I love having a huge garden.
Just having coffee in it and watching my chickens do their thing makes me feel good about my accomplishment.
I dig keeping bees and just give the honey away because if I sold it it would just be another job.
Taking my kayak out to set my crab pots and then supplying us a nice harvest makes me happy.
Keeping my yard nice does it for me too.
Work wise for money,
I never really loved my job even though i was very good at it and it paid well.
It was just a job.
It was always about making someone else happy.
I am so privileged that I now only have to make myself happy.
I love doing knick knacks just for myself be it gardening, foraging, hiking or farting around in the shop.
I love it because I do it for fun.
Working for wages was never fun for me.
I have to agree with Bryan about the "Summer of '69". I graduated late May '69 from HS after 12 years of Catholic schooling wearing a suit, tie, dress shoes, short hair etc... from the age of 5yo, while during high school "the 60s" was happening all around me & I wanted to take part. I also worked all during HS since we didn't have a lot of money... I had a lot of pent-up energy & frustration.
I can still vividly remember my exact emotion after graduation '69: "I'm glad that's over with!" as if crossing a finish line. I threw myself into the "Summer of '69" with gusto including attending Woodstock & all sorts of concerts... I was unable to concentrate on college studies that fall & quickly dropped out & spent a few years traveling, dabbling, working... always reading. I am forever grateful that I got a high number in the first Vietnam draft - utterly unfair & random while guys around me were forced to go.
What gives me pause is that almost all of my close buddies from that summer are dead now, the 2-3 that aren't are far-flung somewhere.
Summer of '69 was a good break from the regimentation of my past, a few years later I worked my way through university & ended up ok I think.
I went to a private high school and felt so disconnected when I got out the summer of '68 that I was totally lost for a while. Eventually, I found my way to the California dream and enjoyed a few years before it all changed in 1990, never to be seen again. The people were friendly, money grew on trees, SF 49ers ruled and even the Loma Prieta didn't break our spirit; glad I got a nibble of it while I could. Today, it isn't recognizable and totally disgusting.
I was 7 and a half in the Summer of 69. Had my headband, my love beads, my bellbottoms, a Janice Joplin style leather hat and thoroughly wanted to be a Hippy when I grew up.
The best days of my life began in the Fall of 1980 when I met the love of my life. Things kept getting better and the 1990s were our biggest adventure together. Those were the best days of my life.
Summer of ‘69: working at my parents’ Dairy Queen…cones were 15, 25, or 35 cents. Best job ever. Now, after 45 years of grinding it out as a tax person, I’d give anything to have that DQ back, just as it was, with the neon cone sign…
When I was 16, my mom said if you want a car, you need to get a job and pay for the insurance. That was the best thing she ever did for me. I walked into a grocery store and walked out with a job as a cashier. Why on earth they put me on a register is beyond me but I loved it. Had to ring up the groceries by hand and you would try to see how fast you could go. (Unlike now where they all look like they are stoned, they move so slowly).
They hired a lot of high school students and we all used to work hard and then party after work. I quit when I went to college and went back during summers and on breaks but it was never as much fun as it was in high school. Lots of 20 something guys though. Had to be careful as a marginally attractive young, naive female.
Loved the freedom of going anywhere I wanted when I got the car. My mom even let me drive the 2 hours when we moved during high school to see my friends. I kind of shake my head at that one. No way would I let my about to turn 16 daughter do anything like that. My mom was kind of checked out of parenting by then and mostly interested in her nightly bourbons.
I also have to say that now is the best time in my life -although I had an amazing time with love, travel, and fun in college and early marriage.
Now we are reaping the fruits of our labors, so to speak. Close friends and family, financial security, love and closeness nurtured through 49 years of marriage give a feeling of comfort, calm and happiness that I never expected.
It was the 90s for me too. Hubby and I had a thriving business, travelled to fun places, built our dream house, were in our 40s and physically healthy.
Three oldest kids were launched, and the baby was in high school. The first grandchildren were born. We were very active socially, and enjoyed a fun network of friends.
Now, we are fine, friends and family who are still with us are spread far and wide, and we are grateful for what we have, but we miss the old days.
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Now if Covid-19 will just go away! 
