– The past is a nice place to visit but you can’t live there –
Mobile Food Trucks Parked in front of Brick & Mortar establishments – Currently a trending roadside dining experience - Once Dubbed 'Roach Coaches' along with 'Sterile' non-taxable sidewalk vendors. If you don't remember the sweet sound of the 'Good Humor' truck, along with the excitement it brought, even for those few moments then that's not a memory we share and you are clearly out of the senior demographic required reading department, and probably won't relate to this article – I get that.
In our small mountain town we also had the Helms bakery custom-built coaches with fresh pastries; tooting a very loud train whistle-type tweet approaching with their treats. Glaze donuts were a nickel and cream puffs were .20 cents; could never afford that as a weekly allowance was all that.
"Mom, there's a BUG on my ice cream" – "Don't worry Son, it won't eat much." I scream for Ice cream - Bench Splinter Treats: Double Scoop me minus the Lick~Drips
We all had our favorites - which would YOU choose? Are you an Ice Cream Sandwich - or anything with chocolate chips in-um. Me, I liked the Orange Sherbet Push-Ups or the Twin Schtick Popsicles; always had to eat those in the shade before the sun ate them. Remember those – or were you a Fudgesicle kid? When standing in line the trucks' open Fridge-doors pushed out a cool fresh breeze~white fog coming from the dry ice wafting in our faces on a hot day; this was a 'Treat' in of itself – No need for pushy line cutting here! Kids would stand in line {Ear-Bud-Less} and actually 'shoot-that-cool-breeze' – talking to one another – an oddity of late.
'Good-Humor Trucks' Slowly cruised down our street with our ears tuned into the Music's shortened version repeating staccato good vibrations. With the 1st sound we would anxiously rush to the curb with our dogs leading the way; no silent dog whistles needed here. The 'Theme' music may differ from each State – but it always sounded like a revolving amplified child's music box.
Take a minute to 'Kibitz' — Current day interactions:
With so many Gadgets to distract attention 'Shooting-the-Breeze' has become an anomaly. What do you really mean when you say This or That? Is it just an 'Instant Gratification' momentary blurt-out to say they will follow-up but never do so: A brief answer to satisfy the conversation then they simply move on! Don't say you will if you won't – "Sure let's Do Lunch – Give you a call." But it never happens; people have expectations. 'Let's do lunch' is a perfect example of saying something totally gratuitous – this can be hurtful. Some may just push-off because they don't know what's ok to say or not these days—so NO dialogue is the safest way to stand off meaningless chatter.
Cell phones have taken an obsessive hold on our culture. Just recently a woman came over to visit, and even when asked not to, she kept checking it: I mean who's that important or is it that she just couldn't stop herself; an addiction? Not unlike a smoker's-habit of constantly reaching for that 'Fix!'
Although I try to be subtle, I have been outspoken about people who are right in front of me constantly going to their 'Habit' within our Non-Smoking ~ Cell Phone Booth-Less House. When they are in my home the rules are that they either leave the phone in the car or mute it. I’m convinced those phone calls are not messages from GOD, so why waste my time with the full expectation that I’m willing to wait on their important conversation? Indeed..!
— No Big Shots Here —
Never could figure out how 'Priority' attention is applied? Maybe there are those who really DO blame 'Brain-Freeze' on their behavior? Is this the new 'Etiquette' – I'm probably the only one that's noticed?
Say it like you mean it! Many examples of Dismissive Remarks, such as salutatory clichés' –"Have a Good Day or Buh-Bye"– not a lot of 'shooting-the-cool-breeze' there. We're all guilty of this; some more off-putting than others in which the 'receiver' surely would feel un-important! Anything sound familiar with this? Of course, you can be a little more sensitive about this issue than others; I am.
— Kindness never goes Unnoticed ~
Kindness never goes out of Style, either —
Jay Kantor, Chatsworth, California
Senior Vocal Author - Vocal Village Community -
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'For The Kids Someday'
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Where's the Glory?
In breaking news, rehabilitated Republican Senator Johnnie Johnson (Pronouns: HE, HIM, HIS) called a press conference from the Men’s room of the New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport, Concourse B, across from the Ignatius Reilly’s Lucky Dog stand. The Senator had just returned from a sexual reorientation rehabilitation program in Memphis, TN after being publically disgraced at a Buckee’s Truckstop restroom soliciting sex from an undercover cop three months ago. He is a founding member of the Reformed Christians for Christ, a conservative, pro-family and ex-gay advocacy group. In the spirit of being reborn, Senator Johnson invited reporters to marvel at his plans for a major remodeling of airport bathrooms.
By Cathy Schieffelin6 days ago in Humor
Comments (33)
Mint bonbon, fudgesicles, & or anything red for me. Of course, they came out of our own freezer. Good Humor didn't tend to make the round through the NE corner of Watertown, South Dakota.
Loved your humorous story!!! Fudgesicles and creamsicles were my favorite from the Good Humor truck!!! Congratulations on Top Story too!!!
Congrats on that Top Story, Jay! We had the bicycle icecream guy and then the truck with the music. Push-ups, Fudgesicles, Creamsicles or the 'sandwich….' never had a bakery truck come by though. Expectations - yeah, I hate it when someone says, "Let's meet for lunch, or I will buy you birthday lunch," and forgets. And the people who don't really hear you ask, "How are you?" and reply with a phrase that ensures they didn't hear you. The good ol' days, people are harmless (usually, wait, many are, wait, I take it back). Great job, as always!
Dear Jay, I always ate the banana-flavored ice cream when my mom was around (one day I'll tell ya about her world-famous spit baths!! lol), or I'd eat a bombsicle if she wasn't close by. I sure miss the sound of the truck coming down the block, and us kids running outside with our quarters to grab a cool treat. And not a blessed cell phone in sight. <3 Sincerely, MC
I don't remember a bakery truck, other that the Hostess van deliving to the stores. I defiintely headed to the curb for Good Humor, et al. I was a fudgesicle and dreamsicle (orange with a vanilla cream center) kid. Bomb pops were a favorite, too. Loved the story, your 'schtick' drawings as always, and Darlene's paintings, too! Congratulations on the Top Story, J-bud!
Another Top Story. This is getting habit forming, my friend! Congrats!!
oh, but we so want to....the past is safe I guess because we survived them. I love this so much
This was a great read, both funny and deep, Jay. I’ll make sure not to take my phone into your house if I ever get to visit.
You best stay away from those 'cavity trucks' 😅. Seriously though, I loved push-ups, Ice cream sandwiches, screw balls, and of course, bomb pops! I think my favorite was those strawberry shortcake bars. Can't remember if they had a name. What a cleverly written walk down memory lane. And to close it out with those kindness quotes was the cherry on top. Thank you, J-bro, friend. Now, I'll let you get back to those 'Twin Schtick Popsicles' 😁
Hey dear Jay! This is a delightful read! Your nostalgic reminiscences are charming and your observations about modern society are spot on. The way you've seamlessly blended personal anecdotes with social commentary is impressive. I especially enjoyed the vivid descriptions of childhood memories and the humorous take on modern-day distractions.
The type of nostalgia that makes your work so unique is something we all intrinsically want to share and create in our everyday lives
Oh my, I loved when those trucks came by! Congratulations on Top Story, it's very well deserved. And yes, obsession with our cell phones is such a problem!
CLever and nostalgic. Like reading an article for when the newspapers were still paper. Your final lines about kindness are wonderfully said. A well deserved Top Story
This is a wonderfully humorous story, Jay - so whimsically well done, as usual. Great writing herein. Congratulations, too, on achieving a much deserved Top Story.
Ur Gettin' Gooder & Gooder - Lon
Roach coaches! I laughed so hard at that! I love your art work too Jay. That's some talent!
Again, love your 'Schtick' Art! Your narratives are entertaining and sometimes amusing. Your warning about the past is spot on, memories notwithstanding. Well done!
Jay, where do I start? See, I told you I would read your story with enthusiasm! Thank you for the trip down memory lane. No pastry trucks in my neighborhood growing up...just popsicles. You mentioned several of my favorites...the orange sherbet pop ups, fudgesicles, and ice cream sandwiches! I have to tell you, I wish that they made them like they used to, but sadly there are so many "fake" ingredients in them, that I turn them all down. The new ones just don't cut it. Many foods nowadays just don't taste good anymore...they can't fool me because I know what they are supposed to taste like :( Besides your beautiful and funny sketches that I absolutely adore, I love the "realness" and attention to detail of Darlene M. Wescombe's watercolors...she nailed the era!!! I so agree with you about cell phone etiquette...people can be downright rude, but most of them simply don't care if they are rude or not. I'm glad you speak up and set rules. I don't tolerate fake friends...(lunch dates that never happen.) I'd rather have no friends. I don't have time to waste on those that don't fully celebrate me. Yes, kindness costs nothing, but is such a rare, invaluable commodity. I would have loved to be part of the group conversation about this story...one of your best, I must say!!
J-amigo—fantastic piece! This one is full of delightful memories, humor, and great lessons like everything you pen. I couldn't buy many things from the ice cream truck since Dad was a dentist and counted every speck of sugar we consumed, but here and there, I'd get lucky and would spend .50 on a bomb pop (smiling with blue teeth) or an orange creamsicle (like you:)). Did the one you liked have orange on the outside and ice cream on the inside? That's what my truck was pedaling. I also loved the push pops! We let the boys chase the ice cream truck in our neighborhood in CO...ONCE...$15 later, we had one Ninja Turtle-shaped popsicle with a gum drop nose and a chocolate crunch ice cream bar. I thought New York prices were high. At that amount, we could have bought at least 30 popsicles from our local market. After that, we played the distraction game when the musical truck drove by, and still, we keep the freezer stocked with some sort of frozen goodie. haha! Recently, Dave has been making homemade caramel sauce, which we "drizzle" over vanilla bean. Is a heaping bowl of ice cream every night too much? I told him I would have to do 50 extra laps around the Volcano daily if he kept making it. I can't resist. I appreciate all you said about the gadget age we live in, and prioritizing the people in front of us. It's often difficult to keep up with all of the incoming messages, phone calls, emails, and social media messages...balance is tricky, and guilt sets in easily. I do agree that the people directly in front of us should take precedence. I keep this quote by Nhat Hanh close to my heart: "The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence." In an age of distraction, presence is a true commodity. Your stories are brilliant and I'd love a bound book of them someday! This one will be at the TOP in no time; just you wait. :)
Why has the ice cream truck faded into the past, you can't hold a cone and scroll your phone at the same time. Yes, we had a milkman also. Nice cold ride down memory lane, j-bud!
I still love your style and your great "senior" memories, but I got lost in this article as I wasn't sure about your first line "the past is great to visit, but don't stay there" kinda thing when most of the imagery is all old school and the only reference to the present is cell phone gabbers smoking in your place and being rude....Um, Jay, why did you invite them in?
Great stuff here Jay. I really love your drawings as well! You brought back some wonderful summer memories! -r
Nicely writ. I love the cell phone rule, and certainly remember a time when we didn't have them. We still have ice cream trucks come by in the summertime. I don't remember "Good Humor" though. Maybe it wasn't in Canada. 🤷🏻♀️
In addition to the Good Humor and Helms Bakery drivers, we had Woody the milkman in our neighborhood. Just leave the backdoor unlocked and Woody would just come in, restock the refrigerator, and pick up the empty glass bottles on his way out the door - remember that. “Things were different back then” is an understatement! p.s. that’s a terrific drawing, too! - Guy
Oh, Jay, those days! And you bring them back beautifully. I'll take the chocolate chip with the fudge top in a waffle cone, please! Some peanuts on top because nobody had a nut allergy. I love the 'shoot the breeze' lament because nobody does it now...sigh, maybe we are allergic to these nuts on their phones!