I’m sixty-five and can remember when having a single television in the house was the norm. On the weekends, we kids would gather on the floor of our grandparents’ living room to watch bowling competitions and football games. Grandpa was in his favorite chair savoring a cigar, a carpet of smoke hovering over our heads (second hand smoke wasn’t a worry then). The images were black and white. Colored television came into being in the mid-sixties and not terribly affordable when it first came out. We were firmly in the black and white camp.
A second vivid memory is sitting on the floor of my father’s apartment watching the entertainment shows like Ed Sullivan or Bob Hope. The hoofers, singers, and comedians trotted across the screen while Daddy sat in his easy chair and worked on a piece of needlepoint. Occasionally he’d hop up to mimic the dancers on screen and maybe add an extra step or two. This was one of his favorite ways to unwind after teaching dance classes. That chair has been reupholstered and is in my family room. Funny side note. I always remembered the chair as being a channel back chair. When I got it, it was tufted with three buttons across the back. My upholstery teacher, John, assured me it could be made over to match my mind’s image. Bingo, we made it happen!
One of the funniest things that happened to my brother, I believe, was when my mother cured him of staying up late to watch television. At that time, the box was in the basement. He’d get up and watch scary movies while the rest of us slept. My mother rolled a coconut down the stairs and he came running up wide eyed and open mouthed. She laughed herself sick. Then, without a word, the television vanished. When we asked about it, she said it was out for repairs. We spied it months and months later sitting in our grandparents’ garage. She was concerned about us forgoing other activities for time in front of the tube. A kid’s life in the sixties was often spent outdoors, reading a book, or playing with friends.
Today, there are two televisions in my house; one in the family room and one in the bedroom. They are both huge flatscreens with streaming capabilities and the like. The color and definition is so good on one of them it makes me a little queasy to watch it. What’s a little bizarre is I tend to fire up the iPad rather than watch the television in the bedroom when looking for a little laughter before getting some shut eye. What’s one of the apps on screen? You guessed it. You Tube.
I’m not yet a You Tube sensation, but I can pull up my channel (Ryder’s Reality) to view the three videos currently uploaded that address home buyer issues. Home seller and new agent videos are in the line up to be produced (give a girl a smartphone, a mic, and a ring light and she’s ready for her close up!). I don’t know that I’ll ever become an influencer or sensation, but I’m having fun in the meantime.
It’s amazing to see the amount of content that’s uploaded every day. You can learn how to do most anything, including start your own channel, or be entertained, get tips and hacks to create a more organized home. One lady learned how to build her own home with very limited assistance from professionals. It’s endless. You’d think that it would be daunting to start my own channel but, hey, how many McDonald’s are in one city competing against X number of Five Guys, or Burger Kings?! There’s always room for one more voice. Give mine a listen, if you have the time. I’d love to hear what you think about it! As with all channels, you can leave comments or subscribe.
Tip of the Week: Credit You Tuber Liz Fenwick DIY for this one. Liz (Sounds like we’re friends, right?! Only in cyberspace can this happen!) is a very successful content creator that began her career as a photographer. I don’t know how she morphed into the DIYer she is now, but am glad she did. This is a simple way to close up your bread without one of those twist ties that are always falling on the floor and being gobbled up by the dog. Check out this video!
Recipe of the Week: It’s called Chicken Barbecue Sauce in the Fanny Farmer cookbook, but doesn’t appear at all barbecuey in the sloppy sticky way I think of and love. It is one of those recipes one forgets about and comes across in the folder as a happy circumstance.
This marinade is so easy to prepare and has a bit of zing that can be brushed on before putting the chicken on the coals or the chicken can be soaked in it for a while before cooking it in the oven.
1 well beaten egg, 1/2 C veg oil, 1 C cider vinegar, 1 T salt, 1 t crumbled sage, and 1/4 t ground pepper. Throw everything into a jar and let it sit a spell before using. So good.
Onward and upwards into the You Tube world!
Jack of All Trades 