Some idle thoughts for a Thursday in May

Thanks to George for these

5 Years Ago. This is PRICELESS .............

A little old lady from Wisconsin had worked in and around her family's dairy farms since she was old enough to walk, with hours of hard work and little compensation. 

When canned Carnation Milk became available in grocery stores in the 1940s, she read an advertisement offering $5,000 for the best slogan.

The producers wanted a rhyme beginning with 'Carnation Milk is best of all...' 

She thought to herself, 'I know everything there is to know about milk and dairy farms.  I can do this!'

She sent in her entry, and several weeks later, a big black car pulled up in front of her house.

A large man got out, knocked on her door and said, "Ma'am, the president of Carnation Milk absolutely LOVED your entry.....so much, in fact, that we are here to award you $1,000--even though we will not be able to use it for our advertisements!

The president did, however, have one printed up to hang on his office wall at headquarters...."

The year is 1918. One hundred years ago. What a difference a century makes! Here are some statistics for the Year 1918:

·       The average life expectancy for men was 47 years.

·       Fuel for cars was sold in drug stores only.

·       Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.

·       Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.

·       The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.

·       The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower.

·       The average US wage in 1910 was 22 cents per hour.

·       The average US worker made between $200 and $400 per year.

·       A competent accountant could expect to earn $2,000 per year.

·       A dentist $2,500 per year.

·       A veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year.

·       And, a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.

·       More than 95 percent of all births took place at home.

·       Ninety percent of all Doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION!

·       Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press AND the government as "substandard."

·       Sugar cost four cents a pound.

·       Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.

·       Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.

·       Most women only washed their hair once a month, and, used Borax or egg yolks for shampoo.

·       Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from entering into their country for any reason.

·       The Five leading causes of death were: 1. Pneumonia and influenza. 2. Tuberculosis 3. Diarrhea 4. Heart disease 5. Stroke

·       The American flag had 45 stars

·       The population of Las Vegas, Nevada was only 30.

·       Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and iced tea hadn't been invented yet.

·       There was neither a Mother's Day nor a Father's Day.

·       Two out of every 10 adults couldn't read or write.

·       And, only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.

·       Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at local corner drugstores Back then pharmacists said, "Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach, bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health!"

·       Eighteen percent of households had at least one full-time servant or domestic help.

·       There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE U.S.A.!

It is impossible to imagine what it may be like in another 100 years