About those night lights

Most children in the ’60s and ’70s grew up having one last request after being tucked in bed at night. There were variations, but the gist of it was, “Please leave the door open just a little bit and don’t turn off the hallway light”. Within a short while, parents would turn off that light and a few hours later the house would be utterly dark except possibly for a 25 to 40 Watt lamp in some strategic location. More frugal folks enjoyed the economy and style of the 7W ping-pong ball sized light introduced by G.E. around 1966.

Fast forward to the average American home today, turn out “all the lights” and it’s not all that dark. If you haven’t noticed, try it. Most rooms will still be dimly lit by a plethora of green, blue, amber and red lights; they’re often even safe enough to walk through. Your home office or entertainment room may virtually glow. Light from a computer screen would calm the most timid child afraid of the dark. Read more

Hanging my laundry outside to dry

I was raised as a child watching my mother hang clothes on the line to dry outside. Read more