[Boomer]

Peachie,

Thanks.

And I know exactly what you mean about that "so many books, so little time" thing.

I admire Studs Terkel's work so much. I am a big fan of oral histories. I think Studs got me officially started on them long ago.

So many of us know that oral histories are something that can become a part of family gatherings. Something as simple around a dinner table as, "Hey, Grandpa, how did you meet Grandma? Where did you go on your first date? How much money did you spend? What kind of car did you have? What do you think was different about dating then and dating now?" can turn into wonderful family stories and the more generations involved, the better. If major events in history are incorporated into those stories -- even better. We probably don't grab enough of the chances to collect those stories.

(insert shameless confession here) I might never tell my grandchildren this, but I can remember clearly my white hot terror during the Cuban Missile Crisis. I was in high school at the time. And I was so afraid, so scared, so really, truly, absolutely terrified that I was going to die! Yes, afraid I was going to die! So very afraid I was going to DIE -- WHILE STILL AS PURE AS THE DRIVEN SNOW!!!! (And that is an absolutely true story. Not a story worthy of a Studs Terkel book, but a true story, just the same, ...all so very long ago.)

Boomer