I had lunch with my 94 year old cousin and her oldest child (my second cousin) today. She’s the last living member of the previous generation of my family. She’s in a let better condition than I will be when I’m 94 since I’ll be dead by then.
Lots of changes since my last visit. Crestwood Mall has been totally demolished. I used to do a lot of shopping there. I was shocked when I drove by.
I had a hell of a time getting down to the river front. The way I used to go was closed off.
I drove by my old four family flat in South St. Louis that I owned between 1980 -1985. In one of the houses on the street I saw a Black Lives Matter sign in the window. Looks like the neighborhood is getting some Diversity (All Hail Diversity!). Sad.
The house I grew up in in Webster Groves looks good. The first two apartments I lived in were unchanged.
Cunetto’s and Rigazzi’s on the Hill are both still in business. I had lunch with my old girlfriend at Cunetto’s. We ate there a lot when we were dating.
The neighborhood one of my great-aunts lived in that was destroyed by Diversity (All Hail Diversity!) has been rebuilt and it looks like it has been reclaimed by urban pioneers. Let’s hear it for gentrification.
It’s been a bitter sweet trip as have been all of my trips back to my hometown the last few years. When my mother was alive, I would visit twice a year so the changes would be gradual. Now that I only visit every three to four years, the changes are more drastic.
It’s true that you can’t go home again.
I was gonna see some other old IBM friends tonight, a married couple, but they had a big fight last night so it got canceled. Jesus! 50 years of marriage. You would think they would have been all fought out.
Tomorrow, it’s off to Jefferson City to see another old IBM buddy.
So true that you can’t go home again. It’s very sad to hear about the married couple; there’s been a lot of that going around lately.
The craziness is even affecting young people: my 17-year-old son says the factionalism at his public high school is getting insane with all the politics and social media. It’s homecoming week, and the artsy-fartsy soyboys and 80% of the girls are shunning and ostracizing the jocks and conservatives. It’s going to be even uglier his senior year with the election coming up. I warned him, but it’s still better that he finds out for himself so that it sticks.
I understand, sir. I grew up in Oakland but haven’t been back to the Bay Area this century. Of course, most of the cities there have always been Left-leaning but I’m sure they’re now insufferable.
I grew up in Fort Wayne IN (7th on Hitler’s list to bomb in the US). I have to say they have done a wonderful job of revitalizing the entire downtown area and much of the surrounding area.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g37114-Activities-Fort_Wayne_Indiana.html
Totally get it. The neighborhood I grew up in turned into a neighborhood of Salvadorian group houses – three bedroom houses with fifteen or more people sleeping on mattresses on the floor. This is totally illegal but the rat bastard pols and their minions refuse to enforce. My Dad finally asked me to get him out of there. It was a nightmare to sell at a decent price but I hung in there and got it done. The house is only five miles away from where I live now, but I have never been back.
Noticed you are an ex IBM’r. My dad retired as a system 370 mechanic and was wondering if you may have crossed paths. He has passed on (two years). Just curious.
Tom – From 1978 to 1985 I was a large systems (370) CE working at McDonnell Douglas Automation in St. Louis. Then in 1985, I moved to Atlanta to teach mainframes. Did so until my accident in 1988. Then I moved over to software.
I absolutely get it. It is sad when the changes are for the worse and not the better. the town I grew up in wasn’t great and has gone even further down hill. I only visit because of my sister for babies, funerals and weddings. other than that I just stay away. there is no point in going back anymore.
I guess you can never really go home again. Have a good trip.
It’s true Denny you cannot go home again. The small city I grew up in has now gotten bigger with more problems, crime, congestion. It’s really sad to see so much disappear over the years. I have no wish to ever go back and live there. But there is nothing we can do about it. Sorry to hear about the big fight. After 50 years I would think they would be getting along better to. Well you can never tell. Yours Defshepard.
Could you still get a concrete?
I was able to take the Daughter Product to visit the old homestead before it got turned into a parking lot. But she doesn’t remember it.
All flesh is grass.