The question I see here is whether Connie is thinking about she was attracted to the track star or lead in the school play when she was in school, or whether Connie is thinking that these are the kinds of guys that Elly would find attractive. Connie married a wealthy banker and Elly married a dentist in private practice, so it’s safe to say that their motivations for marriage were not entirely based on love. It will be interesting to see what kind of boy that Elly finds attractive, when it is not influenced by the boy’s profession.
Being a paper boy back in the days when daily newspapers were doing well was really hard work and if you stayed with it, it showed that you had good work ethic. It was a good indicator of future financial success.
Still have a paper “boy” that we’ve had since moving here 22 years ago. The paper is a lot smaller on Mondays and Tuesdays but there’s still news in it.
Hopefully Elly’s reminiscing about a paperboy and hearing Connie think about a track star will get Elly to put a fire under her son’s rear. Michael is a go-nowhere. He does not play team sports for his school or any league, never reads a book on his own volition, nor is he involved in any extracurricular activities like Boy Scouts.
This is so close to the bone, I hardly want to comment! Ah, but I’m into this now, so here goes. I had a real crush on Calvin, a boy in my class. After school, he delivered the paper on East 5th street (my street), so I’d wait for him and walk with him as he folded and tossed the papers onto porches—house after house.
The union put paperboy out of work. Now the delivery people toss the paper on your driveway. How nice. Maybe next they will just toss it on the corner of your street and one can walk down there to get it.
I couldn’t wait for high school to be over. I hated where I lived and all the angst associated with the teen years, I mostly suffered in silence though, which is probably why I am out spoken now.
Boy had a paper route. Sats and Suns were morning delivery. So, one Sat. night we stayed up to 1 am to pickup the Sundays and deliver them, so we could sleep late the next day. 7am Sunday, RING – didn’t get my paper. So, got up, went over, and there it was on the porch. “Oh, I always get up at 5:30 and wait to hear the paper hit the porch!”
Sometimes it is love at first sight. One fellow GI said he took a trip to Greece, and as the boat was docking, saw a lady on the dock, and to make a long story short – still married. On the other hand, years ago, I boarded the Canadian at Winnipeg bound for Medicine Hat. Was impressed by my seat partner, but she got off at Portage La Prairie – the next stop!
Newspaper delivery is a brutal job. 365, rain, snow or sleet. The only thing worse than a rainy Sunday is a snowy Sunday. And everything is stacked against the paperboy. They have to buy the plastic bags and rubber bands. Heck, they actually buy the newspapers, then sell them to the customer. When or if the customer doesn’t pay, the company’s already got their money; it’s the delivery person who is stuck in the hole. So do you cut off the customer, knowing that if you do, s/he will probably never pay? Or do you keep delivering, getting deeper and deeper into debt? It’s a miserable job and one that I’m glad I will never have to do again. Please, dear readers – Tip your newspaper delivery person or leave a nice Christmas bonus.
Templo S.U.D. over 5 years ago
the paper-boy must’ve had quite the bicycle
howtheduck over 5 years ago
The question I see here is whether Connie is thinking about she was attracted to the track star or lead in the school play when she was in school, or whether Connie is thinking that these are the kinds of guys that Elly would find attractive. Connie married a wealthy banker and Elly married a dentist in private practice, so it’s safe to say that their motivations for marriage were not entirely based on love. It will be interesting to see what kind of boy that Elly finds attractive, when it is not influenced by the boy’s profession.
kodj kodjin over 5 years ago
Being a paper boy back in the days when daily newspapers were doing well was really hard work and if you stayed with it, it showed that you had good work ethic. It was a good indicator of future financial success.
rekam Premium Member over 5 years ago
Still have a paper “boy” that we’ve had since moving here 22 years ago. The paper is a lot smaller on Mondays and Tuesdays but there’s still news in it.
Watcher over 5 years ago
And you wound up with a dentist. Good upgrade there Ellie.
rebelstrike0 over 5 years ago
Hopefully Elly’s reminiscing about a paperboy and hearing Connie think about a track star will get Elly to put a fire under her son’s rear. Michael is a go-nowhere. He does not play team sports for his school or any league, never reads a book on his own volition, nor is he involved in any extracurricular activities like Boy Scouts.
geromio over 5 years ago
Indeed – my three sons had the same paper route one after the other and they are honest and successful adults.
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member over 5 years ago
Our paper ‘boy’ was usually an older man with a car. It was a small town but Montana mornings could be pretty brutal.
jpayne4040 over 5 years ago
That was back when most paperboys were actually boys.
jless over 5 years ago
Lynn’s Comments:
This is so close to the bone, I hardly want to comment! Ah, but I’m into this now, so here goes. I had a real crush on Calvin, a boy in my class. After school, he delivered the paper on East 5th street (my street), so I’d wait for him and walk with him as he folded and tossed the papers onto porches—house after house.
summerdog over 5 years ago
I was in love with every blue eyed, blond crew cut, white Bucks wearing guy in my sphere.
micromos over 5 years ago
The union put paperboy out of work. Now the delivery people toss the paper on your driveway. How nice. Maybe next they will just toss it on the corner of your street and one can walk down there to get it.
kathleenhicks62 over 5 years ago
I couldn’t wait for high school to be over. I hated where I lived and all the angst associated with the teen years, I mostly suffered in silence though, which is probably why I am out spoken now.
rlaker22j over 5 years ago
Went from paperboy to milk truck jumper loved it money in the pocket women on the side
tuslog1964 over 5 years ago
Boy had a paper route. Sats and Suns were morning delivery. So, one Sat. night we stayed up to 1 am to pickup the Sundays and deliver them, so we could sleep late the next day. 7am Sunday, RING – didn’t get my paper. So, got up, went over, and there it was on the porch. “Oh, I always get up at 5:30 and wait to hear the paper hit the porch!”
tuslog64 over 5 years ago
Sometimes it is love at first sight. One fellow GI said he took a trip to Greece, and as the boat was docking, saw a lady on the dock, and to make a long story short – still married. On the other hand, years ago, I boarded the Canadian at Winnipeg bound for Medicine Hat. Was impressed by my seat partner, but she got off at Portage La Prairie – the next stop!
pony21 Premium Member over 5 years ago
Newspaper delivery is a brutal job. 365, rain, snow or sleet. The only thing worse than a rainy Sunday is a snowy Sunday. And everything is stacked against the paperboy. They have to buy the plastic bags and rubber bands. Heck, they actually buy the newspapers, then sell them to the customer. When or if the customer doesn’t pay, the company’s already got their money; it’s the delivery person who is stuck in the hole. So do you cut off the customer, knowing that if you do, s/he will probably never pay? Or do you keep delivering, getting deeper and deeper into debt? It’s a miserable job and one that I’m glad I will never have to do again. Please, dear readers – Tip your newspaper delivery person or leave a nice Christmas bonus.
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] over 5 years ago
Back when they had children delivering papers. Now only adults do it for more money.