Mick Jagger sang about it, “Time, Time, Time, is on my side…Yes it is!” Remember what we did with our time? We played ball, we hung out, went to the diamonds, the lot, we spent time in the schoolyard and of course, we spent time in Farrell’s.
We played football, two-hand touch or tackle. The pads, helmet and jersey. Playing two-hand touch in the street, tackle in the snow, it didn’t matter.
Most of us reading the Container Diaries Blog are parents, some are not. Some are educators and coaches. But the one thing we all know about is how to spend our time. What we do with our time, and how our kids spend their time.
The one thing I can’t belive is how much television kids watch today and how much time they spend on their computers.
What did we have, CBS, NBC, ABC, WOR, WPIX and WNEW for television stations? If you look today, kids have many options when it comes to television. Over 300 options!
We spent a lot of time togther with each other. In a group, large or small - didn’t matter. The important thing is we hung together and pulled for each other. Like Kevin Molloy sticking up for me when a older kid was picking on me. Or like Sean Riley sticking up for someone.
Growing with my friends is an experience I wish I could re-live once again. Wouldn’t it be great to know what you know now, back then when you were growing up? But I guess that’s what makes life enjoyable and productive, you learn.
Sean and Mickey Riley, Kevin Molloy, Matt Bullock, Jon-Jon, Pepe Fis, Paulie, John Cain, Corky, James Carroll, Jimmy Cullen, Glen Thomas, and many, many more. Those guys were true friends. I loved spending time with them, no mater where it was.
I can’t forget the older guys in the neighborhood always sticking up for us. I read a story about some lady being harrassed by people in Prospect Park while riding her bike or maybe she was jogging. The writer said there were people standing nearby just watching, and not doing anything about it.
Back in the day, someone I grew up with would’ve done something about it.
Forget about the movie “The Outsiders” or “Stand By Me.” We LIVED a great movie! We all had something interesting to tell.
This Blog entry is dedicated to the late Michael Mackey
Hey Steve
but must have recognized the bike, since I was hanging out with Sharon a lot in those days. Apparently you knocked the guys right off the thing, and returned the bike to my house.
saw your comment about no one sticking up for that lady and I agree..wouldnt have happened when we were growing up.
Matter of fact, I remember a time when you helped me out…..
Like most of us growing up, we didnt have a lot of “things” Who the hell could afford it? But one year, my parents gave in to my pestering and got me the bike I had been hounding them for. They couldnt manage a pretty banana seat bike like my friends, but my dad made a deal with someone in Farrells and came home with a yellow, fold-up travel bike. Man I loved that thing! Having a bike in our neighborhood was everything!
Living on the avenue meant not much room for storage, so I used to keep it in the lower hall at night. One night, some guy tried to rip it off. It was late and you were probably up to no good yourself,
If I never said thanks, I am saying it now. Obviously, I never forgot!
Eileen,
Can’t believe you remember that. Hope your bothers are doing well. I miss the neighborhood.
Steve thats a biggie!!! Eileen I grew up with Johnny, and I remenber your dad as you speak of him, I can see his face and the uniform!! Wasnt he a bus driver?? If my memory is working correctly. Thanks for sharing, thats a great story. YOU GO STEVE!!! Thats what we are talking about concerning our great neighaborhood.
Hey Betty!
YES, my dad worked for Transit….started on the trolleys in the old days and drove right down the avenue on the 75. Johnny and Joanne remember teh big treat of being picked up by daddy to take a ride! By the time I came around, he was a dispatcher and mostly worked on a corner in Manhattan with the express buses
Johnny is living in the neighborhood still…on Terrace Place and spends his days being a proud grandpa to Lil John who is adorable and everything he deserves
Hey Eyeball!!!!!!!
Vinnie Scudero turned me on to this site and I had to stop and say hello from Texas!!!!
How are Mike and the girls? If you talk to anyone from our gang tell them I said hello.
Vinnie sent me an email that Solid Ground will be playing at Johnny Pumps in Bay Ridge on May 17th. Wish I could be there.
Shoot me an email sometime pattioke1165@yahoo.com
Miss ya,
Patti Ann
Patti Ann
Come home!!! We miss you!!!!