They're still talking about the good old days.

The difference between the now days — which will someday be the old — and the old days are what we remember that we liked.

Better yet, what we were comfortable with.

I never realized that we were poor by them days standards. Dad never finished school because he went through the Stock Market crash and had to work at the steel mill near Portsmouth to support the family. He was a very smart man, but had to work at lower-paying jobs because of his education limitation.

I said one day, 'Dad, just tell them you did graduate.'

He said, 'Johnny, I don't lie about things like that.'

Mom would do laundry for the neighborhood.

Presents came from the local Five and Dime. We lived over an auto repair shop and sometimes the fumes would filter up through the floors. But we were happy! Evenings were spent in front of our big old Zenith radio and the folks would listen to news and big bands, and Shirley and I just read old comic books until our programs came on. Let's see, there was 'The Lone Ranger,' 'Little Orphan Annie,' 'Green Hornet,' 'Fibber McGee and Molly' and stuff for Mom and Dad like 'Amos 'n' Andy,' 'Jack Benny,' 'Fred Allen.'

Things were about to change. The favorite program

for mom and dad and our grandparents — we all lived together to support the household — happened to be President Roosevelt's fireside chats.

He was speaking to us! He was like one of the family sharing something important in plain language, with facts, and if there was a problem, he comforted us; and if we needed some calming down, he could do that. too.

Then there was that night! The president told us about Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, 'the day that will live in infamy.' He told us that we officially declared war and that our country would be calling men and women into the military. That meant my dad and my uncles would be leaving for training.

Those were not the good old days.

Allow me to change my thoughts because, for a lot of people, the good old days were predictable. Men were men and women were women. Most of the men I recognized ate a heavy breakfast and left for work. Most of the work was at the assembly line, off a truck or doing construction while the women stayed at home with housework, beating the kids and fixing supper for dads. Well, a lot were teachers, secretaries, or, as I thought, out looking for husbands.

Now comes the biggie! Everyone seemed to have their place in life, no one questioned it, nothing was supposed to change and if anyone stepped over the line, so to speak, there was trouble. You know where I'm going. Men felt superior and women felt second class.

A very large jump from then to now! Take a deep breath.

Men haven't changed much. Now, I was taught that women were to be respected, loved, cared for, admired and not understood because they were 'sugar, spice and everything nice,' while us guys were 'snips, snails and puppy dog tails.'

Hang on there, Bunky! Our ladies today are bright, intelligent, capable, powerful and can boast with the best when it comes to success in business, politics, sports, and capable of anything they want to do, which could be traditional or non-traditional.

The problem they now face is that 'gender-based discrimination and violence' stand in their way and some very good old day's men are willing to do whatever it takes to stop women's hard-won success.

Let's close with some biblical support. Genesis 2:18, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.' Hang on!

There's some translation stuff I'd like to share. This new person, a woman, as meant to be Adam's partner, of the same nature, to share life and not to be a subordinate. Firstly, Genesis 1:27, 'So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female He created and called them man!'

The Hebrew has several translations when it comes to 2:18. It can be read, 'I will make someone who completes him!'

Adam was incomplete! Adam could not produce life and all the complications a mother must face. Only Eve was the proper choice. Without Eve — most likely — Adam would still be farming Eden and eating pretty plain food.

Thanks, God!