We still get the paper delivered -- all adults these days racing by in a pickup with a practiced left arm toss either out or over.
No seatbelts for us either -- handy disciplinary function -- sister and I squabbled all the time and past some threshold we never figured out, the brakes would slam throwing us into the back of the front seats. Typically, no words were exchanged -- just settled things.
I too had a paper route for a short time -- hard work wasn't for me -- used a Flyer red wagon.
And mowing lawns in 1969 - 50 cents a yard - enough yards to just afford the $6.50 ticket for Three Dog Night at the football stadium. I remember a couple next to me making out, and I was too curious, and the guy at one point said, "Here kid, tickets for the front row." I took it and went down there -- no one was checking -- but I figured out real quick if I stayed there I'd would be deaf.
Oh those were the bad old days.
Oh, and buying M-80s -- then later when couldn't buy them anymore, being able to order the aluminum powder and make my own.
And yes -- strapping a *borrowed* AR-15 on my shoulder, 200 rounds .223 in my book bag, taking the school bus to school - dropping the firearm in the geometry former-Marine teacher's office, then shooting at the school range after class.
