Two weeks ago Friday, I attended a Celebration of Life for a former coworker. Several people from the company I worked for before retirement also attended this ceremony. So, in addition to paying my respects to the family, I was able to catch up with some friends.

The service was held in a downtown church in the town of Manchester, Connecticut. Manchester has a fairly active downtown area and there were many small shops lining the street the church was on. Inside, this was a subject of conversation, as a thriving downtown area is rare.

One of the stores was called Retro Junk. A friend of mine told us that he has shopped in that store and, if the service ended in time, he might stop in. I asked what they had in the store.

“You know, old stuff. They have stuff dating back to the eighties!”

One-liner Wednesday — Linda G. Hill

The ’80s. Way back then.

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Bridge to Nowhere

I forgot to add this. It seems appropriate.

99 responses to “So Long Ago—1LinerWeds”

  1. I did smile, Dan. Just the other day! It’s great to take the positives from this and renew old acquaintances.

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    1. It was fun, Jo. We laughed about it, which seemed a bit inappropriate for a celebration of life, but I remember the woman as having had a strong sense of humor.

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  2. OMG…. BACK IN TE EIGHTIES? Well that makes me a mega antique!

    lovely photos especially your quote with the flag 💜

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    1. I know! The guy said it like it would seem ancient to all present.

      I add that quote to the flag photos more often during election years. It seems someone always tries to co opt the flag for “their side.” I don’t care what side anyone is on, but this flag is at the Veterans Memorial, and I think of my father and my father-in-law when I’m there. My dad fought in the Pacific. My FiL served in Europe. They fought to preserve freedom for everyone.

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      1. yes indeed Dan they did and we all owe a huge debt of thanks to them …. One flag for all is a wonderful thought 💜

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    1. Thanks for adding that, Willow. I was going to add “Your Mother Should Know” at the end, but I forgot.

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      1. Lol I forgot too ….it must be our great ages 😊😊😊

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        1. Haha – I did go back and add it.

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  3. I laugh when people say the 80’s were a long time ago, and then I remember I got married in ‘84 and that was 40 years ago. Sigh…
    Good thing there are morning bunnies to cheer me up.
    😉

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    1. Yeah, I moved to Connecticut in 1981. We were married in ’83. Oh well, we’re still here.

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  4. Is that a slight blush at the tip of the Beauty of Moscow? That is so gorgeous! This custom of a celebration of life is such a good thing, isn’t it? It doesn’t deny the grief, but it helps to balance the loss.

    As for the 80s, I scoff. They were yesterday, yet my grandson thinks they began recorded history. A couple years ago, we were at a choral concert at his high school, and I leaned over to him and told him that I’d sung that exact song in college but without the dancing. He said, with undisguised disdain, “But that was in the 80s!” Think again, kid! That was in the 60s! If you want to speak of old stuff to me, you’d better be talking about the pyramids of Giza.

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    1. Oh, Maureen. Now I’m spitting coffee.

      I’m not sure of the color (not my specialty) but there is an underlying pink-ish base to the Beauty of Moscow.

      It was good to get together and share a few favorite memories of this woman. She worked for me, providing tech-support. She always had a smile on her face and a kind word to share. I don’t know how she did it.

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      1. God bless people like that! (I’d let you borrow my keyboard rag, but I don’t dare be without it.)

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        1. Paper towels will have to do.

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    2. Maureen–you are on fire today! So made me laugh!! 🤣

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      1. Good. I’m glad others understand about what’s “old.”

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      2. She’s after my keyboard, Lois.

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        1. haha! I saw that!

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  5. That’s like the day I was in a record store, nd overheard a teen asking another “Did you know Paul McCartney was in a band before Wings?”

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    1. Before Wings? Imagine that.

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  6. Murphy's Law Avatar
    Murphy’s Law

    I laughed out loud at your one liner Dan! I guess your friend would probably think I attended Methuselahs baby shower!

    I like the ‘celebration of life’ way of looking at someone’s passing.

    All the lilacs are a thing of beauty, especially on this really dark, rainy morning. Love the shot of that bird coming in for a landing.

    The bunnies are so cute. I had one yesterday morning that never moved while I was feeding the birds. He just watched me, then turned back to my Allysum and continued eating!

    Always enjoy seeing Old Glory.

    Happy Hump Day Dan. Good day for indoor projects.

    Ginger🦋

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    1. You brought danger to my keyboard with that baby shower comment, Ginger.

      The number of celebrations of life increased during/after Covid, when people couldn’t get together or when a traditional funeral service became a “super spreader” event. It was nice to share some happy memories.

      The lilacs are just about ready to call it quits, but the Beauty of Moscow ones are going out in a blaze of glory. They are so pretty against the sky.

      We have had two and three bunnies in the yard at the same time. The babies run, but the mom bunnies just sit and nibble.

      May brings Memorial Day, so I think about the veterans I knew, more often as I visit the park. We all share their legacy, and none of us should forget.

      I hope you have a good day – up and over the hump.

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  7. Such a nice neighborhood, Dan!

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    1. Thanks GP. the pictures lie a little, but it’s generally a pleasant walk in the morning

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  8. 80s! My teenage was in the 60s – I’m positively ancient. Love the first shot. It’d make a good postcard.

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    1. Yeah, we’re on the high side of retro. Thsnjs

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  9. Ha, Dan! 😂 Yes, the ’80s don’t seem that long ago. If Retro Junk had a first edition of “Huckleberry Finn” from the 1880s, THAT would be long ago.

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    1. They might not even realize it was worth anything, Dave.

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      1. That would be unfortunate for them…

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        1. You see those things on Antiques Roadshow – “I bought this for $15…” and it’s worth thousands.

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          1. I have definitely read about that happening!

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  10. Old stuff–back in the eighties? That whippersnapper! Great one-liner.

    Your flowers are beautiful. We have had so much rain here lately, it seems my trees have grown so much, but now the branches are blocking the sun to some of my plants, so I need to get out there this weekend and trim them up.

    I love your photos of the Beauty of Moscow. That has got to be the prettiest lilac I have ever seen.

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    1. It’s starting to fade today. But they had a good run this year.

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  11. I especially liked the photo of the Moscow lilac.

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    1. Thanks Frank. Those are beautiful.

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  12. I found both bunnies before I saw the close-up! I miss the azaleas from our home in southeast Texas. I hope wherever we land in the future, we have azaleas and gardenia in our yard. 😊

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    1. We weren’t sure the azalea would survive. But it’s nicer this year than ever.

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      1. Maybe because you had a rainy season?

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        1. Maybe – we certainly had a lot of rain his year.

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  13. Yeah, I don’t like to think how long it’s been since we were in the eighties. It’s “the good old days” for some, but it was my favorite rock era, the days when MTV played videos 24/7, when I could get up off the floor a lot easier…lol.

    Sorry about your former co-worker. I attended a funeral for a former colleague three weeks ago, who passed at the age of 50 from cancer. Far too young and she left behind a 17 year old daughter. Heart breaking.

    But this is the time we are grateful for spring, our flowering spaces, and the breath of life. Right Dan?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Grateful for every day and every new season, Mary. I miss MTV the way it was.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Back to the ’80s 😂😂😂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Glad I could make you laugh

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  15. Sending condolences on the loss of your former co-worker and glad you and the others were able to reconnect while honoring the life of your colleague. Loved the images of the white azaleas and lilacs. They were especially lovely.

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    1. Thanks. The woman whose life we were celebrating was very special, and gone too soon.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. I would LOVE to check out Retro Junk. If they had a 8-track player or a Beta video player (before VHS) that would bring back memories.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That would be a bit before the 80s, at least for the 8-track, but who knows what people saved.

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  17. It’s difficult to think of the 80s as being retro, but it is!

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  18. Waaaayyyyyy back in the 80s. Ouch!

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    1. Yeah. We might have to send Steffie to visit this guy.

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  19. That remark got a simultaneous groan and ouch!

    If there can’t be a little humor and a laugh or two, even a good belly laugh, then calling it a Celebration of Life is hypocrisy. That’s my one liner. Hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I think you’re right, Teagan. The woman would have enjoyed hearing us laugh.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Stuff dating back to the 80’s…owww, that hurt a bit, Dan. The only thing better than one bunny in the yard…two. The lone dandelion shot made me smile.😊

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    1. Yeah it did hurt a bit, Bruce. The bunnies are happy here. They’ve eaten most of our dandelions, but I still find them near the park.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Oh dear – as far back as the eighties – we are in the retro junk phase of life! Love those lilacs! Save me a few!

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    1. Ha ha – yeah, we’re way beyond retro, Jan.

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  22. Being 77 I’m used to that. My kids graduated high school in the 80’s😂

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    1. So they’re retro, too :-)

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  23. Ha! I’ve got kids older than the 80s and I was born in the 50s, so that would be REALLY old! :) Great photos!

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    1. I’m with you, Jan. Born in the ’50s way beyond retro.

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  24. Sorry for your loss. Now, I’ll pull the afghan over my head thinking about the ‘old 80’s.’ :-)

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    1. Ha ha – I’ll add you to the list of people almost making me spill (at this point) tea. It’s cool to be retro, Judy.

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  25. Enjoyed the photos but the pairing of “old” and “eighties” made me laugh. Of course, it might be different if the 80’s referred to meant age.

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    1. Thanks Janet. It’s hard being retro ;-)

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      1. I think I’ll say I’m retro, rather than old/older. :-) Sounds much better.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. It is a nicer word :-)

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  26. Ancient history. Perfect song. (K)

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    1. Someone commented that that song was a hit before their mother was born 😏

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      1. We are dinosaurs.

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  27. The Spring colors are pretty Dan. Now, at 68 I feel like a relic. It is like reading the definition of “middle aged” – really?!

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    1. I’m a couple years more retro than that, Linda

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    2. I clicked on ‘Send’ by accident (old people do things like that). I’m glad you enjoyed the photos.

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      1. Yes I do that too Dan. I did enjoy them. Spring is a beautiful time of year.

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  28. Gwen M. Plano Avatar
    Gwen M. Plano

    Gorgeous photos, Dan, and I love your ‘one-liner’. 80s? – Seems like only yesterday. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Gwen. Seriously, the 80s don’t seem retro to me.

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  29. HI Dan, this is hilarious. Was your friend younger than you by any chance?

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    1. He is much younger, Robbie. But his retro days will come.

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  30. Hi Dan – yes … I keep coming up ‘against’ things that are ancient – yet wisdom is older isn’t it?! Love the photos and the video … mother should know, but she’s not here anymore either. So much has changed – yet I suspect we’re not different to other eras – we just get the news much earlier c/o that little net thing! Cheers Hilary

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    1. That’s true, Hilary, and we’re getting more “news” than every before. I sometimes think that times haven’t changed all that much, it’s just that we’re made aware of things we never would have known before.

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  31. “Way” back in the 80’s, eh? Bloody hell… ;-)

    Beautiful photos, Dan. Love me some lilacs and I miss my lily of the valley!

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    1. I know. It’s amazing how they lived back then.

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      1. The difficulties were endless!! ;-)

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  32. Hilarious one-liner… also a little off-putting to think of the 80s as old stuff… but funny overall.

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    1. Yeah, it was hard to take. Maybe ‘retro’ is better than ‘old.’

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  33. Pics are great and the minute I saw “Magical Mystery Tour”, the songs were going through my head….ok I just admitted my age bracket!! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Someone above replied “That song was a hit before my mother was born.” Yeah, well, get off my lawn.

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  34. Sorry for your loss, Dan. I pray visiting with your coworkers helped you all feel a little closer to your friend. Hugs.

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    1. Thanks Audrey. I only had four people in my department. All of them were younger than me, and two have passed away since I retired. Retirement is an exit, but usually the door remains open. Now it feels like it’s closed.

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      1. My heart goes out to you, Dan. I’m happy you find fulfillment here with your writing and community of authors/artists.

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  35. Love the one-liner!

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