Category Archives: Suburbia
All American Barbecue
The Smell of Democracy in the Air Every July 4th our split level development would be shrouded by the smoke of burning charcoal, the sizzling smell of democracy was in the air. Besides a parade, nothing was more quintessentially American
All American Barbecue
The Smell of Democracy in the Air Every July 4th our split level development would be shrouded by the smoke of burning charcoal, the sizzling smell of democracy was in the air. Besides a parade, nothing was more quintessentially American
Kitchen Garden All Year Round
Thanks to war-time research and American know how, growing up in suburban mid-century America I would be the happy recipient of a veritable bushel basket of sun-kissed, vitamin rich fruits and vegetables. No other country we were told “has the
Kitchen Garden All Year Round
Thanks to war-time research and American know how, growing up in suburban mid-century America I would be the happy recipient of a veritable bushel basket of sun-kissed, vitamin rich fruits and vegetables. No other country we were told “has the
A Retro Fathers Day Fit for a King
Once upon a time, but not too long ago, all Dads were king. Not only for a measly third Sunday in June, but to believe the mid-century American advertiser, the head of the household was the sovereign ruler of his
A Retro Fathers Day Fit for a King
Once upon a time, but not too long ago, all Dads were king. Not only for a measly third Sunday in June, but to believe the mid-century American advertiser, the head of the household was the sovereign ruler of his
Selling the Nuclear Family
Has the selling of the 1950’s nuclear family finally reached it’s expiration date? In a consumer culture of unlimited choices, Madison Avenue has long sold only one brand of the American family…and it is now a bit shopworn. Never was
Selling the Nuclear Family
Has the selling of the 1950’s nuclear family finally reached it’s expiration date? In a consumer culture of unlimited choices, Madison Avenue has long sold only one brand of the American family…and it is now a bit shopworn. Never was
Nuclear Family Meltdown
The nuclear family was once as American as the nuclear bomb. But by the end of the 1960’s the nuclear family detonated along with our notion of marriage and motherhood. Parenting and partnering were not a priority for the newly
Nuclear Family Meltdown
The nuclear family was once as American as the nuclear bomb. But by the end of the 1960’s the nuclear family detonated along with our notion of marriage and motherhood. Parenting and partnering were not a priority for the newly
Like Mother, Like Daughter
Mid century mothers and daughters were clearly tied together not only by their apron strings but the same set of cultural expectations. Not only did they share darling matching outfits but the same sunny enthusiasm for household chores. And
Like Mother, Like Daughter
Mid century mothers and daughters were clearly tied together not only by their apron strings but the same set of cultural expectations. Not only did they share darling matching outfits but the same sunny enthusiasm for household chores. And
Post War Pesticides on Parade
Breathe Easier Mid Century America was the golden age of pesticides and it was love at first sight. Any thoughts about Earth Day and the environment lay far in the future. Thousands of new chemicals were put to use in
Post War Pesticides on Parade
Breathe Easier Mid Century America was the golden age of pesticides and it was love at first sight. Any thoughts about Earth Day and the environment lay far in the future. Thousands of new chemicals were put to use in
The Occidental Oriental
My Mom was one smart cookie…fortune cookie that is. When my mid-century Mom wanted to go exotic..she’d go Oriental and thanks to Chun King canned chow mein it was cantoneasy ! Like many mid-century housewives, when she wanted to add
The Occidental Oriental
My Mom was one smart cookie…fortune cookie that is. When my mid-century Mom wanted to go exotic..she’d go Oriental and thanks to Chun King canned chow mein it was cantoneasy ! Like many mid-century housewives, when she wanted to add
Decorating With DDT
Just as mid-century garden nurseries were busy preparing for spring, filling their shelves with packets of seeds and cans of DDT, so American parents were diligently decorating their baby nurseries with happy-go-lucky wallpaper coated with protective DDT. No April Fools!
Decorating With DDT
Just as mid-century garden nurseries were busy preparing for spring, filling their shelves with packets of seeds and cans of DDT, so American parents were diligently decorating their baby nurseries with happy-go-lucky wallpaper coated with protective DDT. No April Fools!
A Post-War Primer on Mother Nature
Birds and the Bees First day of spring conjures up a childhood filled with the anticipation of blooming flowers, budding trees and a haze of pesticides being sprayed across my suburban neighborhood. Talk about March Madness! By the time I
A Post-War Primer on Mother Nature
Birds and the Bees First day of spring conjures up a childhood filled with the anticipation of blooming flowers, budding trees and a haze of pesticides being sprayed across my suburban neighborhood. Talk about March Madness! By the time I
