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3/2/2009
Now this is Middle America...
I think this is what demographers mean by “Middle America.” As some of you know, I’ve been visiting my mother-in-law the last couple of weeks to help with her meals, cleaning and just being company. At 91, she’s forged lovely friendships with fellow snowbirds retreating to her Florida mobile home park.
These folks may have 401(k)s, but those accounts probably don’t hold millions – or even hundreds of thousands. They are content with 400 square feet, afternoon walks to shuffleboard, horseshoes or the pool, Saturday night dances, Wednesday Bingo, Thursday euchre (10 tables!), Friday’s bridge game, vespers Sunday night and Sunday morning breakfast at the Elks Club.
The Elks Club – a pre-fab, low-lying metal building. Not much of an entrance and serious eating (and drinking) going on inside. Where the table signs broadcast “waitresses work only for tips” and 2 eggs, home-fries and a pancake is $2.25. Throw in a bloody mary for a buck and coffee for another 75 cents.
We joined our neighbors and 17 or 18 others for a raucous morning of (I say this respectfully) old folks wisdom – and not all of it G-rated. As you can imagine, 65 is young and conversation flows to how many prescription drugs are taken by whom.
My morning run is a cross-country trip – license plates from most any state in America (an Alaska, but no Hawaii or California), and Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia too. Many American flags are on display, including a few that bring the U.S. flag and the Canadian maple leaf side by side, all made in one piece. Is that kosher? Hmmm. Well, it’s a stirring sign of friendship, so flag etiquette be damned, I suppose.
Somehow I think these are not the middle income Americans our new President curries favor with.
There’s the prominent “Escapee” sign in the window of a Wisconsin-licensed motor home (as distinguished from the permanent “mobile homes” and still more ‘upscale’ “double-wides”) And the pilfered “NO PARKING - Snow Emergency Route” sign hammered ceremoniously into lush green lawn, surrounded with sparkling blossoms. And speaking of blossoms, the jasmine was heaven as those morning runs brought its rich, citrusy sweet scent to me here and there.
Middle America. Public showers if you need them and a laundromat, snowbirds and those yearlong residents who endure the hot summers and for one reason or another haven’t found their 1,500 (much less 2,000 or 3,000) square foot ranch in the suburbs. Where mobile homes are squeezed together with just barely room for a single-wide drive between. And grapefruits hang in baskets from the sheds and flagpoles.
Are times tough? The news at the Elks Club was that only one table was open at Applebee’s the night before, hopping with young people at midnight. Innocently enough, I asked the group gathered for those $1 “Bloodies” what affects they were feeling this winter from the recession. It was as if I was visiting from another planet. Blank stares. And finally an answer – “What? We’re retired…. “
I don’t know from whence cometh their incomes. I do know they don’t need much, thrilled with warm sunny weather and each other’s life’s lessons, joys and kindnesses.
Jo Egelhoff, FoxPolitics.net
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