Ditto Jeans? Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots? Sea Monkeys?  If any of these sound vaguely familiar you may have found your people. More on that shortly. All my life, I’ve never completely identified with “Baby Boomers” even though according to federal statistics, I am one. It’s just that there’s a BIG difference between 1946 and 1964. Boomers went to Vietnam and they partied at Woodstock in 1969. But me? In 1969 I was only six when we watched the moon-landing on our little black and white TV. I don’t remember the assassination of JFK but I vividly remember President Nixon throwing up double peace signs before boarding his plane to leave the White House when I was nine. 

In 1999, I read an article featuring cultural commentator Jonathon Pontell, who coined the term “Generation Jones” referring to the micro-generation cusp of babies born during the last 11 years of the prolific Baby Boom generation. Wait. That was ME! Suddenly, it all clicked!! Before then, I’d felt too young for Poodle Skirts but too old for the Grunge phase (thank goodness!)  Generation Jonesers came of age during the  Energy Crisis, joining the work force in the 70s and 80s. We yearned (Jonesed) for more. Then came the Izod-wearing “yuppies,” (remember that label?) who launched us into living large in the 80s, when our clothing was blindingly colorful and free love and recreational drugs flowed casually. We raced to surpass our parents’ simpler lifestyles. We became obsessed with keeping up with our peers, (the Joneses) mortgaging our lives away to buy pricey McMansions and proudly clothing our babies in designer onesies.   

And today? Ours is the youngest, hippest group of “elders” in history. Many of us are still working or even starting second careers/next chapters. We are definitely NOT the 60-year-olds our grandparents were! But Boomers are NOT to be dissed, I’m simply highlighting the micro-bubble in which we “late boomer” kids reside. So yes, here, you have found your tribe, the people who will “get it” when you confess you swiped a dollar from your dad’s wallet to send away for Pet Sea Monkeys, that you preferred Ditto Jeans to Gloria Vanderbilts, or that you accidentally broke your brother’s Rock-’em Sock-’em robots while trying to see what made their heads pop up (sorry Markie!)  you’re in the right place. These are your people. Perhaps we all ditched college statistics class to watch Luke & Laura’s wedding in 1981? (guilty) From our fads (Darren Bags, GASS shoes, mood rings and pet rocks) to the music, movies and TV shows that kept us entertained and shaped our youth, this blog is a celebration of our unique journey. Let’s talk about life, share memories and have some fun!