This week I was charged with the responsibility of helping someone plan a 70th birthday party, and she wanted me to find an age-appropriate game(s). This endeavor led me to think about when I’d earned a bit of sense and was not as stupid as I was in prior years. Of course, my recent birthday reminded me I was well on my way to being 80 in four years, but in 1974, unlike my friend’s 70 year-old sister, I was 26.

Thankfully, Etsy offers a variety of printable games for a pittance, and I discovered what I did and did not recall 50 years later. I knew Richard Nixon resigned as President; I knew Muhammad Ali defeated George Foreman in Rumble in the Jungle, I knew Stephen King’s first published novel was Carrie, and I knew that Ray Stevens sang the iconic song, The Streak. (Who can forget, don’t look, Ethel!)

However, my greatest downfall were prices of goods in 1974. Even when I afforded myself a little leeway on guessing the right amount, without going over the actual, retail price, I failed miserably. A loaf of bread was 28 cents, a dozen eggs was 78 cents, a gallon of gas was 53 cents, and the average car cost $4,441. Ah, the good old days–when the minimum wage was $2.00 per hour!

At 76, though, I’ve no desire to return to 1974. I adore and embrace modern devices, such as the internet, cell phones, microwave ovens, streaming TV, and solar lighting. I love that Alexa plays any tune I request, and that Siri is my personal assistant. (Admittedly, I do wear a tie-dyed tee from my friend’s diner, re-watch Blazing Saddles, and sing along to Rikki Don’t Lose That Number.) Just don’t make me wear bell-bottoms again!