It is that time of year again....a time when kids return to school. Seems like it gets earlier every year. Every year I think back to my own childhood and remember Blue Horse Notebooks and loose leaf paper. Does any one else remember them? I don't know that there was anything special about them...just that they were what was available. I think we got points to redeem for things, but don't actually ever remember getting anything with them. I know I had at least one 3-ring binder that had that blue horse on the inside cover...it was the hard canvas type. And it had the little clip at the top of the front cover on the inside to hold your pencil....I was describing it to Roger and he had forgotten all about it.
When we were kids, there was not near the variety of things that is available now...we were lucky to get basic pencils and paper. I don't know what happened one year...I don't know if mom had a hard time getting to town or what, but when I was in second grade, I don't know how many days I had to borrow paper, and I think I got it all from one girl. I always think of her and how kind that she never got mean about it.
And when we were in the younger grades, I can remember all of us having our lessons returned to us, and we all used the back side of them and did another lesson on them. It wasn't just me, but I think most of us. We were 'green' before that was the in-thing to be.
I remember standing and almost drooling over pencils and paper back then, and after I got older every now and then mom would let me splurge on a sketch book...and I am not an artist. Don't have that gift at all as far as drawing and sketching...but I still liked to try.
And does anyone remember that back in our day, there used to be binders which held the paper at the top. And you could actually buy paper that had the holes at the top. The front cover flipped over to the back...and it was not rings that held the paper but plastic posts. And they had a little compartment to put a pencil or two. You raised the 'lid' to put the paper on the posts, or to get to your pencil.
I can still spend hours looking at these things...you don't want to take me to Staples or Office Max! For me, they hold untold treasures. I can never leave without buying some little something...even if it is just pens. But you can bet I want to spend more, though, just I don't have the excuse to get it. And in addition to the pens, paper, notebooks etc...there is also computer stuff to be picked up and looked at and read about...
I'm right there with ya. I love browsing in the office supply stores as well.
ReplyDeleteHi Rose, I remember Blue Horse WELL.... What memories!!!!! I hadn't thought about Blue Horse in a long time.... Wow!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was working fulltime---I accumulated lots of 'school supplies' (which I had bought myself during sales)... SO--I boxed it all up --and carried it with me to TN... Even today, we are still using some of those old school supplies... Everything is much more expensive these days.
Hugs,
Betsy
Office supply stores are great places! Too many temptations there though. :) I still like to write notes to myself with pencils on paper even though I should probably act like a grownup and use a pen.
ReplyDeleteAh, yes, I remember these things. I also remember we went back to school the first week in September. It seems so strange to see the kids going so early, but I guess some of the parents think that is just fine. :)
ReplyDeleteback to school....so glad it's just a memory!!!
ReplyDeletei can spend hours in staples, it's kinda like a candy store for me!!!!
I don't share the school supply memories, but I enjoy yours. What I recall fondly are the new clothes. We didn't start until September and so the clothes weren't shorts & t-shirts.
ReplyDeleteYou and me both, I could spend hours in Staples! I even love to smell the crayons, pencils, and erasers! It was the best part about going back to school, no, the ONLY good part. I do remember the pencil keeper at the top of the post notebook!
ReplyDeleteI still get a thrill when I see all of the new school supplies!
ReplyDeleteI never heard of the Blue Horse brand, so maybe that was a southern thing. I grew up in Indianapolis. I never had the notebooks with the paper attached at the top either, but have seen them. I love looking at all the school stuff, too and enjoy the colored pencils and anything to do with writing or drawing. I drool over journals, but have several empty ones that I need to use before buying more :-) I guess it is the writer in us.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting trip down memory lane along with the pencil pictures. I too and amazed at the amount and variety of school things available everywhere. Nice post.
ReplyDeleteMy grandson started back yesterday and I think I am more excited than he is!
ReplyDeleteHi, yes I remember the Blue Horse Writing Tablet! In fact, I still have some stored. Everybody in my family cut and saved them, but I don't remember anyone redeeming them. I'll look for the box and post a pic asap!
ReplyDeleteYEP; my Mother & Grandmother, both worked for Blue Horse in Atlanta in the 60s. We had a store in our school: run by the 6th graders in order to raise $$ for the 'Washington DC trip'. They sold pencils & filler paper, etc
ReplyDelete