1974 and the tooth fairy had come in the night leaving 25 cents under my pillow!

Saturday was movie matinee day and theaters allowed kids to bring a sack of candy.

With my quarter in hand, I would walk with my siblibgs to the backyard of a neighbors house, down the dirt trails, across the “crick” (it was Utah, I apologise. I also still say ‘potato bug’)…

up the next dirt trail to Kings grocery store.

Within easy reach of germy hands and floor dust were the delightful array of “penny candies”:

There were many that probably had a low germ count because no kid in a right state-of-mind would touch them:

buttons on sheets
smarties

The cool, germ-laden candy:

*miniature plastic sleeves of malt-balls
*raspberry-shaped gummies in yellow
*wax cola bottles filled with syrup

and the mother of all penny candy:
SWEDISH FISH

image modified from bettervapes.com

I would mull over the same candies each time and always pick the swedish fish.

The man at the counter would put them in a small white sack and fold over the top. A perfect little bundle of sugar that i would savour during the films.

I had no idea of the value of money at this age. The 25 cents then is worth $1.18 today.

That’s alot of dough when I’m looking at the new 2014 grownup “candy store” (app store or google play store).

For less than a bag of swedish fish, I can buy someone else’s creation that makes my life better.

Example:
Sleep cycle app

This little baby is a super alarm for those of us who struggle with mornings.

I love the gentle alarm sounds and fall-asleep help (‘Marimba’ no more!)

Mostly I love that i just have to touch the phone to snooze.

The point of all this?

I realise now that paying for some apps can be a good thing for something that is fun, helpful and rewards someone for doing a good job.

And doesn’t give me cavities…