Well put. Harrumph. I'm 59 and had to endure the duck and cover silliness, which was both frightening and funny for fifth graders like me.

I learned to drive in my parents' maroon DS 23 Pallas. Pure joy. I can still smell the leather. Marvelous car.

My favorite memory from the bad old days, circa 1989, on 88th Street and Fifth Avenue—not exactly a rough neighborhood: Golf with the usual "No radio in car" sign. Smashed rear window and below the words, the vandal had written "Just checking."

My favorite memory from the bad old days, circa 1989, on 88th Street and Fifth Avenue—not exactly a rough neighborhood: Golf with the usual "No radio in car" sign. Smashed rear window and below the words, the vandal had written "Just checking."