When was the last time you had a lollipop?

For me, it had been so long I can91裸聊视频檛 remember. So when the chance presented it recently, I took it.

I had purchased a kid91裸聊视频檚 meal at a fast food place for the rapidly growing 12-year-old in our house.

Turns out, it wasn91裸聊视频檛 nearly enough for his ravenous appetite, but that91裸聊视频檚 a story for another day.

Within that 91裸聊视频榯astes good, not so good for you91裸聊视频� package was a lollipop.

He left it behind.

91裸聊视频淵ou want that?91裸聊视频� I asked.

91裸聊视频淣o. Help yourself.91裸聊视频�

91裸聊视频淢ost excellent,91裸聊视频� I thought.

I took off its plastic cover, got in one furtive lick before the other ravenous beast in the house 91裸聊视频� the dog 91裸聊视频� came rumbling over to see if it was a treat for him.

As I tried to slip past him, I dropped the lollipop.

Shouting 91裸聊视频渘o91裸聊视频� at the dog, I grabbed quickly for the candy.

My internal monologue automatically went 91裸聊视频渇ive-second rule.91裸聊视频�

That rule, of course, being the old adage that if you drop some food but pick it up within five seconds, there won91裸聊视频檛 be enough time for nasty bacteria to attack.

I can still remember the exact minute I first heard the term. I was maybe five, and my Gramps was passing me a burger made on the barbecue. I dropped it and became instantly sad.

Gramps pounced, much like I did many times later in life, scooped it up and proclaimed 91裸聊视频渇ive-second rule.91裸聊视频�

He explained it to me and I happily ate the burger with no ill effects.

I also didn91裸聊视频檛 understand how a little dirt would put hair on my chest, but I didn91裸聊视频檛 question that either.

Now, we91裸聊视频檙e able to immediately look up things like this, and I can quickly learn that scientific studies have shown that bacteria can transfer to food almost instantly upon contact with contaminated surfaces, regardless of how quickly you pick it up.

Dang.

Even knowing that, I still just gave the lollipop a quick rinse, finished it in about two chomps and that was that.

It got me wondering what type of other old gems of advice we used to get, and how they stand up today.

Remember 91裸聊视频渄on91裸聊视频檛 sit within six feet of the TV or you91裸聊视频檒l go blind91裸聊视频�?

The parents said this, conveniently ignoring the fact we had to lie on the ground right in front of the TV to be low enough to avoid the cloud of toxic cigarette smoke that filled the room.

91裸聊视频淒on91裸聊视频檛 go outside with wet hair; you91裸聊视频檒l catch a cold.91裸聊视频�

I still think about that every time I go out after hopping in the shower 91裸聊视频� even after looking it up and seeing colds are caused by viruses, not temperature exposure.

91裸聊视频淓ating carrots will improve your eyesight.91裸聊视频�

Maybe partially true, since Vitamin A is good for eye health, but I questioned that right from the start.

91裸聊视频淢um, how come you need glasses but you91裸聊视频檙e always eating carrots?91裸聊视频�

91裸聊视频淗ow come Bugs Bunny can91裸聊视频檛 see like Superman?91裸聊视频�

READ MORE:

Another one:

91裸聊视频淚f you cross your eyes, they91裸聊视频檒l stay that way.91裸聊视频�

This may have been meant to make me stop making goofy faces at my sister but even then I knew my eyes wouldn91裸聊视频檛 stay that way.

How did I know?

Because I went into the bathroom and timed how long I could hold the silly pose, and nothing happened.

91裸聊视频淒on91裸聊视频檛 swallow gum; it takes seven years to digest.91裸聊视频�

This one was kind of scary.

I remember accidentally swallowing gum a few times as a kid and thinking it would be lodge in there and block things up. Today, I learn that you may not be able to digest it, but it proceeds through just like anything else.

Whew.

Along the same lines: 91裸聊视频淚f you swallow watermelon seeds they will grow in your stomach.91裸聊视频�

This was also mildly scary, but watermelon was so good it was worth the risk.

91裸聊视频淐racking your knuckles causes arthritis.91裸聊视频�

Strictly designed to make you stop making the annoying sounds. For one, I didn91裸聊视频檛 know what arthritis was. But two, I do have arthritic knees, so maybe there was something there.

Can you remember old tales like that your parents told you? I91裸聊视频檇 love to hear them.

PQB News/VI Free Daily editor Philip Wolf welcomes your questions, comments and story ideas. He can be reached at 250-905-0019 or by email at philip.wolf@blackpress.ca.