  Effective field theories are recognized nowadays as the framework to describe
low-energy nuclear structure and reactions consistently with the underlying
theory of the strong interactions, QCD. It was not always so. As we celebrate
the 30 years of the first publications, I collect here some memories from those
early days. I also discuss some of the key issues that were raised back then
and, despite all progress, are still with us. Dedicated to the memory of Steven
Weinberg, whose ideas will not die, wherever they may lead.
