What Laura and James Found While Digging in their Garden
It’s gardening season finally. Planting grass seed. Thinking about what vegetables to plant. James and Laura were preparing their garden and found this Old School original Fisher-Price Little People® girl. Wooden head. Wooden body.
I think she got transferred from my son and his wife’s house to my daughter and her husband’s house. Not by a bird but a grandchild. Will have to check and see if the same girl is living in two homes.
Awhile ago I did a post on the various generations of the Little People® I’d come across at the family’s house in Columbus.
No worries about choking hazard when these were manufactured. And here’s the crazy part. I discovered a site that identifies the Little People®.
From what I could determine she’s from late 60s early 70s. On the site she is listed as Occupation: Girl.
I think they are a match!
Here are the three generations from the October 2011 post
Black Pussywillow Branches Cast Wall Shadows
When we lived in Germany, we’d get Pussywillow with fuzzy gray shapes along the branch and hang wooden eggs and rabbit ornaments to make an Easter Tree.
Add MediaI’d never seen Black Pussywillows until Wednesday night at my friend J’s home. I was to take a photograph over to her and the evening turned into an impromptu supper. My crazy part is I went over without the picture I was to take. J followed me back to my house after we ate and got the photograph to take back to her own home but she didn’t seem to mind.
A great blog post about this unusual looking plant is here. The Latin name (Salix gracilistylus ‘Melanostachys’)
I can’t remember the name/type of ceramic vase holding the branches. (Taken with the iPhone)
A Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt and Friend- Remembering Theresa
She is going to be sorely missed. Wednesday and Thursday the family gathered in at Aunt Linda’s and Uncle Frank’s house. One neighbor next door brought over nut horns and apricot and cherry cookies, and the neighbor on the other side brought a Jell-o salad. There was ham and bean soup and a tray of baked stuffed shells, haluski, a chicken, hoagies from the Triangle Bar and lots of salad and fruit. There was laughter and tears and stories and sifting through the pictures of growing up. A round of hugs and kisses and fresh tears at every greeting and farewell. The family drove in from Ohio this afternoon. Doing schoolwork at the kitchen table, the little ones watching a dinosaur movie in the family room. Aunt Linda making everyone welcome with food and drink and hospitality.
A wonderful woman Allison at the Waterfront COSTCO printed an 8×10 memorial portrait just before closing time.
Friday the family will gather together at the Memorial Service.
Family and friends will be received from 10- 11:30 a.m. on Friday at the THOMAS L. NIED FUNERAL HOME, INC., 7441 Washington St., Swissvale. A Blessing Service will be held at the funeral home on Friday morning at 11 a.m.
http://www.niedfuneralhome.com
Send condolences at post-gazette.com/gb
Theresa, the sister of my daughter-in-law Erika’s mother, Marlene.
Theresa had a great sense of humor and a beautiful spirit. She adored her granddaughter. And one thing about Theresa, she spoke her mind!
Didn’t mind if you didn’t agree with her point of view. She’d present strong arguments for her stance.
Love and sympathy to all who loved her – dear daughters Shannon and Jaclyn and to her dear granddaughter Parker Rose.
And to her sweet sisters Linda, Marlene and Georgeann. Rest in Peace, Theresa.
Ready to go to the wedding. Mother of the Bride Theresa
The Four Sisters Picture L to R Georgeann, Linda, Marlene and Theresa
at Jaclyn and Mike’s wedding
I love this photograph. Don’t know who took it. Left to Right- Theresa, The Four Sisters’Mother Marion, Linda the Bride, Marlene and Georgeann
Growing Up- Mother Marion with Linda in the middle and Theresa on the left and Marlene on the right
I took this one at Erika and Mark’s home
Theresa with her daughters, Jaclyn and Shannon
With Granddaughter Parker Rose at her baptism.
Raggedy Duo in Public Domain But Does Anyone Play With Them Nowadays?
Never used nowadays lately but had to look it up to be sure I spelled it correctly.
While in Ohio this past weekend, I was helping sort through some toys in the playroom. Matchbox cars here, a duffel bag of puppets, strollers and baby dolls and a whole tub of action figures like Batman and Star Wars light sabers. A box of wooden blocks.
The grandchildren are growing up and many of the younger toys aren’t being played with and room needs to be made for new ventures.
These Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls were gifts from Great Aunt Bobbie when Anna(9) was born. They looked exactly the same way they have smiled at me for all these years. No change in expression. Just grinning. They looked almost brand new.
I took them upstairs and set them up in my father’s old oak rocker which is now in Mark’s office. They didn’t object to being photographed. I started thinking about rag dolls and how they aren’t trendy and I wondered if people are still buying them. These are lovingly handmade in Kansas City and I think of them as classics. Nostalgia sets in. (more…)
Studio 35- Oldest Independent Cinema & Drafthouse, Hosts Free Oscars Event in Clintonville
On my way to Laura and James’ house, I saw this cool theatre, Studio 35, and read the marquee. Pulled over to the curb and got out the camera. Thought it sounded like a fun evening. Took the shot from the car and the day was a gray one.
This theatre looks l like the ones I knew growing up. No theatre in Pittsburgh serves beer as far as I know.
My DIL was teasing about my getting home to watch the Oscars Sunday night, live stream on a computer as I have no TV that gets any channels. It is always fun to see the best and worst dressed though. A lot of hype in the media. But this image evokes nostalgia for me. One of these visits to Columbus I am going to have to go watch a movie here.
You Can Submit a Photo of a Photo to Dear Photograph
Today I received an email from my son’s FIL, Donald, about a photo concept and website- take a picture of an old photograph in the same location where it was taken. He must have seen it and knew it would be something I would enjoy looking at. Boy, I’ll say……………..
The website is Dear Photograph and now that I’ve gone and read about it all, I must be the last to hear about it.
Dear Photograph is all over the news. It was even on the TODAY show. There’s a book of photographs using this concept that the young author/photographer Taylor Jones has authored. Simple and satisfying. Touching and fun.
So I looked at what was done and thought I would dig out a few photographs and give it a try. I just skimmed the tip of the iceberg as I limited my search to one box and a single framed photo – the one of the family in front of the house is Fall 1991, the year we moved into the house. Laura was in the third grade, Matthew fifth and Mark a Sophomore in HS.
And then I tried it. I found it tricky to hold up the photo and shoot with one hand. These are shot with the iPhone camera. I’m sure with a bit of balancing and practice the outcome could be improved but it was fun and I enjoyed trying to capture the photo of the photo.
Here are the results. Thank you Taylor Jones for the cool inspiration. I know the blogging community probably knows all about you and your website already but I’m glad Donald sent me the link to your website this morning. See what you can come up with using your old photographs. Having moved9 times in 16 years, there are a lot of photos of places I can’t return to and take the shot.
My pans have changed a bit from the Farberware to the All-Clad. Not totally but the rack is the same. Different stove. I still have the vase, too.
Swivel Stools and Ice Cream Counter at Yetter’s in Millvale
It gets dark early these days. The interior of Yetter’s caught my eye after we parked and headed down Grant Ave to Sedgwick Street.
Steve and I were on our way to Panza Gallery for an art opening reception last Saturday night. Do you remember Millvale Days when I didn’t bring my camera and had to shoot with my phone? Well, we headed for the art opening and all I had was my phone to capture this scene at night.
Yetter’s is known for their homemade candies which you can mail order online although I must confess I have never eaten a chocolate covered potato chip. Just an old fashioned place with fresh candies and ice cream and delicious milkshakes.
Retro Storefront- Men’s Shop
New views on the way to school.
Brownsville Road, Mt. Oliver (which is a “borough surrounded entirely by the city of Pittsburgh.”)
100 Years Ago Today
Marian Van Sickle Hendricks
Born Durand Illinois
September 3, 1912
The one room school house photo with my mother as the teacher (in the back row left) was photographed September 13, 1930.
Written on the back of the photo – Barbara Sweet, Pearl Wallace, Jesse Shultz, Ellis Greene, Truman Sweet.
Front row, l to r, Glenn Greene, Laurence Judd, Edward Bratt, Truman Clark, Phyllis Sweet, Mildred Judd.
In the photos with her are her brothers John Rowley Van Sickle (1910) and Robert Eugene Van Sickle (1914) Her parents Judd Dewitt Van Sickle and Charlotte Rowley Van Sickle were married in 1908.
The doll, Maybelle is in my living room.
She married Roy Joseph Hendricks August 28, 1939.
I am the baby in the photograph with the 1952 Dodge Wayfarer and my sister Mary and brother David.
My mother passed September 7, 2000.
Like A Kodak Carousel
Last week before the photo opening, fellow photographer Andy told me he enjoys following the blog. He said my blog makes him think of a slideshow on the Kodak Carousel Projector and every day’s new photo is a different slide. Ektachrome slide film had such brilliant color.
Kodak Carousel evokes nostalgia most certainly. At least for my generation. Art History class in college and the professor would arrive with trays of slides.
The auditorium lights would dim. The projector made a distinctive sound.
A couple of days ago when the kids were home, they found an old carousel tray in the attic. The slides out of the slots but I plan to go through them and see what treasures they unearthed.
I know there are more trays of slides upstairs. And a projector in the back of some closet. A tiny screen folded up that made a memorable sound when raised like a shade.
Thanks Andy. I am sure there are many people who have trays of slides
Classic Cars – Grand Parade- Kick Off St. Raphael’s Bazaar
A police car. The Bomb Squad. A trolley. About 8 classic cars. Catch some candy and Mardi Gras beads. The Boy Scouts marched, then a Bagpipe and Drum group, the Morningside Cheerleaders.We had a lot of fun watching the parade in the Morningside neighborhood, not too far from home.
We went to the festival and the man in the information booth was a colleague from the first school I taught in the city -1989. Small world. We had a lot of fun and the grandkids loved the spin art and crafts in the Kid Zone. They loved jumping the bouncy house.
On the way home we drove to Giant Eagle and got ice cream and cones to eat at home. Fresh berries. Summer!
Scroll down for the slideshow.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Fleeting Moment
Fleeting- lasting for a very short time.
Laura’s 21st birthday.
August 2004.
We stopped in Klavon’s Ice Cream Parlor , originally a Pharmacy in the 1920′s, in the Strip District -Pittsburgh, on Saturday afternoon. (You might remember Laura as a bride last November and then the recent wedding photos 6 months later.)
The proprietor held a candle for her as she blew it out. Aunt Mary looked on. A fleeting moment.
For past challenges I have listed everyone and then some pingbacks were getting sent to their spam.
I will add the ones I have received so far and hopefully none go to their spam.
Fleeting Moments from a few of the fellow bloggers I follow- Weekly Photo Challenge: Fleeting Moment
Daily Post at WordPress to view other interpretations
Such Expressive (and Unexpected) Taxidermy
Beware of Fox!
It’s been up on this porch roof for at least a couple of days.
I was driving to the zoo from school on Monday.
The story I heard from the guy out in front of the house next door?
The guy who lives there does demolition and probably got it from some home he was tearing down. It is the season of demolition around the city as you know.
A photographer has no choice but to pull to the curb and shoot the scene. Remember the days of women’s stoles with fox heads dangling and tiny paws with claws? Beady eyes? Ugh. Wonder if they take him in if it rains?
The last book we read in 2nd grade Intervention Group was the Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue
One photo, spot on, would be just right. I usually have no problem choosing one image.
Until almost midnight on Monday night. Blue.
Yes, that is a leather bodice. NYC shop window. I was focusing on the shoes but the blue dress caught my eye when I was looking for a blue photo.
They Sat on a Davenport
with antimacassars…….
Marian VanSickle married Roy Joseph Hendricks August 1939 in Durand, Illinois
This is not their wedding photo but they look like newlyweds to me.
Buildings Demolished- A Sign Discovered
Converted to black and white to accompany this discovery.
A bit of research on the web and I found the photograph of the Fiore Family in their Larimer Meat Market.
I drove by just before sunset and was surprised to find some buildings missing. The ground covered with hay. And then I spied this wonderful sign. What a gift. Larimer used to be densely populated with Italian immigrants but this area is fairly desolate now. Vacant lots were restaurants and shops used to be. There are still homes in the area but lots of spaces in-between of what used to be there. About a mile from my house.
Only the automobiles in the photo give it a date. TODAY.
I hope some of their descendants find this post and write a comment.
copied and pasted from a Google Search.
General Grant’s 190th Birthday Party
We have interesting friends. Here’s a creative celebration Steve and I went to on Saturday night. What a fun event. Here are a few of the details. Hardtack crackers and dried black-eyed peas. The sheet music for Tenting Tonight on the piano. Photographs and books bearing the General’s likeness. A willingness to celebrate and have fun. A Prantl’s cake with five candles for his rank. I made Rice Pudding after reading that it was a favorite on the Presidents’ Food Timeline. Thanks Tim and Bernadette for being such welcoming hosts. We had a wonderful time!
Novelty Architecture-Bedford PA- The Coffee Pot
I imagine this scene has been captured thousands and thousands of times by passersby like myself.
And if you enjoy looking at the Coffee Pot there are plenty more structures to read about here
J Sets a Colorful Table for a Spring Supper
Mexican Chicken Stew, Spring Mix Salad with Cucumbers and Feta, Greek Salad dressing made with Olive Oil and Lemon Juice, Bread and Amish Butter
and Vanilla Cake with Chocolate Espresso Frosting
Everything was delicious!
Dan’s Classic All American DINER
Touts a jukebox and seats covered in red vinyl. 1881 South High Street Columbus OH
Urbanspoon gave it a 93 % positive rating. Check it out here. Next time I visit I will photograph the interior. Meatloaf and mashed potatoes or breakfast all day.
Maytag Repairman- Loneliest Guy in Town
There’s a bronze statue of an unemployed Maytag repairman in Newtown Iowa where they manufactured Maytag washing machines. Here is another view of the same statue in the snow. I was in Perla’s Appliances Plus Store in Swissvale, picking up a grill plate for my new stove they delivered last week and saw this statue of the lonely Maytag repairman. Turns out there are other figurines of the same theme in existence and are popular collectibles. I asked to blog it and they said fine by them, thank you! Do you remember Jesse White the character actor who first played the Maytag Repairman in a commercial in 1967?? There is a Youtube video of a Maytag Museum in Eaton CO if you want to see the collections of washing machines, some powered by gasoline and one actually has a meat grinder attachment. Wringers, rollers, drums, agitators, tubs, automatics and rack and pinion gearing, motors and spin cycles. But since the Maytag needed so few repairs, their authorized repairman was taught to carry a deck of cards to play solitaire as he was called so infrequently! 
Hat Cleaning
When was the last time you took a hat to be cleaned? Another shot from downtown Roanoke.
My son Mark spotted this signage across the street from the Weiner Stand. Unfortunately there were cars parked in front of the establishment so couldn’t get the whole storefront. Just made me wonder when the neon sign for Hat Cleaning was installed. Thanks Mark for pointing this one out for the blog post. I guess I could have included it in yesterday’s Downtown Roanoke slideshow but I think it can stand alone.
My father wore a hat. Mark has one of his grandfather’s hats his home office.
I think men in hats look distinguished. My cousin Jim likes hats. He liked the post of Meyer the Hatter in NOLA.
Maybe the sign is for women’s hats to be cleaned as well. I shouldn’t assume it’s for men’s hats.
Feller’s Garage Castle Shannon PA
Not sure of the fate of this structure. I did find a nice photo that someone took a year ago. This is just mine as I waited at the red light, taken with the iPhone.
Trackbacks & Pingbacks from fellow bloggers. You can check out how they responded to the challenge.
Flat Ruthie got in on it this week, too. Click here