nostalgia – Ruth E. Hendricks Photography

Did You Ever Own a Metal Lunchbox?

They were banned in schools in the 1970s after parents complained they were used as weapons and caused serious head injuries. Their history is here from the first Hopalong Cassidy box, to the the last of Rambo Sylvester Stallone model.

I had a red Stewart plaid one in third grade that I remember, complete with a thermos. There were no ice packs included, ever.

The Antique Trader attributes the popularity of metal lunchboxes to television.

Take a tour of the museum with this YouTube video if you can’t get to Columbus Georgia.

Allen Woodall’s Lunchbox Museum in Columbus, Georgia…..has More than 3,000 lunchboxes and 1,000 thermoses sit on floor-to-ceiling shelves that line the walls. Others hang from the ceiling

Mr Woodall has written an encyclopedia shown below

You can get a pricing guide if you want to start a metal lunchbox collection

September 12, 2023September 12, 2023 by Ruth Categories: PhotographyTags: Allen Woodall, childhood, collection, lunch box, lunchbox museum, metal, metal lunch box, museum, nostalgia, photography, postaday, school, television, vintage 14 Comments

Paper Dolls Found in Downtown Pittsburgh

The other day I took a bus downtown (Senior Citizen perk= free bus pass) and went to S.W, Randall Toys Store on Smithfield Street. I climbed to the the doll floor on three, looking for a fresh doll outfit for a 14 year old doll when I came upon a two sided display of a variety of paper dolls.

I remember cutting out paper dolls when I was young. So careful not to ruin them and cut off the little white tabs you needed to fold over to hold the clothes onto the doll. Sometimes tape was involved.

A looooong time ago. I had no idea all these different paper dolls were available in 20I asked the sales clerk if I could photograph them and she said sure but now I’m wishing I opened them up and peeked inside and photographed the dolls and clothes. Going to have to plan a return trip downtown.

I considered buying a book of them- many choices. Wondered who is playing with paperdolls nowadays.

Do kids even know about paper dolls? I talked with a friend today and she said she cut out magazine fashion and made up clothes out of the magazines. I relied on the printed and dotted lines to cut around. I can picture a little doll with a full white slip on- waiting to be dressed. Modest!

September 26, 2017 by Ruth Categories: PhotographyTags: bus, bus pass, childhood, doll clothes, dolls, downtown, fashion, iPhone photography, nostalgia, paper dolls, photography, Pittsburgh PA, play, postaday, retro, S.W. Randall Toys, toy store, toys, vintage 18 Comments

Oh, they were so much younger then (me, too)

Photographed by Herr Spahn in 1985

Grafenwoehr, Germany

I smocked the frame (and Laura’s dress)

Mark Matthew and Laura

Weekly Photo Challenge Nostalgia

October 2, 2016October 2, 2016 by Ruth Categories: Childhood, Family, Photography, Weekly Photo ChallengeTags: Bavaria, childhood, children, Christmas dress, daughter, family, Frau Spahn, grafenwoehr germany, Herr Spahn, motherhood, nostalgia, photographer, portrait, postaday, Santa, smocking, sons, Spahn, technology 31 Comments

Our Dad’s Shoes

-are at my sister’s in NYC and they’re on top of our grandmother’s mirror. Nostalgia post 2

Worn such a long time ago.

WordPress Photo Challenge

Roy Joseph Hendricks

Born in Farmersville, Illinois February 26,1912

(Different shoes in the photo)

October 1, 2016October 2, 2016 by Ruth Categories: Childhood, Photography, Weekly Photo ChallengeTags: baby, Dad, family, father, memories, nostalgia, old- fashioned, photography, postaday, shoes, vintage 15 Comments

What I’ll long for, come winter

In February, I’ll be filled with Nostalgia for a vine ripened summer tomato. You can taste the sun. A little salt and freshly ground pepper bring out the flavor.

My sister bought this one at the Union Square market today. Booths were filled with pumpkins, gourds and jugs of apple cider.

There’s no replacement for a summer tomato.

September 30, 2016 by Ruth Categories: Photography, Weekly Photo ChallengeTags: eating and cooking, food, garden, nostalgia, photography, postaday, salt and pepper, summer, tomato, vine-ripened 15 Comments

TOYS of the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s Exhibit

Heinz History Center- downtown Pittsburgh

A sampling of the exhibit. I went with the Retired Teachers after a luncheon at Lidia’s.

Memories of childhood in America.

Here are a few-Erector sets and Tinker Toys. Lincoln Logs. Slinky and Etch-a-Sketch, Pac Man and Star Wars. Barbie dolls and GI Joe. Mr. Potato Head and trolls. Spirograph and Cootie. Howdy Doody, Hopalong Cassidy and Roy Rogers.

Maybe you’ll recognize one of your toys from your childhood.

March 11, 2016 by Ruth Categories: PhotographyTags: cootie, dolls, history, iPhone photography, nostalgia, Pittsburgh, postaday, retro, slinky, toys, twister, vintage 16 Comments

Do You Have a Sentimental Toy from Childhood?

Laura asked me if I could find Ned. That wasn’t his name when he was purchased in 1987.

She received this Cabbage Patch Premie for her fourth birthday.

I dug around in a closet and found him, a little soiled on his feet and hands. I washed him and then his little outfit.

When I was soaking the doll hands in the suds, it looked as if he was washing his own clothes and diaper.

I’ll take him out to Laura when I visit.

Before getting a bath

February 23, 2015 by Ruth Categories: PhotographyTags: Cabbage Patch, casino, childhood, doll, family, kitchen sink, nostalgia, photography, postaday, pyrex bowl, toy 8 Comments

My Go-To Comfort Food

Comfort food.

“Comfort foods may be consumed to positively pique emotions, to relieve negative psychological effects or to increase positive feelings.[4] The term was first used, according to Webster’s Dictionary, in 1977.” Wikipedia

A topic I study and explore from time to time. Take a poll.

In fact, i asked this question just last December.

I was with a friend on Saturday and we were talking about eating in response to stress.

His choice? a pint of Ben and Jerry’s (i forget which flavor)

It’s a new school year.

Grilled cheese on stove and plate below.

“Comfort food is traditionally eaten food which often provides a nostalgic or sentimental feeling to the person eating it,[1] frequently with a high carbohydrate level and a simple preparation.[2] The nostalgic element most comfort food has, may be specific to either the individual or a specific culture.[3]” Wikipedia

Yes, that is a slice of summer tomato on Laura’s Birthday grilled cheese dinner. I asked her what she would like me to make for her birthday (they were in town for Celeste and Shawn’s wedding weekend)

September 8, 2014 by Ruth Categories: Cooking and Eating, FamilyTags: comfort food, cooking, eating, food, grilled cheese sandwich, nostalgia, photography, pleasure, postaday, stress 18 Comments

JFK- Man of the Sixties

My father went to JFK’s inauguration- took a train to DC in the bitter, cold weather. This button is one of the souvenirs he brought back home.

In 1963 I was in sixth grade. I remember it like yesterday .

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5:30 AM edit

My son Mark just sent me the following photos of my father’s memorabilia he has at his home in Ohio. I am adding them to the post now.

He is looking for the photos he has of the grandchildren at the Arlington gravesite.

Mark had all of his grandfather’s JFK memorabilia

put into a frame.

November 22, 2013November 22, 2013 by Ruth Categories: Childhood, Family, PhotographyTags: 1960, 1963, anniversary, assassination, family, history, Inauguration Button, JFK, Life magazine cover JFK, memories, nostalgia, Nov 22 1963, photography, politics, President John F Kennendy, retro, souvenir 21 Comments

Maura Clare is Five

Happy Fifth Birthday Maura Clare. November 17th 2008 was a very happy day in the family because you were born!Enjoy your day. Here are some of my favorite photos I chose for the blog today.

Love,

Grandma Ruthie

Buckeye Baby- Not even 24 hours old in this shot.