Dead Dog Walkin'

My Big Ten Inch

2012-01-18T16:15:00.000-05:00

Records.

In with all the photos and papers I've been saving I found a stack of old vinyl 78's from the late 40's and 50's. My turntable (yes, I have a turntable) only does 33 and 45 like most modern record players...

Then, for Christmas, Santa managed to get me a vinyl to CD recorder. He even managed to find one that looks like an old wireless (so it looks good in my war room), and it plays all three speeds!

There's Tex Ritter and Little Booker and Happy Wilson. There's also Roy Rogers and Sons of the Pioneers and Gene Autry.

Then, while visiting a friend who runs an online auction house I found he had a small stack of 78's from the mid 40's.

I've been working my way through the country western, big band, blues and classical singles trying to categorize enough to burn on to CD's that don't just sound like mish-mash. It's a work in progress (as if I didn't have enough to do), but its a labor of love.

Side note, posting will be on the increase again as a few of my other projects have come to and end and the holidays are over.

2012-01-11T17:52:00.001-05:00

What A Caricature

2012-01-04T23:47:00.002-05:00

I met John Cox formerly of Cox&Forkum fame two summers ago at the Hysterics at Eric's birthday bash in rural Tennessee. Weird dude. Loads of fun, and one hell of an artist...
Anyway... TRQ saw this youtube video over at Jimbo's place featuring an interview with John and recognized John's talent for what it was. She asked me if I thought John would do a caricature of me for her.
I scratched my head and mumbled something along the lines of: "I don't really know him that well... wouldn't want to impose... &tc." So she dropped it.
Inside my head was: "Ding, ding, ding! Christmas present!"
So, I called John and he was 100% in. He chose a picture by the lovely and amazing Erica Sherman (also a hysterics guest) of me in my bowler cap and turned it into a super amazing gift. I (and Red) could not be more pleased. Click the caption to see the original photo.


by: John Cox

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T21:41:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

Heart Strings

2011-12-21T17:26:00.001-05:00

Photo by K-Nine

Whilst out Christmas shopping I happened to run across this abandoned banjo from the 1920's. I asked if it would care to come home with me.
"Meh" it said in a most uninterested way.
I touched its head and a muted but echoing snare drum sound sprang forth.
"Hmm?", said the Banjo.
I plucked gently at one of the two strings it had left and a louder than expected twang issued from its resonator.
"Ah..." the banjo sighed.
"Come with me," I cajoled. "Your life has not yet ended, you have but slept."
"Very well" replied the banjo, "but though I have slept, I am still greatly tired. I may never sing as you want me to."
Home we came and I tuned the remaining strings as best I could and I played simple melodies a single note at a time.
Then we went to the music store. "I knew it!" wailed the banjo. "It's been too long since I was loved".
"No," I soothed. "This is but a short trip from home."
The young man at the store offered to replace the head which was split and stained. I refused. Strings and tuning were all that I required I assured him.
Now the banjo sings. It feels at home with its neighbors of antiques and instruments and it is happy.

Presents

2011-12-18T16:02:00.001-05:00

Happy Pictures

2011-12-14T22:24:00.001-05:00

The Red Queen is up in NYC right now, soon to be winging it to the west coast. Sometimes when she's stressed she texts me and asks for "happy pictures". I usually do a series of the cast of the cast of characters she loves depending on where I am and what's happening. Tonight I happened to be in the kitchen with all our boys close by.

Mother Egan. Removed from the wall of one of my favorite Irish pubs (Mother Egan's) on the night they closed their doors for the last time. Mother now hangs in our kitchen, TRQ's favorite room in the house (for now)

Big Jack. TRQ's Bouvier. Notoriously camera shy, sometimes I can catch him in a pose that doesn't make him look like a big black shaggy blur. It's much like trying to get Bigfoot or Nessie to pose for you.

Merlin. Easy. He's as photogenic as he is arrogant.

Blue Jack. My boy.

And me. Sorry, it's been a long day.

We don't have to be happy in the pictures to make her happy... Thank God. I have two days left to get the living room ready for Christmas and I feel like I'm going Backwards. Argh. I may need a happy picture or two of my own pretty soon.

Oh Tannenbaum

2011-12-08T21:01:00.001-05:00

I never thought it was such a bad little tree. It's not bad at all, really. Maybe it just needs a little love.-Linus Van Pelt

Seventy Years...

2011-12-07T12:22:00.001-05:00

My Dad, Schofield Barracks ca. 1941

Negative Into A positive

2011-12-06T16:52:00.001-05:00

I have been experimenting with scanning old negatives and then manipulating them into real pictures. An inexact process considering I'm using equipment that wasn't designed for the task. I usually get a washed out blurry picture with a lot of background noise and a fingerprint or two.

Well no longer. Check this baby out.

The secret? Well, I noticed the scanner wasn't picking up the detail that I could see on the negatives. I was sorting negatives by holding them up to the window... picture against a clear blue sky... Just like... X-RAYS!

So. I took a sheet of white paper and placed it over a spotlight. Placed the negative on the paper and details were plainly visible. I then took a picture of said negative, uploaded it to the computer, clicked on negative image and... instant picture. almost no fuss, no muss and a MUCH clearer image. In fact I can now tell that this young lad is holding a 1950's model Sawyer Viewmaster.

Possibly, if my educated guesses are right, the very same Viewmaster that was once used to view this particular disk: Adventures of Sam Sawyer, Sam In The Land Of Ice. Sam was a character (clay without the mation) invented by Sawyer to increase the sales of Viewmasters. Disk 1 had him off to the moon long before NASA... Sadly not a disk I have.

Last trip home, Ma gave me MY old Viewmaster, itself probably a Christmas present. Now I can view my old disks of Tom and Jerry, The Six Million Dollar Man and Treasure Island as well as the disks that once belonged to the one in the picture of Sam Sawyer, Roy Rogers and baseball stars of the Major Leagues ca 1953.

Ghosts Of Christmas Past

2011-12-05T21:57:00.001-05:00

This is just a continuation of the old photos that I've been posting, I'm calling them ghosts because they are essentially abandoned memories. Several of these, this one included, are nothing more than negatives that I'm scanning and manipulating with equipment that isn't designed to do that. Many of them are poor quality. I don't care. They deserve to be appreciated again. Hope you enjoy. Merry Christmas!

Turkey Day

2011-11-24T22:11:00.001-05:00

I was gonna do this big long post about all the stuff I'm thankful for with pictures and everything... But I'm not.
It's too late.
Short list:
The Red Queen, whom I love dearly
Jack, an awesome dog
Hermanito, a great horse
Big Jack and Merlin, without whom life would be too easy
My family, who drive me nuts, but that's OK because we're all nuts in my family
My blog family... You know who you are
And last but not least, you my readers, thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!
It's a good life, mostly because it hasn't always been and now I know to appreciate it.

Not Photoshopped

2011-11-22T21:03:00.001-05:00

Photo by K-Nine

Puzzling

2011-11-20T21:46:00.001-05:00

I wasn't sure if this was a good idea or not. leave me a comment and let me know. If it's popular I'll do more of them. Good Luck!

Clarence

2011-11-20T21:28:00.001-05:00

Disapointed

2011-11-18T18:14:00.001-05:00

Very disapointed.

Photo by K-Nine

Jack models my antique spectacles which I just had refurbished.

Dogzilla!

2011-11-18T14:44:00.001-05:00

Photo by K-Nine

On The Bright Side

2011-11-18T10:43:00.001-05:00

Photo by K-Nine

I really don't have a post here. Merlin is on my good side as I came down to feed the dogs the other night and he presented me with a (thankfully dead this time) mouse. Plus, I'm still futzing around with the photography thing and this picture made me happy.

Hell, Elisson gets away with random fluffy cat posts, why can't I?

Holy Smokes

2011-11-17T14:34:00.001-05:00

Sad News from the state of Texas. I just got an email from my friend Jim about one of their dogs, Smokey. My first morning ever spent on their ranch, I awoke early and went out to breathe some morning air. I was greeted by Bud and Smokey. Bud came right up and jumped up on me, placing his huge paws on my shoulders (thank God I was wearing a heavy leather jacket) and looked me right in the eye. I was standing at the time. Disconcerting to say the least. Smokey on the other hand barked and barked... until I called her a very pretty girl. Then she came over and let me pet her, watching me until she was sure I wasn't after her goats. I still think she had some of the prettiest eyes I've ever seen on a dog. Here's his letter:

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam

Smokey passed away yesterday, she was 13. This is way past her average which is 10 for this breed. I bought her at a goat auction for $60, she was a Pyrenees/ Commodore mix. She was 6 weeks old and a little fluff ball. Her fur was smokey gray in color hence her name. She turned into a 100 pound+ dog. Bud our other Pyrenees took her under his wing and they became the best of friends, never once having a spat between them. They would roam the fields guarding and protecting the goats. Never once have we lost a goat to a predator. About 5 years ago she and Bud went into retirement. They would climb the fence out of the field and into the house yard to be with the other dogs and us. If they sensed any thing wrong they would stay with the goats. Bud would climb back over the fences every night to be with the goats but Smokey got to liking the good life at the house. When Bud died suddenly at 10 Smokey had a sense about it and immediately with out any interaction from us went back to the goats and stayed there till we got a new Pyrenees (Phil) and she trained him. When she was sure he was up to the task she retired again to the house. For a dog who lived in a goat barn most of her life she adopted to house living fast and well. She was house broken almost immediately. She always stayed in the kitchen and pantry- her choice, except when it thundered then she tried to crawl under our bed. In her latter years she became extremely afraid of thunder and didn't like to be out when it was dark. She was real lady like although it was hard to tell from her appearance. She would only take a cookie if you told her how " beautiful and pretty" she was and then ever so gently. She loved to be groomed allowing U to trim her and do her nails.

I knew her time was getting short as these last few weeks were hard for her to get around and she slept ALOT. Yesterday she couldn't get up or stay standing and she was crying from pain lying in certain positions. As hard as it was I knew it was time. She would go in and out of deep sleeps but when she was awake I spent time with her petting and talking to her and feeding her tortilla chips, cheese crackers, begging strips which she gobbled down. I know she enjoyed it. U could sense she knew her time was close. She's buried next to her friend Chimay, ( border collie) whom she liked to play with, in the night pasture with her goats. It is so empty here at the ranch without her. Janet and I miss her deeply.

Just My Type

2011-11-13T19:44:00.001-05:00

Did a living history today... There was a local photographer there that I had seen do a demonstration of tin-type photography last year. He was set up using original equipment. We had discussed having him do one of me in the past and I had hooked him up with other reenactors who had theirs done. So today I had my likeness made. Pretty cool, no?

Veteran's Day

2011-11-11T00:00:00.000-05:00

These images depict America's fighting men from just after the War between the states until Vietnam. God bless them and all of those that put their lives on the line for our freedoms.

Style

2011-11-10T18:06:00.001-05:00

McAdoo
And that's his first name!

Men's fashion has gone all to flinders. I wish I could dress like this and not be stared at... That's just class. One thing that continually bothers me: Why did men's hats go out of style but ties didn't? Ties are worthless bits of color, but a hat is a useful item. I'm glad they're coming back some. Note to men in hats, however; porkpies should only be worn by loose women and bookies. So says me.

This post is particularly for some loyal visitors that I see on my sitecounter every day. Live free or die! Thanks for being loyal, even when I don't post as much.

Projection

2011-11-10T17:32:00.001-05:00

Photo by K-Nine

I have a lot on my plate... And I seem to be taking very small bites. The house is coming along. Patch plaster here, clean exterior there, move tools, start again. The novel... Not so much. I have the story in my head, but I tend to over-do it on details. It doesn't flow like I'd like, not to mention writing time is at a premium. The reenacting season is over, but there are a couple of living histories and parades and parties yet to attend. Lastly, I'm supposed to be learning German. Rosetta stone rocks, but it's expensive and I feel guilty for not following through... but there's the house and the horses and the reenacting and the blog and I'm supposed to do a household budget for the new year and have the taxes ready by the new year and dogs to the park and exercising and shopping so we can eat healthier and cooking so the groceries we buy don't rot in the refrigerator while we eat out because there is no time!

Whew. I'm tired just from typing that.

The Red Queen is super stressed, but she is always super stressed... I'm the laid back one here. And then that seems to be a bad influence. Deep breath...

There may not be time for everything, but there is A time for everything... So, on to the next thing.

Photogenesis

2011-11-09T10:18:00.001-05:00

As a lot of you know, I was at a blogmeet in Tennessee recently. Wonderful people. A recap is coming soon... very soon.

One thing that has changed over the years of blogmeets (Our little group in particular) is that originally it was much like a bachelor party. A camera could get you killed. Since then as we have matured as friends as well as people, and now pictures are treasured and often posted as opposed to being used for blackmail.

Most of us are still point and shooters, or cameraphoners, but Elisson and Erica (at the very least) are accomplished photogs... and no insult to Elisson (especially since he was my 100 word stories mentor), but Erica has inspired me to start framing a photo or two and post some of my favorites.

Granted, my technical skill is lacking and my equipment sub par, but the will is strong, and I've been told I have a good eye. So, here we go...

Past reflections
Photo by K-Nine

This picture is an antique mirror that was hanging on my antique wall by the front door. I noticed that if I sat on the stairs near the bottom I could see my reflection... blurry though it be due to the old painted-on silver mercury type glass.

I Know...

2011-11-08T19:27:00.000-05:00

I've been a bit of a slacker lately. That changes today. More pictures, more posts. I know I've lost most of my regular readers, but I know there are a few people that stop by to check out what I'm putting down.

Frost on a Dandelion
photo by K-Nine

click to enlarge... it looks better that way

Over The Mountain

2011-11-01T15:25:00.004-04:00

Sorry for the bad sound quality.... I had my hands full.

When I come over the mountain

I take my time and gear it low

If I run off the mountain

Gather me up and send me home

It's hard to think of anything

When you are on my mind

Left hand on the steerin' wheel

Shoulder on the side

Straight up to the left of me

Nothing on the right

Trying not to look around

Knuckles turnin' white

When I come over the mountain

I take my time and gear it low

If I run off the mountain

Gather me up and send me home

I hit the road and paid the toll

I'm comin' home to you

Only thing between us is the distance With a view

Don't know what to tell you

How long it will take

Know I'm not too far away

I'm crossin' Loudon lake

When I come over the mountain

I take my time and gear it low

If I run off the mountain

Gather me up and send me home

En Fuego

2011-10-29T14:40:00.003-04:00

Looking Through The Windshield

2011-10-29T14:29:00.002-04:00

A mountain lake in the great Smoky Mountains of western NC through the windshield of the Jeep on the way to Tennessee.

The Help

2011-10-27T09:16:00.000-04:00

A Man, A Plan, A Canal, Panama

2011-10-24T10:47:00.000-04:00

Woodrow E. at the Panama Canal Zone

Hat Tip

2011-10-23T14:04:00.000-04:00

I like hats. To Hell with it. I refuse to explain myself.

Mouse over to embiggen

Don't Fly My Flag

2011-10-21T14:20:00.000-04:00

First, a moment of clarification.
This is a Confederate battle flag:

It was usually carried by individual units throughout the war, like this one was:

It never represented the entire Confederate States of America. If you didn't know that, don't fly my flag.

If you can't articulate a simple convincing argument as to why you do fly any of these flags, don't fly my flag.

It is not a symbol of hate. It is a symbol of heritage. It is a symbol of a lost but not forgotten cause. That cause is NOT slavery. Slavery is wrong. If you do not know that, don't fly my flag.

If you are a racist, don't fly my flag. You do not deserve to. Many men of different skin tones fought and died for this flag. White men. Black men. Native American Indians. These men each fought for their own reasons. Some were slave owners. Most were not. You get that? MOST were NOT. If you didn't know that, don't fly my flag.

You see, men died under this banner. Good men. Strong men. Hard working family men.

They died because they believed in individual freedom. Not mandates from a government that saw itself as all powerful and all knowing although it was far removed from the lives of it's citizens.

If you didn't know that, and don't believe it, don't fly my flag.

If you have hate in your heart. Don't fly my flag. Don't wear it on a shirt. Don't put it on a licence plate. If you think what you are doing only offends ignorant people, you could not be more wrong. It offends me, and I am neither ignorant nor intolerant.

So, if you don't get what I mean by any of this, do us both a favor and don't fly my flag.

Now We're Cookin'

2011-10-20T13:30:00.000-04:00

Next instalment of house pictures... I was going to do a separate blog on the whole house restoration, but that never materialized, so I suppose I'll just stick a few pictures in here and there. These are some of those. When we moved in, there was no kitchen. There was a room that looked like the zombie apocalypse had come and gone. So, for your edification: Our kitchen before and after... Or after and before as the pictures may suggest. Bear in mind that the kitchen has been in place for 8 months or so, these pics were from that time period. It is still almost as clean... Almost.

The back door, with obligatory blue heeler on guard duty.

All the door hardware is original aside from the round deadbolt.

Some of the bead board was missing, so I salvaged some.

It came from an 1830's house that was beyond saving.

Gas stove with convection oven and convection oven microwave.

We had a bench put under the windows by the back door.

It gave some extra storage and a place to sit...

Everyone knows all gatherings end up in the kitchen.

Kitchen sink, and dishwasher. We left the chimney exposed.

White carera marble counter tops and glass front overhead cabinets.

The picture is Mother Egan.

When Mother Egan's Pub in Austin, TX closed, she came to live with us.

Breakfast is always nice on our antique English drop leaf table.

The table is almost round. when open it measures 48"x49"

We found matching chairs since this picture was taken.

The windows are original wavy bubble glass.

Freezer on bottom refrigerator

Laundry room door with bulldog bottle opener.

Again, original door hardware.

Aim Low Boys...

2011-10-19T12:33:00.006-04:00

...They're riding Shetland Ponies!

These pictures were probably taken 15-20 years apart.

Do people still do this?

Oh, and I just gotta do this...

Ladies and gentlemen, Jimmy the yodeling Shetland pony will not be able to perform tonight...

He's a little horse.

Ba-dum-bum.

Asa

2011-10-18T09:54:00.012-04:00

Asa W. White

Photo taken in Le Mans, France 1918

His Dischage papers

Note going home

Paybook sleeve

Interior of paybook

Attached to front of paybook

Stair Off Into Space

2011-10-13T23:16:00.004-04:00

Sorry, Been a little preoccupied lately. I still have a bunch of old stuff to post. I'll get back to that tomorrow... I'm also going to try to write a little something to go with each picture. A blurb, a story... Something. Anyway, thanks for stopping by.

Decent Docent

2011-10-10T11:29:00.002-04:00

I was a docent at a house for the October Homes Tour here in town on Sunday. The house was built in 1882, so I had to fast forward 20 years from being a confederate soldier on Saturday. Luckily for me, men's fashions change rather slowly.

Two people asked me if I was a ghost... One asked if I was Jack the Ripper.

Maybe I should make this picture blend in a little better...

None Shall Pass

2011-10-09T00:00:00.001-04:00

Actually, I'm a confederate prison guard in a living history that's part of the October homes tour they're doing here in town this weekend. I have to gun down a Yankee who crosses the dead line with my double barrel shotgun.
Fun, no?

Just Swimmingly

2011-10-07T00:00:00.004-04:00

I suppose it was... Clara and Willie have different last names on the back of the picture, but it says Daddy and Mother on the front. Hmmmm.

The Long Run

2011-10-05T15:20:00.003-04:00

Priming Tobacco

2011-10-05T00:00:00.007-04:00

John Lawrence and Pearl
John Lawrence was my uncle, Married my dad's oldest sister.
He was also the son of These Folks.

Doughboy

2011-10-04T00:00:00.003-04:00

Sadly, I don't know who this young man is. The back of the picture is stamped "Camp Jackson Studio, Columbia, SC"

Catch

2011-10-02T15:30:00.003-04:00

Kids and Animals

2011-10-02T00:00:00.002-04:00

How can you go wrong?

Before The War

2011-10-01T00:00:00.002-04:00

ca. 1935ish

George and Margie

2011-09-30T00:00:00.002-04:00

Hat Trick

2011-09-29T09:33:00.003-04:00

Converse-ly

2011-09-29T00:00:00.003-04:00

I love the backgrounds of some of these old photos. The houses... The cars... The animals...

I especially love the bow tie and the suspenders too. Style is a rare commodity these days.

Back To School

2011-09-28T00:00:00.001-04:00

So, I found these pictures and they were a little different from the others. The backing is more like cardboard than any photo paper I know. They felt a lot like the faculty picture I posted on the 15th... I quickly emailed them off to the people who helped me so much with the last ones. Sure enough I got a reply back and have identified 4 of the 6.

Gene was West Bertie class of 1957

Jimmy was class of '55

William Robert was class of '56

Charles was class of '58
Sadly, I have yet to be able to identify the other two, but we'll see where it goes.

Watch This

2011-09-27T15:22:00.003-04:00

I am, and always have been a huge Looney Toons fan. Bugs Bunny, with all his fatal flaws is a hero of mine. He's an instigator, but will take a fight to absurd extremes to win it. I wonder what that's like. (cough)

So... I took the Red Queen's horse up to northern Virginia for a show and whilst we were up there we found a wonderful little vintage clothing shop in a wonderful little vintage town. In the case with rings and chains and cameos and lovely pocket timepieces was this 1990's cheap watch.

I had to have it. bargans were made, deals were struck and I had a new old watch... With Bugs pointing out the time for me.

The battery was dead, so I walked around for three days while it was always 2:15, but now I have juice and Bugs is spot on accurate.
The RQ calls me a magpie... maybe I am, you've seen my office...

A Little Horse

2011-09-25T00:00:00.000-04:00

Hey There, Slugger

2011-09-24T00:00:00.001-04:00

Pals

2011-09-23T00:00:00.001-04:00

Davis and Edwards

Move Along...

2011-09-22T00:00:00.002-04:00

...Nothing to see here.

Here Boy!

2011-09-21T00:00:00.001-04:00

Where The Magic Happens

2011-09-20T11:55:00.007-04:00

As some of you may know, I'm restoring a victorian house here in the Carolinas. It's a lot of work, but it's a labor of love. The first room I completed was my study. My happy place. The war room as the Red Queen has called it.

When the world gets to be too much... When I'm writing... When I need time to think and breathe... When I need to be in touch with my creative side...

I come and sit and read. I surf the net. I watch movies on my computer. I sort and scan old photos and documents. I research for my novel. I smoke a cigar and drink bourbon. Sometimes I just sit.

It's my home inside my home. It's MY place. The Red Queen has no rule here. Sanctuary.

Blogging is sort of a narcissitic activity anyway... I thought I'd open the door a little wider. Come in, won't you?

At Ease

2011-09-20T00:00:00.002-04:00

Fish And Whistle

2011-09-19T00:00:00.003-04:00

This is the first of a group of photos I'm entitling "nagatives". It's not because the pictures are downers... Quite the contrary, these are pretty exciting in my book. There existed in the bottom of a box a pile of film nagatives. God only knows if the origional paper photos even exist anymore. I found that if I scan the nagative I can manipulate the image to come up with a semblance of an actual photo. Some are easy and pop right up... Some I have to increase the contrast and shadows without making the whole picture dark or too fuzzy to see.

I really hope some of you who stop by are enjoying these... Feel free to comment. Really.

Cue ZZ Topp

2011-09-18T00:00:00.003-04:00

Sunday Go To Meetin'

2011-09-17T00:00:00.001-04:00

JD & Louis

2011-09-16T00:00:00.002-04:00

School Days

2011-09-15T00:00:00.006-04:00

OK. This was a fun one. I did a little research and found out a few things. In the student picture below I exchanged emails with the little girl 4th from the right in the second row from the front. (the one with the braid across her head) Her initials are E.F. now, though back then they were E.V.

I also exchanged emails with a J.S. (not pictured) and he had the teacher at the end in the front row (top picture) in the 1st grade in 1932, the 1st teacher back row 2nd grade and the last teacher back row for music. It turns out his granddaughter is a phys ed teacher here in the town where I now live.

I exchanged emails with B.R. (not pictured) His mother is the last teacher in the back row (music teacher top picture) and had all of them as teachers while going to school there.

B.R. also told me that the male teacher (top photo) eventually married the female teacher just to his right (Your left).

My research also let me know that two of the teachers in the 1932 photo were still teachers there in the 40's.

Sadly, the school is not there anymore. It was shut down in the 50's and demolished sometime thereafter. Still, I had fun doing this one and I made good hard copies of the pictures I had and mailed them to the people with whom I coresponded. I think I made a day or two. Good karma.

Trio

2011-09-14T00:00:00.001-04:00

As Time Goes By

2011-09-13T00:00:00.001-04:00

Foal-iage

2011-09-12T00:00:00.001-04:00

Bee Bee & Nellie

July 28, 1957

Shovel Ready

2011-09-11T00:00:00.002-04:00

This camp operated from 1933-1942.

This is probably closer to '33 as there are tents in the picture and real barracks were built later.

Your sister?

2011-09-10T00:00:00.008-04:00

...I wouldn't even THINK it...

Hoops

2011-09-08T22:10:00.000-04:00

Shine Like Silver

2011-09-08T00:00:00.004-04:00

Back when I was living in the DC area, I stopped in a bar for a drink after work one day. (I konw! But that's not the shocking part). I paid with a $20 and the bartender gave me these. Some young guy had come in before me and paid using 1935 silver certificate dollars. Granted, these are not mint, but they are worth a bit more than a dollar per. I bought all he had left.

James

2011-09-07T00:00:00.004-04:00

1924 age 26

Bang, Zoom...

2011-09-06T00:00:00.001-04:00

Sometimes...

2011-09-05T00:00:00.003-04:00

...The back of a picture can be more fun than the front!

Classical Gas

2011-09-04T00:00:00.001-04:00

By A Thread

2011-09-03T00:00:00.003-04:00

On 2/12/1907, a U.S. federal trademark registration was filed for DRAGON.

This trademark is owned by

J. & P. Coats, Limited,
155 St. Vincent Street
Glasgow, Scotland.
The USPTO has given the DRAGON trademark serial number of 71025253.

Outside Looking In

2011-09-02T16:44:00.001-04:00

Kisses

2011-09-02T00:00:00.001-04:00

Refreshing

2011-09-01T16:31:00.001-04:00

This Old House

2011-09-01T00:00:00.003-04:00

It's pictures like this that hit me the hardest.

2011-08-31T00:00:00.001-04:00

Family

2011-08-30T00:00:00.003-04:00

I'm pretty sure the men in this picture are my great grandfather and my great, great grandfather on my father's mother's side. Is that convoluted enough for you? I don't think I'm related to the horse... at least not the front end.

Mourning

2011-08-29T00:00:00.001-04:00

2011-08-28T08:13:00.003-04:00

Power is back on at ma's house... It's nice to live on a major hwy where the power lines run not only houses, but carry power to the next community. Speeds things up quite a bit. So, overnight with no power not so bad. It's pretty out there. Tree limbs everywhere. Once my iPhone recharges, I may ride around and take a few pictures to post.

Back to the Sunday Ink...

Sunday Ink #50

2011-08-28T00:00:00.001-04:00

This is an oldie that I never posted before for some reason... It's from Shakespear's Pub on 6th street in Austin maybe a year and a half ago... Oh, well. Better late than never I suppose.

Hurricane Blogging

2011-08-27T10:05:00.003-04:00

I left my reasonably safe home north of Charlotte to come stay with Ma in northeastern NC. She didn't want to leave her home at 87, so I figured having an able bodied man and a 4x4 handy would be a good deal.

Her house is surrounded by 100 foot tall pine trees, and she lost a lot of the old oaks to Isabell a few years back.

The wind is up, and gusting fairly high, but no worries. I think we'll see worse in a few hours, then it will be over and I'll go home.

Right now, there's still power and we have water and food 'just in case". good luck to everyone else in the path.

Mauna Loa Eruption

2011-08-27T00:00:00.001-04:00

Or Else!

2011-08-26T00:00:00.001-04:00

It's My Party...

2011-08-25T00:00:00.001-04:00

Missing Pet

2011-08-24T11:02:00.004-04:00

(click for bigger)

Yes, This was on a junction box outside of a sandwich shop here in town.

No, I don't know whence it came.

Yes, I sent it to Jimbo!

Boots' Bicycle

2011-08-24T00:00:00.002-04:00

How can you not love a woman named "Boots" on a bicycle?

2011-08-23T00:00:00.002-04:00

Chateau Thierry

2011-08-22T00:00:00.000-04:00

If you're curious about the ship,

click the pic

John and Alice

2011-08-21T00:00:00.001-04:00

A Little Taxing

2011-08-20T12:00:00.002-04:00

Who Wants Cheesecake!?!?

2011-08-20T00:00:00.001-04:00

The Good Old Days...

2011-08-19T00:00:00.001-04:00

...Yeah, I suppose,

I'm glad they're behind us now,

The only thing worse than growing up

Is never quite learning how.

-Absent Minded Melody

How did that become this?

Happy Birthday to me!

Afternoon drive

2011-08-18T00:00:00.001-04:00

Sock It To Me

2011-08-17T12:00:00.002-04:00

PAT'D DEC, 1906

Private Joke

2011-08-17T00:00:00.001-04:00

Frank

2011-08-16T00:00:00.000-04:00

Rational

2011-08-15T12:00:00.001-04:00