Way Back When-sday

This photo is from Stephen's second birthday -- Sept. 6, 1969. Stephen is at the right side of the photo in the chair. I'm across from him in the wooden chair. The other people are listed on the back of the photo (at right).

In the picture, we are all playing with Play-Doh. Back then, Play-Doh was all the rage. When the tops of the containers came off and the aroma hit the air ... ahhhhh. Nothing smelled like real Play-Doh.

Share your memories of the Play-Doh Fun Factory.

Today, there are tons of add-ons for Play-Doh.

Ever wanted to make your own Play-Doh? Try these recipes.

And finally, here's a vintage TV commercial for Play-Doh.

Thursday thing-along

Want to learn more about Feist?

Wayback When-sday

In the picture at top, Brandon shows off his quick-draw while wearing his "six shooter" and holster. The picture is from 1977 and Brandon would have been around 5-years-old when it was taken. He loved wearing his cowboy outfit. I've seen five or six pictures where he had a similar cowboy-type outfit on, including the one at right. I think the guns were cap guns. Did anyone else have those? Remember using a rock to bang on the roll of caps to make the whole roll fire at once?
Here's a great site to buy cap guns and other cowboy toys.

Something funny for your Friday

Thursday Thing-along

An a capella version of Peter Gabriel's "Solsbury Hill."



This version is done by the Hyannis Sound, Cape Cod's boys of summer.

Way Back When-sday

At top is a picture of Mama opening up presents at one of her birthday parties. I'm not sure if this puppy was a present or if it just decided to jump up with her at this moment. At right is a picture of Mama with all the guests at the party. Mama is the one a little to the left of center in the group. Her dress has the dark straps and dark border on the top of it. As always, you can click on the pictures and they will open up bigger in a new window.

More from our drive to N.C.

Some seat dancing to "Crank That" from Soulja Boy...




You can learn the real dance here (if you haven't by now.)

As for the lyrics, they are up to interpretation and depend on whether you are listening to the censored or uncensored version of the song. A Google search found these.

Cleaning up the clutter ...

Cleaning the back porch took the first half of the day ... but it was worth it.


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Thursday Thing-along

Not quite the Bee Gees, but I bet some of you will catch yourself singing along.



In case you young folks have never heard of Neil Sedaka, here's his Web site.

Way Back When-sday

These pictures are from the year Pops entered the Miss Gizzard Shad beauty contest. It was probably around 1979 or so. The contest featured men dressed as women and was a fundraiser during the Shad Festival in our hometown of Grifton, N.C. In the top picture Brandon (seated) doesn't quite know what to make of his cross-dressing dad while Russell is just rolling with the punches and trying to take Pops glasses out of his hand before he breaks them (notice the liquid courage in the other hand). In the picture at right, Pops is getting dressed before the contest and has obviously forgotten that those aren't real.

Pops did a strip tease for his talent. It was good enough to earn him the runner up title and a trophy. Considering the looks of some of his competition (at left), I'm not sure runner up is really that good of a thing. ... I checked out the schedule for this year's Shad Festival -- it's next week -- and couldn't find the Miss Gizzard Shad contest on it this year. I wonder if it fell victim to more politically correct times.

Pops, this could have been you ...

Remix of Autumn's recital

I decided to jazz up Autumn's dance class recital -- just for the fun of it -- with some different music.




For the unmixed video, check here.

I'm locked up and I can't get out ....

This is another piece of video from the trip my brothers, dad and I took to North Carolina. In this one, Pops can't get his seat belt to stop locking up on him. Brandon tries to help him get it situated. Although this is less than two minutes, the process and discussion about why Pops was having so much trouble with his seat belt took at least the first half hour to hour of our trip.



There are more posts to come about the trip and our reason for going – the passing of our Uncle Larry – I just wanted to give everyone a little time to deal with things in their own way first.

Two bits ....

Because of the various rashes/oozing, I had not completely shaven my face or gotten a haircut in a month -- until Thursday morning.




I may not look it, but I feel better.

Thursday thing-along

Here's a little Iris Dement for you.



Thanks for sending me the link to this video, Uncle Tony. I agree with one of the YouTube commenters ... I like Emmylou Harris, but you don't really even need her as the backing vocal in this. Iris' voice is special enough.

If you're open to new things, Iris Dement is an artist that grows on you.
Here is the Iris Dement official site.
And here is Iris Dement at last.fm.

Way Back When-sday

The date on the photo says July 1955. There is nothing written on the back of it, but I think this is a photo of (from left in white bathing suit) Aunt Goldie, Mammy, Mama, and Aunt Betty. It's probably a North Carolina Beach but could be Virginia Beach. Mammy was being a bit risque with the strapless bathing suit. Who would've guessed ...

It makes me happy

My niece Autumn drew this for me a few weeks back. It makes me happy.