Until I hit the photo albums and, like a damned fool, I open one…
This is a picture of my dad with two Army buddies. Written on the back:
Swimming at Kamakura Beach
July, 1946
My dad is the one on the left, but the other two? No idea.
As many stories as he told us about his childhood and family history, of his Army days he spoke very little.
I should have posted these on Memorial Day.
Moving on, here’s a photo of me as a baby, making five generations of my mom’s family:
On the far left is my grandmother, next to her is her father, and seated is his mother, my great-great-grandmother, Kate Goodroad.
There are three things I want to point out about this photo:
- My mother’s dress. It’s lovely, don’t you think? She rarely wore dresses, so I’m thinking this was taken after church and given my age, we must have still been living in South Dakota.
- The photo on the wall behind my mom — doesn’t it look like two cats? Did my great-great-grandmother like cats? Did she have cats? (I think I would have liked her.)
- Look closely at the chair great-great-grandmother is sitting on. Specifically, the back and arm rests. See the dish towels? Every old person on my mom’s side of the family used dishtowels as chair protectors. It was the Goodroad/Jurgens way.
Several months after that photo was taken, my family moved to sunny Phoenix, Arizona, where we had a dog named Foxy.
Here’s a picture of Foxy in his doghouse:
I should point out that Foxy was black, so all you can see is his tongue.
Also in Phoenix, we had an above-ground pool:
I sure seem happy, don’t I?
And look at my brother Dean, standing behind me. He kind of looks like he’s planning something.
I wonder what?
What happened next, Dean?! Huh? WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?!
Oh, look! We have pictures from Husband’s childhood, too!
Here’s Husband with his trumpet, looking oh so cool and jazzy:
Do you think they planned this photo, or was it just happy coincidence the shadow landed as it did?
Also, I feel it should be pointed out, had Husband put more effort into his playing? Let’s say, practiced day and night? This would have made a mighty fine album cover.
Just sayin’.
Even so, I’m happy to report he played in his high school band.
Lucky for you, he gave me permission to post his band picture. His exact words: “Oh, I don’t care.”
Funny. Seems like he’d care.
Cute guy.
Funny hat, but cute guy.
I’m going back to my packing now. Wish me luck.
Feeding on Folly 
Just put the album in the box, but when you unpack later, more band pictures please…
Funny you should say that. Along with this photo was one of him in a pink suit with ruffled shirt. When I asked him about it, he said “I never wore a pink suit!” I showed it to him. He said, “Oh, that one.”
oh, you have got to post the pink suit. It’s a moral imperative.
He just told me there’s another band picture too! Oh, what joy will be ours!
OMG, can’t wait, can’t wait. 😉
Foxy has to be my favourite …. just a floating tongue – creased me!! It must be said that it’s a favourite amongst a whole slough of favourites …. the album cover is fantastic whether it was planned or chance. And the dishcloths. I love this. Keep up your toiling …. the end will be sited before too long. It will.
You know, I nearly missed Foxy! I couldn’t understand why I was standing by the doghouse, or why they took a picture of me by the doghouse. Why not have the dog… ooohhh!
The dishtowels are the best, aren’t they? So perfect for keeping your chairs nice and clean and looking pretty. Well, pretty if they didn’t have dishtowels on them. 😉
I just realized you’ll have moved before I get to Phx. Sigh. No worries, you won’t be THAT far from my family in Chicago Land. How weird is it that I too have been sorting old photos – none I must say are as cool as yours. I’d pay money for the one of my brother’s parade band photo in which he’s wearing a red version of your brother’s. Fun post. Enjoy the packing experience.
We’ll be here til the end of the June, is that before you get here? Ugh if it is!
My husband’s hat is the best, isn’t it? I’d like to say it’s the reason I married him, but I can’t lie. It was really his bowling shoes. 😉
I understand. 😁 ❤ We moved the service to Jan '19 but I may be up north in early Sept. Film at 11.
Aw shoot. Someday we’ll meet, Roo. Maybe not this time, but someday. 🤗
❤
From one word fanatic to another: antimacassar
That, sir, is the most beautiful word I’ve seen in a long time. Even better is the image I have of a person, probably a teacher in ancient times, who put a cloth over a chair and said, “Egads, we must nameth this!”
Gorgeous. Loved them all.
Thanks! There’s just something about these old photos, they make me smile every time. 🙂
Fabulous post. Love the photo of your dog’s tongue 😉
As I recall, Foxy was a bit of a terror, but I loved him beyond reason. The sight of his tongue gave me a thrill. 😀
Fun collection of pics. I’ll look forward to the pink suit! The antimacassars and how the chair would be lovely without them…reminds me of how the Putterer insists on little rugs next to the doors (same carpet as the carpet beneath them) so I can look at the ugly rugs instead of just shampooing the actual carpet and enjoying it without the damn little rugs (that never stay in place).
I know exactly the kind of “rugs” you’re talking about, my mom insisted on them! But at least we didn’t have plastic on the furniture. That was something one of my aunts did! 😀
As a musician, I cringed at the trumpet (actually a cornet) photo. He should be holding the weight of the instrument in his left hand with his right hand on the valves. So my personal opinion is, he’d just joined band and didn’t know any better – obviously a staged photo before he figured out the basics. BTW, I’m a French Horn player so often cringe at trumpets. 🙂
Must have been before he started lessons, I think!
As far as cringing at trumpets, I think that’s true for anyone sitting in the first row, right? 😉
Yes, or sitting any where in the same rehearsal hall (my life as a musician). Of course, I can joke since my son is an extremely talented jazz trumpet player.
Great pictures. … That shadow reminds me of Peter Pan and his shadow.
Yes, I see what you mean. The shadow looks a bit impish too.
Pictures show a past we may not remember, but apparently lived. They are great fun.
Very true, especially of childhood photos…. “I wonder what I was thinking?” 😀
“Funny. Seems like he’d care.” Died.
He needs to put more thought into what he’s approving. I’m sure he’ll learn in time.