Bubba Night-Night

It's uncanny!

65 years in the making!

The Fifth Vial

Just finished my first Michael Palmer book!

I really enjoyed it and had a hard time putting it down, blew right through it!

Short Trip

Looking back I would agree completely!

Flock Party

There's clearly an increased interest in raising chickens! Perhaps, due to covid and more people staying home or people wanting to have a better sense of where their food is coming from.  I'm not sure of the reason(s), of which I suspect there are many, however, with this new interest business like Tractor Supply Store (TSC) is taking advantage of and capitalizing on it.  They already have chicks in store available for purchase.

I've been raising chickens for over 50 years and only recently are chicken related supplies more readily available and to my displeasure they're coming in more and more feminine type offerings and colors.  Yeah yeah, I suspect my use of feminine here is inappropriate or offense to someone, but it's my opinion and my take on this hobby recently.  Mind you, I'm NOT saying this is a bad thing, rather a change I'm still getting used to is all.

For example, I was at TSC just yesterday and noticed this "Flock Party" display.  Not too long ago, it was difficult to find chicken raising supplies, with only a few feed stores carrying limited stock.  The items were typically galvanized or red.  Today, as you can see below, feeders and waters are now mass produced and made in a variety of colors, which I don't care for.

Again, it's interesting in the recent boom.  It's a great hobby that's fun and rewarding over and above just eggs.  However, I wonder how this new boom is going to be handled by towns and accepted by cranky miserable neighbors.  Hoping it doesn't cause more regulations and problems, which I suspect that is exactly what's to come.

Antique West Virginia Bricks

Unfortunately, I don't know the history behind these two bricks, other than what I can find online, or the reason my dad had these and passed them along.  However, it's worth noting that my dad was born in Spring Hill, WVA and raised in St. Albans, WV and had an uncle that lived in Morgantown, WVA, so there's definitely a West Virginia theme and tie here.  Sadly, when you lose a loved one, you also lose the history and the knowledge and the memories of times gone by.

They are unique for sure with each weighing about 9lbs each.  I would guess they don't make bricks like this any longer.

So Long Old Friend

I got a new yard jacket for Christmas, YEAH!

My old faithful yard jacket, who'd seen much better days, had to go :-(

It was torn, worn, stained and missing buttons.  It was a mess.  I said my goodbyes and neatly folded, bagged and gently placed in the trash barrel.

Sadly, it was time.

The Sands of Time

What a difference 20 years makes!

This is our house as it was listed back in 1999 -

Here it is today in 2020 -

This is our house as it was listed back in 1999 

Here it is today in 2020 -

I'm Not Amish But

That one time I helped raise a greenhouse!

We dismantled from location A, trucked it over, and erected in location B!

20 'wide by 60' long

One of the toughest challenges was getting the new plastic, which we folded in half to double, was navigating all the existing "stuff", e.g. old metal fencing, pallets, barrels, flower pots, etc.

Once up, covered and all secured it was quite nice.  Especially, when it was full of blooming flowers and vegetable plants.  It was awesome and lasted for many many years.  Sadly, it was looted by neighboring kids and damaged in many places, too many to easily repair.  The plastic has since lost it's value and structural consistency and has fallen victim to mother nature and the harsh New England summers and winters.

"Enlightened"

Quite The Imagination Mr. King

I just finished reading this book. Second one down, so far, this winter.

Interesting.  Held me in suspense and kept me wanting to read on!

Buttons or Pins?!

Here are a handful of some interesting and old buttons of mine.

I'm sure the button in the middle would cause all kinds of uproar today...

Flute to Phlan, the miracle in Miami 1984!

Once Upon A Time...

Came across these two Sears gift cards in an old wallet!

Note for you youngsters, Sears, Roebuck and Co., commonly known as Sears, is\was an American chain of department stores founded by Richard Warren Sears and Alvah Curtis Roebuck in 1892, and reincorporated by Richard Sears and Julius Rosenwald in 1906.

Clearly the two years to use these have come and gone, alas.  However, even if still valid, where would one go to find a Sears store now?!  Most have shuttered.

Let's Hop In The Way-Back Machine

Here are some cool vintage items of mine, that I've recently come across again after going through some of the boxes in my basement - 

Kodak film with aluminum storage sleeve -

Assorted cotter pins in a heavy duty cardboard canister

The lid is even designed to screw onto the cardboard canister -

Lipstick tubes, which I cannot open -

Dog license tag from Winchester, MA circa 1948 -

Speaks For Itself...

Even more so lately...

Dime Saver

I'm not sure of the year, guessing late 60s early 70'.

First observation - you'll notice the two listed bank locations in the first picture have no zip codes.  Zip codes were first introduced on July 1, 1963 but didn't become mandatory until 1967.

Second observation - the majority of the dimes in this saver are silver, with almost half being Mercury Dimes.

Mrs. Bain's Nursery School Art

I sure was a talented kid back in 1969, when I was 4!