You're in the Navy, Now

This is one of my favorite photos of your Dad, - his boot camp "graduation" portrait, circa 1958. Of course, he had that hat set off at a bit of a jaunty angle. Uniform code, the hats were to sit directly straight with two fingers width between the edge and the eyebrows. Those heavily starched white uniforms had to be uncomfortable !!! Makes me wonder how he could have that big smile on his face !!!

My Favorite Aunt

This is a high school photo of my Aunt Delores, my Mom's youngest sister, probably taken in the late '30's. "Sis", as she was called by the entire family, was thirteen years older than me, so whenever we were around her, it was like having a big sister more so than an aunt. I was always told that I looked like her, which of course, always pleased me because I thought she was beautiful. My Mom outlived all of her siblings --- although she never said, I'm sure that was very sad for her. In remembering my years of growing up, my family was never open with their feelings -- Hugs were far and few in between -- I remember seeing Mom and Dad kiss each other only one time and that was because I was looking out a window and they didn't know I was looking. Riding in the backseat of the car, I would catch them holding hands if I peeked over to the front seat. I still wonder to this day, why demonstrations of affection were seldom shown. It certainly was not that they didn't care for each other and for us, because it was shown in many other ways.

Celebrating Life

I believe this snapshot of your Dad and me was taken as we were on our way out for an evening to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary. I clearly remember us dressing up to go out to dinner to this wonderful little local steak house in Beaver, Iowa. Would we ever have dreamed that day that 40 years would pass so quickly ?? And, would we have thought after 40 years, that our time together was nearing an end ? Time passes all too quickly -- "we do not remember days, we remember moments". This date in May, I celebrate your Dad's life --

For the Sweet

This little enameled topped pill box belonged to my Grandma Hanle. She always carried it in her purse and had it filled with saccharin tablets. This was back in the 50's and 60's before restaurants offered Sweet and Low in packets at your tables. Also, when she would be visiting at someone else's home, she had her own sweetener ready for use. I remember how she loved our country fresh cream and her sweetener in her coffee when she came to visit us.

A Wedding Gift

This silver plated set of salt and pepper shakers were a wedding gift to us back in 1958. They once looked quite fancy and regal sitting on the table with the "melmac" dinnerware !! The salt slightly corroded the finish on the one and I haven't used them since those early years. I have very few things left that came to us as gifts that year. I keep them because they commemorate a special day in my life.

In Memory

Whatever we do on this Memorial Day holiday weekend, we should always think about its true meaning and take time to remember the many men and women who have sacrificed their lives to protect our country and freedoms. Members of our family have served in the Navy, Army and National Guard. Those who were involved in combat, came home safely. Your Dad served in the U.S. Navy as did my Mom's brother, Bob, both during peaceful times. Four of my Dad's brothers were in the Army during World War II. My brother was drafted into the Army and saw action during the Vietnam War. Your Uncle Verne, his daughter Jodi and son Mike, are National Guard members. I had two friends in Tulsa that have loved ones who sacrificed the ultimate. Their names are etched on the Vietnam Wall Memorial - a husband to one, a son to another. These men were also a father, a son, a brother or an uncle to someone. I am thankful for those who serve our country presently, and for those who have served in the past. I am grateful for safe returns.

Pink Depression Glass

This small pink three footed bowl is similar to the plain pink one I have that was a wedding gift to my Mom and Dad. This was in a box of items I purchased at a farm auction in Iowa a few years ago. I bid on the boxful because of this bowl as it reminded me of the etched one of Mom's which my sister has. AND, we love bowls !! If memory serves me correctly, the bowl Shirley has is a bit more delicate. Right now, this is at home in the storage area of the china cabinet.

"Good Friends"

I have only four Hummel figurines, all of which I highly prize. "Max and Moritz", measuring about 5 1/2" tall, once belonged to my G'ma Hanle. The full bee marking on the bottom indicates the age dating to the 1940's. These little guys came into my possession along with a few other things Mom brought back from that trip to Ohio. They are at home in the china cabinet. During the years of my hairstyling career, I had a client who seriously collected the Hummels. She invited me to her home to see her collection and it was unbelievable. She must have had most every one ever designed. To this day, I can close my eyes and see that room and the shelves filled with these adorable figurines !!

Another Wedding Photo

This vintage wedding photo is my Mom's older sister, Bertha and her new husband, Lyle Strand. I don't have a date for this marriage, but, I believe it would have been in the late 1930's. Mom and Dad were married in 1933 and Mom was the first of the children in the Hanle family to tie the knot and leave home. G'ma and G'pa moved from South Dakota during the depression, with G'pa going to work in coal mines and later on building and owning a mobile home "court". Lyle was a teacher and I remember he and Bertha were in various self-owned businesses. They made and sold ceramic salt and pepper shakers of various designs for collectors. I think Mom had every different style set they had. Later on, there was some kind of hand puppet business. It was fun to stay with them when we made the trip to Ohio. There was a wonderful hill on the back of their property for sledding in the winter. Our cousin, Ivan, had every toy imaginable and a pony !! Mom said he was a spoiled "only child" -- we thought he was fortunate and lucky, as children will !!!

Hunting Season

This snapshot of your Aunt Shirley and me is dated September, 1945. We were on a trip to South Dakota to visit the Schultz clan that fall during pheasant hunting season. Dad and his brothers came home with enough birds to feed the family dinner that evening. I remember thinking how good everything was around that huge dining room table with all of the aunts, uncles and grandparents. My grandpa had a mustache and I told him it looked like feathers. From that day on, he called me "Feathers". Sometime during those days, I was sitting on his lap and he showed me this "trick" on how he could take his teeth out of his mouth. I knew nothing about false teeth, so, I really thought he had some special sort of magic !! I kept trying to figure out how to do the trick, but, could never get my teeth to come out !!

Pahrump Get-A-Way

I spent the weekend in Pahrump taking care of my great-grand-dog, Jasmine and her sister kitties, Hero and Sophia. Plus, Hilery trusted me to watch over her plants in her greenhouse !! That is really risky business knowing I don't do well with live plants !! Hopefully the flowers and veggies will all survive Gramma's careful attention. The animals will all need "unspoiling", of course. The get-a-way from the big city to the quiet small town, country living is always a peaceful and quiet time.

Ms. Beary

As everyone knows, I have a LOT of bears in my home. If and when anyone with children visit, the kids are fascinated. My great-grand-dog has one that she is allowed to play with. Jasmine doesn't come to visit often, but, knows which bear is hers !! A few of my bears are "beary special" to me and if asked, I will have a story to tell about them. The special ones have usually been gifts from someone. This little gal came from Sharon the first Christmas after we became friends over 15 years ago. She sits nonchalantly on the back of the living room chair in her velveteen dress and hat and satin pantaloons.

Vintage Blues

I love costume jewelry even though I don't wear it often and have way more of it than any one person should ever need. I especially like vintage pieces and have purchased some at antique malls through the years, plus have a few pieces of my own from my teen years. So, of course, those would be considered vintage at this point in my life !! Sharon and I went to the auction on Saturday and this piece was put up for bids. It's always nice when something I like is not what any other bidder is interested in !! Knowing what I have paid for pieces at the antique malls, I considered this a steal at $10. The pendant measures 2" across - the rhinestones are a lovely deep blue. I will put it in the oak "tool chest" jewelry box, I suppose. Maybe I will have a reason to wear it sometime.

My Mom

It is Mother's Day and remembrances of my Mom abound today, more so than usual. This photo of her is dated 1917 - I wonder if her kitty had a name. There were always many cats around our farm - some were tame, some were not, but, they kept the population of mice around the farm buildings in check. I don't recall that we ever named any of them. In Mom's last years, she did name one of the barn cats Charlie - the black and white cat's markings reminded her of Charlie Chaplin with his mustache and in his tuxedo -- and, this cat would come to the house when she called for him. I often wonder if Mom's mother used the "magic words" of "We'll see", "Because I said so" and "You'll have to ask your Dad". Of course, when I did ask my Dad, his come back was "What did Mummy say?" !! Did I inherit those "sayings"? Did I pass them on ??

One More Powder Box

This is the last of the vintage powder boxes that I have collected. But, who's to say it is the last I will ever purchase ? I might add to the collection should one catch my eye ! I think this is more "art deco" era -- the box is ribbed glass and very pretty. These powder boxes sit on a mirrored tray on the dresser in my bedroom along with a few other mementos.

Take a Powder

This pretty green depression era powder box was an antique mall purchase several years ago. It's look struck my fancy and I "couldn't live without" it !!! The days of having fancy bottles and accessories on a dressing table, have for me, gone by way of having a nice dressing - powder room area off my main bathroom. In my years of growing up on the farm, sharing a room with my sister and for a number of years, no indoor bathroom, (UGH ! those were the days !!), there was always a piece of furniture called a vanity dresser in our bedroom. All the personal care items were kept and used there. Yes, I had talcum powder, but, didn't have this pretty of a container to keep it in.

My "Silk" Thumb

With the temperatures ranging in the 90's this week, it was time to get the Christmas poinsettias out of the jardiniere in my front courtyard !! The silk daffodils from the last couple of seasons were getting a little tired and faded looking, so it was time to buy new silk flowers. Micheal's had stems and bushes at half price a couple of weeks ago, so Hilery helped me choose new spring florals. I never get tired of reds and pinks --

"Pet" Chickens

This old photo was in an album that was included in a box full of "stuff" I purchased at the Saturday auction last weekend. It brought back memories of how my sister and I would play out in the farmyard amongst the chickens. There were a few that were friendly and willing to let us pet them. One day, one of the roosters became jealous, jumped on my back and began beating on me with his flapping wings and pecking at me. Mom came running out with a broom when she heard my screaming. Needless to say, it scared the heck out of me and I wasn't willing to pet chickens for quite awhile after that experience !!

Racing Days

This is one of my favorite pictures of your Dad. I think it was probably rare to catch him in the daylight without his sunglasses !! He never went to race without the black hat or the bear claw necklace. He also had his rabbit's foot in his pocket, always. I'm not sure which race track this 70's photo was taken, but close-ups of him like this on race days are far and few in between.