28 February 2014

Ghosts of Birthdays Past

Today is Gus' 32nd birthday.  I just got a scanner so here are some photos from his earliest birthdays.  


My baby boy's very first birthday -- February 28, 1982


Gus is 1 - February 28, 1983

       With Cousin Jonathan.

















Gus is 2 - February 28, 1984

















With his Meme and his Grammie


























Gus is 3 - February 28, 1985























His first real birthday party.  Always the ladies man.

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

26 February 2014

Happy Birthday Emily!

Today is my niece Emily's birthday.  I am 'borrowing' a photo from her blog.  Such a beautiful family -- I know that her birthday is already happy.


17 February 2014

Presidents' Day Skyping with Rosie

No school for Gus and Rosie today so Gromma got to Skype.  And what fun we had.  After finishing her cereal Rosie drew some pictures for me.


First she drew Sleeping Beauty with her crown.

Warning! Grandmotherly bragging follows.  Rosie is only 2.  She handles the pen effortlessly and her drawings are pretty great.  As she was drawing she kept up a constant patter.  She decided she was drawing princesses and with each picture she figured out before she started how much space she needed so she knew where to put the head. Then she'd say "Now she needs legs, and eyes, and a smile, shoes and a gown."  And last, "Look, Gromma, I'm drawing her crown."  
Her second drawing was Snow White.  Note the bow in her hair because "Snow White doesn't have a crown, Gromma."


14 February 2014

Thirty Years Later

I just found this photo of me with a bad 1980s perm.  The saddest thing is that after a really bad perm that my mother inflicted on me as a kid, I still went ahead and got another one when I was an adult and certainly should have known better.  The picture was taken around Gus' 2nd birthday, February 1984.  I was 31.  I just shared this photo with a friend who asked if I could still get in that position on the floor.  That made me think of the second photo -- this was taken last July, with Rosie on her 2nd birthday.  I was 61. So yes, I still can.  But definitely no more perms.  

 


10 February 2014

Snow Day Skyping with Rosie

Portland rarely gets snow.  Gus and Rosie rarely get snow days.  And rarer yet, Portland's snow started last Friday so they have had a 4-day, snow-filled weekend.  Gus and Rosie were between books and contemplating breakfast.  They Skyped while wearing jammies and relaxing on the couch.  What a lovely way to spend a snow day.




09 February 2014

50 Years Later, I Still Love the Beatles



February 9, 1964 The Beatles made their first American television appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show.  I had just turned 11 in January of that year -- by that time I was an established Beatles' fan.  My best friend Patience had a pen pal (raise your hand if you remember pen pals) who lived in England.  The pen pal sent Pat the British release 45 record (raise your hand ... never mind) of the Beatles.  We listened to that record so many times you would think the two songs on that single would be burned in my memory but that is not the case. So I searched and I am fairly sure Love Me Do was the cover song with P.S. I Love You on Side B.  Over the last 50 years I have remained a Beatles fan.  The deaths of John and George will sadden me forever.  Paul has occasionally frustrated me with his life and career choices but never for long.  I was a firm believer that he was 'The Cute Beatle' but as I aged I found George the most attractive.  And Ringo, I think I have learned to appreciate him the most.  Teen-aged girls just don't want a sense of humor in a boy -- they want the dark brooding artist and poet.  So to celebrate the Beatles on this anniversary I am posting some of my favorite memorabilia.  All I think are from 1964 and 1965.











All of the photos are so staged.  What could have been the reason for taking a picture of them with their feet on a stuffed donkey?
     











This is why Paul was the cute Beatle.  This particular photo was obviously held and gazed at lovingly many, many times.


In April 1965 The Albany Times Union published a series of 4 articles over 4 days.  

This is on the back of the first article.  I am sorry that I didn't cut out enough of the article to have the complete photo of John Kennedy Jr. with Mickey.
This photo is included with one of the articles.  I have enlarged it so that you can read the caption.  "Womanhood lies prone ..."  OMG!

Thank you John, Paul, George, and Ringo.  Thank you for 50 wonderful years.  I will always be a fan.



02 February 2014

Super Skyping with Rosie

I just finished Skyping with Gus, Meara and Rosie.  Perhaps in the spirit of Superbowl Sunday she treated me to some kicking and passing practice.  Best pre-game show ever!