Friday Miscellany

Here are some of the slides from September 19, 1959 - the 350th Hudson-Champlain Parade in Albany NY.

My sister Karen and the other Albany High School cheerleaders.

NY Governor Nelson Rockefeller and Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands.

Wednesday Miscellany

I've started to convert Reel #2 of the slides.  The first batch on that reel are of church camp in Medusa, NY.  There was a weekend retreat every summer.  These pictures are from August 1959.  Normally I would have been too young to go but my parents were both there, as well as my brother and the other kids in his confirmation class.

Here are the cooks - including my Mom, Aunt Edie and Grammie Clas. 

We walked down a long hill to go to church on Sunday morning.  On the way back we stopped at the general store for candy and whatever goodies we could carry.

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to ....

In honor of my 59th birthday I cheated a bit on converting the slides.  I should be starting reel 2 but I jumped ahead to reel 4 in order to post some pictures from my 9th birthday party.  This is the only birthday party I remember having with anyone other than family. There were 9 girls at my party - I imagine all of the girls from my Elsmere Elementary 3rd grade class were invited.  Here I am 50 years ago, January 15, 1962.  

Pin the Tail on the Donkey - what fun.

The classic action shot.

I have no idea what was happening here. 

Wish I knew what album that was in 1962.

For no known reason I find myself singing the song 'It's My Party (and I'll cry if I want to)' every year on my birthday.  It was released by Leslie Gore in 1963, became the number 1 song.  At 59, seeing myself at 9, if I were having a party today I might just cry.  To be honest, I do not feel like 59 - though I'm not really sure what 59 should feel like. 

If you want to see 2 more photos from this party : http://ddramblings.blogspot.com/2012/04/its-my-party-and-ill-scare-you-if-i.html

Birthday Skyping with Rosie

Rosie called to wish Gromma Happy Birthday.  The best present I could possibly want.  She just turned 6 months old and had her check-up with the doctor.  She has been judged to be the healthiest - and most adorable - baby ever!

Rosie is changing so fast - there's something new for her every week.  I barely notice the change from year to year.  I'm going to take that as a good sign for both of us.

Thursday Miscellany

I have finally finished converting the first reel of slides.  Here's another sampling of the first 89 photos.

My sister Karen (in pink) and friends on their way to the Senior Ball.  June 19, 1959.

Every summer we went to Cossayuna Lake for 3 weeks.  All of these photos were taken while we were there in July 1959.  The camp was pretty rustic - no fancy amenities but I have never been as happy living anywhere else.

The kitchen was the heart of the cabin.

  The outhouse was a two-seater.  Not sure why - I can't recall ever having a buddy in there.

My (Great) Aunt Edie reading me the funnies.

I love this picture of my Mom and me.

A wonderful picture of my (Great) Aunt Edie, my Mom's father and mother, and my Dad's mother.  My Dad's father died when I was 2 so sadly I never really knew him.

Apparently people spent a lot of time in the water that summer - unintended time in the water.

Here's my brother Fred after falling off the dock.

Mom getting out of the boat.

Mom falling out of the boat.

Cousin Johnny hated waking up early.  So this day my Dad got him out of bed, carried him to the dock, and threw him into the water.  Here he is in his red striped pajamas. 

Monday Miscellany

While I'm converting the slides, my sister & my cousin are scanning old photographs.

Here's a picture of me and my sister Karen at her wedding shower - 1968.

 The photographer for Karen's wedding had a nervous breakdown (not sure if it was during or just after the wedding) - consequently there are no professional photos of the occasion.  Whenever a photo surfaces, it's a small treasure - here's one Cousin Doreen recently found.  Too bad the color is so washed out - the bridesmaids dresses were a beautiful shade of green.  June 1968

I've scanned maybe 20 of the slides - lots to go.  Here is Karen dressed for her Junior Prom - May 16, 1959.

Here is my brother Fred (2nd in from the left) along with cousins Johnny, Henry, Gail and Peggy at their 1st Communion - all age 11 or 12.  May 24,1959 

  Me and my brother Fred at our house in Albany.  May 24,1959

Sunday Skyping with Rosie

Rosie was really animated today.  Lots of giggles and high pitched squeals.  

Fancy Pants!

He's my Dad

Gromma's pretty funny

High Five

Success

I have started a project to convert the family photo slides to computer files.  I still have the original KODAC slide projector & a portable screen for viewing.  The projector has been discontinued for years and surely the light bulb will die eventually.  Before that happens I hope to convert the 6 carousels of family history.  I have a scanner to make the conversion.  Starting with the first 4 slides in carousel #1 it has taken me a week to make sense out of the instructions.  At last I found a way that works for me.  Here is the first successful scan - me at 6 in a fire truck at the Waterveliet Arsenal's Armed Forces Day - May 16,1959.

Hanging Out

Rosie with Dad & Slinky.  Life is good.

Happy New Year!

A photo of my sister, Karen, and me at her house.  We had a New Year's Day party with our Dad and cousins from that side of the family.  Good food, good drink, good people, good time.