Scanning My Life

Corn at Coney Island

2008-09-11T07:47:16Z

I thought I had posted this one already but couldn't find it. Taken during a visit to Coney Island back in the mid-50s sometime. I believe I read this past week that the last of the old Coney Island amusement parks closed its gates recently. Even in the 50s, the place was hopping with activity.

Cycling -- Early 60s

2008-08-31T09:43:37Z

I was rightly proud of this swell new 3-speed bicycle that replaced my little 20-inch coaster brake special that I had used up to getting this bike. I had two pretty bad bike wrecks. Both due to foolishness. The first was on the second day I had the bike and wanted to show off to friends in a race. Apparently the handlebars had not been properly tightened. As I pulled away from the pack, I reached a t-intersection and had to turn right. I turned the handlebars but the wheel stayed straight and I slammed into a curb at about 20 mph! The bike was pretty banged up but repairable. I was fine; but upset that I had wrecked my new bike. The second bad wreck was a few years later. While riding in a pack with others, I was bouncing my front wheel up and down. For some reason I thought it would be fun to turn the wheel while it was up in the air. When it landed, the bike swerved violently (duh!) and threw me over the handbars, I landed on my chin! Ouch!

Beach Architecture

2008-08-19T00:00:00Z

The architecture of this castle is called 'Dribble.' I think I learned it from my Grandmother on my father's side, which if true means I learned it when I was quite young. It is still my preferred technique for building elaborate sand castles.

Politics in 1962

2008-08-16T05:55:58Z

I suppose some of this sort of thing still goes on...but not much I would guess. In 1962, one of the candidates for the US Congress from our local district encouraged folks to come out and meet him by having an old fashioned calliope (steam powered organ, I guess, would be sort of description) on a trailer go from neighborhood to neighborhood and attract attention. This candidate (last name was Robinson) set his calliope up in our driveway for an evening. From the pictures in the album, most of the people in the crowd were far too young to vote, so I'm not sure what the candidate may have gotten out of it other than some local buzz of interest...but in politics sometimes that is all you need anyway. Photographically, my father must have been having technical issues with his camera because all of the shots in this series are double exposed a bit because the film was not advancing (or was not advanced by him) enough between pictures. On the old Welta Weltax that he was using at that time, there was an optional 4.5x6 mask that he may have thought was inserted but instead he was shooting without the mask to 6x6. Just a guess on my part as to why the film was double exposed.

Cotton Candy Treat

2008-08-14T19:15:04Z

Cotton candy was always a treat. In the old days (for all you young 'uns) they used to spin it onto a cardboard cone right when you ordered it...rather than producing it in bulk and putting it in a plastic bag.

Patio #3

2008-08-13T19:31:02Z

A final shot in the Patio Series. My sister had a Luau and transformed the patio into a Hawaiian paradise. I particularly liked the temple built of stone against the back wall. We filled it with dry ice and enjoyed the mist that spilled out across the roacks and patio.

Patio #2

2008-08-12T21:50:52Z

So it was finished after much work. And my father took a deserved break to enjoy the fruites of his labor.

Patio Series #1

2008-08-11T07:26:34Z

This is the first of a short series about this patio. A few years after we moved into the house, my father laid out and began construction of a place for family picnics, parties, etc. to replace the grassy area that was there. As I recall, all work was done by him (with help from family and maybe some neighbors).

At the Grand Canyon

2008-08-10T10:02:17Z

I was out with a friend last night and was asked if I had visited the Southwest. I answered, 'yes.' But then realized just how long it has been since I made that trip...1963 according to the date stamped on this picture. 45 years ago!! Only a flash in the history of the Grand Canyon, but a substantial portion of my 58 years. So I am beginning to plan for a vacation later this year to that part of the country. I'll be looking for photo workshops, so if you know of any, let me know.

Grandparent's 50th

2008-07-24T17:48:07Z

Mom has been hinting that it was time for change of picture here. This is the only shot I have processed and ready to go. This is my Mother with her parents as they celebrated their 50th Anniversary.