Flashback Friday...Happy Pencil...uh, Christmas!

When I was in Romania, I learned how to say "Craion Fericite", Happy Christmas.
For 3 weeks before leaving for a trip to Germany, I proudly greeted every Romanian I knew with my new word I learned. They, being the humble and polite people they are, smiled and thanked me.
Two days before leaving the country, one of the Romanian girls that knew me and had a more out-going sense of humor...heard me say this and said..."you American fool, you are not saying Merry Christmas." I asked what WAS I saying?
I had walked around for 3 weeks wishing everyone a Happy Pencil.

Oh well!
My intentions were good...

Hope your Christmas was Happy!

Yep!

Christmas is a go!

60 to 4 in 48 hours or less

Video update:

24 hours...down to 60 minutes

now need to take it from 60 to 4 in 48 hours

x

8 more hours of retail hell

ah, December!

Flashback Friday...Merry Christmas from the Vandercars

I don't know if it was used on a Christmas card or not...
but it's the perfect picture for one of those old style picture cards

Merry Christmas to and from the Vandercars!

Christmas Crunch

24 hours.
That's 24 hours of video tape.
It all needs to be uploaded to the computer...that's 24 hours real time.
Then it all needs to be whittled away down to a four minute song.
I just found an email from last year, sent on Nov. 30 and I was fretting cause I was so far behind.
I just spent 2 days uploading and still have 12 hours left to upload.
2 days off remaining before Christmas.

I think I'm screw ----oooooooged.

24 hours...just call me, Jack.

Flashback Friday....Bookends

Bookends

The oldest - The youngest

The Firstborn - The baby
Big Sis - Little Sis
Then and Now
Forever

Directions to here:
I'm sure I can speak for Janet as well...We are so proud and blessed to be the bookends for all the chapters in between!

Viva Knievel

Evel Knievel

1973:

I'm laying on the floor, clutching a pillow, wide eyes glued to the tv screen.
Who doesn't remember holding their breath when this dare devil was suspended mid-air above all those buses?
Along with my brothers, he was the reason I wanted to ride motorcycles, build ramps, learn to pop wheelies and wear stars and striped leather. And He, I'm sure was also what inspired more than a few bruises on my arms and legs in the weeks that followed those televised jumps. (I don't recall the disclaimer "don't try this at home)."

Anyway, as you probably know...
another American Icon has passed away.
I heard he made peace with "the spirit in the sky."

Mr. Knievel,
Thanks for making me hold my
breath with anticipation and wonder.Directions to here:

Remember how he used to
ride right up to the edge of the jump and stop...look...and then roll back down?
You will feel like a kid again,
I promise.

Six Tens

Happy Birthday, Janet !!

And Taylor too!

Flashback Friday...Snow Day

Snow is falling on Main Street.
I just heard a plow go by.

Winter is officially here.

Being the youngest, I think I missed most of the "all play" snow days. But someone had to teach me how to make snow angels and I do remember rolling snow men into being...so thank you whoever took me outside to "play" in the snow...I know you were all probably over it by that time.
My favorite all time memories involving snow and home are:
1. Burying bottled coke in the snow bank to make it extra ice cold and
2. How the side yard would be transformed into a winter wonderland every December when the Dad would plant the forest of Christmas trees for sale at the Log Cabin.

Another Safe Season

Fridge Art by Jeremy

Thanks to the safety lessons that were passed down from one generation to another, another deer season has ended safely.

This picture CRACKS ME UP!
I can just see him at his desk with his box of 64.
When other kids were drawing their pets and the tree in the yard,
our own Jeremy had visions of deer and forests.
And he knew his target audience.
Want to get the attention of your Grandpa?
Don't draw dinasours or aliens; draw white tale bucks and hunters!

Sorry, Kel...this is the man you married and this his how far back the history goes!
It's in his blood!

Media Tuesday...you oughta know...

You oughta see:
Away From Her

But, prepare to cry.
We went to the library screening of this film last Friday. It is tender, heartbreaking and yet amusing enough to not just wash you away. The characters are different and both likable and unlikeable at times...but it's the story that will leave you pensive. It was all a little too close to home and I have to say I had to numb myself a little to keep watching. If you've ever walked through an assisted livng/nursing home, you'll be familiar with the 3rd main character that is not credited in this film...it's the place itself and the feelings it provokes...and this film captures it all too well.

You oughta hear:
Counting Crows - A Long December

An anthem.
I first heard it around the time Mom was in and out of the hospital.
I remember hearing it the night Heidi went to the E.R. with a broken wrist.
I listened to it when I was broken down and stranded in Sircoxie, Missouri.
And it was the first thing I listened to after the last meeting with HR (thank, god) and signing the papers to leave Crusade.
I listen to it every December 1st.
And it still moves me and means a lot to me.
Na, na, na, na....yeah.

Further on up the Road

"...and he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes
and death shall be no more;
neither shall there be mourning,
nor crying,
nor pain..."

revelation. 21:4

Cheers to the Birthday Girl

Happy Birthday, Heidi

As the African says:
Hip Hip Hoorah!

Directions to here:
Yes, Shel and Cori, she still is "so cool" and that's Lua...who is in the pre-school to cool...with a mama like that, she's sure to pass the class!

And to those that love them....

The Hunter Widows
Helen Jean and Faith

After reading Verna's comment, I remembered that I forgot to post this special picture in yesterdays ramblings.

All hail to the women who are married to the hunters!

I guess my mom knew what she was getting herself into since:
1. They were engaged while squirrel hunting and
2. They went pheasant hunting on their honeymoon.
Even tho she owned her own gun (which by the way I only found out at Joey's birthday shoot), I have a feeling she didn't really care all that much about hunting or fishing. Maybe she "didn't mind it", but I think she did it because she loved my dad.
So here's to the women who went along, packed lunches, cleaned fish, stayed home with the (6) kids (for a day or a week ie: cabin in Penn.), cut up, ground, froze and cooked deer meat, kept Thanksgiving dinners warm (after fixing them by themselves...with the (6) kids "helping") and let their home interior decor be mixed with antlers and head mounts. Can you say: L-O-V-E ?

They are just as good sports...as our outdoor sportsmen!

Directions to here:
thanks for all the comments!
I love them and hearing what memories these photos bring back!

Flashback Friday...The Deer Hunters

Being a sensitive child and an animal lover...I'm surprised I never questioned it or rebelled against it.
I guess being surrounded by "deer art" since before birth desensitized me.
All those antlers, mounted heads with eyes that followed you around the room and deer hooves that were shaped into hooks to hold up the gun that shot them must have numbed me to the fact that Bambi was being hunted down and shot.
Come to think of it, I have never seen Bambi.
Maybe that was on purpose.
Maybe my parents knew that if I ever saw Bambi or even read it (don't think I've done that either)...they knew they'd have a revolt.
Luke asked me last week how come I never went hunting. I think I did. At least I have a memory of sitting in a pick up truck at the end of the field. I've put out of my mind whether I was told to stay in the truck or whether I chose to go back to the truck. I remember it was cold, so I'm sure there was some whining involved. I do remember just "having to go" with the DDT's trapping and the waders being to big for me and getting soaked. That was always cold too. But trapping, fishing, foxes and clay pigeons...that's for another Friday.

This flashback Friday is about the Deer Hunters.

I still love animals, but can separate it in my mind and cheer for the boys in camo and orange this time of year. Maybe it's because I see so much history and legacy when I see their rosy cheeks and layered long johns. I see the hope that goes with them (I mean, really, what else can get Joey and Bob out of bed that early)? I see the rush of getting a shot and the "glow" that comes from getting that buck. It's a look that has been passed down from generations hence and will continue to be passed to generations to come.

So Deer Hunters, behold your founding fathers:Dad and ??

Dad, Verle Little, Uncle Ralph Tilton and ?

(back of picture says Colorado)

Looks like a Solomon, Doc Osborne ?? and Uncle Ralph
(Is this in front of the corn crib at Uncle Ralph's)?

Leo Hilt & Seth Walker
(Leo Hilt was a friend of Dad's...not sure who Seth Walker is)
And the sure shot.
Here's looking at you!

Directions to here:

Don't anyone ruin it for me by telling making me watch or read Bambi.

"Because, because, because, because, because...."

"...Because of the wonderful things He does! We're off to see the Wizard, the Wonderful Wizard of Oz!"

Not even the Wizard of Oz could give these folks what they deserved.
It took the Wizard of Hollywood (Steven Speilberg) to intervene on their behalf, but the Munchkins finally got a star on the Hollywood walk of fame!

Here's why they deserve it:

1. Because they were real, yet fantastical.
Is there any movie that has such fantastic real scenes?
That's right they were real people. Many were hired from a troupe called the Singer Midgets. Look at the above photo. There is nothing digital about it. It was 1939, folks. They are all real and not digitally enhanced and they were fantastic.
2. Because they got paid less than Toto.
Yep, most of them were paid very little for their amazing performances. They bunked 3 to a bed at the Culver Hotel and received bad reputations after Judy Garland told a talk show host that they were rowdy drunks.
3. Because only 9 remain
out of the original 124 and they waited 68 years for the recognition.
4. Because they are all 80+ years old
and are still willing to sign autographs and dress in Emerald green.
5. Because they followed the yellow brick road.
6. Because, Because, Because, Because, Because!

Calling up the birthday girl

Giving the Birthday girl a call and a shout out!
Happy Birthday, Sarah!

Harvest Update

Hey all...I updated the flashback friday post with correct names and back of picture quotes...and added one special farmer at the end.

Flashback Friday...Bringing in the Sheaves...and corn and the beans.

Since I'm spending Thanksgiving on the farm and we all just feasted on a table filled with food from many farmer's labors, I thought it appropriate to thank the long line of farmers on both sides of the family. Hats off to the family owned farmers of this country...you are full of faith, honest, hard working, nobel and represent the America I want to preserve.

And Congratulations to the Hayden family farm for bringing in and finishing the harvest.

The Harvesters

On the Bryant side:

The above picture is from Aunt Helen Hutchen's photo album .
Back of photo says:

Clate & Daniel R. Bryant, Oswego, Kansas
Which, I believe, (help me here, Aunt Mary and don't check out on me, Dave) Daniel would be our Great Grandpa (Winfred's Dad) and our Uncle Clate (Windred's brother)
Grandma Florence and Grandpa Winfred Bryant

On the Vandercar side:

Grandma Fern & Grandpa George
(back of photo says "this is another view of the water and suppose you know these hay-seeds)
Someone told me this was from the flood in the Marsh

Bob Vandercar
from Aunt Helen Hutchen's book
(back of photo says "Harvesting in Indiana...Bob Vandercar's)

From the Hayden side:

Jerry Hayden...1970's

...and sons (2001 ish)

and more sons

(2005 ish)

and finally, this year and the glue that holds the farm together:

Gobble, Gobble...Bobble, Bobble.

Happy Thanksgiving!

One mile from Joan

So, I'm at the Louisville store Grand Opening on Saturday and I'm working at the register and suddenly I hear one of my favorite lyrics:
"Won't you turn around, 'Cause I hate when I cannot see your face"
and realize that Joan Osborne's Early Recordings is playing over the speakers.
When I see Aaron, the manager, I say "I love you for playing Joan."
He then responds by saying "You know she lives about a mile from here."

Shut up.

I've been in Louisville since Wednesday nite and on Saturday I find out I'm one mile from Joan?
If I knew that, I would have been on the lookout all weekend. I would have been roaming the streets and alley ways.
Aaron then tells me that he once bumped into her as she came out of the bathroom at the "Hideaway" on open mic night.
I tell him, that's it, I'm transferring to Louisville and working at his store until I get to bump into Joan.

People, it's old media Tuesday.

I'm telling you if you think you've heard Joan Osborne because you heard "One of Us" played 1 million times on the radio and vh-1 video rotation in 1996, think again.
(By the way the video to that song is brillant).
No, you haven't heard Joan until you listen to this:
Joan Osborne: Early recordings.
It is stellar and once you listen to it, you'll know why I spent the last few hours I had in Louisville searching everywhere, each and every aisle, each and every face for Ms. Osborne and telling everyone I was only one mile from Joan.

Flashback Friday...Let's go Devils

First attempt uploading a video...

Turn your head sideways or flip your screen. This clip ALWAYS makes me laugh out loud.

London Calling...

Directions to here:
As the crow flies: 3982 miles.

Eleven Eleven at Eleven

4,048 stars

x
100
=
the price of freedom

Each one of these stars represents 100 heroes who gave the ultimate price for freedom.

After taking Dad back to Whittenburg it took a little bit of shouting so he could hear ("it's Veterans day!)" and me saluting him twice, but I finally got the old soldier to salute...and he did it with that familiar slight smile.

Dad and Grandpa...we salute you on this and every Veterans Day.

Goin' to the Chapel

Ed & Cori

Ed & Cori's wedding is today

Cori will be the first GIRL of our 2nd generation to walk down the aisle.

Directions to here:
If there is a balcony, turn around and see how big the smiles are on the faces of those Bryant Girls.

Flashback Friday...Night...the ninth

Plus 29 = thirty

Happy Birthday, Joshua!