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!

Flashback Friday...61 years ago

Can I get a witness?

There are so many questions behind this picture.
Simple questions, really.
Questions that in this day in age (like tomorrow at Cori's wedding) could be answered by reliving the day over and over by watching the video.
But still, questions.
Like:
What was the weather like that day?
How did they get to the church?
Did they see each other before the wedding?
What time was the wedding?
Did Grandpa Bryant walk mom down the aisle?
Was there music?
Did the wedding party stand up with them?
What were their vows?
Was the ceremony long or short?
Why did they choose the Crown Point Church?
Were there a lot of guests?
Did my mom or dad shed a tear?
Did my mom wear these black gloves during the ceremony and if so did the ring go over the gloves or did she take them off to put the ring on or were there rings at all?
Who took this picture?
Who are the people in the background?
Were their other "studio" type pictures taken on the same day?
Did the crowd throw rice on them as they came out of the church?
Were family pictures taken?
Who drove them away?
Was there a reception?
Was there a wedding cake?

And why didn't I ever ask the two people who could tell me the answers?
The witnesses who remain and who might remember are few.
If you were one of them (or were smart and asked the right questions)
I'm asking you for answers or just a memory or two of the day.

Directions to here:
Young ones:
take my advice.
ASK now and write it down.
You WILL want the answers some day.

Treasure Hunters

Like-mindedness
Me and Cori
Proud dumpster divers

Been diving for treasures with Cori
will show what I found on the big screen on Saturday!

Jeremy's World

Because inquiring minds want to know:

See Jeremy's story about shooting stars, here.
I was waiting to give you the link until HE posted some more BIG NEWs...but he must be truck-driving and farming day and night!

For Jeremy's Story

Ask Him

Flashback Friday...speak of the...

Hope that you all had a fun filled Halloween and survived all the sugar buzzes.
Hope also you've enjoyed all the vintage trickers and treaters.
Here's one more.
And if you think I don't know where this costume is your wrong.
Found it in the fruit cellar when we cleaned out the basement.
Now it's (minus the aluminum foil pitchfork) in a box in storage in the Main Street Basement.
Speak of the devil
if you have a flashback memory.

Directions to here:
Shot by Mike (I think)...on poloriad land camera film

Last of the trickers and treats

Early Joe Bob Action

Adam, as usual, is missing in action