Faded photographs…what memories they bring!

I was looking for one photograph tonight…only one! But I had to search through hundreds for that special one. I have had lots of cameras through the years and what looks like a hundred or so albums filled to the brim. Those are smaller albums. I have some albums that are boxes with pull out pages with individual slots that flip over so they can hold a large number of pictures compactly.

Some of my albums are very large and are heavy when you pick them up. I often say the book shelves that hold the smaller albums remind me of the public library.

The photographs were made over a period of time and include many trips to places around the world and to every state in the USA. My “picture taking” included the use of a number of different cameras, each one a newer model.

Tonight I really stepped back in time when I saw so many pictures of my students, of baby pictures and of the beautiful world we live in. I had dozens of scenes in Hawaii and lots of the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. My friend and I got to see floats being built right up until time to line up for the procession. After the parade we went aboard the Queen Mary for a tour and a lovely lunch.

All those memories were made before the high tech phones we have now. I must have spent several thousand dollars or more on having film developed, not to mention the cost of the film. One of my favorite cameras was my last one. It was the size of a pack of cigarettes and had a chip in it rather than film. I dropped it not long ago and cannot find a new one like it to buy. I was told they no longer make them.

The title of this journal entry is entitled “Faded photographs…” That is what happens over time…faded photographs and faded memories. It took time for my mind to wander back to Costa Rica, England, to Natchez in the Spring and to Disney World an Epcot. Too many places to list! Travel is such a first hand education. I am thankful for those experiences. After looking at each photograph that was in the box and not finding the “one” I was looking for, I will begin checking each album. I should finish by Christmas!

Patsy Rinehardt…our Great Dane

I was going through a plastic bin when I found a large scarf that belonged to my Mother. It has never been worn and was in her things when I cleaned out her house after she passed away. It had been packed away and this was the first time I had seen it. The scarf had a border lined with pictures of dogs. In the center was a large picture of a Great Dane.

I do not know exactly when Patsy, became our pet, but it was many years ago and the date and other details are not clear in my memory. If Mother was still living she could furnish all of that. She had an amazing capacity for remembering everything.

We had moved to Columbia from Charleston and lived near A.C.Moore school at the corner of Rosewood Drive and South Waccamaw Avenue. We had a free standing garage in the back yard on a large lot. The garage became Patsy’s doghouse. A large area was fenced in so she could not roam freely. It was Mother’s responsibly to feed Patsy and to keep the area clean.

Patsy was large and she seemed almost like a pony! I don’t remember when we got Patsy and when she left us. We have a few photos of her, but not that many. Evidently her care became too much for Mother and so far as I know she was given to someone who really wanted a Great Dane.

Nevertheless, the scarf was Mother’s way of remembering Patsy. The colors in the scarf are a little faded, as are my memories. I was glad when I came across this reminder of times past and a dog that was loved by my Mother.

Slam books….

What brought this subject to mind is a mystery! Most people have no idea what a slam book is, I am sure. Long ago, when I attended Hand Junior High …

Slam books….

Trivia..

Trivia…what does it mean? I played “trivia“ yesterday with 29 friends and we had a great time! We were divided into three teams. The questions were flashed on a large screen, with five or six possible answers. There was an announcer, who read the question and sometimes made a funny remark to keep us laughing! We had a score keeper and two folks who manned the computer and did the sound effects for a correct or an incorrect answer!

Snacks were provided in a bowl at each table. The competition was fierce! Not so much on the answers, but whether you would get the candy or snack you would like to have! Everyone has their favorite, you know!

My snack was in a plastic bag with an ear of corn on the packet that said, “Smartfood.” It was popcorn with a white cheddar coating. I had never seen the product before, but it was delicious! I would like to buy a case of it! I am not certain it improved my intelligence, but it doesn’t matter, it made me happy and that is important during these times of gloom and doom!

Back to our trivia game. There were six categories, I believe . Some of them were science, history, geography and one was called pot luck! It was lots of fun! We each were happy when our team scored and the end result was a tie! It was not that important who won, it was the fellowship that mattered!

I decided to check the meaning of the word “trivia” even though I knew what it was. After checking nine different dictionaries or sources of meanings, they all agreed that trivia is : details, considerations or pieces of information of little importance or value! We had an afternoon of fun, topped off with pizza, a fresh fruit cup and a refreshing fruit drink.

Many thanks to Janet Altman and First Presbyterian Church of Columbia, South Carolina for this special afternoon of fun, food and fellowship! During these times of negativity and sadness in many cases, we need to have fun and fellowship. We certainly had it playing “trivia” and being together once more! That is a FACT that is not trivial! ♥️

Pineapples…..I really like them!

I don’t remember eating “fresh” pineapple as a child. My Mother and Grandmother made pies, cakes and other desserts that were pineapple, but the pineapple was from a can.

It is strange how we go through life and don’t taste certain fresh fruits or at least you don’t remember when you saw them for the first time.

I have been to Hawaii several times and we toured the Dole pineapple farm and bought pineapple wedges to eat . It was interesting to learn a few facts back then, but I did not retain all the history or facts. I spent two weeks in Costa Rica some years ago when I went as an “ambassador” from Atlanta. I learned a great deal about Costa Rica, but no emphasis was made about the pineapple industry.

For many years I have bought fresh pineapples the same as I buy cantaloupes, watermelons and all other fruits. When I lived in Atlanta and bought lots of produce from the International Market and they always put my pineapples in a device that removed the prickly outside and the core. I never had to struggle with peeling one and getting my hands scratched.

I buy pineapples from ALDI very often. I had heard for many years that pineapples are a sign of hospitality. I give some as gifts to visitors from time to time after we have eaten and they are about to leave. To me it lets friends know I appreciate them.

I learned some facts today that I will share, in case you did not know a great deal about their history. The FIRST ever pineapple dates back to 1398. It takes up to three years to mature into a plant. Only one pineapple 🍍 is produced on a single plant in a single season. A plant can stay alive and give fruit as much as fifty years.

A pineapple is not a pine and is not an apple, it is a berry. 75% of all pineapples are grown in Costa Rica. Dole, in Hawaii, has the largest maze, which stretches over three acres. You can grow a pineapple plant by placing the top in soil.

Now that we have become a little more familiar with pineapples, I think it is time for me to cut one and enjoy it. I hope you will want to do the same!