Grampa G - Sunday Scans

Al over at "Al's Photography Blog" is starting a new meme!
It's called Sunday Scans, and will be for all photos scanned ... they can be old prints or slides, or even new scanned shots if you still shoot on film.

This is going to be so much fun!
Now we will have a place to share these wonderful old photos ... other than in a box, drawer, or dusty photo-album-on-a-shelf!

Oh yeah, about the photo ... this is one I found in a box of pictures from one of Grampa and Grandma G's many adventures on the road. Since they traveled all over the US, Canada, and Mexico for many years ... this could have been taken nearly anywhere, at any time.

Maybe the car is a clue???

Reflections of a Bridge ... Weekend Reflections

This is another of Grandma G's pictures from a road trip she and Grampa G. took back in 1981. I don't know where this picture was taken ... and since they traveled through at least 5 Western US states, it could pretty much be anywhere!

But I can still appreciate the beauty of the reflections ... no matter where or when they were found!

To see reflections from around the world, visit James at "Newtown Area Photo", and join us for Weekend Reflections!

Elkins Family Bible ...

I was shopping at the Goodwill Outlet store in Hillsboro, Oregon, when a bin full of books was brought out. There were many old books, and I grabbed some that caught my eye.

I saw an old tattered and falling-apart Bible, but passed over it ... until my daughter opened it and made me realize what a treasure it was ...

On the inside cover were four tags ...
"Rev. JT Elkin, TUSCOLA, Douglas co Ill"
"Rev. JT Elkin, WAXAHACHIE, Ellis co (worn off)"
"Rev. JT Elkin, MARION, Marion co Oregon"
"Rev. JT Elkin, CORVALLIS, Benton co Oregon"

Also a sticky note as follows:

"BIBLE - 1856

"Belonged to my Great-Grandfather (my Dad's Grandfather) used as he rode horseback through the countryside, as a Methodist Circuit Rider.
Lois Harvison"

The Bible itself is labeled "New York - American Bible Society" 1856

Between the Old and New Testaments was a section titled "Family Records"

Marriages:

James T. Elkins & Jennetta F. Gardiner was married by Rev. Benjamin Darlington October the 27th 1859
Simon N. Grizzell & Nannie J. Elkin, January the 18th, 1882, Waxahachie, Tex {daughter}
George R. Maple & Ella E. Elkin, January the 18th, 1882, Waxahachie, Tex {daughter}

Births:
Kanawha co West Va, James T, son of Edley & Francis Elkin was born October the 31st AD 1826
Montgomery co West Va, Jennetta Francis Elkin, daughter of Alaxander & Nancy Gardiner was born December the 9th AD 1840
1. Putnam co West Va, Nancy Jane, daughter of James T. & Jennetta F. Elkin, was born August the 30th AD 1860
2. Camargo Douglas co Illinois, Emily Ellen Elkin, daughter of James T. & J. F. Elkin, was born April 3rd AD 1864
3. Tuscola, Douglas co Illinois, Leonard Haddington, son of J.T. & J.F. Elkin was born April AD the 10th 1867
4. Tuscola, Douglas co Illinois, Euretta Candace, daughter of Jas. T. & J. F. Elkin was born December the 16th, AD 1868
5. Tuscola Douglas co Illinois, Infant son - J.T. & J.F. Elkin, born July 22nd AD 1871
6. Tuscola Douglas co Illinois, James Clark, son of J.T. & J.F. Elkin born January 8th AD 1873, 8 oclock 15 min

Deaths
3. Leonard A. Elkin, September the 2nd AD 1868 12 oclock 25
4. Euretta C. Elkin, September the 4th AD 1869 7 oclock 35
5. Inf son of J.T. & J.F. Elkin, July 22nd AD 1871
Mrs. Jennetta F. Elkin, July 14th AD 1875, Marlin Falls co Texas, 8 oc 13 min
Rev. J.T. Elkin, ded, January 3rd 1889, Corvallis, Benton co Ore.

Tucked between the pages of Family Records, was this well worn bookmark. It appears to be a peachy pink ribbon with scalloped edges, and a cross-stitched (on heavy paper) saying - "the blush of modesty" and a flower.

There was also a newspaper clipping about the Elkins family ...
including family crest and family history from medieval times through the 1600's.

Someday I will get enough information about this family to be able to track down the Reverend's descendants ... and return to them his Bible.

Until then, I am grateful that it ended up in our shopping cart ... instead of being sent off to be shredded and recycled (as do many of Goodwill's books that don't sell) ...

Found ... Sunglasses

When I walk, I look down a lot. The things that catch my eye are things that don't seem to belong in the setting. Like these broken sunglasses ... discarded on a bed of moss.

Sometimes even trash, tossed away as useless, can be beautiful.

To see reflections from around the world, visit James at "Newtown Area Photo" - and join us for Weekend Reflections!

Googling My Name ...

USS Clytie ... 1943

# Aegir Class Submarine Tender: Laid down, as a Maritime Commission, type (C3-S-A2) hull under Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 861) at Ingalls Shipbuilding Co., Pascagoula, MS.
# Launched, 26 November 1943
# Acquired by the Navy, 26 February 1944 and placed in temporary commission for passage to her conversion yard at Hoboken, N.J.
# Decommissioned in March 1944 and turned over to Bethlehem Steel Corp., Hoboken, N.J.., for conversion to a Submarine Tender
# Placed in full commission, as USS Clytie (AS-26), 18 January 1945, CDR. C. H. Walker in command
# During World War II USS Clytie was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater
# Decommissioned, 5 October 1946, at New London, CT.
# Laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, New London, CT.
# Struck from the Naval Register (date unknown)
# Transferred to the Maritime Administration (MARAD) for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River, Lee Hall, VA.
# Final Disposition, scrapped in 1971

USS Clytie ... 1945

This is what I get for Googling my name.
It's kind of interesting ... being a submarine tender!
I'm not so sure about the being "scrapped in 1971" part though.
I think I'm now a reef!!!

Found Outside a Local High School ...

I found this paper on the ground outside Tigard High School while I was waiting for my brother and his wife to get out of a meeting there. It had rained overnight, and I saw a moist piece of paper with must have been a specially designed drawing for snow goggles for the school's snowboarding team.
There was what appeared to be a short order list on the back.

I know "Steeze" is a term related to snowboarding ... and that's all I know!

But I learned something today - which is part of the reason I pick up weird stuff like this!

Fart Light Track

When the huge building across the street was being gutted down to the cement walls, many of the original construction notes were revealed.

Including this one. I know, I know, it was probably supposed to be "Far +" and "Light Track" ... but I think I like it better as "Fart Light Track"!

Vern's final letter ...

This is the final letter from Vern to his parents.
I will miss them.
Thank you for letting me share this delightful family.
I hope you have enjoyed this series as much as I have!

2/9th/69th

Hi - folks.

I got here (just) fine. got here 7 in the moreing (morning) left there about 3'o clock yestery (yesterday) evenney (evening).

Got in Colfax washington then Pullman and just started to storm hard I mene it just come poreing down, no not rain, I mene snow.

Im sure glad now I left when I did, huh.

I never used them chang (chains) at all tho other then that the car whent very slow but studdy (steady) thought (through) about 6 inch of dampa kind of snow.

All the way to Colfax. from Kingston, the hi-ways
(over)

where all nice and dry. Like smer (summer?) Hi-ways, olny then the wind just blue and blue relley hard I had a sacso (?) the weel a lot, from Spokane to Colfax. and just as soon as I got to Plomer it just started to began to storm.

So I got a little bitt scook (shook) up about then. that snow makes me disze (dizzy) you know, to drive in it anyway.

So I was scooh-up about then. and (dead mans fase) was allso bad at that time. Nampa, hasent got any snow to spek of oanlee little paches here and there. you got some more to huh I herd on the readeo (radio) just now. My garsh what wheather you've been geting gee whose.
Well thats all now.
Vern Meligan

Such a happy guy - cute smile!
He did really well with the car in the snow though, I think.

Introducing Vern's Mom ...

I found this note tucked into the old dictionary along with the letters from Vern to his mom. It is a note written regarding a phone conversation they had. It is adorable ... read on - and get to know more about this delightful family.

Vern called Tuesday around nine. They are re-trying to buy them a trailer house two bed roomed just right for them. They are putting in a new Trailer Court real near to the State School where he works, the cost per mo. I believe he said would be $55 a month and has everything new stove is heated by gas & can in time if natural gas comes in, converted into that type. He said mom, if you come we will get you a peice of plyboard to sleep on, as we've gotten a Deveno bed for $10. When you come will you bring us at least a dozen of your ginger cookies

then we'll feast on them and milk or coffee. He seemed real pleased at the thought of us comming even. We talked 25 minutes but so worth it. I ask how are your feet? He said Oh! I get around. Yes I'm working. He called from that neighbors place Collect of course.

So it was a rewarding day got my S.S. straightened out and so we trust it will keep straight from now on.

Eugene's teeth got repaired once more, we had a nice lunch at Toper in Coeur D'Alene got home around four. Found 4 loaves of bread 2-2# bags of rains + a bag of brownies.

Bread is for a bread pudding I was informed by Zelda + Loran get some also.

I so much love this family! Don't you?
Alas, there is only one more letter from Vern to his mom.
I will post it tomorrow - it's the best yet!

Vern - Letter #2

This second letter from Vern to his mom and dad is not dated. But it was lovingly tucked into the same envelope with the first letter, dated December of 1968, and mentions some of the same things ...

Hi - folks hows the volks ha ha. Guss what? It snowed thats what about 5 inch of that white stife. the most snow all at onece Nampa ever had for a long time they say. they only have about one inch at a time then it males (melts) before noon. this time four inch last all day 9:30 P.M. now and most of it is gone tho.

Boy some good news they are going to fix the Volks folks. only $400 Dollars to fix it too. It will be tomorrow when I fine out when it gets fixed Reddy to drive. they seem to think it just might be reddy by JANUARY somethings. mybe the firest of the week of JAN.

Gee every thing is Happypenny when I'm not thare, how about that? Glen Bys (buys) a truck Loran

(over)

sells her House.

Whars Loran moveing to now. Gee a could a or a can a you spar a mybe $10. Dollars this a month mybe I'm a little shot of cash funes (funds) moneys Dollars perticharly this month.

So if you might just have some money ling (lying) around and looking kind of sad would plese spar about $10. Dollars. mybe. you see Don and I have'nt been able to fine a bitter (better) or chiper (cheaper) place lattly.

Well thats all I can think of for this time by for now.
Vern poor Meligan

Isn't this another adorable letter from Vern?
I love how he writes the way he talks. I think he's awesome!

Introducing Vern ...

Yesterday while at the Goodwill Surplus store, I came across two tattered old books in a plastic bag. They intrigued me, so I paid the $1 to buy them.

One of the books was a family Bible - it's leather cover coming apart in chunks. Oh the treasures tucked within - old postcards, letters, pressed flowers ... but more on that later.

The second book was a battered dictionary, with no cover, hand written notes scattered throughout. Treasured letters were tucked between it's pages. It was owned by someone (I get the impression of an old lady, but that's just me I think) who loved words.

Several of the letters tucked into the dictionary were written by "Vern". As I read through these letters, I fell in love with his country charm. He wrote as he spoke.

12/25/68

Hi VOLKS OR I MIGHT FOLKS

I'm not going to write or see you anymore this year. So thar. Gee I Dissaponted' you never seent (sent) me my bannanes insted you cut them up in my frute cake Boy what a dretty (dirty) truck (trick) you pauld (played) on me.

I was So! dissaponted I Had "cry just a little bit, Geech. Boy when I get Home when I get home you've! just Had it thats It, I'm telling, you thats it now, youve just had I now. Well for instenes (instance) I was and stell am so mad I ate some of that bannana furt grade and to Eat any thing with bannanas in it will it (halps). Makes you get over being made (mad)
(over)

Gee I worked today 25th. Allday too. Boy its some-things to see them sapost (supposed) to be helpless poeplo (people) open gifts well! hell thare not acctcherly (actually) Helpless to a sertten (certain) point, you might say only there handy capt (handicapped) is about all I guss. two feelows that careral, they where ones that opened Gift like a eez you might say or go a Head and say I sure wont stop you that for sure! Im here.

Oh yes they will fix my car only $400. Dollars to get it fix is about all too.

I stell dont know when I'll get fix tho, soon tho, the way he talked. So looks like I might just see you soon like (maybe) I'll see yous soon. So well see you sometimes soon. Well that's about it now. Might see you or write soon.

V E R N

Isn't this the most delicious letter you've ever read? Apparently Vern worked at a State School for handicapped people somewhere in Idaho in the mid to late 1960's ... and was possibly a bit handicapped himself ... his view of the "handy capt" people he worked with is adorable.

There are 2 more letters from Vern, as well as a note from his mom to herself about a phone call they had. I can hardly wait to share more from this delightful family!

To see all things postal, including delightful old letters, visit Gemma at Greyscale Territory - and join us for Weekend Mailbox!

Shadows on Rocks ...

Another picture I found in Grandma G's travel album, from a trip they took sometime in the late 1970's or early 1980's. The trip took them from Oregon to Idaho and on to Arizona.

Even though the photo is old and the location obscure ... it is still beautiful.

The rocks are probably still there ...
Only the shadows will be different.

To see shadows from around the world, visit Hey Harriet, and join us for Shadow Shot Sunday.

Military Training Journal ...

I found a journal at the Goodwill some time ago ... only a few pages had been used.
I tore them out, setting them aside, and used the journal for other things.

In fits and starts I have been trying to go through my mounds and piles and boxes of paper stuff, and in one of my searches I found the journal entries.

This time I read them.

There is no name to my mysterious soldier. Just a vivid description of what it was like to be training for war. Some of the wording makes me think the time frame is the Viet Nam era.

Did this soldier fight there? Did he ever have to throw one of those grenades for real? If he did go over there, did he make it home okay?

I will never know .....

And look at the date. February 14th. Valentines Day.

Old Photo - electrical hearts!

In January of 1980 ... several years before they welcomed me into their family ... Grampa and Grandma G took a trip from Oregon to Arizona, with many stops in between.

At one of the campgrounds, they took pictures of this electrical box ...
Probably because it scared them!

But guess what ... up in the corner of the photo ... I spied a pair of ...
Electrical Hearts! Do you see them?

To see hearts old and new, from all over the world, visit Random Hearts and participate in this week's Guest Heart Thursday!

Old Photo - Shadow Shot Sunday

I found this shadowy picture in an old photo album packed away ...
Grampa and Grandma G.
They must have been fascinated with this bird - there were several shots of it.

January, 1980 - Two years before they came into my life, they went on a trip - from their home in Oregon to Arizona - with many stops along the way.

They loved to travel. I miss them so much.

To see amazing shadows captured around the world, visit Hey Harriet - and join us for Shadow Shot Sunday!

Something Mailed ...

I found this in Ivor's papers (rescued from dumpster some years ago) and decided it was worth keeping. What originally caught my attention was the phone number.
167.
That's it. No area code, no prefix number ...
I think the world was smaller when this was mailed.

I'm not sure why Ivor kept it, except that he kept EVERYTHING.
I'm glad he did!

I like that it was postmarked
Independence, Oregon -
where my sister Beth lives!

What are the odds???

Caution - Thistles!!!

One of those things that make you go Hmmmmm???!!!
Maybe too many people have hit the sign.
Or maybe we're being protected from the thistles peeking out from the cone ...

Keep Portland Weird! - Weekend Reflections

I took this picture because I LOVE these Keep Portland WEIRD bumper stickers I keep seeing around town.

I didn't realize until later just how many reflections I caught in the shot!

To see reflections from around the world, please visit James at Newton Area Photo - and join us for Weekend Reflections!

Depreciation

I was walking around the abandoned church when I saw something in the grass. I picked it up, and found this $1 bill. It was crinkly from the rain, and tattered from both weather and insects.

How long had it sat there? Who dropped it? I'll never know.

My silly side tells me ... maybe someone dropped a $10 bill, and it shrank in all that rain we had this Spring!

What stories do YOU think this $1 would tell?

Four Leaf Clover!

A truly random find - I happened to look down and find this four leaf clover!

Maybe it's time to go buy a lottery ticket!
NOT! (Can't push my 'luck' too far, eh?)