Monday, January 22, 2007

Top: In high school, I had a pen-pal from Germany, named Christa Dietz. That's Christa on the left. I have not heard from her since about 1959. Wouldn't it be wild if someone who reads this blog knows her? If you do, or if you know someone who might, let me know, please.
Edit: that is NOT me in the picture with Christa. That is another German girlfriend of hers. I never met Christa; we just exchanged letters for a few years. Her intent was to perfect her use of English, and mine was to get to know someone from another country. I really wish I had the foresight to have kept her letters. That's about all I have ever thrown out....LOL




2nd: My grandmother, middle front, and her husband back row, left. Buckey, as we called him, was a judge and at one time, he was the mayor of Charleston, WV. He used to read the comics to me when I was 3-4-5, and he called them the "funny papers". Anytime I was in their home and he came in from work, he would stomp through the house saying "Fee-fi-fo-fum, I smell the blood of an Englishman. Be he live or be he dead, I'll grind his bones to make my bread." That was my clue to come screaming out of whatever hiding place I had secreted myself. I think his choice of poems was a little rough for a small girl, but it never harmed me on a lasting basis that I'm aware of.....LOL. The only other person I know in that photo is the woman on the right in the front row. Her name was Thelma, and I called her Aunt Tillie, though she was not related. Tillie was about 4'11" tall and wore size 4 women's shoes. Her shoes fit me perfectly at the time I was 8-9, and I loved going to her place and "dressing up" in her clothes and shoes.


Mom, dad and me, circa 1944-5, with my usual "Judy squint, head askew".








Daddy in the 1930's. Do you see how much he looked like Randolph Scott? If you are too young to know who Randolph Scott was - google it!
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15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, you and Christa were a couple hotties or whatever they were called in those days.

kenju said...

Blitz, you DO know that's not me in the pic with Christa, don't you?

Anonymous said...

Aren't they still called the "funny papers"?

Well in the photo of your dad with you and your mother there is certainly a resemblance to the quiet man...Randolph Scott.

As to the photo of you on garbage day? It would appear to me that you have actually gotten into the garbage. :)

Ginnie said...

Those are wonderful pictures,Kenju, but you really could have made 4 blogs out of them...it was so much to take in but I loved them. The one of you sitting near the garbage is especially sweet.

Raggedy said...

Wonderful Pictures!
Beautiful Memories!
Excellent post.
Thank you.
Have a wonderful day!
*^_^
(=':'=) hugs
(")_ (")Š from
the Cool Raggedy one

Anonymous said...

These photos are wonderful and I love your little commentary that accompanies each one :-) You like like you had a lot of fun on the beach with Christa - I do hope you get back in touch with her :-) If you do you must let us know!

srp said...

That little lady doesn't look that short, but oh my, what tiny delicate hands she has.

Anonymous said...

Judy, i am always tilting my head in pictures too.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

These are great pictures, Judy.....Your folks are quite formidable looking...especially your Grandma & Grandpa.....I LOVE that you have your head cocked in those pictures! Wouldn't it be great if Christa found you through your blog...! One can only hope!

Myfolks called them the "funny papers" too...So I think that was the norm, and may still be...I LOVED the funny papers, didn't you?

Anonymous said...

Judy, I love these photos. I know it is a lot to keep up with one blog but I would love for you to consider starting a blog just for stories that go with these photos. Events and people and places that you remember - a genealogical blog. I bet you have family that would love it as well.

fakies said...

My grandpa used to recite that same poem. I hadn't heard it in years. Thanks for the reminder!

Anonymous said...

Loved all of your pictures and memories...I want to go read some more about your grandparents when I have time...
:-D

Anonymous said...

I had a pen pal from the Soviet Union for the same reasons. We wrote back and forth for years. I'll never forget her asking me to send her "American catalogs". Those were her most favorite things to get from me. When I suddenly stopped hearing from her, it was pretty sad. And a little disconcerting.

Anonymous said...

Aw I thought we were going to get to see you in a bathing suit!

The one with you by the garbage with the mits on is my very favorite.

Shephard said...

I also had a German penpal. :)
(and French and Russian).

I love the bow-hat and overn mittens next to the garbage. That is a hoot!

~S :)