Flashback Friday - Cars of 1964

Welcome to Flashback Friday!  Thanks for stopping by...I hope you're enjoying these Flashbacks as much as I am!  Today, I thought I'd share a little story of my Dad and me...when I was young and into my teens.  My Dad was big on cars.  Dad was always pushing, towing or dragging "dead" cars into Dealers' lots and buying a different car.  It was hard to keep up with what car my dad
was driving!  This beauty is a 1964 Ford Galaxie 500...a car I remember my dad driving.  When we would travel as a family, we'd usually be going on a 1,000 mile trip to New York to visit family.  Dad always believed in being frugal (I think my mom called it cheap).  Dad wanted to take sandwiches in the car, and drive and drive and drive...and only stop when we absolutely had to.  I got car sick quite frequently, so there were extra stops in there that he wasn't too keen on.  So, he - at least I think he thought of ways to distract me, by playing games as we drove.  Car games were popular - like name the car, guess how old the car is...what state is the license plate from...things like that.  So I got really good at naming cars and even the year of the car.

Dad built a 2-legged bed to fit in the backseat of whatever car we were driving.  It had 2 legs and a flat piece of plywood that fit tightly over the seat.  Then there was some sort of mattress he'd put over it...and we would sleep at night, while he drove.  I did even worse at night in the car - as far as getting car sick went, so I most times tried to stay awake.

Here are some more 1964 cars...can you name any of them before you see the names of them?  Did you play interesting games to make the time go by faster when you were in the car as a kid?

1964 Ford Thunderbird

Another 1964 Ford Galaxie 500

So, at night when we drove, my dad asked me to be his co-pilot (I did it during the day, too).  I had to help direct where he needed to drive.  At night, I had a flashlight and a big fold-up map (yes, I'm a woman who can fold a map!)...and I would study it and keep track of signs so I knew where we were and where we had to turn or go in a different direction.  I got very good at directions...reading maps and somehow acquired a built-in compass.  I never get lost...never get turned around.  I flew to Tucson, Arizona some 20 years ago, for work...and was met by a couple of managers who'd gotten into town a few hours before my flight did.  As we were leaving the airport, I asked immediately where they were going.  The 2 managers, both men, chuckled and asked me "Why?" and I said that if we were going to our Hotel to get ready for our meeting, we were going in the wrong direction.  They laughed some more and said "no we aren't" and I said "yes you are".  After driving about 15 to 20 minutes and seeming to be going away from Tucson, they said, "OK, if you know we're going the wrong way, what way should we be going?"  I told them how to get to our Hotel and we JUST made it to the meeting on time.  I had never been to Tucson and outside of checking the location of Tucson in Arizona...I really hadn't even given any more thought to the actual city, the layout or proximity of the Hotel to the Airport...but I knew we weren't going the right way!

My hubby really hates that I ALWAYS know when we're going the wrong way...and he doesn't.

My dad always had some fun way of keeping my mind off the fact that I was in a moving vehicle and that my tummy did like that.  And I loved him for that.  It was fun, too!  And...while I was awake with him driving and the others asleep, I usually had a POP with my dad.  That was special too! 

1964 Mercury Comet

1964 Studebaker Lark Daytona

1964 Volkswagen Bus

Volkswagen Bus...another vehicle we drove on a long trip - don't remember if it was to New York or where though.  Strange little bus.  I remember my mom really disliked it.  I thought it was cute.

1964 Ford Fairlane

Lots of times, I would go to work with my dad, too.  He serviced time clocks, so we went to lots of different places together...sometimes driving our own car, sometimes driving a company vehicle.  And getting car sick was something that would always happen.  YUCK!!  But, one time, my dad had to work on some time clocks at a hospital.  Some how, he came into contact with a doctor and told him how sick I was feeling after our drive and the doctor actually came out to talk to me.  I remember him saying that my color was a bit off...and I was perspiring.  He also told me to chew gum, something my mom wouldn't allow me to do ever!  He also suggested that I take big breaths through my nose and exhale through my mouth, slowly and gently.  He said that should help alot in keeping the car sickness under control.  He also said to only look out through the windshield, not the side windows, because things through the side windows seem to move so much faster that we actually were.  He told me to keep my chin up, literally, and not look down at my lap if I start to feel sickly.  Sometimes, it would work...others not so much!  

As I got older and learned to drive, I still got car sickness...DRIVING!  The problem just one day stopped being a problem.  That was probably about 30 years ago.  Strange...but good.  

1964 Chevrolet Impala SS

1964 Pontiac Tempest LeMans GTO

And the last car...

1964 Corvair

You never know what I'll be sharing with you...or what year from the past we'll be in...but we'll have fun, because we're together!

Flashback Friday - A Baby

This week, for Flashback Friday, I decided to share a very special event...A Baby Boy Was Born.  On April 6, 1970, at 11:41 am this precious child entered our lives.  We Named Our Son, Stephen Craig.  The Oval Picture was his 1st Birthday and it was done by a professional.  I took the other pictures...and see how cutely he smiled for me?  He was such a good Baby.  No fussing, slept well, potty trained by 14 months of age and he was always smiling!  This is his Photo Album.  He was a good boy...did well in school, is very personable, quite the talker, creative, works hard and has inherited
his good looks and personality from me, of course.  *tongue in cheek*  He's turned into a fantastic man, who cares about people.  He planned his wedding to Lindsay!  And it was absolutely beautiful. 

This is his Family

Stephen is in front on the right...

Younger Brother Jeffrey on the left...

Dad in back on the right...

and

Mommy on the left.

By now, you've probably guessed,

This is my Son, Stephen.

He has made me so proud to be his Mom.

I love you, Son.

Stephen on the Front Porch Steps at His Great-Grandmas House

with His Younger Brother, Jeffrey {14 months younger}

Stephen's growing up here, as you can tell,

Scouts, Webelos, with His Grandmother, Young Boy

and Young Man.

How time flies.

One year, he gave me this hand-written Mother's Day Card.

It meant more to me than just about anything 

else he could have ever given to me.  

I kept it all these years.

Stephen, the Cub Scout

Here, Stephen is standing shoulder deep in a snow drift in our driveway!

We had only shoveled a path up the driveway after a huge snowstorm.

Good looking young man, wouldn't you say?

All dressed up...

Here he is on his Wedding Day, on June 24, 2010, when he Married Lindsey.

You may remember the Post I wrote about their Wedding Day.

The Happy Couple

You may also recall another Story by Stephen...

About his wife, their 2 dogs and him going Christmas Tree Shopping.

You have to read the post... 

A New Family Christmas Story

I certainly don't feel old enough to have a son who is going to be 44 on Sunday!  Stephen and I are alot alike.  We're determined, thoughtful, outspoken, driven, hardworking and he's a terrific son.

Stephen, 

...Sending you love, hugs and kisses

and Lots of Happy Birthday Wishes...Have a wonderful Day!

Love,

Mom, Tom & the Pups

* * * * * * * * * *

Flashback Friday - the 70's

Fashion styles in the 70's were "far out", but we loved 'em! 
Some fashions, like bell bottom pants and tie-dyed shirts from the 60's, joined with the 70's and found their own way.  Wild prints, wild colors, platform shoes that added an extra 3-5" to your height, short shorts - or hot pants, the mini, midi and maxi skirts (3 lengths popular at the same time - quite unusal, and of course the polyester suit, were all part of the 70's fashion.  Dresses, Skirts and even Coats were available in three lengths – mini, midi and maxi – so women could build their wardrobe in any length they preferred.  I personally, loved
the mini and the maxi - the midi, not so much. 

70's Pants
For both men and women, bell bottoms were still popular.  There were hip huggers, embroidered or studded jeans for the women while men were wearing tight velvet or lame pants.  Leisure suits were a hit.  And of course, they were in lots of colors and made of polyester fabric.

By the late 1970s, men and women squeezed into jumpsuits, one-piece outfits that zipped up the front and were usually worn with a wide belt. If you weren't slim, you were advised NOT to wear them!  My husband at the time was very slim and wore a black velvet Jumpsuit that I made just for him, a pointy collar white shirt and a huge macrame tied belt ...remember I love to sew, to his high school reunion.  I wore an outfit that I made for myself - Black Hot Pants and Gold Lame Top and a Burgundy, Green and Black Floral Maxi length vest...platform shoes and we both looked very mod. 

70s Shirts

Loud prints with long, pointed collars and the Leisure suit were hot!

Ladies shirts ran the gamut from peasant-style, flowy tops that had become popular in the late 1960s to skimpy halter tops that were pared with equally-skimpy shorts known as hot pants. 

Here's a pattern I used to make myself a pretty Peasant Top and Skirt - which I loved!

Sequined bra tops were also a common trend and, later, tube tops – a strapless sleeve of stretchy fabric that pulled over the head and covered the upper torso – were all the rage.

I also made a Peasant style, flowy top and skirt, that I absolutely loved. 

70s Accessories

Belts went the way of beads or handmade macrame creations. Large peace sign necklace or surfer’s crosses were worn around the neck on heavy chains, attesting to the importance of peace to those who were growing up during this era following the Vietnam Conflict.

The most notable accessory of the 70s had to be the platform shoe. Worn by women of all ages and some men as well, these shoes were in every hip store in the country and some not-so-hip shops as well.

Later in the 70's the extreme opposite of the Platform shoe was produced, called the “Earth Shoe”, a product of Scandinavia...very plain. 

What do you have fond memories of from the 70's?

* * * * * * * * 

Do you remember Peplums?

They were popular in the 40's and again in the decade after the 70's - the 80's.  It was one of my favorite styles.  Perhaps one day we'll visit the 80's on Flashback Friday!

Meanwhile, here's a photo of a 2 piece dress I made for myself.  I wore it to a good friend's wedding!

FlashBack Friday - Ralph Hermann

  

Mr. Ralph Hermann

He was born 100 years ago - quite the FlashBack!  Now, what do I know about Ralph Hermann?  Why would I know anything about Ralph Hermann?  What did he do?  Do you know what he was famous for?   Well, let me tell you...he was my Uncle - My Dad's Brother.  He lived in New York.  He worked for ABC.  He was a musician, composer and director.  He was very talented, being able to play numerous musical instruments, write entire musical scores for plays, conduct orchestras...and teach.When he was conducting the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, which he did often, he was quite serious - well sometimes.  Even then, he was known to crack some kind of joke
and start people laughing.  He was ALWAYS late for everything.  He'd make plans to be at our house for dinner and be so late, my mom would be furious, thinking the meal was ruined!  

Born February 9, 1914, In Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Died July 24, 1994, In Manhasset, New York

Ralph Hermann is Seated at the Piano, holding the Saxophone

There are videos and an audio recording of some of my 

Uncle's Music at the bottom of this post.  Don't miss it!

Ralph Hermann & His Wife, Josephine

Well, let me tell you why I selected Ralph Hermann as my first FlashBack Friday.  He is my Uncle and Josephine in the picture above is my Aunt.

Ralph Hermann (on the right), with his Brother William - Yes, you guessed it...William, Uncle Ralph's Baby Brother, is My Father.

Ralph Hermann in his later years

Josephine Hermann (Ralph's Widow) in center, Daughter, Jeanne at left

And that makes Jeanne above, my Cousin.  We were only several months apart in age.  She has 2 younger sisters and a younger brother.  I had 2 younger sisters...no brothers.  While we lived 1,000 miles apart - her in New York, me in Wisconsin - her family would occasionally come back to Wisconsin and we would travel to New York to visit.

Now...for more about who the Man, Ralph Hermann was... 

First, let me share with you How I Saw My Uncle (and my dad)...He was of course my Dad's Brother, My Uncle.  He was funny, almost always laughing and being silly.  

Not My Uncle's Car

He also tinkered with Model T Fords.  I remember being about 10 or 11 years old, on a trip to New York, seeing my Uncle's Model T Ford he'd restored.  It was fabulous!

When he and my dad would get together, oh my word, they were hilarious.  They'd do just about anything to create laughter.  They were not overweight men, but they were grown.  Imagine 2 grown men, huffing and puffing, pushing and shoving, both trying to get through a normal sized door opening at the same time.  I mean...the antics these 2 pulled off...cracked everyone up.  

When we'd go to my Grandmother's (their Mom) house for Sunday Dinner, they knew what she did right up to calling us to the table.  Her last stop was the bathroom...to tidy up and wash her hands.  The 2 of them would sneak into the hallway and take the hinge pins out of the door and leave the door sitting in the hinge like the pins were holding it.  She'd go to the door...and yep...she'd scream and say, "Boys, what did you do now?"  And then she'd laugh...we'd all laugh.  This was every time we were there.  If my Uncle wasn't there, dad would do it alone.  She knew.  One time I even saw her holding the door, just so she could move it to get in...and scream!

Something else my uncle and dad did was...shake the table and pour Grandma a very FULL cup of coffee.  Of course the coffee would spill on to the saucer and grandma would TskTsk them and ask, is that what I taught you?  Then everyone laughed.

Some of the funniest moments with the 2 of them was going to the Grocery Store.  One of them was the look-out while the other held a fully-loaded SQUIRT GUN.  One, usually my dad, would stand at the end of an aisle and motion to my Uncle where there was a person in the aisle next to him.  He'd then point his Squirt Gun over the shelves and squirt away...always connecting with someone.  There would be screeches and shrieks...and hysterical laughing going on.  In those days, no one got into trouble doing something like that - not even 2 grown men.

Now...on to the way the World Saw Ralph Hermann      

His early musical education received from the school system in Milwaukee. A long career as an instrumentalist started in junior high school, when he played for a “Kiddie Revue”, and culminated with his performances with various name bands including those of Freddy Martin and Jimmy Dorsey.  At his high school graduation, he was awarded the Milwaukee Civic Music Medal for outstanding musical contributions. 

Pianist, composer, songwriter, publisher, conductor, musician and arranger, educated at the Wisconsin Conservatory and Northwestern University and in private music study with Dick Koebner and Harvey Krueger. He was a musician in local orchestras and in the Wisconsin Symphony, and toured in bands. Eventually he joined the staff at WTMJ (Milwaukee) as a musician, conductor and arranger. In 1953 he joined ABC as a staff conductor, and he also began free-lance composing and arranging about that time, and then a music publisher.

He served in General Bradley’s 12th Army Orchestra in Germany as a pianist and arranger. 

During World War II, he founded the Weisbaden Symphony as well as a dance band. 

Joining NBC as a choral arranger, he eventually joined the NBC Symphony under Arturo Toscanini and went on to arrange for Guy Lombardo, Andre Kostelanetz, Dinah Shore, and Jane Pickens.  

His post-military career included local and national positions with NBC and ABC. Beyond his formal training at Northwestern University, Mr. Hermann is known to have studied in New York with Vittorio Giannini. His award-winning compositions include over 60 works for wind band, as well as film scores, radio music, and jazz charts. He worked as an arranger for the major broadcasting networks.  

He wrote for saxophone and clarinet artist Al Callodoro and saxophone soloist Eugene Rousseau. His works range from Concerto for Horn and North Sea Overture to arrangements of music from Tosca and a medley from Porgy and Bess.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *

Ralph Hermann, ConductorDies 

on July 24, 1994

In Manhasset, New York

Now...click on the Studen Driver Car to Listen to a Score My Uncle Wrote about Student Drivers...

Here are a couple of Videos of  Musical Scores

Ralph Hermann wrote...Give a Listen and Enjoy!

Clarinet on the Town...Written by Ralph Hermann

The clarinet section is featured in this 1960 composition that contrasts two moods. The Prelude possesses the rich and full sound characteristic of grand theater productions; the Caprice is gay and spirited, showing the full range of the clarinet’s musical flexibility. The other sections of the ensemble provide the support and background color to make this piece complete and interesting.

Concerto for Horn...Written by Ralph Hermann