Confusion in RENO, NEVADA

Another "gem" from the Three Buck Big Box of Photos. A snapshot that would, and should, be overlooked, but then I figure there's got to be something there. I paid 3 cents for this thing and I want my moneys worth.

Beyond the fact that even without the date on the front you'd know this photo was from the early 1960s because of the clothes, hairstyles, and car there is the added fun of the back of the photo. I'll just post it and let you deal with the apparent confusion that existed as to where and when this shot was taken.

I can tell you that the handwriting on the back is the same handwriting that was on the back of Kenneth's photo and again exact time was important. Witness protection program? Why was time of so much importance to this person if not for an alibi?

Once again, a vernacular photograph worthy of any collection...as long as your collection is the type that people dread having to look at.

Taken in RAY WITT'S BACKYARD

Brew brothers or real brothers? Best friends or twins?

Okay, they're not twins, but as to the rest of it I just don't know. On the back of the photo it says:

Taken Ray Witts Back yard in Cupertino Calif July - 57

So perhaps one of these guys is Ray Witt. No way of knowing. If they aren't related I find it fascinating that friends would so closely mirror each others smiles.

Wonder where I found this gem? Can we say Three Buck Big Box of Photos? I know we can. I'm figuring each photo in this box cost about 2 to 3 cents. I'm getting easily a mile out of them. Vernacular photography at its finest.

And is it just me or does the fellow on the left look like Kenneth from yesterday?

KENNETH GOES SHOPPING During His Brown Period

This is Kenneth. It says so on the back of the photo. It also gives his last name which I will not post. However, according to what is written on the back, this was taken on Sept 3, 1967 at 4 PM at 94 Panoramic Way in Berkeley, California. I find the fact that they put the time rather interesting. Why was the time necessary? Alibi?

And then there's the keys in his hand. Was he coming or going? Sure it looks innocuous, but why was this odd photo taken? At first glance it's not odd. It's only when I look at for a bit of time that I begin to wonder why Kenneth was stopped on the walkway with his groceries, if indeed they ARE groceries, for a picture?

"No officer, Kenneth was here with me at 4 PM. See, I've got a photo."

Looking at this photo I'm guessing this was Kenneth's brown period. All brown clothes went nicely with the brown grocery bag. Hey, Kenneth, what's in the bag? Perhaps best to let the police ask that question.

Another shot from the Three Buck Big Box of Photos.

Trouble ON THE RED CARPET

I don't watch awards shows on tv so I might be late reporting this, but I hear Angelina Jolie had a little trouble last night on the red carpet. Something about her shoes and stockings. I think this photo about sums it up.

Click on image to see it larger.

Seriously, this is from the Three Buck Big Box of Photos. On the back it says "MarJarie Dale Bailey, Evelyn's girl. Jan 1956"

There's a MYSTERY TO BE TOLD

This photo, a prime example of tattered and lost, was purchased for 25 cents. It's torn with tape on the back. Of no monetary value, which doesn't mean this image doesn't hold value.

I have no information about these young girls and this house, but I think a quick bit of imagining could create numerous stories. It's such a wonderfully odd photo. A portrait of a home and the children that lived within. Was it professionally taken or by a family member? The girls seem insignificant next to the size of the structure. They look more like figures placed in position. It all looks a bit haunted and ominous.

This is my contribution to this weeks Sepia Saturday.

Click on image to see it larger at Picasa. Once there click on the magnifying glass.

CLEANING BUDGIE POOP Off a Child's Head

I thought I'd give this post a title that will prove useful to someone down the line. You know, like when someone does a search about how to clean chocolate sauce off a table cloth? Now Budgie Poop is covered.

This one is from the Three Buck Big Box of Photos. Just as pointless as the last few. I have no information about this photo. It is what it is which is a parakeet on a kids head. That about sums it up.

Click on image to see it larger. (And yes, it does work. Once on the Picasa page simply click on the magnifying glass. You'll see the image larger. It works. I just tested it. So not sure why others have not been able to see images larger.)

I have had several budgies since childhood. I adore the little birds. Always cheeky, rambunctious, funny, and often quite smart. I had one that had a vocabulary of over 80 words. He used to like to hang upside down on a plastic chain in front of the medicine cabinet for hours. You could turn off the light and leave and come back hours later and he'd still be there hanging upside down talking to himself in the mirror.

I tried to teach him to say "Birds eat bugs." He already knew how to say "Birds can't talk." If you're not familiar with how a parakeet learns language it will seem pretty strange. They'll work on specific words over and over again. They'll sit with their eyes closed, puffed up, repeating the word as best they can. Fine tuning it. Then for days, once they've mastered it, they'll repeat it all day over and over again. So I'd already been through "BIRDS BIRDS BIRDS" and knew that part of the phrase would be easy. "Bugs" proved to be a barrier. He sat on his perch for days trying to spit out the word "Bugs" to no avail. Sounded more like "bleh bleh bleh." Day after day this was driving him nuts, he was very frustrated and was spitting out "Bleh bleh bleh" with a hint of anger. Then one day after trying to enunciate bugs he yelled out "BIRDS CAN'T TALK!" and went about his daily business. Within a few days he'd mastered "bugs" and indeed proceeded to yell "BUGS BUGS BUGS" for a few weeks. Eventually he'd hang upside down talking to the bird in the mirror saying "Birds can't talk. Birds eat bugs."

Oh and the helpful tip on how to clean budgie poop off a child's head: Let it dry and it will usually fall off. If it's stuck in the hair, use your nails. Seriously, it's not a big clean-up problem. Now as to how healthy it is...I'm not going there. I've had budgie poop in my hair and I'm still here.

Date: January 12, 1964. Location: UP A TREE

Do you know where you were on January 12, 1964? This boy was in this tree. No other information is given. Just the date written in ink on the back. Wouldn't you like to know the story to this one? My mind is all over the place with possibilities, but I'll let you make up your own.

Click on image to see it larger.

The more I look at it the more the tree starts looking like some sort of space alien on early Star Trek. The alien's arms are about to enfold the boy. Or...maybe he's just stuck in the tree waiting for the fire department to get him down.

This is from the Three Buck Big Box of Photos.

GLENN and ALICE at the Turn of the Century

For this weeks Sepia Saturday I give you a lovely little portrait I purchased at an estate sale. The only information I know is that "Glenn & Alice" is written on the back. On the front the photography studio is Knight in Falls City, Nebraska. I find the backdrop behind them fascinating in its detail.

Click on image to see it larger.

I'd say the photo was taken close to the turn of the century, give or take 5 years before and 10 years after. Sweet children, but oh my the outfit the little boy had to wear. He looks out of proportion with that silly dotted collar at the end of his slender neck and the low wasted top. It's almost as if he's a bobble headed doll. I keep thinking there's a coil under his neck and his little head bobs side to side.

I do so love collecting photos of children. And if you're new to my posts I hope you take a few moments to look at my book Childhood at Blurb. It's a really fun little book full of moments in the lives of unknown children. No text, just engaging photos that I wanted compiled into one volume.

Also, you might want to follow me during the rest of the week at my blog because it is all about old photos, not just on Saturdays. Rarely do I have stories to go with them. Just images that I've found and want to share. I think you'll enjoy going back and looking at a lot of them.

Thank you Alan for hosting this weekly little event. It's always fun to see what others have to share.