3 Quarters Today

My Life, my photography, my passions

memories

#8/52: Another Birthday

by

17 Candles
17 Birthday Candles

My daughter turned 17 this month and it’s one more year closer to independence, one more day closer to college and one more year closer to moving into a dorm.  Every day brings me closer to the day where my “baby” won’t be within hugging distance.  It seems that with every year comes remarkable changes that leaves me in awe.

College brochures arrive in the mail, scholarships , ACT tests, all signs of the future to come.  Right now I’m just going to bask in the glow of the candles of my daughters burning light and enjoy the short time I have left and enjoy each day.

Day 297-298: Honoring my Dad on Veterans Day

by

My Dad was a private quiet man. He served in World War II and in Korea. However I know very little about his WWII experience other than he was in the Navy, on a destroyer operating one of the big guns at Normandy and in the Pacific. His papers and commendations were all lost when he arrived home on New Years Eve and put his sea bag down in Times Square. Someone else picked it up. Considering he used his brothers ID to get in at age 16 I don’t know what I can find out.

For the sake of possibly finding anybody who served with my Dad I’m listing his full name: Leo Thomas “Terry”  Tyrrell, his nickname in WWII was Tiny Terry the Terrible. He wasn’t very big, 5’6″ and weighed 125 lbs sopping wet. But, from what I understand you didn’t want to mess with him. He fought like a little bantam rooster. I often compare his physique to Clint Eastwood, not an ounce of fat on him.

Leo Tyrrell, Korean War Memorabilia
Leo Tyrrell, Korean War Memorabilia

He reenlisted in the Korean War with the Army airborne and I do have his papers and airman’s wings which I treasure greatly. (There is a longer story on this shadow box which I will relate later) He was a paratrooper and after the war worked for a parachute factory in Manchester Connecticut. The area is now called Silk City. For many years he didn’t talk about the war, but he would watch all the black and white television shows on WWII and occasionally he would say “I sat there, that’s what I did.” I wish I had paid more attention when I was a kid.

Here’s to my Dad and all the veterans today that served our country and have given us the freedom we enjoy today. We are a safer country and world for what you did many years ago. We salute you.

Veterans Honor Memorial Flag
Veterans Honor Memorial Flag
Related articles

Where Poppies Grow, In Flanders Field

by

I could make it to the Elmwood-Murdock Veterans Day program this year, so I’m posting last years tribute from the high school choir. It’s my favorite  and never fails to give me chills.

Thank you to all our veterans who have served and who are now serving in the United States Marines, Army, Navy, and Air Force.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxclyNtd7d8&w=420&h=315]

Day 263-267: Memories of Growing Up in the 1970’s

by

My memories of growing up in the 1970s became a lot clearer when my Mom died. I became not only the executor of the estate but the family historian. As I went through my Mom’s things I found a box of my school papers and artwork from elementary school during the. I really think she kept every little thing I drew. Obviously I couldn’t keep everything, just selected a few things that I remembered drawing that had special meaning. The rest I tried to document in pictures.

Enjoy a trip down memory lane, it was the 1970’s, life was simple, The Monkees were popular, we didn’t have to wear bike helmets, skateboard knee pads, and could stay out all day without checking in with our cell phones. Life was indeed simpler.

Peanuts Lunchbox from 1970's
Peanuts Lunchbox from 1970’s
Pinocchio soundtrack 33 rpm Record
Pinocchio soundtrack 33 rpm Record
Monkees' record from a Cereal Box
Monkees’ record from a Cereal Box

Here is a sign of technology. Who remembers cereal boxes records? Real records printed on the backs of Fruit Loops and Tony the Tiger (Frosted Flakes) you cut out of the cardboard? This Monkees record was one of them. Pretty amazing. I remember wearing this record out by playing it over and over again, Archie was another Colgem record I remember. This is actually for sale, along with other 1970’s childrens records including the Disney movie soundtracks on 33 rpm records.

Relive the 1970’s

How many of you would like to relive the 1970’s or at least take a trip down memory lane? It’s amazing how much you can recapture just by shopping on Amazon. Vintage memorabilia is very popular, in a way it’s like dressing up in poodle skirts of the 1950’s when I was in high school. My Mom just shook her head. If you enjoyed growing up in the 1970s then share it with your kids, or be a kid again with your grandkids.

Saturday Morning Cartoons: 1970s Vol. 1Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops?: The Lost Toys,Ideal Gnip Gnop GameRock ‘Em Sock ‘Em ROBOTS GameStay Alive Vintage 1970s GameCatch 21: The Two-faced Solitaire Challenge (1978 VintageOriginal Battling TopsFunWorld Women’s Feelin’ Groovy, Pink, S/M 2-8 Costume70s Foxy Lady Adult Costume: LargeRubie’s Costume Characters 70’s Shag Brown Wig, Brown,