I wasn't going to mention my birthday. Friday the 13th seems to symbolically encompass my chaotic existence. Yet, I'm not superstitious - - and this past year has blessed me with many things to be thankful for.
I'm extremely glad to be here.
On this day I'm still battling my latest physical afflictions, feeling zonked from too much prednisone, physically and mentally exhausted.
Yet, I'm feeling more optimistic, trying to maintain my mobility, ready to face any future challenges.
Yesterday, I escaped from my wheelchair and managed to move a 65 lb. box from the living room to the kitchen.
It sure wasn't easy, but it's progress!
I'm rehashing some old (Christmas) photos. My long time blog readers have seen these many times. Hopefully some of you haven't.
Jon, another year older
My favorite childhood photo, when I was sweet and innocent. Taken at the Thomason Studio in New Brunswick, New Jersey (most of my relatives had portraits taken there). The photographer had several "props" and toys. He let me pick whatever one I liked. I chose the book.
zzzzxxx.jpg)
My father took this pic on Christmas Eve - the house where we lived when I was one yr. old.
zzzzxxx%20(1).jpg)
My encounter with Mr. Claus. I was two yrs. old, but looked older because I was tall.
.jpg)
Christmas with two of my cousins, Maryann and Dianne.
_previewzxzx.jpg)
Christmas morning. I looked kind of cranky - - but I'm always cranky in the morning.
I'm including this very rare photo of my parents, which I recently found and never seen before. It was so faded and damaged that I had to restore it in a photo editing site.
Happy Birthday Jon! Hope you have a nice day!
ReplyDeleteI turned 80 on 12/10! Yikes
Nice pictures!
Pat/Central Texas
Thanks, Pat. Happy belated birthday. December people are special.
DeleteHappy 🎂🎉Birthday, Jon, and hope you have a better year than the last one as we all know that one was no cause for celebration. Looking at vintage photos of happier days is always a treat and it seems you had some good ones. The first one was my favorite here. Years ago, my brother and I had childhood photos done at a similar photo studio, Lorstan’s in Plainfield, NJ. Thise were certainly the days. Enjoy your day today regardless of the number of the month…or your age😉 my friend.
ReplyDeleteI love vintage photos, retaining long ago memories. I think portrait studios are nearly passe.
DeleteI like to remain ageless, which keeps me young.
Thanks Dorothy.
Happy birthday Jon! Much better than last year, I'd say. Sags rule!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Liz - - Sags rule! Thanks.
DeleteWhat wonderful news! I remembered today's your birthday and was thinking about you, hoping for a bright Tennessee day. You know, I've a soft spot for old photographs and today's no exception. Thank you for sharing your special day with us. Oh, and HAPPY personal "NEW YEAR"!
ReplyDeleteThere's something very special about old photos - - a lot better than selfies.
DeleteI've given up on counting the years - - it's a way of staying young in my heart. All of my days seem special.... Thanks, Myra.
Happy Birthday Jon, love the photos, that blonde hair !
ReplyDeleteHope you have a lovely day.
Hugs,
Jo
xx
I was always called a towhead because of my blond hair.
DeleteIt's cold and rainy here in my area of TN - - but the day seems bright.
Thanks, Jo!
Happy Birthday, Jon. Wishing you a healthy (ier) New Year, a cat or two and some peace of mind. I think we could all use some of those things at this point. Enjoyed your pics from days of yore. Frigid here in NE Ohio. Enjoy your birthday. Wish I could send you a cake.
ReplyDeleteParanormal John
Good health and peace of mind are the greatest gifts. I really do want cats, but my present physical condition is impeding my enthusiasm. I'll have to wait.....so will my mice!
DeleteIt's chilly and rainy here - - no more snow (yet). Cake would be great. Thanks John
Merry Christmas, Jon. 🎄
ReplyDeleteLess than two weeks away. I wonder if it will be a white Christmas. Thanks, Sandi.
DeleteI hope so. I am in central NC. If you get snow we probably will too.
DeleteThe photo I use of me online is my favorite photo of me when I was like 2 or 3 years old--still innocent. She set my hair in pin curls and we went to a photography studio. My mom worked for them hand-delivering photographs all around Minneapolis for several years. Even our senior pictures in 1968 were taken at various studios. Mine was taken in black and white and then they colored them or tinted them by hand. Seems so ancient today with all our cameras in our phones! :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a child, photography studios were popular for family portraits. My high school photos were taken in studios. They were in color, but they also made B&W prints. Nowadays, there is an absolute obsession with phones.
DeletePhones make it easy, but somehow I miss the old days....
Happy Birthday 🎂
ReplyDeleteJon, hope the holidays get better for ya !
The only time I had a snowy Christmas was back in the mid seventies with my mom’s dad in Newark NJ, being a California native I couldn’t stand the cold. Your Santa photo reminds me of my first Santa photo taken in 1965 at Bullocks dept. store in Santa Ana, after that my dad’s mom took me every year til 1970, when in the middle of 1971 we moved to Palm Springs so my grandma could manage a motel for a relative.
So many photos of our family, as my dad came from a family of 12 siblings. They in turn contributed to the baby boom, cousins popping up like mushrooms in the 1950’s and 1960’s as grandma would say.
Photos from the past somehow bring our families back to us. -Rj
I moved from Southern CA to the Missouri Ozarks when I was in my early 30s. The first winter there had several blizzards and temps near zero. What a shock!!! It took me a long time to get used to winter.
DeleteI remember Bullocks - - I wonder if those dept. stores still exist.
My parents used to occasionally drive out to Palm Springs in the winter, because it was so beautiful there. We would always buy dates at Hadleys.
Thanks for your interesting comment.
Bullocks was Macyized by Federated Dept Stores back in the early 1990’s. And Hadley’s is still around in Palm Springs along with the Indio Date Festival and date shakes, now you got me thinking about dates .:)
DeleteI sure miss the date nut chocolates made by See’s Candies. -Rj
I remember the date shakes at Hadleys. My father always bought candy from See's on Christmas Eve. Best candy ever.
DeleteThanks for sharing the memories!
Hi Jon! BOTH of my laptops went on me this past week. The main laptop I used I just published a post about on my blog and my so-called "back up" laptop's battery completely DIED. So, I had to order a new laptop and another battery for my back up and PRAY that fixes the problem, Anyhow, that is why I have been gone for a few days. I am still trying to figure out my Windows 11 on my new laptop (what a pain in the a$$ that is so far) so I will have to comment as "anonymous" for now.
ReplyDeleteHAPPY BIRTHDAY my friend and I am so glad to hear that you are making progress!!
There's nothing more harrowing than having laptop trouble - - but two at a time is incredible!!
DeleteHopefully (!!) the new laptop and battery will solve your problems.
I'm still using my ancient laptop and I'm on Windows 8 !!!
Take care, Kim, and thanks for letting me know.