It's Friday the 13th. I'm not superstitious. Bad luck can find us on any day when we least expect it.
Would a black cat have bad luck if he walked under a ladder?
Change of subject
Today I'm going to bore you with a haphazard collection of uninteresting nonentities.
This wooden box belonged to my paternal grandmother, which she had in Hungary. I've had it since I was about twelve, and I keep some of my treasures in it. The old wooden mirror above is from Italy.In that wooden box is my very first photo, taken by my father. Not exactly attractive.
What's this?
It's my senior class photo. I was sixteen.
I was fifty in this photo. Any resemblance to my first photo?
These were my baby shoes, well preserved.
These were my boots when I lived in Texas. I always wore them in my house, because there were scorpions on the floor.
A wooden pencil box that my paternal grandfather brought from Hungary.
When I was 18 or 19, I always wore an old Army jacket that I got from the Army Surplus store on Main St. in Los Angeles. I sewed these patches onto it.
Match books, anybody?
The Green Cafe was one of my favorite hangouts. My "very close companion" Phil always went there with me. He was the ex-con, who was in prison for robbery and attempted murder. Unbelievably handsome
Lots of celebrities went to the Green Cafe.....unfortunately the place no longer exists. It's now a store that sells wine.
Remember when I said I was caught in a midnight raid in the notorious Drake Theater? Here's a match book that I still have.
Those were my reckless years. I existed in danger and cherished it.
A certificate nominating me to be a member of the American Film Institute. This is because of the numerous articles I published in movie magazines. I have an entire box of them, most of which I had forgotten.
Samples from Movie Collector's World and Classic Images.
Dracula: In the Beginning
I was nineteen when I started writing for Classic Images, a very popular movie magazine back then.
The cover featuring my article about silent star Ramon Novarro, who was in the 1925 epic film Ben-Hur. My name is in tiny print on lower right.
A few of the many letters that I have from celebrities. Photo from Shelley Winters, after I met her. The blue envelope is from Olivia de Havilland (when she lived in Paris). The pink envelope is from Joan Rivers. She was really nice in person. Other letters from Jimmy Stewart, George Burns, can't remember all.....
Onto art....
I still have all the pen and ink things when I was 19 or 20.
This is the very first picture I drew in ink.
And another treasure:
This is the very first oil painting I did when I was eleven years old (yes, 11).
I did many oil paintings, but most of them are lost.
I have dozens and dozens of ticket stubs from operas and ballets that I saw in the Los Angeles Music Center.
Can you believe the very best tickets in the Founder's Circle was only $12.50 back then? The cheapest in the balcony were $3.50.
That envelope is from the famous Brown Derby restaurant in Hollywood.
I have a LOT more of my treasures to share, but this post is long enough.
What's this?
My new ring, a tangerine sapphire. It looks much better in real. I'm holding the phone in my clumsy left hand to take these photos.
Holy Crap!
Don't forget my (old) poetry books, still available on Amazon and other places.
And my book for children
That's enough for now
Jon, ❤️ almost fascinating
I finally tried to correct the MANY spelling errors!
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You have a lot of treasures Jon. Much more than I have. What an interesting life you have led. What do you plan to do with these treasures when you're gone? I used to have a concern about mine but not now. I don't care. I reconciled myself to the fact that my treasures are for my pleasure only. No one else is interested. I was sort of hoping there was another "Ron" in my family who would be interested in them but that's not going to happen. They're all caught up in their own lives which is as it should be, probably. I know if I had an "Uncle" who had a lot of treasures I would be interested in them. Oh well.
ReplyDeleteRon
I have no clue what will happen to my treasures after I croak. I have no kids or siblings. Most of my relatives are deceased. I have some cousins left and an aunt in her 90s.
DeleteMy reply was just cut off. Being an only child is extremely difficult in many ways. At least you're married to Pat, but he's a minimalist.
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DeleteGreat memories, Jon. Thank you for sharing. Many fine accomplishments...and some fun along the way...sort of my kind of fun! LOL! I never got out to LA but tore up Miami in my day. Well, a little bit.
ReplyDeleteScorpions on the floor! Yikes! I had one run over my foot when I lived in Miami. They took out a mangrove swamp near the apartment and the scorpion's ran...to my apartment! Ohio was starting to look better and better (for a lot of reasons).
Wow...I wasn't aware you were an artist. Very talented, indeed. Do you have more paintings/drawings to show?
Paranormal John
From what I heard,Miami was just as much fun as L.A. Hollywood was fantastic when I knew it, but it has changed drastically now.
DeleteScorpions scare the jeeters out of me. Someone told me he found scorpions in his yard here in TN. I have lizards in my yard but never found a scorpion.
I did do a blog post with my pen and inks, but don't know where it is. I'll probably do a new one. I remembered that you have my books.
Did not know TN had scorpion's...but found this:
DeleteYes, scorpions are present in Tennessee, primarily the Southern Devil Scorpion and the Striped Bark Scorpion, though they are rare and not deadly to humans.
And just found this out. News to me! Yikes!
DeleteThe primary scorpion species found in Ohio is the Northern Scorpion, Paruroctonus boreus. This arachnid is notable for its broad distribution across North America, thriving even in colder temperatures where other scorpion species do not. While a historical record exists for the Southern Unstriped Scorpion, Vaejovis carolinianus, from a single specimen in Ross County, Paruroctonus boreus is the more relevant species for Ohio. The Northern Scorpion is often found in varied terrains, including lower elevations in northern regions.
Me again.... sorry I've taken up so much space with my drivel. I meant to say about Miami...one reason is WAS great...and fun...I worked ICU and this hospital offered something called 7/70. You worked 7 straight days,10-hour shifts. That's all you worked for the month and got paid full salary and benefits! So, I only had to work 7 days a month with full pay. There was a shortage of ICU nurses (still is) and they were luring nurses from the north. With all that free time, I partied in Key West a lot! You can fill in the blanks. Oh, those were the days my friend. I know you know!
DeleteParanormal John
I'm glad the TN scorpions aren't deadly. It's a shock to know they're in Ohio! I always thought they only existed in hot climates.
DeleteYou job in FL was fantadtic. Seven days a month will full pay. Wow!
Forgot to mention I really (REALLY) like your new ring. I own both your books (per Amazon) and enjoy them.
ReplyDeleteParanormal John
❤️🩵❤️
DeleteThanks, Jon, for a(nother) glimpse at your always interesting and definitely never boring past. You have had so many fascinating experiences and meet ups. Many years ago when living in NJ, one of my past times was buying NYC theatre by waiting in the TKTS line on Broadway. I have a small collection of autographed playbills, but nothing like your letters from celebrities.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was young, I never thought my life was nothing special. Now, in retrospect, I think it was extraordinary.
DeleteThe TKTS ticket booth is still thriving in NY. It sounds like fun. Those Broadway shows are incredibly expensive nowadays.
Your new ring is beautiful, and I thoroughly enjoyed all of this post. When my parents passed, I assumed ownership of their vast collection of matchbook covers -- only to have to destroy them a few years later when weevils took over. Silly, perhaps, but seeing those little souvenirs brought me joy. "Show and Tell" was such fun in school; I don't know why it's meant only for school children.
ReplyDeleteYour first (baby) photo deserves a caption!
My father had a large collection of matchbook covers, too, but I don't know what happened to them. I honestly can't think of a caption for my baby pic. but aI had a big mouth. I'm really glad you liked this post.
DeleteI really enjoyed this Post of your Memorabilia and Stories of each. Well, you make 50 look very Handsome I must say and you were an Adorable Baby, I don't think Babies can take a Bad picture actually. I met George Burns and got his Autograph, very nice Guy. A lot of Celebs live in and around Phoenix, those I've met have been quite gracious and very down to Earth in spite of their Celebrity Status. My Brother is a Retired Hollywood Photographer tho' so he's shattered some of my illusions about some who aren't. *Ha ha ha* I think some of your Memoirs would make another really good Book that would fascinate.
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU!! I post photos of myself and nobody ever mentions them. I appreciate your comments.....and your thoughts of my memoirs
DeleteGeorge Burns was really a nice guy. The most snooty actor I met was George Hamilton.
I knew an Old Stunt Man named Romeo who was also a Vendor at our Antique Mall, in his 80's, he was in most Old Spaghetti Westerns and specialized in being dragged behind Horses. He owned a Limo Company after he got too Old to do Stunts and said the worst Celeb he ever met was Marlo Thomas... he said he always had to drive her coz none of his Chauffeurs wanted to. *LOL* An Old Friend named David worked for many Celebs when he owned his own Business and said his least favorite was Jerry Lewis... his most favorite was Leonard Nimoy.
DeleteSpeaking of memorabilia, surprise Jon….an old friend from the ancient AOL blog days. I thought I had lost track of you but now you are found. These pictures are a little like going down memory lane for me as I know I’ve seen several of them before in the older blogs. I’m sorry to read that you are having health issues and are stuck somewhere you don’t want to be. It’s been a long time, a lot has happened (mostly good) and I am doing well. I will try and pop by more often. Sunflower Kat
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