A Walk Down My Own Memory Lane - Part 2

When I imagine the life of my parents as young people, it's dreamy - like a movie. My father was the son of a brick layer. It was the trade he was trained in. But as he dated my mom, her father thought it would be better for my dad to have an office job. So he hired him to work for his electrical contracting company.

My dad spent his entire career as the purchasing agent for Industrial Electric Co. He retired in the early 90's after 30-some years of service in the same little office on Portland and Eighth downtown.

I imagine this photo was taken early on in that job to show off the the blue collar relatives his prestigious desk job.

A Walk Down My Own Memory Lane

Dan, Lee and I have spent days sorting old photos and memorabilia from when my mom passed away about 3 and a half years ago. We have found many a wondrous thing. And some we wished we hadn't unearthed.

Since I just posted a current photo of my siblings, I thought you might like to see what we looked like 30 years back. This photo includes my parents in the back row. Lots of seventies fashion going on here!

My Siblings and Me

This is just after Thanksgiving dinner. I'm standing between the oldest, Dan on the left and the youngest, Mike on the right. My sister, Lee from out west is in the magenta and my sister Marty is in that lavendar. They are both older than me.

My Sister from out West is Coming

I have one sibling that lives away from the Twin Cities; my sister, Lee. She is coming this week for a visit for the first time since my mom passed away. Lee is an artist and shows her work on her blog and at her Etsy website.

We love to get each other laughing about family memories. She’ll make my Thanksgiving this year.

Memory Lane is Cedar Av

The other day I drove past an advertisement on a bus stop for Canadian Club Whiskey. As I slowed at the corner the large photo caught my eye, several men wearing polyester leisure suits in the 70’s. The light turned green as I glanced again. I stepped on the gas, but I couldn’t help wondering as I drove by if one of those guys was my cousin. After all I think my uncle worked for CC. So the associate seemed logical.

I went back for another look today and alas. Not my cousin, but I think the guy on the far left was a friend of my uncle. He looks familiar. (Sorry the photo isn’t that great. The ad is on Cedar and Franklin if you want to see for yourself.)

Eighth Anniversary

I didn’t realize it until I looked at the date this morning. My dad passed away eight years ago today. It was the year the election had been so close and the trouble with Florida’s ballots meant that we still didn’t know who our next president would be.

Of my parents, I am most like my dad. He was adventuresome, outgoing, and loved to cook. He enjoyed the outdoors and had an appreciation for art. He was a decisive first-born servant who retired a little early just so he could start volunteering more.

If he were still alive he would have turned 82 last Friday.

Craft Boutique

This time of year my mom and I used to go into a creative/productive mode. I still get the urge without mom around to inspire me. Or maybe I should say that is some way she still does inspire me.

I am preparing for the Bethlehem Craft Boutique this coming Friday November 21, and Saturday November 22 at the North Campus.

Your purchase will help support a missionary (in this case) and you may find some cool gifts there.