FLASHBACK FRIDAY - Summer 1977

It being my turn to produce a Flashback Friday (and without Tam's great graphic), I figured I'd turn back the clock and send "shout outs" to both my sister Katie and my uncle Owen. Both of those folks have the address and should be checking the blog! This picture is from Katie's christening in the summer of 1977. Working from left to right - my uncle Chris, me, Uncle Owen, my grandmother, and my mom. Obviously Owen and I are the only people who even know there is a picture being taken. Grandma and Mom are chatting with someone. Chris looks bored. This being 1977, we were living in an apartment at Pine Hills Country Club on the east end of Long Island. My parents slept on a pull-out couch in the living room and I had the one bedroom - at least that was the setup for a while. Dig the '70s fashions on the ladies...

As with any of my childhood photos, it makes me both happy and sad to look at this one.

Peace out! ---J

FLASHBACK FRIDAY!

Okay, so it is my turn to do Flashback Friday.

If you read the chicken post from earlier this week, you know I've been doing a lot of thinking about my childhood lately. This time of year always does that. Spending a week with my dad and sister and the prospect of turning 40 in seven months also has me looking longer in the rear-view mirror.

Anyway, this being July...summer, my time of year...leads me to a story about my parents. Back in the early '80's, we lived on Long Island. In addition to their regular jobs, my parents owned a Good Humor ice cream truck. That was great for me, even though I probably still owe my dad for all of the 1982 Topps baseball cards I nabbed off the truck. It was also really cool in the evenings to grab the key to the back door and slide out to the truck for a Strawberry Shortcake ice cream bar (or two).

This picture is from July 1982. In addition to the Good Humor truck, we added a hotdog truck to the fleet and managed to get the vending concession at a beach close to our house. This is a picture of my mom manning the ice cream truck taken from the hot dog truck. You can even see the "Vito's" on the side of the h.d. truck - obviously from the previous owner.

I remember that summer quite well. This picture always makes me happy and sad, too. I miss my mom.

---J