I can't remember exactly how old I was, but I was old enough to notice and remember the Peonies.
We had been to the Time Trials at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mom had planted Peonies alongside the fence on the South side of our property, and there were also a few plants adjacent to our driveway, also on the South side.
I got out of the car and took notice of them...
Vibrant, healthy plants. Full, white blossoms.
Beautiful.
And I think of that time whenever I see them.
The Peonies are in bloom here.
It must be "500" time!
I'm on duty nights this weekend, so depending on how "the natives" behave I will probably be asleep during the race. I'll listen to as much of it over the radio as I can before falling asleep, and "Tivo" the broadcast to watch it later.
Among the 33 starters are 4 women this year. I'm sure that's a record.
I've written before about how I favor "fillies". I'd be delighted to see one of 'em become the first woman on that Borg-Warner Trophy!
How 'bout you...
Got a favorite?
Why?
Friday, May 28, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Longacre
Chatting here at Vandy's Kids has opened my eyes to lots of things, including the differences we had in our environment as we grew up. One of the differences I sense is that it seems VK's who grew up near Bargersville tended to head to Franklin for business needs, where those of us who grew up in the Valley tended to head North and East, to Greenwood or even NapTown.
When I got old enough to drive, most every night I was in my car or on my motorcycle in Greenwood. Later, I grew tired of what Greenwood had to offer and ranged out farther to Al Green's, the TeePee, The Pole, and WIFE's "Window on the World".
I'm sure much of that inclination was due to the direction our parents led us in...
Most of my Dad's family lived in and around Indianapolis. He worked for Indianapolis Power and Light Company. For us, heading North was natural.
A fond memory for me, during hot summer weather, was Mom driving us to Longacre Pool. It's another of those memories that has been clouded over the years, but I still can remember the smell of the place, the locker room and the little key you'd attach to your swimwear so you could retrieve your stuff, and that seemingly huge slide at the deep end of the pool. I failed, trying to find a good photo I could add to the top of this post, but in searching for one I found this blog and a treasure of old photos from in and around Indianapolis from years past... some VERY old, but many of them familiar to those of us that consider ourselves "Sixties kids".
Take a look and see what you think. And if you find anything there that surprises or interests you, please bring it to our attention here.
Now, once again, IT'S FRIDAY!
You ARE planning on coming to the Alumni Banquet aren't you?
(No excuses accepted this year Bo!)
Update:
Reviewing the link I realize that's not the site I had found some time back. The original site I found had LOTS of old photos of Indy and surroundings. I'm still searching for that site and will link it here if/when I find it for you.
When I got old enough to drive, most every night I was in my car or on my motorcycle in Greenwood. Later, I grew tired of what Greenwood had to offer and ranged out farther to Al Green's, the TeePee, The Pole, and WIFE's "Window on the World".
I'm sure much of that inclination was due to the direction our parents led us in...
Most of my Dad's family lived in and around Indianapolis. He worked for Indianapolis Power and Light Company. For us, heading North was natural.
A fond memory for me, during hot summer weather, was Mom driving us to Longacre Pool. It's another of those memories that has been clouded over the years, but I still can remember the smell of the place, the locker room and the little key you'd attach to your swimwear so you could retrieve your stuff, and that seemingly huge slide at the deep end of the pool. I failed, trying to find a good photo I could add to the top of this post, but in searching for one I found this blog and a treasure of old photos from in and around Indianapolis from years past... some VERY old, but many of them familiar to those of us that consider ourselves "Sixties kids".
Take a look and see what you think. And if you find anything there that surprises or interests you, please bring it to our attention here.
Now, once again, IT'S FRIDAY!
You ARE planning on coming to the Alumni Banquet aren't you?
(No excuses accepted this year Bo!)
Update:
Reviewing the link I realize that's not the site I had found some time back. The original site I found had LOTS of old photos of Indy and surroundings. I'm still searching for that site and will link it here if/when I find it for you.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
A Weekend Affair
After much consternation and some last minute maneuvering, it looks as if CG will indeed have the 2010 Alumni Banquet. And this being our 45th year out of school and the 5 year anniversary of VandysKids, we are planning a celebration.
A Weekend Affair - Saturday June 12 and Sunday June 13.
CG Alumni Dinner and Dance June 12th
The Saturday night gathering will be combined with the CG Alumni Dinner & Dance. This year, the banquet will be held in the HS cafeteria. Tickets are approx. $20 per person and should be available soon. These can be purchased from Dan - Embroidery 'n Things 317-859-8963 (Thank You, Dan!). As in the past, it is imperative to know the numbers -- so please plan accordingly and purchase your tickets ahead of time. Also, in the past, doors have opened at 6:00pm. I know all of this sounds a little vague. We do not know all of the details just yet. Tickets will be picked up from the printers this week. We will attempt to group several tables together for our Class. It will be a lot of fun and you will see and maybe even recognize a few people that you haven’t seen in years. Please plan on joining us.
CG Class of ‘65 and VandysKids Picnic June 13th
The Sunday afternoon affair will be a Picnic type Pitch In hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Hawkeye (Thanks, both of you!) and will be a gathering for all those that read and enjoy VandysKids. It will also be the ‘official’ 45th Reunion of the Class of ‘65. So come one, come all. The picnic will be held on the grounds of the New Hope Church, 5307 Fairview Road (near Morgantown and Fairview Roads). There is a covered hexagon shelter with 14 picnic tables, electricity, rest room, and plenty of parking. No alcohol permitted. The shelter, suitable for 100 people, will be available as early as 12:30 PM on June 13th. So, bring your favorite picnic dish(s) to share, along with your own tableware. Lawn chairs, too, if you have them. Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Buns and Drinks will be provided. If we get lucky, even some great live music from ‘Grass Roots Revival’. Questions and infomation about the Picnic 317-888-2014
Looking forward to seeing everyone. Please reply/comment if you can make either or both. And if you are going to the Alumni - remember, tickets may be unavailable the night of the banquet, so please purchase your tickets ahead of time and let us know - so hopefully, we can all sit together.
All Followers, Friends and Classmates are invited.
A Weekend Affair - Saturday June 12 and Sunday June 13.
CG Alumni Dinner and Dance June 12th
The Saturday night gathering will be combined with the CG Alumni Dinner & Dance. This year, the banquet will be held in the HS cafeteria. Tickets are approx. $20 per person and should be available soon. These can be purchased from Dan - Embroidery 'n Things 317-859-8963 (Thank You, Dan!). As in the past, it is imperative to know the numbers -- so please plan accordingly and purchase your tickets ahead of time. Also, in the past, doors have opened at 6:00pm. I know all of this sounds a little vague. We do not know all of the details just yet. Tickets will be picked up from the printers this week. We will attempt to group several tables together for our Class. It will be a lot of fun and you will see and maybe even recognize a few people that you haven’t seen in years. Please plan on joining us.
CG Class of ‘65 and VandysKids Picnic June 13th
The Sunday afternoon affair will be a Picnic type Pitch In hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Hawkeye (Thanks, both of you!) and will be a gathering for all those that read and enjoy VandysKids. It will also be the ‘official’ 45th Reunion of the Class of ‘65. So come one, come all. The picnic will be held on the grounds of the New Hope Church, 5307 Fairview Road (near Morgantown and Fairview Roads). There is a covered hexagon shelter with 14 picnic tables, electricity, rest room, and plenty of parking. No alcohol permitted. The shelter, suitable for 100 people, will be available as early as 12:30 PM on June 13th. So, bring your favorite picnic dish(s) to share, along with your own tableware. Lawn chairs, too, if you have them. Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Buns and Drinks will be provided. If we get lucky, even some great live music from ‘Grass Roots Revival’. Questions and infomation about the Picnic 317-888-2014
Looking forward to seeing everyone. Please reply/comment if you can make either or both. And if you are going to the Alumni - remember, tickets may be unavailable the night of the banquet, so please purchase your tickets ahead of time and let us know - so hopefully, we can all sit together.
All Followers, Friends and Classmates are invited.
Friday, May 14, 2010
1977
I landed the Huey at the Greenwood airport and my folks came over to get my copilot and me. When we got home Mom said "Try this!" Two sitting chairs, side by side, faced the TV with a table in between. On the table was a sort of console with two devices attached to it by wire. On the devices was a circular controller.
Mom turned the thing on and an image similar to the one above came onto the TV screen. My copilot and I played "Pong" and laughed out loud at how much fun it was.
Mom still has the game. As one of the first of the video games, it probably has collector value now.
Today the video games are so complex, folks actually devote more time to them than they do to their real lives.
What a world.
Friday, May 07, 2010
It Is What It Is. It Ain't What It Ain't.
I started driving my motor scooter around our neighborhood when I was twelve. Those of you in the Class of '65 will remember...
Paddock road from in front of Steve W. and Rick P.'s house to Olive Branch was gravel, as was much of Fairview Road, Railroad Road, and many of the secondary roads in the area. On the heavily traveled parts of these roads the gravel was pushed aside, leaving a crown of gravel in the center of the road, and along both sides. Trying to navigate these roads with a motor scooter with its small tires was exciting...
Crossing over that crown of gravel was like driving on marbles. Some of my scooter riding friends hated it. I learned early to keep the machine pointed in the direction I wanted and allow the gyroscopic effect of the tires to carry me safely across. I never fell, thank goodness.
All those old roads are paved now, of course.
Progress?
I miss 'em. Do you?
Paddock road from in front of Steve W. and Rick P.'s house to Olive Branch was gravel, as was much of Fairview Road, Railroad Road, and many of the secondary roads in the area. On the heavily traveled parts of these roads the gravel was pushed aside, leaving a crown of gravel in the center of the road, and along both sides. Trying to navigate these roads with a motor scooter with its small tires was exciting...
Crossing over that crown of gravel was like driving on marbles. Some of my scooter riding friends hated it. I learned early to keep the machine pointed in the direction I wanted and allow the gyroscopic effect of the tires to carry me safely across. I never fell, thank goodness.
All those old roads are paved now, of course.
Progress?
I miss 'em. Do you?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
