Monday, January 20, 2014

Aunt Julie gets taken for a ride down memory lane


While in California for Christmas, my 17 year old nephew, Kacey Carlson, showed me his "new" car-a 1968 Chevy Nova!

 As I hopped in for a  demonstration ride, music was blaring 1968 tunes from an iPod hooked up to the speaker system. Yikes, this kid has style!  As we rumbled through town, enjoying the throaty sound of a v8, heads were turning, waves occurred from girls of all ages from the sidewalks, and subtle finger acknowledgements from fellow vintage car owners took place.

Recent improvements to the car included new wheels and tires, a water pump, and the acquisition of a new hood to replace the dented one. Kacey and his dad, David (my brother) have plans for some additional reno work and attendance at car rallies this spring.

 Messing around with old cars is a long standing tradition in our family.  During my teenage years, we had a Austin Healy Sprite (similar to the MG Midget).  When I was 18 and my brother was 8, he actually taught me how to drive stick shift so I could drive that car!  Later my dad acquired an Austin Healy 3000 which was enjoyed by all of us for many years and which Ron and I wish we had purchased when my mom sold it several years ago.

 My car ownership started with a much less sporty car-an old Chevy Vega! I upgraded to a RX7 in 1984 which I still own and keep in tip top shape.

My brother, David, (Kacey's dad) had an MGBGT hardtop, which he raced in college instead of studying. He currently owns a new Chevy Camero and there is a Fiat Spider in the garage, too.

I fell in love with Ron, partly because he drove up for our first date in his  Datsun 280ZX! Earlier he owned a VW Carmengia -another fav of mine! His first car was a 1955 Buick Century that he acquired in 1963.

So, while it must be unusual among today's high school seniors to select an old car over something more practical,  it seemed just right for a Carlson to do so. I'm glad Kacey is carrying on the car gene in the Carlson family! Way to go, Kacey!




Sunday, January 5, 2014

Snow storm…or not.

 The view out our back window this afternoon promised a snowy day! Everyone was anticipating the BIG SNOW STORM! I, however, have made a life study of snow storms in Sandusky and can tell you that Sandusky hardy ever gets a snow storm from west (Chicago, etc.) I waited for years in anticipation of the snow storms similar to those of my years growing up in Erie, Pa. I think it was year 10 in Sandusky that I started wising up to the truth. We don't get "lake effect" snow storms-instead we create them for Erie! Yes, the sad truth is that Sandusky never gets snow unless it comes up from the Texas area. Why no one else in the area, including all weather forecasters, news editors, and the area residents continue to think we'll get a storm from the west amazes me. I have rarely been mistaken, sad as I am to report this. Still, tonight, we are all awaiting the Big Storm, most not realizing that it has already passed over us and headed to Erie. sigh.


 So, I amused myself by making my own snow inside via snowflakes and white pottery in our kitchen and cool as ice blue still life setting.







Outside, even with no snow mounting, it looks really lovely!

Above are my Swedish Dala Horse in blue!  They evoke a wonderful feeling of cold Swedish winters for me, and below, the Copenhagen Christmas plates are always of snowy scenes.



The painting above is a paint by number given to us by Bob and Paulette. We collect dog paint by number paintings and have quite a collection, none, however, as big as this one! Of course, we have a large collection of dog paintings and prints in general, and cannot seem to resist any-whether done by professional or amateur, in stitchery, oil, charcoal, lithograph, whatever. Any breed will do. Any size will do. Photos of dogs we don't know, they all have a home with us.

As the Christmas decorations are put away, I love getting the house decorated in winter white. This way, I can have my snow storm ambiance whether or not we get a snowy exterior! Cold, icy, blue evokes the cold I so love. I have huge snowflakes to hang in my windows, set off by the electric candles. All in all, I am happy and cozy in my winter-decorated house. Now, if only it would snow!