No Me Gustan Flannel-Clad Gringos
Category: Vintage
In The Swim
Cool image on Traces of Texas today of the 1913 San Antonio Flood.
Critter Curls
I’m not saying they did hide varmints in their hair; I’m just saying they could.
Before Olan Mills and Glamour Shots, amateur photographers had to direct their subjects with options and tips like:
- Crane your head to the right, as if you hear screeching from over there, over there.
- Keep your lips together, indicating you are slightly miffed or you smell B.O.
- If you part your hair down the middle, you must stare directly at the camera.
- Pearls. Always pearls.
- Rebels may cock your chins to the left, akin to yoga’s “warrior pose,” which lets your enemies know that you have vanquished them. Wearing the bow signifies future enemies will perish, so don’t even bring it. I’m talking to you, June.
Bedroom Eyes
Please. You know I’m not going to talk about Dharma Bums or On The Road. I didn’t get an English degree for that. And plus, I’m not my 1995 boyfriend, trying desperately to have a deep conversation, so…
This is not to dismiss Jack Kerouac’s writing; if that’s what you want, check out another WP blogger. If it’s shallow and unnecessary judgment you need, you’re in the right place. And this isn’t about his cup of liquor or his pipe or his gingham or his lustful stare. It’s about how he was reincarnated as Nathan Fillion.
With a dash of Mike Rowe.
Well, this shot of a dirty hitchhiker doesn’t look too much Kerouac. I might be wrong. Perhaps I should do some more research, just to be sure.
Research is totally important.
Seriously.
Sorry, straight guys. Go cleanse your palate with some pin-ups.
The War Is Over
Boys Win This Round
Oh, ladies, you have not represented well. Not a blessed one of you.
And especially not this girl. 
Glasses and braces are the least of this pack’s worries. I feel a sudden urge to chew Fruit Stripes gum.
Mind you, all these kids were in the SAME 9th grade class (back when 9th grade was in junior high). They had to pass each other in the halls, taking in all the beauty and attractiveness going on.
Next, we have two clearly wasted, polka-dotted, teased ladies (whose hair does not fit in frame), bookending a less-hussier girl, who probably skipped the dances.
In the next trio of girls, Cindy Nolen is the bowheaded gal having the time of her life.
Perhaps she was inspired by yesterday’s birthday girl?
Wooden Pony Peg Gluething
I don’t have a clue what’s going on here.
Peeking In
Happy Birthday, Doris Day (Whatever Age You Are)
Reports today show Doris Day’s age from 90 to 92, owing to the fact that she lied about her age, back in the day, so that she could sing professionally with a big band in a club. According to http://www.npr.org, Day’s bandleader lied to the club owners and told them she was a legal adult.
“I kept forgetting that I wasn’t two years older for years,” Doris Day said. “As the years go on, and my mother said to me, ‘You know what, it just occurred to me. You’re not really 30. You’re 28.’ And I looked at her and said, ‘Oh my gosh, I forgot all about that.'”
How nice to suddenly remember you’re two years younger!
This is guaranteed to be the most recent picture you’ll find of the reclusive actress, who has been single for over 30 years, living with her dogs in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California.
Most of us, however, prefer to remember Day, born Doris Mary Ann Kappelhoff, as the fresh-faced Goldilocks shown in this 1948 Christmas pic with Bob Hope. Perhaps she’ll live to be 100 like he did!
Perhaps she already has…
For more on Doris, check out:http://michaelstvtray.com/2014/04/03/doris-day-bday/ .
Hickfang Towers Over Lassies
In today’s 1948 yearbook, I found a picture of this tall drink of water, Karl Hickfang, surrounded by a group of girls called the Lassies Petite. He was their mascot. Ironic.
Upon further investigation, I discovered that he went on to direct a choir. One of his students, Diane Garne, wrote about him in her book, Cinderella’s Daughter and the Secret of Big Bend:
I also found a memorial to his friend, written by Hickfang himself:
During a summer of 1949, I was finishing requirements for a bachelor of Music
degree. I looked forward to my first teaching position as the band director at
Bonham High School, my alma mater. Near the end of August, I learned the
position was not mine and I had to scramble to find another position so close to the
start of the school year.
The teacher placement bureau at the University of Texas informed me of junior
high school band openings at Conroe and Alvin, north and south of Houston. I
found the Conroe position filled. From a phone booth in downtown Houston, I called
the superintendent of schools in Alvin and was told the band director at Alvin High
Schools would be at H &H Music at 1:00 p.m. and that he had the authority to hire me if he chose to do so.
While I waited at H & H Music Co, three gentlemen came in the store…I was introduced to these gentlemen and Mr. Johnstone indicated he knew of me and said there was an opening for a choir director at Woodland Acres Junior High School, in the Galena Park district. To this day, I never believed he knew of me and I told him I anticipated going to Alvin Junior High School as a band director. I learned right then that you don’t say no to this man. He eventually convinced me to take a position at Woodland Acres and became my mentor.
Isn’t it amazing what you can find online? I always wonder what became of the happy, youthful folks in these eras of yore, and it’s good to know some of them live long, fruitful lives. Karl Hickfang passed away four years ago at the age of 83. R.I.P., Mr. Hickfang.
Catch O’ The Day
Market price changes daily.
Afternoon Delight
I Don't Get It 