Visitor From Nebraska

"Randy" from Nebraska (at the Purple Parrot in Rehoboth Beach)

This past week Randy from Nebraska stopped by our small town here in Delaware for a visit. 

The last time I saw Randy was at the Bloogerpalooza in 2015.  

Randy at Yesteryear's Photos 2015

Nice of him to stop by for a visit during his road trip to the East. 

As is my wont, I took this opportunity to contact some friends and arrange for an old time photo shoot. This photo shoot almost didn't come off because after arranging to meet everyone in Rehoboth Beach, the place I go for old time photo shoots was closed!  I had to do some quick thinking.  I crossed the street to check to see if the other old time photo place was open. It wasn't!  But there was a phone number to call.  I called and the owner said she would be down in about twenty minutes.  

Howard as Dance Hall Girl

She arrived on time and we had our memorable photo shoot. Many thanks to my longtime friend Howard for posing as the Dance Hall Girl. Howard was perfect although he did express regret I didn't remind him to bring his wig. Howard dresses up nice. 

A motley crew for sure!

After the photo shoot we had lunch at the Purple Parrot, one of my favorite restaurants in Rehoboth Beach. I used to go there all the time with friends about five years ago.  Unfortunately, I don't go there now because many of those friends have died and others have moved on. It was nice to go back to my old haunt.

I asked a nice stranger to take this photo of us before we had lunch at the Purple Parrot - great photo!

Friends are so important in everyday quality in our lives. I always try to memorialize these gatherings by taking photos or have photos taken.

Ready to order lunch - a cute Russian waiter took this picture - see how happy we were?

Randy spent two days visiting. We went out to dinner a few times. My friends Mike and Bob took him for a visit to Cape Henlopen State Park. 

Randy left Thursday morning to continue his road trip on the East Coast. His next destination was Connecticut. Safe driving Randy and thanks for stopping by for a visit. A grand time was had by all and we have the photos to prove it!

Randy's day of departure in Lewes - pictured from left to right Bob, Mike, Randy and ME!

Ron and Lar in Rehoboth Beach 2012

Coming up on another year when I treat my longtime friend Lar to a lunch and old time photo in Rehoboth Beach.  

When Lar and I met, 3rd grade 1951 - Larry is in the third row in the back, second from the left (right in front of our teacher Miss Ezrah) - I am in the third row in the back far right next to Margaret West, the tall girl with the braided hair

Larry met me in third grade after he called me out to our teacher Miss Ezrah on plagiarizing a book report from a Scrooge McDuck comic book story.  What did I know?  After class he saw me on the playground and thought I was going to poke him in the nose.  Instead I said "You have comic books to trade?"  I don't remember this incident but it sounds like me, the Opportunist.

Larry and I with our third grade teacher in 2004 - she was 98 years old and still remembered us!

  Lar made this iMovie of a video we both took last year celebrating his 70th birthday.  

Larry (far left), his date Pam and me (far right) 1959 - this was when I was at my heaviest 200 lbs

By the way, you'll notice that I'm trying to agitate Lar.  After 60 plus years, he is immune to my agitating.  I keep trying though.  

Larry and I at the Purple Parrot in Rehoboth Beach 2011

Wanted by Everyone!

Helen, GA - 2013

My latest old time photo folks.  This one was taken last month at Helen, Georgia during our annual Trip South.

Bill and I had almost perfect weather during our trip.  Just a little bit of light rain on this day that I ventured into the tourist town of Helen, Georgia to see what was up.  

Bill videotaping in downtown Helen, Georgia (we were up very early thus no tourists on the streets yet)

Helen, Georgia is a little recreated German Alpine community in the mountains of northern Georgia. It is a little touristy town.  Bill and I were just going to pass through it but we enjoyed our overnight stay so much that we decided to stay two more days.  

Helen, Georgia

We stayed at the Hampton Inn which was a replica of a Bavarian hotel.  Hotel wasn't too clean and had paper thin walls and a terrible breakfast (sour waffles, maybe it was a "German" thing) but we could walk to all the attractions instead of dodging Interstate Highway traffic to figure out where we were going to eat.

On this one rainy afternoon I found an old time photo place so you know I JUST had to take advantage and have my photo taken as a bad old cowboy.

The first time I ever had an old time photo taken was during my first trip to Provincetown, Massachusetts in 1974.  I remember the year well because the Watergate hearings were underway.

Commercial Street - Provincetown, Mass 1974

I was on that trip with my good friend Bob Mc.  Walking down Commercial Street in Provincetown I noticed an old time photo shop.  Sure, these places are overpriced tourist traps but still, I like them.  Here is the photo that was taken. Ironically, the only prop I needed was the gun.  The hat, shirt and leather vest I was already wearing.  Bob and I had planned our first visit to Provincetown to a place called "The Ranch" (which, by the way, was anything but).  So this was my first old time photo.

Provincetown, Mass - 1974

I didn't get another old time photo made until three years ago when I invited my friend Larry down for his birthday and had our old time photo taken.  Now I get one every year.  

Rehoboth Beach - 2011

Dressing For An Old Time Photo

I'm just guessing here, but probably the last time a woman dressed Dr. Spo was when he was a wee little one and his mother dressed him.  Well folks, here is soon to be rare footage of Dr. Spo being dressed by a woman.  Her name is Anne and she is the proprietress of Old Time Photo in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.  Dr. Spo, the good sport that he is (and oh did we ever take advantage of his good nature this past weekend at the Bloggerpalooza), consented to an Old Time photo shoot.  He admitted to me later that he didn't quite know what to to expect but I think all would agree that Anne chose the right outfit for Dr. Spo and he does make for one quite attractive Union Soldier.  

My thanks to Anne for permitting me to take these photos.  At Old Time Photo they have a rule against customers taking photos but Anne relaxed that rule for us during the dressing phase.  

Also, the blurred images are a result of me using my iPhone to take these photos.  I was just way too nervous to hold my slim iPhone steady.  Next time I bring my Canon SLR, that is if Anne will let me.  That's what I like about using my iPhone, I can take photos surreptitiously without intimidating everyone with shoving a big old SLR camera in their faces.  I hope Anne gives me permission again for our photo shoot next year. 

Now here are the good photos taken by our friend Mark of "Our Simple Lives."