About this blog

This is a place for me to capture childhood memories and favorite things.  It could be toys I had or still have, childhood memories or just reflections on how things used to be.

Blogs, by design, show posts in chronological order.  That's not how I see this blog working.  I can "label" posts with different categories that show up on the right side under File Cabinet.  So if you click on a category, posts will show up in chronological order but the order isn't important.  As you move down the page in any category (or from the main page), when you get to the bottom it may say "Older Posts".  If you click on that, you will continue in that same category.  At any time, you can click the top of the page and go back "home".

Go Karts

 Had a few of these go karts.  Likely party favors or a cake topper...more likely party favors.  I thought they were cool because I always wanted a go kart.  Wish I still had one of these...

Hasbro Marble Maze

We had one of these growing up.  I played with it some.  It took skill to get the marble to follow the path.  I remember spinning it like a top.  I don't remember Dean playing with it so maybe it was for me.  I thought the graphics were cool and I learned about the Sargasso Sea.  I don't remember the box but here is one in the box and out...

 

Sunday memories

I remember Dad would shine his shoes (or our shoes and his shoes) Saturday evening to be ready for church the next day.  I can picture the wooden box that held everything.  He would work on them in what we called the Laundry Room.  I don't shine my shoes as often but when I do, I think of him doing that and how his shoes would last.  Also, wanting to look appropriate for church.

Speaking of shoes...when I was little, we had what we referred to as "Sunday shoes".  They were shoes purchased to wear primarily on Sunday.  I suppose kids are still getting these for Easter wear but this was typical for that time.  They were great for sliding on the ice or snow.  I remember sliding down a small hill on the playground at Windsor Elementary and another time on a hill on Cummins Pkwy north of University Ave.  We knew we shouldn't be sliding in them but they had the best soles for it.

Typically for me these shoes were purchased at Lazy M Shoes at Merle Hay Plaza.  Back when you stomped your feet and could hear a noise bouncing off the storefronts.  I recall a pair of olive wingtips probably 1st or 2nd grade.  The question after purchase was always "do you want to wear them out"?

Another memory is getting our hair right on Sunday morning. This would date back to 1968 or before and going to First Methodist Church.  Dad had Brylcreem or similar and we would slick back our hair and part it.  I remember Dean helping me part my hair.

Sunday drives

There was a time when people had to be encouraged to get out and drive for leisure.  Streets were actually designed with this in mind.  Parkways were an example of this.

By definition, a Sunday drive is an automobile trip taken for pleasure or leisure on a Sunday, usually in the afternoon. Typically there is no destination and no rush.

I remember going on Sunday drives after church.  This is when I was younger and we were still going to First Methodist Church (so (1968 or before).  Although I remember riding with my dad exploring things out of town after that so I know we still went once in awhile but not as a family.  It seemed like it might have been just Dad, Dean and me but I'm not sure.

To me it way of seeing what was going on.  What was new.  What was being built.  Change in scenery.  To this day, I still enjoy riding around town and seeing what's going on and what is new.

Playskool Clock and Calendar

I remember having one of these 

Halbe Brand Mini Composer Statues

Not really toys but I still have mine that I earned through piano lessons (earned for time practiced). Here is an image from the web...

Here is what I have...