King of the Cowboys

Like Dustin Hoffman in "Little Big Man" and more recently, Forrest Gump, I've been through a few phases in my life. What boy growing up in the '50s didn't go through a Cowboy Phase? Here's what remains of my collection (unfortunately, the cap pistols were usually the first thing to be broken, even though I got a new one/pair every so often.

(Anyone remember Dustin's "Gunslinger Phase?" It almost got him killed. Percussion caps weren't very dangerous, but weren't very reliable either. We shot off a lot more with a hammer on a brick than in our cap pistols.)

Of course, my parents wouldn't let me take a cap pistol to school, but they didn't mind me carrying my books in this cool book satchel. With it, I could pretend I was a Pony Express rider, braving the dangers of the trail to bring the mails safely through.

(By the way, my friend Toby Stokes wore a neat little derringer (that's a small, easily concealed gun, novices) made by Mattel, that popped out from your belt buckle and fired when you sort of heaved your tummy just right. The teacher didn't take it away from him, either! Times have changed.)

Spin and Marty were a couple of teenagers who had adventure segments on the Mickey Mouse Club. I always loved these gloves, but they weren't very practical for playing cowboys.

Both my brother and I had Roy Rogers gloves. I don't recall either of us ever wearing them. But Roy Rogers was "King of the Cowboys" (did you think it was Gene Autry?) and just possessing these things conferred great status upon the owner.

This shot features the front side of my Roy Rogers lunchbox. Almost every other year I bought school lunch, but if you don't think having a celebrity lunchbox is an idea marketers still milk for all it's worth, think again!

Dale Evans, Bullet, and Roy Rogers.

This photo shows the view of the reverse side.

That's Roy on Trigger and Dale on Buttermilk. (Pat Brady and his jeep, Nellie Belle, didn't make it onto the lunchbox, but he was a sidekick that added a lot of humor to the TV program.)

How do you like the little holsters on these shades? I don't recall ever wearing them. Hmmm. . . . Do you detect a pattern?

I don't know why I needed a Roy Rogers wallet, since my entire wealth consisted of the pennies in a pickle jar in a drawer and the one or two dollar bills not spent from my birthday money. But the wallet must be rare--do you know anyone else who has one? I think not!

Who was the "King of the Cowboys?" It may have been Roy Rogers, but equipped with all my "stuff," I could pretend it was me, at least every afternoon until the bell for supper rang.

A small number of you may guess what Roy is probably calling out as he waves goodbye from a rearing Trigger.

(Music, please) "Happy trails to you, till we meet again!"

What Grandparents Like!

In the past few days, Judy and I have gotten to do a little more of that favorite thing Grandparents like: BABYSITTING!

Here's a glimpse of how it all started:

Claire to Brianna: "Whaddya say we ask the parents when we can spend a little bonus time with the old folks?"

Brianna to Claire: "That's a great idea, little Cuz. Let's put our heads together on this one. I'm sure we can come up with a plan. And it'll help me think if I chew mercilessly on this new rattle of mine."
Needless to say, it was a piece of cake to "trick" the grandparents into complying with their wishes.

Judy knows how Brianna likes to be held. With an outward view.

"That's right, Grandma. When you do it right we're BOTH happy."

"Now Grandpa, I know you have some good ideas, but sometimes you go a little overboard!"

After taking a nice warm bottle from Grandpa, Brianna is much more forgiving of my shortcomings.

In fact, being able to feed a baby is the only REAL bribery that works. Big disadvantage for us guys.

Today, Judy and I got to babysit Claire. It's her 5 Week Birthday! We were supervising her from about 9 until noon, but the little angel slept until almost 11:30. That's unheard of! So we had to make up for it with extra pictures.

In 8 minutes, a hungry Claire gulped down her 4 ounce bottle. She's got a steady, efficient style.

"Okay, who's trying to hypnotize whom?"

After Judy generously hands off a full and happy baby, Grandpa Ken squeezes as much fun into 15 minutes as possible.

"Hey, you're not the chick that gave me that bottle!"

"You put your right foot in and you shake it all about. . . ."

"And when you don't know the words, you whistle. In fact, I can produce noises from both ends equally well."

"Grandpa, ya know you can't sing, but you got rhythm."

"Yeah, this is your lucky day. I got up on the right side of the bed. . . uh, I mean the middle of the bed."

"Mommy and Daddy will be taking over now. We've got to get you smelling like a rose again."

So, if you didn't already know what grandparents like, now you do. And with luck, we'll see both Brianna and Claire again right away!

Tarpackers: Home to Great Food and a Friendly Rivalry

A month ago we headed to Saint Pauls, NC for a long-awaited visit and lunch date with our friends Debi and Doug. They had invited us for a meal at Tarpackers Restaurant, known not only locally, but throughout these parts of North Carolina for great food and a special atmosphere.

While we waited for them to open, we shot a few photos. But ALAS! It was not to be! Although no sign was posted in the window, we soon learned they were CLOSED for the week! AAARRGH!

But not to be deterred, we ambled across the street to El Rancho Mexican Restaurant, where the food and fellowship more than filled the bill.

Judi (only our inner circle knows why I spellied it with an "i" this time) and Ken enjoy Mexican cuisine (I know, "cuisine" is French).

Debi and Doug are wonderful hosts. They are two of the most dedicated educators in Robeson County (I say that on faith, not having met the others). : )

I think you can figure this one out.

Anyway, fast forward to last week. We were determined to make it back to Tarpackers before school started, and we were successful.

The first thing you'll notice about the Tarpackers name and sign is that it merges the logos and colors of this state's greatest college rivalry. (Sorry, but you won't find any Dook-themed eateries outside of Durham, and precious few there).

Inside is the UNC or NC State fan's dream. Here's a menagerie of memorabilia and paraphernalia from State's glory days.

And here's Carolina's similarly partisan display. I think they may need to add a room for more of this soon.
Every photo, keepsake, or banner was wrapped in memories for long-time sports fans. For me that goes back to my freshman year at UNC in 1971.

One of hundreds of Michael Jordan shots that were strictly "money."

Even as we dined on the delicious fare, the overhead rafters bore reminders of the two schools' national prominence throughout their existence.

Yes, we had a wonderful visit--make that two visits-- with Debi and Doug. We need to get together more anyway, and Tarpackers makes a convenient excuse.

Just desserts. And just fantastic! (Don't overlook my fudge cake, top left)

GO TAR HEELS!

Happy Birthday, Hilda

A few days ago, Cambridge House at Belle Meade provided the setting for a very special birthday celebration. This was all arranged for a wonderful lady named Hilda who had no local family and dreamed of a marching band playing "Happy Birthday" for her on her 90th birthday.

My friend Archie is very good at making dreams come true. He and activities director Wendy searched high and low for a band that would fit the bill.

They came up with a Moore County group called New Horizons who were more than willing to make Hilda's big day special. Below, Wendy looks on as band leader Bob begins to pass out music for today's selections. (Somehow, Archie eluded the camera, something he's very good at!)


I was thrilled to be invited to play along with the band, plus play background music during the cake and ice cream time.

The band warmed up in a parlor. They practiced "Happy Birthday," "For She's a Jolly Good Fellow," "America," "America the Beautiful," "God of Our Fathers," and "Onward Christian Soldiers." I was thankful I could play by ear and was familiar with all their songs.

New Horizons has a unique requirement. Although band members may have a musical background, they must be learning an instrument that is NEW to them. So if they played the trumpet in a high school band decades ago, they might be trying out the trombone now. Pretty cool idea.

Meanwhile, Hilda was enjoying herself seated on her second story balcony. I can't say "an unsuspecting Hilda," because it turned out she was rather suspicious of the flurry of activity around the building entrance.

The moment finally came. The band broke out in the beautiful strains of "Happy Birthday" from the walkway near Hilda's balcony.

A few minutes later, a delighted Hilda joined us all in the lobby, where our group had reassembled. We played all the songs we had practiced. I saved my slice of birthday cake for later so I could keep playing while the others had cake and ice cream.

Hilda's cake. I asked her if she had a favorite song and she said it was from "that movie where the woman and the children are on the mountainside."

"The Sound of Music?"

"YES."

"Is the song 'Edelweiss'?"

"YES, that's the one!"

I was very happy to play it for this kind, new friend.

HAPPY 90TH BIRTHDAY, HILDA!