Sunday, September 20, 2015

Family Photos – 1961

I continue to go through photos, albums, and other family items in order to document things for future generations.  Next up, a family photo album that was stashed away in my parents’ home.  To start from the beginning, click here.

During 1961, it appears that Dad just took a few random photos.  I know he took more (because he took photos constantly) but these are the only ones that seem to have made it into the photo album.

Page 27 - Cary Cover Girl 1961
Cary Cover Girl 1961

Nice hair, sis!  At least your bangs have finally grown out!

Page 27 - Cary Cover Girl 1961 Piano


Page 27 - Deb now collects stamps 1961
Deb now collects stamps

I have so many memories about stamp collecting.  The most important is that we were each given a “country” to collect and being the good Jewish girl that I was, I picked Israel.  I didn’t really care what country I collected but Israel seemed like the right thing to do at the time. 

After our parents had both died and we were cleaning out the house, the many books of stamps were still in the back store room where they’d resided, untouched, our entire lives.  What to do with them?  I know we could have done so many things but at that overwhelming time in our lives, it was just important to get rid of them.  No, we didn’t throw them out but we did leave most of them with the estate liquidator and I don’t think any of us want to know what happened to them.  But it’s nice to see this picture and remember the happy times of sitting with Dad putting our stamps in the appropriate books.

Page 27 - Cary_Debi 1961
Cary and Debi 1961

Being that my parents never threw anything away, I can’t figure out if this was in our house (because none of it looks familiar) or somewhere else.  Either way, it’s a pretty cute photo and we are sure growing up!

Page 28 - Family Camp 1961
Family Camp 1961

I’ve posted this photo of YMCA Family Camp before – it was crazy hat night!

Page 28 - The Jacksons Visit 1961
The Jacksons Visit

Oh boy, this photo brings back so many memories.  The Jackson family (no, not THAT Jackson family) lived next door to us when I was born and although both families moved within a few years, they remained family friends throughout our lives.  They had three sons, the oldest of which was just a little older than me.  Of course Bob is the man in the photo and Joey, his wife, is on the right.  That’s my mom in the middle but I don’t know who the older woman is – perhaps Bob or Joey’s mother?  I also just noticed that the background is the same from the picture above so I’m guessing that to be our house.  And the card table and Bob’s chair looks familiar, too.

As I added this photo to the blog I began to wonder what happened to the family and started a quick search to see what I could find out.  I knew that Joey had died years ago (20?) but never knew what happened with Bob.  Sadly, I stumbled across Bob’s obituary and learned that he died at the age of 91 just over a year ago.  But included was a beautiful photo with his ever-present smile!  I’ve also sent an e-mail to Monterey Jazz Festival organization as I know that the oldest son has been involved with that organization for years.  I hope he gets in touch with me.

Yikes, what’s going on here?

Page 28 - Debi_Cary 1961

I think my parents still had that bed in my old bedroom when we cleaned out the house!

Page 28 - Fluffy still with us 1961
Fluffy still with us

Yes, Fluffy is still around.  I remember that cat would go anywhere her heart desired – window sills, counter tops, wherever she wanted. 

This photo means a lot, even though I have no idea where it was taken.

Page 28 - Debi_Cary_Gerry_1961

That’s my mom with my sister and me.  You may not be able to tell but knowing that this is 1961 and little brother was born in November, Mom must be pregnant.  Debi, step aside just a little so we can get a better look at Mom’s tummy!

Only a few more pages left.

8 comments:

  1. Was your mom wearing a maternity dress during the Jackson visit? It has "that look."

    ReplyDelete
  2. I just love your photos and the stories that go with them. Your sister in these is taking on that pre-teen look, and it's fun to watch the two of you grow up in these photos.

    As for the stamps, I bet they were worth something, but not as much as the sentimental value. But I know that holding on to everything that has that value is impossible. I dread to think about what my kids will do with all the .... stuff.... I've accumulated!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. By the way, I hope you realize that this is Amy from brotmanblog---I can't seem to sign in with WordPress, so I wanted you to know which Amy this is!

      Delete
    2. Oh I know it's you, Amy. :-)

      I also think about what my kids will do with the "stuff" because now I have 3 generations of "stuff". It's overwhelming.

      Delete
    3. I am finally cleaning out my office at work (a year after retiring). Eight more boxes of stuff---I mean, do I really need my notes from law school and all the memos I've written over the years? No, but...

      Delete
  3. I love how pictures transport us back in time to the event in a way nothing else can. I love how even those folks who claim to not remember anything suddenly begin to talk when they are shown old photos.

    ReplyDelete