When I was a kid, early mornings on snowy weekends I was often out and about. There was no pressure of waiting patiently by the radio to hear Portland school called off. Long before most of my pals were stirring, you could find me at the corner either at Deering Drug or Howard's Variety sitting on a counter stool sipping a hot chocolate and thumbing through one of the latest teen magazines, Sports Illustrated or a copy of True Detective. Mrs. Sloan, Bud and his brother were always so obliging or at least they didn't seem to care. I usually was there an hour or so, and they were good places to hear the most updated comings and goings of the 'regulars'. There were a couple of times that Bud asked me to man the shovel and clear off the sidewalk for the early comers.
He always threw me a couple of bucks.
He was no fool.
He knew they'd be coming back his way soon.
Man, I drank a lot of vanilla Cokes at that counter.
Looks like that bundled up pedestrian needs some of that hot chocolate.
ReplyDeleteI think you should have titled this, "Scene: Dismal, USA". Yikes! I liked cherry cokes.
ReplyDeleteI cannot imagine living under those conditions. Well beyond my experience.
ReplyDeleteHey BM! What are you talking about? Oh, the hiatus. Nah, our son and his wife are coming to visit for a few days. The photo is Lois Anne running down one of the streets in our neighborhood. What makes it special is that a year ago she was getting chemo for bladder cancer and heading for surgery. She's cancer-free now, and to get out and run again was a huge milestone!
ReplyDeleteThat's super!
DeleteNot a lot of "people" on the streets these days, huh? :-)
ReplyDeleteaah 'those were the days' huh?
ReplyDeleteGreat reflections of what sounds like a childhood well lived. As for the snow, well.............. also beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAnd now, are you channeling others into doing the same. Almost want to get out in the snow... but not quite! Good post!!
ReplyDeletei like that shot very much!
ReplyDeleteNice shot for the theme today. I always enjoy hearing about your experiences growing up. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGreat memories. For me it was the Walgreens soda fountain at mid-morning when we could get into town. Looks freezing cold walking on that street.
ReplyDeleteYour photo is fabulous! There were two great soda fountains in my home town and I had many a vanilla coke and occasionally a cherry coke in both of them. Those are some fond memories.
ReplyDeleteWe don't go out except to the doctors but we have seen more cold and snow this winter and it turned out, so far, to be the 4th snowiest since they began keeping weather facts. And we are not done yet. Another big storm is coming tonight.
ReplyDeleteLove your choice for Theme Day.
ReplyDeleteReally enjoy your winter scenes Birdman, your weather could not possibly be more opposite to mine! I understand the early morning thing, especially getting out onto virgin snow, incredible!
ReplyDeleteNot a crowd with this weather! Great choice for this theme day!
ReplyDeleteThat winter shot looks quite like the weather here today.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a long time since I've had a vanilla coke, though I recently did have a cherry coke.
In regards to a comment over at Jack's blog, the High Line is a former elevated train track in NYC that has been converted into an urban walkway and park.
Not too many people out on the street in the snow and cold anyway. Wonderful story of school days OFF!! MB
ReplyDeleteLove the post and that great pic, Birdman!
ReplyDeleteLike the composition of the man walking through the snow. The snow and his posture set a contemplative mood -- barbara
ReplyDeleteIt is a good photo, but, man, you must be getting very tired of all the snow and the cold.
ReplyDeleteYou don't know the High Line? New York City took an abandoned elevated rail track on the west side and planted it with extensive foliage. It has become hugely popular.
Oh, vanilla Cokes! In the days before they'd thought up the "diet" part!
ReplyDeleteDarn, that looks cold! Portland is starting to look like a set from "Dr. Zhivago."
Another gem for your memoirs. The photo is wonderful, the lone figure in winter.
ReplyDeleteFantastic image, love that single yellow light, and the memories that go along with it!
ReplyDeletePerfectly wonderful memories shared on your Theme Day post. And that photo. All of that snow. Whew.
ReplyDeleteNot many people out and about on this day! Love your shot and of course, your story. :)
ReplyDeleteA terrific shot with a charming story. Very nicely done.
ReplyDeleteLovely shot and post.
ReplyDeleteStirring image.
ReplyDeleteKeep warm over there.
ReplyDeleteSpring is on it`s way here in Norway.