Paint by Number (102/365)

 

TIME: 7:01 pm

PLACE: Living room
SUBJECT: Vintage Paint by Number

*~*~*

I had a routine doctor's appointment this morning and afterwards, stopped by a nearby antique mall to check things out.

This was one of the 1st things I saw when I walked in. And, like most things I see in antique malls, I didn't need it but I wanted it.  So of course I bought it.

This was on the back:

"If you two are still around when I am gone - Good. Just Rember [sic] - I - I Painted You - 1-3-59

Dick Lles otherwise I spell it like this [fancy signature]"

Still trying to figure out if that is his real name or he was being a funny guy...

Puzzle is Puzzled! (049/365)

TIME: 9:30 pm

PLACE: Dining room
SUBJECT: Finished puzzle

*~*~*

My 50 cent bet paid off!

All of the pieces were there and I was able to complete the puzzle.

Not gonna lie, this was a difficult one to put together - there were so many straight sides on the pieces and color differences were very subtle.

It's staying on the table for awhile before it gets boxed back up.

Hook, Line and Sinker (045/365)

TIME: 6:47
PLACE: Home
SUBJECT: Valentine décor

*~*~*

I can tell I am not in my happiest state of mind because I have not decorated for the holidays like I usually do.

Last year, I didn't decorate for Easter, Independence Day, Halloween or Thanksgiving.  Christmas was minimal.

This is my attempt for Valentine's Day.  I found the valentine and the mason jar of fishing accessories in a booth at an antique mall last month.  

 I don't like my grumpy attitude and am making an attempt to get my mojo back.

*~*~*

I did make Grandma Caponi's spaghetti and meatballs today. My daughter, her boyfriend and my son's girlfriend were invited over for Valentine's dinner.

That's love.

💘💘💘

What is that? Velvet? (033/365)

TIME: 8:30 pm

PLACE: Living room
SUBJECT: Velvet painting

*~*~*

I went over to my dad's again tonight to help him register for a COVD vaccine clinic given out to people 75 and older in our county. He is all set for tomorrow.

We were upstairs printing out information regarding his appointment and I mentioned that I really liked the velvet painting that was on the wall.  It was a wedding gift given to my mom's parents back in 1934.

He said, "You want it? Take it." So I did.

I hung it here to take a photo; then took it up to my home office for its permanent spot.

Relieves Fatigue (347/366)

TIME: 12:20 pm
PLACE: 1st block of North Charles St

SUBJECT: Ghost sign

*~*~*

I've been wanting to take a picture of this for some time, however, everytime I drove by, there would be a car parked in front of it.

There was no car today!

I'm not sure what relieves fatigue, is sold everywhere and is only 5 cents. I could sure use some though.

I did do some quick research in the local historical newspaper archives (courtesy of our library) and found this advertisement for some gum that "relieves fatigue" and was only 5 cents for 5 sticks back in 1916.

Maybe this is it.

 

Wayback Wednesday or That's a Big Sandwich! (330/366)

TIME: May 1982

PLACE: Dining room of childhood home
SUBJECT: Me, my sister, my 2nd oldest brother and a sandwich

*~*~*

My brother (that guy there on the right) recently texted these photos to the family group chat.

I don't remember this being taken at all, but we all finally came to the conclusion that this sandwich was for my oldest brother's (not pictured) high school graduation party.

Dad purchased the creation from Imperial Deli in Imperial, Missouri (no longer in business). I'm pretty sure he put the seat down in the Ford Fairmont station wagon to bring it home.

I need to point out my silver slinky belt with the butterfly buckle; how strong my sister is; and my brother's jorts and 1980 USA Olympic t-shirt.  I am deliberately trying not to draw any attention to my hair style.  Thank you for not bringing that up.

Here is another shot of the sandwich (because you can never have too many photos of a really long sandwich)....


L-R: Dad, Me, my sister, Mom

*~*~*

My dad and mom were 40 yeas old in this picture.  I was 15, my sister was 6 and my brother was 16.

I don't know where my oldest brother was...he was probably too cool to be in a sandwich photo.

Veterans Day (316/366)

TIME: 5:08 pm

PLACE: Dining room
SUBJECT: Great uncles

*~*~*

In honor of Veterans Day, I am sharing this large portrait that I am grateful to have in my possession.  These three soldiers are my mother's maternal uncles.  They were drafted and served during WWI.  Left to right are:

Frank Kosar (1895-1927) - Co "C", 148th Infantry, USNG, 37th Division. Served 22 Jun 1918 to 21 Dec 1918.  He was wounded with a bullet in the hand on 29 Sep 1918 during the first phase of the Meuse–Argonne offensive. After returning home, Frank suffered from the effects of the mustard gas he encountered and also PTSD ("shell-shocked" in those days). He was declared insane in December of 1922 and spent the remainder of his life in the State Hospital in Jacksonville, Illinois.  He died 6 Nov 1927 of tuberculosis.

Anthony Kosar (1889-1977) - Served in the Army from 25 May 1918 to 13 Jan 1919.  I cannot find his unit or any other documentation on his service.

William Kosar (1892-1951) - Battery E. 327th Field Artillery, 84th Division. Served 23 Jun 1918 to 19 Feb 1919. After arriving in France, his division was broken up into smaller groups.  They then trained others to replace combat divisions at the front. I don't believe he experienced any combat.

I truly appreciate the service and sacrifice they and all other veterans have made for our country.

Peppy & Salty (315/366)

TIME: 5:53 pm

PLACE: Kitchen
SUBJECT: Salt & Pepper shakers

*~*~*

These two supervised as I made potatoes with the instant pot.

I tried to catch the steam as it released, but was unsuccessful.

The potatoes were good though.

Succulents & My Son (257/366)

TIME: 5:08 pm
PLACE: Living room
SUBJECT: Succulents

*~*~*

Inspired by my brother and sister-in-law's decor, I purchased some succulents from the Home Depot and planted them in my Hull swan planter.

From top left, clockwise: Haworthia, Burro's Tail and String of Buttons.

Here is a side view of my planter.
(I know I am officially old because I love me a vintage planter)

*~*~*

The best part of today? Zooming with my boy.

I worry so much about him over there.  So happy to see and talk to him.

Technology is a good thing. 

Mom’s House (175/365)

TIME: 2:11 PM
PLACE: West end of town
SUBJECT: Mom’s childhood home

This is the house my mother’s maternal grandparents built in 1906.  They lived there all their lives.  My grandmother did too.  My mother grew up in this house and her sister, my aunt Alice lived here until she wasn’t able to be on her own any longer.  It was sold last year.

It needed a ton of work.  Whoever first bought it sold it to another party who rehabbed it.  I’ve seen the pictures on Zillow, but wanted to check it out in person, There was supposed to be an open house today, but it was cancelled for whatever reason.

I stopped by anyway and took a couple of outside photos.

I hope they re-schedule. 

Here is what it looked like back in the day.

12 Years Ago (112/365)

TIME: 22 April 2006 – 9:35 PM
PLACE: Kitchen
SUBJECT: James, Stella, Claudia

Back when Stella didn’t want to wear clothes in the house.

She just wanted to be “belly”

Thermostat (105/365)

TIME: 1:16 PM
PLACE: Ace Hardware
SUBJECT: Thermostat

I was purchasing paint for the rental bathroom at our local hardware store when I noticed this thermostat next to the paint counter.

The hardware employee told me that it still works – they didn’t think it did, but finally figured out a switch was off in the basement.  They flipped it, adjusted the temp on the thermostat and the furnace fired right up.

Throwback Thursday (060/365)

TIME: 1950 to 1952-ish?
PLACE: 20 N. 78th Street
SUBJECT: Mom

I was looking through some photos my cousin gave me and came across an envelope of negatives.

I scanned a couple and inverted them in Photoshop.

Here is one - my mom, in a white dress decorated with a few large flowers and a matching headband.

And, I can see where Stella gets her smile.

Valentine’s Day (045/365)

TIME: 9:39 PM
PLACE: Living room
SUBJECT: Valentine decoration

Yes, I have plates hanging on my wall.

Yes, I know that is an old lady thing to do.

It works for me dammit!

Birthday Boy (031/365)

TIME: circa 1958?
PLACE: Probably outside of Troy, IL
SUBJECT: HH

60 years ago, he was 2 years old and sitting on stuffed dog.

Today, he has a wife, three kids, two dogs, two cats, more stress and less hair.

Happy Birthday my love!

Beistle Bird (009/365)

TIME: 7:38 PM
PLACE: Home
SUBJECT: Vintage Beistle Honeycomb Turkey

I FINALLY put Halloween away and replaced it with Thanksgiving décor.

Mainly turkeys.

Lots and lots of turkeys.

Throwback Thursday (211/365)

TIME: Early 1950’s
PLACE: Apartment above Great-Grandpa Tedesco’s Fruit, West Main St., Belleville, IL
SUBJECT: Relatives

Here’s a groups shot from the past. They are my:
Paternal Great-Grandparents: Saverio Tedesco and Mary Tedesco, nee Mercurio.
Paternal Grandparents: Michael Caponi Sr. and Edna Caponi, nee Tedesco.
Great-Aunt: Marie Mank, nee Tedesco.
Great-Uncle: Saverio “Ted’' Tedesco and wife Doris Tedesco.
Paternal Aunt: Phyllis Smith, nee Caponi.
Cousins: Steven Smith, & Saverio Caponi.
1st Cousins, once removed: Christie Mank, Jackie Mank.
Wives of Great-Uncles: Dorothy Tedesco and Lillian Tedesco.
And, last but not least, my Dad: Michael Caponi Jr. - You can barely see him…half of his face is hidden behind his father.

There is a lot of coffee on that table.

Throwback Thursday (197/365)

TIME:  September 1911
PLACE: Belleville, IL
SUBJECT: William (sitting) & George (standing) Stammer


Postmark: Belleville, ILL
9:30am
Sep 20
1911

To: Miss Pearl Deedle
Centralia
Illinois

”We are all well
& hope you are
the same.
Mrs. Wm Stammer
Belleville Ill.
This is a picture
of the boys.”

The “boys’' being the husband’s grandfather, William and great-uncle, George.

Objects Are Closer Then They Appear (148/365)

TIME: 8:07 PM

PLACE:  Front steps

SUBJECT:  Broken mirror

Just like Claudia, we bought James a car for his 16th birthday.

From the proverbial little old lady’s car who only drove it on Sunday.

Except we knew the little old lady.

The vehicle was well-maintained and the price was exactly what we had paid for Claudia’s car, so we jumped on it.

So far, so good.  Well, except for the passenger’s side mirror glass which fell off and broke.

Still, not a huge issue…we ordered a new one from eBay.

~*~*~
Today would have been Mom’s 73rd birthday.

How I miss that woman.
❤

Dad (140/365)

TIME: 1945/1946?
PLACE:  Downtown
SUBJECT:  Dad and his Uncle

This little guy turns 73 years old today,
I made him a strawberry and a chocolate pie.
He made an apple and a cherry pie.
We had quite the pie feast at his house.