Dames & Dogs #78

anna and duffy competing for treat

From the National Archives:

Although Fala might be the most famous of the Roosevelts’ dogs, this is a different Scottish terrier from decades before Fala joined the family. This photograph was taken in 1907. The dog, Duffy, is competing with Anna Roosevelt for a treat from the hand of FDR (who is standing over them, not yet stricken by polio).

Knit A Yanky Doodle Dandy

It’s been cold outside, right? So while you’ve been dreaming of Summer, why not spend the time knitting your own red, white, and blue fashions for the Fourth Of July? Mom and daughter get a pair of matching sundresses. But poor dad has to suffer in a real sweater. …Maybe he just got a real bad sunburn while yachting and feels chilled. Anyway, dad’s pattern is free for you today. The mother-daughter dress patterns are for sale here.

yankee doodle dandy dad

vintage yanky doodle dandy knit sweater pattern

Stairway To Stardom

Starting in the late Seventies, public access cable television in New York experienced Stairway to Stardom,  a reality-TV program at its finest.  People wishing to make a stab at television stardom could write in, schedule themselves to appear, pay an appearance fee, and then show up in living rooms all across Staten Island.

It’s as if American Idol auditions left out all the super-talented people and the mentally ill hopefuls, and only accepted people with moderate talent and extreme enthusiasm.   (Via.)