Most Awesome Family Portrait Ever

Billy Dee Williams, Drew Barrymore, Ann-Margret and Bonnie Franklin, from Life, 1984.

Seahorses Do Not Have Legs

But are there sea-zebras?



Leila Hyams & zebra sans gams at the beach, via Flickr.

New Year, New You: Workout With Dumbells

You can do it like Crawford...


I prefer Russell's method myself.

Annual Family Tradition

After eating a big holiday meal, it was customary for the men to go into the kitchen to cut the cheese. No one knew why Sara always went along.



Maybe it's cheese; maybe it's not (you can find out at Flickr). But then the food isn't really the issue now, is it.

Why Christmas Tights Are Important For Little Girls

This looks so much like my sister -- OK, and not just as a child (she wears pants now Christmas Eve for a reason!) I wish it was a photo of her, because then we'd have had an Andy Gibb microphone!

Via Flickr

Honey, I Shrunk The Santa

Via Flickr

This Is How The World's Greatest Entertainer Gets Into His Car

Old Christmas Tree Lot

Christmas tree lot at Jennings Lawn & Garden in Overland Park, Kansas, 1955.

The Boys Refused To Do Their Homework

For some reason, they refused to do book reports on Old Yeller.



Via Flickr

The Forecast For Santa's Lap: Wet With A Chance Of Tinkertoys

Johnny clearly remembered how wet Santa's lap was the year before.



Via Flickr

Paper Crowns For Jesus

More paper birthday hats for baby Jesus; these apparently worn in public, at a restaurant.



Via Flickr.

Buying A Christmas Tree?

Make sure it's taller than your bouffant.



Via Flickr.

Christmas Decorating Tip

Your drapes should not be louder than your tree.



Via Flickr.

The Sunshine Family Doll Christmas

Or maybe it was John Denver who kidnapped mom & baby Sunshine back in December of 1975?


Family photo via Flickr

Like Birthday Hats For Jesus

Homemade Santa hats, circa 1960s.



Via Flickr.

As A Rule...

Your walls should be bare when the family is wearing this many patterns.



Via Flickr.

Anne Frank's Not The Only Thing Hiding In The Attic

This gal found this Polaroid of her family in the attic. We're pretty sure she means the photo was found in the attic; but then again...

It's Not My Mom

This looks like my mom, but it's not; this lady's name was Jeri and she was famous. I don't know her. But I do know my mom.



It's a small photo, just like the ones you give away to your friends in school. Only I didn't get this from Jeri herself (I told you I don't know her); I got it with some other vintage photos of famous people. That explains why it's not signed on the back with a note for me to 'stay sweet' (which I did) or how fun I was in math class (which I was).

If you know who this lady is -- even if she's not your mom -- please let me know.

10 Little (Vintage Halloween) Indians

1 An antique photo of a boy dressed as an Indian, with a rifle, on a bike.



2 Corey was once a sweet little Indian maiden for Halloween.




3 An adorable photo of boy dressed as an Indian, posed by a Tipi.


4, 5 & 6 Three bare chested Indian braves at the Kansas School for the Deaf party in 1958.



7 Five boys dressed up in 1905 -- we're counting just the one little Indian (and we're calling it a Halloween costume too).


8 Dana Collins wearing Halloween costume inspired by Native American clothing, Johnson County Museum photo.



9 Inspired? Make your own for next Halloween with this vintage Indian costume pattern.



10 Or, you could cheat and buy a ready-made costume. How about the retro Ben Cooper Tom Tom costume?

Halloween Parties Of Yesteryear

As I wrote, the JoCoHistory site is an amazing historical database; I knew I'd find some great Halloween images there.

From the Kansas State School for the Deaf, the Class of '53 in costume. I have no idea what the sack costumes are... "Sack race contestants" is a costume?


Don't you just hate it when other kids have the same costume? (Kansas State School for the Deaf, Halloween, 1959)


Well, at least you weren't the kid in the black face jack-o-lantern costume.


At the school's 1956 party, someone took their costume very seriously and spent much of the party scrubbing floors. Yes, I do believe that is a dude.



In 1958, one kid went dressed as Big Ben -- but looks more like a 1950's cartoon alarm clock.