Keep Smiling

Keep Smiling

Saturday, June 2, 2012

A Day's Road Trip Down Highway 97, Oregon

If you're traveling through Oregon 
on Highway 97 
you will pass this old abandoned gas station. 


  I am sure it has been photographed 
many times.  Just a quick blink of the eye 
and you've driven past it, 
but if you stop and get out of your car 
and listen very quietly, you may 
still hear the voices of men discussing 
their wheat crops while playing checkers 
by the front door.  



 I love photos that take me back in time 
and these certainly do it for me.



 The old barn has seen better days 
and maybe even a barn dance or two.  
Remember dances and pot-luck dinners?
That's what folks did before television.



 How about a cold Orange Crush. 
 Do you remember the coolers that were cooled 
by icy cold water?  When you pulled out 
your cold bottle of pop the water would 
drip off the bottle 
and hit your hot bare foot.  
Hot summer days and a nickel in your pocket 
to buy a cold pop or an ice cream cone.  
I guess I'm really reminiscing 
of my childhood.  
The simple pleasures are the ones 
I remember most.  
I'm also giving away my age, 
because most of my readers will probably 
not have a clue to being a kid in the 50's. 
I was born in 1945, so by the time the 
fifties came around I was 5 years old.  
Most (not all) of my childhood memories 
are from 5 years and older.  
It was a great time in U.S. history.  
The war was over, every soldier was a hero,
 the economy was good, 
and the neighborhoods were so safe 
that you never locked your door.






These last three photos bring you back to the 21st century.  
that's where we are.  
I guess if we like the values and traditions
 of a time gone by, 
we need to do our best to instill 
them in our children and in our neighborhoods. 


(this photo gives the feeling of both worlds, past and present)

  We had a neighbor over the other night 
and our conversation went to how can we 
bring back our neighborhood to a safe 
and friendly place. A place you want to 
live and raise a family.  
So many folks in our neighborhoods are 
moving out to the country or to 
newer subdivisions and the houses are 
all becoming rentals.  


Some of us old timers in 
the neighborhood are retiring, 
we've put money into our homes 
through the years and we have them
just the way we've always 
wanted them to be. 

They are "HOME". 
We don't want to move, 
but we do want to feel safe
and 
comfortable in our retired years.
Anyone out there got any good ideas?

(I love driving by these 
new windmill farms, 
they are popping up all over 
the Pacific Northwest. 
   They have a beauty to them . . . 
"beauty" that's a word we never  
used to describe a power plant.)




 All of the photos in this post 
were taken by me a few years ago 
on a trip to visit our daughter.  

I digitally enhanced them 
using Photo-Shop.
I thought I would 
"ART" them up a bit.

I hope you enjoyed the little
trip down highway 97
and down memory lane.
Have a great week,
Connie 
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92 comments:

  1. Lovely post. Where I live we still leave our doors unlocked, the children disappear to play in the creek or the fields coming back only when hungry and te sense of belonging to the village is still very strong. I guess we are lucky to live in such a hidden village xxx

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    1. Your village sounds wonderful. There are still some tiny towns throughout America that are like that, but not so many anymore. It just seems that the crime rate as multiplied so much in the last 50 years. I believe that our system has gone overboard with human rights (I believe that all people of every race and gender should be treated equal, equal meaning the same). . . but when they decided to take God and discipline out of our public schools, they started a ball rolling that they, now can't stop. It has reached a place where a manger scene can not even be put up in a public mall. Well, I have some very strong feeling about this, but I'm just a little drop in the bucket. I praise the Lord and thank Him for your lovely village and the freedom and safe haven you and your neighbors share. Have a wonderful day, Connie.

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  2. I do remember those days - I often wonder where it all went wrong. I wish I knew how to straighten out the world we live in...these were happier, simpler times. Thanks for the trip down Highway 97. Have a blessed day!

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    1. Hi Linda, People around here seem to think that moving to the country and home schooling their children is the answer. I can fully see their point, but I think that it is just putting a bandage on the problem. It might give their children a safer environment, but what about those left behind . . . they need to be safe, too. They talk about the big problem with bullying in the schools . . . well I say bring God back to the schools and hire principals that know the difference between discipline and abuse and give them back a paddle. I am highly opinionated on this subject . . . so that's all I'll say. Have a great week, Connie

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  3. Hi Connie, I really enjoyed your trip down memory lane, and your re-mastered photos are great, they have real atmosphere.

    It is sad that your neighbourhood is changing, I can only hope that the houses of you and your like minded friends will inspire new residents to keep their properties looking good, even though they are rented, it is still home after all. Love Linda x

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    1. Hi Linda, thank you for your sweet comments about my photos.
      I don't know the answer, before I was a home owner and I rented, I considered the place I rented as home and did my best to make it lovely. I think it is a matter of pride and self esteem, some folks don't have it. Why that seems to come more with renters, I don't know, except, I can see them not wanting to put money into something that is not their own. I guess a big part of that has to fall on the landlords as well. Some landlords want the rent money from there tenants but do not want to continue the up keep on the house. I've never seen this from a landlords point of view, but I know that there are good landlords and bad, the same as tenants and home owners for that matter. I just like to see things pretty. Have a great day, Connie

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  4. Fabulous photographs! A great post about memories and changing times.
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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    1. Liz, it is so nice to see you. Thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comment on my post. Have a delightful day, Connie

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  5. Love the photos! Hope you had a wonderful trip.

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    1. I'm happy that you like the photos, thanks for stopping by, Connie :)

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  6. Great trip down memory lane! I love the photos of the old gas sation....I'm suprised no one has made off with the gas pumps and Crush sign. I'll keep my fingers crossed for your neighborhood...

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    1. Thanks. . . Janet, you are a sweetheart.
      Have a great day, Connie :)

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  7. Great photos and what a nice trip you went on...

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    1. Thank you, I'm glad you like my photos. You don't see old gas stations much anymore. Those pumps and signs are usually already in antique shops. Have a great day. Connie :)

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  8. I have given you a Kreativ Blogger Award. Hope you enjoy it!

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    1. Thank you. I'm not really sure what that means, but knowing you like my blog means a lot to me. I'm over-joyed! Connie :)

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  9. I just love what you've done with these pictures! They evoke many feelings, and make me both sad and happy at the same time. You and I could talk all day, because I was born in the forties as well. I well remember all thee memories! We never locked our door, and we were let outside to play all day long unwatched. There was no fear. And the worst thing that ever happened in school was someone chewing gum or wearing a skirt too short, scandal! If I had to pick a favorite here, it may be the beautiful windmills or the first gas pump. And what a coincidence, I took the very same picture of an old car following us a couple days ago. Through the rear view mirror. Then I deleted it from the computer...now I'm going to look for it again!!!

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    1. Hi Ginny, It is so nice to hear from you. We were very blessed to have been kids when we were. Times were much easier on children then. Last summer driving back from a day of picnicking with my daughter and granddaughters . . .I was in the passenger's seat and looked in the rear-view mirror and my little granddaughter was smiling and waving at me from the backseat. I had to get out my camera and take that photo. It is very interesting to see what's going on behind our back :). Have a wonderful week and thanks for the sweet visit. Connie :)

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  10. Hi Connie, thank you for coming to join my band of followers, your work is so creative and you can count me amongst your followers now, I look forward to seeing more. I love to see craft full of imagaination.x

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    1. Hello Jane, thank you for visiting and thank you for following, too. What a sweet comment, you have made my day. Connie :)

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  11. Hi Connie and many thanks for stopping by the Fairyglade..I am going to have fun catching up on your lovely blog too. I am in awe of what I have seen so far. Dev x

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    1. Hi there, so happy to see that you came by for a visit. Connie :)

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  12. Thanks for the visit and thanks for this nostalgic post. I was born about the same time as you and I can remember some of this because I grew up in a small tourist town in the mountains and then in a small farming community in the flatlands. Soda was a real treat because we did not have much money. But I do remember dusty dry feet!

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    1. Thanks for stopping in. I always enjoy company. Connie :)

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  13. I love these old gas station pictures. It takes me back! I'd love to do some drawings of old gas stations and drive-ins. You can just feel the history! Thanks for the pictures and thoughts!

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    1. Hi Lisa, Feel free to start drawing these. I love these old places too, and they are rapidly disappearing from your landscape. I did a paper on the history of your area (about 15 years ago when I went back to school). In researching it I went to the library and dug through files of old photographs. It was fascinating seeing our little town come together through the piles of black and white aged photography. You might try this to get some great material for your drawings. Thanks for stopping in, and please come again, Have a great week, Connie :)

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  14. Hi Connie,

    I enjoyed seeing your beautiful pictures. I'm a 60's child and I remember how safe the neighborhood was. We never locked anything ever. Now having my own children it seem safety is all I teach them. I hope when my boys start a family things will be better.

    Dee

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  15. Oh Connie, how I loved your post! It made me smile for the memories it brought back to me but also sad for how I desire for things to be simple like that now. I was born in '57 but remember the neighborhood grocer with the pop in the cold water, penny candy, bicycle fix-it shops in the back of the store, people loved and enjoyed each others company, now its about sticking our faces in a technical device. UGH!!(sorry)I know they are sometimes needed but is this all too too much?! Yes, I could not be blogging back then (I didn't say everything is BAD, just needs its place and balance)OH WEll, you hit a soft spot with me on this posting! Have a great week and glad to hear from you! You are a true SWEETIE!! from one sweetie to another.....Roxie

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    1. Thanks for stopping in and visiting. I do have a lot of sweet childhood memories. Times were sweeter and we knew all of our neighbors by name, back then. Not long ago we had some new neighbors, so I decided to bake them some cookies and go over and introduce myself. She looked at me like I was a mad woman, if I thought she was taking cookies from a stranger, or even think about becoming friends. So much for making friends with your neighbors . . . but I guess that is the times we are living in. thanks again for the sweet visit. Connie :)

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  16. And also I couldn't agree with you more...This NATION needs GOD like never before! We need to repent for our wrong doings and live by the GOOD BOOK! Don't mean to be preachy, but our nation needs prayer.......from one sweetie to another.....Roxie

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    1. I guess we just need to pray for our nation daily . . . we are living in troubled times. God Bless America. Have a wonderful week, Connie :)

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  17. Great pics and I love what you've done to them! They look like paintings and my fave is the windmill pic. Thanks so much for stopping by and for your lovely comment. Have a great week!

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    1. Hello Marguerite, It is wonderful to see you. Your blog is a favorite in our home for great recipes. Connie :)

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  18. Hi Connie,
    I love your blog!!!! You are a Gypsy like me! Also super Talented....
    XOXO,
    Jane

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    1. I'm so glad to see you and happy to see that you are posting again. Connie

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  19. Thanks for visiting my blog and becoming a follower. I'm following you, too, now. I like your pictures of the old and the new.

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    1. Hi Cathy, I'm so pleased to have you on board as a follower. I'm looking forward to the sharing of ideas. Connie :)

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  20. Hi Connie! I do love these photos (and wondered how they were taken). I was born in 1959 but I still remember those coolers and Orange Crush. One cent candy, walking to the little store by my Grandma's (without adults - just a bunch of cousins) and picking out a candy. Times when doors were left unlocked and people took pride in their homes - whether they were renting or buying. I do miss the simpler days.

    If you are ever out this way Georgia O'Keefe's house is very cool - especially if you are a fan. Thanks for stopping by!

    Hugs,
    Kay

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    1. Hi Kay, I always love hearing from you. You seem like an old friend even though we have only been blogging together for a few months. I think it is because we have so much in common. Have a great day, and thank you for posting so many lovely photos of the New Mexico area. I just love taking these little trips with you. Connie :)

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  21. Hi there Connie! Thank you so much for taking the time to visit and comment on my blog recently! I'm very sorry it's taken me so long to reply, it's been busy around here of late so my apologies :)

    Love your nostalgic photographs... just beautiful! I am your newest follower by the way, lovely to meet you!

    Back soon,
    Louise xx

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    1. Hi Louise, Thank you for stopping by, and thank you for following my blog. It is always so good to meet another creative lady and have the chance to share ideas. Have a wonderful week, Connie :)

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  22. Hello Connie - love the photos! I remember the Fifties too, but in another country! This weekend we're celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee - 60 years on the throne, but I also watched her coronation all those years ago. The whole street piled into my Grandpa's house because he had the only TV in the area! Yesterday, though we watched TV coverage of the pageant on the River Thames at home, our daughter was down near the Tower of London, drenched as a drowned rat and having a wonderful time! It was a real feel-good event for our nation

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    1. This sounds wonderful. In fact somewhere back in a closet I have a 16mm film canister with the news-real of the Queen coronation. It is something my father purchase just after the event. He was proud of his British roots. I would love to visit the UK someday, but probably will never get that far. Have a wonderful week of celebration! Connie :)

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  23. Connie, these photos were great, as was the reminiscing... :-) There's nothing wrong with going down memory lane now and then. I DO remember the Coca-Cola coolers where you had to take the bottle by the cap and slide it out the cooler - and yes, the dripping on your bare feet. I also remember buying a bag FULL of candy for a quarter. Although i was born in 1963, so not quite the same age as you - but many same memories. :-) i LOVED all of these photos. Especially the gas tanks - and that old barn. Just lovely. Thanks for sharing! xoxo

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    1. Pauline, thanks for the nice visit. Love your groovy hippy pants. Connie :)

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  24. Connie - I totally am enjoying looking through your blog! Some nice ideas and really great how you photo shopped your pictures , I am still trying to learn how to get along in photo shop, so much to take in with that program, I 'll get it though.
    Crush was a drink mom used to get and outside she would have this ice crusher attached to the pole on the back porch that you manually turn to crush ice and orange crush went over the ice when we finished.
    Thank you for visiting me and following. Your comment is so appreciated and sweet. I am following you too.
    Well I am off to look around some more - will be back.

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    1. Thanks for the sweet visit. We had one of those ice crushers when I was a kid, too. I had forgotten all about it, until you mentioned it. Also, thank you for becoming a follower. I truly appreciate it. Connie :)

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  25. Hi Connie. Great to see you following our blog. I accept your invitation, I'm gladly a follower.
    Your reworked photos are great, we loved seeing the wind turbines in huge numbers when we were driving through the Mojave desert a few years ago.
    I'd love to see some photos from the 50s when the places in your photos were full of life.
    Paul

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. Hello Paul, I'm very happy to see you here and thanks so much for following my blog. I love your photos and all the history and naturalism you put into your writing.
      Have a wonderful week, Connie :)

      Deleted reply above was me . . . the computer somehow had me automatically logged in as a family blog I start a few years ago.

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  26. Hi Connie,
    So nice of you to stop by and visit me and what a nice visit I have had here at your blog. I see we value the same things! I grew up in Indiana in a little town called Yorktown. I loved the lakes there and wish all FL lakes were just like them. Too many scary things lurking under the water in FL. I loved the little trip I took through your pictures on HWY 97. Now I simply must go get an ice cold orange crush! lol. Good times.
    Hugs
    Becky

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    1. Hi Becky, Do they still made orange crush? I suppose if they do it's in a can, like every thing else. I don't get the recycling thing with all the cans and plastic. Back when I was a kid everything was in glass and there was a deposit. You didn't see trash on the road, because people, especially kids, would pick them up to get the deposit money back (at any local store). It was a great way for kids to make money. I guess I don't know what I'm talking about . . . because I guess kids still return cans. Bottles did have a bigger deposit though. Thank you for stopping by and thank you for becoming a follower. I truly appreciate you, Connie :)

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  27. If you ever pass by or have one close, stop at Cracker Barrel. They have all the olden drinks, NuGrape, Orange Crush and etc...IN BOTTLES just like the ones we used to have.
    I am bj from Sweet Nothings and I wanted to thank you for stopping by. I am about to become your newest follower and will be back often.
    I love your artsy photos...and especially the subjects you used. :)
    I was a teenager in the 50's, graduating high school in 1956, and it was, indeed, the perfect time to be a teen. I still love all the 50's music and the singers of that time.
    As for the neighborhoods we live in....the same thing with our neighborhood. We've been in our home for almost 40 years, have it mostly fixed just the way we want it (is it EVER finished...I think not.:) and now all the other homes around us have become rental property. We live in the town of TEXAS TECH so there's lots of college kids from all over the world going to school here and renting these houses. Nope, I don't think we can EVER make it all safe and sound like it once was....we all just have to be careful and watchful.
    I am still proud to live in the good ole U.S.A., tho....:)
    Please do come back to see me soon. We seem to have a lot in common, even tho I am 6 or 7 yrs older. :))
    xo bj
    OOPS...in case you are unaware, you have WORD VERIFICATION on....:(
    just sayin'

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    1. Hi, I am so happy you came over to visit and I'm excited about you following my blog. I don't get around to big cities very often, where they have The Cracker Barrels. Next time that I am in a big mall, I'll keep my eye out, go in and have a soda pop and think of you, sweet friend. I may even save the old bottle and use it for a summer flower vase, sounds kind of cute.
      The house next door to us is for sale, we have been looking at it, and praying about whether we should buy it or not. We are getting a little old to think about buying another house, but at least we would have a little control over who rented it. Rather have a couple with kids, than a bunch of partying college kids. We live a mile from a junior college that has a great flight program and those fly boys like to party, as many college kids do.
      Okay, "Word Verification," is that the robot thing? What are it's pro's and con's? And how would I turn it off, should I decide too? I'm an old dog learning new tricks, when it comes to blogging. Have a great day and looking forward to hearing from you again. Connie :)

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  28. Oh my ..well I was born in '54 so many of your thoughts & pictures are part of my history! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thank you for stopping by. I'm glad that I stirred up some of your childhood memories. Have a wonderful weekend, Connie :)

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  29. hello Connie, its a pleasure to 'meet' you! Thank you for finding my blog and for your kind words you left for me, so much appreciated - thank you! I love your photos, they are indeed 'arty' and especially the wing mirror view of both worlds - such a clever perspective, i may have to borrow that idea if you dont mind!
    Have a lovely week
    BH x

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    1. Thanks for coming by and thank you for following. Sometimes it's good to see what you're missing from behind, LOL. Have a great weekend Connie :)

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  30. Connie, to turn off word verification, just go to your Design page, then click on Settings, then on Comments, near the bottom of page you will see where you can click on NO on Word verification. Then click SAVE.
    Blogger has a spam catcher...you just need to empty it every now and then. On your Dashboard, click on Comments. At the top of page, you'll see SPAM. Click on it, delete all spam and you are good to go.

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    1. Thanks, see if that is better. Have a great weekend, Connie :)

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    2. I think I had better give that a go too! Thanks, Jane:)

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  31. I really enjoyed this blog post. Both the photos and the writing were very inspiring. Many people probably would have driven right past that old gas station, but I love how you took pictures of all the little details and imagined the past life it had. I have been in that area before. I love how you say that the windmill farms are beautiful. I think they also have a strange beauty to them, those statuesque giants in fields of tawny grass. Thank you for sharing :)

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    1. Hello Jessica, Thank you for stopping by. I just came from your site and I love your romantic cigar box re-do. Very pretty! Have a great weekend, Connie :)

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  33. Hi Connie, what fantastic photos and you do such a great job in photoshop. Just lovely to travel along with you:) bye for now, Jane

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    1. Hi there Jane, I just get excited whenever I see that you have visited. Thank you for the lovely comment. I really only know a few tricks in photo-shop. It is such a complicated software . . . I've only scratched the surface. I love your potato stamped bunting. I think the potato stamps might be a fun craft to do with my granddaughters. They always expect a craft when they visit, so I have to be on my toes with an idea. I've spent the last couple of weeks doing some sewing and practicing guitar. I have several new songs to learn. A lot of my friends have an ear for music in such a way that they hear a song and they can play it. Not me, I have to have it on paper and then practice, practice, practice. I know that you have been enjoying the Queen's Jubilee . . . You have to admire her, she is a strong woman with a heart for service. Sixty years . . . that is amazing. Come again, my welcome mat is always out. Connie :)

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  34. Just stopped by to check out your blog after you left such a sweet comment on mine. Thank you for that, it made my day! : ) I love love love these pictures, especially the one depicting "both worlds." That one is really neat.

    Thanks so much for stopping by The Cozy Old Farmhouse.

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    1. Thank you Stephanie for paying me this delightful visit. My welcome mat is always out, so come again. Connie :)

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  35. Really loving your photographs! Growing up in NY, we never really left the doors unlocked, but I agree... it would be wonderful to feel that safe.

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    1. Hi, thanks for stopping by. I absolutely love having company. Connie :)

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  36. Oh my goodness Connie I love your blog...you are so talented I can't wait to follow along as your newest follower!!! You are so creative, love it!!!

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    1. Kathy, thank you for deciding to follow my blog. I am very excited about getting to know you better and in following your creative ideas. You are one very talented lady! Have a great weekend, Connie :)

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  37. Don't know how you are taking those photos...but WOW..love them. I remember the cold water coolers at our little grocery down the street from our house. If you took to long to get your pop, the cold would go clear up your arm.:):) But honestly...no soda pop taste like it did when they were bottled in glass. Our loss. Thanks for those memories. Smiles to you, Susie

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    1. Hi Susie, Thank you for stopping in and visiting. I agree soda pop tastes better in glass bottles. Those bottles did not litter up the highways either, because we were always picking them up for the deposit. That was recycling. Hey, I see that you don't live far from Lafayette. My best friend of 50 years lives there. I was born in South Bend and raised in Michigan City. I've lived in the Pacific Northwest for 38 years, but there is a part of my heart that will always be in Indiana. Have a wonderful weekend, Connie :)

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  38. Absolutely wonderful photos, thank you. My husband and I took a few road trips in the USA before we had our children, and these brought back some really great memories.
    You also evoked the feeling of a hot summer's day to perfection :)

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    1. Hi, I am very happy to see you. Sounds like you did a lot of traveling. I have been enjoying the homes in your village. Everyone seems to be enjoying the Queen's Jubilee. Have a wonderful weekend, Connie :)

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  39. Hello Connie,
    Thank you for visiting my blog and become a visitor. That's an honor!
    I saw your massage, and yes, I do believe we have the same taste of craafting!
    I really love your cabinet! So great to find something like that and than refubish it.
    And atc's...I like to make them, so if you want to trade atc's, just let me know.
    Yes, the Martha Stewart punches are really great, I hope you'll get one too.
    The quality is good and results are so much fun.
    So enjoy whatever you are doing, I will follow! :-))
    (I put your blog in my favorites, so anytime you post something new, I'll see)
    Wish you all the best,have a great day,
    Henny

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    1. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I appreciate all the positive feedback. It warms my heart. Connie :)

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  40. cool photos! I love Oregon!

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    1. Thank you, and me too! Oregon is a beautiful state indeed. Have a great week, Connie :)

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  41. Wow, these photos are fantastic, love the colours! That whole environment is SO different from my own!

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    1. We live in the rugged old west, with lots of miles between towns. Wheat fields, sagebrush, rocks, and tumble weeds. It is beautiful in its own glorious way. Thank you for visiting, and I hope to see you again real soon. I love your art. Connie :)

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  42. Connie, I love what you did with those photos! They are just so vibrant and cool looking. Totally frameable. Even as recently as the 70's we used to leave our doors unlocked. I suppose in some areas it may still be safe enough to do so and my neighborhood seems safe but probably not prudent to leave doors unlocked so we don't.

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    1. Hi Laurel, Thank you for stopping in and thank you so much for the sweet comment on my photos. I do hope that your stair project is coming along smoothly. I'm looking forward to see the end result. Connie :)

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  43. I wish I had an answer for the neighborhood problem. Wherever there are lots of rentals, things seem to go downhill. Good luck with the house next door. If you could buy it and rent it out to cover your costs, maybe rent to older folks? Or use your talent to spiff it up and resell to a family.

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    1. Hi Lana, Thank you for the good wishes. We will just wait and see what happens, but that is our idea, to use it as a rental. We have never thought of ourselves as landlords, but maybe it is time for a change. Oh, I have a question for you. The photo on your current post, is it from the movie, "The Egg and I"? That is one of my favorite old films.
      Have a great day, Connie :)

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  44. Hi Connie, thank you so much for your kind comment on my blog. And I love these photos !

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    1. Hi Linda, Thank you for the compliment. Connie :)

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  45. Hi Connie, thanks for your visit and comment on my barn post. Your photos are really great and I enjoyed reminiscing along with you about the good old days. (I'm 5 years younger so I started off tht 50's) Have a great week! Blessings, Pamela

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    1. Hello Pamela, I'm sorry it took me so long to answer. I have been checking my more resent posts and not checking by email. I'm very happy that you stopped by and thank you for the compliment on my photography. Reminiscing can be enjoyable, I have many happy memories to be thankful for, and so many wonderful people in my life to also count as blessing. Have a wonderful day, and thank you again for your sweet visit. Connie :)

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