Marx Brontosaurus

This 1959 plastic Brontosaurus made by Marx Toys reminds me of the Sinclair dinosaur.  

Ten Years

Ten years.  Sometimes it seems longer, other times it seems like it couldn't have been that long.

And to be honest, I'd forgotten.  I was reminded by Dex's own blog-iversary post over on his "AEIOU...and Sometimes Why" blog.

Ten years (and 3 days) ago, I wrote my first post on this blog. I'd been wanting to blog for probably at least 5 years prior to that.  I had a "vanity" web site in the late 90's and had let that wither on the internet vine.  I had a false start blog called "Saturday Morning TV Zombies" back in 2008 that was the genesis of my TV Guide posts on this blog. That too fell to the wayside quickly after only 7 posts.  It's painful to read my early attempts at humor (I know, it's painful to read my current attempts too!)

Any bloggers left out there (as well as their faithful readers) recognize the sharp decline in blogging in the past 5 years or so. The Golden Age is clearly over.

But I haven't let that discourage me (maybe a little) and I've done my best to keep some fresh content out here the last few years despite long gaps between posting.  I will continue to do so.  This is not a farewell speech.

A few years ago, I created a Facebook page to link to this blog, hoping I would pick up some new readers and get some better exposure.  I don't know if it's worked.  While my Facebook followers seems to be increasing in the last few months, I'm not sure if they really understand what the page is about, so if there's anyone reading from Facebook, let me know because I'm considering dropping the Facebook page.

But back to blogging.  With the current situation, sales have been down, particularly estate sales.  Every once in a while, I get the urge to go through some backlog and might do a post here and there, but my excitement over an item tends to dwindle after the find. If I don't blog it within a month of finding it, I generally don't blog it at all.

But again, this isn't a farewell.  Just a slow period.

Let's finish this up with some of my favorite remembrances from 10 years of blogging.

In no particular order:

Meeting the son of Shirley White (Weiss) and being able to return his mother's collection of photographs and records of her career as a Big Band singer.

Getting to speak with the daughter and son of early New Orleans DJ Ernie "The Whip" Bringier and being able to return his audition record to them.

Speaking with the son and granddaughter of Colonel Mott Ramsey.  We were trying to arrange returning his footlocker to them, but I lost contact with them.  Hey, Danica, it's still sitting in my garage if you want it.

Selling a snowglobe to Corbin Bersen to add to his museum.

The great 8mm film find. I'm still going through those.

Having one of my posts featured on Wil Wheaton's blog.

My ongoing crusade to identify every Mystery Spot that ever existed.

Introducing my youngest daughter to the joys of Garage Sale Finds.

Being able to return family photos to a descendant of the Waldeck family and being able to speak with the current owner of the building that previously housed Waldeck Bakery.

Being able to get to "know" all of the families in the various slide collections I've bought over the years.

Participating in the "Countdown to Halloween" for the past 6 years.

Being able to get to "know" all of you who faithfully follow me and comment (and even some who just pass in the night).

And finally, all of the wonderful memories these finds have triggered for me over the years.  It's amazing how a piece can bring back a fond memory and take a blog post in a whole new, unexpected direction.  I hope I've been able to trigger some happy memories of your own.

Onwards and upwards.

McDonald's Memories

The 1970's were the golden age of fast food, and the toys of the era reflect that.  From Pizza Hut playsets and ovens to Pepsi fountains to Kentucky Fried Chicken playsets.

But the fast food king is, and has always been, McDonald's.  As a child, we went so infrequently, to me, it was a magical experience when we did.  One Christmas in the early '70's, my cousin received a Playskool McDonald's playset. I was so envious.  I recently came across some home movie footage of my aunt handing it to my cousin.

Then years later, I found one at an estate sale.  It was still magical.

Your Neighborhood Burglar Needs Help

When I was in 9th grade, our home was burglarized while we were attending my grandfather's funeral. I'm not looking for sympathy, just setting the tone for today's post.  Although, the jerks did steal my piggy bank. I'm guessing this pamphlet dates from the 1980's.

A Peach of a Toaster...or At Least a Pear

Despite being the toaster enthusiast (read "fanatic") I am, I nearly passed on this Toastmaster model.  I even went as far as to pay for my other items and get in my car. Then I asked myself, "What kind of toaster hoarder, I mean, enthusiast are you?"  After all, it was only 75 cents. So without a concern for my dignity, I got back out and went back into the garage and bought it. The seller asked me, "You must like old things."  Uh... Yeah.

Washing History

One of my binge-watching guilty pleasures in the last couple months has been "Eating History".  On the show, the hosts, "Old Smokey" and Josh Macuga ingest or drink products well past their expiration date, if not century.  Results vary.  Some things hold up, others, as they frequently explain, have gone rancid and numbed their mouths.

Given my own fascination with old cans and packaging, the show appeals to me.  While I would never eat anything I found at sales, I was tempted last week to try some old soap. Not on me, mind you.

My daughter complained my car was dirty.  I've never been too concerned with the appearance of my cars.  They get me from point A to point B.  But I will wash them a couple times a year on a hot day when I don't mind getting wet.  Looking in the car wash supply cabinet, there was no car wash soap to be found.  Then I spied this bottle I picked up a few years ago. And yes, I previously blogged about it.

Uncanny Finds: It's 905 Somewhere...

I have hazy memories (and not because I'm drunk) of my Dad drinking 905 beer.  He preferred our hometown Anheuser-Busch products, but when money was tight, 905 would do. I should mention, 905 was cheap.  It was the house-brew for a local chain of liquor stores in St. Louis.

The can featured the Arch and the statue of The Crusader King, Louis IX of France which stands at the St. Louis Art Museum. Classy.