Russ Jumping Spider

This jumping spider novelty was produced by the Russ Berrie company, probably in the 1970's.  Russ, known mainly for their trolls, also marketed novelty items like this spider.

Halloween Reflections

When I was a kid, I took many superstitions seriously.  I always put on my left shoe first (good luck), I never stepped on a crack (and my mother's back thanks me), I never rooted for the home team (jinx), and my constant personal challenges (if I don't catch this ball 10 times in a row before the next car goes by, I'll fail the math test) bordered on obsessive compulsive. I wonder if kids today believe in any superstitions or if the age of information has wiped those clean.  That would be a shame.

I found this turn-of-the-last-century Halloween postcard at an estate sale this past year.  I was surprised to find it as it was mixed in with a lot of other travel postcards not nearly as old. Plus it was priced the same as the others at $1. It shows a popular superstition of the era: If you take a candle and look in a mirror at midnight on Halloween, you will see the reflection of your future spouse.  What he's doing in your bedroom at Midnight is none of my business.

Halloween -- It's My Bag, Baby, One Mo' Time

I know another year, same old lame joke.  But as long as I keep finding Trick or Treat bags, I'm going to use it. Like this one!

It Begins...

The Countdown to Halloween begins tomorrow...stay tuned.

Photo Finished

Warning: This post will not interest anyone outside of the 1970's St. Louis viewing area.

Are you still with me?  Okay. While perusing a tightly packed local estate sale, I observed an elderly gentleman walking through the house with a cane, casually watching the shoppers, but not really looking at anything.  I dismissed him as someone who was drug along to the sale unwillingly.  Having looked over the entire house and not finding anything of interest, I started to leave when I noticed some photos sitting on the table near the cashier.  They were pictures of the St. Louis Variety Club telethon. During the 70's and 80's, the Variety Club held an annual telethon and raised money for children with "physical and mental disabilities".  I recognized Monty Hall immediately. Based on the clothes, this is solid '70s.

What was on TV September 12th through 18th, 1981 -- Fall Preview Issue

It's time for another Fall Preview and we're jumping back into the TV of my childhood with this issue from 1981.  I always tell people, I didn't have friends as a child, I had television.  Actually, I've never told anyone that. It's too embarrassing.

What was on TV September 19th through 25th, 1964 The Fall Preview

Well, Fall is nearly upon us and you know what that means? Well, it means a lot of things, but as a kid, one of highlights was the new Fall Season on television.  Fasten your seatbelts because we're leaping WAY back to 1964 with this week's edition. The Beatles? Who are they? We want The Munsters! Enjoy.