Guardians of the Coffee

 I found this Guardian Service coffee pot at an estate sale for $1.  I'd seen them before, but never used one, so for a buck, I thought I'd give it a try.

Birthday Greetings

No, it's not my birthday, but it's been a while since I've done a post, so I thought I'd dig through my backlog.

This birthday card collection was a find this past summer. I'm not sure if they were all for the same person on the same birthday, but seem to be from the same era (1950's).

Given my penchant for vintage toasters, this first card was a favorite.

Obvious Dogs

A friend recently introduced me to the site obviousplant.com. The author of the site, Jeff Wysaski, creates faux knock-off/import products along with original packaging  such as "Dead Birds" ("They are all died!"), "Sweaty Jeff" ("He has a medical problem!) and possibly my favorite, only because it's true, and hits a little too close to home, "Joyless Careers" ("Sit at a computer for 50 years until you die.").

This package I found last weekend reminded me of an Obvious Plant, but is a legitimate vintage item.  I give you, "Fishman".

A Peanut's Demise

The recent brouhaha over Mr. Peanut's death reminded me of this booklet I have.  "Mr. Peanut's Guide to Nutrition" from 1973 is a promotion for Mr. Peanut products disguised as a nutrition guide.  Oh, and it was owned by "Jeff".

That's What You Get From Cracker Jack...Checkers

A few years back, I posted some students' Valentines sent to a teacher named Peter Blank in the 30's and 40's. Included in the box were some sheets of paper with little poems and illustrations.  They appeared to have been tied to Cracker Jack, possibly as prizes.  Only one is Valentine appropriate, but I've included the rest below.

The first is a criticism of "spooning" in public. 

Are you too stupid and senseless to know

That this sort of thing makes a sickening show?

About spooning in private I've nothing to say,

But to do it in public proclaims you a jay.

Romper Romance

Wow, January went fast.  Like so many New Year's resolutions, I failed to live up to mine.  I only posted once last month.  Well, let's see if I can beat that record in February, even if it is a short month.

One of my earliest crushes (as far as 4-year olds can have crushes) was on Miss Lois, our local St. Louis Romper Room hostess.  I watched religiously every morning.  I even asked for Romper Stompers for Christmas one year. And I drew her a picture. It was of some stick-figure children playing on a swingset and slide next to a traditional house complete with window, door and chimney.

Original artist's recreation

Rock-afire Find

This being a new year, and the habit of making resolutions upon the new year being what it is, I thought I'd make one.  I don't have many vices and the ones I have, I don't want to give up (coffee, I'm looking at you), so I thought I'd make one aimed at this blog.  I resolve to make more posts in the new year.  Of course, resolutions being what they are, I can't promise how long it will last.

But, let's burn that bridge when we come to it, to merge a couple old adages.

First up is this Mitzi Mozzarella I found at an estate sale this past Fall.  I say "I found", but let me tell you the story from a proud father perspective.  

My wife and 2 daughters typically accompany me on my Saturday morning ventures to garage and estate sales and they have picked up on what piques my interest.  Not knowing what it was, but knowing it was something I'd like, my oldest daughter grabbed this Mitzi and showed it to me.