Such contrast from 1970s until now and the humor in this blog explains it so well ! Please let me know your memories of summer vacation!
It is officially the end of May. The Pinterest pages, Facebook feeds, and family magazine features are loaded up with all the activities you should do with your kids summer. AS. IF. As if we need more activities. MORE I say! As if I am sitting here, ok, really lying here in my end of school year coma, thinking, “OMG! I CANNOT wait to tackle that homemade moon sand recipe we will dye ourselves with the skin of organic vegetables, then shape our homemade sand into a perfect replica of the Millenium Falcon! ” Or, “Why yes, I am going to schlep 4 kids to that new science museum two hours away, where we will eagerly wander through the exhibits, each completing the 10 page scavenger hunt I created last night. Then we will come home and ‘discuss’ at great length the scientific theories we learned, because, brace yourself, what if we don’t keep our minds active ALL summer? GASP! Wait, hold it! We must, just MUST go to the dollar store and buy 125 pool noodles to construct a backyard water park! We will invite the neighborhood kids over, serve vegan popsicles, watermelon chunks cut out like dolphins, and a vegetable crudité platter shaped like a palm tree. And what summer pool party would be complete without nitrate, skin, meat, additive, and taste free hot dogs on gluten free buns covered in artisanal ketchup?
I am done. Sort of like I how I was done with the school year, but I am already done with summer. And by done, I mean I am done with all the forced smile inducing, uber planned and supervised, over the top summer life experiences I am supposed to provide for my kids. You know what I want my kids to experience this summer? The same type of summer I would have experienced in the late 1970’s. The exact same one. I survived it, and they will too. As a matter of fact, it must have been pretty memorable because 30 years later I can tell you exactly what it entailed. It entailed FUN. Fun we made all on our own. What. A. Concept.
My top 10 ways to give your 2014 kids a 1970’s summer.
1 . Let them watch TV. Plenty of it. But only the TV Land channel. I want my kids to watch The Love Boat, The Carol Burnett Show, The Jefferson’s, Charlie’s Angels, My Three Sons, The Six Million Dollar Man, Gilligan’s Island, $100,000 Pyramid, and my personal favorite, Hart to Hart. Seriously, what little girl in the late 70’s didn’t want to be an amateur detective married to the CEO of Hart Industries, driving around in a yellow Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster, while sporting a matching lilac pant suit and perfectly coiffed butterfly winged wavy brown hair? Because I sure as hell did.
FROM ANNE:
What are you going to do with your children this summer? Do any of you remember doing any of the 1970’s summer “play” ? Tell me what you think!
Our Saturday started with a Lacrosse game in Tonawanda, a suburb of Buffalo. John, Parker’s other grandfather was there and we told him we were off to see Niagara Falls after the game. He asked if we knew about Letchworth State Park, “The Grand Canyon of the East.” We didn’t and after our 24 hours at the falls, we decided to check this place out. 
The park is made up of over 14,000 acres of scenic magnificence along the Genesee River , just 35 miles south of Rochester, New York. The steep walls of the gorge, the river winding below, the plunge and spray of dramatic waterfalls, and the lush forest all contribute to make the park one of the most notable examples of waterfall and gorge scenery in the eastern United States. Within the park, the Genesce River roars over three major waterfalls, one of which is 107 feet height. Each year the river cuts deeper into the dramatic cliffs which approach 600 feet in height. ( from the park map)
And the. . . . . lower, middle and upper falls . . . . 
We stopped at every overlook until we came to the center of the park . . . . 
This is the inn which was originally built for Mr. Letchworth’s Victorian home. There is a veranda where you can sit and enjoy the flower garden, read, have a drink or have breakfast or lunch while resting in Adirondack chairs. We decide to stay the night and survived no I-phone service and no TV. We had a delicious dinner complete with Cherries’ Jubilee. The interior was Victorian inspired wallpaper and carpet, lovely reproduction lamps and and an elegant oak stairwell, pictured here, taken from the third floor looking down.
This is the fall directly in front of the inn. This is a destination place for weddings. It is so popular that they just leave the huge white tent up all summer.
There are many leisure time pursuits in Letchworth: cabins and campsites, swimming pool, museum, the Glen Iris Inn and Restaurant, basic concessions, fishing areas, picnic shelter, winter sport facilities, and a multi-use trail network. Also available are nature and history programs, special events and festivals, guided walks and tours, summer lecture series and camper recreation programs. Winter activities include snow tubing, cross-country skiing and guided ski hikes, guided winter wonder walks and snowmobiling. Deer and spring turkey hunting are allowed by permit only. Whitewater rafting, canoeing, kayaking and hot air balloon rides. (from the state park map)
One element is very predominate. . . . rock walls and trim on buildings. This was part of the CCC or (Civilian Conservation Corps) public work relief program started in 1933 by President Franklin Roosevelt as the 1st New Deal Program to provide work for the huge number of unemployed men during the Depression Era. In less than 10 years, the CCC built 800 parks and planted 3 billion trees nationwide. The country is still reaping the benefits and pleasure from these programs.
Have you visited Letchworth State Park or other national parks? Are you a camper or an inn sleeper? Which is your favorite state park? Do other countries have state parks for all the citizens to enjoy? ($8 fee for a day’s visit) Do you think “Grand Canyon of the East is appropriate name for this state park?
Walking down the street, this glimpse,behind the large lock, is the hint of what lies down that sidewalk. 
The right side is part of my garden where hosta and ferns grow with abandon. We live in a hundred year old Catholic school which was converted to apartments in the 80s. The house to the left of the sidewalk is the former rectory. The gate stays locked in a historic, downtown neighborhood of a small city, because of the challenges faced by most urban areas.
We sold our late Victorian house eight years ago and husband moved into an interesting apartment in this building when I was teaching in Arizona. He called it his “vertical apartment” because the series of rooms were built into the interior fire stairs. When I returned, I wanted a garden, and not to have to walk up and down stairs to and from every room. Fortunately our new apartment was available and this is the garden we had designed and created last fall. 
This is the partially covered window into my computer area which was a closet with a window. I loved the ivy vines that covered the walls, but it is slow to return this spring, I assume due to the killer winter we had in this area. You can see the block work we had done,too. Four stories of brick,old windows and creeping ivy. . . . . 
I learned to use pots of color during our stays in Rome. There, balcony gardens were the only available choice. Usually they were along the rail in various pots with the tall green ficus trees in the back. I could only use colorful coleus leaves and impatients for color but it works nicely. When I had the much larger garden, I would ignore directions for planting , and just buy what I wanted, thinking, “They will get enough sun!” But with experience come knowledge and I know the plants won’t grow well unless they feel comfortable in the surroundings. I knew from the start of this garden that it was a secret shade garden tucked in between two tall buildings. As a child, I love the book Secret Garden. . and now I have one ! 
We have a fire pit in the background, and the ugly trash bag is to keep out the rain water. I used hanging Boston Ferns all around the wrap front porch at 30 Myrtle, so I had to have at least one fern as they love the shade!
I do have one pot of fushia, which is a shade pot but not nearly up to full bloom as yet!
Just outside the sliding door and you can see the paving pattern.
Thanks for the visit!
Do you have a garden? Shade or sun? Do you visit gardens when you travel?
This weekend, I finally visited Niagara Falls! I would tell people, yes, I have been to Egypt and India, but not Niagara Falls! Husband would say, “Poor Anne, never gets to go anywhere!” Now, I have changed the mantra to “You wouldn’t stop in Cleveland to see the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!”
This is the Canadian Horseshoe Falls and the boat is the Maid of the Mist. It is a must when you visit and you will wear a dry cleaning bag covering as you ride to the edge of the falling falls, but you will still be drenched by the end ! If you look closely, you might see me waving from the Maid of the Mist in the mist!
We stayed on the Canadian side at the Sheraton, which was overpriced, crowded. and not worth the price. The streets behind the hotel were filled with touristy , kid things of games, shops etc. We saw it as we entered the hotel and as we left, but did not venture out into what seemed a more”touristy ” place than Times Square.
I love this corner and the clear green water flowing to the falls.
Fortunately on the side where you view the falls, there is a wonderful garden where weddings are performed and a lovely extensive palisade walk with breathtaking views of both the American and Canadian Falls. There were lots of Indian and Chinese visitors. Professor told me that I didn’t have to welcome everyone one of the Indian visitors. . . . but couldn’t resist a few!
We walked to the Visitor Center and had a good steak there, taking a vacation from grilled chicken salads! Then we had to walk back to the hotel. There are lights that are illuminated at night but we were too tired to stay to view that.
There are no words I have that would add to the wonder of seeing this incredible creation except praise, wonder, and thanks to the Creator !
There were any number of rainbows when the sunlight hits the mist. This was a double one with the second just visible on the left.
This was a short visit just less than 24 hours but well worth the drive and the money. If you have a chance, do visit the great falls of Niagara!
Have you been to the falls? What was your impression? There are dramatic falls in the rest of the world, have you visited one or more of them? Please tell us about your experiences.
“Fire and Rain”
Just yesterday morning, they let me know you were gone.
Suzanne, the plans they made put an end to you.
I walked out this mornin’, and I wrote down this song;
I just can’t remember who to send it to.
I’ve seen fire, and I’ve seen rain.
I’ve seen sunny days that I thought would never end.
I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend,
But I always thought that I’d see you again.
Won’t you look down upon me Jesus?
You gotta help me make a stand.
You just got to see me through another day.
My body’s achin’, and my time is at hand.
I won’t make it any other way.
Been walkin’ my mind to an easy time,
My back turned towards the sun.
Lord knows when the cold wind blows,
it’ll turn your head around.
Well there’s hours of time on the telephone line
to talk about things to come:
Sweet dreams and flying machines
in pieces on the ground.
This was the hit song that launched James Taylor into a leading singer, song writer in the late 60s. This gentle, plaintiff singer with effortless phrasing with every syllable in tune, touched the hearts of many music lovers especially women. There are several versions that explain the story behind this song. One is that JT was touring and very depressed missing his girl friend Suzanne. His friends arranged for her to fly to meet him, unbeknownst to him. The plane crashed and she died.
“Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground. ”
“Just yesterday morning, they let me you were gone Suzanne, the plans they made put an end to you . . . .
James Taylor’s life and music reflects the pain, and struggles that he himself faced. He suffered from deep depression starting as a teen, struggled with drug addiction (heroin) for years until he finally gave it up in order to be a better father. He has been married four times but now is happily married since the 90s and has twin boys. This man who infused folk, rock and pop , lived the rock and roll lifestyle and come through the darkness of loss and redemption, light and darkness, roads taken, or not traveled with his brooding yet strong personality has survived and today is very content and still performing!
Next week, more pictures of my tiny urban shade garden!
Happy Saturday!
Jake Heppner458094
Robert Cornelius took this photo outside the store his family owned. It became famous for being the first self portrait or as its commonly now known, a “selfie.”
This may very well be the most kings ever photographed at once. Represented are Norway, Bulgaria, Portugal, the German Empire, Greece, Belgium, Spain, Great Britain, and Denmark.
Suits were not allowed to end more than 6 inches above the knee.
The Afghanistan government was shifting towards democracy in the 1950s and 60s before the Taliban took over. Women could work, become educated, dress casually and use many of the modern day services that men could.
![[Colorized] Young women hosting a 1950s house party.](https://i0.wp.com/www.distractify.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads//2014/04/Bj0wxz2IUAAONI7-620x-620x.jpg)
This Japanese machine meows times per minute to scare away rats and mice. The eyes light up too.
Although we did everything differently back then, these photos also show that deep down, raw human spirit never changes. Our compassion, ingenuity, curiosity, and perseverance as a species will always stand the test of time.
We’re a team of writers who love creating content for curious people like you. Check Distractify out daily for more mind blowing photo lists like this one!
I am interested in your reaction. . . Do you have old family photos? Do you have some, as I do, with no names and the people who would have known are gone? Which is your favorite picture and why? I like the dust bowl mother and the pet bear cub! Thanks for sharing!
Namaste:
Ghandiji was the name, used by Indians, to show love and respect for the Father of India. Interesting that he chose non-violence and civil disobedience to reach the desired end for freedom and self-reliance from England for all Indians.
Two hundred years before, the colonies of America turned to George Washington to lead their rag-tag army to victory over the British, the most formidable army in the world. Washington was then elected president of the new United States. Unlike Gandhi, who was assassinated by a Hindu radical who was unhappy that Gandhi was giving Muslims too much in Pakistan, Washington died in his bed of old age and a repertory infection. Both men, worked for human rights, though by different paths and methods they rejected the unjust British laws, and worked for freedom for their countrymen.
Gandhi married at the age of thirteen. He and his wife Kasturba had four children. Gandhi went to study law in Britain and practiced there, though rather unsuccessfully. Next, he went to South Africa where he discovered non-violent resistance used to improve human rights. While travelling on a train with a 1st class ticket, he was thrown out of his seat due to his color. STUDENT ALERT: Remember Rosa Parks’ civil disobedience of the Jim Crow law when she was told to leave her seat for a white man? Now Mr. Gandhi understood how the common people lived their lives when he returned to India and began his life’s work of striving for self-reliance and freedom for all Indians. He traveled around India to talk to all the people. He encouraged the poor to wash, themselves and their clothes to improve their life conditions. One woman shared with Gandhi’s wife that she would be glad to wear clean clothes, but how was she to do it when she had only the clothes on her back? Mr. Gandhi learned another life lesson that day. Next he built an enclave near Ahmadabad where he planned and worked for Independence of India.
He also worked for respect for all religions or faith systems, though he, himself, was a committed Hindu. He lead a famous “Walk to the Sea” to collect salt from the sea brine, in direct disobedience of the English law that forbade Indian collection of salt in order for England to have all the money for producing and selling salt that was collected all over India. Indians were taxed on their own salt. He was also imprisoned for his resistance as well as using hunger strikes to challenge and change injustice.
The Gandhi plan was to become independent and then self-reliant by providing meaningful jobs for all Indians. He spoke of Khadi and urged all Indians to wear this cotton clothing that was grown and made in India. He is famous for using a spinning wheel to demonstrate the cotton, silk, or wool into thread, and then made into clothing. He urged boycotting of all foreign goods. Even today many years after his death, politicians wear the white Khadi tunics and pants to show their solidarity with Gandhi’s plan. There are stores all over India today using the word Khadi, selling only Indian made clothes, home linens, soaps and other made-in-India products.
These photos were taken at the Gandhi Ashram near Ahmadabad. The site overlooks the river with ghats or stairs leading down to the water. It is a Spartan colony on a lovely garden site. His cottage is the one where the man is demonstrating the spinning wheel. The building with no side walls is the open museum filled with Gandhi’s words. He wrote 55,000 words during his lifetime. He owned few, if any, worldly possessions for museum displays but the words are a powerful memorial.
Who knows, but I think Ghandiji would be pleased that today, sixty-five years after his death; India is the largest democracy in the world, with the largest young college educated work force in the world. They are ready to change the world.
“Be the change you want to see in the world.”
Mahatma Gandhi
The “Russian Ark” was released in 2002. It could have been one of many international films of culture and history filmed in one country or other from around the world, but it is forever innovative because of the filming technique. The writer/director filmed it in one unbroken shot lasting the entire length of the film as it glided through the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia. There were 2000 costumed, bejeweled actors who became living history in this grand museum .
There is running commentary between the Marquis and the director, all in Russian with English subtitles. The French visitor and the audience experiences the sweep of Russian history from the years after the revolution to the hints of hard times ahead.
After the entrance, the doors swing open to the grand ballroom and we become guests to a formal state ball. Elaborately costumed dancers float through the air keeping time to the elegant orchestral music. There are no less than 3 full orchestras in the film.
The visual splendor of live art, history, and music are yours for the one hour and thirty minute film, almost as a dream, but with your eyes wide open. It is available now on YouTube.com . There is a surprise and satisfying twist at the end. . . . . . .
Full-length viewing of the film with English subtitles.
TalesAlongTheWay 