TBT: That Winter of 1966

As we hear ifs and maybes about upcoming snow, I'm looking at images of a snowfall back in 1966. My husband and I drove up from our new home in San Angelo TX to the Washington DC suburbs that had been our childhood homes.  It was a Christmas time visit that only the young would attempt. On the day shown in these photos we decided to drive to the new town of Reston. Prior to the Beltway opening in 1964, this would have been a long and tedious drive. However, in 1966 the drive was quick and enjoyable. Try to say that today!

My then husband surveys the surroundings. I don't think he was as impressed by Reston as I was but then I had a friend who worked for the Rouse company, another big developer. New towns had caught my interest and gave me options to the dreaded suburbs of my childhood.

Our good friend Robert drove us in his ancient...Volvo? Saab?

I was pretty sure I was pregnant at this time, having had one miscarriage already. We wanted a baby born while my husband was still in the Air Force so the baby would be 'free'.  Driving back to Texas, I was sure as I had my first waves of serious nausea which was a shock to both of us.  So many things you don't know when it's your first child til you experience them. Morning sickness was only a phrase til my body explained it to me!

Whether we get snow or not this weekend, I know for sure I won't be driving to Reston, though a trip to the Leesburg outlets could be tempting...

TBT: Pennsylvania Summer of 1967

These are some of the photos I had not seen for over 30 years. This set surprised me quite a bit as I did not recall coming back to Maryland from Texas before my 1st son was born. Good thing I didn't go into labor here because then he wouldn't be a Texan! I am with my father, my tall father who was 6'4 and I was considered tall at 5'7. Believe me, I never never wanted to be short.

Since the sign up on the right says First Bank of York, one might think it was York but if I recall correctly, we often met up with the Tamaqua crew in Harrisburg. Why these meet ups? My Nana alternated her time with my parents, my Aunt Florence in Tamara, and my Aunt Ruthie in various places over the years - the Philadelphia  area,  Upper Montclair NJ and at this time, probably Towson MD.

From left to right we have Nana, my Aunt Florence's sister Mary McGee and I'll have to leave the man for my cousin Joe to identify. I suspect it might be Florence and Mary's brother Jerry.

My mother finally got in a photo! though my father was the main photographer in the family until I took over that role. I loved that dress though blue was not my best color. btw, most all my maternity clothes were made by my mother and grandmother and true to form, I almost always balked at standing on the kitchen table so they could hem them accurately! My head almost hit the ceiling in the kitchen but still I just hated that part of the process. What a spoiled thing I was! The green dress my mother is wearing was mine and I think it was Liberty of London lawn, fabric we bought  in England back in 1965. Such a fabulous feel to that fabric. 

Isn't it amazing how little details stick in your memory from old photos!

TBT: San Angelo TX 1967

Long ago I was newly married and living in San Angelo Texas. It was truly a culture shock for this East Coast girl. I say girl despite the fact I was 22 and pregnant with my first child. I thought I knew it all but it's only in looking back that I see how unprepared I was for so much of my life.

But I was very happy to be having this baby, the morning sickness was now gone, and it was not too hot yet in San Angelo. I loved this dress that my mother had made me though I have no recollection of the particular day or who took the photo. I suspect it was our friend Carl who had driven down from Maryland with us. He and my husband were finishing up their time in the Air Force. 

Most days my husband wore his fatigues to work so this had to be a special day or just dressed for Sunday Mass. Yes, we dressed up back then. 1967 is a world away in more ways than time.

btw, that baby will be turning 47 later this month. I still love him dearly.

Flashback Friday

My mother, knitting for me most likely, on D-Day. This was actually her 2nd wedding anniversary and she was living in Philadelphia, working for the Signal Corps, and expecting me on August 15th. Poor woman, she had to wait till September 2nd to have me. I'm told it was a terribly hot summer and she was ready to deliver, for sure. My Aunt told me she was so ready, that finally she took herself to the hospital, and walked and walked around outside, in the heat, and eventually ...there I was.

Wordless Wednesday