Reminds me. When I was at the paper and they switched to cold type, the machine couldn’t make my byline fit on a single line. So one of the news editors had it made up in lead on the Linotype machine for times I merited a byline!
Fun post! I'm stuck in analog times. I have a 70's smith-corona and a vintage pencil sharpener I use frequently. Makes me smile.. addicted to 3x5 index cards and love old 'time' pieces. Great video on Alex in Eau Claire, especially how it brought community together. His dad is so proud! I love that.
I just gave my mom’s old Tensor desk lamp, with its round head and sliding rheostat, to the man who helped me rewire it. I keep index cards around, too.
You really brought me back to some dynamic times with this one, Fran. Around 1973, I started working at the Deseret News in SLC, UT, breaking in as the morning city desk secretary. They were brave enough to let me cut my teeth on feature stories, and my "writing career" took off from there ... sorta. The photographers taught me how to use a 35MM camera and let me use their darkroom! (Got a surprise kiss from one of the photogs 😵)
Your poems hit home, especially the line "Dreams, memories that tell lies."
One of my colleagues at The Oregonian, John Hamlin, worked at the Deseret News, probably a few years before you. Newspapers are a great jumping off place for writers.
Yes, I knew John Hamlin. In fact, I KNEW him all too well. He was one of the most influential ones in my long line. Wonder where he is now, not that it matters.
Love your trip down technology memory lane. Brought back memories of when they switched to IBM Selectrics in The Oregonian newsroom and we had to say goodbye to our faithful Royals, Olivettis, Olympias, and Smith Coronas. I snagged a Royal for home use and kept it for years until I was working for IBM and decided to get with the program at home and the office!
Oh, yeah, I remember what a racket they made! I had an old typewriter, too, that I picked up from the paper, and a drawer of hot type headline letters. Everything went when I downsized. You can’t keep everything, except memories.
I loved this post, Fran! In my 20s I fantasized about walking every bit of NYC. My favorite thing about living there was that I felt like around every corner was a new block I had never seen before. I loved to imagine it all unfolded into a line I could walk so that I didn’t miss any bit of it. I love New York so much I could eat it! Amazing that Matt Green actually did this. I seriously understand why he did. Really an amazing story, along with the others you’ve shared here.
Great post! At a Freedom Forum event Al Neuharth said he would give $25 to the first person who could recite the first amendment by heart. I was $25 richer that day, and he gave me an autographed copy of his book "Free Spirit."
Way to go! In trying to remember all five freedoms, most folks forget the part about petitioning for redress of grievances. Now the administration just sends in the Guard.
Re. Your comment about old clocks, a doctor recently asked me to draw a clock face with the hands showing 9:20 PM. I think it’s part of a memory/dementia test. It was hard and I messed up. The doctor commented that it tends to be even harder for younger people because they now rely on digital timers.
Reminds me. When I was at the paper and they switched to cold type, the machine couldn’t make my byline fit on a single line. So one of the news editors had it made up in lead on the Linotype machine for times I merited a byline!
I like your quilt! I remember you from your assisted living place that you used to be at. Nice place and some very nice people!
Thank you! When you make a flag to hang vertically, you have to move the blue area to the left side. I had to look it up.
Fun post! I'm stuck in analog times. I have a 70's smith-corona and a vintage pencil sharpener I use frequently. Makes me smile.. addicted to 3x5 index cards and love old 'time' pieces. Great video on Alex in Eau Claire, especially how it brought community together. His dad is so proud! I love that.
I just gave my mom’s old Tensor desk lamp, with its round head and sliding rheostat, to the man who helped me rewire it. I keep index cards around, too.
You really brought me back to some dynamic times with this one, Fran. Around 1973, I started working at the Deseret News in SLC, UT, breaking in as the morning city desk secretary. They were brave enough to let me cut my teeth on feature stories, and my "writing career" took off from there ... sorta. The photographers taught me how to use a 35MM camera and let me use their darkroom! (Got a surprise kiss from one of the photogs 😵)
Your poems hit home, especially the line "Dreams, memories that tell lies."
One of my colleagues at The Oregonian, John Hamlin, worked at the Deseret News, probably a few years before you. Newspapers are a great jumping off place for writers.
Yes, I knew John Hamlin. In fact, I KNEW him all too well. He was one of the most influential ones in my long line. Wonder where he is now, not that it matters.
Love your trip down technology memory lane. Brought back memories of when they switched to IBM Selectrics in The Oregonian newsroom and we had to say goodbye to our faithful Royals, Olivettis, Olympias, and Smith Coronas. I snagged a Royal for home use and kept it for years until I was working for IBM and decided to get with the program at home and the office!
Oh, yeah, I remember what a racket they made! I had an old typewriter, too, that I picked up from the paper, and a drawer of hot type headline letters. Everything went when I downsized. You can’t keep everything, except memories.
I loved this post, Fran! In my 20s I fantasized about walking every bit of NYC. My favorite thing about living there was that I felt like around every corner was a new block I had never seen before. I loved to imagine it all unfolded into a line I could walk so that I didn’t miss any bit of it. I love New York so much I could eat it! Amazing that Matt Green actually did this. I seriously understand why he did. Really an amazing story, along with the others you’ve shared here.
Thank you Fran. I’m loving your words and observations.
Great post! At a Freedom Forum event Al Neuharth said he would give $25 to the first person who could recite the first amendment by heart. I was $25 richer that day, and he gave me an autographed copy of his book "Free Spirit."
Way to go! In trying to remember all five freedoms, most folks forget the part about petitioning for redress of grievances. Now the administration just sends in the Guard.
Re. Your comment about old clocks, a doctor recently asked me to draw a clock face with the hands showing 9:20 PM. I think it’s part of a memory/dementia test. It was hard and I messed up. The doctor commented that it tends to be even harder for younger people because they now rely on digital timers.
Remember learning to read clocks and tie shoes in kindergarten? Now we have digital readouts and Velcro.
LOVE YOUR QUILT!!