Whimsical Windows - Brigantine, Then...and Then

As the new moderator of the meme Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors, I often look back in photo memories. But what got me this past was my wonderful Aunt Terry (she is the much bigger kid here :) sent me an old post card from Brigantine New Jersey.

Nestled as a barrier island facing he Atlantic, this card is from the 1950s and is of the old, and probably long gone, Sea Gull Cottages (originally the Seaside). As a child, this brings back whimsical memories from long ago vacations - in 1961 when I was aged just six years.

Yep, the artwork on the postcard can be corroborated by the four pictures showcasing the vacation lodging at low tide. Thanks for the memories Terry! And please add your links and pics too :)

Whimsical Windows - Tinsel

The holidays have been busy, but happily I am back for this week's fun Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors, hosted by Toby. In this view, the era is the mid-1950s, the place being my grandparent's home on Oregon Avenue Steubenville Ohio, the person my Aunt Terry. The windows here seem peripheral to the giant holiday tree.

However, in an FB exchange last week with Terry, the picture window has a prominent history as she advised:

"Grandpa did like big trees - and he loved displaying those trees in the picture window. I remember when I was little we had small living room windows. When it was decided to replace them, Grandpa insisted that the windows be simple plate glass so that everyone would be able to see his Christmas trees in full view. When the city busses drove down Oregon Ave. they slowed down so that passengers could gawk at the tree -- and everyone rode the bus in those days"

Further, the tree was a part of the lore in Steubenville it seems:

"And, yes, one year the tree was featured on page 1 of the [Steubenville] Herald-Star. The paper had been asking for several years to feature the tree but they wanted Grandpa to decorate it a week before Christmas. He would have none of that when I was small. But one year he gave in. It might have been this tree that was featured"

So the giant tinsel tree makes the window whimsical indeed!

Whimsical Windows - Old Hotel

Whimsical Windows-Delirious Doors is a fun meme hosted by Toby. And these pictures have a whimsical family history behind them.

Grandpa liked to take lots of pictures at vacation time, and that included this hotel in the old (pre-Casino) Atlantic City, long gone Shelburne hotel. Today the Boardwalk is full of glass and steel casino hotels, and portals like this are not included. I guess each photo was taken from the mid-1950s (R) to the mid-1960s (L). I remember our large family of kids were witness to this phenomenon.

I never knew what the fascination was for Grandpa. However, a couple of years age my Aunt Terry explained it to me: “Grandpa liked to think that he could hang with the wealthy. The Shelburne Bar was a wealthy hangout. So, he always had his picture taken there, but didn't always go in to have an expensive drink”. So that explains it! I kind of wish the old seaside resort town were there now instead of the new…

Also posted as part of Tina's 29 Days meme

Shadow Shot Sunday - Sculpted and Shadowy Chrome

ShadowShot Sunday arrives courtesy of our three hosts, allowing us to present the artistry of shadows, when and wherever they may present themselves.

Obviously, I prefer warm weather to cold and like cars as much as I like shadows. As a winter cold front is passing through, the look at past and nicer seasons warms things up. My affection for old iron shows up in these two scenes, and the shadowy world playfully intrudes into both.

First is this curvaceous 1958 Chevrolet Impala. Its sculpted flanks throws arcs and angles about, causing contorted shadows and reflections that fall over the chrome gazelle. Shadows of a tree and the reflected lawn show up - both of subtly seen...

View two is from a 1953 Hudson Hornet. The stylish interior has its share of 1950s flair - the dashboard showcases that material that reflects its era - chrome. The dazzling brightwork is retro cool.

The shadows add a nice contrast, falling over the two-tone green upholstery and steel. Compared to modern vehicles, the safety and driving dynamics are not very good. But for artistry in steel, the new does not compare. See shadowy style at this always fun meme!