Category Archives: Middle Class

WWII vintage ad illustration fe,ale beauty

Beauty Bait During Wartime

In the fall of 1944 my mother Betty was a college freshman who had more on her mind than musty old history dates; it was dates of another sort that troubled her. However due to the war, she and the

WWII vintage ad illustration fe,ale beauty

Beauty Bait During Wartime

In the fall of 1944 my mother Betty was a college freshman who had more on her mind than musty old history dates; it was dates of another sort that troubled her. However due to the war, she and the

American History Amusement Park

  Freedomland Fun Foiled Besides my copious visits to El Patio my grandmothers suburban beach club, my summer staycation in 1960 was to include a visit to the newly opened Freedomland. Although Disneyland in California remained the holy grail of

American History Amusement Park

  Freedomland Fun Foiled Besides my copious visits to El Patio my grandmothers suburban beach club, my summer staycation in 1960 was to include a visit to the newly opened Freedomland. Although Disneyland in California remained the holy grail of

Pools, Polio and a Mid-Century Miracle

Against the carefree fun of a 1960 summer lingered not-so-old fears of Polio. I would have been very happy spending all day in the turquoise tiled pool at my grandmothers suburban beach club  splashing about till all my digits puckered.

Pools, Polio and a Mid-Century Miracle

Against the carefree fun of a 1960 summer lingered not-so-old fears of Polio. I would have been very happy spending all day in the turquoise tiled pool at my grandmothers suburban beach club  splashing about till all my digits puckered.

Hiroshima Hits Home

On a hot summer morning on August 6, some 67 years ago, the first Atomic Bomb blasted over Hiroshima ushering us into the Atomic Age. In that great American tradition of forgive and forget, only ten years later in May

Hiroshima Hits Home

On a hot summer morning on August 6, some 67 years ago, the first Atomic Bomb blasted over Hiroshima ushering us into the Atomic Age. In that great American tradition of forgive and forget, only ten years later in May

Kitchen Garden All Year Round

Thanks to war-time research and  American know how, growing up in suburban mid-century America  I would be the happy recipient of a veritable bushel basket of sun-kissed vitamin rich fruits and vegetables. No other country we were told  has the

Kitchen Garden All Year Round

Thanks to war-time research and  American know how, growing up in suburban mid-century America  I would be the happy recipient of a veritable bushel basket of sun-kissed vitamin rich fruits and vegetables. No other country we were told  has the

Marilyn Monroe Some Like it Hot record Album

Marilyn Monroe Remembered

I had never been to the movies before. Constantly being warned that it was essential to keep a light on while watching your TV lest you ruin your eyes for life, here I was watching a bigger than life  screen

Marilyn Monroe Some Like it Hot record Album

Marilyn Monroe Remembered

I had never been to the movies before. Constantly being warned that it was essential to keep a light on while watching your TV lest you ruin your eyes for life, here I was watching a bigger than life  screen

Shoo Fly Don’t Bother Me

  The scents and sounds of my 1960s childhood summers at my grandmothers beach club  would sizzle together creating the perfect summer cocktail.  Along with the rhythmic sounds of the ocean waves breaking on the beach, and the staccato click,

Shoo Fly Don’t Bother Me

  The scents and sounds of my 1960s childhood summers at my grandmothers beach club  would sizzle together creating the perfect summer cocktail.  Along with the rhythmic sounds of the ocean waves breaking on the beach, and the staccato click,

Movie Poster Return of the Fly

Attack of the Suburban Housefly

Listen…..Do you hear it? Bzzzzzzz……It’s coming back……a buzzing creeping crawling nightmare of terror…..the return of the fly” That may have been the opening trailer in the 1959 Vincent Price movie Return of the Fly but it was a real life

Movie Poster Return of the Fly

Attack of the Suburban Housefly

Listen…..Do you hear it? Bzzzzzzz……It’s coming back……a buzzing creeping crawling nightmare of terror…..the return of the fly” That may have been the opening trailer in the 1959 Vincent Price movie Return of the Fly but it was a real life

How to Keep Your Cool in The Cold War

Hot Summer…Cold War Pt V The first cracks in my mid-century American dream appeared some 50 years ago this summer.  Raising the heat of the Cold War a tense President Kennedy appeared on National television 51 years ago this week

How to Keep Your Cool in The Cold War

Hot Summer…Cold War Pt V The first cracks in my mid-century American dream appeared some 50 years ago this summer.  Raising the heat of the Cold War a tense President Kennedy appeared on National television 51 years ago this week

How to Fly to London Like a Queen

Imagine flying in the lap of luxury, feted with champagne, liquors and perfumes, served a sumptuous gourmet meal afterwards retiring to sleep in a luxurious sleeper berth, only to awaken to breakfast in bed before you land in jolly old

How to Fly to London Like a Queen

Imagine flying in the lap of luxury, feted with champagne, liquors and perfumes, served a sumptuous gourmet meal afterwards retiring to sleep in a luxurious sleeper berth, only to awaken to breakfast in bed before you land in jolly old