I found a photograph in the back of an old photo album yesterday and it set off a thread of memories as rich as homemade divinity candy.
In November 1975 I worked for The Community News. It was a small operation that published a paper weekly. My buddy Dale Short was the editor and I was a staff writer/photographer. We had a couple guys selling ads and a receptionist.
Jilda helped me shoot football pictures during the fall and we spent most Friday nights in the darkroom printing pictures for the next issue. I loved that job, but even with an Army subsidized paycheck (retraining program), we probably qualified for food stamps.
Jimmy Carter was elected as president that year. I made a bold prediction. "1976 would be a great year for freaks and farmers," I said. I committed to growing a garden and a beard. The picture below is the last photograph taken of me without some kind of facial hair.
The guy in the picture is Doug McGraw. He was stationed with me in Panama. I taught him to play guitar over a long Memorial Day weekend. Jilda and I have visited him in Virginia and he's been to Alabama a number of times.
Several months ago, I found my old phone finder. That's one of those metal devices that sat next to our phone back before smartphones. We kept our phone numbers in there. Back in November, I came across the finder and I flipped down to the M. His number was one of the first listed.
Picking up the phone, I dialed his number. He answered on the second ring and it was like I'd seem him last week.
I know this is a rambling post, but that's what happens when I come across old photographs.
In November 1975 I worked for The Community News. It was a small operation that published a paper weekly. My buddy Dale Short was the editor and I was a staff writer/photographer. We had a couple guys selling ads and a receptionist.
Jilda helped me shoot football pictures during the fall and we spent most Friday nights in the darkroom printing pictures for the next issue. I loved that job, but even with an Army subsidized paycheck (retraining program), we probably qualified for food stamps.
Jimmy Carter was elected as president that year. I made a bold prediction. "1976 would be a great year for freaks and farmers," I said. I committed to growing a garden and a beard. The picture below is the last photograph taken of me without some kind of facial hair.
The guy in the picture is Doug McGraw. He was stationed with me in Panama. I taught him to play guitar over a long Memorial Day weekend. Jilda and I have visited him in Virginia and he's been to Alabama a number of times.
Several months ago, I found my old phone finder. That's one of those metal devices that sat next to our phone back before smartphones. We kept our phone numbers in there. Back in November, I came across the finder and I flipped down to the M. His number was one of the first listed.
Picking up the phone, I dialed his number. He answered on the second ring and it was like I'd seem him last week.
I know this is a rambling post, but that's what happens when I come across old photographs.
It nice that you could connect with your old friend. You both look so young.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Julia
I love old photographs like this. They always have a story behind them.
ReplyDeleteLisa
Some of my favorite vacations are times spent with old photos.
ReplyDeleteSuch handsome young men. I've reconnected with a couple of friends from high school. I graduated in 1977, yet when I speak to them, it's as if we saw each other yesterday.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie