Hands Across The Water, Hands Across The Sky...

Paul McCartney's chart topper "Uncle Albert / Admiral Halsey" made its Top 40 debut today (8/21) in back in 1971. I never understood the lyrics on this one...

Almost Grown...

I snapped this adolescent Cardinal out the back window a few weeks ago. Kinda disheveled looking fellow.....

Slim Pickin's

Unless I screwed up my spreadsheet, only 2 songs made their Top 40 debut today (8/20) during the 70's. We've got "That's Rock And Roll" by Shaun Cassidy, and "Hard Rock Cafe" by Carole King. Both released in 1977, and neither leaving any impression in my mind. They reached #3 and #30, respectively.

Dorm Life

Carpenter Dormitory at Drake University, Des Moines, IA. This is my oldest daughter’s new residence. The propped open emergency exits are just for move in day. I love those trees!

Google Earth

I’ve discovered a fun new toy, Google Earth. This is a cool program that allows you to see satellite images of anyplace in the world. They seem to be of varying quality, and varying age, but it’s still pretty cool. This is the scene of today’s blog-shot, near Coralville, IA. My photo is looking south from about 2/3 of the way through the rest stop…….

Popcorn!

No, not "Mother Popcorn" or "Let A Man Come In And Do The Popcorn" by James Brown, but the instrumental hit by Hot Butter. Popcorn made its chart debut today (8/19) back in 1972, and peaked at #9. I remember first hearing this standing in line for the Haunted Museum at Disney World. I was 12, so I thought it was REALLY cool, and ended up buying the 45rpm single...

Rest Stop

Looking south across Iowa from the rest stop on eastbound I-80, at Coralville. Just outside Iowa City. Highway rest stops don’t generally have much interesting to look at, especially in the already dull upper Midwest. This was no exception, but I kind of liked the “receding layers” looking across the fields. The was a fascinating monument at this rest stop discussing the “Mormon Handcart Expedition”, which I had never heard of.. ….

New Beginnings

Sorry for the scarcity of posts recently, I think this is my longest down time yet. Just back from a road trip to Des Moines, IA, dropping my oldest at College for the first time!! This is the view from her dorm room at Drake University, where she’s settling in. They have this cool little park-like area, with a bridge from the main campus area over to the building. Nice view!

"I'll Be What I Am....."

Neil Diamond's "Solitary Man" made it's Top 40 debut today (8/15) in 1970. This one made it to #21, sort of a warm-up for the next single, #1 bound Cracklin' Rosie. Solitary Man is one of my personal faves of Neil Diamond, gotta love the Thompson Brothers Band live version...

Post-It with a Twist

The assignment was “Post It Notes”. A tough task for a literalist like me. I did a cubical shot, not too bad, and was ready to call it a night, then decided to run it through the Polar-Rectangular filter I discovered last week. I think this is more dynamic.

And she's always gone too long, anytime she goes away....

Bill Wither's sone "Ain't No Sunshine" made it's Top 40 debut on this day (8/14), back in 1971. This one only made it to #3, which is a bit surprising, this is a fine, fine song!! Withers had an awesome trio of hits between 8/71 and 9/72, with Ain't No Sunshine, Lean On Me, and Use Me. All great soulful songs, Topping out at numbers 3,1 &2, respectively.

Vroom, vroom!!

Sometimes the Happy Meals come with kinda cool toys. Recently it's been real, honest-to-goodness, Hot Wheels. Better yet, there have switched internal lights. Nat a bad "gimmie" to go with the kids' meals. My son gave me this one, since the paint got chipped durin g some rough driving. But he asked for it back a few days later, which is fine, too!

Falling Down Slow

A repost from the early days of the blog (8/30/04), in honor of my upcoming 1 year anniversary (blogiversary?). This is along the Blue Ridge Parkway, not far north of Ashville, NC. Taken on a drizzly day in September 1996, before I went digital. The title is from a Nitty Gritty Dirt Band song, by the way...

What they do!

"They smile in your face, All the time they want to take your place...."
The OJays super hit "Backstabbers" made it's Top 40 debut today (8/12) back in 1972. Backstabbers made it all the way to #3, one of the great songs of the early 70's!

House Finch

Another "backyard bird" shot. We get quite few Goldfinches and House Finches at the tube feeder. This guy seems to have been visiting frequently. Taken early in the morning, around 7:15 am.