Jumping on the bandwagon with Miss Beat, 1959 are these Venice, California pageant contestants:
Call me cynical, but I think some of these girls are not actually beatniks. I suspect that the girl on the far left just slapped on some eyeliner in the car after competing in the Miss Culver City pageant.
Wrote or co-wrote some of the most brilliant songs ever.
She died August 26. I was sad to miss posting this while the blog was incapacitated.
Apologies for the long absence – We’re up and running again on Wordpress through Jon’s diligent efforts. Thanks to schwa for the many years of hosting service.
Now to get back in the habit of posting – I’m hoping to get in a few posts a week over the month of September, despite looming (but most welcome!) houseguests and vacation.
Server issues, I think. Sorry!
German, 1900-1988. Why use words when you can use pictures?
Isotypes via gerdarntz.org
It’s been an unusually cool, rainy summer here in Chicago. My balcony garden got off to a pretty slow start. Things are kicking into high gear now that summer’s half over:
My baby clematis finally bloomed! One of my favorite plants. I hope it survives the balcony’s brutal winter microclimate.
This is the only time I’ve a sweet potato vine bloom.
The planter boxes on the shady side of the balcony always seem to do better. The south-facing side is brutally hot.
The offspring of one of last year’s trailing petunia somehow sprouted between our building and the sidewalk. Unfortunately, it was weeded a few days later. I’ve also seen dill and cilantro sprouting below the balcony. Sure beats the usual dandelions and fast food wrappers.The Online Archive of California recently launched a redesigned Website, enhancing access to stuff like this:
In and around my hometown, 1852-1936.
I won’t even bother to caption these – I think you can tell which is which.
These (and many more in both series) via Life. Which club would you rather join?
I’m now taking action on vacation plans I’ve been obsessing over for…18 months?! Somewhat stunned at being asked to fax in payment authorizations and booking forms, in this day and age.
All from the