According to Examiner.com

According to Examiner.com
According to the Examiner.com---since 01/09/11

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Dorothy Dwann

Well as you can imagine, I was rather quite excited when I saw this beautiful photograph online on E-bay of Dorothy Dwan. It seems like our gal Dorothy gets lost somehow in the heritage and history that is the "Wizard of Oz".


Dorothy played the role of Dorothy in "Wizard of Oz" which her husband directed in 1925. This of course was a Slient Movie shot in Black and white and from what I have learned Frank J. Baum (L. Frank Baum's son) was involved helping in the movie process.


Anyhow the card on the front of the photograph I won is a copy of the back of the same photo and it is stamped June 10, 1926, Larry Semon Productions 780 Gower St. Hollywood CA.


Then typed and glued to the back it says "Well boys, there is not much left to call your own! The girls in Hollywood have adopted the style of wearing pajamas for sleeping wear, claiming they are more comfortable then their own garments. Dorothy Dwan, Mrs. Larry Semon, is one of the advocates of silken pajamas and gol darn it, she does look cute in them".



DOROTHY DWAN
AKA: Molly Mills

Born: 1906-04-26
Birth place: Sedalia, Missouri
Death: 1981-03-17
Death cause: lung cancer
Profession: actor, realtor, nurse

Family
FATHER: Melvin Illgenfritz.
MOTHER: Nancy Wallace.
SON: Paul Boggs. Born on November 22, 1931.

Companion
HUSBAND: Larry Semon. Actor, director, screenwriter. Married from January 25, 1925 until his death on October 8, 1928.

HUSBAND: Paul Northcutt Boggs Jr. Oil executive. Married on May 23, 1930; divorced on December 3, 1935.

HUSBAND: Fred Buckels. Divorced.


Complete Filmography: (Total: 28)
Cast (Feature Film):

1. The Fighting Legion (1930) as Molly Williams
2. The Peacock Fan (1929) as Peggy Kendall
3. The California Mail (1929) as Molly Butler
4. The Drifter (1929) as Ruth Martin
5. Obey Your Husband (1928) as Joyce Kennedy
6. Riders of the Dark (1928) as Molly Graham
7. Square Crooks (1928) as Jane Brown
8. Out With the Tide (1928) as Joan Renshaw
9. Silver Valley (1927) as Sheila Blaine
10. Tumbling River (1927) as Edna Barton
11. The Land Before Law (1927) as Ginger O'Hara
12. Spuds (1927) as Madelon
13. The Princess on Broadway (1927) as Rose Ryan
14. Hills of Kentucky (1927) as Janet
15. Mc Fadden's Flat (1927) as Edith Halloran
16. The Great Canyon of Light (1926) as Concha Deane
17. The Great K&A Train Robbery (1926) as Madge Cullen
18. Perils of the Coast Guard (1926) as Natalie
19. Stop, Look, and Listen (1926) as Dorothy
20. The Call of theKlondike (1926) as Violet Kenney
21. The Dangerous Dude (1926) as Janet Jordan
22. A Captains Courage (1926) as Actor
23. The Perfect Clown (1925) as The Girl
24. The Wizard of Oz (1925) as Dorothy-- SILENT Movie
25. Bashful Buccaneer (1925) as Nancy Lee
26. The Breed of the Border (1924) as Ethel Slocum
27. Sinners in Sillk (1924) as Rita
28. The Silent Vow (1922) as Ethel

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Another book Review

Well as of today I finally finished reading "A Star Is Bor: The Making Of The 1954 Movie And Its Restoration" by Ronald Haver. The book was published by Alfred A. Knopf Inc. of New York and was done in 1988.

At 284 pages in length even I found this VERY difficult to read. It is LOADED with facts, so many in actuality you are overwhelmed with facts. Facts about the original "What Price Hollywood", connections to other films, the entire workings of Cinemascope, Judy Garland-James Mason- the extras, the scenes- Sid Luft fact after fact after fact page after page of it.

While very detailed it for me was simply to much to try to absorb and read--I did however finish die-hard Judy fan that I am. That is who I would recommend this book for--DIE HARD Judy fans. I do want to thank Lisa from NJ as this was also in the box she sent me a few months back now.

A Great movie if you have not seen it, a overwhelming book. I would stick to the movie.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

My Darling, How I miss You


Words can not begin to desribe
What I feel today as I think about you.
How many lives you have touched
How many accomplishments
You achieved in Forty-seven short years.
Hundreds of songs, scores of movies
Slews of concerts and personal appearances.
You walked quietly into my life
Turned it on end
It will never be the same
For that I am thankful
There is not one minute
Of one single day
Where you are not in
My thoughts somehow.
How you enrich my life,
Bring it purpose and meaning
To some degree I think
Watching over me.
My very own personal
Guardian Angel.

Judy, darling- I miss not
Having known you or
Having meet you.
I miss having not seen in you
Live in concert.
Judy, dearest- I wish you
Were still here.
But most of all
Judy, with all my heart
With all my soul
With everything I am
I need you to know
How very much
And not just today
But eternally
I adore you.


Friday, June 19, 2009

40 years tomorrow


Well somehow 40 years have seemed to pas since Judy Garland was found dead in her London home by Mickey Deans. Instead rambling on about what lead to it I just want to share photogrpahs of the newspaper my friend Lisa found for me in New Jersey. As one can imagine when I opened that box that day and saw this I just sat there and cried.


Thursday, June 18, 2009

Another book added


I have said it before and I should probably say it agin but for me the biggest love affair I have with Oz and Judy Garland happens to be the books--everything else is a VERY close second. There is something to be said about opening the cover and being taken to a place and time I have never been, getting lost in that world even if it is just temporary and forgetting the madness that can be life.

This book was part of that huge box that arrived some time ago from my friend Lisa in New Jersey--once again I have to give it up to my girl for treating me so nicely. "The Judy Garland Show: Rainbow's End" was written by Coyne Steven Sanders, published by William Morrow and Company, Inc. in New York and was released in 1990. At 404 pages in length "Rainbow's End" is a beautifully written account of the events that made teh Judy Garland Show happen. The book breaks each show down all twenty-six of them, with the events, the guest stars and all the inner workings of that show.

Coyne treats Judy in this book with love and respect and presents what I feel maybe both sides of the same "story". There may have been problems with Judy but eveything is explained and left I felt for you to come up with your own conclusions.

There are slews of black and white photographs in the book nearly all of which are from the television show and some of which I have never seen. This book is for you if you happen to be a fan of Judy's and even more so if you want to learn more about the show.


Wednesday, June 17, 2009

"One Being Gay"

Since Gay Pride is fastly approaching I wanted to take the time and share some thoughts with all of you.....

"On Being Gay"
I knew I was different very early on
I didn't know know for a long time
That there was a name for it.
I just knew how I felt deep inside
I knew who I was attracted to
I knew what occupied my dreams.
Then the names came--
GAY, QUEER, FAGGOT
NELIIE, HOMO, SODOMITE, FAG
When would it all end
The cruelty and hatred from others.
My own inner struggles
To accept whoI was
Was bad enough.
It takes time to be comfortable
In my own identity
And to grow from there.
I became active, I became vocal
I became political, I grew strong
I became hopefully a role model for others.
Over twenty years have passed
Since I came out---
I regret nothing!

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Books from the Flea Market

Well gang the Hartville Flea Market once again has proven if circumstances are right you can find some really cool Oz things. Many times though it nothing Oz as far as the eye can see than all of sudden its every where which I will never complain about.

This go around on Thursday was books, which many of you may or may not know is one of my most favorite part of collecting Oz ......

Book 1 is "The Wizard Of Oz: To Read Aloud" by Wonder Books of New York it is the original story by L. Frank Baum and was adapted and abridged by Oscar Weigle and illustrated by Robert Patterson. The book was written in 1963. The illustrations are all black and white but beautifully drawn and are about one every other page and is a paper back book.

Book 2 is "The Wizard Of Oz"--again the original L. Frank Baum story--- by Companion
Library Grosset & Dunlap Publishers of New York with illustrations by Anna Marie Magagna. This edition was printed in 1944 and is actually a two story book with the flip side being "The Jungle Book" by Rudyard Kipling and illustrated by Earl Mayan.

Both parts of the book are black and white illustrations beautifully done. I will of course sit down and Read "The Jungle Book" as I never have read it before. So looking forward to that quiet time and escaping in to that new world of adventure.

Book 3 is "The Wizard of Oz" the original L. Frank Baum story this time illustrated by Paul Grangere and published by TAB Boks, Inc. of New York and published in 1958. Black and white illustrations through out and drawn very well. This is a paper back book as well.
What makes this trio of books so unique at least for me was that the dealer who had them sold all three for only $15.00, which of course made my day. Like I said every now and then being in the right place at the right time can be fruitful--Good luck with your Oz
hunting and hopefully I have been helpful and encouraging you on your treasure hunt.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

87 years ago today......






It all began just as simply as any other birth that happens

But because of circumstances this was no ordinary birth.

At first an unexpected pregnancy

That the mother at one point wanted

Terminated when such a thing was illegal.

But when that face was first seen the father

Fell in love with "Baby".

It would be almost two and half years

Before the gift this "Baby" posessed was heard.

That voice of song changed everything,

Vaudeville wasn't far behind, singing

At Papa's Theatre, traveling the road with Mama.

Finally discovered and signed to MGM

while still in your teens,

the movies came very fast one after another.

Each one showcasing "Baby's" voice

some small roles but one that left you immortal.

Sleeping pills, multiple marriages, breakdowns,
being released by MGM in your twenties,

and a string of financial problems could not keep "Baby" down.

Your fans adore you, they needed you

As much as you needed them.

So today on your 87th birthday I want to say


You made me love you and I always will

Happy Birthday Judy Garland


Judy 'Live' at The London Palladium April / May 1951

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Reproduction Autograph


I have been looking at autographed photographs of some of the cast of the 1939 Wizard of Oz and many times prices exceed what I am willing to spend at the time and honestly for the longest time I "looked down my nose" at reproduction autographs until I realized the only one who will know that they are is me.

Prices can be VERY affordable and with that said one could gather quite an impressive set of the same star if they wanted to. So until the right time comes along and the right autographed photograph comes along I am happy to say for now I have some reproductions.

With that said this one in particular I have been looking at his for a long time and usually prices go way high for originals. Burt Lahr for me as the Cowardly Lion has been the character i most identify with until John Fricke came along slapped me upside my head (not literally of course) and said Charlie you have so much courage its unreal--I guess that makes John my personal Wizard Of Oz for pointing that out.

Born Irving Lahrheim in New York City , Lahr is best remembered today for his role as the Cowardly Lion and the Kansas farm worker Zeke in the classic 1939 movie The Wizard Of Oz, but known during his life for a career in burlesque, vaudeville and Broadway.

Lahr grew up in the Yorkville section of Manhattan. Dropping out of school at the age of fifteen to join a juvenile vaudeville act, Lahr worked his way up to top billing on the Columbia Burlesque Circuit. In 1927 he debuted on Broadway in Harry Delmar's Revels. Lahr played to packed houses, performing classic routines such as "The Song of the Woodman" (which he later reprised in the film Merry-Go-Round of 1938). Lahr had his first major success in a stage musical playing the prize fighter hero of Hold Everything! (1928-29). Several other musicals followed, notably Flying High (1930), Florenz Ziegfeld's Hot-Cha! (1932), The Show Is On (1936), and in DuBarry Was a Lady (1939)


Career

Lahr made his feature film debut in 1931's Flying High, playing the part of the oddball aviator he had previously played on stage. He signed with New York-based Educational Pictures for a series of two-reel comedies. When that series ended, he came back to Hollywood to work in feature films. Aside from The Wizard of Oz (1939), his movie career was limited. In the 1944 patriotic film Meet The People , Lahr uttered the phrase "Heavens to Murgatroyd !" which was later popularized by cartoon character Snagglepuss,

Lahr's movie career never caught on because his gestures and reactions were too broad. His later life was troubled, although he made the transition to straight theatre. He costarred in a much-praised version of Waiting for Godot in 1956. Among other Broadway roles, Lahr played Queen Victoria in a sketch from the musical Two on the Aisle . He also performed as Moonface Martin in a television version of Anything Goes.
Later life
Lahr occasionally appeared on television, including NBC's live version of the Cole Porter musical Let's Face It (1954) and an appearance as the mystery guest on What's My Line? He also performed in commercials, including a memorable series for Lay's Potato Chips during its long-running "Betcha can't eat just one" campaign with Lahr as "Aunt Tillie".
"Laughter is never too far away from tears," he reflected on his comedy. "You will cry at a peddler much easier than you would cry at a woman dressed in ermine who had just lost her whole family."
In 1967, Lahr died of pneumonia in New York City in the middle of filming The Night They Raided Minsky's, forcing producers to use a double in several scenes. Fittingly, this last role was as a burlesque comic. Lahr is buried at Union Field Cemetery in Ridgewood, Queens.
His son, New Yorker theater critic John Lahr, wrote a biography of his father's life titled Notes on a Cowardly Lion.


Monday, June 8, 2009

Cadco Board Game


Well every now and then a wonderful surprise happens and you never see it coming; We had friends over last week for dinner and one of their little "hostess gifts" if you will was this wonderful Cadco "The Wizard Of Oz" game.

The game was made by Cadco in 1974 in Chicago and has copyright with Metro-Goldwyn Mayer. The box says 2-4 players ages 4-10. I'm not sure if all the pieces are here--there are the four playing pieces, the spinner, four cards and then two small circles with crowns on them-- and not aware of any other history behind this game as I didn't even now this game existed till our dinner, so if you are reading this and have it I would love the information. It is so nice having something though that I could have played with--if my parents had only bought for me then (smile).


Youtube information provided by MrClassicAds:

1980 Classic cereal commercial using characters from the Wizard of Oz.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Spanish Oz

You know last year I got to meet Robert and Claire Baum at the Chesterton Wizard of Oz Festival and after talking to them I realized I never had though about Oz outside of the English language. Robert told me that when they travel and especially over seas that they try to find The Wizard of Oz in that foreign language. That thought till then had never occured to me and since then I focus some of foreign language issues of books, posters, playbills, lobby cards--what ever maybe available.

E-bay is a great place for that and many times many of the items are considerably less than those in English, especially those that items that are original. Wth that said todays post is a reproduction poster of the Wizard of Oz in Spanish. This poster can be found rather easily from time to time on E-bay and rather inexpensively I might add from $7- $15 dollars and I feel well worth it. As far as an original one I have yet to see one on E-bay but then I guess anything is possible. I think personally the reproduction poster route is an expensive way to add to your collection as the originals can and usually are pricey.


Notes for the Youtube post by Woggielove: A music video of the 1990 Dic Wizard of Oz cartoon series to the song "If We Hold On Together" sung by Diana Ross from The Land Before Time.
A music video of the 1990 Dic Wizard of Oz cartoon series to the song "If We Hold On Together" sung by Diana Ross from The Land Before Time.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Look Magazine April 10, 1962



To continue with some of the items my friend Lisa from New Jersey sent me awhile back I want to talk just a little about this wonderful full magazine---It's Look and dated April 10, 1962 with Judy on the cover as well as Liza, Lorna and Joe. The heading on the cover "Judy Garland Talks About Her Life, Her Work, Her Children.


The story begins on page 100and continues tp 110 with wonderful color as well as black and white photographs. The article says it was produced by Jack Hamilton and photogrpahs were taken by Douglas Kirkland. What gives this magazine an extra bonus is the article on pages 58A-58C is an article called "A Lover of Oz" by Grant M. Hast listed as photogrpaher and no-credits given for the short story.



I will say that I did see this at the Hartville Flea Market on Memorial Day Weekend in a booth of books and magazines and the gentleman selling it had it for $5.00. So I think if your in the right place at the right time you might be able to find it as well.



Well some rather sad news here on the collecting front--my brother decided to cancell our trip to Grand Rapids for Judy Fest and while it is a downer it makes me more determined than ever to save my money and try to go next year.



Of course this month for me is all about Judy--with Judy being born June 10, 1922 and than Judy dying June 22, 1969. This also marks 40 years since she passed away and I want to write something very special about Judy for here and try to make this whole month one that you my readers will remember and hopefully cherish.



I want to encourage you if you want to shre some of your thoughts about Judy--her career, her life, her impact on your life please feel free to contact me at CharlieDale9966@aol.com and with your permission of course I would than share it here, with notes crediting you.


Written by oosterlynckgeertje(in regards to the youtube video)

The novelty of Judy Garland: Live at the London Palladium is the spectacle of the great entertainer sharing the stage with her up-and-coming daughter. In November 1964 Liza Minnelli was not yet 20 and not yet a Broadway success. She looks it: the coltish, appealingly gawky girl is still pretty raw (at one point after a costume change she yanks off her earrings just before launching into a song), and Garland seems alternately proud of and bemused by her. The video is pretty raw, too, a rough black-and-white affair that can best be described as serviceable in quality.

However, fans of this brand of showbiz razzmatazz will be satisfied with the duets between the women (especially trading verses on a medley of "Happy Days Are Here Again" and "Get Happy"). Judy opens the show with the reliable chest sweller "Once in a Lifetime" (no relation to the Talking Heads tune) and delivers a tutorial in song dynamics with "The Man That Got Away." She appears rather shrunken and tired but still comes on like a trouper, fending off the audience's constant heckling for "Over the Rainbow" (as though she might forget it?) before finally handing the song back to them as a touching sing-along.

This was Garland's last appearance at the Palladium. It's also a passing of the torch to Liza, who would later become the kind of polished dynamo embodied by her mother, more than capable of holding down her own one-woman shows.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Comic Books

Well the first one I want to show and talk about is Book 6 by Shanower and Young for Marvel Comics. This is part of the first series of comic books "The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz". There is a second printing/variant cover as well that is out now as well, but over all the illustrations are just incredible and the story is the one based on the book not the 1939 movie. The series gives this whole new visual look that happens to be very cool at the same time, to a familiar tale and at $3.99 each these are a very affordable addition to any collection. The variant issue so far have only two issues out--the cover is the only difference to the comic book.

The second comic book is "The Oz Wonderland Chronicles: Jack and Cat Tales" by Jack Avery and Casey Heying with pictures by Caesar Antomattei, Casey Heying and Oak. It is Publlished by Buy Me Toys.Com and the cover is of issue one of a series.With incredible odern graphics and a more modern twist on the story of Oz this comic book may not be every one's cup of tea. The graphics are very well done and very colorful and like I said a very modern twist on even the characters themselves. Again this one is also $3.99 and the series right now is not informing us how many issues.

The third one for this post is also by Eric Shanower "The Secret Island of Oz" published by First Graphic Novel. This book is written and illustrated by Eric and is very similar in style to John R. O'Neill's illustrations/style and was first published in 1986. The illustrations are just breath taking while uniquely being Eric's and the stories are new, imaginative, creative and very enjoyable. Some of the very best new Oz work available in my opinion. In many ways I wish Eric would right longer stories and maybe something geared more towards adults, but this series of books is very worth investing in. At $8.95 originally most of the time I find them priced at $18.00. They can be a little hard to find but again worth your time and effort.

I also wanted to take the time and apologize for not posting sooner this month, but I have my elderly grandmother staying with us since Saturday and will be here till Friday or Saturday of this week. Time is a little limited as she has not been all that well but I have been sharing with her Judy Movies many of which believe it or not she HAS NEVER SEEN before and at 81 I find that so hard to believe. Her visit has gone well it does however take up a lot of time for the extras that I am use to doing everyday--like this blog.
Well gang until next time, keep me in your thoughts.

Judy Garland live at the Greek Theatre Los Angeles September 13, 1965

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Another "New" Record

Well again this record was found at the Hartville Flea Market and again the price was perfect $3.00, as far as E-bay I have yet to see this record on E-bay in the almost 2 years of searching for Oz/Judy items.

"Judy Garland At Home At The Palace: Opening Night" was a Sid Luft Presents Group V LTD. Production, executed by ABC Records with Bob Thiele as Producer, cover photograph by Ross & Weiss, Cover Design by William Duevell and Henry Epstein, Engineer Reice Hamel, Re-rocrding Engineer Johnny Cue Liner Photogrpahs Charles Stewart and Liner Design by Joe Lebow. Accompanied by Bobby Cole's orchestra nd assisted by Lorna and Joe Luft. The album was recorded at the Palace Theatre, New York City in 1967.

Songs include:

I Feel A Song Coming On
Almost Like Being in Love
You Made Me Love You
For Me and My Gal
The Trolley Song
What Now My Love
Bob White
Jamboree jones
Together Wherever We go
Over the Rainbow
Ol' Man River
Thats's Entertainment
I Loved Him, But He Didn't Love Me
Rock-A_Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody

It is my hope with tis blog to make you aware of what is out there, some of it very affordable while some of it you really have to search for. I also hope that along the way I can share my love of everything Judy and Wizard of Oz.

I want to take the time and try to explain better my decision a few months back about stopping medications which put me in the situation I am in now. It really boils down to stupid fear about what the Rheumotoid Doctor said and not thinking things through. It is also about somewhere along the way believeing I only had so long to live through this andit is also about losing hope, focus and purpose. Hopefully some of you out there understand those emotions and hopefully many of you can find it in your hearts to forgive me for being so stupid.

Fear can do many things and believe me friends this is never happening again.


Wednesday, May 27, 2009

A new book into the collection


You know outside of E-bay finding Oz books can be a very hard thing to do or so it seems. Well the Memorial Day Hartville Flea Market had a few this time around. A few that I already have in Hardback, they had in paperback but among all his stuff was this lovely hard back book "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum. This edition was published by the Whitman Publishing Compnay in Racine, Wisconsin in 1957 and was beautifully illustrated by Russell H. Schultz.

What I particularly like about the illustrations is they are done in black, white and green. Drawn in a fresh perspective, it brings at least for me a new freshness to the story--not the story needs to be freshened up any. For $10.00 this was my steal of the day.


Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Found record

Sometimes all it takes is being in the right place at the right time and every now and then the Hartville Flea Market has some very nice finds. This record is one of them. Believe it or not I paid only $2.00 for it and from time to time you see it on E-bay from as little as $8.00 and as high as $35.00.

The front says "A Star is Born" Judy Garland by Columbia Records LP. Judy Garland Performs from the sound track of the Transcona Enterprises, Inc., production presented by Warner Brothers starring Judy Garland and James Mason.

Music by Harold Arlen, Lyrics by Ira Gershwin, Musical Direction by Moss Hart, Producer is Sid Luft, Director is George Cukor, "Born in a Trunk" composed by Leonard Gershe, Orchestra under the direction of Ray Heindorf.

Songs Include:

Gotta Have You With Me
The Man That Got Away
Born In A Trunk
Here's What I'm Here For
It's A New World
Someone At Last
Lose That Long Face

The doctor's went very well and I must admit here like I did at the office that when the rheumatoid Doctor I met with scared the bejesus out of me I was off my medications for about a month and half before I restarted them. I know it wasn't the smartest move I made but I really believe it was meant to be as it brought me to that doctor that changed my entire outlook about this disease, and how "much time really is left". For that I am grateful, hopefully all of my gentle readers can forgive my stupidity, For now my counts have changed some for the better, I go back to my specialist at Fairview and we wait and see how well these medications do before adding anything new.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Memorial Day


Well I can't believe the year is flying by so fast and we have another Memorial Day upon us. Good warm weather from here on out and I am going to enjoy more of it than I did last year--which last year I got my fair share.

I do want to take the time and remember those who have freely and willingly served our country throughout our history and those who have given the ultimate sacrifice so we may enjoy freedom.

I also want to remember those that we have lost to AIDS over the last near 25 years. For me personally that would be over 600 friends, co-workers, acquaintances, 3 boy friends and the countless others who cross our paths.

May our leaders in all offices keep our best interests at heart, may they hear our voices and may we finally be a little gentler, kinder and in a world of peace. May we treat each other with deep affection, willing to give of ourselves with no strings attached. But may we serve out of love.
May we remember the oppressed, the sick, the dying, the hungry, the homeless, the needy, the poor of spirit-health and who have no else to turn to.


Recorded for the Judy Garland Show Episode 20 on 01/24/64 and aired on 02/09/64

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Finished for now


Well as you can see gang by the photographs the walls are painted and the floor stripped. The next step is to lay the new "floating click and lock floor" should be hopefully nest weekend if my lady picks up her repair I did, which pays for my floor.

The flooring we have picked out is this beautiful light Oak color which will off set the new Green Walls thanks to Ralph Lauren paint color and Behr Paint, and as you can see I have some area rugs down for the time being to cover some of the glue residue we could not get up. But as you can see in photograph #2--even my little Miss Toto--who is a camera loving canine--loves the new floor--isn't she to cute.

As you can I have a new Wicked Witch Clock as well thanks to Hartville Flea Market and this really nice guy, who I met over a year ago at Chesterton and is selling at the Market on Saturday's now till October. He also runs a website http://www.retropoponline.com/index.htm and just is one of the nicest guys around and has some really cool Oz things.

I did want to talk about another one of the books my friend Lisa found for me in New Jersey it is called "Judy Garland: Worlds Greatest Entertainer" by John Fricke. Now while I have the book already I decided to keep anyway as the paper covering to the Hard back book was different than the one I already had. If you do not own this book or have read this book I HIGHLY recommend it, John does a beautiful job talking, teaching and educating about Judy and the photograph's and information is some if not the VERY best there is around.

I maybe partial to John's books as he is one of my dearest friends and my biggest emotional supporter I have outside of course to Jim. But I will say this there is no one who knows more about Judy than John and there maybe no one who will. While we were in Cadiz, I had John autograph this book as well as all the others I have of his are. Rumor has it from John by the way there is a new book out hopefully in the end of September. I have to find out he name of it so I can share it here, but I already know I have to have it!

Keep me in your thoughts and prayers Tuesday morning as I go back to Cleveland Clinic for my follow up visit to go over tests results and I feel new mediation's or additional medications. I am hoping for a good visit and one with just as much hope as before--something still new to me but something I find very refreshing.

Hope

The faith that your foot will hit the floor when you lift it off

The belief that anything good can happen if you just try

That people are as close to you as you let them be--

put your best self out there, you lose nothing and gain everything

That the universe supports, loves and encourages you

wants you to succeed and so does everyone else.

Hope is knowing that not only is tomorrow is there but so is the future.




The Judy Garland Show (Episode 13--1963) features Judy Garland performing with fellow legendary singer Peggy Lee, for their only joint TV appearance. The stars share a medley of "Men" songs, and also duet on Lee's own hit "I Love Being Here With You."

Friday, May 22, 2009

Handyman anyone??--supply the booze where there


By the way gang a quick comment about yesterday's post--I decided to show Jim and was playin the Peter, Paul and Mary "If I had a Hammer" and he looked at me and said "Mary, if you had a hammer you would be dangerous". Everybody's a critic---smile.

Well yesterday was just damn near back breaking and I realized I am not as young as I use to be, or for that matter never will be again. We started painting first, don't ask me what possessed us to paint first but I guess I had nothing better to do <>. It has been a VERY long time since a paintbrush has been in my hand to paint a wall and not a canvas, but it went fairly well. Took quit a while to do it as there are so many nook and cranies in the kitchen to paint around. Today will be spent finishing up the last touches of paint and then I can post pictures before the "new click and lock floating floor" go in.

Of course while the paint was drying we, the adventurous, creative souls that we are decided what the hell lets start ripping up the linoleum. For the most part it went fairly easy all but the corners which had to be heated with a blow torch to soften the glue and then ripped up (see the above picture of my brother doing that---Jim said it was a scary thing to see me with a blow torch in my hands). Kids if you do this yourself like us nutty DIY guys make sure your windows are open real wide because OH LOUISE the smell, thank heavens my dad had told about that before hand.

By mid-afternoon we needed another trip to Home Depot as we didn't quite have enough paint, which provided a short break in the DIY madness. We noticed while we were there that you could hire one of ther Home Depot men for $400 for 8 hours and JUST to paint! I told Jim at $50 an hour it better be a naked Jilles Marini or Brad Pitt painting my kitchen. My brother was like "You see that"? While teasingly saying and "I get paid what?" to which of course the response was BOOZE and food hence the title of the post.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Concert Program and other stuff


Well today I want to take the time and talk about a Judy Garland Souvenir programs that one could have bought when attending her concerts. One of the big differences in the programs in all reality is just simply the covers--some of which are very beautiful. As far as the insides go the majority of them are the same and continue movie still shots, other concert photos and if I remember right some of Judy's own private photographs.

These programs for the most part can be found on E-bay rather easily while others like this one only show up time to time. Prices vary but i feel they are an afforable addition to any collection of Garlandia.
As far as my collection of concert souvenir programs go I think I have only one different cover to get and I am done. If I am wrong and one of my readers know that, please take the time to point it out. There are movie premiere programs as well which I have a few Garland/The Wiz programs and then there are the concert event programs as well which I have a few. If you run across one, think of me, send it my way and I would be happy to re-imburse you for it.

Well the day before yesterday we got rambunctious here and decided to rip up the old carpeting that was in the kitchen as it was just filthy and in the next day or so we are ripping up this g-d awful linoleum flooring next, that you will see in pictures posted ONLY HERE. My brother is coming out today to help us get started on that project nest.
The plan is to install one of those snap and lock floating floors, that look like real wood and to some degree are. we have been talking about it for along time now and with some serious doll work done on my part we are finally enough ahead to do it. We went and priced it with the help of a Home Depot employee and it wasn't as bad as I thought. We spoke to a contractor last year and I nearly fainted dead away. Do it yourselfers unite!
Speaking of projects we decided yesterday since we have this g-d awful flooring down we are also going to re-paint the walls in the kitch and as you can see in reality we have like 3 walls to paint. Cabinets will be next in the very near future. Pictures will be posted here and painting begins to day.