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Is Retro Marriage Making a Comeback?.. No Boogie Woogie Bugle Boys, But Everything Else.. A Picture is Worth A Thousand People.. Wiping the Smile Off Ford's Face..
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Is Retro Marriage Making a Comeback?
It seems the days of June Cleaver and the 1950s housewife aren't as dead as people thought. CNN recently reported that a number of married women - and a good portion of them childless - are perfectly happy to stay at home while their husband brings home the bacon.
Dr. Scott Haltzman, who wrote "The Secrets of Happily Married Women", researched 650 stay-at-home wives and discovered that at least 10% of them were not parents.
The women who are fans of this lifestyle aren't exactly uneducated - many have college degrees - they just find it less stressful to be tasked with keeping a home clean, cooking edible meals, and having more personal time to themselves in a one-income household. They volunteer, enjoy their favorite hobbies, and believe that their marriages are happier as a result.
I have to admit, even as a modern age woman I don't find the idea as all that cringeworthy. After being single for so long and being employed since I was legally old enough to work (15 and a half) taking a break and taking care of a hubby - as long as he's a tolerable one - doesn't sound all that bad. I'd buy a couple of retro aprons, play my Glenn Miller CD as I cook and bake cakes, and post a lot more often on this blog. I'd have a lot more time to try to break into freelance writing. But you'd have to have a secure marriage to do this - not to mention a career choice that won't suffer when one takes a hiatus from it, and enough money saved up "just in case." But where would you get that emergency fund if you're not working? Your weekly "allowance" from your husband's paycheck? And truth be told, I'd be bored and/or feel like I was wasting my talents to not be devoting some of it to the world.
Yeah, I'm not so sure I could go for this arrangement after all. Life today for women...soooo complicated. What do you gals out there think? Would you like to be a stay-at-home wife, or are you already one?
No Boogie Woogie Bugle Boys, But Everything Else
A few weeks ago I wrote about the Wright Museum in Wolfeboro, NH which focuses on the WWII era. Well, I got the chance to visit this past weekend with a good friend and we sure had a swell (there's a 1940s term for you) time! David Wright founded the museum in 1994 as a tribute to all Americans who fought in the second world war. But while the building houses a lot of military memorabilia, there's an equal amount devoted to what life was like on the homefront between 1939 and 1945. Big band music was piped through the air as we explored 40s artifacts and a time tunnel which is a series of rooms highlighting a different year during the war.
This is just a sampling of pictures that I took during the visit. Ready for a virtual tour? OK, anchors away...
This car is in the lobby and it was love at first sight for me. Honey, I just wonder what you do in the back of your black Cadillac. And let me tell you, the backseat was certainly big enough for *that*, because we looked!
Here's a sampling of typical greeting cards that were made created especially to send to loved ones serving overseas. The amusing part is that there were instructions on what to include in your correspondance (talk about family, friends, pets, etc.) as if you didn't have a clue.
I told my friend I wanted this bike and she firmly informed me that it was a *boys* bike. The bike I have now is a boys' bike because my legs were too long for the women's model, so I still think it would suit me just fine! I found out that bikes back then required license plates and many came equipped with headlights.
This pencil pusher was showcased with old typewriters and other communication devices.
Sisters are doing it for themselves...and for the war effort.
How kids used to entertain themselves before the Internet, video games, and computers.
A typical kitchen scene - Dad's gone off to work or war while Mom stays behind with the baby. I made note of brand names we don't see anymore, such as Rinso soap.
The couple who donated their wedding outfits on the left wrote to each other for TWO YEARS, after ONE DATE IN PERSON before they got married. My have times have changed! Today, you can't email a stranger you found on an online dating site for longer than 2 days without them wanting to get together.
The little girl mannequin looked like she was either constipated or couldn't stomach her mother's singing. The sheet music on the piano was for "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree." Good choice!
The military section of the museum: lots of tanks, motorcycles, uniforms, and an airplane.
When I first saw the soda fountain shop, I thought the lady in the background worked for the museum and would've gladly made me a soda pop rickey had I asked. I was hoping Mr. Plastic Soda Jerk was there just for show. But alas, although they had tables and chairs set up, it turns out everything was just for show.
Jukebox Saturday Night! Too bad it wasn't up and working.
I may have post more in a later post - there was too much to include here! If you're ever in the lakes region of New Hampshire, the visit is well worth it. The musuem's site is http://www.wrightmuseum.org. Much thanks to my friend Jude for taking the snaps of me and accompanying me on this fun visit through history! I think someone needs to build 1950s and 1960s musuems now...
A Picture is Worth A Thousand People
Last week my friend forwarded me a picture taken in 1918 of 18,000 men (who were training in Iowa to go off to the first world war) positioned logistically to form a gigantic Statue of Liberty. Knowing how easily digital photos can be manipulated in today's digital age, I wasn't about to post it unless it was legit. (Click on the photograph to see a large version of it.)
According to Snopes.com, not only did it turn out to be authentic, but it turns out there's plenty more where these "people pictures" came from. I followed a link to the Carl Hammer Gallery. These are just absolutely amazing! Two photographers named Arthur Mole and John Thomas came up with the concept - perhaps the first time in history the idea of making a large portrait out of people was orchestrated. Here are some selected pictures; there's more on the Carl Hammer site by following the link above. Click on each of them to see a large version.
The Living Uncle Sam
The Human American Eagle
Living Portrait of Woodrow Wilson
All photographs courtesy of the Carl Hammer Gallery. By the way, the Statue of Liberty portrait was done on a day when the temperature reached 105 degrees - many men passed out from the heat.
Wiping the Smile Off Ford's Face
 One of the previews I saw while waiting for "Mamma Mia" to begin was for a movie coming out in October that looked pretty interesting...well, as interesting as you can get for a film that's about windshield wipers. It's called "Flash of Genius" and stars Greg Kinnear as family man Robert Kearns, a college professor and part-time inventor who created the intermittent windshield wiper in the late 60s and pitched it to carmakers, only to see Ford steal the idea from under his nose. You can guess what happens next: a classic David vs. Goliath story as Kearns decides to sue one of the biggest American car manufacturers. I'm purposely not looking this one on Wikipedia so I won't know how it ends in advance. The supporting cast includes Alan Alda, Lauren Graham, Dermot Mulroney, and some beautiful 60s automotives and I'm putting it on my list for fall movie viewing.
Take a Chance On Mamma Mia
There are times when I realize that living the year 2008 isn't so bad after all. Today I experienced one of those moments. I've just spent the two most enjoyable hours that I've ever experienced in a movie theater.
The male population out there can keep their Dark Knight,, Hellboy, and Mummy. I just saw THE best movie of the summer...and possibly the year...Mamma Mia! Although, to be fair, there were lots of men in the theater who appeared to be enjoying this chick flick (an unfair, stereotyped term) every bit as much as their wives and girlfriends. This movie is to Baby Boomers what Grease was to my generation, although you don't have to be past the age of 45 to enjoy ABBA's infectious melodies. It really confirmed for me how beautiful and timeless the Swedish pop quartet's songs truly are. It was a fun (and funny) movie that I didn't want to see end. Meryl Streep was fabulous (and isn't she like pushing 60 by now?), Amanda Seyfried who played the daughter Sophie was sweet, and the stunning Greek landscape, with water so blue it rivals the Carribean makes me want to book a trip there. Oh, the guys were great, too. Pierce Brosnan's voice is a little growly and rough, but Colin Firth's gentle vocal chops (hunkalicious, Mr. Darcy!) reminded me of Donovan. Christine Baranski and Julie Walters are so hilarious and steal the show.
Note to Hollywood: make more musicals! People love them and they make us feel good!
Keep your eye out at the end for a cameo by one of the members of ABBA. If you're on the fence about going because of some party pooper critic's review, GO. You'll leave the theater like a Super Trooper...feeling like a number one.
Own A Piece of Movie History
 Profiles in History auction house is auctioning off hundreds of authentic movie items on eBay, including props, set pieces, and costumes that were actually used in the movies. Some of the unique items up for grabs include the "stone" Ten Commandments tablets that Charlton Heston carried in the movie by the same name, a bed of nails from the Addam's Family set, and the ax wielded by Jack Nicholson in The Shining. Errr, even if I had the money to spend on stuff like this I'd stick to one of the vintage movie posters or maybe an elegant dress worn in an old film. Still, it's a fascinating list, and you can check everything out on the Profiles in History shop on eBay.
Swinging Dresses...and skirts and tops, too!
Oh, Daddy, I SO want this dress. It's called the Bella Swing dress and there's no price listed yet. Aqua is my color, but the green and black one's pretty snappy, too.
Decisions, decisions.
I just discovered the site this dress came from - RedDressShoppe.com - and I fear I may never return to modern day clothing again. They have some unique, adorable and affordable (most dresses are under $100) items on here and a lot of 40s inspired frocks - check them out! And they have a few 60s looking pieces, too. Here's a great 60s/70s/Japanese/mod insipred top for only $34.
Brrrriinnng! Retro Crosley Phones on Sale!
I'm a little disheartened by the trend of dumping your land line phone in favor of just having a mobile phone. If more people adopt this trend, then what will become of these fabulous retro Crosley telephones? Don't you want one in your retro abode? I know I sure do. Just look at this beauty.
Crosley has been manufacturing phones, radios, record players, jukeboxes, and other fun things for the home since 1920. The company was founded by radio pioneer Powel Crosley, who is often referred to as "The Henry Ford of Radio."
I found a great selection of Crosley phones on sale until August 1 on OneWayFurniture.com. Although, doing a quick search for the suggested retail prices on Crosley's actual site reveals that some of these "sale" prices are not that different than the suggested ones - however, a lot of these colors are no longer available from Crosley directly. All phones come with modern features wrapped in a shiny nostalgic package. Check out the OneWayFurniture site for all models and prices and let your fingers do some walking!
15 Things You Didn't Know About Everyone's Favorite Neighbor
He's been parodied and poked fun at as much as he's been idolized, but there's no denying that Mister Rogers is an icon of children's television. Growing up in the 70s, I watched my three favorite PBS shows in this programming order: Sesame Street, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, and The Electric Company (remember Rita Moreno belting out "Heeeeeeey yooooooo GUYSSSSSS!!!"?) But I will admit that I didn't appreciate Mr. Rogers as much as I can now as an adult. After a certain age, his show was far too babyish, his patient, dictated banter a bit too slow, and even as a cat lover, listening to a cat puppet say nothing but "Meow meow meow meow meow meow!" became a bit annoying. To be fair, I did nickname my last female feline Henrietta Pussycat.
But then I came across this interesting article on CNN today, "15 Reasons Mr. Rogers Was the Best Neighbor Ever." I don't want to spoil the best tidbits, so you'll have to click through to the article to be surprised. Fred Rogers rocked. When I was through I thought to myself, "Yes, pal, I would be your neighbor anytime."
Thank You For Being Our Friend
 I know we all know it by now, but I couldn't let this week go by without posting a tribute to the late Estelle Getty, who passed Tuesday at the age of 84. The Golden Girls was one of my favorite 80s shows and probably one of the last truly funny sitcoms that didn't feature bratty kids or middle aged parents. The show was started to address older television viewers and Ms. Getty's fiesty character Sophia will live on in TV history. RIP, Estelle Getty!
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