Black Americana, it makes me kind of uncomfortable

So, Black Americana is a collectible market that, kind of makes me uncomfortable.
First I want to acknowledge that the collecting of black memorabilia, or "black Americana" is a legitimate collectible market. I don't believe that the people who collect it are racists or bigots. Like anything that has encapsulated an era of American history, it becomes collectible. The environment is perfect for a market. Unique subject matter, low numbers and visually striking. It hits all the requirements. Add to it the history and legacy of slavery and racism in America and these items become dynamic cultural artifacts.
But... They still make me uncomfortable. Not to the extent that I think people should stop collecting them, or that they should be destroyed, but they do make me feel uncomfortable.
Perhaps that is their value to some people. African Americans were not allowed to eat, sleep or learn in the same places as white people, and we're reduced to servants and/or entertainment.
I also believe that some of these items were used in black homes. Again, it says alot about the era when African American families would have such characatures of black people on their kitchen tables.
So while Alanna and I have had an opportunity to purchase some items like these salt shakers while we live here, I've been hesitant.
They are a legitimate collectible, with a wide range of value to buyers, but... They still kind of make me uncomfortable.
How do you feel about black Americana collecting?

Couple of neat old movie flyers

I was out at a local yard sale on Thursday and purchased these couple of old movie flyers.
They are not official studio posters. They are, more likely duplicates made by the local theater. The Twilight Theatre was the only theatre in Greensburg from 1917 until the 2007 tornado. It's possible that these we're made locally ( possibly on The Signal printing press) then hung and handed out around town.
The first flyer is a movie called Man of the Forest (1933) starring Randolph Scott. Scott later became a pretty if western film star.
The second one is from a film called Smokey River Serenade ( 1948) starring Ruth Terry.
These are REALLY neat because they were supposed to be thrown away once the movie ran. Someone saved them and preserved them. Pretty cool.

Flapper purse collection

Here's a little collection of beaded purses I found at "where d'ya find that antiques" in Greensburg. I also included a photo of a mesh chain coin purse which was my favorite!

Sometimes I feel like I'm living in another world

When we first moved to Kansas everything was strange and/or amazing. I would equate it to when a country person moves to the city.
For them it's like "what do you mean I can get corn dogs at two am?"
For me it was like "120 acres is a SMALL farm?"
After living here a year, some of the newness had warn off, but on occasion
I turn the corner on a dirt road and I end up somewhere like this.

Kansas alleyway

Took this photo while I was parked in an alley in Pratt Kansas today.

Vintage wallpaper

Here's some fun vintage wallpaper I found at a house in Haviland Kansas.

Saving the bits and pieces

As I mentioned in a previous post... Sometimes you just have to save what you can. Here I am removing beads, buttons, hooks, and anything else that can be reused on this vintage blouse.

TREASURE HUNT: box of old 1930-1940 kansas family photos

Geez Louise I love old photos!
There is something extremely satisfying about holding a old photograph in my hand. The texture, the yellowing of old photochemicals, there's something really special about them.
In the digital age, photos have become information and data. I'm not anti-technology by any means. I love my Canon 7d and I have long acknowledged the enevitable eradication of photo chemical photography. It's going to happen.
But that doesn't mean I won't have a soft spot for traditional photography for the rest of my life.
Often when we are out, we find boxes of old photos. Once cherished they are usually viewed by younger generations as "garbage" that takes up too much space. If the family is smart, they will try to sell them and I purchase them whenever I am able.
We found this lot at an estate sale. The family didn't want them and we purchased them on the cheap.
Alot of them were just snapshots of family cars and brothers and sisters. But there are usually a few gems.
This lot also came with a stack of cabinet cards, which are always neat to look at.
Well divide them up into lots and probably put them on the etsy store for other people to enjoy.
I LOVE old photographs, do you?

Garden watermelon

I saw this delicious monster melon sitting here at my parents home and had to share it! Some friends of ours grew it. Yum!

Vintage dress and photo match.

When we were out shopping I found a few vintage dresses and Patrick found a box of photos. While looking through them he found a photo of the original owner wearing one of the dresses I bought! How perfect.

TREASURE HUNT: Owls, some toys and a wicked old pillow case

We were out hunting for treasure in Wednesday, traveling north and east from Greensburg.
We went to an estate sale and stopped into a Goodwill and came home with a few neat treasures.
I really like the set of weird ceramic owls.

Appreciating the small things that define a city.

Everyone that moves to a new city feels, at first, like a visitor. Eventually, as you get more comfortable with the streets, the freeways, the radio stations and the food you settle in and become more aware of the true identity of your city.

For visitors, a city is defined by the picture of a building printed on an airport postcard. For locals, cities are about the neighborhood market, the small eatery on the corner and the small things that we integrate into our day-to-day life.

Coming back to LA after having been away for a year, I'd forgotten about all of the wonderful small things that are, for me, what LA is.

Here are a few of the things that are uniquely LA:

1. Coffee Bean
The southern California coffee chain is the perfect Starbucks alternative. I like that their sizes are actually "words." like Small, Regular and Large. The vanilla powder ROCKS my socks off. I can get an iced soy latte with vanilla powder and not have to add any additional sugar. No fiddling at the condiment counter. A delicious asides.

2. The Lane Changers
People in Southern California are incapable of staying in the same lane on the highway. They go back and forth, moving from lane to lane to lane. It's an interesting strategy, but I have yet to see any definitive or worthwhile results. Yesterday I saw a car shift between two lanes for nearly a mile. Their attempt to get one car length ahead of everyone else, was forever out of reach as every other driver in front of him switch lanes as well, causing the vacated lane to move ahead.

3. Fast Food
For a region known for it health food and healthy lifestyles, LA is Fast Food heaven. They are everywhere. I haven't seen the book keeping of any of them, but I've always assumed that if they are still in business, then business is good.
Carls Jr, McD's, BK.. They have all of the hits. Plus there are local favs like Bobs Big Boy and In-and-Out Burger.
I was commenting to a fellow Bostonian that LA is not a "foodie" city. Sure, if money is no object it has some of the best fine dining in the world. But for the average LA resident, the food is terrible.
There are, however, plenty of choices. There re atleast two vegan restaurants in our old neighborhood. The challenge is being able to find them, as they are usually tucked behind a KFC or Taco bell.

What are some of the things that make your city unique?

"Coming to America" feathered headdress

When I was looking around the prop house sale in Burbank, I saw these awesome feathered headdresses and Immediately knew what they were.

They are custom made feathered headdresses for the Eddie Murphy Film "Coming to America."

I contemplated if I actually needed to call it "the Eddie Murphy Film" since I think everyone on the planet has seen the film. If you haven't, find a tall bridge to jump off of. Do it. Now. Put your non-good movie viewing life out of its misery.

I spoke to the owner of the prop house and she confirmed that they had purchased them at an auction from either the production company or the studio.

They were incredibly well made and aside from perhaps the princes' jacket with the gold necklace they are some of the more identifying costume pieces from the film.

They were selling for $269 each, a bit steep but probably worth it for the right collector.

Fiesta at a fiesta

At my friends baby shower most of the people drinking coffee were completely oblivious that they were drinking from highly collectible mugs.

I peaked into the cabinet and .... Wowza!!! The owner must REALLY like Fiesta Wear.

The bright colors and classic design is very popular, especially in southern California.

In LA.... Wall of boots.

I was out tooling around LA the last couple of days. I've come in to attend the baby shower of a close friend.

I was over in Burbank buying a car charger (seriously, I hope the new iPhone can go more then 4 hours on a full charge, how am I expected to finish a level of Angry Birds without power!!)
And I stopped into a prop house sale.

There were a ton of nice things.

I remember a couple of years ago a BIG prop house going out of business. It's been a struggling industry since CGI and budget constraints have reduced rental contracts.

Anywho this house had a whole wall of boots. $35 each.

Kinda neat.