a scan a day

my first camera, my first photo, 1970

I got a camera for my 10th birthday, a Kodak Instamatic. I had just unwrapped my present — you can see the package of flash bulbs on the bed. I think it’s rather good, actually. ;)

12-20-58

My parents on their wedding night. They met at Humble Oil in Houston, TX, where my mom was a secretary & my dad was delivering inter-office mail during the day while going to school at night. I imagine it was very Mad Men-ish except they talked about oil instead of advertising (and had Texas accents).

one more from the lake, 1961

Austin, TX

My parents were poor but they had a boat. Priorities.

russell & clayton in tokyo, 1977

We didn’t own a car when we lived in Japan — we all rode the train & subway to school, work and everywhere in between. (I didn’t learn how to drive a car until I was nearly twenty, and even then, my boyfriend only taught me how to steer, no shifting, so I had to wake him up every time we came to a stop sign. Long story.)

1978

Senior year, sunbathing during our lunch break at the International School of the Sacred Heart in Tokyo. I can think of no other word to describe us other than retarded.

ETA: Yes, that’s a thermos between my legs & I’m also happy to see you.

dad & me

We moved away from Austin shortly after this photo was taken. I had that t.v. in my bedroom for a few years in the late 60s, early 70s. I remember looking in the TV Guide for something to watch during summer vacation one year, long before cable, when we had at most five or six channels: the three majors, public broadcasting & one or two local stations. “All My Children — it’s got children right in the name!” Almost 40 years later, I’m STILL watching Erica Kane Martin Brent Cudahy Chandler Roy Roy Montgomery Montgomery Chandler Marick Marick Montgomery & Company. And check out my dad’s stereo. I had that for a few years, too.

nifty (1965)

First day of kindergarten.