STILL LIFE WITH CLAY POTS; ANOTHER VIEW OF UNCLE ART'S AUTO PARTS, HIGH ON A MOUNTAIN IN THE DENVER, COLORADO AREA. UNCLE ART AND HIS GIRLFRIEND HAD DECIDED TO TAKE A TRIP TOGETHER FAR FROM THEIR HOME IN LUDLOW, IOWA BACK IN THE EARLY 50S. THEIR 39 DESOTO BROKE DOWN IN MANITOU SPRINGS AND WHEN THEY COULD NOT GET ANYONE TO WESTERN UNION THEM THE MONEY FOR THE PARTS, THE TWO VOWED TO TURN THEIR BACK ON THE REST OF THE FAMILY AND MAKE IT ON THEIR OWN. BY THE MID 60S, ART AND MAXINE WERE MILLIONAIRES, HAVING BUILT ONE OF THE LARGEST SURPLUS AUTO PARTS AND JUNK YARD COMPLEXES WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME, NEARLY TWO MILLION AUTOMOBILES SAID GOODBYE TO THE HIGHWAYS AND RETIRED AT ART'S AUTO SURPLUS. EVENTUALLY, AS ONE CITY AFTER ANOTHER TRIED TO INCORPORATE DIFFERENT AREAS, ART'S TEN ACRES WERE SWALLOWED UP BY A SMALL CITY THAT REQUIRED HE INSTALL A BOARD FENCE AROUND THE ENTIRE JUNKYARD. TODAY, ON THE WEST SIDE OF DENVER, ONE CAN STILL SEE THE THOUSANDS OF AUTOS AS THEY GAIN ALTITUDE. THE FENCE HAS BEEN PAINTED BY WOULD-BE ARTISTS. ART SAYS THE SECRET OF HIS SUCCESS WAS THE LIFETIME GUARANTEE HE OFFERED ON HIS PARTS. HE OFFERED A LIFETIME GUARANTEE ON ALL ITEMS. IN THE BEGINNING, THE LG COST ONE DOLLAR. HE RAISED THE PRICE TO FIVE DOLLARS IN 1970. IN HIS SPARE TIME, ART ENJOYS READING PARTS CATALOGS AND HIS WIFE KNITS GLOVES
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
DOUBLE IMAGE WITH AUNT AND UNCLE
THIS IS A GHOST STORY TYPE OF PHOTOGRAPH. MORE THAN 50 YEARS HAVE PASSED AND THEY HAVE NOT AGED ONE DAY, NOR HAVE I.............................
Monday, April 27, 2009
EARL IS ATTACKED BY RARE BIRD OF AMAZON: EARL'S TREK TO AMAZON 1995
EARL IS ATTACKED BY RARE BIRD OF AMAZON: EARL'S TREK TO AMAZON 1995
Originally uploaded by roberthuffstutter
Friday, April 24, 2009
ONE OF KCMO FIRST SKYSCRAPERS
THE CASE OF THE SMILING FACE: A MYSTERY THAT HAS HAUNTED THIS VIEWER SINCE 1984 By R.L. Huffstutter
According to friends who viewed this photo over 20 years ago, there is a smiling face behind one of the windows. I have yet to find it. Perhaps somebody with special viewing equipment can locate it and blow it up to solve this smiling mystery.
Posted 1 second ago.
According to friends who viewed this photo over 20 years ago, there is a smiling face behind one of the windows. I have yet to find it. Perhaps somebody with special viewing equipment can locate it and blow it up to solve this smiling mystery.
Posted 1 second ago.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
ONE VERY SAD GRADE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
THIS IS A TRUE STORY BASED ON A TRUE EXPERIENCE
THE CASE OF THE MISSING NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE BY ROBERT L. HUFFSTUTTER
THIS MAGAZINE, THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, WAS LIKE FINDING GOLD WHENEVER I CAME ACROSS ONE. BACK IN THE 40S, WHEN I WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL'S EARLIEST GRADES, I RECALL TAKING ONE FROM A BUNDLE THAT WAS BOUND FOR A PAPER DRIVE AT OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. I WAS THRILLED AS I VIEWED THE PHOTOS AND DID MY BEST TO PRONOUNCE ALL OF THE GEOGRAPHICAL WORDS. BEFORE THE DAY WAS OVER, I WAS CALLED TO THE PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE. WHILE SITTING OUTSIDE HIS OFFICE I WONDERED WHAT I HAD DONE WRONG. I FOUND OUT WHEN HE CALLED ME INTO HIS OFFICE AND CALLED ME A THIEF. "YOU TOOK SOMETHING THAT DID NOT BELONG TO YOU," HE STATED.
THAT HAPPENED IN 1949; I WAS IN THE SECOND GRADE. I WAS DEVESTATED. I WAS A THIEF. THE PRINCIPAL TAUGHT ME A LESSON. ACTUALLY, HE TAUGHT ME TWO LESSONS. I LEARNED A VERY VALUABLE LESSON ABOUT RULES AND REGULATIONS, AN IMPORTANT LESSON, BUT THE LESSON THAT HAS REMAINED WITH ME DURING THE LAST SIXTY YEARS IS THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD WHO HAVE NO INTEREST IN EDUCATING THE YOUNGER GENERATION; THEIR INTEREST IS RECEIVING A BIG PAYCHECK AND WEILDING AS MUCH POWER AS POSSIBLE. PEOPLE LIKE THAT PRINCIPAL DID NOT GIVE ONE RAT'S ASS ABOUT A YOUNG STUDENT OR THE EDUCATION OF THAT STUDENT. THE PRINCIPAL WAS, BY HIS MANNER AND ACCUSATION, INTERESTED ONLY IN FEELING GOOD ABOUT THWARTING A THEFT THAT MIGHT HAVE CUT THE SALES OF THE PAPER DRIVE BY ONE TENTH OF A CENT. HE WAS PROUD THAT HE HAD PERFORMED A CIVIC DUTY AT THE EXPENSE OF THE CURIOSITY OF A YOUNG BOY JUST EAGER TO BEGIN LEARNING ABOUT THE WORLD AND ALL OF LIFE'S ACTIVITIES.
YES, HE SERVED A GREAT PURPOSE IN MY LIFE. HE REMINDS ME OF SO MANY PEOPLE I HAVE MET DURING MY LIFETIME, PEOPLE WHO COULD HAVE MADE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF MANY PEOPLE, OR A NATION, BUT INSTEAD CHOSE TO BOLSTER HIS OWN EGO AND IMPORTANCE BY HIGHLIGHTING MY LACK OF CHARACTER AND FLAWS. THESE PEOPLE, UNFORTUNATELY, HAVE MULTIPLIED GREATLY SINCE 1947.
THE CASE OF THE MISSING NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE BY ROBERT L. HUFFSTUTTER
THIS MAGAZINE, THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, WAS LIKE FINDING GOLD WHENEVER I CAME ACROSS ONE. BACK IN THE 40S, WHEN I WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL'S EARLIEST GRADES, I RECALL TAKING ONE FROM A BUNDLE THAT WAS BOUND FOR A PAPER DRIVE AT OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. I WAS THRILLED AS I VIEWED THE PHOTOS AND DID MY BEST TO PRONOUNCE ALL OF THE GEOGRAPHICAL WORDS. BEFORE THE DAY WAS OVER, I WAS CALLED TO THE PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE. WHILE SITTING OUTSIDE HIS OFFICE I WONDERED WHAT I HAD DONE WRONG. I FOUND OUT WHEN HE CALLED ME INTO HIS OFFICE AND CALLED ME A THIEF. "YOU TOOK SOMETHING THAT DID NOT BELONG TO YOU," HE STATED.
THAT HAPPENED IN 1949; I WAS IN THE SECOND GRADE. I WAS DEVESTATED. I WAS A THIEF. THE PRINCIPAL TAUGHT ME A LESSON. ACTUALLY, HE TAUGHT ME TWO LESSONS. I LEARNED A VERY VALUABLE LESSON ABOUT RULES AND REGULATIONS, AN IMPORTANT LESSON, BUT THE LESSON THAT HAS REMAINED WITH ME DURING THE LAST SIXTY YEARS IS THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD WHO HAVE NO INTEREST IN EDUCATING THE YOUNGER GENERATION; THEIR INTEREST IS RECEIVING A BIG PAYCHECK AND WEILDING AS MUCH POWER AS POSSIBLE. PEOPLE LIKE THAT PRINCIPAL DID NOT GIVE ONE RAT'S ASS ABOUT A YOUNG STUDENT OR THE EDUCATION OF THAT STUDENT. THE PRINCIPAL WAS, BY HIS MANNER AND ACCUSATION, INTERESTED ONLY IN FEELING GOOD ABOUT THWARTING A THEFT THAT MIGHT HAVE CUT THE SALES OF THE PAPER DRIVE BY ONE TENTH OF A CENT. HE WAS PROUD THAT HE HAD PERFORMED A CIVIC DUTY AT THE EXPENSE OF THE CURIOSITY OF A YOUNG BOY JUST EAGER TO BEGIN LEARNING ABOUT THE WORLD AND ALL OF LIFE'S ACTIVITIES.
YES, HE SERVED A GREAT PURPOSE IN MY LIFE. HE REMINDS ME OF SO MANY PEOPLE I HAVE MET DURING MY LIFETIME, PEOPLE WHO COULD HAVE MADE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF MANY PEOPLE, OR A NATION, BUT INSTEAD CHOSE TO BOLSTER HIS OWN EGO AND IMPORTANCE BY HIGHLIGHTING MY LACK OF CHARACTER AND FLAWS. THESE PEOPLE, UNFORTUNATELY, HAVE MULTIPLIED GREATLY SINCE 1947.
Monday, April 20, 2009
NAVAL AIR SQUADRONS: VQ-1
A MEMOIR OF MY TOUR OF DUTY IN VQ-1, THIS BROCURE WAS CREATED FOR A CHANGE OF COMMAND CEREMONY IN 1962. ONE C.O. (COMMANDING OFFICER) MOVES ON AND ADVANCES TO THE RANK OF CAPTAIN; THE NEW C.O. TAKES OVER COMMAND OF THE SQUADRON. THE PHOTO IS ONE OF A LOCKEED CONSTELLATION, fondly called Willy Victor; they are designated as WV in naval aircraft identification terms. The other type of aircraft employed by our squadron was the A3D Skywarriors, made by Douglas Aircraft Corporation. The squadron logo or patch hints not too subtly at the object or squadron mission. The missions of VQ squadrons pertained to all aspects of electronic warfare.
It was a great tour of duty. Because I had never flown on the Constellation when they were used by TWA for commercial use, my assignment to VQ-1 gave me the opportunity to fly on the Lockeed Constellation. Throughout my time in the Navy, one of the best flights I ever experienced was on a Constellation while I was on leave in the United States. The Connie flew from what was then Washington DC's Anacostia Naval Air Station to San Diego. It was a long and low altitude flight that afforded one continuous and glorious view of the continental United States beginning in Washington DC, continuing on down the east coast to Cherry Point MCAS and then onward west to San Diego. The flight included grand views of the midwest, some small southern Rocky areas and the Grand Canyon. A most memorable flight.
It was a great tour of duty. Because I had never flown on the Constellation when they were used by TWA for commercial use, my assignment to VQ-1 gave me the opportunity to fly on the Lockeed Constellation. Throughout my time in the Navy, one of the best flights I ever experienced was on a Constellation while I was on leave in the United States. The Connie flew from what was then Washington DC's Anacostia Naval Air Station to San Diego. It was a long and low altitude flight that afforded one continuous and glorious view of the continental United States beginning in Washington DC, continuing on down the east coast to Cherry Point MCAS and then onward west to San Diego. The flight included grand views of the midwest, some small southern Rocky areas and the Grand Canyon. A most memorable flight.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
HOTEL DROPDEAD: A WATERCOLOR
NO RESERVATIONS NEEDED AT THE DROPDEAD HOTEL...a short story by R.L.Huffstutter
YES, IT HAS BEEN AGES SINCE I STAYED HERE. I KNEW THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WHEN I COULDN'T WAKE THE DESK CLERK. SEVERAL OF THE OLD GENTLEMEN IN THE LOBBY TOLD ME TO SIMPLY LEAVE MY MONEY ON THE DESK, THAT CLARENCE WAS IN A COMA OR "SOMETHING." SOMEWHAT INEBRIATED, I THOUGHT NO MORE ABOUT IT, LEFT A FIVE DOLLAR BILL AND HEADED TOWARD THE ELEVATOR. "AIN'T WORKED SINCE MR. WILLARD FELL DOWN THE SHAFT," A LOBBY GUEST WHISPERED. ONCE I REACHED MY ROOM, 420, I NOTICED THE DOOR WAS SLIGHTLY AJAR. THERE WAS A STRANGE AND SOMEWHAT UNIQUE AROMA THAT DRIFTED THROUGHOUT THE HALLWAY. I HEARD VOICES INSIDE THE ROOM AND PEERED INSIDE. NOT A SOUL, NARY THE SIGHT OF A LIVE BODY, OR A DEAD BODY, WAS VISIBLE. INVISIBLE? I WOULD NOT KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION UNTIL AROUND MIDNIGHT WHEN I HEARD THE FOOTFALLS IN THE HALLWAY.
YES, IT HAS BEEN AGES SINCE I STAYED HERE. I KNEW THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WHEN I COULDN'T WAKE THE DESK CLERK. SEVERAL OF THE OLD GENTLEMEN IN THE LOBBY TOLD ME TO SIMPLY LEAVE MY MONEY ON THE DESK, THAT CLARENCE WAS IN A COMA OR "SOMETHING." SOMEWHAT INEBRIATED, I THOUGHT NO MORE ABOUT IT, LEFT A FIVE DOLLAR BILL AND HEADED TOWARD THE ELEVATOR. "AIN'T WORKED SINCE MR. WILLARD FELL DOWN THE SHAFT," A LOBBY GUEST WHISPERED. ONCE I REACHED MY ROOM, 420, I NOTICED THE DOOR WAS SLIGHTLY AJAR. THERE WAS A STRANGE AND SOMEWHAT UNIQUE AROMA THAT DRIFTED THROUGHOUT THE HALLWAY. I HEARD VOICES INSIDE THE ROOM AND PEERED INSIDE. NOT A SOUL, NARY THE SIGHT OF A LIVE BODY, OR A DEAD BODY, WAS VISIBLE. INVISIBLE? I WOULD NOT KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION UNTIL AROUND MIDNIGHT WHEN I HEARD THE FOOTFALLS IN THE HALLWAY.
Jess 3
BY NOW, EVERYONE HAS HEARD OF MONSTOKAT, THE LATEST BEING SIGHTED IN AND AROUND THE GREAT NORTHWEST. THIS IS A RARE PHOTO OF MONSTOKAT. PRESENTLY, NEGOTIATION ARE IN THE PROCESS WITH ONE OF THE ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATIONS, SO THERE IS ONLY A LIMITED AMOUNT OF INFORMATION THAT CAN BE RELEASED. ONE THING IS CERTAIN, HOWEVER, AND THAT IS THAT THIS IS "NO JOKE OR PRANK." PLEASE RETURN TO KEEP ADVISED ON THE PROGRESS OF BOTH THE DOCUMENTARY AND POSSIBLY, UNFORTUNATELY, WHAT MIGHT BE TURNING INTO SOMEWHAT OF A HORROR TALE IF THE RECENT CAMPERS ARE TELLING THE TRUTH. FORTUNATELY, NO HARM HAS COME TO ANYONE; AND NO HARM HAS COME TO MONSTOKAT. LET US BELIEVE THAT ALL WILL REMAIN CALM DURING THIS TIME OF UNCERTAINTY. PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE MONSTOKAT. HARMING MONSTOKAT IN ANY WAY IS AGAINST THE LAW OF ALL THE TERRITORIES AND PROVIDENCES. ACCORDING TO ANIMAL BEHAVIOR AUTHORITIES, THE BEST ACTION TO TAKE IF ONE COMES INTO CLOSE CONTACT WITH MONSTOKAT IS TO REMAIN CALM. SUDDEN MOVEMENT COULD DISTURB THE BEING'S TRAIN OF THOUGHT. ONE IS ADVISED TO CARRY A BIT OF SOME TYPE OF CAT TREAT IF ONE VENTURES INTO MONSTOKAT'S DOMAIN. (TUNA AND/OR SALMON TREATS HAVE, ACCORDING TO ANATOLY MARKHAT, BEEN USED IN NOCTURNAL ENCOUNTERS AND SEEMED TO CALM THE CREATURE. PLEASE RETURN FOR MORE INFORMATION AS IT IS FILTERED THROUGH THE AGENCIES. EARL R. STONEBRIDGE.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
N.Y. Public Library on opening day (LOC)
N.Y. Public Library on opening day (LOC)
Bain News Service,, publisher.
N.Y. Public Library on opening day
Bain News Service,, publisher.
N.Y. Public Library on opening day
Monday, April 13, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
WHEN IKE WAS PRESIDENT, WASHINGTON DC, 1960
MEMORIES OF MY FIRST LEAVE (VACATION) IN THE U.S. NAVY
One of my first leaves in the U.S. Navy was taking advantage of free Military Air Transportation Service. It was a month of flying in and out of Naval Air Stations from Norfolk, Virginia to Anacostia in Washington DC. Scheduling details and creating my own itinerary was simple and easy. When there wasn't a plane available, there were buses and new personal contacts and friends to get me to wherever I wanted to go next. Sharing the spirit of freedom and the genuine fun of the 60s with new friends I met guaranteed interesting times; there were, new and different scenes like parties in Greewich Village, drinking ale at one of New York's oldest ale houses in Battery Park, McSorley's ale house. There was a bit of brief romance stirred by the music of the Peppermint Lounge. Central Park was a treat. The Empire State Bldg, Central Park and the subways were fun for an 18 year old who had never been further east than Toledo. There was the highlight of my visit to Lakehurst, New Jersey where an old and almost retired CPO gave me a personal tour of the dirgibles, the old blimps that were being phased out.That was a time of pure fun and provided me with some of my best memories of my first year in the U.S. Navy.
One of my first leaves in the U.S. Navy was taking advantage of free Military Air Transportation Service. It was a month of flying in and out of Naval Air Stations from Norfolk, Virginia to Anacostia in Washington DC. Scheduling details and creating my own itinerary was simple and easy. When there wasn't a plane available, there were buses and new personal contacts and friends to get me to wherever I wanted to go next. Sharing the spirit of freedom and the genuine fun of the 60s with new friends I met guaranteed interesting times; there were, new and different scenes like parties in Greewich Village, drinking ale at one of New York's oldest ale houses in Battery Park, McSorley's ale house. There was a bit of brief romance stirred by the music of the Peppermint Lounge. Central Park was a treat. The Empire State Bldg, Central Park and the subways were fun for an 18 year old who had never been further east than Toledo. There was the highlight of my visit to Lakehurst, New Jersey where an old and almost retired CPO gave me a personal tour of the dirgibles, the old blimps that were being phased out.That was a time of pure fun and provided me with some of my best memories of my first year in the U.S. Navy.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
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