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This is the second image in the set, "Things That Are Important To Me."
I don't normally read The New York Times, and this is not even a modern edition. This particular copy is almost 34 yrs. old. If you look close, you will notice it is the July 4, 1976 Bicentennial edition. It is interesting to look at now, because a brand new 1976 Cadillac Regent Custom Coupe advertises for $8377, and a Leisure Suit can be had at the low, low cost of $39.99! (How many (besides me) remember wearing these? The movie, "All the President's Men" was playing, and KISS and James Taylor concerts were being advertised.
The copy of the NY Times is only a small part of my "unusual collection." I also have the Bicentennial Editions of: Richmond Times Dispatch, Bristol Herald Courier, Roanoke Times & World News, and one of the local papers, The Middlesboro Daily News. All of these are packed with national and local history from the Revolutionary War to 1976.
Since the 70's I have kept certain papers that recorded important national, international, and even local events (elections, wars, floods, blizzards, presidential and world leader deaths, tragedies, etc...). It is fascinating to look at these and remember these historic events that shook the nation and world. I also have a stack of National Geographics in near mint condition that cover nearly all the 1970's. (These were given to me by a German couple who lived locally, and were returning to Germany). I once had many collectors edition magazines from years gone by, but my basement flooded and many of the magazines were lost, along with several of my newspapers as well.
These may not be worth anything, and I'm sure when I'm gone they will go straight to the dump, or, as my wife jokingly (I hope) tells me, to the bonfire in the backyard. I've always loved history, and I enjoy keeping my "collection' that spans over three decades.
Tags: Things That Are Important To Me Collections Newspapers Relaxing Reading Nikon D60 History Printed Media Unusual Houseshoes Recliner Sentimental kjerrellimages Old Antique Selfies Me Myself, I Self Portraits Beautiful People Intelligent People Sarcastic People Bald People
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This may not be an award winning portrait, but it is what it represents. I may, from time to time, make a photo of "Things That Are Important To Me." In this one, I am at my desk in my den holding a very heavy and thick (the photo is deceiving in regards to size) notebook full of folders containing genealogical information and photos. My wife refers to it as my "BOOK OF DEAD PEOPLE!" The thing that is "important" is my heritage.
When my Dad passed away in 2001, I came to realize that I knew almost nothing of his and Mom's ancestors. I knew the Jerrell family supposedly came from Ireland, the Sherrill family (Yes, my mother was a Sherrill and my father was a Jerrell.) was allegedly English. I also knew my maternal grandmother, who was a Campbell, was originally from Scotland. That was about the extent of my knowledge. This set me to digging. After much research, I've found that the Jerrell name was once Fitzgerald, but after coming to this country, the Irish were treated with the utmost disrespect and hatred. After being here long enough to lose much of their accent, many dropped the prefixes of the surnames(in this case, Fitz) that identified their nationality, in order to be treated fairly, and be able to work. Fitzgerald became Gerald, Jarrell, Jerrell, and any other way you can think to spell it. I have also discovered that most of my fourth and fifth great grandfathers fought in the War For American Independence (at least three were were part of the "Overmountain Men" who fought at King's Mtn), Sherrill's Ford, NC was named for my 6th g grandfather, Adam Sherrill, who was the first white man known to cross the Catawba River and settle on the other side. William Fitzgerald was a veteran who fought in the same war. He died at 105 and was buried in Randolph Co. Indiana.
I've also met so many researchers, kin, and friends who have given me photos (like the ones I'm looking at in the photo), as well as other important documents. One cousin, Randy Bumgardner, who has helped me with that branch of the family, is the General Manager of Blair House in Washington, DC. (This is the presidential guest house that is across the street from the White House).
I know this is probably the longest post I've done, and you guys could probably care less about my ancestors (My wife's attitude is, "Who cares! They're dead!"). I started out without knowing but just a few names of my great grandparents, and after several years of work, I've been introduced at least a little more thoroughly with the familes of Jerrell, Sherrill, Campbell, Edwards, Waggoner, Bumgardner, Kilgore, Rosenbaum, Van Huss, Tollett, Widener, Marcum, Snodgrass, and a host of so many more!
Tags: Self Portraits Selfie heritage Families Desks genealogy Ancestors Pride Research Book of Dead People
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This is the first photo I've done for my "Things That Are Important to Me" set in a very long time. The reason I did this particular still life involves my fiftieth birthday earlier this week. Instead of thinking so much about my big "50" I was remembering my 14th birthday in 1976. Let me explain:
My oldest brother, Richard ("Rick) was five years older than me, so in 1976, he was 19. He and I use to pass a baseball quite frequently. (I guess I need to say he was my best friend as well)! One day in the early summer of '76 we were doing just that when I made a wild throw that sent the ball into the weeds. It couldn't be found. Later, he came in with the baseball you see in the photo as my birthday present. (It was the last gift I can remember getting from him). The reason it has black all over it is because it was in the back of his VW Bug when he was hit head-on by a sleeping driver on Sept. 13th of the same year. The black is motor oil. He died at the scene. Needless to say, I've cherished this baseball for 36 years.
All the other items in the photo, with the exception of his senior portrait, were his. The bent key was in the ignition of his car the morning of the accident. The tool box was given to me shortly after he died by my mom. She knew I would take care of Rick's tools better than my other brother. (Most of the tools are still in excellent shape, and I still use them). Last year, she gave me his pocket knife that you see here as well. Rick had written his name on the sleeve that was over the box.
Tags: Family Brother Sentimental Tools Keys Baseball Gifts kjerrellimages Nikon D60 Knives Still Life Photography Textures
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I love antique collectibles. Unfortunately, I'm too poor to buy very many. These are just a few small items I've acquired recently, and with the exception of the Hillsboro Coffee can and the two tobacco tins...for free. These are items I have scrounged from over at my mom's place, and hold particular meaning for me.
For instance, the green bottle (left) has "WATER" on one side and "JUICE" on the other, On the other sides are measurements, Mom thinks this is the jug she used to measure milk, etc.. for all us kids' bottles when we were babies. The "King" Syrup came in a can and was frequently on the kitchen breakfast table when I was growing up. The white kettle (right) I found in Mom's cellar. She said she probably started out with that when her and Dad got married. The "Selecto" 8 lb. bucket came from the cellar as well. Growing up, there was no such thing as shortening. On the farm, Mom usually kept these buckets for when we "killed hogs" in late fall or early winter. After the lard was rendered, they would put it in these pails. The 1940's - early 50's Admiral radio/phonograph in the center was actually left in the old house by the previous owners when Mom and Dad bought it in 1965. The AM radio once worked, but the record player never did. Now neither does. I found it up in Mom's attic the other day. I even found the 1 lb. Moore's Potato Chip can (late 60's or early 70's) there as well.
Texture by SkeletalMess.
Tags: Nostalgia Antiques Collectibles Still Life kjerrellimages Days Gone By Nikon D60 Textures
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As I have mentioned before, I love old things, including books. These seven religious books are probably the oldest ones I have, and with the exception of one, have all been given to me by various people. From left to right:
1. Constructive Studies in the Life of Christ by Ernest D. Burton & Shailer Matthews, copyright 1901.
2. Sermons on Several Occasions, Vol. 1 by Rev. John Wesley, copyright 1841. (This book, which is not in the greatest condition, was given to me by a lady in my congregation some years ago. Not long after, she passed away from cancer). This one is especially precious to me because of that.
3. A Guide To Understanding the Bible by Harry Emerson Fosdick, copyright 1938.
4. The Gospel Preacher: A Book of Twenty Sermons, Vol. 1 by Benjamin Franklin (the minister..not the statesman), copyright 1879. (On the inside is written, "Isabella McDonald, Sept. 20th 1879, Grass Valley, Nevada"). This one, along with a bunch of other books (Including a set of early 50's encyclopedias in mint condition), were given to me nearly twenty years ago by my uncle who passed away last year.
5. Bible Biography by J.E. Whittaker, D.D., copyright 1911.
6. Studies in the Forgiveness of Sins by Jessee R. Kellems, copyright 1926.
7. Sabbath Songs by David C. Cook & Martin Towne, copyright 1886. (Given to me years ago by a lady I once worked with, who knew I liked old books).
Tags: Books Antiques Nostalgic Precious Old Aged Nikon D60 Textures kjerrellimages Gifts Still Life
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