First, may I say, Callie, what an interesting, job you had! I would be fascinated. I love history, my long ago thesis was from a bit earlier, on the evolving of city states, but in some respects similar.


Marilyn, we might. My paternal side of the family were Welsh farming immigrants who landed in Missouri and farmed until World War II, when the children moved on to other lives and professions. The farm was basic, hogs, corn and a mule I believe.

I also came from an Episcopal background.

Been busy the last few weeks - 3 out of the 5 grandboys have birthdays this month, plus Easter - yes, I too have been remembering Marilyne past Easters - remember when it was so important to have a new Easter outfit including a new Hat

Callie what an interesting job to work in an environment where sharing the history of the area and the state was your work - fascinating... almost like a docent but an actual job.

Ciaobella you sure were in on understanding technology early in the game and to realize you took on being able to teach it to others was remarkable. I'm remembering when Radio Shack was 'it' - To learn it went bankrupt and now it has another focus supporting independently owned stores is one more major change from all we knew and depended upon for so many years...

Yep, scary stuff MaryPage with AI - did you know, I didn't till I had some computer issues, that our link to the internet regardless if we use Microsoft or whatever is all done now with AI that automatically adds and adjusts our home page. Looks like regardless if we want to stay clear of AI it is part of our life like it or not...

Patricia so glad you included the link to the wooden bowl 'factory' - that sure is a lot of wood shavings - do they bundle it and sell it for mulch?

Finally the weather has settled down here for the last few days and so I suspect no more cold fronts with only the heat to look forward to however, for now not too humid as of yet. Vines and bushes I planted last year have really taken off this year - hope I can keep things going so they are really established before the summer heat - it will be so much easier to get them through August and September if they are strong and established beforehand.

What I really want to add in the backyard is an old Hackberry tree that most think as a wild pest however, they grow quickly and are hard to kill and my experience, they twist but seldom are ever knocked down if a tornado touches down in the backyard. Not the major kind but those small ones that hop around and touch down here and there. I've also given up on planting bushes near the side fence - too much sun - I think I'll get some vines going that the first year I can shade the base with netting so that once the vines are established they are good to go...

Patricia and Barb,  No pay - I was a Volunteer Education Docent for 12 years (also did tours - mostly with classes of younger students) - at the local museum and The Oklahoma History Center. I'd still be doing that but "aged out" about 14 years ago.
  
  Another presentation was about Statehood titled "The Senator's Wife".  I wore a long skirt, a "ruffly" blouse and a fancy hat.  Another volunteer made me a hat with bird feathers on it; she said she started to put the entire bird on it but remembered how short I am and decided it would look like the bird was trying to carry me off.   

Barb, they trash the wood shavings. They've been an institution for years and what they don't make in wood, they have local products from honeys to goat, llama, alpaca items to sourdough mixes to jade, gold, silver and jewelry. Everything from animal products to birch trees to mines come from within the Interior.

The items are expensive at times, as are most handmade items, and they will pack up your items and ship both stateside and internationally. You can also schedule paddle wheel tours and dog sled rides and other tours there.

All the clerks at the store did both bus and inside tours when I was working, I retired from there in 2013.

It was such a nice change, the three years I was there. Before that, I had always worked in middle management and was burned out from office stress and politics.

Callie, what a wonderful time you must have had.
 

Marilyne, I'm sorry if I gave the impression the millionaire was the CEO of Radio Shack, he was a businessman who had got on board early with technology and told me to buy the Tandy computer from Radio Shack because it was at that time the most "friendly user" easy to learn by yourself on the market. Who knew his advice would change my life so drastically. Yes, now you can't find a Radio Shack store around.

Speaking of Easter week, I so look forward to this Holy week each year.  Lenten season for me as a Christian Catholic means renewed faith, and new life. My hubby and I participate in the services for Maundy Thursday which marks the beginning of the Paschal Triduum, getting our feet washed by the priest is a very humbling experience. We plan to walk the mile on Good Friday and attend the services for the Last Supper. I happened to come across a post on Facebook the other day where someone wanted to know what the heck does the bunny, eggs and basket have to do with Easter. Interestingly enough I researched it and found this: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/easter-ideas/a31226078/easter-bunny-origins-history/

As for how the character of the Easter Bunny made its way to America, History.com reports that it was first introduced in the 1700s by German immigrants to Pennsylvania, who reportedly brought over their tradition of an egg-laying hare named "Osterhase" or "Oschter Haws" from the Old Country. Legend has it that the rabbit would lay colorful eggs as gifts to children who were good, so kids would make nests in which the bunny could leave his eggs and even sometimes set out carrots in case the hare got hungry.

Eggs, just like the rabbit, have long been considered an ancient symbol of fertility, rebirth and new life, all associated with the springtime celebration of Easter!

From a Christian perspective, Easter eggs represent Jesus' resurrection and his emergence from the tomb. According to History.com, the tradition of decorating eggs for Easter may date back to the 13th century, when eggs were traditionally considered a forbidden food during the Lent season. That's why people decorated them as the fasting period came to an end, to make eating them an even more celebratory way to feast on Easter Sunday.

Barb, I must say learning more and more about your family traditions I envy how idyllic it must have been.  I don't remember ever dressing up, going to church or having baskets filled with candy. I don't think I even remember coloring eggs. I must ask my older siblings about this.  I do remember one year my stepfather's sisters came for a visit and their small daughter was all dressed up in a beautiful flowery lacy dress, beautiful buckled white shiny shoes, lacy white socks and an Easter bonnet.  My younger sister and I were so jealous of her we refused to play with her. Ugh...I was just telling my 13 yr. old granddaughter this story the other day when we were shopping for her Confirmation dress and shoes. I am over the top with my three children, six grandchildren and one great grandson when it comes to celebrating Easter, I still do Easter baskets for all of them. But first and foremost,...it's all about the Sunday Mass for the Resurrection of our Lord.

Callie, I am picturing you all dressed up in your pioneer clothes playing the part and I just bet you had a blast.

Patricia, working in middle management, office stress and politics would burn anyone out.  I worked for Weight Watchers for a short time in an office type setting and realized it wasn't for me.  
Okay gotta run, nice seeing all the posts!

Quote from: Ciaobella on April 16, 2025, 06:02:17 PMYes, now you can't find a Radio Shack store around.

I do believe that Radio Shack evolved into Egghead, then Newegg, as it is now - https://www.newegg.com/

Ciaobella, I remember one stressful time, working as dept. head of Women's Fashions at Sears. Imagine you have a group of twelve, both full and half-time staff. Corporate tells you to split 200 hours for a two-week period between your staff.

You must give more to those who've been the longest, more to who brought in the most added on sales and store promotions, and more to who had the least absences.  Finally, more hours to the clerks who were on top of all digital classes and presentations required of each Sears personnel. From there you move down a sliding scale to the last.

Then you deal with those upset for not getting enough hours, for those believing you're playing favorites and those who believe you have an agenda.

While you are doing paperwork and your own required classes, you're also walking the department, keeping an eye out for shoplifters, making sure dressing rooms are tidied and clothes returned, lost items collected and sent to the cash office, and keeping an eye on staff.

You are the buffer between corporate, staff and the public, each blaming you for any issues.

While at Sears, I started as a sales clerk, then moved to managing the shoe department, children's, hardware night manager, cash office, and finally women's. It was after that, I went to the Alaska Bowl Company.

When you're in middle management, you're the fall guy for everyone

I retired after, forty-nine years in both retail and hotel employment.

Patricia, WOW!  I am impressed with the duties of a middle management position. I do think retail/sales is one of the most stressful areas to work in especially in today's world with the theft alone to watch out for.  I've talked with store employees, and they tell me they have been instructed to NOT attempt to stop a person attempting to steal merchandise to just let them go because you never know if they could be carrying a weapon and would harm you.  Police won't even respond to their calls, so if they don't have an undercover cop, or security person just let it go.

So, Radio Shack is now Newegg...interesting.  

Rick, I don't know about NewEgg buying the RadioShack brand. None of the sites I checked mentioned NewEgg. Here is what I found, dated this January. https://venturebeat.com/gaming-business/radioshack-comes-back-to-ces-2025-under-new-ownership/  I spent some time and money at both the local RadioShack and the Tandy leather and crafts store just a few doors away. Then they closed down. I knew the leather and crafts still existed after that, but I didn't know that RS still existed for quite a long time afterward. I bought my first sound system and my first computer there. It wasn't a TRS though; it was a little British made thing the name of which I forget.

It is nice and sunny out, but the temp is only 55^oF. Warmer weather is coming. My daffodils are still blooming and the lots of little birds have been flitting about. I am surprised I haven't seen more robins this spring.

Shoplifters are big business these days, with special outfits to hide items and working in pairs or with a gang. Then the security personnel deals with possible weapons or accomplices, plus the thief bringing suit saying you purposely were rough or injured them, especially if you're a male dealing with a female thief. Insurance doesn't like to deal with these when it can be an end of the year write-off.

Shoplifters are never apprehended in the large or small  cities in California.  Staff and shoppers are told to stand back, and don't interfere.  Walgreen's and CVS have closed down completely in downtown San Francisco.   In all suburban cities here in the Bay Area, any product of value is kept in a locked cabinet with glass doors. All alcoholic beverages are locked.  You have to press a button or flip a switch,  and eventually someone will come out of the back with a ring of keys, and will remove the product that you want to purchase. 

Small time petty thieves will steal any product that is worth $10 or more, and then "set up shop" on some corner in a poor section of the town or city, and sell the stolen items for a lower price.  The high end designer and jewelry stores in SF and LA, are closing because a masked gang will come in periodically  and strip the store of everything they can carry out
I could go on and on, but we're all used to it.  It's been going on for many years now.  Hoping for some changes up ahead.  We certainly do not need more gang members coming to this country, and heading for the Blue states!                                 

Wishing everyone a calm and beautiful Easter Sunday. It's just now turning 7:00 AM here in the West, and looks like it's going to be a lovely Spring day.  I'm remembering back to the long ago  days of colored Easter eggs, and a chocolate bunny for everyone. ❤️ 

Wishing A Blessed Easter To Everyfriend!

 🌹🌷 B L E S S E D   E A S T E R  G R E E T I N G S 🌹🌷

Happy Tuesday!!  I hope you all had a happy and blessed Easter.  We began with 9:00 a.m. Mass, then went to my son's house for our traditional family dinner.  My little great grandson Haze who is 3 yrs. old was such a joy to watch hunting for eggs and playing with his bubble blower that dispersed hundreds of bubbles!!  I was so excited my flowers bloomed just in time to enjoy them. The house smells so pretty from the scent of the Hyacinths. Our temps are headed up into the 60s this week so I can't wait to get outside and start preparing a new flower garden.   

Those flowers are beautiful...soft and fresh spring colors.

Quote from: MarsGal on April 17, 2025, 01:50:52 PMI spent some time and money at both the local RadioShack and the Tandy leather and crafts store just a few doors away.

MarsGal - I saw this on the 17th and meant to comment on it. Were you by any chance into leather work? Years ago, probably just after High School, I got involved in leather carving. My source of leather and tools was Tandy, but I had to take a trip to NYC to find their store. I carved belts and handbags for friends and relatives. They made nice gifts for Christmas or Birthday. Still have all my tools and a bit of leather somewhere downstairs (basement).

No, I wasn't into leather crafting, but George was. I spent more time than money at that store with him. I was fond of the leather belt he made for me so I could attach my National Wildlife Federation logo belt buckle. I was fond of that belt. Eventually I expanded out of the belt, but, I still have the buckle, somewhere, I hope. It is not where I thought I most likely would have put it when packing for my move to the apartment. Holy Cow! The Tandy Leather website lists a store in Harrisburg. I didn't know there were any still around here. The next closest is in Baltimore.

Mars,  I remember the Tandy Leather store in San Jose where we shopped for purses, belts, hand tooled boots and clogs, vests, etc. You could buy the leather or suede and make it yourself, or buy the finished  product for what was then a high price. 

I Googled it, and found that the store closed in 1999, and transitioned to mail order, and finally sold out to a corporation.  I shopped there a lot in the late 1970's with my older daughter.  She and her friends made the purses, belts, and saved up to buy the fringed vests.  The store also sold macrame kits to make similar products.  The hand made belts were very popular here for birthday and  Christmas presents.

Ciaobella -  I loved looking at the picture of your table, decorated so beautifully with the Easter theme.  The way you arranged your flowers is very professional looking!  My grandchildren are all grown up, so no more Easter egg hunts here.  Lots of great memories through the years, and even a few grainy black and white photos of when my brother and I were all dressed up for Easter.

That is truly strange. When I was on the website, I could have sworn I was on their website and used their location button when I came up with some retail stores, including the one in Harrisburg. So I went to the website again and the location button is still there, but it comes back with no retail stores. So you are right Marilyne. Either I got myself turned around and got a Yelp or equivalent website that listed a few stores that are supposedly still open, or the AI search engine found a really old webpage that was never taken down. I used to occasionally run across such "orphan" webpages, but not for many years. Okay, macrame. I might have bought some of my supplies there. 

I too remember Tandy and next door was an affiliate - completely forgot the name but some place in my stack I have an old catalogue - the affiliate sold all sorts of threads and needles and other needlework supplies - I still have white cotton floss that was sold in long hanks and each had a number to define its thickness - I had purchased some number 4 and 6 - I remember the number 6 was used to crochet a dish cloth and both used to make or be the base for lace or other embroidery. If I stop to search for that catalogue I'll have the whole shelf storage pulled out and don't have time for that now... but I know this is going to nag at me... whatever the name of the annex it was already selling retail by mail and that was back in the 70s and early 80s

Mars and Barb  . . .  we should have known!   Out of curiosity, I went to Amazon, and typed in  "Tandy Leather".   Up came seven pages of every item I remember from the old  store!   The various  rolls, sheets of leather,  belts, purses,  buckles,  decorative stamps,  all kinds of tools, etc.    It was like stepping back in time.   

Interesting on two counts - first this site shows a few stores that still exist and second it shows some of the needlework threads etc still available as part of Tandy - not the complete inventory that I remember...

https://tandyleather.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorTNbINR7xo17k7O_yIbn3WLTswAbp0jKLs6JrP37Iew-4qvNBx

Phyllis and Marilyne, thank you I love my flower gardens and can't wait to bring the flowers inside to put in vases. 

I know what you mean about the grandchildren growing up and so you no longer do the egg hunts.  It's so cute because I have only one great grandchild Haze, who is 3 yrs. old, and so the grandchildren and my grown children still enjoy hiding and hunting for eggs with him.  I brought the eggs with treats inside or there would have been NO egg hunt this year.

You all had me curious so I Googled Radio Shack stores and it seems there are still stores open.  https://duckduckgo.com/?q=radio+shack+locations&ia=web
I have to say I have never heard of Tandy leather nor needlework threads, only Tandy computers.

Okay, that is finally settled. Yes, Tandy still does have physical stores, and Harrisburg has one of the larger ones (amazing). Baltimore and New York have reatail stores. They plan on opening one in Virginia, and they are looking for a new home in Philadelphia after they closed there do to rental prices got too high.

Marilyne, she doesn't see one listed for San Francisco, but there are at least two, including the one in Sacremento, in California. It was a pleasure to talk to Nora, the store clerk here. I did ask about the other crafting they used to have. She said not so much anymore, but she did mention they still sell the metal hoops like I used for macrame, waxed threads, and machine parts (I assume for heavy duty sewing machines to handle leather). 

]I have been ailing, but this afternoon my daughter Becky, who has flown here from Missouri to take care of me while Debi is taking care of her daughter who is having surgery, & I started going through some old photo albums, & I ran into a lot of old Senior Net pictures.  I am wearing a purple sweatshirt that has written on it in bright pink:  OUTRAGEOUS OLDER WOMAN.  Anyone remember that?  Apparently we were celebrating a special occasion.[/i][/b]

Mary Page,   Good to see your message!   We were worried about you, so it's nice to see you back with us, and hope you return soon.
The picture you found,  OUTRAGEOUS OLDER WOMAN,  doesn't sound familiar to me, but I'm sure others here will remember it?   Send the picture to either Patricia or Bubble, and they will post it for you in Photos Old and New.   

I do not know how to do that,  but I will ask Becky to do it for me tomorrow..

MaryPage - Here are email addresses for both Patricia and for Bubble.  Either one will post your picture for you!

 Emails are in their profile

Marilyne, MaryPage meant that she does not know how to forward a photo for posting.
I must say that these new cell phones also stump me at times.