Elvis Rocks in the New Year...1976 Memories!

staged and photographed by suzanne

december 23, 2011

 * kollage of 8 x 10 photo kreated at the kardkorner *

 

*** 

New Year's Eve, 1976...Elvis Presley was about to have his last Birthday.

  That Birthday would occur on January 8, 1977, when he would turn 42 years old. 

On New Year's Eve, 1976, Elvis and many adoring fans were preparing for what would be his last concert in the city of Pittsburgh, state of Pennsylvania.

Elvis appeared on stage at about 11:35 pm before 16,000 screaming fans, who didn't seem to mind the wait through three opening acts before him.  I guess they saved up their best energy for the King!  Before Elvis jumped into his set, the crowd was up and cheering!  They didn't mind how heavy he had gotten, or that he couldn't make his gyrating moves quite the way he did in his earlier days.  This concert was reportedly the best concert performed by Elvis in Pittsburgh ever! 

In response to his warm reception, Elvis projected a warm and enthusiastic attitude towards his fans.  He even handed his microphone to a fan to wish him a Happy Birthday!  Sharon Eberson of  the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, states that Elvis kept his audience captivated for 90 minutes that night...one fan having said, "Elvis delivered the goods that night!"

I didn't know Elvis had a 'scarfboy'!  One fan counted more than 40 scarves having been thrown out into the crowd by Elvis... she caught one!  She was 14 years old at the time, and said he threw it right at her, and, to this day, it is one of her favorite memories.

Of this concert,  another fan, a young man of 21 that year, said, "This concert was the greatest concert I have ever seen in terms of showmanship, musicality, energy, enthusiasm, and just plain old having a good time.  Elvis is in a class all by himself."

And then...at the stroke of midnight-UP went the house lights!  Elvis led his adoring fans in "Auld Lang Syne", and a new year dawned.

Illustration by Stacy Innerst

http://www.post-gazette.com/

Elvis...I'm joining millions of fans in wishing you were here to celebrate your Birthday, and the beginning of another New Year!

My favorite Elvis song * 'Heartbreak Hotel'

My favorite Elvis movie * 'King Creole'

"I don't do any vulgar movements."

~Elvis Presley

My Gratitude goes out to:

Elvis Presley

http://www.post-gazette.com/

http://www.brainyquote.com/

answers.yahoo.com

Stockard Channing in 'Grease"

yahoo images

google

thanks to Karo for the use of his guitar in my photo

Hi Mom ~ Happy New Year!

I trust you all, or "Y'All", had a joyful Christmas and fun New Year holiday.  I did get some rest, and enjoyed some fun with my family and grandson, Shawn!  He got a new Holiday train that plays Christmas carols, and hoots and hollers almost as loud as he does.  I will post a few pics at a later date.

Thank you so much for coming my way...I treasure all visits.  If you get a chance, please say hello.  And, I'll have a new post coming up on MyTexasGardens blog soon.

OH!  I ALMOST FORGOT!  NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS?

NAH!!!

I think in terms of the day's resolutions, not the year's.

  ~Henry Moore

"Elvis, Elvis, let me be...keep that pelvis far from me!"

~ Stockard Channing singing

'Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee'

~Grease 1978~

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE KARDKORNER!!!

arrangement and photo by suzanne * december 23, 2011

Santa Does Fort Worth...a Sunday Afternoon Stroll!

Sundance Square ~ Fort Worth, Texas

photo by Suzanne * December 18, 2011

What were we doing downtown?  Don't get enough of it during week, everyday at work?  Actually, no!  I rarely get out of the office during the day, only once in a while.  It's better for me to stay in, and keep my mind on the work at hand.  The mirrored building behind this massive tree is my building, where I spend 5 days a week in a fast-moving environment.  It's an exciting and fun job that I've been at for the past 20+ years.  Ok, no more work...I'm off now for a few days to enjoy my family and the inevitable arrival of Santa!

We shot a few pics on our way to Razzoo's...ummm, where I enjoyed a hefty bowl of 'crawfish étouffée' with dirty rice!  An alltime favorite of mine, and Karo chooses to partake of the fried catfish, and it always looks good.  Afterwards, we strolled around Main Street into Sundance Square where Santa's headquarters are stationed in front of the Christmas tree.

Here we are on Main Street in front of Haltom's Jewelers,

 and that is their clock in front, decorated with gold ribbon.

Anyone for a carriage ride?  By the way, these are Rosemary

trees in the foreground...they smell wonderful!

Here they are again, with burgandy and white pansies.

It was a refreshingly, lovely arrangement!

Holy Moley!!!  du Chocolat!!!

Actually, that's Schakolad ~ Chocolate Factory

where some of the finest, sinful-est chocolate can be found!

I'm just calling these 'Decorative Seating Pagodas'

They were very pretty!

The streets began to get more crowded as we walked along...a lot of families, children, and strollers.  It was around 4:30pm and slightly cool, somewhere in the 50's. 

AND THEN!!!  HALLELUJAH!!!

It's Santa!

Eyes lowered...

Looks to me like he might be giving a scolding, huh?  NAH!!

And this child is 'spot-on' with the eye contact!

That'll get you somewhere!!!

Once again, my dear readers, I want to wish you a Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year.  I'm serious this time, taking a break...at least for a week!  I know I have a few blog posts to catch up on.  Reading your blogs brings me relaxation and joy!  You are all so creative, everyone has something exciting and interesting to offer.  That's why I read them, for the history, music, art, great photography, and all kinds of 'how to's'!  Thank you for reading my blogs and sending such gracious comments my way!

We're expecting to have our grandson Shawn, aka 'Scooter', aka 'Sweetie', aka 'Scootie', sometime within the next few days...and Santa will make a special trip to our house when he arrives.  I will be on guard with my camera, of course! 

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!!!!  I MEAN IT!!!

Thank You

My Dearest Santa Claus

Fort Worth, Texas

Google

Yahoo

My Wonderful Husband Karo

Hi Mom (Merry Christmas)

***

"Maybe Christmas, 'he thought', doesn't come from a store.

Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more."

~Dr. Suess

Whoa up there, Santa!

"Dear Santa, It's Me...again!"

'me and Santa' ~ somewhere in the 1950's

Nevermind the funny hairdo...how about that smile?  This man can bring a smile to my face ANYDAY!!!  I'm not sure where this was taken...mom used to take us to Montgomery Ward at Christmas to see Santa in the Toyland department.  This one is probably around 1957 or '58, not sure.  You can see at the bottom of the picture the lot number-'RIG14105.  Kind of sounds like a cattle auction, doesn't it?  Makes me think of Ralphie in the 'Christmas Story', sans the obnoxious elf and brutal slide ride!  Haha!  Well, I got a candy cane and a very fond memory from this.  I have one photo each, of my sister and brother too!  If I get a chance, I'll post them.  Those were the days...here I am in my plaid wool coat and scarf, and, I'm sure, wearing a felt skirt made by mom too!  And Santa, I know you're still out there!

Us 3 Kids!

Christmas 1956

Me, Stan and Leta

That's a really cool 'put together' fireplace we're standing in front of.  I know, it's not real, be we loved it.  I couldn't wait for my parents to put it together each year.  And down behind my little brother's legs is the make-believe flame that really lit up!  Looks like my sister and I each got a doll from Santa, and, my brother got that robot he's holding, which was much more fun than the dolls!  So, here we are, in our felt skirts that mom made, and, of course, our little Christmas tree.  I'm afraid I have to laugh about that tree, but, hey-it's all in fun.  Mom said that sometimes we had more than one tree.  She's a very festive lady!  And it rubbed off on my sister and I.  We love to decorate!  Do you remember this, Santa?

***
Here we are again in 1950, sitting in front of our tree!  I would love this little photo even if it wasn't us 3 kids...I think this is so cute!   And, I'm sure Santa was good to us that year!

Leta, Stan and Me * December 1950


A Little About Santa
He is also known as 'St. Nicholas', 'Father Christmas', and 'Kris Kringle'.  Having lost his parents at a young age,  Nicholas dedicated his life to serving God.  He was born in the village of Patara, which is now on the southern coast of Turkey.  His parents were wealthy,  devout Christians, who succumbed to an epidemic in Nicholas' young life.  Nicholas lived his life according to Jesus' preachings to 'give to the poor', and spent his whole inheritance  assisting the needy. 

 Nicholas became well known throughout the land for his love of children, concern for the needy, and for sailors and ships.  He was made Bishop of  Myra as a young man, but was exiled and imprisoned, under the rule of the Roman Emperor Diocletian.  I had no idea our 'Santa' sacrificed so much for the better of mankind!  He was released and continued to serve God for the remainder of his life.  He passed away December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his church in Myra, where his grave is adorned with 'Manna', a sweet, honeylike substance, that, according to the Bible, was provided by God to the Israelites during their travels in the desert. 

 Manna is described as being a 'fine, flake-like thing' resembling frost on the ground.  It has the appearance of coriander seed, and if not collected before the sun came up, it would melt.  The Israelites would gather the manna and beat it into cakes that they had to eat the same day.  Any leftover manna cakes would breed worms and extract a bad odor.

This manna formed in St. Nicholas' grave, and, I think, because it is said to have healing powers, the manna has kept St. Nicholas alive to continue his unselfish journey of giving to the children, and the needy.  His story has been passed down through generations all over the world.  And, we continue to celebrate and treasure this patron and protector.

I gathered my information from:

http://www.http//stnicholascenter.org/

Wikipedia

***

and now...

Letters to Santa

"Please make it snow this year so i can make a snowman and have snowball fights with my dad. Also take some of my toys and give them to the children who don't have a mum and dad like i have."

"Where do you buy the nose polish for Rudolph's nose? I'd like to get some too and try it."

"My mom says you are watching me? Do you have eyes in the back of your head like she does?"

"Last year I heard your sleigh bells jingling. Grammy said you had a very nice chat over egg nog and cookies.

"I'm sorry I was naughty this year but I can't help it if I get a really bad case of the grumpies!"

"Please be sure to help the children and family's who don't have homes or peace. Please stop the wars and killing in the world too. Thank you, Your little cookie putter outer Kassy."

Weren't those letters something?  I posted them as they were written.  And, I couldn't have said most of these things any better.  We all want World Peace, and we want our children and those in need to be helped, in order that they may eventually be able to help themselves.  We also want to see that our Seniors are taken care of...good medical care, affordable medications, LOVE and RESPECT!!!  After all, they're the ones that got us this far!

***

Dear Santa,

I thought I saw you late one Christmas Eve nite when I was a little girl.  My family was asleep, and I thought I heard something (I still do)!  So, in the dark, I got out of my bed, in my flannel gown (of course), and crawled on hands and knees to the doorway and into our small hallway.  Still crouched down, rocking back and forth, trying NOT to lose my balance, I peeked around the doorway into the dark living room.  There was our 'pink' Christmas Tree with it's silver icecicles glistening around the pink and red ornaments, so nicely hung by my mother.  I really wasn't interested in what was under the tree, but, would I get to see you?  Alas, you must have been outside, but I swore I could see little 'Rudolph" standing under that 'pink' tree winking at me.  When I blinked my eyes, he was gone.  You know, Santa, I don't even remember what you brought me, and, it doesn't even matter...

...because I SAW RUDOLPH!

And that was good enough for me! 

Thank You for coming into our lives!

Love, Suzanne

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE KARDKORNER!

This is the Christmas card I made this year at the KardKorner, using a photo of our Christmas Tree from last Christmas.  I converted the photo into a coloring page, and painted the red Cardinal that you see in the tree.  There is an angel in the center of the tree top, and I painted her yellow.  I also did away with some of the distractions that were in the photo. And the red ribbon at the top of the card is real...hot glue ROCKS!  This was a fun and rewarding project, since I love to make my own cards.

Here is the original photo that inspired me:

  photo by Suzanne * December 19, 2010

My Thanks goes out to:

'Santa Claus', of course!

Wikipedia

Yahoo images

Google

http://www.emailsanta.com/

My husband Karo

My entire family

"Forever true your color...and forever true is my wish for you, my dearest readers, to enjoy this glorious Holiday Season!"  Please stop by and say Hello!

Oh yeah...be sure to watch the kids around the light sockets!