Category Archives: Nostalgia

Nakona Baseball Glove

Posted on December 4, 2011 by Don West
Nakona Baseball Glove

Nakona Baseball Glove

Sketch Text:
I found my old baseball glove while unpacking an old box after my move at the beginning of last month. I oiled it up for about an hour to get it working again. Then I struck a pose in front of the full length mirror, stretched out in full stride as I hauled in the only spectacular, centerfield, over-the-shoulder catch I ever made.

I still remember saying “I’ll be damn” as I came to a stop, turned, and fired the ball to the shortstop.

The shortstop, Dino, later told me it was “poetry in motion”.

I’m not much of a poet anymore.

 

Posted in Introspection, Nostalgia, Objects, Old Things, Sketches and Words | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Doc Holliday Tavern

Posted on April 3, 2011 by Don West
Doc Holliday Tavern

Doc Holliday Tavern...click for larger image.

Sketch Text:
Glenwood Springs Colorado is where the dentist/gunslinger Doc Holliday is buried. He died there from “consumption” or tuberculosis. He was only 36. Best known for his involvement in the Gunfight at the O.K Corral, I’d have to speculate that perhaps things were not O.K. there.

So, being that this famous character of the old west died in Glenwood Springs, and that he was dependent on alcohol and laudanum, it only makes sense that there would be a tavern bearing his name.

The huge neon sign hangs over the tavern entry and is by far one of the coolest signs I’ve seen.

Note to self…it’s hard to sketch neon. And I just realized the green is kinda ugly on this sign.

 

Posted in Architecture, Nostalgia, Sketches and Words | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Carnival Glass

Posted on March 17, 2011 by Don West
Carnival Glass

Carnival Glass...Click for larger image

Sketch Text
There is a circular piece of plain white paper on the bottom of this decorative bowl which my mother put there. It reads:

“Clyde’s Grandfather, Harvey Holman, won this at a county fair and brought it home to his wife, Ada Holman.”

Clyde is my father. So Harvey is my Great Grandfather. A little quick math would mean it’s probably at least 110 years old. 1900 or so…hmmm…this bowl has seen a lot of my family’s history.

And now it’s on the Internet.

Added Comments
I just want to say…I love my dad and miss him…

Posted in Nostalgia, Old Things, Sketches and Words | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Big Chief Soda Bottle

Posted on March 12, 2011 by Don West
Big Chief Soda Bottle

Big Chief Soda Bottle...Click for a larger image.

Sketch Text:
So I was snooping around in an antique store today and I see this soda bottle on a shelf among several others of lesser character.

Its murky green color & the bust of the Indian & the words “BIG CHIEF” got my attention. I will often call people I like “Chief”. (It’s a Southern thing.)
Examples:
“How ya doin’ Chief?” or “Hey Chief…your fly is open for all the world to see.” or “I like those socks ya got on there Chief…where do ya keep the batteries that make ‘em so bright?”

Anyway…the particular bottle was made for a bottling plant in Nachitoches, Louisana…as is molded into the bottom of the bottle. And it was patented on Dec 29, 1926. So it’s both old and I figure sorta rare…being from such a small town.

From what I found on Google, one could kick up their feet, wiggle their toes in a nice southern breeze, & sip on a Big Chief for a measly two cents. I can picture myself right now in a white three piece suit, white hat & white brogans…sittin’ on a big wrap-around porch in a white rockin’ chair, lookin’ out over the cotton fields and enjoyin’ one.

 

Posted in Nostalgia, Old Things, Sketches and Words | Tagged , , | 5 Comments