by Elaine Thomas | Jul 22, 2022 | Old Times, Rural Life, Western Canada
Decades ago, I discovered some stunning abandoned sights while wandering Southern Alberta’s backroads with my 35 mm camera. These works of country art fascinated me back then and I’m still under their spell today. Elaine on Assignment When I took some of these photos,...
by Elaine Thomas | Jul 8, 2022 | Family, Old Times, Rural Life, Western Canada
When I was a child, the Calgary Stampede was the highlight of our summer. Attending the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth was convenient because we lived on a farm south of the city. Our family certainly knew how to get the most out of the greatly anticipated event...
by Elaine Thomas | Jun 3, 2022 | Old Times, Rural Life, Saving Stories, Western Canada
Years ago, a legendary athlete gave me the first place engraved sterling silver swimming trophy she’d won in the 1918 ladies Canadian PNA Championship 500-yard race. Here’s the tale behind my treasured keepsake. A Legend is Born Audrey (Mikie) Griffin Kieran was six...
by Elaine Thomas | May 20, 2022 | Old Times, World War II
If this 80-year-old chalkware figurine of a U.S. sailor could talk, what tales it could tell. One would be the World War II saga of John Wells from San Benito, Texas, who wrote letters home to his wife, Gwen. John was a gruff, no-nonsense guy who smoked Lucky Strikes....
by Elaine Thomas | Apr 1, 2022 | Old Times, Rural Texas
It’s no April Fools’ joke that certain banking entities were paying 5% to 6% dividends on deposits 50 years ago. Prices for groceries, clothing, cars, building materials, and TVs have changed, too, according to 1972 ads clipped from The Fayette County Record in La...
by Elaine Thomas | Mar 4, 2022 | Family, Old Times, Western Canada
In honor of what would have been my mother’s birthday on Sunday, I’d like to share 10 of her favorite sayings. I’ve heard Mother repeat her words-to-the-wise at least 100 times. However, when I stop and consider the advice offered by these self-help truisms in dealing...
