Memories with Refrig magnets

For January 2023 I decided to do a Monday and Thursday memory associated with refrig magnets I've been given or picked up along the way. 

Thursday 5 January: sea shell butterfly, originally set of three or four was housewarming gift from my parents in 1987. They lived in Florida so the sea shell was a reminder of that. My father retired to Florida, the warm humid heat was easier for my mother’s arthritis. We had lived in Florida in late 50’s on a previous base assignment. We’d go to beach a few times each year. Dad would surf fish, brother would swim and body surf, I’d swim or walk with mom looking for sea shells. Back then one could drive onto the beach. That was even before Ron Jon’s Surf shop was there. We’d set up umbrella close to car. Mom was a red head and burned easily. We’d bring food and drinks and stay a good three to four hours. When I’d swim my brother would watch out for me – warn of bigger wave coming, make sure I came back up after knocked over. He was six years older and lots taller. He’d still be walking and I’d be swimming. Good times. Things had changed a lot when dad retired there in mid 60’s. Ron Jon’s was there, but still just a smallish shop in the building.

                                      

 

Monday 9 January: I noticed the SF seagull on my refrigerator the day after my brother left after visiting me. Gathered it was a thank you gift. I can’t remember when he came, think maybe shortly after I moved into condo, late 80’s. He was using crutches instead of wheelchair. We went to San Francisco Pier 39, Fisherman’s Wharf, 17 mile drive in Monterey, Monterey Aquarium, Highland Games in Santa Rosa. He was able to do a lot even with the crutches, didn’t use them all the time, managed to climb over or around some boulders in Monterey. Kinda disappeared once while I was taking pictures one place, he went off in other direction, amazed where I found him. Visit to SF was colder than I planned and had to buy a sweatshirt up there, became a favorite and wore it out.

We did not share motel room, I was not comfortable doing that. Realized why later.

Thursday 12 January: PayLess Drug stores was one of my employers as a pharmacist. It was a medium size regional company. There were good benefits and we were treated well. I worked two days a week at two stores and filled in temp at other stores when needed. I liked working at different stores. The commute was kind of long for one, but I worked the afternoon shift so traffic wasn’t a problem. Those were a good four or five years. Unfortunately the company was bought out by RiteAid – worse employer possible in my opinion. I lasted a week before knew I had to leave.

            

 

Monday 16 January 2023: Keeping with the pharmacist from last memory post, this was a gift from my friend Joanne. She lives on the East Coast. We met in line at a Star Trek Convention in LA. Maybe the 20^th anniversary? I don’t remember exactly. We met up at a couple of other conventions over the years. We stay in touch. I’ve visited her twice, most recently in 2019.  

Thursday 19 January 2023: Kalama High School was used as Forks HS in the Twilight movies. I’ve visited a few times. The first time it was part of TaffCon movie site trip. Before Covid the school had annual Twilight open house event. They have TShirts and magnets and other things as fundraising. They had tours of the school and some vendors selling Twilight and HS related items. The movie was shown in the theater. It was a fun little event.

          

Monday 23 January 2023: These two clips were found at the Thriftway store in Forks. Like the red color and Twilight. Team Switzerland, so both sides represented.

Thursday 26 January 2023: The more I’ve looked at this one the more I think I’m wrong about who it’s from. So it represents more my liking of American Indian art in general rather than the specific artist I original thought. I’m old and memories get mixed up at times. I know I have some refrig magnets of the artist I was thinking of, guess not yet found in my unpacking.

                         

 

Monday 30 January 2023: These four are from Kathie Spitz. She is a wordsmith and an artist and a friend. We met on line through Twilight and liking dragons, especially Dragonriders of Pern. I was invited to her daughter’s wedding and that is when I met her and her family in person. That trip was possible with the help of another friend. It was a wonderful trip. Christmas with friends along with the wedding.

 

Thursday 2 February 2023: This little angel I picked up in Calico California on way back home from Las Vegas. A Sister in my ward needed to move to Las Vegas in January 2013. I was retired and volunteered to drive her. We were able to fit her items in my car. Long drive. Decent conversation. Found where she was to be dropped off and unloaded. I had decided to spend a couple of days in area to visit some places of interest not seen on earlier trips. Went out to Valley of Fire. Did some looking around the fancy hotels. On the way to Vegas saw these signs for ghost town Calico. On way home decided to stop and see it. Interesting place. The little angel was cute and my only souvenir along with all the pictures. This image isn't very good. I may try to get better one and replace later.