This Guy Is Who Chucky Checks Under The Bed Or In The Closet For!

That's Right...Chuck Norris!

Chuck Norris is one of my all time favorite actors! Before that he was an Awesome Kickboxing Champ but we all know that right?

Now to get started...

Ever watch Breaker! Breaker!  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075783/

God! I love that movie!


Now I have to tell this next one? My Favorite Movie Of All Time Y'all!!!

Lone Wolf McQuade!     http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085862/

The clip right above me is
One of my favorite scenes in that movie!

And I would be remiss not to include one "final" fight in Lone Wolf McQuade....

Now I think I can pull myself away from that great movie to include more of them. I was surprised how few had watched or even knew of some of his movies! That's so wrong!

Ok I Love this one too! It's Loaded with action and a ton of laughs!. Costar Louis Gosset Jr. was hilarious and tough as well..

FireWalker! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091055/

 And The Legendary

DELTA FORCE!

And We ALL
Know This ONE...

MISSING IN ACTION!     http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087727/

Missing In Action Part II

And Braddock: Missing In Action III

And I made a decent list but so not complete..

Now let's talk about ole Chucky's scariest movies the ones that leave him cowering in the dark and some of the reason why he has a right to be afraid and check under the bed or in the closet and why he sleeps with a knife in his hand and a hawkbilled Schrader under his pillow....

                       Silent Rage!  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084684/

And another excellent example....

               Hero And The Terror!     http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095296/

So rest easy Y'all  Chuck Norris is out there keeping us safe from the bad guys...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079227/
   Good Guys Wear Black!

My Buddy! Was everyone's little buddy until....

Gather around Y'all as I recount a terrifying true story from my early teens...

It is about the night myself my lil bro and our cousin spent night up our Granny's mini farm when the old buildings were still there in the early 90's. My uncle had an ole Minnie Winnie (Winnebago drive camper) parked there for awhile...  check this video out (it's kinda cute but also gives you a picture to begin our tale tonight)

  ...well my cousin loved my buddy...

That is untill Chucky! 

It started out like any of the nights we decided to "camp out" up there but we all know how quickly things can change...

 This particular night (stormy eerie night...) he made his way to his dad's camper..*lightning crashes! Boom! thunder!.. thru a flash of light he sees it..OMG OMG....My Buddy was resting on one of the seats behind the table of the old Minnie Winnie...... he runs out! We got inspired ... he calmed and fell asleep way before us. Then just as daylight shined thru the windows of the old building that the folks and I lived for a spell as a kiddo.. wakes up turns his head half asleep and grinning..then O.M.G! ..Chuckie was staring at him!!   It was priceless..er um yes  frightening!  

 He may be just a doll, but this redhead terror can wield a plastic knife like nobody's business.

P.S. Thanks for the comment little Fry :) I read it and it brought back this memory I hope all can have a laugh with me on....

P.P.S. Remember Y'all it was all just child's play...good times and so fitting as I close this out and sit here enjoying this little thunderstorm that been brewing for hours...

We Were All Kids Once..Right?

   Tonight I want to talk about toys...yes Toys! Such joy for every boy and girl. They come in every size and shape....   I myself would have fun tinkering with some of the old classics today just to say I once had hold of them. I am gonna leave Y'all some links and a few videos from good old YouTube that I hope you enjoy and think back to how it was as a kid and grin. And if any younger ones happen along I hope they are fascinated by the things that brought the kids of yesterday so much joy. Kept them entertained for many hours...many outside. Today too many kids don't really know what "outside" is. As for me and millions of other kids growing up? We turned out all right!!

 
Now let us just recount era's that maybe a few people actually experienced or were treated to tales of our elders as they recalled with a distant far away look that glow on their faces and a little twinkle in the eyes...

For Toy's From the 1920's...
http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/20stoys.html

The 1930's...http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/30stoys.html

The 1940's...http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/40stoys.html

The 1950's...http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/50stoys.html

The 1960's...http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/60stoys.html

1970's...http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/70stoys.html

The 1980's...( I can vouch for the coolness of these..most of them..firsthand this kid tested and approved or destructed more than my share) http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/80stoys.html (Barbies? No thanks not for this ole country boy...Duke's Of Hazzard though?..Yee Haw!! )

1990's ( This is where we wind this up but feel free to add to the list share the memories or just kill some time checking these out..) http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/90stoys.html

Thanks for stopping by and kicking back to relax as we check out some awesome good times and toys from yesterday.. drop in again and see us Y'all cause never can tell what The Mustard Man is going to have around show you next time.....

I Remember Going Grocery Shopping With Mamaw When...

This is remembering going to the grocery store with my Mamaw as a kid and how cool it was. I would tag along or try to make a break for it to run down the candy aisle or maybe spied something shiny or Blue (favorite color forever) and end up getting scolded or something. But I remember when we would reach the checkout counter and she would chat with the lady behind the register about this and that...

Eventually everything would be scanned and the price totaled up she'd look up shocked or a little annoyed over the rising cost of milk or eggs even Corn Flakes sugar and Reese's Cups yum or my favorite back then Peppermint Patties. But then she would look at me with a sly grin and reach into her old purse and pull this book out that fascinated me for some reason. It was treasured by many and a coveted item.

Maybe you guessed it but yes do you remember the good old Gold Bond Stamps?

The practice started in the 1890s, at first given only to customers who paid for purchases in cash, to reward those who didn't buy with credit. It grew with the spread of chain gasoline stations in the early 1910's and the new industry of chain supermarkets in the 1920's. These stores found it more profitable to award them to all their customers. The trading stamps were most popular from the 1930's through the 1960's.
An example of the value of trading stamps would be during the 1970s and 1980s where the rate issued by a merchant was one stamp for each 10¢ of merchandise purchased. A typical book took approximately 1200 stamps to fill, or the equivalent of US $120.00 in purchases. And that was a great help to folks ans as I mentioned...good for business all around. It was a tradition I grew up in and never thought it would just end like that...

Really too bad I think. But reminiscing about those old stamps brought back some great memories of my Mamaw and I miss that tiny lady so much. Remember the little moments y'all cause one day those times will be gone and only those memories remain...

 In closing I want to put this YouTube video on here for you to check out... ( it is related i swear and some pretty cool history) Also check the link out...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlson_Companies

Take care and come back and visit again y'all

Seven dead in space shuttle disaster!

 This evening's post is to remember an event that forever will be etched in the memories of many. I am writing about a disaster that shook the nation. And this rather impressionable elementary student will never forget that day and remember the excitement and urgency of the adults and teachers at Elk Garden Elementary School as we gathered to watch the live broadcast after we all stood like every morning before and said: I pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.


Her name was Christa McAuliffe, and she was selected America's Teacher in Space in 1985 over almost 11,000 applicants, 114 semifinalist and 10 finalists. The program had been announced by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. The New Hampshire high school teacher spent five months training for a flight on the space shuttle Challenger. She had hoped to record her flight and conduct lessons from the shuttle all about space travel.

She and her six crewmates on the Challenger were killed when the shuttle exploded shortly after liftoff from Cape Canaveral on January 28, 1986. She was 37. The five men and two women - including the first teacher in space - were just over a minute into their flight from Cape Canaveral in Florida when the Challenger blew up as we watched wide eyed and all excited....then all of a sudden....

My eyes are little misty as I try to wind this up y'all. It left all of us staring in disbelief for a long moment and a hush fell over us all as the realization that we lost 7 brave Americans that day. It is a day I will never forget.

Let us all bow our heads for a moment of silence and remember the crew of the ill fated 25th space mission aboard the space shuttle Challenger...

President Ronald Reagan said: "We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them this morning as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and slipped the surly bonds of earth to touch the face of God."

Mission Commander Francis R. (Dick) Scobee, pilot Commander Michael J. Smith, Dr. Judith A. Resnik, Dr. Ronald E. Mcnair, Lieutenant Col. Ellison S. Onizuka, Gregory B. Jarvis, and Christa McAuliffe.

I encourage you to click this link and remember those brave people...
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/challengr.htm 

Thank you for visiting and take a moment to whisper a prayer for all those we have lost along the way

Panheads Forever!!

   Howdy y'all and welcome back. Tonight's blog was a little late but I can explain. For the last 4 hours I have been hanging out with a real biker from way back. He showed me around his place and I was privileged enough to view some of his treasures from yesterday. He has a diverse collection of just about everything ranging from newspaper from 1938 and 1935 Chevrolet sedan, a pair of Henry J's and one amazing piece of Harley Davidson legend...

Yes a 1948 Harley Davidson Panhead! All original and see this photo I uploaded? Pretty sweet huh?

It Don't Hold A Candle Compared To His!

And the chrome on that old Pan? It shines like new money. We have lots of chrome and shiny things today that's true enough..but it ain't made like it use to be. Craftsmanship has..in my opinion..went way down. Now don't get me wrong I am not knocking anyone or anything. Back then things were made a lot different.

And now I will show you a YouTube video I found that gives a bird's eye view, a P.O.V actually. I know everyone is not into bikes and I respect that. What I got to see and experience today was incredible and I had to share. But now for the video....( It may not have been filmed here but it's great.)
Enjoy!

Trust me y'all I am a big Harley fan and those custom choppers today? Just Wow!

But this piece of Americana can not be forgotten.

Now in closing I want you to please see this video and it is a tribute to those old Panheads and they are awesome!

They Were Here!!!

Tonight I am remembering way back when there were not televisions in every home or store window. When going to the movies was a very sacred event. It was quite an interesting era to be sure...

So what did we have? There were favorite programs loved by all and families would huddle around fascinated in their living rooms full of anticipation... How you may ask...since we had no t.v.?

I am referring to an important medium even today that we take for granted so often...

What is it?? ( I'm hoping some ask themselves right now while I know others are rolling their eyes and saying " Oh good grief!" But yes I am talking about.. Radio! Can you imagine a time that had programming our favorite tales from yesteryear...
For example:

The Lone Ranger!
Little Orphan Annie
and many others... including the great Orson Welles...

But who can forget the night..
We were...Invaded! Yes dear friends the panic was widespread and so many people fled in terror! Sunday, October 30, 1938, millions of radio listeners were shocked when radio news alerts announced the arrival of Martians. They panicked when they learned of the Martians' ferocious and seemingly unstoppable attack on Earth. Many ran out of their homes screaming while others packed up their cars and fled.

The Martians! The Martians Were Here!...Any idea how that would have... (better yet give this a read)

http://history1900s.about.com/od/1930s/a/warofworlds.htm

I for one would love to go back just to observe that fateful night wouldn't you?

Remember...
                      They could still be watching us...

I will be brief tonight y'all but I only have a limited window tonight. I wanted to post 3 videos that are very close to my heart and personify the spirit of this blog...

Reminds me of all the stories my Grandpa told me and all the ole timers.



and last but definitely not least...one of my personal favorites that fit my life and my ancestry so well...

Never forget all the memories from our past y'all

R.E.O. Speedwagon Rocks...It's Not What You Think ;)

How many remember the old R.E.O. Speedwagon? Not The Band I'm sure that is the first thing that comes to mind. What I am referring to is an awesome old truck that really had this country moving. It was a milestone in American transportation history and during its production run had quite a storied career.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=reo%20speedwagon%20truck%20history&source=web&cd=8&ved=0CJwBEBYwBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.powells.com%2Fbiblio%2F62-9781583881811-0&ei=9Dm8T-TBEISe2gW_o7GHDw&usg=AFQjCNEKalUFBPKVz80RdDcA20tqT8HyQA

That link was interesting. I had no idea the creator of Oldsmobile was the founder of R.E.O. Motors and that is pretty cool. And an iconic R.E.O. that was in the movies I have to salute. Remember The Grapes Of Wrath from the 1940's that had quite a cast including Mr. Henry Fonda...a favorite actor of mine to be honest. He had an amazing career and his son too but I digress.

And very notable so I had to include this
http://didyouknow.org/reo-speedwagon-is-named-after-a-flatbed-truck/

The band was great y'all. Now to include another link I found that you may call a pictionary... These trucks were sweet. I for one would be proud to own one and feel proud to restore a piece of Americana like the R.E.O. Speedwagon. I also point out on here why it was named R.E.O. As I mentioned the creator of Oldsmobile also created R.E.O. which is his initials Ransom Eli Olds. Just another part of our past that many have forgotten.
http://www.google.com/search?q=reo+speedwagon+truck+history&hl=en&biw=1024&bih=649&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=9Dm8T-TBEISe2gW_o7GHDw&ved=0CI4BELAE

Have a good one and come back again y'all. I for one will continue to keep the past alive and share the memories...

Take Trip Back In Time With The Mustard Man

  Howdy Y'all! Tonight we are going to do a little time travel via YouTube so pull up a chair and let me show you around my old town....

To set the mood one of my favorite Country bands....


Now I will let you take a quick trip around my old town...Richlands VA

It is a very scenic place and nowadays not much going on. Lets take a short drive around the little town square y'all....

 Short and sweet huh?

But what was that about time travel? you might be asking right about now...
As this blog is about remembering the past I think it is precisely the time to explain. That is now and we are going to take a little trip...

Time to buckle up and enjoy the ride...

Yes the destination is the 50's y'all but I had to take a little detour first.. see for yourselves....

Now for the good stuff...

and last but not least..

We had a casket factory back then..

 I know not the cheeriest industry but it was solid work and kept families fed they were doing pretty good for themselves. Well thanks for taking the tour and reminiscing with The Mustard Man. Share some of your way back when stories if you would like or let me know what you thought of my old town. Most of my family still lives there and higher up on the mountain in a small community and trust me i use the term loosely to describe good old Jewell Ridge VA but it is a place filled with so many good memories for me of growing up and I will be sharing many stories from there in the future I'm sure. Now to wind this up I have another clip for you and I dedicate it to my grandparents my little brother, and countless other family and friends I have lost over the years...

I for one will never forget..
Hang on to those memories y'all...

When Only The Memories Remain

   I can't tell you how many times I have walked or driven by that grand old mansion or how much it meant to my little community. It was a beautiful old place and although I was not acquainted with the family that has called it home for countless generations my heart goes out to them. The history, pride and untold heirlooms from days gone by will sadly be missed. I know they can't replace it but I pray they can rebuild. The memories will not be forgotten. And Mother Nature's power can't be ignored. Lightning is as dangerous as it is fascinating and quite awe inspiring. Be Safe Y'all...

http://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/may/18/rosedale-virginia-residents-ar-1926207/

It may also serve as a reminder that in small towns and tight knit communities like mine here in the country come together with support and prayers during times of loss and tragedy. I thank God I grew up here and thankful for the memories....

I had to post this song it made me grin. How many of y'all know what I'm talking about? 

Have a good one y'all and never forget...

And The Journey Begins...

 I was encouraged to start this here blog and at first was unsure about doing it. But it is about remembering the past. The times gone by that will never come again. All the things that made us who we are today should never be forgotten.. so pull up a chair and let me try painting a picture of yesterday. Feel free to reminisce with me and maybe share some of your stories as well. Makes me think about all the times I wish I had been able to record the tales my grandparents told me and many others. I'm sure I'm not the only one to feel that way. Lets never forget the past and remember how it was way back when... This video says it all y'all. 

 I  ran across an interview from 1996 that I want to add to this inaugural post that made me think back to a simpler time ....

...and made me wish I could almost see a dad and son walking down an old dirt road carrying cane poles with bobbers flowing in the wind....

                                                                               So kick back and remember how it used be...

P.S. Thank you for making me actually try this wittle fry ;)