Claude Clemmons Online » Memories

Like Sand Through the Hourglass

Claude — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 19:47:50 +0000

One of the shows that my mom and her sister, Aunt Charlotte, used to watch during the day while us kids were in school had this slogan, “Like Sand Through the Hourglass” that they played at the start of the show. The only reason I know this is because when there was no school – for Christmas break of on snow days, my mom and Aunt Charlotte still watched this show every day, and the slogan seems to appropriate for today, the first day of the new year.

With 2011 now just a memory, I hope that 2012 is good to us all.

Memories in Song

Claude — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:23:07 +0000

Back in the 1980′s when America discovered country music, thank to Billy Ray Cyrus and his line dancing hit, Achey Breaky Heart, there were several good bands that came out. One of my favorites because of their upbeat songs and great harmonies, was a band called Shenandoah. They had several hit songs and then just disappeared around 1996.

Do you remember, “Next to You, Next to Me”? That was a fun song, easy to dance to.

Lost Track

Claude — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 01:06:32 +0000

One of my first and closest friends that I made as a 10 year old new to the neighborhood was a girl named Sandy. She lived about a block away and was one of the first kids in the neighborhood to come say hello to me when I was out playing in the yard. I was pretty shy back then so her coming over was a huge relief. We played outside together for many afternoons, until her folks moved away.

I really regret having lost track of her. You know, we promised to stay in touch and we just didn’t do that. It’s sad. I wish I could find her – I’ve searched Facebook and Google – nothing.

Classic Movies

Claude — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 10:04:14 +0000

Is there a movie that you watched as a kid that you would call a classic? On that had an effect on you – it was either really entertaining, or it introduced you to a new concept?

One that had a big impact on me was called “Sand Pebbles.” It starred Steve McQueen and was about a Navy boat in the Pacific during the WWII. It was a powerful movie and it had scenes in it that still haunt me today.

The Lion Sleeps Tonight

Claude — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 16:51:45 +0000

Came across a list of top songs from back in the days when I was in high school. It was interesting to read the long list of familiar songs and I noticed quite a few that I didn’t recognize. I know I listened to the radio a lot of bought all kinds of LPs and 45s when I was a kid. I don’t understand how there could be so many songs that I’ve never heard or – or maybe I just don’t remember them by those titles and would recognize them if I heard them again.

Antivirus Nuisance

Claude — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 19:17:03 +0000

Sometimes I miss the old days of the computer and internet. You know, when no one had to worry about hackers and viruses. It was such a cool new thing and then some jerks had to come along and ruin it for everyone. Now you have to be careful about viruses and malware and hackers and be paranoid all the time. That just takes the shine right off of everything for me.

Snack Cakes

Claude — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 02:11:42 +0000

Lately I have been craving something sweet after dinner. I don’t know why this is happening. I almost never ate desert when we were growing up, and after I got married the wife was always worrying about losing weight and being on a diet. So the only sweets I got was what I bought at the convenience store while running errands. Now that the wife is gone, I can eat cake if I want it. And I want it!

April 4′s Coincidences

Claude — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 17:17:58 +0000

Have you ever considered the coincidence that on this day in history, the Confederates opened fire on Ft. Sumpter and effectively started the War Between the States? And that also on this day in history Martin Luther King Jr was shot by a crazy man which effectively made him a Martyr?

I think that MLK giving his life to civil rights and peaceful demonstrations was his destiny and purpose, which was completely dishonored the very next day with riots and violence. That although it was a pivotal moment for the American Civil Rights movement, the common people who benefited from his work did not even understand his basic message.

Breakfast

Claude — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:23:37 +0000

My mother always insisted on preparing a hot breakfast for us kids. Now I do try to eat breakfast every day. But to be hones, I’m not willing to go to all that same trouble of cooking a side meat, eggs in some fashion, plus a bread or pastry and then a piece of fruit. Most summer mornings I’m fine with a bowl of raisin bran. But I do appreciate all the effort that my mother made for us, back in the day.

Fried Chicken

Claude — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 18:34:06 +0000

When I was a kid, we had fried chicken on Sundays. It was just what everyone did. We got up early, went to church, and then we all headed to Grandma’s house for Sunday dinner. All the adult women brought food with them or spent time in the kitchen preparing a big meal for the whole family. While dinner was cooking, us kids would play outside or, if it was raining, we would run around in the basement.

Sunday dinner was usually the best fried chicken you would ever taste, along with home made mashed potatoes and a variety of fresh vegetables and salads. I loved dessert, too. It was often a big slice of pie, but sometimes we would have thenmost wonderful cakes made from scratch.

Ahh. Those were the days of great food and family time.