Comments on: Slide of a Slide Show, San Jose, 1950

By: Diane

Diane — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 06:10:04 +0000

I was born that year! The people do look very happy!

Wish I could go back in time.

By: Econobiker

Econobiker — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 11:09:39 +0000

It looks like the Uncle showing the slides overdosed on Popular Mechanics and built the little slide projector table/storage unit for the projector from scraps of the plywood he used to redo the interior of the home…

By: martha

martha — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:21:31 +0000

I have that projector can you tell me what year it is. My mother just passed away and I found it in her chest under so clothes..and I remember watching movies of her honeymoon on little dics…you brought back some good times thankyou..martha

By: Ezio

Ezio — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 02:56:09 +0000

I love this picture Charles. It’s so nice. I can imagine those days in America.Oh my God I would like to be in your beautiful country in the fifties years. God bless you!

By: DavidinBerkeley

DavidinBerkeley — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 00:57:35 +0000

Phoenix: “Meta-Slide? I made up a new word? Where, and what does it mean?”

Anything with “meta” in front of it these days seems to mean it is about itself. For instance, a meta-story would be a story about stories.

So your slide is a slide about slides – a meta-slide.

By: nylasor

nylasor — Sun, 02 Jul 2006 15:43:46 +0000

I think the guy in the back “chewing” on the photo is actually just smiling, kinda like the guy in all those Levitra commercials. And I think the photo, which is just above Grandma’s head IS Grandma! Sure looks like a younger version of her, doesn’t it?

By: Sassy Lu

Sassy Lu — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 21:55:44 +0000

Do you get the impression that this gathering was poorly planned? There are 16 people (including the kids) and only 6 chairs. The guests appear to be making the best of a boring event–Grandpa looks a little dazed and confused. Grandma is just plain sleeping. The guys in the far backround look like they could just “shuffle off to Buffalo” out the nearest door to a more exiting venue (a gentleman’s club, perhaps. The hosts could have at least set out some snacks to beat the boredom! See ya at the book signin’.

By: zack

zack — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 23:21:14 +0000

I think this would be more of a metaslideshow if you showed this slide within your slide show, actually, but it is all very meta – I feel a bit like I’m in a quentin tarintino movie, or a john balderessi artwork…

By: Elle

Elle — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 19:56:49 +0000

Where’s the popcorn and martini’s? And what IS with that guy in the back gnawing on the girly picture???

By: Miss Sharon

Miss Sharon — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 19:23:40 +0000

Mr. Picture-Perfect Charles!

Ah! Family togetherness! What could be more lovely? All ages gathered around a slide projector, enjoying the photo skills of some relative who is undoubtedly dazzling everyone with the latest vacation pictures (although I imagine that Grandpa likely hates those attempts at arty nature slides. Bor-ring!)

As Grandpa seems to be clutching a baby doll in desperation, I rifled through my home economics textbooks and I found some incredibly helpful hints for having fun with and understanding “elderly people.” There are, indeed, a few young’uns in this picture who could probably be working harder to enjoy the company and good times of the elder statesmen and women of their family. Let’s look at a few items from _Teen Guide To Home-Making_ (1961) (yes, correct, there is no “the” in the title of this text book):

Menus for Elderly People
1.
Cream of Potato Soup
Egg Salad Sandwich
Baked Apple

2.
Broiled Chopped Beef Patty
Creamed Potatoes
Buttered Squash
Cup Custard

3.
Creamed Chicken on Corn Bread
Buttered Peas
Lime Sherbet
Cookies

Alas, there is no caveat as to whether these are lunch or dinner menus. Use at your own risk — if you upset the elderly in your care, it’s not my fault. Let’s continue:

Ideas for Activities with Elderly People

Find out what the aging person has wanted to do all his life but has never had the opportunity to do, and encourage him to do it if possible

Help him with outdoor activities such as gardening or fishing

Secure for him the materials for creative efforts, such as woodworking, clay modeling, cartooning, painting, weaving, or knitting

Help him to make up for education cut short in his youth by study of a foreign language or by guided reading

Help him to take responsibility for some family duties, such as writing letters to relatives or keeping the accounts

What? No slide shows on the list? You can’t tell me that Gran and Grandpa wouldn’t enjoy a slide show more than doing the family accounts! “Well, gee, Timmy, thanks for the broiled chopped beef patty. Grandpa will eat it when he finishes adding up this one column … Where’s my dolly? I need my dolly!”

xoxo!
Miss Sharon