January 1973.
I’m 99.99% sure that this was taken on Downtown Santa Monica’s Third Street, decades before its renovation and transformation into today’s Third Street Promenade. I can’t get over how funky my dad used to dress. Those striped pants are too cool for words.
I’m not too hip on early ’70s fashion, but something tells me he’s wearing whatever was the norm at that time…especially since he’s so super frugal and practical, there’s no way he would’ve strayed from the basics. Or at least I think…?
I wonder what I’m looking at. My dad got me into toys at a bright and early age, so I may be looking at some toy or toys on display. Or maybe I’m just making mouth-steam clouds on the glass. When I take a real good look at it, it appears I’m staring at some kind of spinning carousel toy with all the conviction of owning it.
I love that hand painted sign. Those letters are so reminiscent of those times. It makes me sad to think that it may have just been thrown away after awhile. I wish I knew what store this was. If anyone can tell me (with sufficient proof), I’ll give you a free set of my comics.
Such good times, those wonder years. I always think of how my dad said to save every photograph, even the ones of seemingly no importance, or, better yet, the “ugly ones.” Why, I would ask?
“Because when you’re old, all those pictures will look beautiful to you.”
Dad, you’re so right.
Tags: Flashbacks