USA

USA Memorabilia

I always believe that it’s best to start at home and then move out gradually from there thus the travelling exhibit begins in Ohio, the state in which I grew up. There will be more from the great fifty states but that’s it for now.

So it’s true I did spend my growing years from age two until age twenty-one in Ohio, mostly in the Dayton area which is in southwestern Ohio between the cities of Columbus and Cincinnati.

Growing up was mostly a good time as I capture in my book “Polly’s White Cotton Underpants” which will soon be available for any and all astute readers. Keep watching the Curator section of the website for information about how to get this incredible, hilarious and heartfelt book.

Okay so now back to the present section of the exhibit:

Ohio. Take a close look at this photo which includes a Wright Brothers cup in which to put coffee, tea or whatever. It features the heads of both Wright Brothers, each in beautifully rendered colors, with a background of their famous plane the first to fly. I got this appropriately enough at the Dayton airport. A perfect pairing! Next is a hand painted pottery whiskey jug with handle and cork for homemade corn squeezin’s. Worth a few sips if only there were some downhome whiskey within. Alas one must pretend, shouldn’t be that difficult as most of living in Ohio involves pretending one thing or another. The last two features both highlight the map of Ohio, one on white china and other in green plastic. The latter has been a good holder of various stuff, the other I guess is for show only, but why not.

Hill Billy Stuff. Fabulous hillbilly creations from southeastern Ohio include a corn squeezin’ cup complete with a self-identified corn cob tooth brush made with a stick and real corn cob materials for the brushing part. Not sure my teeth could ever handle such but then who knows for sure it probably would depend on the other tooth hygiene options available. The Hill Billy ash tray featuring the local guys drinking some home brewed brew while smoking is a perfect place to dump your cigarette droppings. A wood flashlight, or so that’s what it calls itself according to the scraped in letters on the handle is the easiest to use flashlight I’ve ever seen – no batteries needed – just a flame to light the match sticking out of the stick flashlight. And then if you need to use it again, it’s so simple put in another match and wait for a flame. So simple along as you don’t burn anything down. Last is a truly remarkable, never seen before sweeper that when pressed against the dirty surface somehow brushes the waste away. I don’t understand how it works but so what it works. Amazing. All in all a brilliant look at creating that which is needed for very little if any money with stuff that’s just lying around. I’m impressed. Hope you are as well.

Other Stuff from around the USA

Ponderosa Cup. A tin cup from a closed amusement facility that paid homage to a long ago cancelled American show The Ponderosa. Wow. Wow. I pretty sure that if you wanted to find an episode or two of the Ponderosa perhaps you could on television but certainly on videotape for purchase but such is just conjecture on my part as I’ve never had and most likely never will have such a desire.

Hawaii Coconut Bank. Hawaii a place where one always needs money for one thing or another, how sad but how true. So here’s a place to put your coins and keep them until absolutely needed and then break it apart as it has no bottom opening. Big surprise? I don’t think so. And be sure to watch over this bank or you’ll find it empty due to a your trusted family member’s emergency.

Weather Vane With People. From time to time and in between watching the many weather experts on television how could it hurt to spend a moment with this weather vane an early example of a creative scientist’s skills at enchanting and captivating those who know little with a decorative item that knows much and can teach much as well.

Peeing Kid and Time Out House. Two physically distinct items which are bound together by one common idea – the necessity and shall we say humor in peeing? Or not. But no matter both display in no uncertain terms the importance and the possible difficulties in taking a pee. Please inspect to understand the above interpretation.

Rare Alaskan Ice Worms. What? Again what is this and why did I buy it well because it is so remarkably stupid well not if you’re a rare Alaskan ice worm or believe you are one in which case psychiatric help should be summoned immediately.