Friday, October 27, 2017

Friday Smiles 243

Some of my regular readers saw a sneak peek at the History Museum I visited at the end of September.  I have SO many photos, I thought I would share a few of them each Friday for awhile, along with some funny stories, quotes, verse, or jokes I found when I was cleaning my office.

I'll share the funny stuff first, so you don't have to see the photos of the museum if you choose to just be here for Annie's Friday Smiles.

An older woman who was sitting by the pool saw an attractive man nearby.  She went over and asked, "Why are you so pale?  Did you just arrive?"
"I've been in jail over 30 years," the man replied.
"For what?" she asked.
"Killing my wife," he replied.
"Good.  That means you're single?"

The difference between education and experience is quite simple.   Education is what you get from reading the fine print.   Experience is what you get from not reading it.

Hurried and worried until we're buried, and there's no curtain call, life's a very funny proposition after all.
  ~George M. Cohan

The whole thing about women is, they lust to be understood.
 ~Will Rogers

I will never be an old man.  To me, old age is always 15 years older than I am.
 ~Bernard Baruch

The way my wife finds fault with me, you'd think there was a reward.


Now let's head back to the history museum.


This is where we left off last time.  We are now on the second floor.

Today we will stay in the hallway. 

In fact, we will only see the area to the right (in the photo) of the piano.

Wichita, KS has a world famous artist named Blackbear Bosin (1921-1980).  The painting on the right at the top was painted by him, and I'm sure you've seen this icon that has become a symbol in my town.  It is called Keeper of the Plains.  I encourage you to click on the link that takes you to his web site and shows all the places he's had one man shows, including the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.  After graduating high school, he moved to Wichita, where he set up his studio.  He served as a Marine in WWII and rose to fame when his award-winning painting Prairie Fire was published in National Geographic magazine.  

Although he is no longer alive, his art lives on, as does his famous sculpture.

There are many of these replicas and this is just one of them.

You might remember my next door neighbor cut one out of steel that is quite realistic.

I was amazed.  I have milk glass, but gave most of it away.

Apparently, it is far more valuable than I ever anticipated.

Just as Wichita became the nexus of an anti-abortion campaign during the summer of 1991, when a group from across the country forcefully tried to shut down a major highway and intimidated frightened young women, so too, did Wichita became the nexus of peaceful and non-violent sit-ins at the downtown Dockum (Rexall) Drug Store during the summer of 1958.



Although the later sit-ins at Woolworth stores in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1960 overshadowed the Dockum sit-in, it was Wichita youth who led and paved the way for others.


By August 11, 1958, the manager of the Dockum Drugstore said "Serve them.  I'm losing too much money."  Once Dockum was desegregated, other lunch counters and retailers in Wichita began to ease their restrictive practice of segregation.

For many years this remarkable story went unknown beyond the group of participants. A Wichita historian researched the student's efforts and helped bring the story to light.  As part of the 50th anniversary observance, on August 9, 2008, the city of Wichita honored those young people who had fought for equality.

I know next to nothing about pottery, but those of you who do, might recognize the names Rookwood, Fulper, and Weller.

In case you can't read the sign, the girl's blue silk jacket with carved buttons (in middle) is circa 1920.  The boy's brown velvet suit with gold braid trim and brass buttons (on right) is from 1877.  The girl's blue cotton dress with gingham appliqué (on left) is circa 1943.

Toys, toys, toys.

I could have stood here all day admiring this collection.


Need I say more?

Check out all the guns on display.  These were acceptable toys in years past.

Next it was time to leave this hallway and enter one of the rooms.  I'll share those photos next week.  For now, let's head to Annie's Friday Smiles at A Stitch in Time.  And thanks for sharing your Friday and Bleubeard's birthday with me, too.

And if you would like to play with us on the 2nd of the month, all you have to do is bring back a post that you are especially proud of, or perhaps one you shared before anyone knew your blog existed.  Any post, any genre, any artistic endeavor is acceptable. 

20 thoughtful remarks:

Valerie-Jael said...

Love all the exhibits in the museum, I always enjoy seeing things like that. The toys are especially fascinating. Thanks for sharing the funnies, too. Have a lovely Friday! Hugs, Valerie

Annie said...

I had a good chuckle at your funnies and really enjoyed my walk round the museum. My eyes focussed on the toy horse too so it didn’t surprise me that you zoomed in on it.
The photo of me in th3 long dress was when I was one of our village carnival rose queen attendants......those were the days 😀😀😀
Hugs,
Annie x

Lisca said...

I too had a good chuckle at the jokes you shared. Thanks.
I thouroughly enjoyed the visit to the museum. The first image says: Wichita city building. Is that where the museum is or is that building no longer standing? It's a beautiful building and (no disrespect intended) it looks like one of those impressive main Halls from my Elvenar game. Perhaps the designer had been to Wichita...
It was so interesting to read about Blackbear Bosin. He created some awesome stuff. (I hadn't Heard of him before) I was sad to see he died so Young.
I was also fascinated by the history of the african americans in Wichita. I enjoyed Reading what info I could. Again, I knew nothing about that. So interesting. I wonder what those students are doing now. I'm sure they have all become successful and righteous citizens.
I loved seeing the clothing and the toys. I spotted the horse but then noticed it wasn't quite a rocking horse (but nearly). I wasn't surprised seeing the gun. Parents still buy toy guns and rifles for their children unfortunately. Some children even have the opportunity to touch reach weapons because people still keep guns (legally). It's crazy.
Have a fun Friday and a good weekend,
Lisca

Lisca said...

I meant to say 'real weapons' not 'reach'. Sorry.

froebelsternchen said...

I laughed about the funnies and I am thrilled about the fabulous exhibition! Specially the toys- collection is impressive. And lovely to meet the Keeper of the Plains once again! Will notice the 2nd on the Second - so that I don't forget again.
I wanted to thank you specially for your wonderful comments recently! You are a sweatheart Elizabeth!

Happy start of the weekend-
our meal was wonderful and we had a nice walk and I enjoyed a nap in the evening...
today is cold, rainy and windy -
so I can say it was a fantastic holiday and I enjoyed it a lot!

oxo Susi

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Loving your funnies today and great photos of the museum, what a brilliant place. Have a lovely weekend too. Sending hugs, Angela xXx

RO said...

What a fun way to start Friday morning Elizabeth, and yes, you got some chuckles from me already. You know I love the pictures of those old toys, and things have changed so much. Kids want lots of electronic things these days, and I bet they wouldn't understand these at all. Kind of you to give away the milk collection, I'm sure someone was super thrilled, huh? I'm sure you've received tons of other blessings for being so kind hearted. That piano is phenomenal too! Hugs... and Happy Friday!

CJ Kennedy said...

I loved tagging along with you to the museum. So many beautiful pieces. I have some milk glass, but I don't think it's valuable. Just the stuff that was mass produced that 1940s and 1950s households had. Interesting bit of history. Never heard the story of the Wichita sit-in. I was just talking with people about not hearing all the stories. The Keeper of the Plains is such a striking image. Can see why it is copied. I could look at the toy exhibit all day, too. I loved the Mama duck pull toy. And I had a 6-shooter and holster when I was a kid. Westerns were big back then.

Denise Price said...

Hello! Wow, it looks like that museum has a little of everything. My favorite part was the artwork by Blackbear Bosin. Thanks for all that you shared in this post, and thanks also for your comment on my "Revolution Shuffle" post.
Keep on smiling! :)

kathyinozarks said...

good morning-the jokes were fun and I loved the museum photos allot-thanks so much for sharing hugs Kathy

sheila 77 said...

Happy Birthday to Bleubeard, did he get a nice present? - a pretty ribbon for his neck maybe? Or a few extra special strokes? May he have an extra special happy year. And that goes to Squiggles too.

Divers and Sundry said...

So many treasures in that museum! I have much of Mother's little group of milk glass, and I'm giving a piece to each child when they marry. They aren't particularly valuable, but they bring back fond memories.

The toy exhibit and that sculpture both are displays I'd have spent some time with.

Happy Birthday, Bleubeard!

Meggymay said...

I needed a laugh tonight, they were great funnies, I think I likes the second one the most about Education.
The museum photos were so interesting. I was drawn to the ones with the toys, maybe I just never grew up.
Yvonne xx
p.s.
Yes it was just a link to your blog Elizabeth, Thank you for adding to the post.

mamapez5 said...

It is always good to smile together so thank you for your funnies.
I enjoyed the museum pieces, especially the toys. Guns are still 'acceptable toys' here in rural Spain, where many households have real ones to hunt rabbits through the season, as an important addition to their meals. I don't know about in the cities, but around here there is little or no gun crime.
I loved the little horse and the dolls, and the little girl's dress reminded me of ones my mother made for me when I was little. They nearly always had some gingham on them.
Kate x

Rita said...

What a lot to see! Wow! :)

My name is Erika. said...

I didn't have time to visit this morning, so I'm a little late. This museum looks like a really cool place to visit. I like what they display. It makes me feel like I am going back in time. :) In a good way. It actually makes me try to imagine what it is like back in the day. All kinds of days. Thanks for sharing, and happy start to your weekend. hugs-Erika

Rike said...

Thank you for showing the interesting photos from the History Museum! I like those toys :)
I laughed about the funnies!
And Happy Birthday, Bleubeard!
Rike x

Jeanie said...

Your history museum is fabulous. I think I could get lost in there all day long. Maybe longer than all day. It really puts our lives and history in perspective, doesn't it? If I ever get to Wichita, I think this would be on my "must see" list.

UplayOnline said...

My eyes focussed on the toy horse too so it didn’t surprise me that you zoomed in on it.


thai porn

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oh! How I would love this museum - especially the toys! We found an old book at the caravan the other day - one we had bought some time ago, but my son looked through and found some toys he used to have! Chrisxx