Tom Purcell's Blog: Recent Comments

Comment on Lips That Touch Liquor

Dan Hanley — Wed, 14 May 2008 09:46:45 GMT

Liquor Photo:

Good reason to keep drinking !

Comment on Banking on Food

Lorraine Mutschler — Fri, 09 May 2008 22:47:37 GMT

Brilliant. Too close to the truth. . . . LOL

Comment on The Stereo Console

Sharon — Wed, 07 May 2008 21:22:50 GMT

I remember my grandmother's stereo console. It was a huge part of our family visits. Thanks for taking me back! Looking forward to the book!

Comment on The Stereo Console

Peter Caroline — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 10:59:03 GMT

Back in the '60s, I worked as a copywriter for the ad agency that handled the H.H. Scott account. They made hi-fi components and some of the biggest, fanciest stereo consoles around. They were actually quite advanced for the time, using transistors instead of tubes. I still have my Scott LR88 stereo receiver, complete with Scott speakers and a Dual 1009SK turntable...pretty hot stuff back in 1968!

Comment on Lips That Touch Liquor

E. Mawhinney — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:57:42 GMT

Tom--

perhaps it's worth noting that today's manifestation of drinking descends from the social drinking habits of the well-to-do. It wasn't particularly hazardous to social stability.

The temperance movement came out of working- and middle-class folks who, in contrast, witnessed significant social deterioration from white lightning, demon rum and other low-cost drinks used to escape from the painful reality of their lives.

This may make it a little easier to understand why these women thought this moral ill ought to be addressed in law vs. individual self-control. They wanted to alleviate real suffering (as long as the cost in individual liberty isn't too high). The logic isn't very far afield from those who promote federal funding for abortion. They believe they are helping (as long as they are convinced it's not a person being eliminated).

Comment on The Stereo Console

Granny Ruth — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 22:25:14 GMT

Wow, that's a big fancy console! Our family's turntable had a hard plastic lid & was on top of a small stand with sliding doors. The small speakers were on the floor on either side of it. A lot of LP's could fit in behind those doors. It was to the left of the telephone stand beneath the coo coo clock in the livingroom.

I can remember when we had company the adults would sit & listen to Bill Cosby's newest comedy album & laugh themselves silly. My Uncle Harold was affectionately given the nickname "Old Weird Harold" because he liked that album so much.

One of my mother's favorites was Nat King Cole.

It was such a simpler time. Good luck with your book, Tom.

Comment on The Stereo Console

Lorraine Mutschler — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:53:41 GMT

I remember ours too! It played the old 78's and had an attachment to play the 45's. I sang to the big band songs while I was scrubbing floors on Saturday. Love hearing your tales about the 70's. My tales are from the early fifties. Same furniture.

Comment on Lips That Touch Liquor

Tom Purcell — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 20:57:15 GMT

I got the "Lips that Touch Liquor Shall Not Touch Mine" image at Google, but it says on the bottom of the photo that it is from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Edison National Historic site. These ladies were serious... it's the kind of thing that can drive a man to drink.

Comment on Lips That Touch Liquor

John Hilton — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 15:57:11 GMT

Hi Tom--do you swear you found that photo in an archive? With all those lemon-sucking expressions, it sure looks like a parody to me--either then or now . . .

Comment on Lips That Touch Liquor

Lorraine Mutschler — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 23:08:36 GMT

These definitely were not the first Sports Illustrated models. Could they have found any homelier women? LOL Made me laugh and that was good after having a cop car plow into my van. Life goes on . . .