Mark Today

Very handsome Mark

Ok.... so maybe that IS all I know about my youngest cousin. But come October, I will have a lot more to post here. The only time I have ever met Mark was in Long Beach about seven or eight years ago. Mark was sick and could not even get up to go to dinner with us.

I understand that Mark is less outgoing than Todd, a bit more shy (or maybe not so much shy as sly?).

Mark likes working with his hands and he and Lee used to work on boats as a "father/son team" in Long Beach. Now, Mark travels and works on off-shore oil rigs - is that right Mark?

Post a reply here Mark - I will get this right yet!

Todd Yesterday and Today

Lee "Todd" Seligman

Todd is an ex-professional BMX bike rider (as you will see below). Now into TV, Movies, Photography and life! He is very outgoing and charismatic! You have definitely missed out if you have yet to meet Todd.

That certainly is NOT my kind of fun. Anyway the story I heard is that Todd hung up his "helmet" when he took a fall and fractured his leg in several places. BMX's loss is photography's gain!

Todd? You could fill in the blanks of your life a bit here.... post a reply and I will add to this post. Would love to hear from you!

Anticipation

I am so excited that in less than two months, I will be reunited with family I have not seen in years! The mere thought of it encompasses most of my free time.

You know.... will they like me (I know they love me - but will they like me!), what should I wear to Sian and Todd's wedding, will I be embarrassed of the weight I have gained, in general what do I pack for October in North Carolina, will I be shy with those I do not know, do I have anything (except blood) in common with them.... will they like me?

Anyone who knows me at all knows that I am a "people pleaser" - I HATE confrontation on any level and I am totally self-conscious of myself. Damn if I could have just been born rich then I could afford to be good looking.

Anyway - enough about me-me-me! And more about them.

Todd and Mark

In part due to the geographical locations, in part due to financial (or I should say lack there-of) situations and in part because I could not find my Uncle or cousins, I missed out on their childhood.

Imagine my elation when I received this photo in an email from Lee today! This photo was taken in the Spring of 1982. If I did the math correctly, that would have made Todd 12 years old and Mark 8 - at least I think.

(After the original post) Obviously, if I would have read the caption more closely that my Uncle sent, I would have gotten this right - Todd is 11 and Mark is 7 in this photo - my bad!

What handsome boys.... Still boys to me and STILL handsome today!

Lee keep these childhood photos coming!

Dinner

Strange the things you remember from childhood. I decided to treat myself to lamb chops for dinner tonight and vivid memories came flooding back to me of my Grandma Seligman.

Whenever we would visit (whether at Christmas or in the summer), she would always broil lamb chops. First we would go shopping at a "special" market where everyone knew her by name. I can hear someone saying... "So, Mrs. Seligman, how may we help you today?". Grandma would reply "You remember my granddaughter Dotsie - we would like some double lamb chops, please".

Later, I would be in the kitchen helping her with whatever small chore she could find for me to do without hurting myself.

I rarely remember Grandma wearing pants, so imagine this photo with her wearing an apron cooking dinner and chattering away with me as I anticipated the delicious taste of the lamb chops we would soon be eating. The table always set with a table cloth and real napkins. My grandma had style!

The photo on this page was actually taken in 1970 - but this is the photo I see in my mind whenever I think of her. Every hair in place - beautiful white (sometimes blue - hehe) hair, dressed as if she were going to town.

Rememberances

For many years, I would travel in the summer from where ever we happened to be living at the time to Silver Spring, MD to visit my grandparents. The times I remember were when I was taken to the airport by my parents (or maybe just my mother), hand-delivered to a stewardess and then in turn hand-delivered to either my grandmother or grandfather Seligman. Yes, it was quite the adventure and yes - I got air sick too!

I have vivid memories of the prop planes (not a jet) and the stewardesses in their crisp blue uniforms. One of them was responsible for me for the entire trip. Before we would land, I would always get a pair of "wings" to pin on (or clip on) myself - they looked just like captain's wings!

This photo, I believe is of one such visit. The shorts I am wearing and the short sleeved shirt worn by Eric are more summer-like than the earlier photos of Christmas' gone past. Seems strange to me to see the both of us together as my recollections of these visits are of me only. My brother did not go very often for the summer. In fact, I suspect that this photo was probably the last year he did.

Don't you just love my hair cut and glasses? Ack! I was one ugly child! Guess that didn't matter though because Grandma and Grandpa would parade me around to their circle of friends as if I were a princess.

As I appear to be 8 or 9 in this photo, that would make the year either the summer of 1961 or 1962. Eric would have been 11 or 12. Look at him - with his summer buzz - he always took good photos - me NEVER! I think my brother did finally grow into those ears!

Look closely - behind us on the table is a photo of my mother.

Sickness in Motion!

Ah - the vessel of my 2-4 hour flu! The Barbara was my Uncle Selly's pride and joy - it was his "baby". But to me... the damn thing meant only one thing - sea sickness! Hence my appreciation for dry crackers, ginger ale and DRY LAND! To this day when I am near a boat that "icky" feeling comes over me!

She was about 30 feet long stem to stern (did I say that right?). There were sleeping accommodations for 6-8 people, a galley and much more. I loved looking at her from the pier, but when forced (and I do mean forced) to get aboard, everyone knew they better not stand directly in front of me.

The rest of my family relished their time on this boat, however and took every opportunity to sail.

The photo above is the older of the two - maybe late 1940's when she was still white with mahogany railings.

The one below was taken a few years later when she was painted dark green with a tan trim. These were also the colors of the Fallen Arches cottage if memory serves (Fallen Arches Cottage was where my Aunt Bobby and Uncle Selly lived). You can see photos of the cottage in older posts.