Jekyll Island Beach 2012

Jekyll Island Beach 2012

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

B is for Blowing Bubbles!!


The Rogue Speaks:

It's Alphabe-Thursday at Jenny's Blog and here is my contribution for this week. Since the theme is Alphabet Soup, it was suggested that we re-print one of our favorite letters from the last 26 weeks. I am choosing the letter "B." If you have already read this, do me a favor and read some other bloggers' offerings from Jenny's site.

I just love those little bottles of bubble stuff with the wands in them! I could sit outside for hours and blow bubbles! I actually have several bottles in my closet in case I need a bubble fix.

I was three years old when the bubble craze exploded in the U.S. The photo above appeared in Life Magazine in 1945 (Oh, CRAP! No rocket surgery to figure my age!). The gentleman on the left happens to be my grandfather. The photographer was my father, who worked for Time/Life.

In 1945, people frequently made their own bubble stuff, and used an empty thread spool for a wand. Ivory Soap flakes made the best bubble stuff. I don't even know if it is still on the market. One can still make bubble stuff with liquid detergent and a little glycerin. You can pour the stuff in a plastic dish pan, expand a coat hanger, and make GIANT bubbles! I prefer the little ones, though. The stay aloft longer, and give dogs and little children something to chase!

I hope you have enjoyed revisiting my letter "B" post. Next week, we begin with the letter A again. Hmmm--What should I write about?? Oh, well I know I'll come up with something!!

60 comments:

Cher Duncombe said...

Judie, I love those bubbles too. We have been to many weddings this year, and all of them used bubbles to blow toward the bride and groom as they left the church. It was whimsical and so much better than rice!

Amazing photo. What a cherished possession.

Judie said...

Thanks, Cher!
xoxo

Unknown said...

We love bubbles at our house. They have filled hours of outdoor play with fun.

Judie said...

I left you a comment on YOUR blog!

Teresa said...

So much fun! I loved when my son was little, and I got to play with bubbles again!

Brenda said...

We always have bottles of bubbles for the grand kids when they visit. I play too.

Judie said...

Teresa, and Brenda: Girlfriends, just because your kids are older, doesn't mean you can't play with bubbles whenever you feel like it! Great relaxer!

Jenny said...

I love bubbles. I still play with them with our littlest Grand.

This wonderful "Normal Rockewell-ish" picture really made me smile.

And Judie, the letter won't change until next Wednesday - and then it will be the letter "C"!

You did perfectly linking this week. I'm glad you did because this was such a happy post!

A+

Jen C. said...

My daughter and I both love bubbles too :) It's so much fun watching her chase bubbles around when I blow them at her.

Judie said...

Jenny, I am always a day late and an dollar short! Glad to know I finally got it right this time!!

Jen, bubbles will never go out of style! Keep blowing!!

Jessica said...

:)

Shiju Sugunan said...

Such fun. Bursting them is even funnier.

Stef said...

Oh, the science museum here in town has these big bubble tables with huge wands. I could spend all day making and watching others make enormous bubbles.

dianesartnow said...

Judie, the bubble stuff makes great little images on acrylic paint. I have a great big bottle we should try.

Lola said...

So much fun - love your ‘B’ post!

Happy Alphabe-Thursday,

LOLA:)

btw My quick Alphabe-Thursday link is here

Jo-Ann Sanborn said...

It's always such fun to stop by here! The photo, art, and music combine to make it a great place to have morning coffee. Did you know you can blow your wishes into bubbles, and when they break it the wishes go into the realm of possibilties?

rebecca said...

Aww! How cute were you! That is a great memory/cherished possession to have....thanks for letting us get a glimpse...

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

My grandkids would just love that! Bubbles are their very favorite thing in the world...

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

That is a wonderful picture, along with a great memory and perfect music.
Your blog is so enjoyable!
xoRobyn

Susan Anderson said...

I have great memories of blowing bubbles, too...by myself as a kid and now, with my grandkids.

=)

Judie said...

Thank you, new people, for stopping by and visiting. Hope you'll come back soon!

Gattina said...

I have to laugh because two weeks ago Mr.G. bought bubbles to amuse our 4 cats, lol !

Jackie said...

Bubbles are fun and look like balloons and both make me happy . I like the home made stuff better than bought . It works better too

Sarah said...

You look fabulous in your age. My old picture looks a little like yours. Does that mean I get to be as beautiful as you are someday? And what is a thread spool??

Judie said...

Gattina, I have two dogs who LOVE chasing bubbles!

Jackie, when we were in Cancum, my SIL's husband had a birthday. We had to blow up 70 balloons! I had rather blow bubbles.

Sarah, you sweet woman! Thank you for the compliment. I am afraid the last 4 months has taken a lot out of me! I have some serious wrinkles popping up. Now, for the thread spool--A long, long time ago, back before you were born, sewing thread was wound on a wooden spool, much like the plastic spools of thread one finds at Hancock's. I hope this clears things up for you! Hehehehe!

Cheryl said...

What a wonderful photo. Great memories too. I remember when we made our own too.

Unknown said...

Bubbles are the best! And that photo is delightful.

Thanks for sending me over to Jessica Lipman's blog. I was able to read your last 2 chapters but for the life of me couldn't get to the older posts. Stories like these are of great interest to me as I go through my own struggles with dealing with memories long thought buried. And as an artist wannabe, I find your blog very pleasing, visually.

Judie said...

Go to my archives for June. Scroll down to The Road Home. I think it is important for us to seek validation through the struggles of others who have lived through dysfunctional families.

Glad you like my blog. Please come back and visit again SOON!

Sandy said...

A bubble wand was always in my hand as a kid.. and my kids also had bubbles blowing in the wind.. very nice post!
Thank you for your visit to my blog yesterday and your kind words.. I love hearing stories from others who also have heart troubles..(well not that I like your having it) I'm indeed not unique but thankfully it's not scary anymore, I just live with it and enjoy my lifestyle changes...This is the first time I spoke of it publicly and it felt good... best of luck to you and your husband on your journey!
Sandy

Ames said...

I love bubbles too! I have always had a bottle in the kitchen cabinet! Thanks for stopping by my blog. ~Ames

Anonymous said...

That is a perfect "B" word! I love bubbles- there is something magical about them. And such a neat picture to have with your grandfather - thanks for sharing it.

Anonymous said...

I have bottles of bubbles and I have to hide them otherwise they are demanded immediately and used uintil they are empty, or worse tipped by mistake and then we have tears.
hours of fun together.
I love your blog, it's beeautiful

Anonymous said...

I always have a couple of tubs of bubbles under the sink too. The dogs go crazy trying to pop them. Me? I just feel 'competent' when I blow and get a wonderful stream of bubbles - best on a windy day!

Cher Duncombe said...

"Tiny Bubbles" and "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles"....Can you hear me singing here. I truly hope not because my vocals would send you scurrying to the mountains! I adored this whimsical article, Judie.

Cher Duncombe said...

Hah! I hear the song, "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles"

Now I hear my song, "Stardust." I so love this new feature of yours, my sister!

Judie said...

Aww, shucks! You're just sayin' that 'cuz you're my sister, and we have to stick up for each other!!

Terra said...

we sometimes make our own bubble stuff...I just love bubbles.

Judie said...

Thanks, everyone, for all these nice comments. Bubbles are bubbles, and life is life. I'd rather bubble, but life is what we have to do.

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

blowing bubbles is fun,
love your playfulness on B.

THE SNEE said...

Along with rainbows and waterfalls (yes, I know. A bit sappy). I love bubbles! Now, even though it's the middle of the night, I want to run out to the store to see if Ivory Flakes still DO exist! My kids grew up with homemade bubbles made from Dawn DIshsoap. In today's world, even bubble making comes with a mechanized option. Great trip down memory lane, Judie. I wonder what your next post will B?

Jo said...

OMG ... i love bubbles!!!! That photo is amazing, i just fell for it the minute i saw it ... i mean what a stellar photo! how lucky you are to have artistry just running through your veins ... I must have missed the first post ... because this I would remember ... wonderful wonderful post ... I just made me happy all over!!!

Donnie said...

That is so neat. I really enjoyed your post.

Susan Anderson said...

I have always loved bubbles; as a child, they seemed magical. (They still do!)

And my grandkids love it, too.

=)

magsmcc said...

So it's the glycerin that makes it work!

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

Oh!!!! I love bubbles too...but even more awesome is that photo of you and your grandpa!!! Suh-weet! (...is askcherlock really your sister?....if so, that is neat too ;o)

Love that you reposted this one!!! and your life is filled with so many amazing experiences and interesting people!!!

Blessings & Aloha!
(Oh..if ever you do an ABC post, let me know... I love to read more about someone through those fun memes, lists, and Q&As.)

Cindy Adkins said...

Oh my gosh, Judie, this is the most amazing story!!! And you look so totally adorable! (You're in luck--I'm so bad at math! lol) This is the most precious picture and oh what a wonderful memory, no doubt.

You are always full of surprises!!!
XO
Cindy

Magyar said...

DOB 43
Thus... I remember the bubble craze, the toy and peanut in the Cracker-Jack boxes!
__My father had some hardwear cloth... fence like material, wires that crossed and formed side by side squares of about a half inch. Dad mad the bubble soap... should-a seen all those little bubbles!
__Great memories! _m

Splendid Little Stars said...

This post definitely bears repeating! What a wonderful photo! love it! You two are serious bubblers! I love bubbles, too!
Have you shared other photographs taken by your father?

Mary said...

I love this & missed it during B week! What a wonderful photo of your grandfather!

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

I still love blowing bubble, even long after the kids quit! It's fun..

nothingprofound said...

We're forever blowing bubbles as the song says. Only when we're grown up we call them: thoughts, ideas.

Gattina said...

When I was little we made our bubbles ourselves too, and blow into real straw ! Today you probably have to go to a "Bio" or Organic food shop, pay the triple to get the ingrediants!

ann@Apples and Twinkies said...

I love bubbles. I haven't used any in a long time. I need to get some. :)

Cher Duncombe said...

I enjoyed this even more the second time around. The photograph is stunning and beautiful. Art runs in your family, I see! Mt granddaughter has been blowing bubbles through her mouth all week in her own little effort to make her speech known, in a way that only a ten-month old can. I loved every syllable!

EG CameraGirl said...

Hey, Judie! I like blowing bubbles too...and I have some bubble stuff in a closet too. :) Some day we'll have to get together with our magic wands and fill the world with bubbles. :)

Tammy said...

Oh, those bubbles are pure magic for sure!!! And those giant ones are monstrous magic. Thanks for the memories!

Ames said...

I am so late getting around to AT.

I love bubbles Judie! I wish you could have seen my grandson with his bubble blowing lawn mover last Sunday. He was mowing the park grass at our family reunion pic nic. Too cute!
That is so cool,this being your grandfather in the pic!~Ames

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

love blowing bubbles.
smiles.

One of The Guys said...

Your letter brings me back to childhood. I guess every kid loves blowing bubbles. My kids got this bubble blower-Stitch, the cartoon character-and it blew hundreds of bubbles every minute. But I still think they preferred blowing bubbles themselves.
I hope you've been doing well. It's nice to visit here and see things are thriving. Aweseome! Take care.

Jenny said...

What a wonderful photo! How cool that was your Grandfather...I still play with bubbles, too! There is something just so magical about them!

This was a sweet link to Alphabet Soup!

And I'm really sorry I'm so late visiting.

Life has seriously been getting in the way of blogging lately...

Grrrrr....

A+