As 2020 ends…

At the start of 2020 I had a long list of things I planned to do. Then things changed and my biggest plan became to “just stay healthy”… so far so good and it means that I have had great success. With vaccines… there is new hope that 2021 will bring back a measure of “normal”. I even went out and pumped up the tires on my bicycle. I did not ride but 2021 is near.

1961 Olympia Portable

Taking care…

It is a great irony that the best way to protect and defend America is to practice social distancing. To reduce illness and persevere the good health and well being of others is to have faith that short-term hardship will extend the life and well being of many. For everyone shut in… out of work or overworked: “Thank you”.

1961 Olympia

Another fine mess… my 900th post!

My first post was on a Olympia SM7 from 1961.  I had heard an Olympia portable was used by Stan Laurel, which was all the recommendation I needed.  Checking my typed pages I learned that it was not until September 2012 that I confirmed this information.  Back then I did not even number my posts (only after I passed 250 and  felt it would be helpful to keep track).

Along the way I discovered a website called Letters from Stan where they collected letters that Stan Laurel typed… in 2012 the number of letters was 1,184 today it is 1,620.  Mr. Laurel died Feb 23, 1965 and the last letter they show is from Feb 20, 1965.  Laurel & Hardy always brought a smile to my face.

1961 Olympia SM7

Its just a tool…

The Olympia Robust was a WWII German Field Typewriter, said to be used by the SS.  This one was left in Poland where it was re-keyed, re-painted and years later sold as junk from a Government sale.  The question then becomes is the possible use of the tool impact its modern use?  For me it was so far from its original condition that I took it a step further and added more color.  Now it is just a working typewriter, a tool making it’s own history.

1943 Olympia

More will than skill… Part two: 2015 Bike Ride Across Iowa

Seven days in a row… brothers using skate boards passed me on the route across Iowa.  Even the guy pulling a canoe was ahead of me five days…  the man on the tandem bike that had the skeleton in the rear seat passed me twice… but I still won!

1961 Olympia
1961 Olympia

part2_2015rag