When Men Were Men, Women Were Women, and Cars Had Muscle!

We were extolled to see the USA in our Chevrolet, American was asking us to call, and see it we did. Riding along in our automobiles, it was the sixties, and we were the greatest car generation. The generation where men were men, women were women, and cars had muscle, fins, chrome, window rattling exhausts, songs written about them, and even parts in movies.

The greatest car generation's favorite form of entertainment was shooting the strip; referred to as cruising in other parts of the country. Every Friday night they came from miles around to drive up and down the main street in town; to shoot the strip, to show off their cars, to see and be seen, and to pick up women. Friday night was not date night. It was "show time." And we were "smokin' hot."

Friends, great looking cars, and women were acknowledged while shooting the strip by a series of horn honks. If you were cool, you knew the code. Two short were for friends accompanied by the man version of the Queen of England's wave, a quick flick of the hand. One long and a head and arm out the window was to acknowledge an equally hot car. One long and a whistle meant a local beauty was shooting the strip.

Once seen the crowd headed for Mills Drive-In, the staging area. Mills was the place for everything cool; men, women, and cars. The hot cars backed into their parking spots, a model for the "old car shows" of today. Their drivers leaned against them with their slick-backed hair and tight black pants.

Male posturing required the hood of each car to be opened, the chrome to be blinding and their attention focused on discussions of custom versus stock. The green Shelby Mustang, the yellow convertible Corvette with the black top, the two seater black T-Bird, the little duce coup; all players in the greatest car generation's Friday night show on wheels.


If you had a hot car you had a woman; usually a different woman every weekend. The women spent the first hour in groups; two or four to a car. Once seen they headed to Mills and parked facing the line-up of hot cars. Like birds they perched on the hoods of their cars eying the men and the muscle.

If you were interested in a particular man, there was a code for this as well. If you wanted to shoot the strip with the man and his yellow corvette you dressed the part; a yellow blouse and black shorts. Dressing to match the car was a sure signal to the man he had the woman's attention.

The women were impressed by the car and the men were impressed by the women. A nod of the head and you were chosen, the man and his car were your trophy for the night and you in turn were his. The engines started, that familiar deep rumble filled the air and it was back to shooting the strip. The top down, a warm autumn breeze and Wolfman Jack on the radio.

Now shooting the strip began in earnest. Hundreds of cars lined the strip. They stopped in the middle of the street, side by side to laugh and joke. They revved their engines. They backed up traffic. It was all a part of the ritual.

While Paul McCartney may have sung Baby You Can Drive My Car, and maybe I'll love you; this was not the case. Only one girl in town was ever allowed to drive any of these cars. She knew her stuff. She was a drag queen. For the rest of us it was high performance cars and we were low performance drivers. No man would risk the transmission of one of the greatest cars ever made to a mere woman. Women were content to be passengers in the greatest car show on wheels.

It was an autumn of memories. Soon we graduated, left for college, were introduced to life's realities by way of the Vietnam war.

When I hear a certain song playing on the radio I remember I am and always will be a member of the greatest car generation on earth, and I remember, we had fun, fun, fun!

Now, just for fun, can you answer this music question?


That fateful night the car was stalled
upon the railroad track

That fateful night the car was stalled upon the railroad track I pulled you out and we were safe, but you went running back

Source: http://lyrics-a-plenty.com/t/teen_angel.lyrics.php

That fateful night the car was stalled upon the railroad track I pulled you out and we were safe, but you went running back

Source: http://lyrics-a-plenty.com/t/teen_angel.lyrics.php

That fateful night the car was stalled upon the railroad track

Source: http://lyrics-a-plenty.com/t/teen_angel.lyrics.php

That fateful night the car was stalled upon the railroad track I pulled you out and we were safe, but you went running back

Source: http://lyrics-a-plenty.com/t/teen_angel.lyrics.php

- what was it you were looking for that took
your life that night?

You'll get extra points for the title of the song
and the performer.
(Psst - there's a clue in this article.)

Cars As Stars for the COG!

If I'd Only Known, I'd Have Bought A New Dress!

footnoteMaven: This unnamed woman shares artifacts from days gone by -- lyrics, poems, photos, illustrations and historical documents -- to illuminate our ancestors' worlds. (She's not too highbrow for humor, though: check out her lyrics to "Good Citations," to the tune of "Good Vibrations"). The Maven has a fun, smart voice of someone you'd want to join for tea. (To whomever wrote the blog descriptions - Bravo! They are great.)

THANK YOU FAMILY TREE!
TEAS ON ME

THANK YOU!

To Family Tree Magazine for the opportunity to be
recognized for my work by you and my readers.

To my family, Mr. Maven in particular, for their encouragement
on those days I just want to pull the covers over my head
and go back to bed.

And a very special thank you to the Expert Panel.
Lisa Louise Cooke, Dear Myrtle,
Randy Seaver, and Thomas MacEntee.
This can not have been an easy task, but this is a group who
is committed to ethics and integrity in genealogy blogging.
It's the perfect panel!

And thank you for the selection of my two other blog contributions:
Shades Of The Departed
(Research Avice/How To Category)
The Association Of Graveyard Rabbits
(Cemetery Category)
It's been a very good year.

This is the footnoteMaven's second nomination and second win. I am extremely fortunate, but before we all start to believe our own publicity (think Charlie Sheen), let me remind everyone of the FAN-TASTIC Blogs in each category that were nominated and regardless, keep on keepin' on. Viewed in this light the Family Tree 40 2011 Genealogy Blog Award is a very humbling experience.

1. EVERYTHING Category:

Clue Wagon, http://www.cluewagon.com/
Creative Gene, http://creativegene.blogspot.com/
Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter, http://www.eogn.com
Elyse's Genealogy Blog, http://elysesgenealogyblog.com/
Family History Tracing, http://familyhistorytracing.blogspot.com
footnoteMaven, http://www.footnoteMaven.com
Greta's Genealogy Bog, http://gretabog.blogspot.com/
Olive Tree Genealogy, http://olivetreegenealogy.blogspot.com
Relatively Curious About Genealogy, http://relativelycurious.blogspot.com
Roots and Rambles, http://rootsandrambles.blogspot.com/
SpittalStreet.com, http://www.spittalstreet.com
The Educated Genealogist, http://sherifenley.blogspot.com/
The We Tree Genealogy Blog, http://wetree.blogspot.com/
You Go Genealogy Girls, http://yougogenealogygirls.blogspot.com

Congratulations Top 40:

Clue Wagon, http://www.cluewagon.com/
Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter, http://www.eogn.com
footnoteMaven, http://www.footnoteMaven.com
The We Tree Genealogy Blog, http://wetree.blogspot.com/
Olive Tree Genealogy, http://olivetreegenealogy.blogspot.com


2. CEMETERIES Category:

Cemetery Explorers, http://cemeteryexplorers.blogspot.com/
Digital Cemetery Walk, http://digitalcemeterywalk.blogspot.com/
Escape to the Silent Cities, http://escapetothesilentcities.blogspot.com/
Gen Wish List, http://genwishlist.blogspot.com
Granite in My Blood, http://granite-in-my-blood.blogspot.com/
Gravestoned, http://gravestoned.blogspot.com
Over Thy Dead Body, http://stiffsandstones.blogspot.com/
The Association of Graveyard Rabbits, http://thegraveyardrabbit.com/
Tombstone Territory, http://tombstoneterritory.blogspot.com

Congratulations Top 40:

The Association of Graveyard Rabbits, http://thegraveyardrabbit.com/
Digital Cemetery Walk, http://digitalcemeterywalk.blogspot.com/
Escape to the Silent Cities, http://escapetothesilentcities.blogspot.com/
Granite in My Blood, http://granite-in-my-blood.blogspot.com/
Gravestoned, http://gravestoned.blogspot.com

3. TECHNOLOGY Category:

Ancestry Insider, http://ancestryinsider.blogspot.com
Dienekes' Anthropology Blog, http://dienekes.blogspot.com/
Family Oral History Using Digital Tools, http://familyoralhistory.us/news
Genealogy's Star, http://genealogysstar.blogspot.com/
GeneaNet Genealogy Blog, http://genealogyblog.geneanet.org/
JLog, http://www.jgen.ws/jlog/
MacGenealogy.org, http://www.macgenealogy.org/
MobileGenealogy.com, http://www.mobilegenealogy.com
Moultrie Creek Gazette, http://moultriecreek.us
Renee's Genealogy Blog, http://rzamor1.blogspot.com

Congratulations Top 40:

Ancestry Insider, http://ancestryinsider.blogspot.com
Dienekes' Anthropology Blog, http://dienekes.blogspot.com/
Moultrie Creek Gazette, http://moultriecreek.us
Genealogy's Star, http://genealogysstar.blogspot.com/
Renee's Genealogy Blog, http://rzamor1.blogspot.com

4. HERITAGE GROUPS Category:

Acadian & French-Canadian Ancestral Home, http://acadian-ancestral-home.blogspot.com
Anglo-Celtic Connections, http://anglo-celtic-connections.blogspot.com/
Black and Red Journal, http://www,blackandredjournal.blogspot.com
Donna's Ireland blog, http://moughty.com/Site/Ireland_Blog/Ireland_Blog.html
Geniaus, http://geniaus.blogspot.com
George Geder Evangelist for African Ancestored Genealogy, http://gedergenealogy.com/
Georgia Black Crackers, http://georgiablackcrackers.blogspot.com/
Help! The Faerie Folk Hid My Ancestors, http://irishfamilyresearch.blogspot.com/
Luxegen Genealogy, http://www.luxegen.ca
Of Trolls And Lemons, http://haugenhistory.blogspot.com/
Scottish GENES, http://scottishancestry.blogspot.com
The French Genealogy Blog, http://french-genealogy.typepad.com/genealogie/
The Knowles Collection, http://knowlescollection.blogspot.com/
The Scottish Emigration Blog, http://scottishemigration.blogspot.com/
Tracing the Tribe, http://tracingthetribe.blogspot.com/
Wandering and wondering (a'spaidsearachd agus a'meòrachadh), http://direcleit.blogspot.com

Congratulations Top 40:

Acadian & French-Canadian Ancestral Home, http://acadian-ancestral-home.blogspot.com
Georgia Black Crackers, http://georgiablackcrackers.blogspot.com/
Help! The Faerie Folk Hid My Ancestors, http://irishfamilyresearch.blogspot.com/
Luxegen Genealogy, http://www.luxegen.ca
Tracing the Tribe, http://tracingthetribe.blogspot.com/

5. RESEARCH ADVICE/HOW-TO Category:

a3Genealogy, http://a3Genealogy.blogspot.com
FamHist, http://famhist2.blogspot.com
Family History Research Tips, http://familyhistorytips.wordpress.com/
Gena's Genealogy, http://philibertfamily.blogspot.com/
Genealogy Tip of the Day, http://genealogytipoftheday.blogspot.com
NARAtions: The Blog of the United States National Archives, http://blogs.archives.gov/online-public-access/
Paula's Genealogical Eclectica, http://paulastuartwarren.blogspot.com/
Personal Past Meditations, http://www.thepersonalpast.com
Pollyblog, http://pk-pollyblog.blogspot.com
Shades of the Departed, http://www.shadesofthedeparted.com/
The Armchair Genealogist, http://www.thearmchairgenealogist.com
The Family Curator, http://www.thefamilycurator.com/

Congratulations Top 40:

The Armchair Genealogist, http://www.thearmchairgenealogist.com
The Family Curator, http://www.thefamilycurator.com/
Genealogy Tip of the Day, http://genealogytipoftheday.blogspot.com
NARAtions: The Blog of the United States National Archives, http://blogs.archives.gov/online-public-access/
Shades of the Departed, http://www.shadesofthedeparted.com/

6. LOCAL/REGIONAL RESEARCH Category:

Alberta Family Histories Society Blog, http://afhs.ab.ca/blog/page/3/
Brooklyn Historical Society Blog, http://brooklynhistory.org/blog/
California Genealogical Society and Library Blog , http://blog.californiaancestors.org/
Eastern Washington Genealogical Society Blog, http://ewgs-spokane.blogspot.com/
Grey County Historical Society, http://greycountyhs.blogspot.com/
Itawamba History Review, http://itawambahistory.blogspot.com/
Midwestern Microhistory, http://midwesternmicrohistory.blogspot.com/
MoSGA Messenger, http://mosga.blogspot.com/
My Ancestor's Name, http://myancestorsname.blogspot.com/
New York History, http://www.newyorkhistoryblog.com/
Sandusky History, http://sanduskyhistory.blogspot.com/
St. Vincent Memories, http://56755.blogspot.com
Utah Genealogical Association Blog, http://ugagenealogy.blogspot.com/
Virginia Historical Society Blog, http://vahistorical.wordpress.com/
Williams County, Ohio Genealogy, http://williamscountyohiogenealogy.blogspot.com

Congratulations Top 40:

Brooklyn Historical Society Blog, http://brooklynhistory.org/blog/
California Genealogical Society and Library Blog , http://blog.californiaancestors.org/
Eastern Washington Genealogical Society Blog, http://ewgs-spokane.blogspot.com/
New York History, http://www.newyorkhistoryblog.com/
Sandusky History, http://sanduskyhistory.blogspot.com/

7. NEW BLOGS Category:

Adventures in Genealogy Education, http://www.genealogyeducation.blogspot.com/
Climbing My Family Tree, http://www.climbingmyfamilytree.com/
Have You Seen My Roots? http://haveyouseenmyroots.blogspot.com/
Heritage Zen, http://heritagezen.blogspot.com/
Journey to the Past, http://journeytothepastblog.blogspot.com/
My Tangled Vine, http://mytangledvine.blogspot.com
myirelandhome, http://myirelandhome.com/
Nolichucky Roots, http://nolichuckyroots.blogspot.com/
Old Stones Undeciphered, http://oldstonesundeciphered.blogspot.com/
Pursuits of a Desperate Genie, http://desperategenie.com/
Roots Traveler, http://www.rootstraveler.com/
Sassy Jane Genealogy, http://www.sassyjanegenealogy.blogspot.com
The Faces of my Family, http://thefacesofmyfamily.blogspot.com/
The Family Recorder, http://thefamilyrecorder.blogspot.com/
The Mashburn Collection, http://themashburncollection.com
The Scottish Emigration Blog, http://scottishemigration.blogspot.com/
The Turning of Generations, http://www.turning-of-generations.blogspot.com

Congratulations Top 40:

Climbing My Family Tree, http://www.climbingmyfamilytree.com/
Have You Seen My Roots? http://haveyouseenmyroots.blogspot.com/
Heritage Zen, http://heritagezen.blogspot.com/
Journey to the Past, http://journeytothepastblog.blogspot.com/
Old Stones Undeciphered, http://oldstonesundeciphered.blogspot.com/

8. MY FAMILY HISTORY Category:

Ancestories: The Stories of My Ancestors, http://ancestories1blogspot.com
AtlasFamily.Org Blog, http://blog.atlasfamily.org
Begin With Craft, http://beginwithcraft.blogspot.com/
BeNotForgot, http://benotforgot.blogspot.com/
Circlemending, http://circlemending.blogspot.com/
Everything's Relative, http://genealogybycindy.blogspot.com
Finding Josephine, http://dionneford.wordpress.com/
Finding Our Ancestors, http://researchingoconnells.wordpress.com
Gene notes, http://geneanotes.blogspot.com/
Greta's Genealogy Blog, http://gretabog.blogspot.com/
Little Bytes of Life, http://www.littlebytesoflife.com
Mississippi Memories, http://www.mymississippimemories.blogspot.com
My Channel Island History, http://jerseymo2010.wordpress.com
Nutfield Genealogy, http://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com
Reflections From the Fence, http://www.reflectionsfromthefence.com/
Tangled Trees, http://tangledtrees.blogspot.com/
The Accidental Genealogist, http://www.theaccidentalgenealogist.com/
The Internet Genealogist, http://shbwgen.blogspot.com/
TJLGenes: Preserving Our Family History, http://www.tjlgenes.blogspot.com/
Tonia's Roots, http://www.toniasroots.net/
TransylvanianDutch, http://transylvaniandutch.blogspot.com
West in New England, http://westinnewengland.blogspot.com/
What's Past is Prologue, http://pastprologue.wordpress.com

Congratulations Top 40:

Greta's Genealogy Blog, http://gretabog.blogspot.com/
Little Bytes of Life, http://www.littlebytesoflife.com
Mississippi Memories, http://www.mymississippimemories.blogspot.com
Nutfield Genealogy, http://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com
West in New England, http://westinnewengland.blogspot.com/

COG 104 - Cars As Stars

104th EDITION OF THE Carnival Of Genealogy

The topic for the next edition of the Carnival of Genealogy is:


“Cars As Stars of Our Family History II”

Three years ago, on April 4, 2008, we celebrated the automobile
with stories of cars that touched our hearts, made us laugh,
made us cry, and best of all made us remember the
(mostly ;-) good old days.

- ¤ -

Bring us stories of your first car.

- ¤ -

Your favorite car, a family road trip.

- ¤ -

Backseat adventures (ooh la la! ;-)

- ¤ -

Jalopy horror stories... we want 'em all!

- ¤ -

There will be no limit on the number of submissions,
so bring multiple stories if you have them!
Submit to the 104th COG by April 4th.

- ¤ -

Vroom! Vroom!

- ¤ - ¤ -

The Deadline For Submissions Is
April 4th


- ¤ - ¤ -

Attention All COG Participants

Read Also The Changes To The COG In 2011

Please use a descriptive phrase in the title of any articles you plan to submit and/or write a brief description/introduction to your articles in the "comment" box of the blogcarnival submission form. This will give readers an idea of what you've written about and hopefully interest them in clicking on your link. Introductions for your articles will not be provided for you due to the volume of articles submitted. Thank you!

Also, check out Jasia's post "FAQs About The Carnival of Genealogy," for all you need to know about submitting a post. First-timers always welcome and greatly appreciated!

Submit your blog article to the next edition of the Carnival of Genealogy using the carnival submission form or select the 104th Edition COG poster in the upper right hand corner of this page. Past posts and future hosts can be found on the blog carnival index page.

March Forth On March Fourth For The Fourth Year

Language is something to be celebrated, and March 4 is the perfect day to do it. It's not only a date, it's an imperative: March forth on March 4 to speak well, write well, and help others do the same!

Today Is The Fourth Annual National Grammar Day

National Grammar Day was established in 2008 by Martha Brockenbrough, founder of the Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar (SPOGG) and author of Things That Make Us [Sic], also available as an e-book. I am a member of the Society and Marched Forth in 2008, 2009, and 2010. There are some of you who would question my membership having read footnoteMaven.

For all the newbies I give you myths that well-meaning people argue about every day in offices around the world AKA:

Grammar Girl's Top 10 Language Myths:

I'm giving you the number 10 grammar myth here, but please read the other nine as they are all my favorites.

10. A run-on sentence is a really long sentence. Wrong! They can actually be quite short. In a run-on sentence, independent clauses are squished together without the help of punctuation or a conjunction. If you write I am happy I am glad* as one sentence without a semicolon, colon, or dash between the two independent clauses, it's a run-on sentence even though it only has six words.

In a comment to A Baker's Dozen, I wrote:

My opinion is that commas and periods are highly overrated and often get in the way of a fine writer completing an exquisite thought as it is transferred to the page in one pure stream of consciousness emerging unmolested from the brain to the hand.

It was engineered to be long, but tell me, is this a run-on sentence?

This year I add the use of may and can. The difference? Permission versus ability.

To my husband, "Can I jump off the 520 Floating Bridge?" The answer is yes. There is no physical impediment to my jumping off the bridge. I have the ability to make the dive.

To my husband, "May I jump off the 520 Floating Bridge?" The answer is no. He is withholding his permission until the appropriate moment arrives.

Now go, enjoy National Grammar Day!