Posted on by Michelle Anderson

Christmas 1971

Christmas can be the absolute best time or the most stressful. Before I had children, I did not appreciate how carefree my Christmases were. And then, after the children came, the time to get presents bought and wrapped seemed to compete with just our everyday schedules. Time was a commodity that some days was scarce. Now, with a house free of children, we are back to a more carefree Christmas attitude. We can place ornaments on the tree wherever we want. If we don’t want the Holiday music on, we don’t play it, and if I want to watch every version of A Christmas Carol, I do! Here we have the Anderson – Conover – Katz family, who are experiencing each of these Christmas feelings.

Lets start with Hazel. She sits by the tree and holds Yo Yo June’s toy poodle. According to Cris Yoyo was Hazel’s favorite. Sitting in front of Hazel is Todd, patiently waiting to open presents. Aunt Nancy Conover and oldest son Chad are behind Todd. Chad looks to be as much of a handful as the dogs. Gary is standing behind Nancy, but none of the Anderson boys can remember the name of the dog that Gary is holding. So if someone knows it, I’d be happy to include them.

Next to Nancy and Gary is Howard and June. June is holding Jigger, their other dog. Howard told Cris that he was named after the small device you could use to hold the gas pump lever down to keep gas flowing into the gas tank. This was called a jigger, and Jigger the puppy could fit in his pocket just like the gas device. Sitting next to June is Kirk, who looks ready to open presents, although maybe not as patiently as Todd. Sitting on his mom’s lap is Cris – I figure he’s about two and a half in this photo. And Sherigay looks like she’s ready for Christmas to begin. King the German Shepard is sitting next to Dick. All the dogs look ready to get out of the way of the opening of presents.

As I went through this photo and looked at each face, I thought about all the good times at June and Howards house on Christmas Eve. I’ve heard it said if I knew that this would be the last time we’d be together, I’d have stayed longer and appreciated it more. May those who are no longer with us have a Heavenly Merry Christmas, and may we have a holiday season filled with cherished old memories and wonderful new ones.

Posted on by Michelle Anderson

JC Penny’s Photoshoot

Lately my social media feeds have been full of people who are going to JC Pennys to get their photos done. Their results aren’t as classy as the Anderson-Beldens achieved. I don’t know a date of when this gem was taken but I’m thinking very late 1980’s or early 1990’s. If someone knows please let me know!

At the focal point are Fran and Dick. Looking every bit the professionals that they were. Very put together and looking good. Behind them I feel the photo is two seperate groups. Those in suits and professional clothes and those dressed in casual clothes. It seems so evenly split too.

Leading what I call the suit group behind Dick are Kirk and Christy. Kirk’s rocking that Tom Selleck moustache. Behind Kirk also in a suit is Brent. Are those matching ties guys? Heading up the casual group is Deanna who I think is all in denim. She appears to have a tan so I’m thinking that perhaps this was taken during the summer. Next to Dee and also sporting the casual look is Wade in a white shirt and our last causal individual is Cris in a black shirt in the back row.

Did you know that JC Penny’s still has Portrait Studios? They do! I am challenging the Anderson and Belden siblings to go have a retro photoshoot done in honor of this photo and their parents. I would love to get us all together for a photo shoot, but don’t think we’d all be able to fit in the small JC Penny Portrait Stuidos but it would sure be fun to try!

Posted on by Michelle Anderson · 1 Comment

First Tie

Kirk Anderson and his First Tie

Kirk, this year we not only celebrate your birthday, but the year of your first tie. Your mother wrote that on February 15, 1970 you were dressed with your first tie. I love how you’re standing with your thumb tucked into the waistband of those lovely plaid pants. 

There are so many things to see in this photo when at first it seems like the only thing is Kirk.  In the far corner is the piano with music books laid out just waiting for someone to sit down and play.  In front of it on the mobile cart is a nice television.  I can’t tell if it’s black and white or color though.  And the pretty flower chair which is in front of the dark wood panelling,  showcases the mid century Americana style that many homes had.  

The definition of a brother (noun) is that of a person who is there when you need him; someone who picks you up when you fall; a person who sticks up for you when no one else will; a person who can get you in trouble and make you madder then you ever thought possible; but a brother is always a friend.  Happy Birthday Kirk.    

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Do you want to build a snowman?

Time spent outside in the winter is different then anything else.  You are under a time constraint though you might not be aware of it.  For there’s only so much time in which you can experience being outdoors.  The first year I moved to Kansas I was so sick.  I was not use to one day it being in the 60’s and the next day it would be 15 degrees with a wind chill of negative 5.  I’m from the north.  When it got cold it stayed cold and then the fun would begin.  Making igloos with my friends and brothers, skating, sledding and staying outside until it felt like our hands and feet were going to fall off.  

Here we have the newly joined Anderson and Belden families, enjoying a great winter day in Wichita.  Dick only had eyes for Fran and the poor snowman doesn’t have any eyes.  But, it looks like a fun family time that I’m glad I get to share with you all.  

Winter Wonderland 
There are strange and mysterious sounds 
When the winds of winter blow, 
The long nights are crystal clear and cold, 
And the fields and meadows are covered with snow. 
The stars are frosty against the sky, 
And the wind's whistle is shrill, 
As the snow blows against the house 
And drifts against the hill. 

Yet, I like to see during the winter 
A white carpet on the ground, 
To plod aimlessly in the deep snow, 
where deer tracks abound. 
I like to feel the stillness 
Of a crisp winter's night, 
Watching a full moon rise over the horizon, 
Exposing a winter wonderland beautiful and bright.

 - Joseph T Renalid
Posted on by Michelle Anderson

Ice Cream

Kirk, Cris and Todd Anderson

Summer is the best time.  School’s over, the days are warm and long and there was always lots to do.  At the end of a hot summer day it’s great to cool off with a nice bowl of ice cream. Here we have Kirk, Cris and Todd who I are ignoring that perfectly good couch behind them. But perhaps they are not allowed to sit on the couch when eating. Could they be at Mimi and Grampys apartment?  

While not as exciting as some of the other photographs I’ve shared over the years, I feel that this photo shows some of the best things about summer time spent with the family and something good to eat. Hope you all are enjoying summer 2021 so far!

Posted on by Michelle Anderson · 1 Comment

Rank Advancement

Dick Anderson, rank advancement with wife Sherigay and sons Todd and Kirk looking on

To me there’s two times of the year when I look for military photos to showcase for you; Memorial Day and Veterans Day. This photo gives me all the feels for a great military photo. Proud solider, with his family looking on as he is advanced in rank. But then I got to thinking, what do you have to do to get promoted in the United States Army? How does the Army decided who gets promoted and who doesn’t?

The Army takes the number of slots for each rank that it can have and then allocates them to the different Military Occupational Specialities or MOS. Last year it was reported that there were 1.3 million Active Duty personnel. That’s just active duty. It doesn’t even include those in the Reserve Units. 231 of them are Generals. Lets say one of them retires, there is now a vacancy and advancement can occur. That’s one of the things that has to happen in order to advance, there has to be a vacancy.

They don’t just look and see which Lieutenant Colonel is worthy and deserving of advancement. No. If you want to advance, the first thing you do is go before the promotion board. There you are judged on your personal appearance, your conversation skills, knowledge of world affairs, awareness of military programs, knowledge of basic soldiering (Soldier’s Manual) and the soldier’s attitude. There is an assessment of their performance and potential. If you score enough points and pass, your name is then placed on the “Recommended List”. Then as vacancies occur, the Army will consult this list to promote.

Dick was a Major when he retired. That meant when he entered the Army he was lucky to enter as an officer with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. As a 2nd Lieutenant you lead two or more platoon sized units of 16-44 soldier’s. Within two years most will advance to the rank of 1st Lieutenant and lead more specialized units. Captain is the next rank. As a Captain, Dick would have controlled Company sized units of 62-190 soldier’s. His final rank was Major and it held the most responsibility. He served as primary staff officer for Brigade and task command. It was his duty to manage personnel, logistics and operational missions. And this was all as a Reserve Officer.

This weekend you can search for military records for free at Fold3. This is a genealogy site, dedicated to military records. When I have searched on past Memorial Day weekends, I tend to get overwhelmed at all the names of the soldier’s who gave the last full measure of devotion.  I am sure Dick probably found himself at some time in his career faced with the knowledge of the sacrifice he was being asked to make.  Luckily, his sacrifice was to be made one week-end each month and I hope he felt blessed that he was not asked to sacrifice by being placed in a combat situation.  For those left behind, the knowledge that your loved one is safe is enough to make that sacrifice ok.  But at times I’m sure his sacrifice was felt as he was absent for milestones and events that he missed. So during times when all his hard work and sacrifices were acknowledged, it was a proud family that pinned his new rank on and told him how proud they were of him.

Thank you Dick, Todd, Cris, Coy and any other veterans in our family for making that sacrifice for us all.  Happy Memorial Day.