Catchy caption needed. Your suggestions please!
Just as every issue of The New Yorker features a cartoon in need of a caption, today’s post offers a photo calling for your input. There’s one below to get your wheels turning, but I think there are other possibilities.
The back story: This photo was taken in 2005 when Cliff was in the Chicago area doing his art/music shows. Most likely our son Joel, who was in graduate school in the city at the time, was driving as Cliff snapped the picture of this truck on the Interstate.
* * *
Carl Stoneseifer was one of my dad’s best employees at Longenecker Farm Supply in Rheems, PA. He was both personable and competent, as my dad would say, a “crack” mechanic. I remember how sad Daddy felt when Carl moved on.
His wife Helen was a talented quilter. On May 20, 1976 Helen’s picture and write-up appeared in our hometown newspaper, The Elizabethtown Chronicle. The quilt, in honor of the American bicentennial, was a cooperative effort by her sister, her daughter-in-law, and another friend. However, the designs featuring various patriotic symbols were her own.
Memorial Day is a time to remember all those who sacrificed for our country. This weekend also heralds the first official holiday weekend of summer.
How do you observe it?
Can you provide a caption for the photo? I’m excited to see your suggestions!
Coming next: Purple Passages: Secrets of the Grimké House, Charleston
Plain and Fancy 
Thanks for sharing Marian. We plan to “celebrate life” by traveling to Cancer Treatment Center of America in Newnan, Ga. for my husband to have his yearly cancer check up. So grateful for the 7 years of life on this earth after his esophageal cancer surgery in Zion, IL in 2008
I enjoy reading your posts 🙂
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Hello, Bertha. I rejoice with you in the 7-year celebration of life since your husband’s surgery. Nothing like the scare of a serious illness to wake us up and show us how much we treasure having those we love around us.
Thank you so much for reading and commenting today, so appreciated.
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When you’re on the road, take a little piece of home with you.
Or Grandma got run over by a…semi? Sorry…
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Wisdom and (sick) humor – we’ll take both today, Jenn. The first one goes into the prize pot though.
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Well this will be a very quiet Memorial Day weekend as compared to last year. That was when our oldest son was married so there was lots of busyness going on with that.
Just like most things there will be an extended family get together, this year at a cousin’s house on our road. We have a picnic, play games…volleyball, ladderball, horseshoes, badminton, croquet…what ever anyone sets up. We’re having a cookout, everyone puts in for meat…hot dogs, hamburger and brats. I am making rhubarb cheesecake bars and baked beans and bringing 2 jars of my pickle relish. My cousin has an email list with everyone so she asks and/or assigns what needs done. We are also to bring one of our folding banquet tables and as many lawn chairs as we can. As a family, we like
fireworks so most celebrations end with at least a few. Being where we are there are no restrictions.
Memorial Day weekend is when we start the outdoor planting of things like tomatoes, annuals…last frost is supposed to be 5-15. We plant flowers on the graves of family.
Captions….You’re never too old or too big for a security blanket.
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Email has certainly simplified the way we make plans for family get-togethers. The menu sounds yummy.
Thank you for supplying caption # 4. Perfect!
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We have just decked out the picnic tables in red gingham tablecloths. Grandchildren and children are on their way and should arrive soon. We will have a larger family gathering at a Showalter farm down the road from here. Stuart is digging thistles out of our backyard (a downside of living next to a meadow), so that little bare feet don’t step on thorns.
Our son was born in 1976, the bicentennial year. Our whole town of Goshen painted the fire hydrants red, white, and blue. Happy Memorial Day weekend to you and yours, Marian.
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I can see the deck, the gingham tablecloths, and the prime valley view as I read your comment. It’s nice to know Harrisonburg – and probably Goshen – are all decked out for a memorable day.
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We’ll celebrate very quietly, sticking close to home. I’m remebering my Dad who fought against the Germans in WWII and all other veterans from all the wars before and after who had to suffer the ravaging ailment of PTSD when their service was finished.
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This is a memorable day for you in many more ways than you express here, including a prime theme of your soon-to-be-published memoir. Thank you for checking in today, Joan.
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Hi Marian, your post arrived after I was up and about this morning. 🙂
We don’t have any specific Memorial Day weekend events. We do have theater tickets for one day, and we’re finally going to meet one of my daughter’s fiance’s sets of parents on another day.
Hope you have a great weekend!
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Enjoying theatre and a first encounter with a new set of relatives – it all sounds like enough drama and excitement for one weekend, Merril. Enjoy every minutes!
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Thanks, Marian! 🙂
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What a great quilt! I truly admire folks who quilt!
The picture of the semi dragging the colorful fabric is interesting and intriguing! I’ve thought of a couple captions, but they’re so corny I’m not going to share them! I like the one someone else wrote: when you’re on the road, take a little piece of home with you!
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Corn pone is acceptable here, so no harm done if you care to post. This is not a contest- ha!
The caption under the photo came from Cliff, my husband. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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Marian — MAGIC CARPET RIDE for the quilt being pulled by the semi.
This Memorial Day weekend:
Saturday (today) we rode our bikes a zillion miles
Sunday we’ll picnic at the park just down the street and play bocci ball
Monday we’ll volunteer at the local VA hospital (Len is retired Navy)
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Obviously, you are living up to your do-good & be-well mantra. Bike riding is a low-impact way to get healthy exercise, which Cliff and I took advantage of too last Saturday. (Plantar fasciitis gives me few other options.)
Magic carpet ride is spot on as a creative caption. Thanks, Laurie.
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“Eighteen-wheeler takes wrong turn onto Daytona Beach on Memorial Day. No injuries sustained.”
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Gee, Susan, you’re right! Mixing with bikes, motorcycles, and race cars would be a BIG mistake. Your entry goes in the big box – thanks!
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My two-pence worth: Eighten-Wheeler Driver Can’t Leave Home without it!
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Thanks for the witty caption to which I would add: Eigthteen-wheeler Driver needs his Bankey too. Thanks, Cliff!
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Or: One Blanket’s Wild Ride, which I think you thought of originally.
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O Golly Marian – not being American it’s hard for me to think of something. Patriotism reaches new levels? …
Well, it is great that those who died for country and kin are honoured. May it be a special day for all those who have lost loved ones.
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As our pastor pointed out this morning, this is a day we observe, not celebrate. We remember those who remind us that freedom is not really free. There is a price to be paid. Thanks for your caption. I always appreciate seeing you here, Susan.
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I have a strong feeling feeling I am the only Brit that follows your blog ‘shout at me any ladies out there if it’s pure speculation on my part ‘ So all your wonderful traditions are new to me …but I’m learning . I am a stickler for tradition and you Americans do it with finesse and pride …I admire you so much .
I may have told you my sister is the quilter in our family . Her quilts are a work of art .
I love the magic carpet caption ‘ ‘Who needs a journey of grease , screwed up yesterdays news and left over hot dogs when you can travel the world on a home made magic quilt with the odd fairy at each corner for company’
Sorry it’s rubbish I’m just in one of those potty moods today .
Cherryx
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Cherry, sometimes we Americans get the feeling other countries of the world think disparagingly of us. Your comment proves otherwise. Maybe it’s because we speak the same language – ha!
I’m glad when your potty mood strikes. The blend of traveling blanket and quilt ideas is amusing. Yes, I do remember that your sister is a quilter, which you mentioned the last time I had a quilt-making theme. Thank you!
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My caption would be as our memories roll away. Love the quilt and the people with the gift to do them. We are done with all the quincenera preparation. Now we working on the house and garden. We have a crew coming to help. Praise God for friends. Then we’ll wait til the 12th to decorate for the big day on the thirteenth. Were all excited
Gloria
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Thank you for the caption: “As our memories roll away”. I look forward to hearing and perhaps seeing snapshots of the quincenera celebration. It sounds as labor-intensive as a wedding. You will be in fine form by June 13. Your family certainly knows how to make those family ties that bind. Thank you, Gloria!
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What a great shot!
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Thanks, Fiona. That’s high praise coming from you. But the credit goes to our son Joel, not me.
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My mind goes to wondering how it got there; it is not road worn at all, as it would be filthy in minutes if it had gone more than a couple of miles, I think. Perhaps the start of a mystery novel or at least a writing prompt, as it was for you!
We mainly worked ourselves silly outside, requiring several naps to recover, and coming off nearly a two week binge for my husband working 13 days straight. But were blessed by our daughter, son-in-law and grandson stopping in from Sat. night to Monday 11ish, and never more thankful for two and a half days off for my hub (from Sat. noon til Tuesday morning.)
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You always bring new thoughts to mind, Melodie, because you have the writer mind-set. You’re right about the blanket not looking very road-worn, a thought which never closed my mind.
You married a hard worker, a good thing, but it sounds like he may need an extended vacation. I guess the working yourself “silly outside” refers to yard work. With a small garden and 18 oak trees, outside work in a never-ending cycle for us too.
Thanks for your update and the musings about the stray blanket/quilt.
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If the picture was taken from a moving car, Marian, I am REALLY amazed. Years ago, I saw a picture of a boy in a Memorial Day parade. He was riding his bike, and the flag had gotten caught on the training wheels. The boy was happily pedaling and smiling–and dragging the flag behind–and the caption read: “Wherever we go, it goes with us.” That might fit with this picture, too.
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That’s perfect – it goes into the caption box for sure!. Son Joel and hubs Cliff both have quick reflexes and an artistic eye. I suppose that’s why/how the photo came to be. I am so glad we connected online. I find your posts both energizing and calming, like the last one. Thank you for those and for commenting here today, Marylin.
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I do not have a caption, but I have relatives in Elizabethtown. My dad’s sister was Dorothy Olweiler, her husband was Bob, children, Sally, Phil, and Jake. Did you know any of them?
Pat Stapp Sent from my iPad
>
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Oh, my goodness, Pat – my hometown and you have relatives there. Why it almost seems like we’re related. It’s a cliche to say it, but “Small world” applies here – ha! About your family names: there was a Jerry Olweiler in my graduating class, but she was from Bainbridge. Olweiler’s Store on Market Street sold distinctive gifts and such.
Do you visit there often, I wonder. Thanks so much for mentioning your connection to E-Town!
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I am the absolute worst caption inventor. My mind always goes to the literal, and comes up with something inane, like, “truck with banner.” I DO have a sense of humor, but evidently it goes to sleep when I’m asked to connect words to pictures.
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Well, you are a captivating writer. I am in thrall to the vivid imagery and startling metaphors in your memoir. Never will I forget the barn burning scene with angels tall as trees. Or the car wreck. I’ve noticed whenever poets write prose there’s magic! Thanks for commenting again here, Tracy.
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❤ Thank you for the encouragement, Marian. I needed that today. I've been working on my novel, and falling into that mode of comparing myself to the great authors of the centuries whom I so admire, telling myself I don't measure up. The moral of that story is, Don’t Compare Yourself to Others!
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I fall into that comparison trap often. What skews our perception: We compare weaknesses we see inside ourselves to others’ strengths, which we observe externally. As I say, it’s a trap – glad you felt encouraged today. Isaiah 41: 6,7
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Putting those verses into my prayers. ❤
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😉
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