McKenna Movies – Dad wakes us up with blinding video lights
There is nothing like being startled in the middle of the night by a video camera with a blinding light on top of it filming it while you sleep. Dad used to love to come in the middle of the night with the camera and film us sleeping with an extra bright video light. You can see in this video that it was not popular. But then again there is Danny. Dad films danny, wakes him up with the light and Danny is happy as can be and looks like he is ready for the party. Check out this funny reminder of some things my dad used to do.
McKenna Movies – Young Bridget 1971
I think this clip was taken in 1971. It is of a very young Bridget probably about 1 and a half years old. It’s amazing that she looks a lot like Oliver did when he was that age. Bridget was such a calm baby and so cute. Here is a sweet scene which was actually filmed by my mom and shows Dad pouring out the love to her.
McKenna Movies – Thanksgiving 1972
When we were young, Dad used to take us all in the Yellow Cadillac every Thanksgiving down to the Point Loma tidepools. The excursion was a chance to walk around and hike the cliffs to build up a good appetite so we could eat a big turkey dinner. I remember this particular walk on the Point Loma tidepools. I remember Dad traversing the razor thin stone bridge and thinking to myself, would he make it. You’ll have to watch the video to find out. This was also the year that we attempted to push a multiple ton boulder that was resting precariously close to the edge of a cliff off the edge. Did we do it? Well you’ll have to watch the video to find that out too.
McKenna Movies – Chicken Watching
It must have been 1975. Dad bought a single chicken home for us as a pet. Not a dog, not a cat – a chicken. The chickens name was Eggatha. The chicken was very important, so important in fact that we needed to have human eyes on it at all times to make sure that it would not run away. The chicken was the first “semi-free range” chicken in the days when the term hadn’t even been invented yet. I say “semi-free range” because it could only roam within the confines of our backyard. I must admit the chicken did get a little violent at times and would often attack our shins by flying up and scratching and pecking the hell of us. Once it even got drunk on dad’s whiskey and got even more violent.
Dad eventually used the chicken to pay for a cab ride home. We were in shock and yes there were tears shed. I mean you develop a pretty deep and significant relationship with a chicken when you have to spend hours watching the chicken’s every move. God bless Eggatha.
McKenna Movies
My dad had a little film camera that he kept with him for many years during the 1970’s. He recorded home movies a lot during those days and I got my hands on some of the footage. I will be posting some of that footage on my blog regularly until I finish.
This particular movie was recorded by Kathy and her high school friend. Eating a weight loss candy called “Ayds” (yes that was the name alright), they stuffed pillows in under their shirts to pretend that they were fat and then were trying to lose weight. Ironically, they are two of the skinniest girls you could ever meet which makes the video particularly hilarious.
Darla is waiting for Santa
Now that Thanksgiving is over, Darla is waiting for Santa Claus. It’s going to be a long wait since he has almost 1 more month to get ready before he visits her house. Here she is looking outside the cat door at Mom’s house to see if he is flying overhead with his reindeer yet.
Thanksgiving at Mom’s
Mom’s little Coronado cottage is always a calm, peaceful and happy place to be, the kind of place that you would think about when you wanted to have the picture perfect Thanksgiving in Southern California. With the palm trees blowing in the light wind, blue skies and warm sun it was a beautiful day in Coronado and a perfect Thanksgiving with family. Darla, Elizabeth, Greg, Sarah, John, Little John, Bill, Michelle, Isabella, Maria, Mom, Dad and I celebrated the day of thanks together with a big dinner including delicious turkey that could have only come from Mom’s oven. John made some spectacular Turkey wings that were smoked in a secret recipe. They were out of this world. The day was one to remember. If you want to see what it looked like we filmed some of the highlights so you could have a look. Enjoy.
Darla wishes all of you a Happy Thanksgiving.
We’ll miss her very much
This Thanksgiving was a sad day for Tu and her family, and for me. Her grandmother passed away in the morning and everyone was very sad. She is missed so much and right now people are coming from all over to say goodbye to her. Vietnamese funerals last many days and it gives a chance for people to come from all over to say their final goodbyes.
Tu and her grandmother were very close. I met Tu’s grandmother last year when I visited Vietnam and she was so full of life and personality. She would always make me laugh with jokes and things she would say. Since I used to eat with my hands when I was there she thought I was Cambodian and used to ask me if I was from Cambodia. Well that just made me laugh so hard because I doubt I look very Cambodian at all. But that just gives you an idea of her wonderful personality and way with people.
I was very sorry to hear of the news of Tu’s grandmother because we all loved her very much and she will be missed so. Tu was in Vietnam with her and that was a blessing. Goodbye to Grandma until we see her again in heaven.
We took these pictures a little over a year ago in Vinh Long where Tu’s family and grandma lived. This is Tu giving her a kiss.
Tu and her grandma are good friends.
Tu’s family is very close, the whole family lives together no matter how young or old they are.
In pictures you can see someone’s eyes smile. Can you see her eyes smiling? I can.
How cool is Tu’s Grandma? She will be sorely missed.
