Most often the paper was produced in pencil on oversize newsprint, which, 80 years later, are perhaps unsurprisingly quite yellowed and brittle, crumbling around the edges. Great candidates for preserving electronically!
In 2010 I posted samples of other Daily Blah front pages, on this earlier Eff-Stop sepia post. The following full issue, from late in Nelson's 17th year, memorializes his longtime favorite Airedale, Michelangelo, and as a rare feature includes some photos taken by the editor.
The tears floweth here in Fallbrook for the demise of Mike and in sympathy for your father who wrote of him so beautifully. Who could ask for a more thoughtful and heart-felt obituary?? On a lighter note, you're the first and best Flaneur I've ever met! Okay, now I'm going over to your other posts to read more editions of the Daily Blah.
ReplyDeleteA fine tribute to Mike even if a shotgun at the end seems a bit of a harsh way to put him down, I guess things were different then.
ReplyDeleteFirst, that your Dad made his own handwritten weekly newspaper is amazing, and a great idea for journalling. (Is that a real word?).
ReplyDeleteMike reminds me of our family dog, Bambi, when we were little. He would run away. He would fight, but nobody smaller than himself. He went after German Shepards, Boxers, anybody who was a challenge. The little poodle down the street, Pierre, would bark as Bambi flew by but Bambi paid him no mind. He was on his way to find himself a challenge. Then he would come home, bloody and sleep on my pillow, after Mom fixed him up with Neosporin ointment.
One time he had surgery to remove a tumor. He has gray by then, but still loved to "get loose". We lived on a quite street with a bike path. Bambi had one of those cones around his head, tied down with some of Mom's old nylons to a brace. The nylons trailing swiftly behind him in the wind. Bicyclists were turning their heads, wondering what in the world they were looking at, as my Mom ran down behind the silly dog, yelling, "Bambi, Bambi!"
I loved your post, and thanks for helping me to remember my own dog too.
Kathy M.
That was wonderful. First the story of Mike, such a special dog, and then your father's newspaper career. I love his writing. It reminds me of my journalism career as the editor of my junior high school newspaper, where I also wrote the advice to the lovelorn column "Kitty Karesalot" and the gossip column, "Barbwire". I must say my writing wasn't beautiful like your father's, though.
ReplyDeleteBarbara
I enjoyed reading the BLAH. It is so sad when pets get old.
ReplyDeleteQuite a memorial to Mike. In my younger days, shooting an animal in pain was quite common, it was the quickest way to put him out of his misery. Now you need to pay a Veterian $$$$ to give a needle, I don't believe it is allowable to shoot an animal any more. Your father was a gifted man to put out a newspaper in longhand. Good post.
ReplyDeleteYes, the harsh finality of the shotgun does seem a little abrupt, but it's quite a significant memorial to a loved pet. Thanks for sharing the annotated photos, which add so much to the story.
ReplyDeleteI remember the previous posting well, and being impressed by the skill and care with which it was produced. It is a sad tale, but one which is well told.
ReplyDeleteThe Daily Blah - what treasures you have! A wonderfully written tribute to Mike.
ReplyDeleteMeThinks THE BLAH was the first blog!
ReplyDeleteOh....Dr. Air would have loved this post!!
ReplyDeletePets are a godsend.
ReplyDeleteNice homage!!
And yes, digital conversion is another godsend,
to preserve such memories.
:)~
HUGZ