The past is fading fast

Another faded memory from my childhood. Dad bought us a go-kart from a local farmer, but it had an old motorbike engine in it and nearly became airborne when we test drove it, So dad found a tamer lawnmower engine and we spent our spare time (of which we had lots) racing round and round the wheat bins at the bottom of town.

This pic reminded me of how quickly photos fade (it was taken on one of those instamatics, where the picture slides out before your very eyes). If you have a box of old photos stored away somewhere, I would recommend you scan them all now, because they will fade away to nothing in no time (just like my youth).

Our share of history

Collecting old stocks and bonds is a new and growing hobby, so when I came across some old share certificates my wife had been given by her late father, I thought it would be fun to find out more about them. I contacted a couple of collectors sites and found out some interesting tidbits. Apparently those certificates which have eagles on them (which is a lot of them) are less collectible. It seems the pictures on the top are what interest collectors (in the certificate pictured, the family are enjoying a ride in their car). I also found out our certificates are not really old enough to be valuable, with most collectors looking for pre 1900. All the same, we like them and will keep them for their sentimental value, as they are like little windows into another time and place.