The Killer Tomatoes and Harley

This is Harley now, at almost 14, but I remember when she was about 6, she was fascinated with the movie "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes. I know we watched it more than a dozen times.

The movie was made in the 1970's, with the really weird fashions in clothing and hairstyles, and it has been voted one of the 7 worst movies of all time, also voted one of the best movie titles of all time.

Harley was not the first child in the family to be fascinated with this movie. I remember her Uncle Jack (Powers) watching with big eyes riveted to the screen. He was probably about 5 years old at the time.

I also remember both of them giving sideways, wary looks at the tomatoes in the kitchen after seeing those "killer tomatoes" chasing people down the streets and attacking them in their homes.

We lived in Jacksonville (IL) when Jack saw the movie, and I was in the habit of taking him and Sunshine for walks around the neighborhood. We always passed a home with a big garden near the street, and when the tomatoes were getting ripe Jack noticed them, moved to my side away from them, and grabbed my hand, and whispered, "Grandma, let's get out of here quick!" Next time we went for a walk, he did not want to go down that street.

We still own a copy of this movie, and I can't help but wonder if the next generation, D'Anna and Serenity, will be as spellbound with it as their folks were.

grandma in the yellow house, movie lover from way back.

Ridin' with Haley

Yes, I rode with Haley yesterday, but there was good reason. She had to go to the orthodontist at Mangum, there was no other driver to take her, so Grandma in the yellow house was drafted. She is still a few days away from 16 when she will officially be old enough for that coveted piece of plastic (driver's license), but does have the permit to drive when accompanied by a licensed driver--which would be me. She seemed a little surprised when I handed her the keys, guess she doesn't realize what a brave person I am. We made the trip with no cause for panic attack. She is actually a very good driver, and with more experience she will improve even more.

The photo was taken while Haley was on spring break, spending a few days at Cal Farley's Boys Ranch at Amarillo where her cousin Charli along with husband Chris are houseparents.

She said she enjoyed her visit there.

I did enjoy the trip with her, it was the first time in quite awhile I had spent one on one time with her. She has grown up so fast, she is already making plans for college and planning to be an orthodontist. We are wondering if she might be a pod child. (Remember the old movie "Invasion of the Body Snatchers?"

Grandma in the yellow house, who is proud of all her grandchildren