Friday, April 5, 2013

Eerie Sponges: Stereoviews A-Z

Eerie. These sponges remind me of the old horror movie, The Blob. Movie previews showed people running out of a theater, screaming for their lives, chased by a giant glob of goo. (Hmm....the crowd in front might want to think about moving). 

There were two Blob movies made, the first in 1958 and a remake in 1988. I don't remember seeing either, just the previews. The 1958 movie trailer can still be found online.


Sponge Market, Key West, Florida (ca. 1890s)

I have never seen sponge harvested nor been to a sponge market. Sponge was first commercially harvested in Key West in the 1850s. The market and profits grew at a phenomenal rate, and by 1890, Key West was the sponge capital of the world. At the turn of the century, there were 350 boats harvesting sponge according to records. However, profits and yields lasted only a short time. Fungus destroyed the sponge beds and cheaper synthetic sponges became available. Today the sponge beds are slowly growing back. 

[Source: http://florida-agriculture.com/consumers/recreation/waterfront/keywest.html];
[Gravseth family archive; Cosmopolitan series 1890s]; Copyright 2013 © Sharon Himsl



Sharon M. Himsl

Writer/Author. Blogging since 2011. 
Published with Evernight Teen: 
~~The Shells of Mersing


20 comments:

  1. I remember watching "The Blob," when I was a teenager, and you're right, these sponges look very much like the "blob." Very eerie, indeed! Thanks for visiting my site!

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    1. Hi Rosanna. I don't think I will ever forget that scene where everyone runs screaming out of the theater.
      The 'prayer for writers' on your blog is wonderful!

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    1. Oh, another reaction like me. Thanks for visiting my blog. Enjoyed post on yours....congrats on book!

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  3. I've seen a movie relating to a blob (almost typed blog :)) once, long ago, may have been what you mention here. Scary, yeah ... I was very young, so even scarier.
    Silvia @ Silvia Writes

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    1. It's fun to reflect on old movies from our youth. So funny now...so scary then!

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  4. Whoa!!! Very blobby, very gross! :)

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    1. Kim, you have invented a very cool word...."blobby"...need to remember that!

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  5. How interesting, harvesting sponge. ME TOO on reminding me of the Blob.

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    1. It's surprising how many people remember this movie. Thanks for the follow, Teresa!

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  6. I LOVE the Blob. An excellent classic scare-fest.

    Happy A through Z blogging.
    http://pensuasion.blogspot.com/

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    1. Another Blob fan! Thanks for stopping by in the big A-Z. Visiting yours next:)

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  7. Hi Sharon, Seems like an odd thing to have made sterioviews for people to look at. Liked the bit of history and it does kind of look like the blob has taken over.
    Going to go follow you back now.

    Margot

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  8. The sponge capital of the world. Interesting. I never really thought about harvesting sponges before, but they do look like the Blob - I guess I am suggestible.

    On my blog you said expat - from where?

    Thanks for checking out my AtoZ.
    Rhonda @Laugh-Quotes.com
    AtoZ #42

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    1. Hi Rhonda. Expats in Kluang, Malaysia; my husband worked at a polytechnic in Parit Raja:)--a memorable experience!

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  9. I love the old pics. They used to sponge dive in Tarpon Springs Florida too.

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  10. Wow! I never thought of a sponge market - and I love natural sponges! And your reference to The Blob had me laughing. I remember watching the trailer about the blob at the theater - eww!

    Speaking more seriously, your collection of cards, postcards and slides has been beguiling me. What an enjoyable, delightful stop on the A to Z hop.
    Diana at About myself, by myself…

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  11. Thank you! That means a lot to me. I really wanted to share these online so my family and others could enjoy them. They were growing dust in a box that was about to be buried! As a writer, they are also an inspiration. I see setting and character potential in all of them.

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"Stay" is a charming word in a friend's vocabulary
(A.B. Alcott). Stay and visit awhile. Your comments mean a lot to me.

About Me

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You could call me an eternal optimist, but I'm really just a dreamer. l believe in dream fulfillment, because 'sometimes' dreams come true. This is a blog about my journey as a writer and things that inspire and motivate me.