Friends and Stories

Horace and Helena Dall

When I grew up in Atlanta I can remember "Uncle Horace and Aunt Helena" coming to visit us and staying for a week or so. There are pictures of their stay in the album photos. Specifically Uncle Horace and Mom scanning the optic of the massive telescope that Dad built. I expect there is much to say about this matter.

However, the memory that stands out most is our journey over seas in the Summer of 1977 began with with our lodging at Uncle Horace and Aunt Helena's in their Luton home midway through to our destination to Seville, Spain.

The image above is I believe the same image that was given to my brother by Uncle Horace as he introduced my brothers, Father and I to the wonders of his laboratory.

Now mind you, I had not ever experienced an English townhouse and garden. But for those of you not familiar with this concept, imagine a brownstone type of apartment house. Except its ridiculously tall and thin, almost an animation to your imagination...like a cartoon. Add to that the most narrowing yard, thin and long as you scale it along with all sorts of flowers and budding shrubs. And in the back of the property, the most curious thing...a miniature observatory with a Mini parked next to the obscure entrance gate under a dilapidated carport.