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Brek Rosengren

@brek5

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This happened 45 years ago, today...

Here I am with Fred Meijer, this was a Grand Rapids Press photo. I was the latest hire in the Meijer Advertising Department, and I was skinny enough. So I got stuck wearing this silly suit and stinky head. It reeked inside, of sweat and bad breath.

Fred actually told me that we had an Advertising Department when he and I were talking while I worked at the Plainfield Meijer gas station a couple years earlier. I was studying graphic design. He said, “yeah, we’ve got a little advertising department, you should apply for a job there, and tell them that I sent you.” I did end up applying, but I didn’t tell them that Fred sent me. I didn’t think they’d believe me. I got the job anyway.

The day I wore the Thrifty Boy suit, I think was the opening weekend of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. I had to ride a bike in a kid’s bike ride, and the bike was a raffle prize. I could only see out of the “Thrifty Boy” mouth, so I had no peripheral vision. I could hear kids riding next to me, and terrified that I’d swerve into one of them, or them into me. They all wanted to ride near Thrifty Boy! I thought for sure I, and a kid (or more) were going to get seriously injured. And if I rode normally, the stupid too-heavy head was going to tumble forward, off of me, so I had to abnormally bend my back, to keep my shoulders back, to keep the head on. Somehow, miraculously I didn’t hurt any kids, or dump the head, my back was in severe pain though, by the end of the ride. lol

Good times.

Fred WAS a super nice guy. (And he was wearing that ridiculous shower cap because it was raining.) by @brek5

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10 days ago

It’s tiny, only 20’x20’, but I love it. I feel so lucky to live here. My tiny little cabin in the woods. by @brek5

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15 days ago

Jean-Pierre Rampal - Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano
©️1975

I’ve had this album, along with a bunch more from my Dad’s collection, for a little over 30 years. It’s the first time I’ve listened to it. I just sorted through a pretty large stack, and saved all of the ones that are in good condition. It was a nice eclectic bunch of jazz, classical, reggae, folk, comedy, Mills Brothers, The Ink Spots, rock, etc.

It gives me the chills to know that the last person to put this on a turntable, was my Dad. (Thanks, Dad, for instilling a deep love of music, and thanks for your collection!) by @brek5

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24 days ago

Thinking about my friend Mark “Huggy Bear” Lavengood today.

Your talent, attitude, and big-energy is going to ensure that the Billy Strings - Ionia Freak Fair will be one for the books! I can’t be there, so I can’t wait to hear your stories! by @brek5

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a month ago

by @brek5

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a month ago

Are you with me Dr. Wu…

IYKYK. by @brek5

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a month ago

Sweet custom (Lead Sled?) probably out for Saturday morning breakfast at the Flat River Tavern. by @brek5

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a month ago

Just do it. by @brek5

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2 months ago

Beauty is all around us.

Sometimes you just have to look down. by @brek5

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2 months ago

Looking through a bin of old vinyl, I came across a Mills Brothers album. I felt like my Dad was saying, “hi!”

Hi Dad! I miss you. by @brek5

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2 months ago

by @brek5

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2 months ago

Made a quick trip to the grocery store, Leppink’s, in Lakeview, saw some beauty in my short 8 mile drive. by @brek5

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2 months ago