Popeye's (and Mom's) Secret to Strength and Vitality by mcsiegle

Popeye's (and Mom's) Secret to Strength and Vitality

My mother is amazing. She's just a couple of days shy of being 95, and despite having broken a hip three months ago, is going strong. We celebrated her birthday a little early yesterday with my two brothers and families. My brother from Wichita didn't get here until evening, so we weren't finished until after the time Mom is usually getting ready for bed. This morning I asked her how she managed, at her age, to survive the hubbub of the many grandchildren visiting all at once. She shared the source of her strength with me, and rolled up her sleeve and flexed her muscles for emphasis. Knock me over with a feather...it was Popeye's secret weapon -- spinach!

Well, as soon as I saw this, I knew I had the response to my get pushed challenge from JackieR @30pics4jackiesdiamond to make a picture on the theme of "Vitality." (This was in response to my challenge to her to make a picture on the theme of "Brain Dead," which is how I was feeling at the time.)

A Google search reveals to me that Popeye is actually not even as old as my mom. Wikipedia offers this: "The character first appeared in the daily King Features comic strip, Thimble Theatre, on January 17, 1929."

I also found this interesting bit on why Popeye ate so much spinach:
http://www.thekitchn.com/why-did-popeye-eat-so-much-spinach-the-surprising-answer-191802

P.S. My mom's a real sport. Not only did she agree to model with the spinach and flex her arm for me, but she also spontaneously pulled the Popeye face.
@30pics4jackiesdiamond Here, finally, at the very end of the last day of the challenge week, is my take on vitality.
September 4th, 2017  
I have never actually seen spinach in a can before! :D
September 4th, 2017  
@miseria I hate most canned vegetables -- yuck. Canned beans are ok, but not my first choice. Would much rather have fresh or frozen. I bought the can, but will donate it to the Food Shelf immediately. Was disappointed to see that the store didn't carry the Popeye's brand of canned spinach, with a picture of the character on the front.
September 4th, 2017  
Wonderful capture for vitality.
September 4th, 2017  
@mcsiegle I do have a strange liking of canned marrowfat peas for some odd reason and canned foods are very convenient!

It is good that it will go to a good home!!
September 4th, 2017  
Brilliant!! Well done Mary xx
September 4th, 2017  
I loved Popeye. Great shot and a belated happy birthday t o your Mom.
September 4th, 2017  
Happy Birthday to you other!!!
September 4th, 2017  
Great capture of your spunky mom :)...She looks happy.
September 4th, 2017  
I immediately noticed the Popeye face and of course her muscles! What a spectacular photo. I love your use of SC for the shot. Your mother is a great sport and has a fabulous sense of humor to pose for you like this. I hope her birthday was spectacular
September 4th, 2017  
What a wonderfully whimsical way to capture your mother's amazing resilience.
September 4th, 2017  
Haha! Very fun!
September 4th, 2017  
Hooray for her. She gives the rest of a true reason to stay strong and have a sense of humor. Fav.
September 5th, 2017  
What a wonderful narrative. Our moms are the same age...you mom seems to have such a good spirit and outlook on life!
September 5th, 2017  
This is so much fun! Fabulous shot, Mary. Enjoyed reading your story about Mom and spinach too. FAV
September 6th, 2017  
Wonderful. This fills my heart with joy xx
September 6th, 2017  
this is fantastic
September 8th, 2017  
Well done on being shortlisted?!!!!!!!!!!!
September 8th, 2017  
Brilliant response, I love it!
September 8th, 2017  
This picture made my day!!!!!! So cool.
September 8th, 2017  
This is awesome!! Haha. Go mom!
September 8th, 2017  
Love this. Your mom is so cute!
September 8th, 2017  
Absolutely marvelous!!
September 8th, 2017  
Your mother is absolutely awesome! She must be a ton of fun to have around.
Congrats to your both on being selected a finalist with this great shot. Good luck with it!
September 9th, 2017  
Go partner, think you nailed this one with the voiting xx
September 9th, 2017  
@farmreporter @berelaxed @homeschoolmom @ludgate @vera365 @wenbow @kali66 @psychographer @lynnz @taffy @joysabin @randystreat @vignouse @grammyn @seattlite @ribbet9 @joansmor @miseria @littleconnie

Thank you all for the tremendous response to my picture of Mom with Popeye face and spinach. Mom is really great. I showed the picture to her after I took it and asked if it was ok to post. She thought it was fun and said it was ok. But if this is the only picture you have ever seen of my mom, you wouldn't know she was really a nice, normal, and attractive woman. So here is where you will find a more ordinary picture of her I posted a few years back. https://365project.org/mcsiegle/365/2013-12-25

If you want more silly Mom, I know I've posted a couple more of those too, that I could search out. :-)
September 12th, 2017  
@mcsiegle I love all of your mom's many faces! :-D 'normal' and Popeye included! Haha. Great shot. I'm glad she was able to get into character.
September 12th, 2017  
Only emphasizes even more what a great sport your mom clearly is!
September 12th, 2017  
She is a beauty and looks to be great fun to be around
September 12th, 2017  
Super strong shot! Congrats on your win.
September 17th, 2017  
So funny and cute!
September 19th, 2017  
Brilliant!
September 20th, 2017  
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