The Smiling Leaf
Going to my Mom's this time of year always provides me with that first changing leaf waiting to grab my attention and tell me fall is definitely on the way. On a recent visit I stepped out of my Jeep and looked down at my feet at all the leaves already fallen from one of her maple trees. The tree has had a hard time the past two years and we're not sure it will survive much longer. My Dad planted it and it has been a part of our lives for over fifty years and it changes its leaves early.
Among all the leaves at my feet was this smiling little leaf that got me grabbing for my camera. As soon as I saw it an old commercial from my childhood kept tugging at my memory. I couldn't
see what my mind was trying so hard to tell me. It took me a long time googling around the internet to find the smiling face I remembered. I didn't remember the face had a body; but then I was a very little girl. This little mascot is Happy The Oil Drop Man. He was the marketing mascot for the Esso Oil Company and could be seen in commercials exclaiming "Happy Motoring." While it no longer exists there was an Esso Gas Station in the hometown where I grew up.It might have been a few weeks early but perhaps my little smiling leaf was exclaiming "Happy Fall."
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What an eye you have my friend. I can see it smiling as well and it's gorgeous. I've never seen Happy The Oil Drop Man. How cool is that for you to find that and remember. :) Happy Labor Day :)
ReplyDeletegreat colors
ReplyDeleteready for fall
That is so so pretty....I'm ready for Fall!!
ReplyDeleteMy Macro Monday
Have a glorious day.
It looks as if Fall is on the way. Thanks for a great picture and story. Although I remember Esso gas, I don't recall Happy The Oil Drop Man.
ReplyDeleteLove this Carletta - both the photo and your memory..
ReplyDeleteGreat colours - Fall's almost here too in S Spain...
ReplyDeleteHope you’re having a great Labor Day Weekend,
Lola & Nora:)
btw Vacation / Staycation Over?
How incredibly cute, the smiling oil drop man was. We have Esso tank stations here, but the smiling man for some reasons have been converted to a roaring tiger.
ReplyDeleteHappy fall to you too, Carletta!
ReplyDeleteHi Carletta, Yes---that leaf is telling us that Fall is almost here... YEAH!!!!! We are so dry here that our leaves are just falling off of the trees. We desperately need rain...
ReplyDeleteI definitely remember Esso gas --but don't remember the mascot... He's cute!!!
Have a fabulous Labor Day.
Hugs,
Betsy
wow fantastic, Sadly it says snow will soon be on the way!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI can see the smile too. Great capture.
ReplyDeleteMine's here.
That is a beautiful fall leaf, I hope the tree survives another 50 years!
ReplyDeleteI remember Esso in the pre-Exxon/Mobil days. I remember this guy, too. It seemed so romantic in the days before the energy crunch of 1973, drawings and even Esso giving us a ‘Tiger in the Tank’ or some saying like this. Ah, to remember the marketing pitches of my youth...
ReplyDeleteAutumn is a necessary step in our four-season climate. The leaf may be turning, but its shape and style is beautiful in any season...
nice colors;-)
ReplyDeleteGood memory! I love the fall colors, but we lost so many trees this summer in the awful heat, I'm afraid there won't be much color this year. Hope I'm wrong.
ReplyDeleteNice Carletta.
ReplyDeleteHe does look like quite a cheery fellow :).
ReplyDelete-----------------------------------
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It's good when something triggers a happy memory.
ReplyDeleteThe leaf has such a cute little face. I can see why it triggered your memories of the Esso man. I do vaguely remember the character.
ReplyDeleteHow great is that that a little leaf can bring back a childhood memory? Great colors on the leaf, and smiling to boot!
ReplyDeleteWonderful photo, Carletta....I don't remember The Oil Drop Man...but he is cute!
ReplyDeleteI love the fall time and that leave is smiling. Love the way things bring back memories of old. I too remember the Esso Stations. Although I never saw the Oil Drop man before. We had the Tiger in your tank. I like the oil man.
ReplyDeleteMy Ruby Link for you
sweet leaf
ReplyDeletebeautiful colors
I ove the scenery during Fall season but I am afraid of the next season hehehe.
ReplyDeleteSpice Up Your Life with Ruby Tuesday!
Maples always put on such a show!
ReplyDeleteI'm always seeing a crossword clue that says something like "old gasoline brand" or long-ago gasoline" or something similar that just makes me feel ancient!
ReplyDeleteThat tree at your mom's is turning very early -- but we are starting to see some color just in the last couple of days as we drive.
I haven't seen this ESSO man since I was a kid. In those days, they check your water and tire. Now I have to pump my own gas.
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