I know y’all have been busy shopping, cooking and decorating in preparation for the 2015 Elvis Week. Things around here have been crazy with all the company in town, parties and gift giving, and of course, the biggest event of the week is going to be Wednesday, when the United States Postal Service unveils the new Elvis Forever Stamp. I’m not wild about the photo they chose (above), but even on his worst day, the guy wasn’t so bad.
If they had asked me, I would have suggested this photo for the stamp. I mean, who wouldn’t want to lick the back of that head? (Oh deary, I can’t believe I just said that, forgive me and bless the pygmies in Africa, but come on . . .you know what I mean.) Anyway, no one licks stamps anymore with all the self-stick goo, so it doesn’t matter anyway.
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I grew up listening to Elvis’ music when my Mom would put his records on the big console stereo and we’d clean house. It’s good moving-around music.
This is the last Elvis stamp issued in 1993, the year my husband and I were married, and yes . . . we used Elvis stamps on some of the wedding invitations. Most people got flower stamps, but those who were cool Hound Dogs got the Elvis treatment. They were very formal engraved invitations, and Great Aunt Myrtle Mae was not pleased with the image of, “an immoral rock-n-roller” on the envelopes. She said she prayed for me that Wednesday night in prayer meeting.
Featuring the most wildly popular Southern entertainer on another stamp is a great idea, and I’ll buy plenty to stick on Great Aunt Myrtle Mae’s Christmas cards for years to come.
Here’s a photo of Elvis talking with the Shepherd Boy from my story, Elvis is in the manger.
And you may remember Elvis in the pick-up truck from this past year’s Mardi Gras parade in Fairhope. I mean, we are so cool, Elvis shows up to join the fun.
This clip of Elvis still gives me chills. I had the TV tuned to American Idol the night it aired and wasn’t really paying attention, when all of the sudden, I heard “that” voice, and liked to have jerked a crick in my neck thinking Elvis himself had returned from Gloryland to sing with Celine Dion.
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So, don’t let me keep you – run on out and get in line for your Elvis stamps. How many sheets will you buy, and what’s your favorite Elvis song?