I call it my “Blue Tiki God”.

My Brother Kenneth hand carved and painted it for me.

It is made out of balsa, a very light wood from a tropical tree. It has been many years since its birth in the late 1950s, but it is still with me and in pretty good shape.

My Brother Ken carved it and another for our Brother Ralph. Ralph’s had a similar head but also a body with arms and legs, which were painted black. I remember that I initially thought that the Tiki with legs was better. Admittedly, I was a bit jealous and sorry for my Tiki, as he had none.  Although I remember the thought now, it was only briefly in my mind at the time.

They were wonderful gifts, especially made for Ralph and me, by our Brother.

During this time I also remember my Brother and his High School Buddy and their old 1930 and 1940-something cars. If my memory serves me right, the first one that I remember was a black 1936 Ford owned by a guy named Beatty. It pulled up in front of our house on 502 Thomas. Ken came out and greeted him, and they just sat in that old car, listening to Rock and Roll on the Radio, and talking about that old car and what could be done to it. Note, Radio Stations, and 45 records were the only way to listen to music in those days. Record players were not really portable devices like the Walkman of the 80s, and the iPhones of today. Besides most guys did not have record players, so Radio guys like the Wolfman were King.

Later he made a Tiki for Beatty, and he hung it around the rearview mirror of his car. Maybe ours were test models for the ones he made for other classmates.

A month or so later when Beatty came by, Ken took a small paintbrush and the paint we normally used on our model cars, and pinstriped the car. It really looked cool. Later after working hard at the gas station and saving his money, my Brother Kenneth bought a 1940 Ford sedan.

Yes, it was Black and Cool.

I can close my eyes and hear the muffled Rock and Roll, and banter of my Brother Ken and his buddies coming from inside their hot rod cars as they sat in the front seats with the doors open, and feel the heat of the summer day, and a slight breeze that came every now and again, moving the leaves of the trees, and cooling me from the Texas sun. I sat on the steps of the front porch, holding the Tiki in my hand. Moving my thumb up and down, I feel the smoothness along the long side of the Tiki’s head. Smiling, I look down and notice the ‘M’ beautifully painted under its nose, especially for me.

My Blue Tiki God has travelled well over the years with only minor wear.

It is one of the few Treasures which I truly cherish in my life.

Thanks, Brother Ken for the Love.