Grandma’s Stories

Jun 18th “FATHER’s DAY” *** JUNE 19th, 2016

WAY back in the 1940’s – – the house that we lived in – – did have a very large kitchen – – compared to this  photo – –  and we had  a “GAS” stove and oven – an even older style than the electric  below.  – BUT – – my FATHER was a “CHEF” by trade – – and he could  bake and cook anything – and never had to check with a “COOK-book” – – DADDY – – was the “CHEF” and or “COOK” –  and that is what I remember seeing – 

During the “WAR” years – – my FATHER would be busy in the evenings making DIVINITY and FUDGE candy for the service men and women – – and the three of us  – my brothers,  DENNY  and TOMMY and myself – -would each have a spot standing around the large kitchen table – -waiting for our turn to do the testing  – – to test the  syrup  – – to see if  it was at the hard cooked stage – – and we each  just loved getting to tell DADDY what we thought – – but of course he was just having us there and involved – – making “LIFE-LONG –  memories of the good times – – when a FAMILY does something good and also “GOOD for AMERICA!”

Every flat surface in the house – there would be “WAX PAPER” – and the “DIVINITY” – waiting to be  wrapped and then boxed  – – then my DAD took  all the packages – – to the POST-OFFICE – and mailed over-seas to our servicemen – – because when he had been in the service – – his MOTHER – – would make “sweet treats” and send to him – – to be shared with friends in the Philippines – – and everyone knows – – that for…  the men and women  – away from HOME – – feel so much better – – when someone back HOME – – sends LOVE – via “SWEET-TREATS!”

I know… because when my son, LEE, Jr.,  was in the NAVY – – aboard the USS RANGER – – I would have  the “FAMOUS-BARR” store send to my son a couple of cases of candy and “fortune-cookies” – – and since they were at “sea” for long periods of time – – my son’s friends  were often  receiving “SWEETS”   – – – the best reminder  – – that someone at home – -is sending lots of LOVE!

Is this the  “DADDY”  – – that you know???  Would you also have a “DADDY” – –  that was in charge … of the KITCHEN,   too???

Jun 17th “DADDY” *** DENNY Jr., *** ME…

This is  “DADDY”  holding … Mary Ellen and our new addition… little baby, “DENNY Jr. – – and we are in the back yard our our…  AUNT Irene Brady Riley.

Since… little “DENNY” was born in the last part of January…  it is now time to get out side in the “SUN LIGHT” – –  and warmer weather    and build up –  in  getting some natural   vitamins    – – – as  I remember  – – when we were little – –  we always   received  “cod liver oil” – – and that is something that I feel more people should  do. The reason  being … I’m  going  with – –    that thought  – – is that you do take your vehicle in to the repair shop – to have the oil changed and  all  moving  parts …   greased and oil – – so that all parts move – without squeaking – –  so…  why not  apply the same oiling to the bones in the body. 

In addition to that… my MOM  – – would make for us a very good drink – – using “OVALTINE” powder – she would  order  – – the large five pound can – – from  one of the big department stores – – in the downtown Saint Louis area . That is still a favorite of mine – – and I know that you can still make a very good “Malted MILK Shake” at   home if you like – – once you do – – you will always be wanting more!

One other thing that I remember… while we would be visiting at AUNT IRENE’s house — I was always   fascinated by the little “canary”  in its own cage – – that she had in her kitchen. When we would be sitting around her kitchen table – —- it was FUN to actually talk to a little “bird” in its cage – – and bouncing from one perch to another – – and keeping  us entertained with the beautiful singing – – I always wanted  a small bird and cage of my own – – but I’m guessing – – with small children – – we would have opened the cage door and then  –  –  well – – who knows what happens in a situation like that?? 

Getting close to “FATHER’s DAY” – – and it sure is good – – to always have more “GOOD MEMORIES” –  and  to be able to give THANKS to the ALMIGHTY CREATOR – – – for  giving to me – – the best of FAMILIES – – to be born into!

Jun 16th “DADDY and ME!”

You can tell  – – just by looking at this old PHOTO  — that this is when the world was in “better times” – – when you take the time to think about the past – – and do a little comparing – – how and what we were doing  – – way back in the 1930’s – – what do you think??

Looking at me – – – in the strong arms of  my “DADDY” – – I am sitting on top of the world!  Being the first child in the FAMILY – -I am taken everywhere – -I am getting to meet all of the FAMILY  and FRIENDS – and from what my MOTHER told me – everyone liked me and wanted me to visit them – evidently – – the one thing that which –  I do  even  NOW – – I was doing then – – and that  was  asking questions – – asking  “WHY”  was the one word – that I used more than any other…  just wanted to know  WHY  everything was the way it was?

One story that – – my MOTHER told me  – – was  that  when  she had the refrigerator  door open – she was  getting something  out  –  – and walked  away just long enough – – and I was just the right size to stand there – – looking in at all of the food – – – and what a “mystery” to me – – was  the wire basket full of “FRESH EGGS?”  – – I had round balls – – that were small – -about the size of those eggs – – and must have been trying to make a connection – – as to “WHY” my toys would be in there??

So…  before she knew what I was up to doing – – I had taken hold of one egg – – and threw it down on the floor – – – and just looking at the broken egg on the floor – – and not   able to figure out why…   this ball  did not   bonce    up and back to me – – the mess – – just did not look right – – so I am guessing to see what was wrong – – I grabbed another egg – – and threw it…  also down to the floor! As my MOTHER turned around – and saw the mess – – I started to cry – – as   there was something happening here – – and I did not know about eggs – – and that these were not balls for me to play with.

I am guessing that after – – someone would be telling me more – – about what I could touch and what to keep my little nosy hands off – – before there was too much damage done!

This…   “PHOTO” of me and  DADDY is one of my   favorites – – you can see that I have my shoes and socks on – – and I always knew – -I was then ready to go somewhere – – and as you can see my “HAND”  is busy pointing to where we should be going – – and it sure was good to be up so high – – so as to see and be able to be  the “director” of where we were going and what we would be doing!

“It sure does pay… to be  DADDY’s”  little girl!”  It was always FUN… to get to travel in style – – being carried in the arms of   “DADDY!”