Apr 25th “…a TIME to START to WORK…”

In order for me to start to “WORK” for  “Southwestern Bell Telephone”  – – I had to go to the “Board of Education”  and get a “Worker’s Permit” as I was not as yet eighteen years old.  In preparing for a  “JOB” as soon as possible…  I also went to Summer School – – so as the get the required  “credits” needed to Graduate  or at least get a diploma as soon as possible.

This is the mid 1950’s – – and there were five (5) other girls starting to work  – – and with me – our group of six with one  “Instructor” went and did everything together – – our  day starting at eight in the morning and ending at five in the afternoon. We had one hour for LUNCH in mid day – – we also had a break in the afternoon and morning.

This is me – – on  one of the days… the  “Instructor” i forms us that we will have our PHOTOS taken for their files – – and so I ask if I could have this Photo of me – – as it was not good enough for their files – – and rather than throw it away – – thought I would like to take it home – – to show my MOM.

As you can see – – the setting on the camera was not set to get enough of my face – – but there is just a small amount of of a good smile – – this “WORK” included six weeks of just learning  – – and each day was FUN. It was like going  “back” to school – –  we were given  a “Steno Note Book” and pencil – – we were to write down everything that the “Instructor” told us.

In “Saint Louis” back then – – every part of the City and areas that I did not even think about  – but  where telephone service was – – like in North Saint Louis where I was living – – the telephone exchange  name was “Evergreen” – and our telephone number was “EV1-4650” – – so knowing what the “EV” stood for – – made it  easier to know where  that phone number  would be located  in the “CITY”  and also the numbers “3 and 8” were correct for that area. I still have my old book with all of the information that I needed to know – – before ever sitting at the “Switch Board”  and taking a “live” call.

Today… it would not be necessary for the six weeks of training – – as most children have their own “Cell Phones” and know more about calling everywhere – – and even to foreign destinations and all without the “HELP” of an “OPERATOR” – – because way back and then – – it was “long” distance to call “Arnold, MO.” – – and we would have slips of paper for each call made – – the “TO and “FROM” numbers and the “NAME” of the called party – – for the “PERSON to PERSON” calls – – we did a lot of writing and had to be good with the numbers – – did have to figure out the “TIME and CHARGES” for those “CALLS” made from “PHONE BOOTHS” – – needed to know what a “quarter” sounded like or if it was a dime or nickle – –  – – there was a lot to know then – – but  “TODAY” everyone can call anywhere in the world – – and probably on their   little “hand-held”  CELL PHONE…everything  in “one”  MACHINE! ******** “Very few “Telephone Operators”…  and  “BELL TRAINED” …  needed!”

Apr 21st “Blue Ribbon Winner”

“For as long as I can remember… This PHOTO  of little “MARY ELLEN”  hung on the Living Room wall – – and  in those  homes…  that had a “Fire PLACE” – – there I was   all  ‘toastee warm’  – – with my big smile – – just waiting for someone to walk  over – – looking at me and asking questions or just some simple  ‘small  talk’  to me!”

My grand-daughter,  “JAIME”  – – was over the other day – – and she has a cell phone that will take good PHOTOS – – so without  removing the glass from this frame – – because the back side is sealed up – – ‘what a job that would have been’  – –  we do see some reflections in the glass – – no matter what we tried to do.

Most “PHOTOS” that I have  – – have a story  – – and here is the story for this PHOTO.

There I am in the back-yard playing with some other little kids  that live in the neighborhood… this is  now ‘mid day’ … my DADDY pulls up into the driveway – – driving like a “maniac” as my Mother tells it – – –  jumps up  – out  and running into the house …”Where is MARY ELLEN”” – – have to take  her and real quick” – – my MOTHER points to the back yard saying that I am playing with friends.  So my DAD runs out to the yard – – just grabs me… headed back to the car. “WAIT … WHAT  FOR?”  My Mother is asking… waiting for an answer.

“Flannery Studio”  “has a “BABY CONTEST” today only…  and I have to get “MARY ELLEN” there… and in a hurry!”   “JUST a minute… let me clean her up and change her clothes!”  “She  has been playing outside and is too dirty for “PHOTOS” to be taken” … and … MOM  is trying to catch up with my DAD – – but…  he is just too fast – -has me under one arm – – almost like a “FOOT BALL” and into the vehicle,  and off my DAD  ‘flies’ – – – and  if I wasn’t … NOW  I am – – –  just a real mess of a kid – – but, when my DAD is doing something – – “his way”   – –  there was no stopping him.

“So…when you look at this PHOTO – – you can see my face is a little on the dirty side – – the tie for my cap … not tied – – and where is the rest of it – – and the clothes … sure could have  been clean,  fancy  – – maybe ribbons and bows in the hair  – – maybe even some bright colors for the clothes – – to be sure that I was a little girl” – – – But… maybe these PHOTOGRAPHERS were looking for  something  different  – – like…  just plain ole Jane… come as you are – – and just let the  “FACE” say something – – without all of the extras?

“Sure does look like I am talking to the “Photographer” – – – maybe even…  sometimes… ME thinks me speaketh… too much!”