“January in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and NO SNOW”
When you live in Florida and you have good FRIENDS in Saint Louis that know where you are – – enjoying all of that nice “SUNSHINE” and there is lots of SNOW building up by the big “Foot Size Buckets” – – “How can you say “NO” to their request, to come on down and visit with you?”
On the left is a very good friend of my husband, Lee – – and since this PHOTO was taken in 1962 – – I am thinking that his name is “Dick Price” – – but, to be for sure – – I would have to look up our old “Christmas Card” lists – – and check out… who we sent “Christmas Cards” to… way back then?
Just looking at this PHOTO – – a thought comes to me… that this was DECEMBER 1961 and January 1962 — and it is amazing how green and good looking the lawn is – – since and if we were up NORTH – – I do doubt that the lawn would be in such good shape and the weather so nice – for us to be in the front yard with short sleeve shirts on and such wonderful “SUNSHINE” for all of us to have FUN – – just to enjoy some outdoor activities!
It is hard to say if this PHOTO was first or second – – as it looks as if they are getting up from the “Previous” PHOTO – – or just maybe – – I am telling them to find a nice spot and pose with some nice big smiles for the camera – – so that I will have a memory of this good time – – spent with a FRIEND from the NORTH – – escaping from the “deep freeze” in the Saint Louis Missouri area – – just maybe our guest, “DICK PRICE” will want to stay in Florida… forever!
SO… For and with the old memories of “50 Years ago” have to include an old song that I remember that you would sing to me – – so that where ever you are, Lee – – You know that I am thinking of you, too!
*** and a HAPPY BIRTHDAY .. just a couple of weeks till the Big Day!***
Posted in Childhood, Grand-Children, Grandma, Today and tagged "Mickey McLaren" -" herself"with no comments yet.
“Just One More” before…
Some days… just require “you” to look good in your uniform – – as there will be persons that you may not really know – – but they want a PHOTO remembrance of that day – – that they were some where extra special – – and they were able to entice a good looking POLICE Officer to just be in a PHOTO with them – – so that they can tell all of their friends – – that this POLICE OFFICER was the best thing that happened into their LIFE – – “he” was so very nice, cool, calm, collected, courteous and not bad looking – – and someone to remember… for always!
This is at the old “Ball Park” – – Are.. YOU old enough to remember? “The old …Sportsman’s Park … at the northwest corner of Grand Boulevard and Dodier Street, on the north side of the city.
Originally called the Grand Avenue Ball Grounds and later, Sportsman’s Park, the ballpark was opened as early as 1867. It was first used as an open lot for baseball in the 1860s, and as a result, many different parks have called this place home.
The site hosted the St. Louis Brown Stockings in the American League(later the St. Louis Browns, before the team moved to Baltimore and became the Orioles) and the Cardinals in the National League. For more than a half-century, the city of St. Louis was home to both professional baseball franchises, and they shared Sportsman’s Park for 33 seasons.
Here is another of those job assignments that our POLICE OFFICERS par take of – – since we have large crowds of people to attend different functions in and around the Saint Louis area – – and at all times of the day and evening – – we do need to have someone with authority to direct the driving traffic and have streets open for walking traffic – – otherwise how in the world would the “special Attraction” be attended in an orderly manner – – without good and correct direction – – to where and how to PARK vehicles – – and also have safe ways for the walking traffic.
“Without our good POLICE Force – – we would have “Mass Chaos” – – so in order to enjoy good entertainment and other large gatherings of large crowds of people – – we really do need the best POLICE FORCE to make our “Day of FUN” – – remembered as a day that was so enjoyable – – we will keep PHOTO memories… forever!
“Tomorrow is the big day, LEE – – “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” – – as we will be remembering you…forever!” D.V.
Posted in Childhood, Grand-Children, Grandma, Today and tagged "Mickey McLaren" -" herself"with no comments yet.
“More GOOD MEMORIES”
When I have a camera and some film that just needs to be used – – It sure is a good thing to have a small baby around to grab a few PHOTOS – as one never knows just exactly what the end PHOTO will look like – – if it even will be a keeper?
This certainly is a keeper – – as it is evening time and probably time for the baby to have a bottle and while the bottle is in the pan of hot water – – getting warm enough for Baby, Al – – nothing like taking a quick shot of the surprise of what is going on – – as baby, Al sure looks HAPPY and having FUN – – some quick movement up and down – – in front of the mirror in the Living Room – – and DADDY getting to use some of those strong muscles.
Just a short reminder – – these are the days before “Micro-wave Ovens” – had to use the stove to warm up stuff – – in a small pan of water – – some one with some brains put two and two together – – and decided that there must be a much better way to warm up a bottle of milk for our baby!
Here we are visiting Lee’s Niece, Elaine – – the one that really likes to make large batches of cookies – – always plenty to eat and even take a few home – – when you leave – – terrific place to go and enjoy good eats. Looks like baby, Lee,Jr. is trying to ask “DADDY” – – “Would drink that milk from the bottle… when it is too hot?” “There just has to be a better way to serve a baby a bottle of milk!”
Just took notice of a cake on the “Coffee Table” and a few pieces missing – – and now I am wondering if that could be that I did have to sample a piece – – since I do like sweets – – especially when they are so very good to see and they are just sitting there and begging me to sample!
Each baby in the above PHOTOS started Life at nine and a half pounds – – three years apart – – and in just a guess as to how old they are on these PHOTOS would be for Al maybe two months and for Lee,Jr. – maybe six months of age. Little clothes for a new born baby coming in at maybe six pounds – – as expected – – those clothes were too small from day one – – so my advice for the new MOTHER – – no matter what the clothes look like before the baby gees here – – just hold off in buying too many real cute little things – – the “BABY” will grow too fast – – too soon – – and unless you are planing on a large family – – you will have lots of wonderful brand new clothes – – just to give away!
“DADDY, LEE, SR., we all miss you and we are all sending our LOVE and best of WISHES – – for a real good time in HEAVEN as we will never ever forget YOU – – – HAPPY BIRTHDAY with Blessings coming from the Almighty Yahweh! D.V.
Posted in Childhood, Grand-Children, Grandma, Today and tagged "Mickey McLaren" -" herself"with no comments yet.
“Down MEMORY LANE toward August 1st”
“Florida does have some nice “Horse Racing Tracks” … so Lee and his brother, Al were interested in what the horses were doing – – which “TRACK” they would be racing – – as there were several “Tracks” and from time to time would also take ME and also Al’s wife, Thelma.”
In the above PHOTO – which I am taking… Al is on the left and looking to see just exactly how the “Bets” are increasing… as that will make for a big difference in his bet and on which horse he feels will be the WINNER. Thelma has own system as to figure “WHO” the winner will be – – she had told me… that she likes the “grey” color horse first in any race – – something about that color that is a WINNER in her book. NOW … we come to Lee, my husband and he has the best “WINNING” system to beat all – – he keeps track of each horse and rider and what they are doing here and there – – and on what the turf and weather had to do with the previous performance and then determines which “HORSE” is really “ready” to WIN!
“My system is – – wherever there is a store that has something that I NEED and or Want – and it does have to be important for me to really NEED – — that is where my money is going to go… “On a SURE THING” because… for me to take a “CHANCE” on anything – – it is strictly a DONATION!”
This PHOTO of Lee and our “Friend, Dick” who is a regular to our restaurants when the “SEASON” stars in the FALL of the year – – as it does get too cold in MICHIGAN – – and when you can afford to come to FLORIDA for several months – – to stay warm – – well… we do LOVE our FRIENDS to return year after year.
Look back to the first PHOTO – immediately and at the left arm of “LEE” and “DICK” is almost hidden – but… you can see the black frames of his glasses and “Dick” does have his racing forum – – checking which of the horses will be the “WINNER HORSE” for him on this race – – and of course…I do not know his system or even if he had a system?
Lee and friend, DICK with his many Friends in Florida would all partake in the activities that were enjoyed by all – – as in this next PHOTO – – you can see that at least five or six “FRIENDS” are leaning forward – – just to be sure to be in this PHOTO.The bottom of the above PHOTO gives the date “April 1961” so that tells us that it was still “COLD” weather up NORTH – – and still “WARM” in Florida for the enjoyment of all of our “Northern Visitors” – – everyone still had enough money to play the “Horses” – and with the smiles – – there was the possibility that some were even “WINNERS!”
Have to give THANKS to the ALMIGHTY YAHWEH – – for all of the BLESSINGS we receive and for all of the WONDERFUL MEMORIES we still have – – of all of the FUN days and times we did get to share with good FRIENDS! ******* “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LEE” D.V. *******
Posted in Childhood, Grand-Children, Grandma, Today and tagged "Mickey McLaren" -" herself"with no comments yet.
“Living in FLORIDA requires TRIPS here and there”
This PHOTO lets everyone know – – right up and in front where we are – – no million questions about it – – “It is Silver Springs, Florida” and we also visited other surrounding places – – while driving around.
We are sitting in and on the left side area of this boat – – the little boy up front belongs to the Mother in the left side corner – next is Lee, Sr. holding our son, Al – – and just his head is showing – then “ME” in the white dress and “Lee, Jr.,” in the white shirt – and I am counting maybe eighteen people aboard the “Glass Bottom Boat” – -and in the middle of the boat floor – – there is the glass that we can see whatever decides to float under the boat as we take our trip around the designated area – – but first these “PHOTOS” for all of us that would wish to buy – – and like us a memory to last forever – – when we get back from the trip.
Seems that we just had to pack a “LUNCH” and find a spot along the “Inter Coastal” areas where some well advertised “Boat Racing” was to take place. Since this was a first time for us – and a full day of racing – we had taken lots of stuff with us – – sure did not… have to want some thing most important – – and find that we forgot to bring ‘that’ very necessary something – – that would really make or break our having a very special and FUN day… especially for the children!
That is big LEE and baby Al, – – so close together – – since you never know how fast a “baby” will move and or just decide to lean too far in the direction of the water… falling in – – but LEE was an expert in swimming and in saving people – – so no fear for us.
Lee, Jr., is most probably wishing that he could just jump in and swim around – – as he is what I like to say… “Part FISH” – – he is always ready to jump in the Lake Melba, across from where we live and also into the OCEAN – – where we go so often. “Lee did join the NAVY when he was eighteen – – served aboard the USS Ranger (CV-61) for six years!
This PHOTO is us enjoying some time along the “OCEAN” front in Fort Lauderdale – – just a mile from our home and we even would show up on “NEW YEAR’s DAY” – – just like all of the “visitors from the NORTH” do – – when they come down for their VACATION time – – just to spend time tanning in the SUN!
P.S.
Just an idea of the USS Ranger (CV-61) off the coast of California. May the “Almighty Yahweh” Bless and keep safe all of our young men and women that decide to be in the Military to protect all of AMERICA! D.V.
Posted in Childhood, Grand-Children, Grandma, Today and tagged "Mickey McLaren" -" herself"with no comments yet.
“More Memories Make for LOVE Messages”
Here is a real nice old PHOTO – – that is “me” holding baby, LEE, Jr., – – and I sure am in the best of shape and strength – – that I kind of wish – NOW that there would have been a way that I could have saved some of those “young cells” for me to be able to use… today.
From the left is Lee’s younger brother, Albert and his wife, Thelma – -and she is holding the black dog that she and Thomas is sitting next to her – – had just picked up from the “Dog Pound” – – as Tom wanted a pet for his own and this particular dog was available to go to a good home. The name for the dog was “MISSY” and was a very good dog for our family with children.
In our front yard is Lee with our new baby boy, AL – – maybe a month or two as there is not date on the PHOTO and also getting some extra “SUN” is big brother,Lee, Jr. – – and Little Lee seems to be waiting to go play with friends… as he has his socks and shoes on – – and being the big brother has lots of stuff to do with his friend, Arthur that lives on the next block down from us.
Lee, Sr., is home from the Restaurant for a while in the afternoon just to spend some quite time with the boys – – baby, Al is trying to crawl to see what that big RED stuffed looking “FOX” of a dog is – – and of course big brother, Lee is watching to see if he has to share one of his favorite stuffed animals with his little brother – – to share is one thing but… to give is all together something else!
Those were the days when you could eat off the floor – – I was always cleaning while I was young and so full of energy – – especially when you have small children on the floor – – getting into stuff and hanging on to furniture and making a big mess if at all possible – – they do make sure everything is on the floor – – for their own greater comfort!
Those days and times seem to be so long ago and almost forgotten – – but with old PHOTOS you can bring back those really good and old – – and NOW remembered – – as some of the very best of times back – – just as if they were just happening…yesterday!
“More Happy Birthday wishes are being sent to the best of people that I was LUCKY to know and LOVE!” D.V.
Posted in Childhood, Grand-Children, Grandma, Today and tagged "Mickey McLaren" -" herself"with no comments yet.