Grandma’s Stories

Jul 25th “Let’s get ready for a BIRTHDAY Party for DADDY”

“Before you know it – – it will be “August  1st” – – and we all know that … that is DADDY’S Birthday!”

Do we ever look happy and ready for a big “BIRTHDAY PARTY” – –  from the looks on the faces of “DADDY… baby, Al… and big brother, LEE – – to just say the word  “PARTY” means – – we will have lots of GAMES to play and so much FUN because we get to invite our favorite FRIENDS that like to have FUN at our house!

This next set of three (3) PHOTOS has always been some real  favorites of mine – – and since it will  be “Lee’s Birthday” coming up – – just LOVE to remember some of the real good times we all had when “LEE” was with us  and we were all  living in Florida – – and as you can see – – that was at least fifty (50) years ago!

The first PHOTO on the left would be  “us” on our way to CHURCH – – even in Florida,  “Lee” would wear a suit and the children  each similar outfits for Church.  Lee always looked good and was always wearing a suit as he was used to doing when a “Detective in Saint Louis” – – and may as well wear  a suit when you have them to wear – – and for a good occasion.

That second  PHOTO – – is worth a million to me – – so glad that  it was taken – making it tangible  and also  a real memory keeper if there is such a thing – – “LEE” was terrific… if I say so myself! That dress is one that I had made before I met “LEE”  and was surprised that I could still wear it – –  even after my first child, LEE,Jr. – and to add to the memory – – I still have that dress – – and pattern that I used – and it requires six (6) yards of material.

Almost every day – Lee would come home from the Restaurant  as in this PHOTO and I was taking pictures of the children – –  making this also a real memory keeper – –  to check on us at home – – making sure every thing was okay – – and if we ever needed something – – as there were times when both “His MOTHER and my MOTHER” were both staying at our house – – and sometimes for long visits – – and sometimes there were real stories that you would not believe – – but, I did post earlier  their own  full story – – all FUN to read about! 

“LEE” was terrific and we all LOVED him – – only wish that he had not been shot when on the “Police Force” – – so that his LIFE would have been longer with us – – as we were always so HAPPY – – but the Almighty has His reasons for why our Lives change – – and some day – – we will know the answers – – but… for NOW everything is wonderful – – since I believe I have always been blessed – – as so many of the FAMILY and good FRIENDS are in HEAVEN – – putting in a good word… just for me!

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY GREETINGS” are being sent up  and into your direction, LEE!”      D.V.

Jul 24th “After READING – I Changed My MIND”

•  “As a WOMAN – – I am allowed  to change my mind – – and after reading the following article – – that I wrote some time ago – – I have decided to do just that – –  changed  my MIND!”

       *****“Accidents” are Learning Lessons!*****

Each day that you are on this earth – you need to remember one very important “fact of life” – pay attention to what is going on as somewhere in a day’s time frame  – there is a special lesson for you, for your special   cognizance of the situation – – having control  with the  best use of all  five of your senses… 

 – that without this “Lesson for this Day” – there will be an expensive situation in your “Horizon” – requiring “knee-jerk” reaction – which you will only then be able to activate the subconscious mental awareness- necessary to save your “LIFE” or another’s!

“After all of that “food for Thought – – let’s continue…”

Each day that I went to work – the only change to my head – was for me to carefully wash my face and stay away from the “HEAD-WRAP” as the hospital had ordered. I had called the hospital and told them that my hair was as stiff as a board and felt like it would break off in pieces – if there is only some way that I could do something? Due to the area and damage done – infection would hit me too hard too fast – “Leave the head alone!” So, After hitting the age of (40) – you soon – enough get the message – “It’s a Dog eat Dog – World” – and you had better be strong enough to stand on your own two feet – you are now the care-taker of your future – “stand up for yourself “ – wise cracks you hear, are only the “Wise-cracker’s” own miserable cry for “HELP” – since they just do not have the strong back-bone that you possess to keep yourself on top.

My head injury from the tree limb that I was to pull away from the “bird house” – – so that the “Birds” would know where their house was – –  came down on my head – – knocking me to the ground – – went into the house to lay down – – and the blood was just coming out with each heart beat – – had to grab a bath towel – – fill with ice cubes – – and my son drove me to the HOSPITAL – -going through “Stop Lights” – – I almost thought I would die in an automobile crash.

My son, Al wheeled me into the emergency room – – they saw me – – pull me into a room and immediately starting working on my head – –   something that I will never forget! The above PHOTO is not me – – but the closest type of injury that I could find.

When you put yourself into a situation like I did, the only next thing is keep your focus on your healing by doing what the doctors recommend. Keep the attitude “Positive” – forget any remarks that you may hear and pray for those that are unsympathetic and of a non- understanding nature – as there are some in this world that take real delight in another’s misfortune. For years, I have found that – for me to take a few minutes each day – before leaving the house for work – just read something from the “BIBLE” and mark the date on that page – leaving the Bible open at all times – so that the “Word from Almighty  Yahweh” was waiting for me to respond – it is so wonderful to have a real connection with YOUR CREATOR –and reading the Bible and listening to a good Christian radio station has helped me overcome lots of daily hardships that just have a way of popping up and  as always… so unforeseen?

Years later – when I was going to have the Hair-Dresser do a Perm – she said due to the scar on the top of my head – she would take hair from each side  of the scar  for curler/roll area and hopefully when the hair was combed – people would not see and or may not notice the scar? Like I said earlier – “it is good not to have eyes in the back of  our heads – we would never be satisfied with how we look?” Some day – I should live so long; I think I may just look into getting myself a wig? Although and then tomorrow, when I give this a second thought – my question to myself will be – “What in the world do you need a “WIG” for anyway? “Who’s looking at your “HEAD?”

Jul 23rd “American Flag Information”

•  Some information about our FLAG and your Rights – – just food for thought – – for when you see some people not standing  and acting as if they have no  interest in  their responsibilities.

Jul 22nd “When YOU Wonder about something = Still Wondering”

“How long has it been since you said or have heard some  one say to you, “FOR PETE’S Sake Alive” – – and then give you a LOOK – – that indicates you must not know what is going on – – or that you are just plain old stupid – – that you do not comprehend – – how to take care of the situation you are now facing?”

Until I just recently came across this “Poster” following – – never ever gave a second thought as to “WHO” is this “PETE” person – – and what does he have to say or do with the present situation that we are NOW dealing with?

 When I was in “Grade School” the NUNS were always talking about the “SAINTS” – and I’m guessing that – – just maybe when I heard this “FOR PETE’S SAKE” – – that they were talking about “Saint PETER” as we were always suppose to be doing everything to please our “CREATOR”  with respect  and in the manner of doing what ever chores that we were assigned to – – aiming for everything  to be done correctly – – the first time  and out of respect for “PETE” – – in case he was just around the  corner to correct us – – in some way – – that maybe we would not like to be corrected  – – just do it – – and do it right the first time!”

Now that I think about it – – that “PETE” guy is every where and always on the watch – – just ready to  catch us – – and  with the consequences – – if need be!

“HOW’s this ole gal – – looking like me – – and asking dumb questions – – as if anyone cares or will give me a second thought?  Sometimes – – I know that I ask dumb questions –  and sometimes even  one too many – – but when you get to be my age – – what else better is there to do?

I do believe that some of the old stuff I do – – I have picked up from my “Mother-in-law” – – as she was suppose to be hard of hearing.  The fumy thing was  – – after years of  my paying attention to small details – – I do not believe she was hard-of-hearing, because when I spoke  loudly for her to hear – – she paid no attention to what I was saying.

After some time… I picked up on what was going on. She heard me loud and clear – – but pretended not too – – but let me whisper something that I did not want for her to hear – – she heard every word. As one ages and travels to live with  the different  sons and daughters’  and at their homes – – for as long as they will have you – – you do learn how to be what they expect you to be – – and by not quite hearing too well – – you keep yourself out of a lot of trouble – – since you can always say, “I’m sorry I did not catch all of the conversation – – or missed some words – – and not too sure just exactly what I was suppose to do and or where to be when you called me and or wanted me to be somewhere at a certain time?”

“I like that fancy little umbrella  – – sitting on the edge of  a tall glass of  “Ice-Tea” on any ole  “Summer Day” – – especially with friends and family in the back yard!”  D.V.

Jul 21st “Making each DAY the BEST DAY with GOOD WORDS”

“Every day you wake up – – is the BEST of all DAYS – – because  “YOU” are here to do  that which you have a burning desire to do! All night long  “YOU” were in a DREAM WORLD – – and maybe there were some things you wanted to clear  out of your system – – and then just maybe you were thinking of all the special things that you will do – – when YOU wake up?

 The above poster  just seems to spell out what a DAY may  have in store for each of us – – just something to think about – – and to never be discouraged by what may or may not have happened – – as we think about things as they happen — we can always decide that “TODAY” is the best “DAY”   – – and will always be remembered as such!

This  short article by  “Shakespeare”  certainly has a moth full of good words to think about. The main thought that caught my eye was, “LOVE, Before  You Quit”  as being so important. How can anyone LIVE a LIFE  – – without having some LOVE to share? When we are born – – LOVE was there – -As we grow LOVE just has to be there, too!

Every step we take in LIFE to do anything and every thing – – if there is no LOVE – – I do believe we pulled the  curtain down …    on our LIFE!

Everyone has a long list of what “MONEY will BUY” – – but have you ever thought to make a “LIST” of what money will not buy? Just thought that “LOVE”  at the bottom of the list – – kind of stands out.  “Would that be because we do put a price on “LOVE” and that is why the world is  on an up-side down  whirl-wind  collision course  – – and no one wants to think about – – what will be happening very soon?     D.V.

Jul 20th “Calling our FRIENDS with a STRONG VOICE”

“When I think back to when it was the “good ole days” for us young kids – – just so many things to do and to be a part of doing good for the community – – and all without a “cell phone” and never used the “home telephone” which more than likely was at least   “a two-party”  telephone – – meaning that someone in the neighborhood would  share  that line – – and if you were on the  “phone” – – there would always be the possibility that  – that neighbor could listen in on your conversations – – even chime in – – and or at least always knew more about your personal business than you would want them to know!

      *****”Tele Communications”*****

In the  1940s, we had the best, most reliable, “communications” system going!   As a  “kid” a very young girl then, got up early, dressed and ready to play or work (work was having to help my brothers get ready) all  before I even got outside, I could hear; “O ooh Mary Ellen can you come out and play,  Today?”  This was in a sing/song  dragged out  repetition, by my friend,  “Alice Thomas”, standing on the sidewalk , in front of our  house in North Saint Louis.  My Mother  would  immediately tell me to kindly let “Alice” know that I would be out soon as every neighbor –  knew who and what was going on – – and where we would be going.

Alice lived at the other end of the  block and across the street, walked to my house, and when I get outside, we are going to walk a couple more blocks and both of us will  start calling,  on more friends, walking and walking  until enough   of our friends are together to play games  or go and watch whatever  if something  “NEW”  was going on within miles of where we  all lived.

How do you like our, “communication system”  when we “call you” everybody on the block knows  “us” and “you” and what ever we are going to do, and where we will be!  Now, if   your   “parents” do not like your “friends”  you  just can’t go out today – and  that message is  ‘sung right back’   out the window back to  them and who ever else is listening!   Let me “tele” you something “we grew up with all that “fresh air,  out doors and exercise.”

When I stop to think about the area we traveled – – from and around “Fairgrounds Park” and to and  back further than the “O’Fallon Park” – playing and walking for miles – -never tiring and probably not even eating anything – – someone might have a few pennies and we would stop a a “Confectionery” store and buy “penny candy” and get a whole bag full to share – – which would increase us to being a very best friend to all – – “WOW” what a day we would have!

Just thinking of he exercise – – and being outside in the “SUNSHINE” – the VITAMINS to and for our skin and the entire  body – – the “fresh Air” – – as very  few  families would being using automobiles – – as you needed a “Ration Coupon” for purchase  of a gallon of  fuel – since fuel was needed for the  – – the WAR effort – WWII  –  and  we were all doing without so much – – just so we would bring the WAR to an early end!

All of the “KIDS” in the neighborhood did their part – – and had FUN doing so – – we were growing stronger – – doing something  worth while – – improving our bodies and minds – – there was no “television”  to cause us to waste our time and grow fat and lazy! We were always on the move – – “Communicating as we gather together and always on the go!”