“This PHOTO… MEMORIES are Forever”

Early 1940’s… Some of the worst of  TIMES… America was now entered into the “WAR” and if you  were  not living then – – you missed out on  something – – that is only understandable if you were  a part – – and doing your part here in AMERICA – – to help our ALLIES.

In this PHOTO is little TOMMY and ME – – and since we are standing near the steps going to the basement – – only I noticed that I am ready for any quick moves little TOMMY  ‘might make’ as he has a tendency to  fly down ‘stairs’ – – when he  is close to them. On one… MONDAY  morning ‘wash day’… my MOTHER was in the basement  and the washing machine was running – – and I was down there also to help   sort out the wash – – TOMMY was upstairs and near the “trap-door”… where he should not have been – – he called down to us…  and in bending and trying to see down the steps – – there he was  – – in one fell swoop – – into a  pile of dirty clothes – – and with a surprised look. His “Guardian Angel” works over time!

ME & Tom 001

It was also some of the ‘best of times’ – – that is for children and the way that I am standing…  reminds me….  these  same  years that we were in WWII – – something  happened at “NIGHT” – – we had “BLACK OUTS” – –  of which… has not happened  since in AMERICA – – 

Who would have thought that  ‘air planes’ could fly across the ocean  non-stop and loaded with bombs – – fly into the state of Missouri – – but we did need to be prepared and so there were  ‘air-raid tests’  and the  “Civil Defense” wardens would be walking up and down each and every  street  – –  and if they saw a ‘light’  in your house – – – – they were knocking on your door.

There was one such  night – –  when we did get a knock on the door – – and the WARDEN calling – – “Turn off the LIGHTS!”  – – All of the windows in the house had extra heavy drapes hung – – besides the regular window blinds and drapes covering  – – but that one night – – just the smallest of light was seen  so then…  I just had to go outside to see what the world looked like?

Never before was Saint Louis so dark out side – — no automobiles   anywhere at all – not even the “Walnut Park Bus”  – – I had to see for myself  – – so I stood in the middle of  “Carter and Linton”     looking both ways – – and not a light to be seen. So… as a little girl – – no traffic – – the center of that street made a real good looking   “stage”  for me.

Everyone in their  homes… I  could now do… what I would do during the day on the sidewalk… “somersaults” and “cart-wheels” – –  now on  the nice wide and open street intersection – – not a chance of running into anything – – just me singing and dancing  with a up and over for as long as I wanted – – “WOW” … if only someone could have taken a PHOTO – – to really remember the FUN time I had – – until my MOTHER called and showed up – – Everyone was suppose to be in their “HOMES” for safety sake – – could be shot by the enemy or even bombed. So many reasons…  I was given  as to why…  I should have been in the house.


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