Grandma’s Stories

Jul 16th “The BIRTHDAY GIRL – Out and About”

Some times… the ‘Girls’ just have FUN – – If you are one of those that likes to  ‘chit-chat’ and have a voice that  is interesting –  and always up-to-date – – on all of the latest and  greatest  things  – – you need a group of like-minded people to hang out with.

Now if you join a group of  ‘card-players’ – – sure hope you are good – – and know how to WIN – – as I know there are always those that like to make ‘card-playing’  worth their while – – –  –  as their are some … that have money to bet with – – and  know even how to make it increase – – right before your eyes – – and  they are so fast with their tricks – –  they just rake in more than you can keep up with.

This PHOTO is  of the “South-SIDE” Card-Sharks… they may look like a group of old LADIES – – but do not be fooled – – they know the game – – and are out to WIN.

On the left bottom front step and sitting…  is our dear Aunt IRENE – – and the lady with that lovely smile… sitting on the right corner is  “Mrs. Callahan” she did live on “RED Avenue”  a very long time ago – –  and since Aunt Irene did not drive – – Mrs. Callahan would swing by and pick up Aunt Irene – – for many an occasion. 

There were at least twelve members to this “card-playing club” as they would meet once a month at a different  MEMBER’s HOUSE  – – for  Cards and Refreshments – – and the WINNERS – – always left with prizes – – they won for an afternoon’s hard work… playing cards only… to WIN!

Here is Aunt Irene… right in the center of this PHOTO – – and this is celebrating Tom and Rose – – their WEDDING   day – – from the left is Denny Jr., and his wife Judy… IRENE RILEY… and sister to IRENE  is   MARIE…  and the GROOM, TOM McClarren.

This was a wonderful day for all – –  so much FUN and LOVE.

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NOW…  for one more activity that “Aunt Irene”  like to be a part of – – since AUNT IRENE was a member of the “Ladies Solidarity”  – – that would take part in the PICNICS – – that the GERMAN St. VINCENT  HOME would  have in JUNE and August – – every year – – the LADIES of her Church would make things that were raffled off – – “Quilted Bed Spread”

“Pillow CASES” and other items created by the Ladies of the Church – – as their part in the helping to raise money for the Children’s needs… at St. VINCENT.

So… in this PHOTO is…  “AUNT IRENE”  with nephew and niece … DENNY and JUDY McCLARREN. As you can see in this photo background – – these PICNICS would  have  lots of people… all  early in the morning for MASS – – and they would stay till very late in the evening. One attraction would be the “Chicken Dinners” – – that were so very good – – and also they would have MUSIC all day with a German Band at various times throughout the day.

Almost forgot… they would also have “PONY RIDES” and even a “FERRIS WHEEL” – – so that…  there was something  for everyone.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY… AUNT IRENE RILEY”

Jun 9th “1943 FUNNY and Clever Song – for the Kids”

A “Kid’s” Song – – – – “Mares eat oats” – –  – “Mairzy  Doats”

““Mares eat oats, and  Does eat oats, and Little Lambs eat ivy – a Kid will eat ivy too,  Wouldn’t you?  — If the words sound queer  and funny to your ears —  a little  bit Jumbly and Jivey,  sing – etc., —  you could go on with this forever.”“

In the 1940’s, my Aunt Irene, would come over to our house every  Tuesday, and stay from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  She would play with my brothers and me. She would braid my hair into the “French Braids”, and also measure me to make  pinafore  type dresses and aprons, depending on her amount of materials she had.

But, what I remember the most this time,   she was sitting at the Singer Sewing Machine (treadle type) – her feet going a mile a minute;  She heard a new song  and wanted  to teach us the words – so she sang the words – you see above. She sang it fast and rolling the words together,   the more we all sang it together  –  the funnier it sounder,   and we had so much fun,    that Tuesday,  with an  – UN-  understandable  song.   So,  children, see if you can have a favorite person, come to your home, every week, to learn something new and have a Fun Memory – Forever!

Jul 19th Aunt Irene on a visit to “HIALEAH”

This is our AUNT IRENE…

While my AUNT IRENE came to Florida… for a visit – – we thought she would like to see something nice and enjoy a very nice meal at the “Hialeah Park Race Track”  in their dining room “Club House” – – some of the best food and service – – and in a setting of  beautiful Palm Trees and also watch some magnificent horses race – – and if you are a person who would feel  “LUCKY” – –  place a bet on the horse that looks good to you!

Everybody knows what “THOUGHT” got…  Well after a week or two with us in Fort Lauderdale, Florida – – and taking Aunt Irene around to some of  the finest places – -attractions and stores  and including our own restaurants – –  I received some disturbing news from my MOTHER – – a few weeks after AUNT  IRENE  left us.

My AUNT IRENE – – when she arrived back in Missouri – – made an appointment with her attorney – – and had her will changed. She thought that if  I was to inherit from her when she died – – that my husband would spend all of my inheritance on the “HORSES” at one of the “RACE TRACKS” – – so in the letter from my MOTHER – – I was NOW out of the will – –  – so let this be a lesson to anyone … if you have someone in the FAMILY that just maybe not like something that you do – – be sure that –  you do not take them  – thinking that whatever entertainment this might be – – it may just put the wrong taste in their  mouth  – – if ever they may have been thinking   of    leaving you something  – – down the road – – when they leave this world. 

Everybody has different thoughts on what they have and to whom they may leave their earthly  treasures – – but if we all remember all of the things  on this earth are only here  for us to enjoy – – and to share while we are here – – and to always remember that  – – when it is our turn to leave this earth – someone else will have our things – and just may enjoy them as much as we did – – so my best thought to share  with everyone …  on this subject – – “Share  and Share  alike” – – and we will be really surprised   with the amount of real  “TREASURE”   that  we will receive in HEAVEN!

“How do you like this “POST CARD” PHOTO of the    “Hialeah Park Race Track” – –  for dining…  check out the “Club House” – – we also enjoyed a very good meal – – – and I know you will too!

If you like “HORSES” – you will love watching them run!

Jul 18th “Still celebrating AUNT IRENE’s BIRTHDAY”

Here is  Aunt Irene standing on the  left – – and in the middle is my brother Denny, Jr., and with his arm around his wife, Judy  McClarren – – and in the back ground – this is a “German Saint Vincent  Orphanage”   picnic  celebration – – which would  be held on the second Sunday in JUNE and again  the second Sunday in August.

The idea of this PHOTO – – – is that it is a nice PHOTO of Aunt Irene – -everyone knows that … in seven (7) years of TIME – – you have a new body,  and over the years  – – that would be (83) years for Aunt Irene  – – some of the Photos of Aunt Irene – – that I have – – just do not show  her better qualities. All of us have PHOTOS that we just do not pass around  any more – we already know the comments that we would receive – – and why  have strangers… tell us what we already know… “RIGHT?”

TWO THINGS… I am trying to figure out… “WHAT  YEAR was   this PICNIC   PHOTO   taken?” And the other question – – and this is something that I have been trying to figure out  – – for years…  “Does Aunt IRENE  have glasses on… does she ever wear glasses…  was her eye-sight so good that she never needed glasses – – not even to read or even when she would be at her sewing machine –  – I just can not recall ever seeing her with any glasses on?”

In the last few years – – I wear my glasses all the time – – and  then to read – –  there are two other additional   magnification  items…  that I use – – it’s the PITTS when the print of something you want to read is so small – what does one do?  – It is highly possible that some  of my ancestors were just born with the best of eye-sight – – and I absent mindlessly,  maybe could not “hear” …  when they were asking  questions… and – just  forgot to ask for that special  “eye-sight”  gift, also.

Sure do    HOPE… Aunt Irene – – that yesterday was one of your best “BIRTHDAYS”  – ever – – at least there were quite a few of your Friends – – there to help celebrate with you!