Grandma’s Stories

Apr 10th “A 1956 Chevrolet convertible…Situation”

The proud owner of a magnificent 1956 Chevrolet convertible, wrote to say he had restored the car to perfection over the last few years, and sent this:
 
On a very warm summer afternoon he decided to take his car to town.  It needed gas, as the gauge was practically on empty, but he wanted ice cream, so he headed first to his favorite ice cream shop.
 
He had trouble finding a parking space and had to park the car down a side street.   He noticed a group of young guys standing around smoking cigarettes and eyeing the car rather covetously.  He was a bit uneasy leaving it there, but people often take interest in such an old and well-preserved car, so he went off to enjoy his ice cream.

The line at the ice cream shop was long and it took him quite a while to return to his car.  When he did, his worst fears were realized… his car was gone.

He called the police and reported the theft and then went back and bought a quart of pistachio ice cream.  About ten minutes later the police called him to say they had found the car abandoned near a gas station a few miles out of town.

It was unharmed and he was relieved.  It seems just before he called, the police had received a call from a young woman who was an employee at a self-service gas station.  She told them that three young men had driven in with this beautiful old convertible.  One of them came to the window and prepaid for 20 dollars’ worth of gas.

Then all three of them walked around the car.  Then they all got in the car and drove off, without filling the tank.

The question is, why would anybody steal a car, pay for gas that they never pumped and then abandon the car later and walk away?

They couldn’t find where to put the gas!

“Back in the day… Would you have had any idea – – as to “WHERE”

in the WORLD – – would you find the “GAS CAP????” – – – “Kind of makes one stop and think –  – – – this “thief” – –  – – just was not a “SMART” thief!” – – – “Good” – – but not “SMART!”

Feb 13th “Mr. Wonderful celebrates BIRTHDAY…TODAY”

Only someone – – we know in Saint Louis will be celebrating his “BIRTHDAY”…TODAY!

This is my brother, TOM McCLARREN opening his door to the many friends and neighbors – – all coming over to wish him a very  “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” – – and wishing him all kinds of “GOOD LUCK ” and  with “BEST of WISHES” for so many things to come – – that he will have to live to be at least “110 years old” to receive all of these wonderfully good wishes!

Just look at the “WONDERFUL SMILE”  – – that you will receive when calling on TOM… today or any time – — he has that special gift that  some special “IRISH” men receive – – they love to talk and joke and make everyone feel so good – – that  before you know it – – you are now a part of his FAMILY. Everyone knows that the “IRISH” have a way of talking and telling stories – – that will keep you  coming back for more wild tales of the past and there  will never be an end to the tall  tales – – as with LIFE – – the story always continues.

This is the DAY that…  the ALMIGHTY made… and what a great DAY it ’tis to celebrate   “TOM McCLARREN”    just becoming one year older!

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOM … and many – many more!” 

Feb 12th This is our TERRIFIC…Paratrooper”

“This is the army…NOW…

“This is the kind of music… I LOVE…”  My prayer to our CREATOR… is to keep safe all of our AMERICAN men and women… that give their lives in the service to keep AMERICA …UNITED and FREE!”

NOTE… Stay listening on the second musical add on – – because “KATE SMITH” will introduce for the first time in a movie  during the 1940’s – “GOD BLESS AMERICA” – – a real PRAYER and song – – that should  be returned to K.M.O.X. radio daily  broadcast at NOON  – – for AMERICA to hear – –  as we did  – back  then… on radio for years.

Feb 11th “A Paratrooper…someday”

“When you look at old PHOTOS – – of when you were young – – very young – – do you start to think – – that what you are doing – – how you are dressed – – – are  there – – just maybe – – –  some tell-tale signs of what your future LIFE’s Work  would be – or could be if you were to pursue studies and learning in certain fields of interest???”

These were the days when WWII was in full swing and little TOMMY – – knew every word to all the songs that we would sing – – for every branch of military service. We would sit on the swings in our back yard  – – and as we were swinging – – we would sing one song after another. 

When our Mother would have to go downtown…we kids would also go – – and while on the “Walnut Park” bus – – there was no keeping TOMMY sitting in the seat – – he would start to sing  a song pertaining  to the branch of uniform worn by a passenger – – – as there were so many military people in uniform – –  dancing and singing in the aisle of the bus – – just a regular entertainer – – and as he would move through the bus – – just seem as though everyone would enjoy the time that they had to be on the bus. I kind of just sat in my seat and would sing along – –  but looking out for him  while lots of others would sing along,  too!

In the mid 1940’s… there were lots of young kids  singing and dancing in the movies – – and I often thought  – – that when my Father took TOMMY to CALIFORNIA for a work assignment…  that he had – –  with the NAVY – – that he would get TOMMY  something to do in the movies, too! TOMMY was a NATURAL song and dance kid – – had a memory for everything – – would have done   a terrific job – – but when you read…  Psalm 139 – – it may not have been what he was best suited… to do.

Your  BIRTHDAY is getting here – – just two days to go… Let me be first to wish you… “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TOMMY!”

Feb 10th “Someday…This will be Mr. WONDERFUL”

“Camera… HOLD STILL… SMILE… Do NOT breath…   do not move… and what ever you, Mary Ellen do – – – do NOT let TOMMY fall!”

When you are the “baby” you do get extra special treatment – – – and that includes having your “PHOTO”  taken right at home – – where if any thing should not be right – – we have every thing available to make changes – – if you know where of I speak???

At some point in LIFE… one does get to act as if they are a “Guardian   Angel” to and for others – – and I do believe that we have special “Guardian Angels”  amongst us  – – but we are just unaware of them – and we should be more observant – – to know when they are present.

Little TOMMY will some day  – – over the many roads of travel  – – become a bigger… that is a six foot tall man – – and be called “Mr. WONDERFUL” – – after a long time … one can come up … with some of the FUTURE – – one just has to LIVE long enough!