“Learning to Skate with MY DAD’S HELP”
“Christmas Memories”
While – remembering about my childhood in the early 1940’s and during those WWII years… I do have an old photo that was taken of me and my Father sitting by the lamp in the living room.
We are looking at this one very large size “Hail Stones” in a large bowl… that my Dad had just collected from in the front of our house.
And this was during a very bad storm!
In all of my years… those “HAIL STONES” … were the largest that I have ever seen.
Why such a large size – no idea – but since then the average size, that I have seen… were about the size of small beans.
This memory is only remembered… because I’ve seen that old photo, several times and there must have been a special reason for collecting “HAIL STONES” and taking a picture.
No body was taking a whole lot of pictures in those days – since there was a WAR going on… you almost always had to have a “Ration Coupon” to buy so many necessary things, because… most of the material and general supplies the people used… did have to first go… toward the WAR effort – we did want to win the WAR – and all of us in AMERICA… did learn very early to do without, so that America would be victorious in the putting an end… to all Wars!
When we lived in the North Saint Louis area… it seems to me, that we had lots of ice and snow. At least much more than we have today, and there were no organized street cleaners… since I remember my DAD having to puts chains on the car, if we were to have to go somewhere.
So, in one of those early years… I must have ask for “ice skates” … having no idea… what “ice skates” even looked like and or if I would even be able to skate… even if … I did receive them?
Well, I received “ice skates” and there must have been plenty of ice out side on the side-walks… those “ice-skates” that I received were the kind that you attach to the shoes that you have on, and you should have a good strong and firm shoe on your foot… so that the skates can be attached properly!
My Father put the skates on me in the house and then carried me out side.
These “ice skates” had double blades, on each skate… so at-least I could stand without falling.
So my DAD took my hands and just pulled me, for a while – and then had me move one foot ahead of the other and pulling me slower to see if I could do the leg work of skating.
All the time I felt real secure… just holding on to him. We only went around our block and for a very long time. I was dressed so warm, in those days little girls worn “Leg-gens” – which were made to match your coat… plus the knitted hat and scarf around the neck… and also I had one of those “HAND-MUFFS” … it had a long attached ribbon that went around to the back of the neck… so that when you took your hands out, from each side, it was still hanging on to you and it did not get lose as it was always ready for you to put your hands in… and or… some of your stuff or even your gloves that is… if you did not need them.
Also… it had a pocket that zipped shut for some money… it was the best for keeping the hands – warm! The warmest.
It was so amazing, that my DAD would take the time to hold me and run along side of me… as I was learning to skate… as I did learn how to skate, and whenever if was okay with my parents… and the weather was just right… I was outside skating … and all around the block!
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“Radio or TV, Which is the BETTER”
Christmas – Then and Now!
Just going back into those good ole days …
Back then, when we (kids) were little and in the 1940s – my Dad had to go to California to do “welding work” on the ships… and we, that is my Mother and I …would write letters.
My Mother would type her letters most of the time … and then… she would also enclose my “chicken-scratch” letters to my DADDY.
BUT… what made this letter writing fun for me… and also one of the most important parts of the day, was that waiting for our “MAIL-MAN” to bring to us…something in the mailbox from my DADDY!
Maybe there were fewer people living in the greater Saint Louis area back then, and of course… maybe letter-writing was a very important thing to do… as there was no TV.
Way back then, we only had the radio and usually if a couple of the families… living in the same close together area, had the same radio station turned on at the same time… you could be out-side and hear that program all the while that you are doing something different, but only listening in!
Back then the RADIO was important to have.
As I am now thinking about listening to the radio back then, you could mentally see and understand all that was going on… and still continue to be able… to do whatever you also… just have to do… till done!
But today, with that TV … you have to get yourself right in front of that TV… just so that, you will “know” what exactly is going on.
You just have to see “IT” … watching every little thing going on… because, just listening to a program…you miss out!
In today’ world you are – trapped – in front of the TV.
Yesterday… it was fun for us… back in those days …when you only had the radio… YOU were as free s a “BIRD” … since, you were free to do so many other things… and never ever missed out on anything important in the story or program… something that I feel… that so many people living now… today… are locking their selves into another world???
I remember having so much fun… just watching for that “Mail-Man” – when I was a little girl – – because the “Mail-Man” also came two (2) times a day!
Something that we do not have today, and if you were to get your letter in that “MAIL BOX” by nine (9:00 p.m.) in the evening… that piece of mail was delivered the very next day!
Maybe because of the “TIMES” as America was in that “WAR”… that was going on, and the mail had to be moving – so that everybody would know as soon as possible – what was happening in the world !
Even as fast as the mail was received… there were a good many times that my DADDY, would send a “Telegram” to us.
My Daddy was always sending some little special things – just for me – and that is how I remember him – sending some of his-self … “sending little bits of LOVE … just to little ole me… in the mail!”
During those WWII years – those young boys riding on the bicycles – delivering telegrams – usually were bringing “BAD NEWS”.
I also know, that when that young man would be ringing your door-bell… your heart would just sink… especially if you had a family member enlisted in one of the different branches of service!
My DADDY would also use those “Telegram Services” because, being in California… a letter would take a couple of days, but and if … you paid a few pennies more you could send your letter “AIR-Mail” and then … for just a few more pennies… you could have that letter deliver with “Special Delivery” –
So then… you were then able… to be in touch for just a few pennies back then, and always… just so fast was this service!
Remember … NOW…that was yesterday…
Today it is a different story … and, I am not just a little girl anymore – waiting to hear from my Daddy!!!
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“Those Gifts that We Receive are Wonderful”
Christmastime Memory!
Some of the things that we, “ORPHANS” did… not that everyone is an Orphan, but when you are not at home with your very own parents… I guess you are an “orphan”… at least… I was an orphan for a few years…
So… what I did – I would just stick into my “MEMORY” cube – You know that brain, we all have one… good old memories … as if they just happened, yesterday?
Only one of the Christmas gifts – that I had received from the “Famous Barr Store” – all though… I did receive seven Christmas wrapped gifts… but this one and only gift – the very same one… that so many of us little girls received – was a “DOLL Clothes Washing Machine!”
Why would I remember that?
Well, several of us little girls did have dolls… and the “DOLLS” each one had a few clothes.
I cannot believe that “DOLLS” get their clothes dirty, but now… those of us having a brand new “WASHING Machines” …. just had to see how our “Washing Machines” would work?
There were several of us, girls trying to figure out all of this with those very simple directions… but for some reason or the other … the little “WASHING MACHINE” did not work.
As an “ORPHAN” … there were long hours for us in the “PLAYROOM” and with nothing better to do, but try to figure out, how does this little machine wash the clothes?
Now that I stop to think about it… those machines were not made to really work, but as a little girl… I’m guessing that with a lot of “DOLL” playing… you need to work the brain in such a way… by asking yourself questions as if to learn … by getting some answers using your “wildest of wild” imaginations… with as much “make-believe” that you can possibly dream up…
“Make-believe” all of your “DOLLS” and activities really take place in a world… so far removed from that “ADULT” world… so that if we had a “DOLL Clothes Washing Machine” to wash our Doll’s clothes, then…
Let us… pretend that we now are way back in the 1940’s… and now, I am thinking that some of us have Dolls… that would have an accident… like falling into a heavy rain storm filled mess, and everything… that our Dolls were wearing needed to be wash and dried and iron and even some of the Doll’s clothes would then … have to be hung on a clothes-line, in the nice “Sunshine”.
Continuing on… while all of this is going on… we will take our good Dolls for a buggy ride.
Later the Dolls will be home for their meals and even later on… we will be putting the Dolls to bed, for some rest… to end… this day!
Well, this wonderful day must come to end.
All gifts to children are really items to let the eyes… see and the hands… feel and with your friends, use your mouth to speak some sweet things to your “DOLLS”.
And always use those ears to listen, for good sweet words… so that you and with the help of your “DOLLS” … you are using those five (5) senses, that you received as your first gifts from the Almighty… and now you are putting all of your good gifts to the best of all uses … and by using all of your gifts… for a positive good …to all!
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“We did have very GOOD Christmas Holidays”
“Good Christmas Times are never ever Forgotten”
“Christmas Memories” from 1942!”
More people like this picture of me, taken in 1942 – than so many others – that they send messages – just wanting more information – in fact, saying that I do not write enough???
So, I thought that I would post this picture again, and tell you all about some of the “Christmas” activities, that were good and great fun for us… and remember … that this is back and during those WWII years.
In the living room of this house, there was a fine working fireplace… and on some of those days with that much colder weather, my Father would start a fire.
As a very young child watching that fire was so exciting… just to see how those logs were burning and those flickering flames… which would just sparkle and there was a cozy atmosphere in the living room that our whole family would get time to enjoy.
Some times, just for more excitement in the fire, my Mother would sprinkle some granules from this round can and just so fast, that fire would dance with all different kinds of colors!
It was almost like watching the “fourth of July – fireworks” shooting up and into the sky… but everything had a way of flying up the chimney and… we would kinda fall asleep, just watching the fire dance as my Mother would be reading some real good stories… as only she could, because she could change her voice, for the different types of people in the story!
One of the best things that I remember, and this is again by the fireplace, my Father had a special “pan” which had long handles… seems that the top had small holes in it, and there was a hinge to open it and somehow “something” that kept it from opening… when he would flip it around.
By now – you guessed what this was… a “Corn-Popper” – do not know … if they are still available in the stores, today?
My Father was a “CHEF” by trade and did most of the cooking in our home.
One of the amazing things we all remember is to watch him cook and… he would always have a cigarette in his mouth – he never took it out, and as he would be cooking – we all watch – just to see if any of it would fall into the food – as it all stayed in tack – curling over and just looking like… in just any moment now, there would soon… be a BIG mess!
Getting back to the fireplace going… and we would be enjoying the “POP CORN” just as fast as Daddy would make it… we were eating it!
Just before Christmas my father would bring home a fresh Christmas tree that would be thick and full, because the lights that he would put on it back then… were a much larger size lite, than those that we use for the inside tree, today… and the size would really light up the tree and the whole room, as we sure did have a very special “CHRISTMAS” look… to enjoy!
While Daddy was doing the big and heavy type of work… My Mom was helping us kids in the making long chains of decorations … mixing all the colors of the construction papers that she had cut in just the correct size and lengths, for us to glue little circles, and to keep on adding to the chains as my Dad… would put the long finished chains up and on the tree.
We also made some other little decorations… these were small and had each of our own special designs, some of these… probably no one would even know what we were thinking of, but each one was given all the highest of praises from my MOTHER … as she thought we were making prize winning pieces of art!
When we were all done… our Christmas Tree was a “First Prize Winner” … that is if anyone was giving out prizes?
Sometimes for Christmas, our Grandma that lived in OHIO would come and stay with us for a week with one son, a brother to our DAD, who ever… was available to do the driving –
That UNCLE and AUNT would take turns doing the driving… so that they didn’t need to stop to sleep on the way… during those HOLIDAY VISITS .
We sure enjoyed having lots of fun and a whole lot of different things to do and see, way back then!
That’s what really makes Christmas… just having “FAMILY” … living with you… for just a week!
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“Santa still comes Tonight to Visit ALL”
“Christmas EVE – – EXTRA SPECIAL”
This is a real old PHOTO …
Back then … in the 1940’s…when we were in the “German St. Vincent’s Orphanage” , at 7401 Florissant Road, 63121
The address is given … just in case you would also like to take a tour of the Place… and or to even be a volunteer… as they do and will always have many different activities requiring some extra help… “Volunteers ” will and are always needed… with the taking the children to so many different events.
“Christmas Eve at St. Vincent’s…”
Do you remember what we did… ^^^
Maybe I should be asking… if you remember where you were in the above PHOTO?
And… or even WHAT you were doing… were you in this special part of the parade… of those you see… that brought the Infant” and place him in the manger.
Also must ask… if you wore alive and even a part of the above activity, that took place each year on Christmas Eve.
It really does take some thought, as to remember… so far back in TIME… when we were all little children… way… way back and into the 1940’s and even further back into the 1930’s… like ME?
As you look at this scene of our procession of our fellow classmates… maybe even a brother or sister that took part in the bringing the “Infant Jesus” to the crib area and placing HIM there on this evening… what were you thinking… maybe wishing that… you also were in all of this procession… something to remember, as an extra special event for always… taking place in your life.
As I remember… there were certain extra special … and maybe even favorite children of some of the “NUNS” and only these children were chosen to partake in this special “Christmas” activity.
And this completed the four weeks of ADVENT services.
Following and after this the last of the Advent services… we would then… all proceed to the class rooms to finish this day of extra special activities.
This was German St. Vincent Orphan Home…Normandy, Missouri… and after we had the Christmas Eve serveries in Church…we children would be all excited to see that which… “SANTA” had brought here for us.
As we would get in lines for our Class Room… we would be singing Christmas songs to get us all in the correct HAPPY and MERRY mood…stirring up some excitement … before going into the Class Rooms… to see what SANTA could have brought to us – here.
At the desk that we sat for our everyday School classes… there would be items that our parents… may have brought to the HOME and or had sent to the HOME to be placed on our desk… on Christmas EVE.
We would stay in the Class rooms, for a short time… as we all went to bed at “ten after seven” and CHRISTMAS Day was what we were all really waiting for.
This was the best part of all of this… as we would be leaving… our PARENTS would come to the ORPHANAGE on “CHRISTMAS” day… and take us home for a couple of weeks.
Any time we would get to go HOME with our Parents was just terrific… and that was the best part of CHRISTMAS… for ME.
Remembering… there were some children that never got to go HOME with their PARENTS … they may have lived out of STATE … or had other things to do … but as I remember … some children never… ever … receive “VISITS” from any of their FAMILY .
So… and until just now … thinking about a child never seeing their own FAMILY on HOLIDAYS, and not even on their BIRTHDAYS … I am surprised that the “ORPHANAGE” did not make arrangements for them – – in some way or the other…
Have some kind of special VISITS or other kinds of OUTINGS.
“How do you let a small child feel so lonely … with never a personal VISIT … from someone?” D.V.
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“Gift Giving and the Receiving of Gifts”
It’s the Thought That Counts!
There are some people… that are just a little more on the wiser side than most of us… and they will start to plan for “Christmas” in JULY… only because, they have more time to think about, what they will be doing … in that exciting month of December!
Just because… when you take the time to really think about it… “Christmas” has a way of getting here… so much faster… than you can make up your mind, as to what you fully plan on doing.
STOP and Think … right NOW… first …about your Pocketbook!
“YOU…Do not want to start the year off in the “RED!”
Usually, we think that we should go all out and spend top dollar… on a whole lot of stuff …for all of the family and so many friends, which is just so wrong to do, today.
Now, is the time to start doing those things that we are gifted with, our natural talents.
What nice things can we make, and we all have so many creative talents … that we could put to good use to make something extra special … something that has our time and inspired feelings of “LOVE” shining through.
Some of us can draw and paint and we can make up extra special artistic pieces worth “millions” … if only we utilize our time and put some extra special thought to all of those details that are needed to go into this finished product.
Sewing is another way of making some terrific items that can be used in the kitchen, and also in those bathrooms, and also… there are lots of other extra special places throughout the entire home.
Everybody and especially those family members… all know, that anything made by hand has the highest and greatest value, way over any amount of money you could ever spend.
I have many items… that my Mother and Aunt have made, so very many years ago, and I just cannot part with these “TREASURES” that were made with LOVE and and special feelings from their heart!
Today, we just do not take the time to make some of the beautiful things that we could be making and would be cherished for all generations – we just seem to not… have that little extra time?
Do not spend what you cannot afford… TODAY!
Remember – NOW and Forever… that which we all say – it’s the thought that counts… and given with a big smile… The LOVE shines through … making this… just the very best “GIFT” that they have ever received!
In todays’ world … It is that LOVE and Kindness, that shows up with that great big smile on your face… that for sure Friendship in all that you do… and or give to one another.
Rather than ever going into debt – just an extra special little note to that friend and or family member… or that special someone … your note of course stating …that your gift will be of some extra special “TIME” spent together… doing that which, you both would love to enjoy – something that you will both remember, forever.
“Friendship and time – is that “MILLION DOLLAR” gift!”
Don’t break the bank –
Speak volumes in Love and Time – a moment of “TIME” … is all that we really own and can ever give – and the receiver will remember – YOU – forever!
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