Nov 29th “Beware of Giving Expensive Gifts to Children”

“A VERY Expensive Lesson”

This is one time, that I did hope, that the pictures that were being taken, would at least be taken correctly.

On Visiting Sundays,  of which this is one of those special days,  but also, an extra special day!

Just because this was so special  of a day –  we had to take a

 picture, so as to have a terrific  memory,  so we started  to take a photo of the bracelet, that I have on my  left arm.

Posted on this right side is, all  of the three overlapping pictures so that you can see why the only single picture is still not of the best  of quality –  but the reason for that  one picture a little  larger,  is to see that “sparkle” on my left arm! And when this picture  was taken – this was a real beauty to see, but that did not last long.

I sure did think that I would know,  that this bracelet was on my arm at all times, but evidently someone  else in my class may have had another idea,  just waiting for me.

On Saturdays, after we had our chores done, some of us girls would go down beyond those buildings you see in the background, to play “Volleyball” on the Tennis Court, which was not  in a  well kept  area –  but we  could still play sometimes,  and this one time  – just was not the time for me to be there.

In our playing – it did get rough and as tall as I was, there were a couple of other girls just as tall. We were really playing hard and using all of our power to WIN with each of  us trying to keep that ball up in the air and then over the NET – I was not conscious of that bracelet being pulled from my arm, as we were trying our hardest to WIN!

Can not remember how long we were playing, but when the game was over and we started to walk back up to the  GIRLS’ side playground  – I did  noticed that the bracelet was gone!

Immediately,  we  all ran back and everyone was looking to see where it was – thinking it fell to the ground as we were playing. It could not be found, not alongside the Tennis Court, not in any tall grass around the edges – I ran to the “Maintenance Shop” – where the grounds’ worker would be and told them what happened. Ask them to keep an eye out for it – but  it was never ever, to be  found.

Since it was  not found – I figured that, that there was  one person playing, that knew the value of that bracelet  and could  have so easily  grabbed it from my arm, as we were playing, as we were bumping into each other so much with such roughness as per usual – that I did not think it would fall off, nor did I give it a thought, that someone would take it.

Sometimes in LIFE – it is better to not give your children things that are not really appropriate for the times – wait till they are older – and  I should have known, not  to mix beauty with rough game playing – the two do not mix well!                    D.V.

Nov 27th “Blessings For The COOKS and THEIR FAMILIES”

“The COOKS are Warming Up the Kitchen”

“If ever there was a time  in the year… for all “COOKS” to come to the aid of their household – NOW – these weeks  before Thanksgiving and CHRISTMAS  are those extra special times to do, that which, only “YOU” extra special  “COOKS”  know how to do this and that… to make for all of us, just to sit up and beg for more  wonderful treats,  “You” are that that extra special and very  best person,  in the whole wide world!”

The above “Special COOK”  is the front of a  wonderful “HOLIDAY” card…  that I had received  in 1980… for the Holidays from my Uncle Bill and Aunt Iola McClarren with a very nice two page letter.

I have always saved the mail that I received, especially when it also includes  a very nice long letter, to fill me in, with all of the news of that part of the family, and all  that they were doing,  also including how they were getting on – and all of their plans for the Holidays.

They were getting up in the years with  many medical needs,  that did need to be taken care of – and like most of us…  as we all do get older over over the years, and  then… we are not always able to do all of those many things, like they used to do.

When… and this is so very many years ago… we were little, my brothers, Denny and Tommy  and Mom and myself,  my Dad would drive  us, up to Ohio…

These trips to OHIO were taken at least two times a year… for us to visit and stay with the family and spend  some time, seeing how they did, all of their farming and taking  care of animals,  and we did enjoy lots of very good meals.

In  fact one year, they even made a “Pumpkin Pie” from scratch in a very special pie dish, that my Mother used for so very many years, and then, when she passed on, I was lucky to get that very same “Pie Dish” and I  still have it.

This is a very special pie dish,  I have always made “Pumpkin Pies” in it, and they were always top of the line pies,  very seldom  ever having a slice of  leftover “Pumpkin PIE!~”

Something special about this time of the year, with everyone getting all of their cookbooks out to check on prize winning recipes  and every baking pie pan and cookie sheet out and preparing the KITCHEN for making memories, that will last  for a Lifetime, for all of those invited guests!

Just a thought, to go along with all of the good memories — and that is – this time of the year is so WONDERFUL because, every good COOK and Baker is saying  extra special prayers, that everything that they have planned for the “HOLIDAY Menu” will be so very delicious – that all of their friends and family will enjoy these special  occasions,  with many Prayers for those that provided these wonderful meals at their family get together, and that they will always be invited – because they did enjoy the family get together to the fullest – all these gifts and those gifts that our “Almighty Yahweh” provides for each of us… each and every day… and most importantly  for all  of us…. and that is….  for all year long!   D.V.

Nov 19th “Let’s Start Preparing for our Thanksgiving Day”

“Have the very BEST of Thanksgiving DAYS”

                    “We are getting ready!”

Of all the places to  WORK… the above photo shows a small area of the BAKERY… and that is Sister Augustella…one NUN…  who…  everyone enjoyed working for… and would WORK …24/7… if that was  ever a choice.

This photo is from the … Anniversary Edition …I would have  to check the correct year … where I have an old copy –  and I am so glad to have  this… once in a LIFE-TIME  EDITION… all of the old photos,  from those years … when I was there… just to show… how things were…way back and when!

Sister Augustella would have a large “laundry  size” basket  – just full of those treats… that we would get at our  “RECESS TIME” – – in the morning and afternoon… RECESS times –  and that would be a basket for the GIRL’s side… and also a basket for the BOY”s side –  and that was a real treat, for each of us… to be able to get something  “HOME MADE”… and extra sweet!

We did not go in to the “BAKERY”… as you see in the above photo… as Sister Augustella and her workers were  always busy “baking” and there really was no room for interruptions.

During a particular time of the day… there would an older girl assigned to work in the Bakery … she would be using the Bread cutter to prepare the slices of bread for the dining rooms …  and so… just for this PHOTO… and  for all to see something good coming from the Bakery… a PHOTO  of those many loaves of Bread   has  been taken… just for you to see all those loaves of bread… and wish you could have “HOME MADE Bread” everyday of your LIFE!

Back then… when I was the size of some of those girls in that photo line…

I would work in the BAKERY –  and one of the jobs that I had… was putting those loaves of bread in the bread slicer.

Then …one or two girls would spread each  slice of bread  with “HOME-made  grape jam”… which was also made  from the grape vineyard on the Orphanage grounds –  and we also had “HOME-made Apple-butter” – from the green apple trees… also growing on the Orphanage grounds.

When you think back… these jobs that we had when we were very young…were very  good training for all of the things that you may consider doing when you are older and would have left the Orphanage.

As … we all need to work at some point in LIFE –  and what better way is there …than for young children to learn how to develop skills in a variety of   occupations…

So as to get an idea of the  type of work –  which  would be of a benefit in more ways than… one can think of –  the motivation factor in determining  –  what are our  natural talents  –  will they maybe provide the exact “road” in our LIFE… to pursue!

When it comes to this time of the year… Thanksgiving TIME…

Just having had the chance to work in the BAKERY, with and for Sister Augustella,  has been of a great benefit to me.

As now, that I  am thinking back…  I have such good memories of getting ready for these  extra special HOLIDAYS… and I sure do enjoy telling everyone, the  how and why, of all that,  I do…  and what I do –  since everyday of my LIFE… just seems… that each  and every day, and going  all the way back  to then… was a real good  learning lesson… just  preparing  me… for each and every next day to follow and the very next “NEW” year!

… Remember to have the very best “Thanksgiving  DAY, this  year”…

For  our World…  as we know it TODAY…

Has the habit  of  always changing !   

We just never know … what  each of our tomorrows… 

Will  bring  to each and everyone of us? 

Blessings  and with Good Wishes

To Each and Everyone!

Nov 18th “The Best of Best GIFTS is Music”

It just seems to me,  that everyone does LOVE Music!

While we were living in Fort Lauderdale Florida… there was a Restaurant that also had a Nite Club named “Toppers”…  which was having a management change .

Since we were in the restaurant business … with two others restaurants… friends of ours were inquiring of us… to find out if we would also, like to join them with this Restaurant that was located along the North Federal Highway?

My husband LEE,  and his brother AL, were invited to a meeting regarding this new business to see… if they had the time to take on a new challenge … and most importantly the connections  that you need to make this entertaining business a real hit … with the top entertainers that would bring in the business that this type of business really needed!

Sometimes when you least expect something new and exciting, it  just happens to call on you… to give it a good try  and to flourish… and low and behold… you have omething terrific to work with… that you never ever gave a thought to doing before… but then…in LIFE… that is just what happens … when you least expect something terrific knocking at your door!  

So… on one special occasion, my husband LEE, Sr. did take our young son LEE, Jr. with him … to see and hear all of the things that were going on in the mew restaurant business … they were  together at  “Toppers”  during the day time … while some of the musicians were  working with different instruments… that they would be using…  for the evening entertainment in the evenings…and one of those men, ask my husband… if his son would be interested in learning to play music?

That was… “Just the right question to ask”… as we were always interested in good music and would like for our children to learn to play music, as it is also… so good for the overall learning of all of the child’s learning at school.

So… for just being in the right place and at that right time in our lives… this man ask if he could bring a small organ over to our home… for our “Little LEE”… to see, if he could teach him how to play the organ and see if he had  any interests in learning to read and play music?

So… the above photo… is a photo of our Little LEE when the  above organ was delivered to our home.

Since this happened at just the right age and  correct time in my son’s LIFE… because he was then able to take lessons and  learn to read the music  at an early age… it did  also help in all of his school work through out  all the years he was in school.

At this early age of learning to play  and read music…Lee was also able  at a later date … to join and platy  in  the School Marching Band… and then… later on…Lee was able to take Orgon Lessons from the Instructor  for those that would learn to PLAY the ORGAN in Church!

So I am a firm believer … that all children should learn to play music at the very earliest of age… as it helps with  the developing of all of their learning  at school and  in so very many more things in LIFE!

Nov 17th “I Certainly Do Feel Like a Dunce”

When you are going to High School and that School requires that you wear a uniform… and then… one day there is a Bus strike… what do you do?

When you have a “Bus Strike” … you have a big problem for a whole lot of people… all those that depend on that “Bus” being at that corner… every day and at that… right time of day.

Back in that day of  of the early 1950’s … there were more people depending  solely on that “Bus” being their only transportation to  work and to school and back to their homes… and to the downtown stores and any and all entertainment.

That “BUS” being at that designated corner everyday and at all those assigned hours to pick up and deliver all theses’ hundreds of people each and every day… to their correct designations.

So… I am in High School and the radio announces that there is a “BUS” strike… “What in the world … do I do?

“I just had, to have my MOM take a picture of me on… my bike!”

Just had to add that “Dunce cap”  to my head… as this was going to be some kind of a real challenge  for me… since I live so far from Rosati-Kain High School on Lindell Boulevard.

From the vicinity of Carter and Linton Avenue… and then travel  going  South along Vandeventer … Southwest till… I run into Lindell Boulevard.

So… wearing a skirt on a boy’s bike  and then having to balance my school books and lunch in a separate container of some kind… that is if I took the time to prepare something.

Thinking back to those days … riding a bike to school several days in a row… there must have been some curious people just waiting to see… if I could make it to school each and everyday and on this bike… with a load of stuff that…  and just waiting to see if I would loose something and then…  maybe  have to make a stop or two on the way… to stop and pick up stuff that fell off the bike… as there would be one day a week… that I would  need my GYM clothes to change into…  and then there was always something different going on… to  be in need of…

Just always had to be prepared  for that, one unknown thing …I would need at school… and on that particular day… at school 

But I was for sure … so glad when that “Bus Strike” was over.

More so than any of the other students…. mainly, because I lived so far from the School and then,  all of the different kinds of stuff that,  I did have to remember for that particular day… that I would need.

But one of the most important things on the going to school on my bike each and every day was… that I did not have those  last few minutes to study something  special that… I really needed to remember for a particular class… as I was used to getting very good grades !