“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!”

 ME 1942 001                                                                                                       

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…”

Christmas Eve 001

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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“WHAT CAUSES SUNDOGS?”

What are sundogs and how do they form?

sundogs appear as two bright pillars of light on either side of the shining sun in the winter sky.

Sun dogs are a solar phenomenon where pillars of light appear on either side of the sun. (Image credit: karinegenest via Getty Images)

A sundog is a concentrated patch of sunlight that is occasionally seen to the right or the left of the sun or even on both sides of our star in the sky simultaneously.

Also called mock suns or parhelia, meaning “with the sun,” according to the National Weather Service(opens in new tab). Sundogs are part of a family of atmospheric optical illusions including moon haloes and the closely related sun haloes. All of these phenomena are caused by the refraction of sunlight by ice crystals in the atmosphere.

Sundogs typically appear as a pair of patches of light with subtle colors which manifest at the same altitude over the horizon as the sun. They can appear in a variety of forms, sometimes as colorful spots, or other times, so intense and bright they appear to be two additional suns in the sky.

Related: Red lightning: The electrifying weather phenomenon explained

The name “sundog” is believed to date back to Greek mythology according to Almanac, though this isn’t the definitive origin of the name. The name may reflect the belief that as Zeus the father of all gods and the god of the sky in Greek mythology, walked his dogs through the sky they often appeared as companions to the sun as two “false suns.”

WHAT CAUSES SUNDOGS?

Vivid sundogs seen over western Iowa as arctic air and wind drive snow and ice over the region.  (Image credit: Mike Hollingshead via Getty Images)

(opens in new tab)Sundogs are formed when light passes through hexagonal plate crystals of ice, suspended in cirrus or cirrostratus clouds located at altitudes of around 20,000 feet (6,000 meters) and higher, up to 40,000 feet (12,000 meters).

These ice crystals can also be found much closer to the ground in extremely cold climates where temperatures drop below -22 degrees Fahrenheit (-30 degrees Celsius) as a meteorological phenomenon called “diamond dust.”

As ice crystals drift downwards their hexagonal faces are orientated approximately horizontally. Rays of sunlight enter through a side edge face and then exit through another edge face that is inclined 60 degrees to the first.

Taking these two refractions causes the sunlight to deviate by at least 22 degrees depending on the angle at which it entered the ice crystal, according to science site Atmospheric Optics. This causes light to ring the sun at a distance of 22degrees as sun-haloes. When the light is concentrated as spots next to the sun. also separated by 22 degrees it appears as sundogs.

Suitably for a phenomenon with a canine-inspired moniker, sundogs can often appear with ‘tails’ of light stretching out from them. These tails are created by the reflection of light from the vertical sides of the flat hexagonal ice crystals.

THE SUNDOG RAINBOW

Sundogs can appear as a sort of rainbow either side of the sun. (Image credit: Katie Vasbinder via Getty Images)

(opens in new tab)The inner edges of sundogs closer to the sun tend to have a reddish hue than the outer edges which are blue in color. The middles of sundogs tend to be yellow or orange. The reason for this variation in color is rooted in the physics of light that gives rise to the ordering also seen in rainbows.

Light from the sun is white and made up of light of all different colors. When it passes through a prism the white light of the sun is split into its constituent colors.

This happens because the degree at which light is refracted when passes through a medium, in this case, the ice crystal, is refracted depends on its frequency. The variation is called the index of refraction.

Low-frequency long-wavelength red light is refracted less strongly than high-frequency blue light so red light stays closer to the sun, while blue light is dispersed further out.

The effect is similar to that which causes a rainbow to appear with a set order of colors, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet (which can be remembered with the simple mnemonic ROY G.BIV) through rainbows are caused by raindrops, not by ice.

If the colors in a sundog were more prominent you’d see them spreading away from the sun in this order but orientated vertically rather than horizontally as with a rainbow.

Sundogs don’t only vary in color, however. They can also come in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on the size of the ice crystals that create them.

These hexagonal crystals rarely remain exactly horizontal as they descend through the atmosphere. Rather they wobble as they fall to Earth, the amount a crystal wobbles as it descends increases with its size.

Crystals that wobble the most, and thus larger crystals, create sundogs that are taller. These can become so tall that eventually, they are difficult to distinguish from just fragments of a 22 degree halo around the sun.

Double solar halo captured in East Greenland. (Image credit: Posnov via Getty Images )

(opens in new tab)

EVERY DOG HAS ITS DAY: WHERE AND WHEN CAN YOU SEE SUNDOGS?

Sundogs can be seen worldwide and can appear at any time when the sun is above the horizon. There are, however, conditions that not only make sundogs more likely to manifest but also boost their brightness making them more likely to see.

The most obvious condition improving the quality of sundogs is the proximity of the sun to the horizon. The closer the sun is to the horizon the more conspicuous sundogs are. When the sun is high in the sky sunlight can’t pass through ice crystals as easily.

Because sundogs are more common when the sun is close to the horizon, the best time to look for these solar illusions is in the morning or evening when the sun is rising or setting.

The fact that ice is key to the creation of sundogs means you are more likely to see them during winter, especially the further north you go.

That means the frigid winter mornings of December in the northern hemisphere provide the ideal time to go sundog hunting.

If you’re looking for equipment to catch the perfect sundog photograph, our guides to the best cameras for astrophotography and best lenses for astrophotography can help.

ADDITIONAL READING

The reason we know sundogs aren’t related to a god taking his dogs for a walk is probably thanks to Isaac Newton‘s work with optics in the 1600s. Read about what inspired Newton to experiment with prisms and light and the results these experiments delivered on the Molecular Expressions website which also allows you to play with prisms yourself. 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Sun Dog, Britannica, [Accessed 12/13/22], [https://www.britannica.com/science/sun-dog(opens in new tab)]

What Are Sundogs? Rainbows Beside the Sun!, Alamanac, [Accessed 12/13/22], [https://www.almanac.com/what-are-sundogs-rainbows-beside-sun(opens in new tab)]

Sun Dog Formation, Atmospheric Optics, [Accessed 12/13/22], [https://atoptics.co.uk/halo/dogfm.htm(opens in new tab)]

What Causes Halos, Sundogs and Sun Pillars?, Nation Weather Service, [Accessed 12/11/22], [https://www.weather.gov/arx/why_halos_sundogs_pillars(opens in new tab)]

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“Here’s how to track “Santa” this Christmas Eve”

Santa Claus is coming to town! Here’s how to track him this Christmas Eve with NORAD

Santa Claus sits ready for flight in front of an F-16 at Buckley Air Force Base.

Santa Claus sits ready for flight in front of an F-16 at Buckley Air Force Base. (Image credit: NORAD)

As many children around the world eagerly await the arrival of Santa Claus on Christmas morning, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is making the wait a little easier with its annual Santa Tracker.

NORAD is a joint organization of the United States and Canada responsible for tracking objects in North American airspace and protecting the continent from potential airborne threats. Each Christmas, the organization uses its North Warning System radar system and early warning satellites to track ol’ Saint Nick and his reindeer as they bring joy to children who celebrate Christmas worldwide.

The minute Santa launches on his sleigh pulled by his eight famous reindeer (plus Rudolph!), NORAD begins tracking his progress. This year, the NORAD Santa Tracker(opens in new tab) will begin following Santa at 6:00 a.m. EST (0900 GMT) on Saturday (Dec. 24).

Related: The Christmas asteroid challenge starts tonight. Here’s how to join in

NORAD’s Santa Tracker tradition has been going since 1955, when the organization’s predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), began offering updates on St. Nick’s trip.

“While the tradition of tracking Santa began purely by accident, NORAD continues to track Santa,” the official NORAD Santa Tracker website(opens in new tab) states. “We’re the only organization that has the technology, the qualifications and the people to do it. And, we love it! NORAD is honored to be Santa’s official tracker!”

Air Force Master Sgt. Brian Burgess, standing, and Maj. Bonnie Bosworth of the New York Air National Guard’s 224th Air Defense Squadron train for Santa tracking operations on Dec. 16 at the NORAD Eastern Air Defense Sector headquarters in Rome, N.Y. (Image credit: USAF/Master Sgt. Kim Dagata)

Eager Santa trackers in the United States can even call in to NORAD to inquire about Kris Kringle’s current whereabouts as he makes his way around the world.

“The NORAD Tracks Santa Operations Center is fully operational beginning at 4 AM MST on December 24th,” the tracker’s official website states. “You can call 1 877 HI-NORAD (1 877 446-6723) to talk directly to a NORAD staff member who will be able to tell you Santa’s exact location. Operators are available until midnight.”

Over 1,250 NORAD personnel join in on the Santa Tracker effort each year, answering phone calls and emails about Santa’s progress.

The NORAD Santa Tracker is powered by simulation software developed by AGI/Ansys(opens in new tab). Adam Gorski, an aerospace engineer with Ansys Government Initiatives, told Space.com that the simulation software enables NORAD to provide the most accurate track of Santa Claus as possible. “Ansys simulation software is used to ensure NORAD can safely track Santa as he travels around the world,” Gorski said. “Ansys simulations ensure NORAD satellites can detect the heat from Rudolph’s nose, and radars can track Santa’s sleigh high in the sky. Our simulations are also used to help Santa’s elves perform some aerodynamic analysis on designs of his sleigh over the year.”

The software even aids Santa’s journey, Gorski added. “In order to ensure on-time delivery by Christmas morning, Santa’s sleigh travels at hypersonic speed – Mach 7. Ansys simulation software helps Santa determine if the sleigh needs more reindeer to maintain balance and gain additional power and efficiency.”

A photo of the 2019 NORAD Tracks Santa Operation Center at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado on Dec. 24, 2019. (Image credit: USAF/Staff Sgt. Alexandra M. Longfellow)

The NORAD Santa Tracker website(opens in new tab) even includes specifications and technical data for Santa’s sleigh: It has a maximum speed of “faster than starlight” and its emissions remain classified —  probably for the sake of the reindeers’ dignity.

According to NORAD, Santa’s wondrous aircraft measures 75 by 40 by 55 candy canes (150 by 80 by 110 lollipops) and its weight at takeoff is 75,000 gumdrops. Its passenger weight at takeoff for Santa Claus is 260 pounds (118 kilograms), while its passenger weight at landing is 1,260 pounds (571 kg).  All of those cookies and milk add up!

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“Wonderful Comments ALL from ONE READER Alyssa”

Alyssa said… that she left comments on some of my daily postings…
 So… here are some of  Alyssa’s  favorite highlights… from a separate email  sent directly to me….
*******************       ****************************
Never put off for tomorrow – what you can do today! You never know if there will be a tomorrow? It is always “Today and only today!”
 

Christmas is Love – Love of God – Love of Family –

a… “Love”  that shares,  will last forever, and ever more!

That freezing cold wind was whistling “DIXIE” up my skirt – just making me colder than necessary! 😁 – haha I am so glad that Angel was there that night to help you get on your way before the flood gates opened.

Meow Lucky kitty! That is SOOO sweet. I never knew that about your mom as a young girl – I can’t believe her mother would DROWN the kittens! LOL!! We all love kitties here now. 🐈

I receive more Joy, just because  Family and Friends  take the time to share  more “Love” in a way that helps all of us promote healthy living, fulfilling  our  “Dreams’  one for another.

The  “Love for Life”  knits us  all… so close together that we  grow stronger in our  “Love”…

just being there,  wherever needed. 

Our Creator’s  most wonderful and HIS enduring  abundant  Love  and Blessings …   is wished …

…  for us all!

My brothers received  a   red “Wagon”  –  with those high lattice panels  –  something we all enjoyed! 

My “Mom” dressed us up… so extra nice and warm,  my “Dad” took the wagon outside   –  and we all got in  –  and Daddy pulled  that wagon with the three of us  –  singing all of the “Christmas” songs that we knew and  we were having  lots of fun  –  around the block  –  again and again!

Under the “Christmas tree” … I received  “ice skates”  with those double blades – but,  there was no snow  – so, I just had to wait for  a day of ice and snow.

This was one of the very best gifts,  of all of the gifts… that I have ever received, a “Nurse-Doctor  kit”  for me!

A real good gift, that I enjoyed for a long time… since I had patients  (my brothers) – 

They needed me to bandage them from head to foot  –  and the  “cure – for – all”    – candy medicine!  

While one would be recuperating  and or waiting for a  1st class bandage job  –   there was always my little bottle of  “red hot” candy pills!

Psalm 30 – dedicated to ME – since we were just talking about that the other day 

You brought me up…’ rather like a bucket being drawn up from the deepest well; a dark well that is as deep as death itself. This imagery reminds us that God reaches down into the deepest, darkest places to bring us up and out. And until we are standing on the mountaintop again – well, he’s with us every step of the way.

In the  early 40’s,  my Dad took me to the  Poultry Store  where they had, (live birds) and we would pick out that live  Turkey… to be prepared, “quickly” for us to pickup on our return  –  as we needed to head for  McConnell’s fruit and vegetable store, for some of the other ingredients needed by  my Dad… to prepare our Christmas dinner. 

Immediately  –  arriving home… my Dad  turned into an Irish elf  –  no cook book needed  –  he had  pots and pans going  – the smells and aroma were  the indication something  “special” is taking place  –  and this is going to be a most delicious meal and time for all!

Also, can not forget  that “Christmas” tree –  we all dressed warm and headed out –  there were several “tree lots” to check out and we all had to give our    “ooh o ‘s   and   ah’s”   and with the “Right Tree” –  we headed  back for  home  and in a big hurry!

  One  day an extra special letter  was sent to me,  it had some sand  from the beaches  –  pasted along the bottom  –  just so I would know … what the sand looked like in California. 

My Dad,  sent the mail… just special for me and said… that  they had so much sand  –  that they would not care … if I … also had some of their extra special sand?

One thing I remember from those days, when I was just a small fry…  I can still remember  those times… that we were getting ready and really … as we were just kids that did like to help and in helping …  Christmas Time  –  really was a  wonderful time of the year!

Way back then… in the 1940’s…  my Dad would take the time to make Fudge candy and Divinity candy  –  for the men and women in the Services! 


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