“Flying Old Glory Today”
I’m flying “Old Glory” today! When we were kids in the 1940’s – you would see more “Flags” up and flying – maybe to inspire more young people to sign up before being ‘drafted’ – better options.
From where I am sitting, I’m watching our “Flag” dance around the flag-pole – such a graceful, easy , up and down with each puff of air – sometimes just coming down in a dream like flow! Looks like the “Flag” is taking a step or two that way and sometimes all the way over and around. A lot of time is going by – just watching “Old Glory” flying with her “Majestic Wave” to all – who appreciate what she stands for!
In those years – there were parades in the Down town St. Louis area – and my Dad would always get us and head for a good spot for all of us to watch! Parades and Flags with all the school bands marching and playing the songs we all like to sing – each of the branches of service songs – watching all the marchers and singing along all of the songs we know and love, we were in such a “High Spirit” for the “Love of Country” – making us feel so energized!
My “DAD” felt that it was his “Patriotic Duty” to have his “Family” at the parade and watch “Old Glory” fly by!
Posted in Childhoodwith no comments yet.
Favorite “1940” Toy!
While talking about the “favorite toys of the 1940’s” that we played with – have to include the “Kaleidoscope!” Do not see them for sale, at any of the stores that you would think they should be found?
The “Kaleidoscope” was one of my favorite toys. Everywhere I went, I was able to take it with me. When we were small kids, you were, ” to be seen and not heard from!” I remember this so very well as we were house-hunting when my parents sold our house , during the “WAR” years – not a ” smart move” to make? You just could not find decent housing – no apartments if you had small children. Small children were the same as “YOU” bringing a case of the “Plague” into any rental housing. Nobody wanted kids around – they destroyed everything!
So, while we were – house hunting – I said, “I’m thirsty! ” My father – SAID – “It’s NOT Thursday!” I heard that “Loud and Clear” and understood! Keep my mouth shut! And that’s just what I did.
I went back to the car for my “Kaleidoscope” – kept my mouth shut and had “FUN” looking at all of the designs every time I hardly turned my “Kaleidoscope!”
My brothers always had small toys they carried around with them in their pockets and when they heard, that I was not going to get a drink of something – they decided to just be quiet and not need to be corrected in any way. Every day – kids learn lessons and that was my day to learn lesson.
#1. Do not interrupt adults when they are busy – no matter what!
Like I said – it is best to have a ” favorite toy” with you – just in case you are the “KID” – “to be seen and not heard from!”
Posted in Childhood and tagged "Mickey McLaren" -" herself"with no comments yet.
Kids Play!
Hot weather today! So my brain got to thinking about when we were kids in the 1940’s and what were the popular toys that we played with?
Since there was a “WAR” going on – the toys reflected the same kind of items used. The Periscope – this is one that we all liked – each of us had to have our very own! We carried ours with us everywhere we were going – each hurrying to get somewhere the rest of the kids could be spied on. I can not remember if the games we were playing had any names – but – with the Doctor’s Kit and the Nurse’s Kit – we had to pretend to get hurt in the “WAR” so we could see the Doctor and he would send us to the Nurse, and she had the medicine that would heal us!
In those days you could always come up with a few pennies – all you had to do was walk up and down the alley in search of “soda bottles” that someone was too lazy to return. You could get a nickel or a few pennies. Then, every kid knew where the “Confectionery Stores” were – they had lots of “Penny Candy.” You could get a nice bag full of penny candy.
Also, they had those long strips of white paper – each strip of paper was full of little dots of candy. I can not remember what they tasted like – but I would pull them off the strips of paper and put all these little dots of candy in the empty box that came with the Nurse’s Kit – so that way I always had plenty of “Medicine” for the sick and dying patients. (Those strips of paper looked like the adding machine type of paper, used today!)
It was “Hot weather” when we were kids – but we were “KOOL” – playing and having too much “FUN!”
Posted in Childhood, Todaywith no comments yet.
To buy a “CAR” or Not?
Have you been “Car Shopping” lately? We started out early on Saturday, and were planning on looking at ‘cars’ at three (3) different places.
The first dealership we pulled into had so many people there looking and walking all around – they were inside and out side – I almost thought that they were giving something away? Why are so many people looking at ‘cars’ – surly they will not be running out of ‘cars’ soon? After seeing the vehicles we were looking for and getting the prices – we decided to move on.
Second dealership not as busy – much larger operation – but so very few customers, looking around? We had to walk so much further just to see the makes and models we were interested in – and when we got some comparison figures – thought we may as well travel on.
Third location, so much smaller and so many more “salesmen” – if you were not too careful – you could find yourself working with two or more sales people? This kind of scared me – I always thought each “sales person” did not want to share his customers and commissions with another “sales person?”
We decided to play the “GAME” of haggling – made an offer on a vehicle and see where it goes? We waited and waited and finally the “sales person” came back with his counter deal – which we just did not want, and gave another deal offer – and sat and waited?
Well, it was getting late and we were wanting to eat at one of the local restaurants – before their “supper” hour had too many customers and another long wait for us there, too?
So, for the last and best offer – caught the “sales person” gave him our final offer, and ask him to hurry? Twenty minutes – and no answer – so we found him and ask “what’s taking so long?” His answer – “waiting for the “top manager” to give his “OKAY!” That was all we were going for – so we said , “we were headed for our vehicle and we are leaving!”
The ‘GAME’ of car buying – takes too long! Cut out the “GAMES” and make a deal!
Posted in Grandma, Todaywith no comments yet.
Fly the Flag – 6-14-13
Friday – this Friday the 14th is Flag Day! You could have had the “Flag” flying since the Memorial Holiday. When you have and or did have men and women in your family serve in the ‘Armed Forces’ – I feel that it is just the ‘right thing’ to do!
This Sunday is “Father’s Day” – it would be the honorable thing to do – and that would be to have the “Flag” flying for “Father” on his day, too! My feelings about flying the “Flag” are that you care enough in these times especially to have the “Flag” flying – to show that you care so much for all those that gave to you and your family the ultimate gift of gifts – some gave their blood and even so many more their life.
The only reason that I am saying anything about the “Flag” – is that I have not seen the “Fag” flying in my neighborhood and very few other places? So, what seems to be the problem, no money? And, that’s hard for me to believe, because – The fireworks are shot off at all times of the day and night and in the restricted areas – where by ordinance they are not allowed? And, everybody knows that the purchase of fireworks cost a pretty penny – just to burn “Dollars” – when every town puts on a “Free Fireworks’ Display” – free in as much as that you have already paid through your “Taxes” – so why not take your lawn chair and enjoy – watching your hard earned money go up in smoke?
Here, I go again, as a ‘kid’ during – WWII when walking down our street – there was a Flag with a Star on it hanging in our front window and almost every house on our street. Those were the days when you did not want to see the young man riding the bicycle from “Western Union” with a telegram and coming to your house!
Let’s be more “American” and fly our “Flag” and sing – “God Bless America” like Kate Smith did – in the 1940’s!
Posted in Grand-Children, Grandma, Today and tagged "Kate Smith"with no comments yet.
Free: New and Sweet Recipe!
Do you have the “Good Housekeeping” issue for May 2013? If you can get your hands on this issue – grab it! The reason for getting this issue – the free recipe is from Julianna Margulies – who plays “Alicia Flor rick in the Good Wife!”
“Good Housekeeping” did an article about “The Good Wife” – and on page 48 , left bottom corner tell the readers “Steal This Sweet!” This is “Julianna’s fave macaroon recipe” and as I was reading that it only takes four )4) ingredients and chocolate chips if you want chocolate icing on top. As I was reading how easy this recipe is to make – just had to try it out – and was so happy with the good and sweet results. So if you to – like coconut and easy recipes – this is the one for you to try, now.
Another way that I use coconut is with “Jello” – I add a can of “Fruit Cocktail” – walnuts and coconut. This is the best dessert for me in the evening and with all the ingredients that I like and so good for you!
Since the “Good Wife’s recipe only takes a portion of a can of the sweetened condensed milk – you need a back up recipe – to use the rest of the can. My suggestion – as this is what I did. A favorite recipe of mine and for at least thirty years is “Magic Cookie Bars” – so this is what I did! If you check this recipe out you will find – as I did – cut all the items in half since you have almost a half can of condensed milk to use. Also I used a glass pie plate and you will find – this is just the right amount of dessert needed. And all of this is so easy!
If you have a “sweet tooth” and like something quick and easy – try my suggestions! ” I’ll be right over – to enjoy with You!”
Posted in Grandma, Today and tagged "Mickey McLaren" -" herself"with no comments yet.