Listen to really Learn!
Looking at some old pictures and reading some old -1940-mail, can really bring forward some good old memories of where you were and what you were doing and almost what was said.
When I was younger and living in the “Orphan Home” – if you learned anything at all – it was to keep your mouth shut when the “NUN” was addressing you or correcting you! Naturally, you would want to “mouth off” – but if you did – you were then in trouble with most of the “NUNS” and you were no longer going on any outings or attending any special events! I figured that out early and my mouth was zipped shut, when a “NUN” was within hearing distance. I just did not want any of the punishment like some of the kids received. Their “PAIN” taught me “LESSONS!”
So, after years of silence, when I was on my own, and this was many years later – I guess I had all the silence I could take and I noticed that when my Aunt Irene was around – she would ask me something, but she did not really want an answer. This was something I could not figure out? Why ask or tell someone in a way that – there should be some kind of a response? Nothing is ever settled if one person can say or give “orders” when, some times more information is required. “Like an answer or even a question?”
One such occasion took place at Aunt Irene’s home – we were in her bedroom, she had some clothes she was giving to me – and wanted me to try them on to be sure they all fit? She was asking and telling me something and I was questioning her back? This was something she maybe did not receive from any body, else? I guess she thought I would just say “OKAY” to everything and not put in my “two-cents” worth?
The black suit she was giving to me – was the problem? I made a few comments and asked a few questions, and she would say something and I had more to say and this she did not like. “You always have to have the last word” is what Aunt Irene said to me! Well, naturally , I had to say, “NO!” “See you did it again!” This went on for awhile and of course I decided to say nothing , and just let her have what she wanted “the last word!” I do not bother to give my opinion on everything and anything. If someone really wants my opinion they almost have to beat it out of me, I have since figured out – there are too many people who have to have the last word – otherwise they just are not as important as they think they are?
Zip it and listen – you learn so nuch more by keeping your month “shut!”
Posted in Grandma and tagged "Mickey McLaren" -" herself"with no comments yet.
Aunt Irene’s Birthday
This is the day – Happy Birthday Aunt Irene! If it is someone’s “Birthday” I like to make a cake! Just can’t tell – but the person may show up – and lucky me – I have cake and ice cream! I believe that a birthday requires cake and ice cream and a birthday card, otherwise how can the birthday person get to be a year older – with out a little ceremony – some kind of fun. All this fun brings back memories of the days when you were a small child and you start remembering all those first parties you had and how much fun you and everyone had!
Have one other memory to tell of Aunt Irene and of her favorite event that she enjoyed being taken to, her Church Card Parties. Usually the best card party was held on the Monday after Easter Sunday, they would have the largest crowd and the best of table prizes and all kinds of expensive gifts to win!
At this one particular card party held at the Our Lady of Sorrows Church – School Hall – was a real winner for me! One of the prizes that I spied before the afternoon started was a pair of black heals — just my size! I had asked if I could try them on just to be sure that I would like them and they did fit and felt terrific! So, after putting them back in the box and returning them to the lady in charge of the prizes – I started wondering if I would even have a chance of winning them?
The aternoon went on – we played cards – ate smacks and had drinks – took chances on various raffles – and finally hours later – they started calling numbers for these better prizes. It was unbelievable but only a few tickets were called and then mine! I could hardly believe that the shoes were still sitting there – so as soon as I got near enough – I picked them before someone else might decide that they wanted “new shoes!”
I ‘m guessing I was in my early 30’s – I did get to wear and enjoy that prize! I can remember this prize for the simple reason that I usually do not win prizes! Today, I just do not take chances – unless I have decided to just make a donation!
Aunt Irene was well liked at her church and I feel that she may have had a connection with someone at the card party – it is still hard for me to believe that my ticket became a winner! Thanks, and have a “Blessed Day!”
Posted in Grandmawith no comments yet.
In and Out of the “WILL”
When you live in “Florida” – you will be expected to invite family as guests and spare no expense in entertaining them! Be careful which family members you take to different places, because they seem to enjoy everything while they are with you, but you could be cutting your own throat!
Here’s my story: My Aunt Irene was wanting to come down for a visit, and of course stay with us. This was just fine with us. Instead of me helping my husband at the restaurants we were operating, I took Aunt Irene to see and visit all the major places of interest and took pictures so she could show her friends when she would be back in Missouri.
As a special treat, my husband said, we should take Aunt Irene to Hialeah Park Race Track, Hialeah, Florida. I only like to go to the “Race Track” if I will be eating in the Club House. I do not believe in betting on a chance. that I might win someting – I would rather take my money and buy something, that I can put my hands on! So, we planned a day for the track and “Club House” and Aunt Irene was happy to go.
We enjoyed a very good meal and of course, my husband did what he usually does, bets on the horses. He has good “LUCK” – that’s why we called him “Mr. Lucky” and the one restaurant was called “Lucky Boy” Drive In. I took several pictures of Aunt Irene at different areas in the “PARK” and in color so she would look good when showing off her stay in Florida.
Well, when she got back to St.Louis, Missouri – guess what was said and done? Aunt Irene had money, and she had a “Will” with the different Church Charities and family and friends to whom she was planning to leave money to in her “Will.” Within a couple of weeks of being back home the word was that I had to be taken out of the “Will” because my husband would spend my inheritance on the “horses!”
So, I was taken out of the “WILL” and she did name my children to inherit what I would maybe have received? So this, is the way it was until my husband died, then my Aunt Irene went to the extra expense of putting me back in her “WILL” and taking my sons out!
Money is something that – too much is hard to live with – and too little is just as hard to make ends meet – if not used wisely?
Posted in Grandmawith no comments yet.
Make a “FRIEND” Today~
In life, no one knows – how, what or when we will meet or get to know someone for a very, very short time. The world just keeps a turning and no one thinks that this is the last chance to be “KIND” to newly made friends!
In January 1967, someone I met, a Mrs. Herbert W. Cost – also known as “Mary Lee Taylor” with the Friendly Kitchen program on radio for the Pet Milk Co., was living in a nursing home in St.Louis. I knew she was not in the best of health and to make her feel better, I asked her if she would like for me to take her out for a day? So, I made arrangements to take her to my home.
Since she was popular on the radio cooking show , and gave out tips and recipes to the listening audience for a good many years, thought that she would enjoy meeting my Aunt Irene Riley, who was in the cooking world a superb chef! Also, my Father was available to be at my house and he said he would prepare a meal for all of us, including my two sons.
We had a good time , good food, good conversation with a house full of cooks with lots to share. And of course my sons probably played some very good music. An afternoon that we could not forget.
Sometimes when we were all talking I did take notice that Mrs. Cost was maybe sleeping and or nodding and I found out later, from Aunt Irene – Mrs. Cost may have had heart problems or poor circulation – maybe not enough blood getting to the head?
But, a day or two later – I received the nicest “Thank you Card” – and Mrs. Cost remember everyone with her thanks and how much she enjoyed the day with my family!
It was sad for all us – when just a month later to be informed that Mrs. Cost died of a heart attack. She was such a sweet person and so friendly, it was easy to see why she did so well with the Pet Milk Friendly Kitchen program! This was before “TV” and without seeing her – she did marvelous with just her voice – her tips and recipes. No wonder so many women since her radio show, figured to get into “TV” with a similar cooking show.
All of us, were only together for those few short months and all I have as a remembrance is her thank you cad and the newspaper write-up of her life.
Making friends now could be for a short time – here – but – could also be for all eternity – someday!
Posted in Childhood, Grand-Children, Grandma, Todaywith 2 comments.
Thanks to Volunteers!
While I am rememberiing Aunt Irene Riley – can not forget all the volunteer work she did for German St.Vincent’s Orphan Home.
Aunt Irene was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Our Lady of Sorrows Church on South Kingshighway – St. Louis, Missouri. As a member of Our Lady of Sorrows’s Auxiliary, she knew when they would be affiliated with the German St.Vincent Orphan Home and told my Mother that they take care of boys and girls, so that instead of placing my brothers in St.Joseph Home for boys, and placing me in the St.Mary’s home for girls, we could be together as a family at St. Vincent’s.
My Mother was expecting twins and was getting too big and could hardly walk. So, in her condition, she needed to find a place for us to stay for – maybe nine months to a year? In those days – there just was not a family member nor any reliable place for three children to be placed – temporarily? My Father had a good job, but highly unreliable when it came to taking care of his family. My Mother, took her sister’ advice and we all went out to the “Orphan Home” to see if it was the place for us.
When we went out to take the tour and see what this place would be like – the thing I remember most was that the whole place smelled like a “BAKERY” – it was the day that Sister Augustella was baking bread. All the bread eaten by the children and Nuns was made at the “HOME.” So, I am guessing that wonderful aroma and the smells made a terrific impression on our being placed there – months later.
Aunt Irene, was a “Volunteer” with other ladies from her church on the “PICNIC” and ANNIVERSARY” Days – every year that we were living at St.Vincent. It was fun to see Aunt Irene when she would be there working at the “booth” for her Church Members to raise money for St.Vincent and the other charities that were all doing what they thought would be good and helpful for the children.
Thanks to all the “Volunteers” – everyone who has the time and energy to work for the greater good of and for children!
Posted in Childhoodwith no comments yet.
“Pass On Good Stuff”
Rosati-Kain High School on Lindell Blvd., was not too far from where my Aunt Irene lived. So, in the 1950’s – I would go after school to see her.
I do not know how the school and their transportation system work, today? My guess is that all the children through High School – are all bussed at tax-payer expense – which I feel is wrong.
When I was in High School, if you could not walk to the school, you could buy at a discount a “student’s” bus pass. So, going to Rosati-Kain was miles more than I could walk and so I had to have the “student” bus pass. What was good about having the bus pass, was that between certain hours of the day you could ride the “public bus or street car” for “FREE” – and only after the alloted time of dsy – you would pay an additional amount. So, riding the bus was just great for me!
Aunt Irene was glad to see me and would always collect items that some of the tenants in her apartment building were going to throw out. There are some people who do not wear the same clothing more than two or three times — and may not have even been washed or cleaned – so with Aunt Irene doing the expert cleaning of the item – it would always look as if it was just purchased.
One such time was a woman living in the apartment building and she worked as a shoe model. She would be given some of the shoes she would model and guess they were not what she liked and gave them to my Aunt Irene to give to me, I picked these boxes of shoes up, on one of my trips after school and was anxious to get home to try the shoes on and see how I liked them?
Well, when my Mother saw the shoes – she said , “NO way you’re wearing those ‘High Heals’ – You’ll have to get rid of them!” That didn’t bother me , since I knew of a second-hand-dealer – and that’s just where I took the shoes. Since they were practically brand new – I received money for the shoes and was “tickled pink!”
After that – I had learn a lesson — Never refuse something that someone else does not want – can not use or not able to wear! – Every thing in life has to be re-cycled some how or some where ! – and Thank goodness for “Second-Hand Dealers!”
Posted in Todaywith no comments yet.