November | 2014 | Grandma’s Stories

Nov 12th Veteran – Tom Aldrich – Korea

Let’s add another Veteran – Tom Aldrich to the “HONOR ROLLS” this week! As you can see the patch on his left arm – his passion was working with “DOGS” before entering the “SERVICE” and even after leaving Korea and returning back to the “STATES.” While Tom was in the “DOG PLATOON” his WAR DOG – Shane was one of the very best dogs that he ever worked with. Your “DOG” is a part of yourself – – it has to be the best part – if you want to survive – it is just like the “POLICE DOGS” – you must live together 24/7 for each to know what the other is thinking to make the perfect team.

Before and after being in “SERVICE” Tom raised dogs and always had the best of “WATCH DOGS” – for those who wanted the perfect dog – you would want a “DOG” that Tom had trained.

Tom has left this world – but as good as he was with “Dogs” – I’m betting he has a pretty high position – up above – in charge of dogs. When you have a favorite passion – such as caring for animals – the dog – – more than likely there is a special place for you to do – exactly what you love to do!

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Nov 11th 11-11-2014 Our Veteran for Today!

This picture of Lee Aldrich – was taken on a day much like – TODAY! Probably in NOVEMBER – the winds were cold as ever – we were preparing for “Thanksgiving” – soon! It is wonderful when your son or daughter comes home on “LEAVE” for one of the HOLIDAYS – it is almost like they were just born – everyone wants to visit and see the “UNIFORM” looking better – just because that’s “your son” that everyone is admiring – in it!

Looking at this picture – remembering those hills – way back then – and when there was a Kroger Store – in the downtown Fenton area. We had snow and ice on the ground – back when Lee was in GRADE SCHOOL – and the schools were all closed – it was very difficult to get out and to the store. So, Lee and his brother Al – knowing that I did not have all the ingredients for whatever I was going to make – offered to go to the store for me???

“We have to go down to the barn to feed the horses – so, we may as well cross over those hills and while one of us – is holding the horses on the parking lot – the other will run in and get what you want?” “Okay?”

So, I wrote up a list and figured the approximate of what it should cost – adding a small difference.

When Lee and Al got back, from the store – with everything that was on my list – Lee, said “You should have given me more money as there was not enough. When I handed the clerk the money – she said that – I was short – “What do you want to put back?” – “I can’t put anything back – MOM needs everything on the list!”

Then the lady next in line said, “Can I see your ticket?” so, I gave it to her. “She wrote something on the back of the ticket and handed it to the clerk – paying her the difference – the clerk gave me the groceries and said “THANKS to the Lady and me – and she said, – “Be sure your MOM gets the ticket!”

So, I took a look at the ticket and my list – comparing and said to Lee, “You bought a couple of items that were not on my list – that’s why you did not have enough money?!??”

What the “LADY” wrote on the ticket was, “Always give Thanks – God always answers a prayer!” – I thought that was wonderful and kept the ticket – I have it somewhere – but I did ask – Lee – if he knew who this was – if it was a friends’ parent or maybe even – someone we met at some time – at some activity? Never found out who the “Generous Lady” was – but “SHE” could have been Lee’s “Guardian Angel!”

Since this is the month to give “THANKS” – I’m thinking that we should seize the opportunity to put into “ACTION” our “Thankfulness” like the “LADY” helping a poor kid – short of funds – and in need of a “HELPING HAND!”

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Nov 10th Can our Veterans – Depend on us?

Are you old enough to remember WWII? Are you “LUCKY” to have been in the WWII and survived? We need more people that remember what was going on then – and how fast “AMERICA” was able to work and unite to where we were able by each doing our part – helped to bring an end to WWII. Can “America” – today work as fast in a uniting action to really protect those that go to “WAR” for those of us who stay at home and build the necessary supplies for our men and women in uniform. Do we have a plan for our “Veterans” – who really need excellent care – to where we can and will give everything they are in need of! Our “Veterans gave their all – some gave their “LIFE” – what can we give them???

I remember in the 1940s – running around the block where we lived in NORTH ST. LOUIS – and going as far as I could – till my wagon was filled with newspapers and magazines – any of the paper products – that were collectible – for the WAR EFFORT and taking them to the proper drop-off area. Those were the days – when most of the kids that I knew had a wagon – and they were also doing the same thing as I was. We got up early and just like adults – we kids had our “rounds” and we each helped our friends in the collecting and turning in – of our wagon loads – and this was “FUN” for us! We even worked in the evenings – families were at home – the radio was turned on to the same station as most of the neighbors – on the block – and the “KIDS” were all busy – doing!

Times have really changed – we have so many gadgets to help us save time so we have so much “saved time” – that I would like to know where is all the time that we saved? I just cannot see where we are doing more – for all those that are in need of our “HELP!” I just do not see all of us – rush – to work together in a helping project – in the same manner as we did – way back – then?

For November – I feel that we should consider doing something that really helps our “VETERANS” – this is the month to give “THANKS” and to be very “GRATEFUL” – so, sometime this month – let’s work on something beneficial – something that will make a real difference in the real lives of our “VETERANS!” Almighty Yahweh – will bless all of us who ask Him for the help we need to do His will!

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Nov 9th 9 = 1+ 8 = 27 = 9

No matter how you look at it – it is “NOVEMBER” the 9^th – and in 18 days – it will be the 27^th – and 27 equals 9! – Right or can you come up with something different??? Take all the time you want? The 27^th is “Thanksgiving” and should be enjoyed more so than any other “HOLIDAY” – why??? – You ask???

When you stop and give thought to all the “Misery” – that our “Fore-Fathers went through – just to get to this “NEW” land – so as to have the “Freedoms” we all want – but some of us are throwing out and making changes – that our Fore-Fathers are probably turning over in their graves?

With the “Prayers” and “Thanksgiving” we were taught as little kids – and what we saw our parents do without that we might have it just a little better than they – now – looks like we are to throw everything out – all the good that after World Wars – all our young men and women who fought the good fight – we have some who want everything to change back to the days of “Noah” and start all over?

Thanksgiving will be here in 18 days – we need to get our families together and pray. We need to repent and pray like we never prayed before. If we don’t – we will be giving up to all the evil doers – to those who like to tear down the good – for those who love living in the worst of times – Looks like – that without lots of prayer – we will be giving up the ship?

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Nov 8th “Pictures with People!”

Picture on left – Boys Wash Room – this picture gives a better view of the wall areas – so you can see each child has his number above the hook for his wash cloth and hand towel. On Saturdays you would receive a bath towel – when you were ready to take a bath – and the little children would receive help getting in and out of the bath-tub and even their backs washed by one of the eighth graders. Same procedure on the girls side .

In all the years that I was at the Orphanage – there was one of the – girls, who had “six” toes on each foot. The only way we knew this – was each day after dinner – on the girls side and boys side – in the room where the bath-tubs were – along the wall – was a long “FOOT BATH” and several long benches in front – so each and or several children at a time – could sit and wash their feet. You would have thought someone discover “GOLD” – when the girl – who was sitting next to the “girl” with the six (6) toes – was discovered! In my “LIFE” this was the only person that I knew who had six toes?

The photo on the right – is of the “GIRLS Side” Dining Room – and in this photo you can see the back wall with the stainless steel cabinets – where all the dishes were kept – to set the tables. Also the long table were the large metal pots were brought in – so that the older girls – who were the servers – could dish out a small portion of food on your plate. The girls and boys in the above photo have their “Sunday” best clothes on and their hair is just so – so! This is not a regular sit-down meal – but for “Photo Taking” does a pretty good job – gives everybody an idea of what meals should look like?