May | 2017 | Grandma’s Stories

May 13th “Lee Jr., remembers GRANDMA on MOTHER’s DAY”

When Lee Jr., called the other day… wanted to know what I would be writing for “MOTHER’s DAY” – – he said, “You have to put a PHOTO of me with my “GRANDMA” because I still think that she was the very best person in the whole world – – and I have been around the world while in the NAVY… aboard the USS Ranger and she has always been with me – – in my HEART!”

So… I went through some of my photo albums to see if I could find a baby PHOTO of Lee – – and to my surprise – – this is “Grandma and baby Lee” and he has his eyes on us – – whatever we are doing – – Lee was just such a baby – – he kept a sharp eye out – – – for whatever was going on.

While talking with Lee on the phone – – again Lee wanted to know what I wrote and so… into several silly stories that he remembers so clear – – and then asks… “When are you going to write about me and GRANDMA” – – and – add photos to the stories that he likes – – well they just came forth – – like a tape recorder – – he was all ready to be turned on.. – I just heard so many stories – – will have to save some for another time.

In Florida… little Lee would wear his “swim trunks” all most all the time – – or he would have a pair hidden somewhere outside – – so he and his friend, Arthur – – who lived down the street… would meet to go swimming across the street in “LAKE MELBA” – a seventy foot deep LAKE.

This memory is… Lee’s MOTHER and my MOTHER were both staying at our home – – may have been for a month or so – – and on this particular day – – maybe “NOON TIME” – – Lee Sr., comes HOME from one of the restaurants we operated – – and with some special treats to eat – – and while he is opening up the “goodies” for us – – Lee Sr., ask… “WHERE IS LEE?”

We were all sitting around the dining room table – – and would you believe – – “WE did not know where LEE… was?” So… I went outside and started calling LEE’s name – – and not seeing him anywhere around – — – my husband was awfully upset! Lee said loud enough for everyone in the neighborhood to heat … as the windows were all open – – and you know how voices can travel – – especially when you do not want the neighbors to hear – – “THREE grown women sitting here – – and “NO ONE KNOWS” where “ONE” LITTLE KID is???”

Well Lee Sr., took the vehicle and started driving down the road along the LAKE – – and is calling out – – and looking around the water areas – – hoping to see the boys and bring them home. Well , one neighbor that lives on the LAKE side heard all the commotion and called us – – said that the boys had taken one of the boats out – – and they are on it. Also … someone should come and take another boat out and pull that one in – – the one that they are on is just bobbing around – – but the boys look okay???

Lee took care of getting the boys in that boat – – towed in to shore – – and I do believe everyone in the neighborhood – – got the message – – that if ever… these two kids are caught again – – in and around the boats call the POLICE – – as Lee Sr., was retired POLICE and everyone in and around Fort Lauderdale knew that “LEE JR.” as young as he was – – just loved to be in the water and would swim like the fishes – – and never had training – – but he soon did get enrolled into the local “Y MAC” and received plenty of training in all phases of being a “High Dive” swimmer, too.

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May 12th “Beverly Hills Art Show”

“WOW” – – “Would this flyer entice you to go – – or what?”

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May 12th “Marie Brady… YOUNG and Charming”

When we are “YOUNG” and have PHOTOS taken – – we can find a hundred and one things wrong with that PHOTO – – We do not throw it away… we just put these Prize PHOTOS – – in an old ‘show box’ – – and on a top closet shelf – – and there they stay.

This is “Marie Brady” and at a pretty young age – – and… if I say so, myself… she is looking beautiful – – so slim and trim – – and still early 1900’s – – as the dress is still on the long side – – still pretty close to the ankles – – – some might say… getting a little on the ‘daring’ side – – as I have PHOTOS of her in the same time frame – – with her “MOTHER” – – and their skirts are still to the shoe length.

This next PHOTO is Marie with her good friend “HAZEL DEBUQUE” – – will have to check spelling of Hazel’s last name.

As a collector and saver of old FAMILY memorabilia – – there is a slim chance – – when I just might find some old CHRISTMAS CARDS – – and will find “HAZEL’s” last name – – and then of course – – will have to do a search for this article and correct the spelling of her last name. Then I can take this note off – – but this note is a reminder to my old brain – – there is some research work to be done here.

If memory serves me… there was a time that my MOTHER wanted to see her old friend, HAZEL – – MOM had found her name listed in the telephone book – – “HAZEL” was living on “KINGSHIGHWAY near Natural Bridge – – and near the “DePAUL Hospital” – – so we drove over to see her. We did find her apartment – – but she was not home – – so I never did get to meet Hazel – – a good and long time friend, to my MOTHER.

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May 11th “MOM wanted to be a TEACHER”

May 9th was “TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY” – – and what better “TEACHER” does one have – – than their “MOTHER”… first and forever.

The above PHOTO is one that I like… as that is “Irene Brady Riley… a “Glennon Family,” cousin… and “Marie Brady” standing on the right. Someday in the future she will be my MOTHER.

As the thirteen child in the “BRADY FAMILY” – – and a girl – – her destiny was to be there for the parents – in the home as the care-taken and companion – – and the question of working outside of the home – – well that was out of the question. Marie did continue in school and was educated to do almost anything – – but her personal dream was to be a “School Teacher” and to teach the “Kindergarten class” as she loved the little children.

Every FAMILY has some extra special and natural qualities of which we give credit to our Almighty Creator – – because if the talent was not already given – – no amount of extra education would help. There are just some natural abilities that we receive – – and each of us – – receive different amounts of talents – – to make us different – – but there are a select few – – that receive mega amounts of some artistic talents – – that we receive – – and when we have these abilities – – we do like to share – – and that was the one quality of my MOTHER – – she wanted to share her gifts to help small children see the beauty in world of artistic drawing and design.

In FAMILIES… if you look up and down the generations – – you can see where some have the same qualities as certain others – – and when you look and see who did receive and who did not – – for instance… let’s take myself… I only wish I received more of what my MOTHER ‘s artistic abilities were – – but when … I look to the future generations from me – – “boy o’boy” it is wonderful – – how Life after Life… copies itself!

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May 10th “Remembering MOM and SON – MUSICAL DUET”

“Those were the days” – – when you hear someone say that small phrase – – “YOU” just know that this story is from – – the good olden days – – “THOSE DAYS” that live forever – – in your memory banks!

The best part of an old but good time memory – – is when you have an old PHOTO – – one that will jog your brain cells – – back into the days – – – when FUN and GAMES – – including MUSIC was a very important part of your LIFE.

At this piano is “TOM and MOTHER” – – and they were so into playing some good stuff – – that I just had to grab the camera and get a PHOTO to remember. The above PHOTO is the only PHOTO that I could find – – and is something that will remind me forever – – just hearing the duo playing a duet – – as they were of the same mind when it came to music. It really helps when you have those brain cells that remember notes and their sounds – – and then you can play over and over – – all the while singing or humming along till you just have the right “MASTER PIECE” put together – – like no one else can do.

To be able to play the PIANO… was one thing that I wanted to do – – – but since I did not get the music lessons in grade school – – starting in HIGH SCHOOL – – well that was just a little too late for me. My mind had too many other things more important and then staring to work after school – – well I never forgot… that which I wanted to do – – so when my children came along – – they took lessons – – and NOW they play – – and I just listen.

With “MOTHER’s DAY” coming this SUNDAY – – I just LOVE to remember all the good times – – we had when my MOTHER was alive. The one thing … that so many of us forget to do – – is to enjoy more times with our PARENTS … when they are here on EARTH – – everything we think is so important to do – – is a lot of foolishness – – but the ‘time’ that we spend with our FAMILY – – certainly our weighs anything else… that we might think… that we just have to do.