Grandma’s Stories

Nov 19th “GRATITUDE is of an inner ATTITUDE”

In  November… if ever we should start being GRATEFUL – –  take a  note  from the change of the “SEASONS”… it was “WARM” and now…  it is turning “COLD” – – but…  there is a lesson to learn – –  in the words of  changing  our  “ATTITUDE” by just showing the world our   “GRATITUDE.”

Each and every day we are different – – change is in  just the slightest way – – and  makes for us to act differently  in all of our duties for the day – – someone near offends us – – a word or two that we  just do not like – – the words sounded harsh – – where not what we thought we should have received – our immediate thought is how we should retaliate in some defensive way – – and we  are brewing an internal hurricane… to be sprawling out in full force to and on  everyone near and dear.

So… with an  “ATTITUDE of GRATITUDE”  in yourself… each day and very early in the morning – – just with the ‘mind-set’ that to make this the best day for those near and dear – – we will find at the end of the day – – we feel so good – – something special happened to all those in that  day – – they just sorta – – were so happy and pleased with what we were all doing – – “It just seem to be a magical day…I’m going to do the very  same  in the morning.”

Each and every morning – – no matter what – – this month of   “NOVEMBER” – -I am  going to ask our Almighty YAHWEH – – to lead me in his ways – – to put others’ and their feeling first and foremost – – checking that I can see and am willing to be of a support in their ways of doing things  – – holding back the usual words of complaint and disagreement – – that leads to discouragement in their plans – – helping them to know that what they have to do and what they  are thinking  about  – – needs my encouragement to help  them feel so good – – that  my “ATTITUDE”  is the correct helping hand they need.

“Gratitude” is received back  and forth – – when the  “ATTITUDE” is working on the front burners – – sleeping better at night and waking up each day with the best of   “ATTITUDES” – – we will all find “LIFE is WORTHWHILE” – –  and ever so much more enjoyable for all… for ever!   D.V.

Nov 18th “Three Meals a Day – Seven years”

This PHOTO is of the “BOYS’ Dining Room”  at the “German St. Vincent Orphanage”  – – – and  is where we had our meals.  That is for last two to three years that I was there. Depending on…  if a girl or boy is the eldest in the FAMILY – – then you will use that dinning room – – and since I was the eldest in our Family … for the  better half of the seven years,  that I was there – – we had our meals in the “GIRLS’ Dining Room” – – which looked exactly like this one.

The “McClarren Family” sat at the last table in that fore corner of the room… under that window along the wall.That wall is along the front side of the building. The table in the corner back there and near to that door… was the “Porter Family  Table” – – as  I would talk  across the table to  my friend, Gail Porter… as she had older brothers – – and was in this dining room longer than I was.

Since “Thanksgiving” is this week…  and “memories” about different things always “POP UP” for all the years of being here and there… is a FUNNY memory about this “Dining room” and “Sister Michael”… the NUN that was with us during the noon meal. “GAIL” and I would always have so much to talk about – – sometimes… even after “Sister Michael” would call for us all to eat in silence… we … Gail and I … would continue… with short messages back and forth – – not too loud, but loud  “whispers” – – and I guess she did not like it – – and one day she had enough!

On this one occasion… Sister Michael came close to our tables … and in a loud voice so that all the children could hear  – – and be warned… that she had had enough of us… SISTER said, “The two of you will  be talking ‘forty years’ after you are both – – dead and buried!”   – – I won’t say she was “MAD” – – but she sure was highly upset! – – But the way she  said this with her arms flying in the air and the movements she was making trying to get close to our ears – – so that we would understand – – ‘shut up’ – – everyone in the dining room – – had the best laugh for a heck of a long time.

To this day… I get a kick out of the whole episode   – – just can not forget – – that such a cool and calm NUN – – had something to say to us – – something that I will remember forever!

“Sister Michael” was one of the NUNS – – that most of the children liked – – can not remember ever hearing anyone complain about her – – she was on the “BOYS SIDE”  and the “NUN  that did the same chores as Sister MICHAEL –  but on the  ‘girls side’  – – and a  very terrific   NUN – -“Sister Seraphine”   …  she  was  in charge of the ‘girls clothing” as   Sister Michael   did for the boys – –  both of these NUNS were well suited for their work with children and in case no one has ever  said so… let me ask the Almighty Yahweh … bless them – – as they were very good to the children – and I think  chose the best of  “LIFE’s WORK”   in their calling – – to work with children – – as  not all  are called for such a “Life-time”…  work!

Nov 17th “This is the WAY to Prepare for the big DAY”

Everybody has their own WAY… to PREPARE for a  “Thanksgiving Day Meal” … but this …  WAY  – – over the years  – –   I found to work best for me.

When we were little kids – – in the  early 1940’s – – my DAD would start the big cooking the night before…  the special DAY. Of course “ME” the oldest and always watching and there in case something was needed… as I was the  “Go-For-Kid” – – and  was  “Mama’s little helper” – – as she always said that I had  the “Wings of MERCURY” on my heels – – a first class messenger.

So… early in the day – –  start making cookies… warming up the house – – with good smell and snacks for the energy to continue till done.  Next a couple of pies – – making the pie crust from scratch … Pumpkin and   APPLE  with another fruit  and in a larger size  baking dish… where you make the crust larger than the dish… put the apples and fruit and nuts and spices in and with the over-flowing crust – – bring it up and over – – and in the center area… it is open. Brush the top with butter and  extra cinnamon-sugar – – and have the best of desserts since the other fruit used …  generally  pears – – just so terrific.

The “TURKEY” is  clean and ready to be filled with the stuffing and put in the oven – – it could be one o’clock in the morning and I am tired and everybody is already in their bed.

BUT… when we were kids… Daddy would be cooking up the onions and celery and spices in a cast iron skillet and lots of butter. In the oven… trays of bread… toasting just enough to then be broken up into  a large pan —  and then the magic of  him being a CHEF by trade – – some of  this and that – –   combine  all of this – – and into the cavity of the bird and up and under the neck opening all filled with the home-made dressing.  Into the oven… and we all went to bed… DADDY stayed up a little longer  – – to be sure the oven did its start up on baking – – then lowering the temperature – – and the aroma was just as if you were floating around in HEAVEN.

Since we all were up late  – we would get up later than usual but still in time to go to CHURCH. The oven temperature was low – – so that the “TURKEY’ could take its time – – baking to just the right ‘tenderness’ – – and the house  would smell like HEAVEN – – with all of the cookies and pies and  “WOW”  that  TURKEY and DRESSING – – and of course there was always mashed potatoes  – -as my DAD was called “TATTER MAC” – – everyone in his FAMILY loved potatoes.

Since that was the way my DAD  did the TURKEY – – and the house always smelled so good all night while…  you were dreaming of being in HEAVEN – – it  just was the  “WAY” to make magic – –  and around two o’clock  in the afternoon … the company would show up – – and everyone could just sit back – – enjoy the day – and always remember – – that this was this best day for a FAMILY get it all together – – -making more memories to remember!

Nov 16th “You did say, ‘GET a TURKEY’ for THANKSGIVING”

When you think about…  “THANKSGIVING”   – – and having guests over to share  a very nice dinner – – and to stay for even a  ‘second’ helping of  ‘TURKEY’  – – you will certain ally  need  the biggest and best TURKEY!

Can you  just hear…  Al asking – – “Is this one big enough”  or… “should I go back – – and see if I can find one larger?”

Lucky…  to say – – this one is just fine – – and with all of the other goodies that we will be making – – just hope  that everyone will have plenty of room for the extra side dishes  – – that we are  preparing?

Just had a thought that I have to pass on… Years ago when I would have my  MOTHER and her sister… our AUNT Irene over  for THANKSGIVING – – everything had to be just  “so-so”  as she was the expert in the FAMILY – – when it came to getting together and fixing a big meal. I do have to give  “AUNT IRENE”  credit for teaching me a lot of her own  ‘cooking’ preparation and purchasing of all that would be needed – – for just such an occasion – – and so on one of our “Thanksgiving Dinners” had to ask her  – – “What is your favorite     part of  the TURKEY” – – ???

Everybody has a preferred part of the  ‘ole BIRD”  – –  and when we would be eating  – – I never paid any attention to the  part… THAT SHE WOULD SELECT AND  PUT ON  HER PLATE – – who does that??? Everyone is busy talking and eating – – going back for seconds – – and what they eat – – who knows? 

You will not believe what our “Aunt Irene” said was her favorite part  of the “TURKEY” – – Aunt Irene said… “I like the part that goes over the fence… last!” Well… when that registered in my brain – – and I guess everyone else… we all  – – almost died laughing. From that point on – – all of us were talking about the part of the TURKEY  that we like to eat … and  WHY – – and as I remember – – no one else even thought of that part as being good – – but when Aunt Irene finished telling us   – – all of the  “WHY and WHEREFORES”  – – it may have changed some on the parts we eat and why – – but she did not convince me…  that… that…  was the best part of the TURKEY!

So… for this…  THANKSGIVING… if you find that there is not enough “chit-chat”   going on at your  DINNER TABLE – – just throw that question out – – and see what the response is and if you learn anything  NEW – – about those that are sitting at your table – – and find more good things out about everyone – – that will make memories – – that will last forever.

After all…the reason for these special  “HOLIDAYS’  – – is to be “THANKFUL” for all of our  LOVED ONES…. to be gathered  – – to remember all of the past good times – – and to make more of the “BEST OF MEMORIES”  – – memories that all at our table will  be passing on – – and each time they remember – – will only have the best of thoughts on the occasion – – and always want to  be  close  to those … that they LOVE and will remember throughout the years to come!

Nov 14th “Be very … CAREFUL…”

In  TODAY’s world… we are teaching our domestic animals – – how to talk – – and what to do… – – and when to go outside – – and when to be inside the house – – and we even have several types of   “Animals”  that ordinarily are not   for the regular …  in the home and  to be of  the domestic type of animal – – but we have decided that – – our FAMILY must be different – – and do things differently – –  – – so that  _ NOW – – our ANIMALS – – can communicate with each other – – and would YOU believe – – some can even communicate with the POLICE – – – and they will report – – what you are doing to them!

Just this last weekend – – there were two nice looking dogs in my back yard – – they were inspecting everything – – and even so much as to mark a few places – – as if they were going to make this their home – –  my son asked me if we had something to give them – – so I went to the refrigerator and found a few pieces of   “HAM” – – and took it out to them. 

Well.. the one dog was the  “BOSS” and took charge of that treat – – and was…  not one to share. So… my son said,  “don;t you have something else – for the other one?”   Well… I did have some “CAT FOOD” for the  “Sunset CAT” – – she still comes  by – –  now and then – – –  so…  another dish and a dish with water – – took this out – – and  – – everybody  is so  happy.

My son, Al  said – –  “I’m going out and take some of that    ‘ham’   from the one dog and give some  of it … to the other”  – –  “WOW”  – – that was not not going to happen – –  the dog with the  “HAM”  growled like – –   “take this and loose your hand”   – –   “you did not give  it…   and you can not take it away  – – even if  to share.”  

Well.. they both finished up  – – looked around – – left a deposit – – here and there – – marking that they were here – – and should they need to let some others – – to  know – – this is their territory – – they discovered it – – finders… keepers…   forever!       D.V.