Grandma’s Stories

Oct 26th “From TWO to Fourteen – What a Difference”

When we take Photos – usually they are taken for a good reason. 

So looking through some old Photos, that I have not used to post  as yet, and just decided on this  raining day, a day that  it is to rain,  all day long and  –  I mean all day rain pouring down just like it is supposed to do – right  here in Missouri, when it would be  just terrific –  it it was pouring down on those parts of California,  where several big Cities are going up in flames.

The situation is so bad in California, that  they have turned off the utilities in those Cities – so that maybe, the disaster  there will not be entirely a total lost for everyone. So far it does look like, a total disaster for everyone living there.

They are really  in need  of PRAYERS, as I did see on television, that people were getting into their cars and trucks and  were only able to grab a very few things, as the fire was blowing so fast into their areas – it will be a miracle if half of those people  are able to get out alive?

Sometimes I do get carried away with what I hear on the NEWS, so now,  let us get back to these old PHOTOS.

That is ME on the right, bottom step of this four-family flat where we may have lived for a short time.  On the back of the picture it just read,  “Vantervanter” – which would be a street  in North Saint Louis. My Mother said,  “that they moved more times,  than  a Carnival Show  selling tickets!”   Evidently, my Father did not like a neighbor and or, did not get along  very well with them, for some reason,  and or the other?

“OH” – also on the back of the picture, “two years old” so looking back – I guess  I was able to play with the big kids  – as I was told – that I always had plenty to say – whether or not- someone wanted to listen?

This  is ME  at the foot of the slide, and I am a big girl now!

In a previous post, You saw me with the long hair and I had to have it cut.  Here I am to please everyone –  now it is nice and short.  So I would  now,  have to be thinking about my Graduating in JUNE,  and kind of getting in the mood, that at last,  I will get to go home to  finally live with my MOTHER.

All the seven years that we were kept here, was because they were able to collect my Dad’s pension – that he was receiving for being injured when he was in the ARMY. In fact – they continued to collect that portion that was for ME – for over a year after,  I was no longer here, and was  living  at home with my MOTHER. I still have  all of the  old paperwork,  for the simple fact – that they never did  return that portion, that  they were receinning for me. No attempt was ever  made to pay to my MOTHER, who really  did need the money,  and that she was also  entitled to!

“What is that old saying, about only receiving LEMONS – in LIFE,  just start to make  for yourself  some real good old fashion “Lemonade” with the  addition  and the correct amount of Sugar or Honey added – you will very  soon find, that the old day turns out,  to be a most  wonderful day, just  full of Sunshine!”    D.V 

Oct 25th “A VERY Expensive Lesson”

This is one time, that I did hope, that the pictures that were being taken, would at least be taken correctly.

On Visiting Sundays,  of which this is one of those special days,  but also, an extra special day!

Just because this was so special  of a day –  we had to take a

 picture, so as to have a terrific  memory,  so we started  to take a photo of the bracelet, that I have on my  left arm.

Posted on this right side is, all  of             the three overlapping

pictures so that you

can see why the only

single picture is still 

not of the best  of

quality –  but the

reason for that  one 

picture a little  larger,  is to see that “sparkle” on my left arm! And when this picture  was taken – this was a real beauty to see, but that did not last long.

I sure did think that I would know,  that this bracelet was on my arm at all times, but evidently someone  else in my class may have had another idea,  just waiting for me.

On Saturdays, after we had our chores done, some of us girls would go down beyond those buildings you see in the background, to play “Volleyball” on the Tennis Court, which was not  in a  well kept  area –  but we  could still play sometimes,  and this one time  – just was not the time for me to be there.

In our playing – it did get rough and as tall as I was, there were a couple of other girls just as tall. We were really playing hard and using all of our power to WIN with each of  us trying to keep that ball up in the air and then over the NET – I was not conscious of that bracelet being pulled from my arm, as we were trying our hardest to WIN!

Can not remember how long we were playing, but when the game was over and we started to walk back up to the  GIRLS’ side playground  – I did  noticed that the bracelet was gone!

Immediately,  we  all ran back and everyone was looking to see where it was – thinking it fell to the ground as we were playing. It could not be found, not alongside the Tennis Court, not in any tall grass around the edges – I ran to the “Maintenance Shop” – where the grounds’ worker would be and told them what happened. Ask them to keep an eye out for it – but  it was never ever, to be  found.

Since it was  not found – I figured that, that there was  one person playing, that knew the value of that bracelet  and could  have so easily  grabbed it from my arm, as we were playing, as we were bumping into each other so much with such roughness as per usual – that I did not think it would fall off, nor did I give it a thought, that someone would take it.

Sometimes in LIFE – it is better to not give your children things that are not really appropriate for the times – wait till they are older – and  I should have known, not  to mix beauty with rough game playing – the two do not mix well!    D.V.

Oct 24th “An Idea or Two For Dress-up Day”

When someone asks me to look for an old Photo or two – sometimes, I find something so Wonderful -just thought that everyone would like to see something just right, for the upcoming “Dress-up Day” this next week!

and… This dress was made for me by our Aunt Irene – and for my Graduation in 1952. The hat is another gift from Aunt Irene – something that I just could not at the time – find the right place to wear – but did want to see what it would look like – and how  I could possibly look, if  and or someday, I would ever wear it?

My Mother would not allow,  for me to wear high heel shoes – and these came from Aunt Irene – and so with a couple of other pairs – I found a “Second Hand Dealer” in the neighborhood – and he was glad to pay a pretty penny for these and some others!

I never looked so good – so nice and tall, slim and trim  –  just all those wonderful qualities of a good model – and just so LUCKY to have a wonderful brother  in the family to do the trying on of the clothes for me – just to get an idea of what I might look like?

My other brother was very handy in the helping  to get the things ready and the place to take these PHOTOS – as he said he was  not tall enough to really get the right idea, of  what these clothes would look like – and  that with his red hair and big smile – we would not  get the same effect as we had  wanted at the time.

Who in the world, would think – that these old PHOTOS that have been resting all these  many years – and safely in a nice PHOTO Album – would finally be pulled from their peaceful rest, for these many long  years – to now see the light of day.  I have to say that these sure do bring back memories of those good old  years – when young kids have so  much FUN –  and the old marbles in the brain – today –   begin to  bring back those happy go lucky  older days – when the world was enjoying the time – before we had to really get down to work!

Will have to see what else there might be in  that old PHOTO BOOK – that I have not thought about for a good many years? Everyone should take time to do the same – enjoy the Fun and same the LOVE!   D.V.

Oct 23rd “Old Times for Brother Tom – Guess WHO”

This is Melba Michaud  and Andy Bakota  – just received the correct spelling  – Thanks to Mr .Wonderful – just like “Superman”  he is right there when you need him! 

 This is not  needed – but left for a reminder of the quick action  when you ask Mr. Wonderful for something!…(just can not remember how to spell his  last name – so will wait to hear from Mr. Wonderful, himself – he knows everything!

…and

The next two Photos were also on the same roll  of film.  This  may have been in the year 1951 and my knowledge of taking good pictures was not up to par – as the camera was an old box  type and I did not receive too many instructions.

What I remember, when I received this camera,  was that I should roll the film forward  – advancing to the next  number, as there only so pictures that you can take, per roll,  while looking for that next number in the small red  area on the back side of the camera.

  I can not say that I always remembered to do  that, as I would  take a few Photos and also, then  let someone else take a Photo, like you see  a picture of me –  and so, the last  of these Photos – that were  taken,  are  all kind of blurred together.

….and  starting from the left side of this PHOTO is the wife of  Mister Andy B….  in the above Photo and the small child in the center of the  PHOTO, is the big  attraction,  and is their little baby.

Next to Andy’s wife is  Sister Celestine and as for as I knew then,  they were  not to have their Photos taken, but I did have a good shot of a good picture – but  then, thought that maybe,  I might get into trouble, so I did kind of move the camera to the right,  ever so slightly ,and so this is what I got – a  panorama of a good blurr.

This is ME and I am on that above PHOTO – just to the left  and this is where one person, taking  a picture and  not knowing  and or did not turn the film to the advance spot – to be ready for the next shot and  with lack of communication, causing some of the blurr.

This is before I graduated as this is the long hair the NUNS did not like to see, and I had to get a permanent to please them. They gave me the money to go to a Ragsdale Beauty Shop  on a Saturday so as to not miss any School – they said it would grow fast and be the same length in less than a year – because I wanted long hair on my Graduation Photos.

That did not happen – the hair does not grow that fast –   a lesson that I did learn – never believe everything that you are told – when  the end product of the situation benefits the other party!

“If by  any chance……….  you  may know the names of the others in the above Photos – be sure  to respond  – so that we will all know – – Thanks!”