Today there may not be as many Orphanages, as there were when I was a kid, in 1945 – there was St .Mary’s Orphanage for girls –St. Joseph Orphanage for boys – and then there was German St. Vincent Orphanage for boys and girls!
St. Vincent was the place, my two brothers – Denny and Tommy and me, Mary Ellen – decided that at least we would be together. The year this change in our lives took place was 1945. My mother went to her parish church, Perpetual Help – asking for assistance for a couple of month’s assistance.
(My advice to anyone – don’t ask for help – it is not available, nor will you ever receive what you think that they are going to do for you – just plan on yourself … actually doing something different – to really get that which you really need. In the long run, you will pay a price that will break your heart!)
On the Dec. 20th post, you will find a photo of the yearly custom of Procession of Baby Jesus brought to the crib scene, with a church service, and some of the children participating.
As you can see the children are dressed in their regular play clothes, not their uniforms as for Church Services – and what they are really thinking about is – how fast will be getting to our classrooms for the best part of these activities – the activity that will be taking place when we all go to our own classroom, and what – will Santa have brought to each of us “GOOD ORPHANS” – after all… we did behave as instructed or we did get know what “trouble” is, one way or the other.
Marching in our class room, singing “Christmas Carols” around the perimeter of the room – each child looking at their own desk to see or make out just exactly what you will be opening up in a few minutes. The suspense is growing, and as everyone marches – you try to also figure out what your friends are getting – is what they are to receive better than, that which you will have? Everything is about the same for each child, couple of games, and some small items to play with, also puzzles that not many kids like getting.
One year, Eleanor Faucher, in my class room, and her sister Rosemary Faucher in another class room, each receive a brand new bicycle, their father worked for the downtown bus company.
Another year, I received a “BRIDE DOLL” with real hair, in banana curls, and with a whole new outfit custom made just for me! This doll was mine, before coming to the Orphanage, in an old “WAC UNIFORM” as these were the “WAR YEARS” – with lots of wear and tear from being used in rough play – – my Aunt Irene Riley took the old doll to the “DOLL HOSPITAL” to be overhauled, and also to use some of her own hair that she had – when she first had her long hair cut in the 1920s. “I was tickled “PINK!””
Christmas morning, each child received the best gingerbread dough cookie in the shape of a large sled – it was a very long lasting cookie and so good. That was breakfast, with cup of milk and apple butter bread. If you were “LUCKY” and your parents would be taking you home for a couple of weeks, you would hurry and get your things ready to leave as soon as they came for you.
Going home to be with your parents as a family should do… for Christmas is the best of feelings for kids, just ask me… I know what “Christmas Love” feels like! D.V.
More people like this picture of me in 1942 – than so many others – that they send messages – just wanting more information – – in fact saying that I do not write enough???
In the living room of this house, there was a working fireplace and in some days of the colder weather, my Father would start a fire. As a young child watching the fire was exciting just to see how the logs burning and the flickering flames and there was a cozy atmosphere in the room that our whole family would get to enjoy. Some times, just for more excitement in the fire, my Mother would sprinkle some granules from this round can and just so fast, the fire would dance with all different kinds of colors!
It was almost like watching the “fourth of July – fireworks” shooting up and into the sky but everything had a way of flying up the chimney and we would kinda fall asleep just watching the fire dance as my Mother would be reading some stories as only she could, because she could change her voice for the different types of people in the story!
One of the best things that I remember, and this is again by the fireplace, my Father had a special “pan” which had long handles seems that the top had small holes in it, and there was a hinge to open it and somehow “something” that kept it from opening when he would flip it around.
By now – you guessed what this was… a “Corn-Popper” – do not know if they are still available in the stores, today?
My Father was a “CHEF” by trade and did most of the cooking in our home. One of the amazing things we all remember is to watch him cook and he would always have a cigarette in his mouth – he never took it out and as he would be cooking – we all watch – just to see if any of it would fall into the food – as it all stayed in tack – curling over and just looking like… in any moment now, there would soon be a mess!
Getting back to the fireplace going and we would be enjoying the “POP CORN” just as fast as Daddy would make it… we were eating it! Just before Christmas my father would bring home a fresh Christmas tree that would be thick and full, because the lights that he would put on it were a much larger size lite, than those that we use for the inside tree, today… and the size would really light up the tree and the whole room, as we had a very special “CHRISTMAS” look, to enjoy!
While Daddy was doing the big and heavy type of work… My Mom was helping us kids in the making long chains of decorations … mixing all the colors of the construction papers that she had cut in just the correct size and lengths for us to glue little circles and to keep on adding to the chains as my Dad would put the long finished chains up and on the tree. We also made some other little decorations , these were small and had each of our own special designs, some of these probably no one would even know what we were thinking of, but each one was given all the highest of praises from my MOTHER as she thought we were making prize winning pieces of art!
When we were all done… our Christmas Tree was a “First Prize Winner” … that is if anyone was giving out prizes?
Sometimes for Christmas, our Grandma that lived in OHIO would come and stay with us for a week with one brother to our DAD, who ever was available to do the driving – that UNCLE and AUNT would take turns doing the driving… so that they didn’t need to stop to sleep on the way during those HOLIDAY VISITS .
We sure enjoyed having lots of fun and a whole lot of different things to do and see, back then! That’s what really makes Christmas… just having “FAMILY” … living with you for a week! D.V.
By Presidential Proclamation, December 17th is Wright Brothers Day. Each year, a proclamation invites the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
The US Code directs that Wright Brothers Day commemorates the first successful flights in a heavier than air, mechanically propelled airplane, made by Orville and Wilbur Wright on December 17, 1903, near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
From a young age, Orville Wright and his brother, Wilbur, developed a fascination with flight. Inspired by a rubber band propelled helicopter created by the inventor, Alphonse Penaud, the brothers would dedicate their lives to the invention. They first found success manufacturing bicycles including the Van Cleve and St. Clair.
They never lost interest in flight and continued to develop designs. By 1902, the future aviators were making progress with their gliders and nearing a successful mechanical flight. They sold their bicycle business and on December 17, 1903, achieved their goal.
Orville Wright ( August 19, 1871 – January 30, 1948 )
Orville Wright made the first flight for 12 seconds and 120 feet around the site of the Wright Brothers National Memorial, just south of Kitty Hawk on that date. While the Wright Brothers were not the first to build and fly experimental aircraft, they are recognized as the first to invent aircraft controls that made fixed-wing flight possible.
Wilbur Wright ( April 16, 1867 – May 30, 1912 )
Aviation history is full of exciting accomplishments, adventure, and daring heroism. In fact, numerous museums and landmarks around the world will walk you through aviation’s impressive timeline. From the National Aviation Hall of Fame in Ohio to March Field Air Museum in Riverside, California and the Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., nearly every state in the U.S. fills the imagination with original and replica planes of the pioneers of flight. Even the early frontier of space flight makes the agenda for aviation enthusiasts! Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center will not disappoint.
Of course, local libraries answer the call with shelves lined with books about every era of aviation. NASA also offers free e-books.
Explore the history of flight. While you’re at it, discover allow the fascinating adventurers, too! Here’re a few names to get you started.
Would you like to learn more? Aviation is celebrated throughout the calendar. Check out these days, too!
Use #WrightBrothersDay to post on social media.
The Congress, by a joint resolution, approved December 17, 1963, as amended (77 Stat. 402; 36 U.S.C. 143), has designated December 17 of each year as “Wright Brothers Day” and has authorized and requested the President to issue annually a proclamation inviting the people of the United States to observe that day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
Test out your paper airplane making skills! Like the paper airplane day Facebook page to join in on the festivities. Watch flights on YouTube
“Just sit back and enjoy, a very special gift… TODAY – just relax while enjoying!”
“While “DEAN” is singing this song… YOU will see a few scenes that look just like those, that I posted for yesterday.”
“The only thing that we have going on here in “MISSOURI” is just some more “SNOW” and, would you believe that the children with their parents, must have had so much “FUN” here yesterday… that they are right back here and on top of the hill at our “Sunset PARK” because… we are expecting more and “IT” is still coming down right NOW. Also, according to the “WEATHER MAN” we are to receive another couple of inches of the WHITE stuff … which is called SNOW!”
“This is only a guess on my part but, I do believe, that in order to have FUN in the SNOW… IT must be snowing and coming down hard and thick, so that you can really feel it as it is hitting you right in and on the FACE.
Since every part of the body is so well covered, and with good and very well insulated clothes and boots… all of those little hits of SNOW will just tickle you so much so… that you just have to stay out and play on the top of the hill, as long as you are allowed. As long as those wonderful “PARENTS” that are available and doing the driving… THEY will always have the last word on just how much “FUN” we are all allowed in this, one extra special day of playing in the SNOW!”
From where I am sitting and typing, I can see all of the hill side, down to the “MISSOURI RIVER” and just everything is covered with plenty of “SNOW” all of the trees just look like someone stuck some old dried up and dead “tree” sticks here and there, just a very few green “FIR and or Cedar” trees and or related types of trees with each carrying just as much “SNOW” as the poor old limbs can safely carry… before falling over. This is just the best of times for a view of real HEAVENLY wonder and that which… only happens at this special time of the year!
“Isn’t it just so very wonderful… all of this beauty, that our CREATOR gives to us and all for our enjoyment, if we will only be grateful and thankful, and really take the time to enjoy… while we are here and so very young of heart!” D.V.
For some reason, this little “story” that my Mom used to read at Christmastime came to mind today. Maybe it’s the fact that the holiday rush is officially ON and amongst my “Mom friends” (including yours truly!) I can already sense the frantic hysteria starting to build.
So this post is a chance to sit back and relax for a minute and enjoy a chuckle…or two. And hopefully it will also serve as a reminder to ENJOY the holidays instead of being a “Funny, Funny Mother”.
See Mother, Funny, Funny Mother
See Mother. See Mother laugh.
Mother is happy.
Mother is happy about Christmas.
Mother has many plans.
Mother has many plans for Christmas.
Mother is organized. Mother smiles all the time.
Funny, funny Mother.
See Mother. See Mother smile. Mother is happy.
The shopping is all done. See the children watch TV.
Watch, children, watch.
See the children change their minds.
See them ask Santa for different toys.
Look. Look. Mother is not smiling. Funny, funny Mother.
See Mother. See Mother sew.
Mother will make dresses. Mother will make robes.
Mother will make shirts.
See Mother put the zipper in wrong.
See Mother sew the dress on the wrong side.
See Mother cut the skirt too short.
See Mother put the material away until January.
Look. Look. See Mother take a tranquilizer.
Funny, funny Mother.
See Mother. See Mother buy raisins and nuts.
See Mother buy candied pineapple and powdered sugar
See Mother buy flour and dates and pecans and brown sugar and bananas and spices and vanilla.
Look. Look. Mother is mixing everything together.
See the children press out their cookies.
See the flour on their elbows.
See the cookies burn. See the cake fall.
See the children pull taffy. See Mother pull her hair.
See Mother clean the kitchen with the garden hose.
Funny, funny Mother.
See Mother. See Mother wrap presents.
See Mother look for the end of the Scotch tape roll.
See Mother bite her fingernails. See Mother go.
See Mother go to the store 10 times in one hour.
Go, Mother, go.
See Mother go faster. Run, Mother, run.
See Mother trim the tree. See Mother have a party.
See Mother make popcorn.
See Mother wash the walls. See Mother scrub the rug.
See Mother tear up the organized plan.
See Mother forget the gift for Uncle Harold.
See Mother get the hives.
Go, Mother, go. See the faraway look in Mother’s eyes.
Mother has become disorganized.
Mother has become disoriented.
Funny, funny Mother.
It is finally Christmas morning. See the happy family.
See Father smile. Father is happy. Smile, Father, smile.
Father loves fruitcake. Father loves Christmas pudding.
Father loves all his new neckties.
Look. Look. See the happy children. See the children’s toys.
Santa was very good to the children. The children will remember this Christmas.
See Mother. Mother is slumped in a chair. Mother is crying uncontrollaby.
Mother does not look well.
Mother has ugly dark circles under her bloodshot eyes.
Everyone helps Mother to her bed.
See Mother sleep quietly under heavy sedation.
See Mother smile.
Funny, funny Mother.
…Author unknown
Here are a few suggestions on how to observe the day:
On December 15, 1791, Virginia ratified the first ten amendments of the Constitution. With this, the amendments reached the requisite number of state ratifications necessary to become part of the Constitution. Known as the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments outline the rights of citizens vis-à-vis the federal government. They guarantee that citizens have civil rights and liberties such as freedom of speech, press, and religion; they establish rules for due process of law; they confirm that citizens have rights beyond those spelled out in the Constitution; and they affirm that powers not delegated to the federal government are left to the people and states. It is on today’s anniversary of the ratification and implementation of the Bill of Rights that we celebrate Bill of Rights Day.
Bill of Rights Day was first officially marked in 1941. A joint resolution, approved by Congress on August 21, 1941, established the day in order “to provide for the proper observance of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the adoption of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights.” It authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation designating December 15 as Bill of Rights Day, it called on officials of the government to display the flag, and it invited the “people of the United States to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and prayer.”
In accordance, on November 27, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a presidential proclamation designating December 15, 1941, as Bill of Rights Day. He called upon government officials and citizens to display the flag on public buildings and to meet together for prayers and ceremonies that they deemed appropriate.
He said:
“It is especially fitting that this anniversary should be remembered and observed by those institutions of a democratic people which owe their very existence to the guarantees of the Bill of Rights: the free schools, the free churches, the labor unions, the religious and educational and civic organizations of all kinds which, without the guarantee of the Bill of Rights, could never have existed; which sicken and disappear whenever, in any country, these rights are curtailed or withdrawn.”
The basis for the Bill of Rights goes back to the Magna Carta, which protected British subjects from royal abuses of power. King John of England put his seal to it in 1215. In 1628, in response to actions taken by Charles I, Parliament adopted the Petition of Right. It forbid imprisonment and taxation without Parliament’s consent. In 1689, at the end of the Glorious Revolution, when William and Mary ascended to the throne, Parliament adopted their own Bill of Rights, which foreshadowed America’s Bill of Rights.
In colonial America, the protection of individual liberties was present in colonial charters, such as in the 1606 Charter for Virginia. These charters declared that those living in the colonies had the same rights as those living in England. Resolutions adopted in America at the time referenced the Magna Carta, colonial charters, and the teachings of natural law. Following the declaration of America’s independence in 1776, state constitutions and state bills of rights were written. Virginia’s Declaration of Rights, principally written by George Mason, was the model for bills of rights in other states, and then for the federal Bill of Rights. It alluded to John Locke’s views on natural rights and provided for protection against specific abuses.
At the Constitutional Convention, held in Philadelphia in 1787, there was a motion to form a committee that would create a bill of rights. But the delegates defeated the motion because they didn’t think such a document was necessary because the federal government was to be one with enumerated powers—it only would have those powers which were listed in the Constitution. James Madison first opposed a bill of rights, calling such protections “parchment barriers,” thinking they would not be effective. He and some of the other framers questioned how effective a bill of rights would be in protecting the minority against the majority. They instead thought that protections should come from structural arrangements such as the separation of powers and checks and balances.
George Mason was one of three delegates at the Constitutional Convention who refused to sign the Constitution because it did not include a bill of rights. He also wrote a pamphlet opposing the Constitution as written, which many citizens read and were persuaded by. Eventually, Madison and other supporters of the Constitution realized they must placate those opposed to it by adding amendments. Once a pledge to include amendments—what would become the Bill of Rights—was made, a path to ratification came into view. Madison, who had earlier been opposed to a bill of rights, began to push hard for it. During the First Congress, he organized the amendments that were to be included with the Constitution. He considered those that had been proposed by the states during their state ratifying conventions, and focused the amendments on rights, not on structural changes to government, working to find amendments that would be agreeable to Congress and the states. Some in the House of Representatives believed there were other issues that time could be better spent on, and the Antifederalists were hoping for a second Constitutional Convention where the powers of the federal government would be weakened, but Madison persisted.
Madison introduced his amendments on June 8, 1789, and pushed his colleagues for their passage. The House passed a joint resolution that included seventeen of the amendments, and the Senate changed the joint resolution so it only contained twelve of them. In September, the House and Senate accepted a conference report of the amendments, and twelve were adopted. President Washington submitted them to the states for ratification on October 2. Nine states ratified ten of the amendments within six months. On December 15, 1791, Virginia became the eleventh state to ratify ten of the amendments. As there were fourteen states in the Union at the time, the three-fourths threshold needed for ratification had been reached for those ten amendments. They became the Bill of Rights.
When passed, the Bill of Rights was only applicable to the federal government, not the states. It has since been incorporated to largely apply to the states as well. There is still much debate about the interpretation of some portions of the Bill of Rights. But since today’s date in 1791, it has been enshrined in the Constitution, ensuring rights and liberties to citizens of the United States.
The Bill of Rights is as follows:
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment II
A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
Amendment III
No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation.
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
Amendment VII
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
Bill of Rights Day is being observed today! It has been observed annually on December 15th since 1941.
Jill Nystul · November 30, 2011