“HERE IS What TO DO on HALLOWEEN”
“Halloween Time, First Year to celebrate”
Halloween Time
During the early 40’s, while we were doing our best — all of us in AMERICA… working together… doing our part at HOME saving all those things, metal cans and also newspapers and magazines that were needed and collected by us kids, to help support our men and women that were in uniform, in a joint effort to win WWII…
…. so the holiday, “Halloween” took a back seat – and guess what… I’m… a little kid, just doing…. as I was told!
We had our small “Victory Garden” as most of our neighbors did… and with our backyards … we planted those things that the family would like to eat and that would grow just as fast as possible…
This was a family working together everyday … we all had some little things to do daily… so with our helping each other…to do those things, that we will also be learning about those different seeds… which seeds turn into food faster and…
then… also using the garage to set up … with a few chickens, we learned to do without lots of things, and by being so busy doing all those most necessary things for our home and Country… we were very happy and we did feel blessed with that which… we had.
When you are attending school, your teacher informs you of the upcoming “Holidays” ….
Some things that would be helpful, and also what you will be needing … such small things, that you just might be able to make at School …. and to take home to do as you will be celebrating with your family, and just so that your parents will know how much you know… you will bring home evidence!
I could draw a big circle and color it orange and cut it out, calling it a pumpkin, as it was for the “31st of October,” so we could know to celebrate, “Halloween!”
“To this day, I’m surprised to be alive?”
I was so fully “armed” to go out… at night…to do “Halloween” with my “Pea Shooter” and a “Soap Bar” and a bag of “Peas” … all of the required ammunition!
For me… to put a small “Pea” in my mouth, line it up, in the “Pea Shooter” – and then, blow as hard as a “Tornado” or “Hurricane” with a dead aim at the neighbor’s windows – what a joke on me?
I could hardly, even get enough wind in me, to get my self home!
What ever happened to all the peas – did I swallow half of them?
The “Pea Shooter” was only an ice cream … soda straw!
I do not believe, that… even one little ole pea, ever hit a window?
Till this day – I still don’t know what … “what in the world… I was suppose to be doing!”
This is ME, and my youngest brother, little Tommy… and the shadow on the ground … looks like my Dad’s hat … indicating to me… that he is taking some pictures of the new area of Saint Louis … we have just recently moved into!
Posted in Childhood, Family, Grandma, Today and tagged "AL R. ALDRICH", "Mickey McLaren" -" herself"with no comments yet.
“The 31st is coming up real soon”
“Happy Birthday Sister Mary Alvira”
“Is Everyone … Back in School?”
This Photo has one of my very favorite teachers’ – and that is “Sister Mary Alvira” – sitting on the right side of this PHOTO with her class of students at German St. Vincent Orphanage.
This Photo may have been taken in the 1980’s – as “Sister Alvira” is now wearing the newer type of style of “Nun’s Habit” as it was called –
And… if you ever get to see some of the older styles of their “HABIT” – that the Nuns did have to wear – they were just so heavy and long and just full of layers – and their head gear would cover so much of their face – that all you could see of the Nuns’ face … would be their eyes, nose and mouth.
With this newer style of dress “habit” “garments to wear” – must now… really be so much easier to get ready for their day’s work.
“Sister ALVIRA” was our 5th and 6th grade teacher – when I was in her classes (1940’s) and I did enjoy having her as our teacher and my friend.
Sister Alvira had been an orphan also – she with her sisters and brother were in this same Orphanage as children.
Four of the five girls did decide to enter the “Sisters of Christian Charity” convent and as the youngest of the family “Veronica” became, “Sister Mary Alvira” a very fine teacher – and – she was also my very good teacher and friend, till the day she left here, for her eternal reward … to be with the Almighty Yahweh!
In those days… when I was there, at St.Vincent’s – we would gather into the 7th and 8th grade class room, to rehearse the music and singing of the songs… that we would be singing in Church.
“Sister Alvira” had a very distinctive voice – she was an “alto” and there were very few of the Orphans with the same “Alto Voice” and they with “Sister Alvira,” would be seated together in “Sister Gilbert’s” class room for better harmony –
“Sister Gilbert” was the one “NUN” to play the organ… also there was a small “ORGAN” .. one that required her to use her feet to pump up … so that we would have the music – and so that she would know … if we, the students were all singing in the correct “key” and to make the best of all of the songs.
They both had a very good “ear” to hear which of us were singing off “key” – and “who” of us… would ever want to do that?
Just thinking about that “organ” that “Sister Gilbert” played – she must have had some really strong legs – since that was an “organ” which you would have had to pump hard and long with your feet, just to get the beautiful music to come out – a real worker for the developing of the legs – a most terrific exercise.
Back in those days – we did receive a very good education – in fact, if you were really paying attention – you would fly through your first year of “HIGH SCHOOL” –
The teachers had us learn enough to carry us well beyond – we spent more hours daily in school, and if you did not have work to do on SATURDAY – then, you were also in “SCHOOL” all the morning hours till noon time, for dinner– so there was no way for you to do poorly in school – come to think about it – “No one complained about going to SCHOOL!”
“Have the very best of all BIRTHDAYS, “Sister MARY ALVIRA” … as I now believe … that you are now in HEAVEN –
with the rest of your FAMILY and FRIENDS!” D.V.
Posted in Childhood, Family, Grandma, Today and tagged "AL R. ALDRICH", "Mickey McLaren" -" herself"with no comments yet.
“Knock Knock Jokes just for Halloween Night”
“NATIONAL KNOCK KNOCK JOKE DAY”
Laugh out loud on National Knock Knock Joke Day! October 31st encourages telling a few funny knock knock jokes while going door to door. And the day is for jokesters of all ages, too.
Knock Knock
Who’s There:
Buff
Buff says Buff to all his men, and I say Buff to you again.
- 1934: The standard knock-knock joke format was used in a newspaper humor column:
- Knock Knock
Q. Who’s there? - A. Rufus
Q. Rufus Who?
A. Rufus the most important part of your house. - –
1936: Likely the beginning of popularity for knock-knock jokes.
Knock-knock jokes became a regular part of the Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-in Show in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
At a very young age, children often learn to tell knock-knock jokes as one of their first types of jokes. They also like making up knock-knock jokes to tell their family and friends. What’s your favorite knock-knock joke?
HOW TO OBSERVE #KnockKnockJokeDay
Take turns telling knock-knock jokes with your kids. Make up new ones or tell some old classics. Trade them back and forth and let the giggles ensue. Laughter is some of the best medicine you can share.
Have a knock-knock joke-writing contest. Take videos and share them. Visitfatherly.comto find some funny ones for kids.
We even have a guide to help you tell jokes,5 Types of Funny Jokes to Tell Your Kids.
Tell your best knock-knock jokes and use #KnockKnockJokeDay to post on social media.
Educators, visit the National Day Calendar® Classroom for projects, puzzles, and more designed to Celebrate Every Day® with your students!
NATIONAL KNOCK KNOCK JOKE DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar® continues researching the origin of this fun day.
Posted in Family, Grandma, Today and tagged "AL R. ALDRICH", "Mickey McLaren" -" herself"with no comments yet.
“October is a GOOD Month for Angels”
“READ: About the PUMPKIN ANGEL”
October is usually a happy time for me—my grandchildren, Daniel and Carly, get all excited about Halloween. They spend weeks beforehand discussing their costumes and dreaming of all that candy.
More than anything else, though, they love pumpkins. And not just any pumpkins. They wanted the ones grown by their great-aunt Margaret. What would my grand-kids do this first Halloween after she died?
I liked to joke that my sister Margaret had a soft spot for those kids—the compost pile in her backyard. That’s where the pumpkins grew. And she and the kids tended to them, slipping an upside-down pie pan under each one so it wouldn’t rot sitting on the ground.
Whenever I picked up my grandchildren and took them to visit Margaret, they’d barely say hello before bursting out into the yard to see what was going on in their “pumpkin patch.” They harvested them and used the big ones for carving into jack-o’-lanterns.
I didn’t know why or how pumpkins grow in a compost heap, of all places. Margaret never planted seeds. Maybe she’d thrown an old pumpkin out there one year. She had a green thumb, though. She could have dug a hole, dropped in a worm and ended up growing a rose bush.
I envied her gardening skills. If only I had inherited Margaret’s abilities after she passed away.
Halloween without Margaret’s pumpkins, Lord? I prayed one night. I wished there were some other way to make the day special. To let Daniel and Carly know their great-aunt’s spirit lived on.
Next day I went to visit the kids. I can help them with their costumes, I thought. That’ll be something, at least. “Hi!” I said, opening the door.
As soon as I walked in they said the quickest hello before shouting, “Grandma! Grandma! Come and see!”
“See what?”
“Just come!” they said, grabbing my hands and dragging me with them. We went outside. There, right on the side of the house, were half-a-dozen pumpkins. All plump and orange, with vines trailing everywhere. Growing in a spot where nothing had ever been planted.
I said, “You know what Aunt Margaret would do if she were here…” We all raced to the kitchen to get some pie pans. The biggest and best got turned into jack-o’-lanterns. The rest decorated the front porch. And they lasted for months, an autumn-long reminder for my two little pumpkin patch kids.
Did you enjoy this story? Subscribe to Angels on Earth magazine.
“Sit back and enjoy” xoxoxo xoxo
Posted in Family, Grandma, Today and tagged "AL R. ALDRICH", "Mickey McLaren" -" herself"with no comments yet.
“Last Day in OCTOBER… is Sister Alvira’s Birthday”
“Memories of Sister Alvira”
“Memories from my Autograph Books of Sister Alvira”
Sure was glad… that I had these old “Autograph Books” from when, I was in the Orphanage and then… had the nerve to ask for “Autographs” of the people there – and some of the NUNS – as some, I didn’t really get to know – as they were mostly on the “Boys’ Side” and then… some just did not have that kind of kindness and or a personality – for a small girl to even try to ask them… for something, such as an “autograph” because some NUNS…were not too friendly to anybody… including me.
My problem was that – when I was first there, and on one of the first “VISITING SUNDAYS” … my Mother had ask me – “what was it like and what did I do.”
No one should ask me a question like that – because, I will tell them – and what I had told my MOTHER – was something that they did not like for me to tell – as my Mother reported everything to “City Hall” downtown , Saint Louis –
So immediately … and when they got in touch with the Orphan Home – – I was watched… as if I was a “SPY” – one who tells all – and everyone will hear about it – especially me!
I was almost afraid to ask anyone anything – as they all thought I would snitch, and everyone would be in trouble!
So glad … that I was not too afraid to ask for “Autographs” way back then…and for all of these years, that have gone by… so and until… I started doing this “fourgrandmas.com” blog – was I ever so glad … to find these old books and now… be able to copy everything that was written in them – so that now the whole wide world can know… who and what was written – and either laugh or just turn the page to something better.
Check out what I had posted for “Sister Alvira and Sister Emeline” as it is “Sister Alvira’s” Birthday the last day of October!
**************************************************************
Autograph Memories pg. 7
Sister Emeline (12-26-49) and (01-16-50) this second date is from my second book of autographs. This is truly a friend for a lifetime, and I am very glad to have been her friend! I always felt like a part of her family, since Sister told me so much of her life before becoming a Nun.
Sister Alvira (02-04-49) – my 5th and 6th grade Teacher! Also, she was the youngest girl of her family and also became a Nun. Sister Reynold, Sister Loyolis (06-10-50) – Sister Emeline and Sister Alvira all good Nuns – I sure am glad to have been a part of their family, while on our journey in life! Sister Alvira, a friend for life and someone I kept in touch with forever! “Lucky ME” – to have had wonderful life-long friends!
Betty Weisenberger wrote in my book with a P.S. message – “Remember when we had charge of the – Rat Hole!” That was one job very few wanted. But, one must keep in mind that when “Friday” came around – you always went to the Normandy Theatre – you were never in the general circulation to get into “Trouble.” Trying to remember our numbers, Betty had a sister Edna – I was #91 and they were #92 and #93 – maybe someone will let me know?
Mary Kreitner (02-13-49) was the rich aunt of Jeanne Saettele’s family and cousin to our family. She was about the same age and did the same Catholic Society type things that my Aunt Irene Riley did. Here is what Mary Kreitner wrote in my book – “When you grow old and can not see – put on your spectacles and think of me!” Guess what? I am old and need my spectacles – to see and thinking of you!
P.S. Thanks for reading and I just hope that you enjoy reading about all the things that happened – maybe before most of you were even born!
Posted in Childhood, Family, Grandma, Today and tagged "AL R. ALDRICH", "Mickey McLaren" -" herself"with no comments yet.
“CHANGING COLORS CHANGING WEATHER…For EVER MORE”
Beautiful Day – – to LOVE YOU…
This day in OCTOBER – is a terrific and most spectacular of all of the days … that we have just had… as earlier … just this week… it was so cold and cold enough for the furnace to be on and running… and “NOW” today… we have to have the air-conditioner on … as it is …now up to 81 degrees…
… and… I am just wondering… if this will be a record breaking day for temperatures in October…. this year or not?
Guess we will hear about this day… on the “TV” tonight… one way or another… as for as… it, being a record breaker, or not?
Today is just one of those wonderful days… that we should be just ever, so grateful for… since it was so cold earlier this week and just seem… to be tending to get even colder…
… but, the Almighty just likes to surprise us with something so much better… so that we will be even more grateful for these extra special and very nice surprises… and also know… that there is also a silver lining… to most of our days, here on EARTH.
Just looking at all of the colors of everything as they are just changing… into those most wonderful colors of every possible beautiful color ever being possible, and all are just a blowing in to the wind… since it is that “SEASON” going in to a most wonderful change mode…
… one that makes you – – STOP – – and THINK … about how wonderful our CREATOR is…
… to give to all of us … this most beautiful “SEASON of CHANGE” … just each and every day… being so beautiful – –
… and when, just one of us stops to think – – “WOW” – –
and then… when we get to HEAVEN – –
… all… just everything will be so over and above … just so very much more spectacular – –
… that…we can not even envision, the surprise in store for all those of us – –
… who will get to be there soon … and then… for always to just enjoy… forever!
******************************************************************
Posted in Family, Grandma, Today and tagged "AL R. ALDRICH", "Mickey McLaren" -" herself"with no comments yet.