“Learning to Skate with MY DAD’S HELP”

Dec 28th “Learning to Skate with MY DAD’S HELP”

“Christmas Memories”

While – remembering about my childhood in the early 1940’s and during those WWII years… I do have an old photo that was taken of me and my Father sitting by the lamp in the living room.

We are looking at this one very large size “Hail Stones” in a large bowl… that my Dad had just collected from in the front of our house.

And this was during a very bad storm!

In all of my years… those “HAIL STONES” … were the largest that I have ever seen.

Why such a large size – no idea – but since then the average size, that I have seen… were about the size of small beans.

This memory is only remembered… because I’ve seen that old photo, several times and there must have been a special reason for collecting “HAIL STONES” and taking a picture.

No body was taking a whole lot of pictures in those days – since there was a WAR going on… you almost always had to have a “Ration Coupon” to buy so many necessary things, because… most of the material and general supplies the people used… did have to first go… toward the WAR effort – we did want to win the WAR – and all of us in AMERICA… did learn very early to do without, so that America would be victorious in the putting an end… to all Wars!

When we lived in the North Saint Louis area… it seems to me, that we had lots of ice and snow. At least much more than we have today, and there were no organized street cleaners… since I remember my DAD having to puts chains on the car, if we were to have to go somewhere.

So, in one of those early years… I must have ask for “ice skates” … having no idea… what “ice skates” even looked like and or if I would even be able to skate… even if … I did receive them?

Well, I received “ice skates” and there must have been plenty of ice out side on the side-walks… those “ice-skates” that I received were the kind that you attach to the shoes that you have on, and you should have a good strong and firm shoe on your foot… so that the skates can be attached properly!

My Father put the skates on me in the house and then carried me out side.

These “ice skates” had double blades, on each skate… so at-least I could stand without falling.

So my DAD took my hands and just pulled me, for a while – and then had me move one foot ahead of the other and pulling me slower to see if I could do the leg work of skating.

All the time I felt real secure… just holding on to him. We only went around our block and for a very long time. I was dressed so warm, in those days little girls worn “Leg-gens” – which were made to match your coat… plus the knitted hat and scarf around the neck… and also I had one of those “HAND-MUFFS” … it had a long attached ribbon that went around to the back of the neck… so that when you took your hands out, from each side, it was still hanging on to you and it did not get lose as it was always ready for you to put your hands in… and or… some of your stuff or even your gloves that is… if you did not need them.

Also… it had a pocket that zipped shut for some money… it was the best for keeping the hands – warm! The warmest.

It was so amazing, that my DAD would take the time to hold me and run along side of me… as I was learning to skate… as I did learn how to skate, and whenever if was okay with my parents… and the weather was just right… I was outside skating … and all around the block!