“My future GRANDMA – also AUNT IRENE”
How’s this old Photo – – for going way back in “TIME – the old memory lane!” This is early 1900’s – as “AUNT Irene” on the right – does have a much younger face – – so much younger than so many of the PHOTOS – – that I have of her.
On the left… is “Anne E. Smart Brady” – -and she did have thirteen (13) children – – and my Mother to be… “MARIE” was the number 13 – – and the last!
Without looking up the exact dates – – but using a foggy memory – – seems that the above Photo looks like ANNE and IRENE are happy about something – – and here are the simple facts of the TIMES. Marie was born in 1900 and is (15) fifteen years younger than her older sister IRENE – – the only two girls to survive. MARIE – – my future MOTHER to be – – will only be getting married in 1935 – – and IRENE will be married NOW or very soon – – because she will be having her one and only baby boy in 1910 – – so it is very possible that on this PHOTO… Irene has been married some years and is sharing the “GOOD NEWS!”
So… I LOVE for the person – – who will be celebrating a “BIRTHDAY” – – enjoy the fact that you are having a BIRTHDAY – – and the best decision to make is to celebrate at least – a whole week! – The idea is… that you gradually get into the feel of another “YEAR” that of getting “OLDER…” – but so much “WISER” – – and by doing so – – “YOU will also feel as YOUNG as your HEART inspires and keeps you … well motivated!”
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY… AUNT IRENE!”
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“Remembering – Aunt Irene!”
July 17th is coming up and… I KNOW – – – some one important in our FAMILY … will have a BIRTHDAY on that day! There will come a TIME in our LIVES – – when we will be able to live and celebrate birthdays – – when we become 128 years old… like our “AUNT IRENE BRADY RILEY” – – will be doing this coming “SUNDAY the 17th” – – not here on EARTH – – but in the HEAVENS above!
Our “Aunt Irene” did like to do a lot of traveling with her very good friend… the other lady in the above photo – her name is “MRS. CALLAHAN” – – – can not remember her first name – – but she did live on Red Bud Avenue, in North Saint Louis. The Catholic priest ‘s name was not on the photo – – at least forgot – – another thing – – that I did it again – – some old facts – – seem to get loss in all the olden days time frame.
“Aunt Irene” was an older sister to my Mother – – and so we did see her quite often – – and up to the day she passed away – – we were all in touch – – so where ever you are… “Happy Birthday dear… Aunt Irene!” We are still keeping in touch with you!
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“Aunt Irene…Discipline…”
Sometimes …maybe not in society today…but- yesterday – there was always one person – who would rule the roost! In the Brady Family it was Irene Brady. When the “FAMILY” was all boys – and then one little girl shows up – well – you know that everyone is going to think that “she” is the “Queen” and – all through her Life – that is what our Aunt Irene Brady Riley – thought she was.
If I remember correctly – at the time or very near the time for “Irene” to be born – one of the “BRADY” clan that came over from Ireland …had won a lot of money on a “HORSE’ and the name of this winner horse…”IRENE” – so naturally little baby Irish girl – became a “Winner” with the perfect name “IRENE!”
All is well in the “BRADY FAMILY” – the older boys are married and leave home and then … we have another little baby girl – this will be number 13 and the end of the line. At first …everyone thought that this new baby girl, MARIE – was the daughter of the eldest brother JAMES BRADY…surely old Mrs. Thomas BRADY was way past her years of having any more children??? But soon – everything came to a normal as usual order and LIFE continues peaceably – for awhile???
Little Marie is at home with older sister Irene – and the parents – now that the parents are getting older and will be needy more care – who will that person be??
Irene is old enough to get married and move out – and may as well – so that way everyone will expect little Marie – to just grow into the home keeper for the older parents – as in those days – there was no government insurance and no homes suitable for the old folks
What a rousing development – Irene gets married! Irene has a moving truck pull up to the “BRADY HOME” – and the large and swanky piano and all of the prize possessions in the “HOME”…those that Irene thought that she was entitled to – all move to her home!. I’m guessing that Irene was so used to having everything her way – that even on moving out – she thought she still “ruled the roost” at the old “BRADY” homestead.
There was only one piece of music that Irene could really play on the piano – and that was, “I Love You Truly” – as she also had a music box that played that same song… – and of course…today – I have that old silver music box …and it still plays…”I Love You Truly!”
Well…everything that Irene took – and without permission… had to be returned! This was probably when some of the friction started – between the two sisters …– as Irene always seem to have a strong controlling type of authority over all of the FAMILY. She was also very strict with her very own son, little Bernie.
For some reason… or the other… and this may have started – way back and when in the ORPHANAGE…that whenever something was going on – and I was a part of the conversation… I almost and without even giving it a second thought – I would have the last word. Whatever and for no good reason – this would continue – even to when I would be visiting – Aunt Irene at her home???
Aunt Irene called this problem … of mine – to my attention – once when we were in the bedroom of her house – she was giving me some clothes – and as I was trying them on – to see if I wanted them – we were talking. Of course – when I am talking – and someone has something to say – – well I like to continue the thought process and conversation going – unless it is time for me to leave or for me to just move on …but on this one occasion – Aunt Irene – just seem to want me to have “it” and all four barrels full!
This “time” – I think Aunt Irene was going to see to it – that for anyone else that she could not say some type of harsh and crucible stuff to – this was the time to make up for not being able to “Discipline” the whole world…specially any and all of the FAMILY – that she thought needed some very strict correction!
I did receive a thorough “tongue” lashing – as never before – and …as I always do – I did have to say… and – long after she was done – “this I will remember and forever!” – – – Well…that was the straw that really was too much – Aunt Irene – blurted out…”You still have to get the LAST WORD!” – “YES!”
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“Another – Aunt Irene – Memory…”
When – one takes the time to think back over all the years that they have known Aunt Irene – well… there are all kinds of things – that just start popping into one’s mind!
Just from the thoughts about the memory of what was written for and about “yesterday” – saving a dime or two – when you would be going by “BUS” somewhere – and then if you were to be sure to remember… to get a “Transfer Ticket” – well – then …you could figure out – “how can I go in to that direction – and still use the same “Transfer Ticket” to continue on to the final destination???”
Way back and when I was going to “HIGH SCHOOL” – my Aunt Irene would call me the night before – that – she would want – for me to stop by her apartment – as she would have something for either me or for my MOTHER? When you are a teenager and have lots of “get up and go” – as I did… I sure did not mind going here and there – even though – sometimes – that “which” I was doing and going after – to me ended up as totally not worth any of my time??
On this one occasion… someone in the apartment building – a young lady who modeled shoes – was allowed to keep some of the “sample” shoes that she modeled – and “her” size was the same as mine… so – – – My good Aunt Irene collected a few boxes of these “sample type” shoes – since …and I’m guessing… she thought that I would like and wear these shoes??? Well… that was not to be the case!
When …I made my way home via the public “Bus” transportation way – with a couple of transferring connections – that is on and off one “BUS” and on and off another “BUS” – and having to carry a few shoe boxes – in addition to my armful of school books… I sort of had enough of a “good” thing! Naturally, the first thing when – I got home – was to see what was so “special” about these shoes??
In most homes… no problem with their young daughters wearing “High Heel” shoes??? And …don’t forget “FREE” shoes – to boot! Well, I sure did not know before this… but – and …when my MOTHER was much younger – and early in the marriage – she miss-carried – falling down the stairs, as her high heel shoes caught on something? I did not believe her… so she showed me the shoes – – as these were so nice – but a constant reminder – that the shoes that you think are nice – could kill you!
Well, the shoes were nice and I did manage to keep “one” pair – but the rest… I took and sold to a “Second-Hand Dealer” on Florissant Road and the side street near the “Public School” – just a couple of blocks west of North Grand Avenue. Every so often, Aunt Irene would give to me something that someone in the apartment building was getting rid of – an item that was probably still good and or useful – for something or someone – so…as long as I knew where I could take the items and collect some amount of cash – well… that’s the name of the game! “Right??”… “Right!”…
Back then… there were quite a few “second-hand” stores around and I’m guessing – those were the days when people were getting new stuff – but after purchasing – did not have the nerve to return to the place where purchased – and so a few bucks back at the ‘second-hand store was better than nothing at all??
Now… and just thinking – Aunt Irene and I probably kept a lot of “second-hand” stores in business!
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“Unforgettable memory – Aunt Irene…”
If you want small children to learn something “NEW” and “never – ever” forget it – be sure that they are under the age of seven (7) years of age – and make sure…you are having “FUN” – – – since small children remember those times when they are having more FUN …and the adults are having just as much FUN… with them!
During the early 1940s – – and WWII was also in full swing – that is when everybody was doing their part in trying to help … with the WAR effort – that is even our Aunt Irene – – she was saving – since she would go to the downtown – Saint Louis – department stores – do her ordering and making arrangement for the merchandise to be sent out to her home.
Tuesday – that was the day – as Famous Barr stores gave double “Eagle Stamps” – and by saving on your purchases – well… everyone knows – you then have something for that “raining day” spending.
So… on Tuesdays – when getting on the BUS to come back home – Aunt Irene would be sure to get a “Transfer Ticket” so that she could catch the next BUS – that is after having made a stop … at our house. Aunt Irene would be at our house before noon – and sometimes even had lunch with us. Then, she would always sit at my Mother’s sewing machine and either be making something for me or do some mending.
My two brothers and I would be standing around her as she would always have so much to say… but on this one occasion she taught us a “NEW SONG” that was very popular at the time on the radio. This “song” had words that – when you sang them a little fast and to the music as she did – you really didn’t know what you were singing – because it sure did sound “funny to your ears” and that was the whole idea of this song – – a play on the words – and as a little kid – I did not realize that then, and not until I was working for the “Telephone Company” and I was working on the night shift.
We – that is – just a few workers – on the “night shift” and sometimes – so few calls coming through for assistance – that we “girls” had some spare time to talk about all kinds of silly stuff – which lead me to asking “Big MARY” – as she was a singer for some organizations on the side – I had ask her if she knew this old song and if she knew all the words???
““Mares eat oats, and “Does” eat oats, and Little Lambs eat ivy – a Kid will eat ivy too, Wouldn’t you? — If the words sound queer and funny to your ears — a little bit Jumbly and Jivey, sing – etc., — you could go on with this forever.”“
The words above are the correct words – but the way that I was singing them to “Big Mary” – well – she sure let me in on the whole song – the way – I should say – the correct way to sing this song – and that with the correct words – and sung fast … well that is where …the Jumbly and Jivey …do their thing.
I am guessing that this learning lesson came about when I was re-hired by the “Telephone Company” for the third or fourth time – as I had worked for them five (5) different times – Oh – almost forgot – I may have been in my 30’s … – took all that time to learn the correct and coolest words to an old song – that our “Aunt Irene”… taught us three little kids… in maybe 1944???
Try singing those words and see if you don’t remember that old song – and then try to forget it – – That is one “old” song that just hangs on in the “memory bank” – forever!!!
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“Birthday Girl – Aunt Irene in Arizona…”
Today’s – “BIRTHDAY GIRL” – Aunt Irene Riley and her friend, Mrs. Schmidt are visiting the Tucson, Arizona area – that is the “San Xavier Mission” – – (White Dove of desert) – – in the background.
Just in case you think – that you are …seeing some faces in the fence – the back area and to the left of “Schmidt and Riley” – those faces are “Gina and Mary” – – relatives of Mrs. Schmidt.
March 1st, 1964 – is the date – and you would think… that it is always on the “HOT” side in the desert – – well… it is cold enough – to wear your “WINTER” coat – – and maybe even – your “long-johns” if you have some??
Aunt Irene is in her 76th year – in this photo – and like my son always shouts out – when the numbers 76th are mentioned – “that’s the Spirit!” – has to do with being in the “Spirit of the Commemoration of America” – – the “Signors” of the Declaration – – something that you will do – just to see if all those that are in the nearby hearing area – are all – up to date with keeping the “VISION of AMERICA” alive and well! – “Three Cheers for AMERICA” – and all those …who take the time to visit … each of the UNITED STATES – just to see and always know that – “all is well” – and that we all… can still share our “FREEDOM” and “LOVE” – – with one another! *** “God Bless America!” ***
Today… is the DAY – “Happy Birthday… AUNT – IRENE BRADY RILEY!”
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