“What a Beautiful Day…for a BIRTHDAY?”
“This would be …Mary Ellen!” – and would be seventeen months old!
When I look at this old PHOTO – I can see why my MOTHER wrote on the back of another PHOTO of me… when I was eight months of age…everything that I could do! On the other PHOTO… she said …”she tries to put her socks on… and she knows where the shoes go – at least she tries to put them where they belong!”
Evidently…what my MOTHER was writing on the back of that PHOTO – was that I wanted to be going somewhere… to do something… and the only way that – that would be happening …would be for me to be dressed and ready to go! (And am I glad that I knew that , too!) All of what my MOTHER – – took the time to write…was true! Even – TODAY – if you are not dressed and ready to go… or at least ready to get to work… or, when I was small – to be ready to play… there would be the possibility – of “ME” not getting to go and do something – – especially when everybody else is ready and they are not in the mood to wait for a “slow-poke” – – or even wait for a lazy “MARY” – – as that is one name that I would not want to be called!
Here I am… a little older… and doing what I would do so well… rock in my rocker – until I could get it to turn over backwards and upside down… must have been in a big hurry to get somewhere – – and the waiting would be too long – and the rocker got me somewhere – – where I do not know – – but may just have lost a brain or two – – on my way to “no-where” and fast!
At this age …. “Children” “have it made in the shade!” All you have to do is ask… and someone is running to you – as fast as they can… handing you something – and if that is the wrong thing – – well…then they pick you up – carry you here and there – and then sometimes… they hold you so nice and tenderly in their arms…. while they sit in the grown-up’s rocking chair…and they sing to you… and now… you feel like you are back in HEAVEN with all the ANGELS…listening…to all of your favorites songs.
This is in…Aunt “Irene Brady Riley’s” – back yard on Ashland, in North Saint Louis.
As you can see – I was dressed and ready to go… and I sure do like to go… It seems to me – – while looking at these PHOTOS – – that the adults – – might have thought I would run away – or fall – or something else – on the drastic side, would happen – as – I have other PHOTOS – and Aunt Irene has her hand – – behind me – – as if I would fall or break any minute – – but – as you can see… those legs… were made to run as fast as I could… and I did!
If you enlarge this PHOTO – – you will see the big grin on my face – – I know that I am getting out of the reach of “Aunt Irene”…My legs are running as fast as they can – – and she is not able to catch…ME!!!
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“Meet the – 1952 – Graduates”
“What – a – heck – of – a “good day” – June 8th, 1952 – this is!”
“Congratulations and the very best of Wishes to everyone in my “Graduating Class” of 1952 – sure hope – that with the help of the Almighty Yahweh – each and all did a fabulous job – since we were last to gathering – each saying “Farewell and Good Luck” – not knowing then – what we all now – know – and that someday again – we will all meet and be glad to have been “Friends” in 1952!
Top Row – L to R — Donald Pfeifer …”Peanuts” – Betty Jean Musgrove… “Our Poetic Genius” – Jean Saettele… “With Dark Red Hair” – Violet Pfeifer… “A Dainty Little Miss”
Next Row – L to R — Elma Rutherford… “Our Baby-Sitter” – Elmer Bansbach… “Freckled and Blue-Eyed” – Paul Jung… “Ichibod” – Daniel Perkins… “Prince Charming”
Next Row – L to R — Mary Agnes Seidmeyer…”Our Class Artist” – Stella Maria Santoyo… “Reliable and True” – Gail Porter… “Neat and Prim” – Eleanor Faucher… “Petite and Sweet”
Last Row – Theresa Wieland… “A Rose in Bloom” – Mary Ellen McClarren… “Our Basketball Star”
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FYI – “First Date”
Someone ask me the other day – “Do you remember your First Date?”
Well – I’m guessing that there is always something – which one never forgets??? When I was in High School and in order to get out of school – sooner – – I went to “Summer School” to get some credits – so that I would graduate a half a semester earlier!
During that last summer of the “Summer School – there was one young class-mate who offered to drive me home from school – and a couple of times offered to drive me to where I would work. He seem to be a nice guy and so I had told him that I sometimes would ride my bike around the neighborhood and sometimes even to the park. Well, he took a look at my bike and since he did not have a bike – offered to ride me around on the handle bars – of my bike??It sure was a good thing – that – that I did not weigh too much – back then – and that he was one of those guys which – were tall and very strong?
After a couple of weeks of school and seeing “Mr. A.B.” – he ask me to go on a date with him to eat at a restaurant near the “Fox Theater” and to also see a movie at the “FOX” after eating and that we would be taking the trolley car to and from – would I like to go??? Well – what in the world did I know about going on a date? What was I suppose to wear and what do I do in a restaurant with someone – do I offer to pay my share – as I did not think he had lots of money – although – he did also work after school??
One hundred and one questions – and I sure did not want to act like a complete “first class fool” – so my Mother told me to check with my Aunt Irene – since she was a “Lady of Etiquette” and would know all the whatever’s – that one should know – she would have very good advice! So, this was some “conversation” – Aunt Irene was older than my Mother – but she was a first class LADY – when it came to entertaining and being out with – the Ladies of her Church and other organisations – and she knew how all these things should be done??? Aunt Irene gave me some ideas – as to what I should wear and also how to dress.
The most important thing for me – was to find out – – what do I do when he asks me, “What would you like to eat?” – and – one thing I certainly do not want to ask him – – for something that is not with in his budget – – for this evening – – and I was not for sure – – should I offer to pay – for at least something – since he wants to also go the movie at the “FOX” – and they are a little more expensive than most theaters! So, here is what Aunt Irene said, “You know that he has some money – and that this will be his treat – so, when you receive the menu – you will look it over to see what you like.” Then Aunt Irene continues, “When you notice that he seems to have looked the menu over – you will ask him “What do you like or suggest for us?” – and then at that point in time he will have made some suggestions – of what he likes or is good to eat – – and – then you know that he can pay that amount two times – – so do not order over that amount – – of the suggested item – – that he is indicating he likes!” “And – always remember – if and when the bill comes and he looks like he would need some help – then you can always offer to help and loan to him whatever he needs – and everything will work out just fine.
Everything did turn out just fine – and I was sure glad that I had someone – like Aunt Irene, to check with and see – – – just how things are done – that is for seventeen year old girls – – back – then, in the 1950’s – so very long ago – -and I did end up having a very good time!
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“Home Sweet Home”
“Home Sweet Home”
For years… I would listen to every program that would show you “HOW” to make all kinds of the – “Raggedy Ann and Andy” dolls – always wanting to make them – – – since I have the collection of their “Adventures of Raggedy Ann and Andy” books!
My Mother would read these same stories of “Raggedy Ann and Andy” to me, when I was a very little girl and when she would read to us – she would always change her voice for each person and she would also make movements and hand indications as to what the different characters would be doing – all of this was to make a very good impression of each of the subjects – so we would know “who was who” and what each of the characters had in mind to do – – and to kind of “out fox” another character in the story.
These stories were always so much “FUN” – because in the one book – the one that really made a connection to me – – – “when Raggedy Ann and Andy would be sitting in their special place on your bedroom shelf – where you had put them – – when you – were going to bed – – – – “MAGIC” would make them come to life – – and all through the night – – Raggedy Ann and Andy and their friends in the story books – – – would start to play all over in your bedroom!”
I knew that “Raggedy Ann and Andy” would play all through the night – because my Mother said so. Her Father came from Ireland – and the Irish do believe in the little people playing at night – and when she told me this – I still believe! I often thought that – that sometime I would be able to catch them – but when I move around in bed – I must make too much noise and or make the bed move enough that little “Raggedy Ann and Andy” are just too fast to get back on to the shelf – and they sit there – just waiting for the next time when they might get to go and play???
Some years ago – – I met a women who would make the “Raggedy Ann and Andy” – dolls – – and so, I paid her for two sets of the twelve inch size. They looked so good – – I had several more sets made and if – – ever there was an occasion for me to give someone a gift – – – you guessed right!!! – You would get a set of these dolls!
Nothing to do – – but to ask if she would make a larger size – and sure enough – I also have the 16 or 18 inch size and the largest size that she would make is a 24 inch size. So now, if you come to see me – you will see these three different sizes of the “Raggedy Ann and Andy” dolls – they all have a very special place to sit on their own shelf in the Living room – – and since I am not in the Living room (very seldom use that room) – – they can play all day and night – until they get tired and all worn out and never ever have to rush to their very special place to sit and just watch the whole wide world just keep on turning around!!!
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“I found it!” – – “DID YOU?”
Yesterday – – I was talking about all of us receiving special “Blessings” from the Almighty Yahweh – and just so that everyone can find – that which I found – – – just look at “Number 6: 24-26 in the Bible – where – when one takes the – “TIME” – one can find the true answers to all questions!
Just in case – – you do not have the “TIME” at this moment – or maybe a Bible – handy – this is found where the “Almighty” is speaking to “MOSES” and asking him to have “Aaron” to give this “BLESSING” to his sons and to all of the children of “ISRAEL”…
24. Yahweh bless you, and keep you.
25. Yahweh make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you.
26. Yahweh lift up his face to you, and give you peace.
In reading this – “Blessing” – to be given to all of the children of “ISRAEL” – it – seems – to be a very much needed message – – – for all of us, TODAY! It is just what is needed – today – and throughout – the whole world – as it seems to me – that “everyone” has some “idea” that they are – NOW – in charge – of this world – – and that all of the rules that everyone did live with – – and in peace and harmony – must “NOW” – be changed to suit them and their kind – and their “cause” – – regardless of the total damage to the rest of this world???
When no one speaks out against some of this new and crazy movement to make changes – – in and for – – the whole world – – – with no consideration to the overall risks to and for – – the next several generations – I cannot understand – “HOW” – does one sleep at night – when they know that – they could have and or – should have spoke out for “Peace and Harmony” – for their future children – who will ask – “What in the world – were those crazy parents of ours thinking?”
“Stand – – Shoulder to Shoulder” – – with and on a regular – “Peace and equality for all” – movement! “Do not leave such a “burden” to fall on our future children ” – those who did not ask for this miserable situation – that is waiting – – – down the road for them – and it is suppose to be called a good – “LIFE?”
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“Terminal” – what does that mean?
Something that I had heard today… – has me thinking – – and wondering what does the word “Terminal” mean to others – in the many different ways that this particular word can be used and … or is used – – that we use it … do we really have any ideas? – – -Give thought to this situation!
At the “Airport Terminal” – – have to take off shoes and hand over purse – and all of the contents must be xrayed … for an old “Grandma” – as if I would try to take onto the plane something – that is not allowed, today? I can hardly carry all of “myself ” in and onto anything – as this “old bag of bones” – she just isn’t what she used to be???
Well, we – all sit and wait – that is until everybody is ready to fly – that is we must wait for some very young people – and they seem to think that the “whole wide world” should just sit and wait – till they mosey on over and present their selves and their baggage??? More valuable “TIME” for us senior citizens – is wasted because we must hurry up and wait – for the young who do not have any “get-up” and go!??
Now we are in the plane and it looks like – all the skies are blue and beautiful – – and we will soon “sail” quickly to our destination! We are not on the plane “twenty-five” minutes when – – the “PILOT” is on the intercom – – there is a very “serious situation” and we must “now” make a landing immediately!?!?
Another message … comes through – “be sure that – there are no loose items that could fly around inside the plane ” – just in case… – – “we do need to land right away!” “Everyone – be prepared to land on the “belly” of the plane – – as the landing gear will not descend?”
“Will everyone be sure that your seat belts are on – and tight – next… bend forward… putting your head between your knees?” Just before I put my head down – – thought that – I had better take a last look outside – – just to see what I can see – – in case – that – I am not going to survive this situation??? It dawns on me – that I must have been “LOT’s WIFE” in the BIBLE – you remember… her – she just had to see what was going on when she could hear all of the “thunder and lighting” and noises that would indicate – – that even though we are leaving this wicked “city” we may not be able to leave and live – – in another land, wherever we are headed – so, all of history – knows what happened to “nosy” me??
“Everyone – with your head tight between your knees – NOW – grab hold of your ankles and keep that position … – until we land!” “We are close to the ground and there are plenty of ambulances – fire-trucks and all kinds of other emergency vehicles headed to where … they expect for us to land!??”
“Everyone of us … will receive excellent care – as you will be taken from the plane – – each and everyone will be taken to the… “TERMINAL” and …no one has anything to worry about … – you – all of us … that is… we will be given emergency care – – and the very best and safest of medical help is going to be there … just for us … – DO – – – NOT – WORRY!”
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