Grandma’s Stories

Dec 28th “Christmas Memories”

While – remembering childhood in the early 1940’s and during the WWII years  – have a photo taken of me and my Father sitting by the lamp in the living room – and we are looking at the very large  size “Hail Stones”    in a large bowl – – that my Dad had just collected from in front of our house  – – – and during a very bad storm! In all of my years – those “HAIL STONES” – – are the largest that I have ever seen – why  such a large size – no idea – – but since  then  the average size that I have seen – – wore the size of small beans.

The memory is only remembered because I’ve seen the photo – several times and there must have  been a special reason for collecting “HAIL STONES” and taking a picture. No body was taking a 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 things – because – – most of the material and  general  supplies the people used – had to first go toward the WAR effort – we did want to win the WAR – and all of us – – did learn 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 more than we have today – and there were  no organised street cleaners – since I remember my DAD having to puts chains on the car – if we were to have to go somewhere.  – – So, one of those early years – I must have ask for “ice skates” –  – having no idea – – what “ice skates” looked like and or if I would even be able to skate – if I did receive them? Well – I received “ice skates” and there must have been plenty of ice out side on the side-walks –  the “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 – – 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  – – but all the time I felt 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 – it did not get lose – and was always ready for you to put your hands in  or some of your stuff or even your gloves – that is  – if you did not need them – – also a pocket that zipped shut for some money –  – it was the best for keeping the hands – warm!  The warmest.

It was 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  – around the block!

Dec 27th “Christmas Memories” from 1942!

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??? So, I thought that I would post this picture again, and tell about some of the Christmas activities that were good and fun for us – and remember  – this is during the WWII years!

In the living room of this house – there was a working fireplace and in some 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 enjoyed. 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 – as she could change her voice – for the different types of people in the story!

One the best things that I remember  – 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” – 

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 any moment  – 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 – had a very special “CHRISTMAS”  look.

While Daddy was doing the big and heavy type of work – My Mom  was helping us kids make long chains of decorations  – mixing all the colors of the construction papers that she had cut in just the size and lengths for us to glue little circles and  to keep  on adding to the chains and my Dad would put  the long finished chains 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 – she thought we were doing prize pieces of art! When we were done – our Christmas Tree was a “First  Prize Winner” – that is if anyone was giving out prizes???

Sometimes for Christmas – our Grandma  – who lived in OHIO – would come and stay with us for a week  with the UNCLE and AUNT that would do the driving  – – – during those HOLIDAY VISITS – we sure enjoyed having lots of fun and a whole lot of different things to do and see.  That’s what really makes Christmas – just having “FAMILY  – living with you for a week!

Dec 25th “Visiting Family and Friends on CHRISTMAS!”

The picture of the “GRANDMA”  in this picture  – is how I see myself!

A picture is worth a ‘thousand words’   and this  picture sure reminds me of the ways  –  – visiting was  done back in the day when  – –  – we seem to have more time for  “FAMILY and FRIENDS” to just pop in and visit  – – – with no big hurry to be somewhere else.

When we were little  – my brothers and myself – – –  – my DAD  would drive all of us to Columbus and   to  Circleville,  OHIO – – every Spring and Fall  – – and we would stay maybe a month for a visit with all of his  –  DAD’s FAMILY.  I remember in  “GRANDMA’s house,  there was a big “HOME  STYLE  ORGAN” – this was the kind of organ that in order to play it  – – you would have to have  – – someone on the side pumping the bellows to  pump plenty of air to the insides  – so that the Organist could make some sweet music. Now that I think about it – wonder what ever happened to it – and who in the family was the Organist???

Some of the silly stuff that you think of – when you start to think about  FAMILY –  – – I still have  a “PIE PLATE” – must be at least a hundred years old – as GRANDMA gave to us – filled with a pie – as they all like to eat and to eat they all did very well – – but this was on the occasion of our heading back to Saint Louis – – – after one of our trips!   This is the same “PIE PLATE” that my DAD and MOM would always bake a “PUMPKIN PIE” in – – – and that is exactly what I do today!   There is something about baking a “PUMPKIN PIE” in that “PIE PLATE”  – that makes that the best tasting pie ever!   – – – “Just must be some magic in that “PIE PLATE!”

Isn’t it wonderful – that “SOMEONE”  remembers the good old days  —  the real good times  —   and lots of old FRIENDS and FAMILY!!!   “MERRY  CHRISTMAS   —   to  ALL!!!”

Dec 25th “The Greatest Gift of All!”

“Our greatest gift is JESUS!”

Yes Christmas does mean SO much more than all those gifts under the tree, and our sweet family traditions.

It is about a dear baby born in  humble, destitute surroundings that came to change the world.

Lyrics from O’ Holy Night
Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

D.V.