These have always been a very special occasion for our family. When we were kids, it was a time for family fun, and remembering those who had made our Freedom possible. Our Dad had come to this country when he was a boy, but he grew up being very patriotic. He wanted to join the Navy during World War I, but was too "skinny". When World War II broke out, he was too old, but he was well trained in a profession that was most beneficial to the War Effort.
Dad always flew the flag at these times. We all were raised to respect the flag and to remember those who had served in the various branches of Military Service.
That may have been why both my brothers were eager to join up when they were of the right age. Ralph had to wait because he was employeed in the Aircraft Industry. He took deferment until he couldn't stand it any longer, then he enlisted without permission from his boss. Too bad, it was what Ralph wanted, so he was off. Ronald had to wait until he graduted from High School, but he didn't waste time once that was accomplished.
What did we do when we were kids on these Holidays? We usually had family days. Picnics, hikes and just lounging around. I do remember we were pretty eager to get out an array of red, white and blue to wear. Something I still do to this day. Pretty spiffy too I must say. I have been kidded about it at times, but you know, that doesn't bother me in the least. Being Patriotic is just part of who I am. Wouldn't change it either.
Mothers family have a list of Veterans who have fought in various conflicts over the years. Both her Grand Fathers fought on the Union side of the Civil War. Others down the line were in the Revolutionary War. Then there were those who had crossed the Ocean in pursuit of Religous Freedom in a New World. So the family has a good deal of reasons for being Patriotic it seems to me. Something to be proud of. I wish more young people took the time to know how their family fits into the History of this Great Country.
I guess over the years we don't spend the time going over that kind of History, Family History that is, that help the youngsters realize they are more than Pioneer Children - Latter-day Saint Pioneers that is. Naturally we want them to be proud of what their fore bearers have endured to help make America Great. Winding a way from the East to the West was a wonderous accomplishment. Being part of expanding, or should I say, the movement that expanded the United States to the Pacific Ocean was both costly and exceptional in its scope. This has been followed over the years with other great sacrifices made by Pioneer relations.
As the Scriptures so clearly tell us: "where much is given, much is required." All of us have reason at times like these to recall, remember and appreciate the things that have been given us; the Liberty and Freedom that we enjoy. "Nothing comes for nothing". Someone has to have put up a defense of correct principles and the rights of freemen to be able to live in security. Families need to take pride in those who have filled the shoes of the Patriots in founding this country and the Bleeding feet that marched in war, peace and discovery of this Country we call Home.
I am not so sure there are enough Holidays set aside each year to do so. We have so very much to be Thankful for, and so many who have paid an exacting price for what we enjoy. I wonder if any of us, today, would have the stamina to go through what those faithful people did, in each of their times and seasons? Would I have been capable of letting my young sons leave home to fight a superior British Army to bring about the United States of American, which was just 13 Colonies at the time? Could I have endured the Frontier days, rough living in rough times. Of course I doubt those people knew anything else, so it might not have been as trying as it appears to me today with all the modern transportation, etc we enjoy now. I can think back when Jay was in Korea and I waited in tears when I didn't get a letter every week. Back in Revolutionary
Times, they were lucky to hear at all. If they did the price paid from either end was pretty expensive. Just that alone is scary to me. Candles for light, water had to be carried in, from sometimes long distances. Washing done in tubs over open fires in the yard. If you didn't raise it, hunt it, or preserve it, you didn't have it. One dress, if your lucky maybe two aprons. No showers, no bath tubs. Unbelievable what some of our Ancestors endured to bring this world we enjoy today into being. Not to mention us.
Yes, these Holidays seem to start the old brain searching for a good reason to allow some folks to think spending their time making fools out of themselves is what it is all about. Packing up the Family and heading out to some campsite where they "rough" it for a couple of days with the ice chest filled with beer and wine. Not what the Founding Fathers were working for, do you think? Once we had celebrated a Holy Sabbath, then it was the Sabbath, then Sunday, then the Week-end. Now we can surely see it has been turned into the WEAKEST-end.
Signs of the times I guess. All the more reason for those of us who can still remember what the Holiday stands for, and celebrate it by remembering those who have "paid the price" for the time given to celebrate. May we - today, and everyday, remember, even if for just a very short time, those who have loved and given their time and sometimes their very lives in securing the rights we enjoy. We owe so many to so much. Years pass, memories fade, but the benefits are living on, and we need to pay respect to those who left this to us. May we so do, I pray!
Written this 29th Day of May 2010
by: Eileen C Rosenberg
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
What a Thrill - Dreaming With the Wish Book!
I just thought of this. When I was a kid, the way we did our Christmas Shopping was in the Sears, Roebuck or Montgomery Ward Catalogs. Something very few people even think about these days. Mainly because they do not exist any more. Oh, you can get a Penney's Catalog, but that just isn't the same. There is nothing you could think up that you couldn't find on one of the pages of those two Catalogs!
They were a must in every household, I think. They were about the size of our regular Telephone Directory. Of course they were printed on better paper, or come to think of it, were they? Not to worry. They were packed with just about anything a young girl, boy or anyone for that matter could imagine. In the outer parts of civilization the outdated ones were placed in the outhouse for use, well you know!? It wasn't for reading, that is for sure.
Farmers would scan the pages for farm tools, or other useful things needed. In fact, they even had live stock, way back when! If you wanted to raise baby chicks, you could find the things you needed, right there, in that catalog.
The girls would turn to the pages with material, or ready made dresses. Man what a way to shop. No worry about parking the car, who had a car? No walking endless isles to find just what you wanted, or pouring over the racks of clothes or counters of sundry things, no, you just opened the Catalog and there you were in Dreamers Heaven. Boys would, of course, show more interest in bikes, wagons or scooters. Way back when, they even use to "roll hoops". Life was more simple back then. It didn't take a lot to entertain folks.
Would the folks like to have a new sofa? Well they could look in the catalog and pick out just the thing. Dad might need a new hammer, or screw driver, there it was' Craftsman was way back then too. Wonderful, "one stop shopping" at its earliest and best! Who would have thought it?
Apparently Sears and Roebucks, Inc. Something for everyone and all you had to do was thumb through that book and dream and plan for what ever. Spend your money in theory, but never loose a dime.
When Christmas rolled around, the whole family had their turn at checking out just what they would like. Not that they ever got it, but it was the fun of looking and dreaming. Hours upon hours were spent either laying on the floor with your feet in the air or setting by the window or next to a lamp; leafing through the "Wish Book". It never was boring, it never disappointed the viewer. It was something that kept interest as long as their was time to quietly glance page, to page at all the things that were offered. Oh, and when an order was placed, what anticipation for the actual delivery of the items that had finally been purchased.
Sadly times change and one day Sears stopped printing and offering the wide array of things in even the smallest catalog. Now you can drive, find a parking spot and walk the isles in a big store to make your selections. The only thing is, those selections are not nearly as varied, or as interesting as once found in those catalogs.
Someone wrote a song that said: "Dream when your feeling blue." Well those opportunities are no longer available. Of course the vary society we live in today doesn't really lend itself to such things, but you know, something pretty wonderful has been lost. Even the poorest families had the opportunity to "dream" with pages in a book that had "everything" in it. There is no such place for us to turn to today to find such a "wonderland" of adventures. Maybe that is why the talent of "great imagination" has just about faded from view. Life is fast paced, movies are computerized and things have become modernized with technology that is beyond most of us older folks to the point we can barely keep up. Well, lets be honest we don't keep up, we just muddle around with these "new things". Phones that can do about anything, but are used only by us "Grannies" for making of all things "phone calls". Imagine that? Then there are the computers we have learned how to turn on, but can only type out messages and bring up our e-mail. There are a million other things they do, but with our antiquated thinking, we are more apt to enjoy a Catalog journey than struggle with a new program on the one eyed monster we all have but know very little about.
What has come and gone only brings to mind the past and the many things it offered that are no longer part of our life style. I don't know that returning those "good old days" would be great, but they are certainly entertaining to remember and glean from our memories the great things we did when there was nothing else around to occupy our time. Enjoy life. Things are easier, more complicated and unfortunately taken too much for granted. I wouldn't change the things I remember for a lot of things we have today, but you know, having had those experiences amazes me how far Society has come, and how very little it takes pleasure in what is around. I guess that is progress, but it seems like such a shame some of the past has not left more of an impact on the present. A hold over from the "wish" era I guess!
Written this 25th day of May 2010
by: Eileen C. Rosenberg
They were a must in every household, I think. They were about the size of our regular Telephone Directory. Of course they were printed on better paper, or come to think of it, were they? Not to worry. They were packed with just about anything a young girl, boy or anyone for that matter could imagine. In the outer parts of civilization the outdated ones were placed in the outhouse for use, well you know!? It wasn't for reading, that is for sure.
Farmers would scan the pages for farm tools, or other useful things needed. In fact, they even had live stock, way back when! If you wanted to raise baby chicks, you could find the things you needed, right there, in that catalog.
The girls would turn to the pages with material, or ready made dresses. Man what a way to shop. No worry about parking the car, who had a car? No walking endless isles to find just what you wanted, or pouring over the racks of clothes or counters of sundry things, no, you just opened the Catalog and there you were in Dreamers Heaven. Boys would, of course, show more interest in bikes, wagons or scooters. Way back when, they even use to "roll hoops". Life was more simple back then. It didn't take a lot to entertain folks.
Would the folks like to have a new sofa? Well they could look in the catalog and pick out just the thing. Dad might need a new hammer, or screw driver, there it was' Craftsman was way back then too. Wonderful, "one stop shopping" at its earliest and best! Who would have thought it?
Apparently Sears and Roebucks, Inc. Something for everyone and all you had to do was thumb through that book and dream and plan for what ever. Spend your money in theory, but never loose a dime.
When Christmas rolled around, the whole family had their turn at checking out just what they would like. Not that they ever got it, but it was the fun of looking and dreaming. Hours upon hours were spent either laying on the floor with your feet in the air or setting by the window or next to a lamp; leafing through the "Wish Book". It never was boring, it never disappointed the viewer. It was something that kept interest as long as their was time to quietly glance page, to page at all the things that were offered. Oh, and when an order was placed, what anticipation for the actual delivery of the items that had finally been purchased.
Sadly times change and one day Sears stopped printing and offering the wide array of things in even the smallest catalog. Now you can drive, find a parking spot and walk the isles in a big store to make your selections. The only thing is, those selections are not nearly as varied, or as interesting as once found in those catalogs.
Someone wrote a song that said: "Dream when your feeling blue." Well those opportunities are no longer available. Of course the vary society we live in today doesn't really lend itself to such things, but you know, something pretty wonderful has been lost. Even the poorest families had the opportunity to "dream" with pages in a book that had "everything" in it. There is no such place for us to turn to today to find such a "wonderland" of adventures. Maybe that is why the talent of "great imagination" has just about faded from view. Life is fast paced, movies are computerized and things have become modernized with technology that is beyond most of us older folks to the point we can barely keep up. Well, lets be honest we don't keep up, we just muddle around with these "new things". Phones that can do about anything, but are used only by us "Grannies" for making of all things "phone calls". Imagine that? Then there are the computers we have learned how to turn on, but can only type out messages and bring up our e-mail. There are a million other things they do, but with our antiquated thinking, we are more apt to enjoy a Catalog journey than struggle with a new program on the one eyed monster we all have but know very little about.
What has come and gone only brings to mind the past and the many things it offered that are no longer part of our life style. I don't know that returning those "good old days" would be great, but they are certainly entertaining to remember and glean from our memories the great things we did when there was nothing else around to occupy our time. Enjoy life. Things are easier, more complicated and unfortunately taken too much for granted. I wouldn't change the things I remember for a lot of things we have today, but you know, having had those experiences amazes me how far Society has come, and how very little it takes pleasure in what is around. I guess that is progress, but it seems like such a shame some of the past has not left more of an impact on the present. A hold over from the "wish" era I guess!
Written this 25th day of May 2010
by: Eileen C. Rosenberg
Monday, May 24, 2010
So, What Is It I Remember?
Some days not all that much. Then there are those other days when my mind just wanders in and out of Memory Lane with such ease, I am amazed at how many places I have been and things I have done. Now, what I really need to do is jot down what is valuable so I can Blog on it. That never seems to happen however.
Yesterday I had a few moments of meandering through some Seminary Teaching experiences I had enjoyed. That goes back quite a few years now. Never the less, I find it enjoyable to glance again on those times when I had such great classes to spend time with.
I was fortunate enough to teach in three Stakes. The first was in Kern County, the original Stake at the time. Low these many years there is more than one Stake in that area. I was just starting in Seminary then, but I did have some exciting things take place. I believe the one that I recall with vivid pleasure is when John Miller, a Senior, and major player on the Taft High Football team decided to start looking like a Latter-day Saint on "Game Day". You would usually see the players arrive at school wearing their football jersey. John had already had the team saying a prayer before they went on the field, with the Coaches approval of course. Then one Friday he showed up in a white shirt and tie and dark slacks. You might imagine in a Farming Community like Taft, that was a real "stand out" outfit where jeans, tee shirts and tennis shoes were the norm. The idea caught on and the whole team followed suit. This was their winning year as it turned out. No one told John to do that, he just decided he wanted to add some dignity to the day when they were to play the "big game". One simple act, by just one person, turned into such a wonderful experience for the school, and one Seminary Teacher.
We moved to Anaheim after that and I was "called" to teach in the Anaheim Stake. There were a number of great classes during my time there. I remember one particular one. Neat kids. They dedcided to put forth a great effort on Scripture Mastery. They worked every lunch period. They staked out a place on campus - very visible - they gathered crowds to watch as they got out their scriptures and tested each other. Before the "mastery contest" they had put in many school hours as well as after school in learning and becoming swift in getting to the challenges set forth by their piers. They even asked me to meet with them in the evening to help them get better prepared. It was thrilling to see the dedication these 5 had. With what they had learned in class and the time they had spend preparing themselves, they won the compitition, hands down. I was so thrilled for them I went out and bought each of them a #1 charm. The girls got bracelets and boys tie tacs so they could show off their trophy. I think the thing they were most proud of outside of winning was they were the only class who remembered what the "Ramiumpton" was.
My final time in Seminary was in the San Luis Obispo Stake. Here I was back in an area where the kids were raised in a rural setting. No city kids here. They were dedicated and very good at attending, and learning. The year we studied the Book of Mormon I decided to make Chapter 11 of Alma more meaningful to them. I was able to design and print every denomination of money outlined in that Chapter. The kids earned their Onti, Senon, etc. by various things they accomplished in the Class. Some were eager to earn a lot, because I promised an Auction at the end of the Semester. The more money, the more they could bid on. What an experience that was. I spent the year shopping for great buys on worthwhile tokens for them to earn. The last day of the Semester the room was full of the goodies I had found. Some more expensive than others, so the challenge to spend would make for a great experience. The students with the most money of course were able to take the best of the pick. What it turned into, however, was a great surprise to me. Those with the most money soon started sharing with the ones who had little. The prizes were quickly shared and fairly so with everyone in the class. What might have been a pretty sad ending to the semester, turned into one of the most rewarding I had ever seen. The kids cemented friendships, and shared the experience with an unexpected and generous gesture I had little expected.
Oh, and while in Anaheim, I had a reward for those who completed reading, and sharing. I would take those students to Knotts Berry Farm and spend the day riding all the rides with them. Now I am not a "ride" type person, so this was a real challenge for me. We would go when the park opened, and stay until it closed. Then, one ticket, allowed a person to ride as many rides and as often as you could ride any in the Park. I got wet a number of times, and was swung in the big swing more times than I can count. The kids loved it, and of course, I endure to the end.
I don't know if those Students recall those days with the same feelings I do, but I never shurked doing my part while we were there. Stange the things you do when you are "young and foolish".
Jay thought I had lost my mind. It was more my nerve that I was worried about!
In all I spent 17 years in one Seminary Class Room or another. I have had Hundreds of Students and Thousands of experiences. What a "ride". If I was able to give 1/10th of what those years gave me, to those who sat in those classrooms, we were all well compensated for the time.
I taught Institute Classes to some parents who brought their kids to Seminary for 5 yeas after I retired from Seminary. We were not bound on a set group of studies. We did the regular set for the four years and the fifth we studied the "Lectures on Faith". This was a great experience. So many people haven't taken time to read the Lectures, so going through them in such fine detail was enlightening for everyone. It was during these years the class members bought me a copy of the "Christus". I have truly appreciated their thoughtfulness. No reward is ever expected when setting forth on the path of teaching. One never realizes while they are envolved in doing the "job" what the total outcome might be. A few times, you run into someone who "thanks" you for what they learned. Then there are days when "Facebook" turns up an unexpected "thank you" from one who sat in classes way back then. One, in your feeble mind, you don't even remember. Now that is humbling, humbling indeed!
Written this 24th day of May 2010
by: Eileen C. Rosenberg
Yesterday I had a few moments of meandering through some Seminary Teaching experiences I had enjoyed. That goes back quite a few years now. Never the less, I find it enjoyable to glance again on those times when I had such great classes to spend time with.
I was fortunate enough to teach in three Stakes. The first was in Kern County, the original Stake at the time. Low these many years there is more than one Stake in that area. I was just starting in Seminary then, but I did have some exciting things take place. I believe the one that I recall with vivid pleasure is when John Miller, a Senior, and major player on the Taft High Football team decided to start looking like a Latter-day Saint on "Game Day". You would usually see the players arrive at school wearing their football jersey. John had already had the team saying a prayer before they went on the field, with the Coaches approval of course. Then one Friday he showed up in a white shirt and tie and dark slacks. You might imagine in a Farming Community like Taft, that was a real "stand out" outfit where jeans, tee shirts and tennis shoes were the norm. The idea caught on and the whole team followed suit. This was their winning year as it turned out. No one told John to do that, he just decided he wanted to add some dignity to the day when they were to play the "big game". One simple act, by just one person, turned into such a wonderful experience for the school, and one Seminary Teacher.
We moved to Anaheim after that and I was "called" to teach in the Anaheim Stake. There were a number of great classes during my time there. I remember one particular one. Neat kids. They dedcided to put forth a great effort on Scripture Mastery. They worked every lunch period. They staked out a place on campus - very visible - they gathered crowds to watch as they got out their scriptures and tested each other. Before the "mastery contest" they had put in many school hours as well as after school in learning and becoming swift in getting to the challenges set forth by their piers. They even asked me to meet with them in the evening to help them get better prepared. It was thrilling to see the dedication these 5 had. With what they had learned in class and the time they had spend preparing themselves, they won the compitition, hands down. I was so thrilled for them I went out and bought each of them a #1 charm. The girls got bracelets and boys tie tacs so they could show off their trophy. I think the thing they were most proud of outside of winning was they were the only class who remembered what the "Ramiumpton" was.
My final time in Seminary was in the San Luis Obispo Stake. Here I was back in an area where the kids were raised in a rural setting. No city kids here. They were dedicated and very good at attending, and learning. The year we studied the Book of Mormon I decided to make Chapter 11 of Alma more meaningful to them. I was able to design and print every denomination of money outlined in that Chapter. The kids earned their Onti, Senon, etc. by various things they accomplished in the Class. Some were eager to earn a lot, because I promised an Auction at the end of the Semester. The more money, the more they could bid on. What an experience that was. I spent the year shopping for great buys on worthwhile tokens for them to earn. The last day of the Semester the room was full of the goodies I had found. Some more expensive than others, so the challenge to spend would make for a great experience. The students with the most money of course were able to take the best of the pick. What it turned into, however, was a great surprise to me. Those with the most money soon started sharing with the ones who had little. The prizes were quickly shared and fairly so with everyone in the class. What might have been a pretty sad ending to the semester, turned into one of the most rewarding I had ever seen. The kids cemented friendships, and shared the experience with an unexpected and generous gesture I had little expected.
Oh, and while in Anaheim, I had a reward for those who completed reading, and sharing. I would take those students to Knotts Berry Farm and spend the day riding all the rides with them. Now I am not a "ride" type person, so this was a real challenge for me. We would go when the park opened, and stay until it closed. Then, one ticket, allowed a person to ride as many rides and as often as you could ride any in the Park. I got wet a number of times, and was swung in the big swing more times than I can count. The kids loved it, and of course, I endure to the end.
I don't know if those Students recall those days with the same feelings I do, but I never shurked doing my part while we were there. Stange the things you do when you are "young and foolish".
Jay thought I had lost my mind. It was more my nerve that I was worried about!
In all I spent 17 years in one Seminary Class Room or another. I have had Hundreds of Students and Thousands of experiences. What a "ride". If I was able to give 1/10th of what those years gave me, to those who sat in those classrooms, we were all well compensated for the time.
I taught Institute Classes to some parents who brought their kids to Seminary for 5 yeas after I retired from Seminary. We were not bound on a set group of studies. We did the regular set for the four years and the fifth we studied the "Lectures on Faith". This was a great experience. So many people haven't taken time to read the Lectures, so going through them in such fine detail was enlightening for everyone. It was during these years the class members bought me a copy of the "Christus". I have truly appreciated their thoughtfulness. No reward is ever expected when setting forth on the path of teaching. One never realizes while they are envolved in doing the "job" what the total outcome might be. A few times, you run into someone who "thanks" you for what they learned. Then there are days when "Facebook" turns up an unexpected "thank you" from one who sat in classes way back then. One, in your feeble mind, you don't even remember. Now that is humbling, humbling indeed!
Written this 24th day of May 2010
by: Eileen C. Rosenberg
Sunday, May 16, 2010
How Shopping Has Changed
Something we do almost everyday has had its' changes, like everything else in life. Shopping for instance. Today we go to almost any store, they scan the items we are buying and then tell us what we owe. The transaction is completed by either passing over cash, or swiping our Debit or Credit Card for the amount owed. Well, back in the "dark ages" of my youth, things were done quite differently. Oh, there were clerks who handled the transactions, and there were general areas where we took our selections to pay for them, but that seems to be where the farmiliarity stops.
When we would go to the "Dime Store" for instance. There were a lot of counters, but few clerks. You could wonder all over the store selecting what you wanted, then pay for it. Not like in K-Mart or Wal Mart today. Today we wonder up and down ilses full of merchandise from floor to ceiling. Back then the "counters" were just that. Flat, and I was so short, it took years before I could even see what was displayed on them.
I think it was J.C. Penney, I guess Sears and Roebuck and Montgomery Ward that stand out the most. Well, many of the better Mercantile Stores had the same system. There may be a few stores using it today as well, but they would have to be way back in the outer limits. The Cashier was in another part of the store. When the clerk made a sale, cash was the tender used.
No Credit Cards back in those "good old days". No, and few checks either. Well, it was after the depression, and a good many people still didn't trust the Bank with their money, so Checks were just not an item in most households. Back to the Clerk - she, (you saw few men on the floor of most of the stores, unless it was in Hardware), would make out a sales slip - handwritten of course - put it and the cash in the small tube like container that either opened at one end, or had a door in the side. The tube was placed in another tube that had suction, and was wisk away, usually to the second floor or the building where the Cashier would finalize the sale. If change was due, it would be returned by the same method. The tube would return with a "thud" into a wire basket on the counter. This always fascinated me, well it still would if they had such things.
Stores always smelled differently too. Wood floors, and I believe I have mentioned it before they were usually cleaned at the end of the day with oiled saw dust. That is what kept the dust down and the wood well oiled. I don't know they used wax back in those days. The floor serfaces were pretty pourous as I recall.
The days of handwritten sales slips and no cash registers in sight are long gone from the scene of shopping as we know it today. I remember when we moved to Paso Robles in 1985 the Paso Robles Mercantile store on 12th Street (Now a Furniture Store) use to have the old system. I was shocked to see it after so many years. The Mercantile is gone now and so are those reminders of things as they once were. Everything is modernized now. Makes things faster, and more accurate, I guess. Doesn't change the thought that some of the old things were neat in their own way. The time people took in doing business. The personal care that was given in making sure the customer was taken care of. Everything is efficient now, but a lot of the personal farmiliar touches have been eliminated. Years ago, when we went into a store, we were not met with so much merchandise, but with a more personal touch when doing business. I remember the Hardware store on Pacific Blvd. in Huntingon Park. It had such lovely things at the front of the store. Pottery, fine china and a number of small appliances. I loved to brouse around the glassware and dishes. A favorite place to buy something for Mother on special occassions. That kind of store has disappeared from the scene of things. That and the Mens and Womens Clothing Stores. I remembering how I looked forward to "growing up" so I could shop in one of those. Mode-O-Day for women was a big dream of mine. In fact they had one in Paso Robles on Park Street when we move here. I shopped in there, and was sad when they left. I don't think they are in business anymore any where. A shame, they had a great line of dresses and things for women.
Now we have the "one stop" stores. Everything in one place. No longer the meandering up and down the City Streets, in and out of one store after another. Where you could check things out in three of four "Dime Stores" and window shop in as many Shoe Stores. A lot of the same items, but in the Shoe stores, you found prices were different even when the styles were either the same or very similar. Shopping was an "art" back in those days. You were tried by every choice you had to make. A chance to try your skill at making your dollar go as far as possible. Now we shop where the store is, very few chances to check out compitition, or know if there is a better price unless you go to the "warehouse" type stores and buy in quantity.
Yes, Shopping has definately changed, and I am not sure that it is that much better. I miss the Shoe Stores with their classey styles and changes for the Season. When I was younger I hated the shoes the "old ladies" wore. My Grandmother and Aunts wore the most practical, but least sylish shoes I have ever seen. I dreaded growing older because I would probably have to settle for "those shoes". Aunt Bertha I remember had a pair of black ones for the winter and bone colored ones for the summer. Laced up with a flat heel about 1 1/2". I believe they were Red Cross label shoes. What ever, I don't see them anymore - thank goodness! Oh, and when my kids were small, we had the Childrens Shoe Store where they carried nothing but the best for younger people. We never bought anything but Buster Brown Shoes for the kids. Every new pair of shoes ment they got 4 new pairs of soxs as well. No flip flops back then. Good shoes to develope good feet. Well, that was then, and this is now. Times have changed and so has SHOPPING!
Written this 16th day of May 2010
by: Eileen C. Rosenberg
When we would go to the "Dime Store" for instance. There were a lot of counters, but few clerks. You could wonder all over the store selecting what you wanted, then pay for it. Not like in K-Mart or Wal Mart today. Today we wonder up and down ilses full of merchandise from floor to ceiling. Back then the "counters" were just that. Flat, and I was so short, it took years before I could even see what was displayed on them.
I think it was J.C. Penney, I guess Sears and Roebuck and Montgomery Ward that stand out the most. Well, many of the better Mercantile Stores had the same system. There may be a few stores using it today as well, but they would have to be way back in the outer limits. The Cashier was in another part of the store. When the clerk made a sale, cash was the tender used.
No Credit Cards back in those "good old days". No, and few checks either. Well, it was after the depression, and a good many people still didn't trust the Bank with their money, so Checks were just not an item in most households. Back to the Clerk - she, (you saw few men on the floor of most of the stores, unless it was in Hardware), would make out a sales slip - handwritten of course - put it and the cash in the small tube like container that either opened at one end, or had a door in the side. The tube was placed in another tube that had suction, and was wisk away, usually to the second floor or the building where the Cashier would finalize the sale. If change was due, it would be returned by the same method. The tube would return with a "thud" into a wire basket on the counter. This always fascinated me, well it still would if they had such things.
Stores always smelled differently too. Wood floors, and I believe I have mentioned it before they were usually cleaned at the end of the day with oiled saw dust. That is what kept the dust down and the wood well oiled. I don't know they used wax back in those days. The floor serfaces were pretty pourous as I recall.
The days of handwritten sales slips and no cash registers in sight are long gone from the scene of shopping as we know it today. I remember when we moved to Paso Robles in 1985 the Paso Robles Mercantile store on 12th Street (Now a Furniture Store) use to have the old system. I was shocked to see it after so many years. The Mercantile is gone now and so are those reminders of things as they once were. Everything is modernized now. Makes things faster, and more accurate, I guess. Doesn't change the thought that some of the old things were neat in their own way. The time people took in doing business. The personal care that was given in making sure the customer was taken care of. Everything is efficient now, but a lot of the personal farmiliar touches have been eliminated. Years ago, when we went into a store, we were not met with so much merchandise, but with a more personal touch when doing business. I remember the Hardware store on Pacific Blvd. in Huntingon Park. It had such lovely things at the front of the store. Pottery, fine china and a number of small appliances. I loved to brouse around the glassware and dishes. A favorite place to buy something for Mother on special occassions. That kind of store has disappeared from the scene of things. That and the Mens and Womens Clothing Stores. I remembering how I looked forward to "growing up" so I could shop in one of those. Mode-O-Day for women was a big dream of mine. In fact they had one in Paso Robles on Park Street when we move here. I shopped in there, and was sad when they left. I don't think they are in business anymore any where. A shame, they had a great line of dresses and things for women.
Now we have the "one stop" stores. Everything in one place. No longer the meandering up and down the City Streets, in and out of one store after another. Where you could check things out in three of four "Dime Stores" and window shop in as many Shoe Stores. A lot of the same items, but in the Shoe stores, you found prices were different even when the styles were either the same or very similar. Shopping was an "art" back in those days. You were tried by every choice you had to make. A chance to try your skill at making your dollar go as far as possible. Now we shop where the store is, very few chances to check out compitition, or know if there is a better price unless you go to the "warehouse" type stores and buy in quantity.
Yes, Shopping has definately changed, and I am not sure that it is that much better. I miss the Shoe Stores with their classey styles and changes for the Season. When I was younger I hated the shoes the "old ladies" wore. My Grandmother and Aunts wore the most practical, but least sylish shoes I have ever seen. I dreaded growing older because I would probably have to settle for "those shoes". Aunt Bertha I remember had a pair of black ones for the winter and bone colored ones for the summer. Laced up with a flat heel about 1 1/2". I believe they were Red Cross label shoes. What ever, I don't see them anymore - thank goodness! Oh, and when my kids were small, we had the Childrens Shoe Store where they carried nothing but the best for younger people. We never bought anything but Buster Brown Shoes for the kids. Every new pair of shoes ment they got 4 new pairs of soxs as well. No flip flops back then. Good shoes to develope good feet. Well, that was then, and this is now. Times have changed and so has SHOPPING!
Written this 16th day of May 2010
by: Eileen C. Rosenberg
Friday, May 14, 2010
How Annoying!
I have been having difficulty with a spiritual urging to get some geneological information. This has been going on for a few months now. I have tried to locate something, but have been left without the slightest encouragement. This has left me, pretty much, with the idea I should let it go and forget about it. After all these people are not related to me, and I, really have no reason to try to keep trying. Tell THAT to the "spirit".
Dreams can only add to the aggrevation with such things. Regression into past history when you have been made to feel so very special and loved, well, such things just move you closer to trying, just one more time! I tried last night - NOTHING! Do you hear me "spirit" NOTHING!
Then another night of being reminded of things. Waking this morning, I decided to forget it all together and get on with the things at hand, like last nights dishes still in the sink for instance. I take myself into the kitchen and without very much thought go through the task in such a short order, I was shocked - the drudgery was hardly even noticed, but the "spirit" was alive and well. I had a dozen ideas of how to move the work along. I could hardly wait to "fireup" the computer and give it one more try. I knew it would be fruitless, but, what the heck, I had to give it one more attempt.
One thing I had learned from last nights experience was, the Grand Daughter had attempted to find out something, and had entered all she knew, which was less than what I had. It was obvious her Mother had not kept the Fathers side of the family a part of the girls life, or she would have known so much more. I knew her parents had seperated and divorced, I assumed, when she was quite young. I knew the Grand Fathers name, the Grand Mothers maiden name, and the Fathers name. Best place to start was the 1930 Census. Leaving things "open" as to where to look, I had luck. The three came up in Long Beach, California. Ages and dates matched my memory. So I was a bit encouraged. Then I remembered the Great Grand Fathers name, but I could not remember his wifes name. It was obvious from what I learned from the 1930 census the family came from Missouri. That was my next attempt. Put the Grand Father in as a Son and try an earlier census with Missouri to see if I could have luck. It took a few tries, and I came up with a match. Wonderful! Where can I go from here. Well, I had learned that the Father and Grand Father were both only children. Do you begin to see some light?
Why should I be bothered locating "family information"? Wasn't there someone else with connections that could just as easily do this? Obviously the answer to that is NO! There is no one to carry on the family name, no one connected who has even the barest of information - which I had discovered when I put in the first information I had. I wasn't playing "tag" here but it is quite evident, "I was it"!
I will regress here for just a moment to put this information in. The last time I saw this girls Grand Father he was in a nursing home recovering I believe it was from a heart attack. (Really not certain, but I think that was it). I was visiting my Aunt Clara who was in the same place. She had had a stroke and was in a coma. I had gone with my Uncle Bill. He took Sees Candy in for her, which he fed her while we were there. They (Sees Candy) were her very favorite. I had Paul with me, he was around 2, maybe 3 years old. Of course he was busy, and wanted to walk around. I took him into the hall for a short walk. I looked into one of the rooms, and there was George. He was so happy to see me and asked if the little boy was mine. I laughed and said yes, busy little guy isn't he? George wanted to see him up close, so I took Paul into his room and sat him on his bed. George was so happy to see me and enjoyed visiting for a short time with Paul and I. Who was George? The father of the young man I had been engaged to before I met and married Jay. I do believe the relationship between myself and George mirrored the relationship I had with Jays' Dad. We loved each other in a very special way. He had never really gotten over the ending of my relationship with his son. Before I left the room he told me he thought his son had made the biggest mistake of his life when he let me get away. I would hardly say he
let me "get away". More like he "threw me away". (Another story - not for now, however.)
Well - back to this story - I put the new information into a Family History and was able to find enough on the family to feel rewarded, "finally". The Mother and Grand Mother were being a bit more troublesome. With eliminating some information for the Census research, I finally broke through and found them too. What started out with a thorny "3" is now up to almost 200 names. If the Grand daughter should go on line now, she will be surprised to find her family - on her Fathers side, pretty well documented from research material I found on line.
To fill in some of the blanks, the Grand daughter turns out to be 19 days younger than Dawn. The Father, Grand father, Grand mother have all passed away. I am finally feeling some relief from all this "bugging" that has been going on. I haven't sat at this computer once in the past months I have wanted to do much on any of my family lines. Work a few minutes and then shut down and walk away. The "spirit" has not allowed me to do anything like I usually do. This seems to have been what has been needed. Maybe now that I have started this flow, it will continue with someone in the family, who, I have no idea, but I am satisfied that when I clean up the remaining items, I can leave it and get on with my own work.
Being a Missionary in Family History, I am well aware of how the "spirit" works. These people are anxious to have their work done and it is by no means weird that they will go to any lengths necessary to see it is completed. George knew how much I loved him and remembered so many great times we enjoyed. There is no question he would "bug" me to get this "brought about". The reason I was so long at reaching the conclusions I have is because I was not "listening" to the promptings before. Doing the dishes, I was able to take the suggestions and do what I needed to. It has been a most exciting journey for me. Another witness that this work is vital and the Gospel that has brought it forward is TRUE. We never get too old to learn, and be of service. What a wonderful day I have had. It has been one great excitement after another to locate people who need to be remembered in a very special way. We had crossed paths, had some time to appreciate each other and leave lasting impressions that have served us well. George, you are still loved and remembered by that 17 year old girl who might have been your Daughter-in-law, but the LORD had other important plans for me, ones that I am most greatful for. It brought the knowledge and technology I needed to help you. Amazing isn't it?!
Written this 14th day of May 2010
by: Eileen C. Rosenberg
Dreams can only add to the aggrevation with such things. Regression into past history when you have been made to feel so very special and loved, well, such things just move you closer to trying, just one more time! I tried last night - NOTHING! Do you hear me "spirit" NOTHING!
Then another night of being reminded of things. Waking this morning, I decided to forget it all together and get on with the things at hand, like last nights dishes still in the sink for instance. I take myself into the kitchen and without very much thought go through the task in such a short order, I was shocked - the drudgery was hardly even noticed, but the "spirit" was alive and well. I had a dozen ideas of how to move the work along. I could hardly wait to "fireup" the computer and give it one more try. I knew it would be fruitless, but, what the heck, I had to give it one more attempt.
One thing I had learned from last nights experience was, the Grand Daughter had attempted to find out something, and had entered all she knew, which was less than what I had. It was obvious her Mother had not kept the Fathers side of the family a part of the girls life, or she would have known so much more. I knew her parents had seperated and divorced, I assumed, when she was quite young. I knew the Grand Fathers name, the Grand Mothers maiden name, and the Fathers name. Best place to start was the 1930 Census. Leaving things "open" as to where to look, I had luck. The three came up in Long Beach, California. Ages and dates matched my memory. So I was a bit encouraged. Then I remembered the Great Grand Fathers name, but I could not remember his wifes name. It was obvious from what I learned from the 1930 census the family came from Missouri. That was my next attempt. Put the Grand Father in as a Son and try an earlier census with Missouri to see if I could have luck. It took a few tries, and I came up with a match. Wonderful! Where can I go from here. Well, I had learned that the Father and Grand Father were both only children. Do you begin to see some light?
Why should I be bothered locating "family information"? Wasn't there someone else with connections that could just as easily do this? Obviously the answer to that is NO! There is no one to carry on the family name, no one connected who has even the barest of information - which I had discovered when I put in the first information I had. I wasn't playing "tag" here but it is quite evident, "I was it"!
I will regress here for just a moment to put this information in. The last time I saw this girls Grand Father he was in a nursing home recovering I believe it was from a heart attack. (Really not certain, but I think that was it). I was visiting my Aunt Clara who was in the same place. She had had a stroke and was in a coma. I had gone with my Uncle Bill. He took Sees Candy in for her, which he fed her while we were there. They (Sees Candy) were her very favorite. I had Paul with me, he was around 2, maybe 3 years old. Of course he was busy, and wanted to walk around. I took him into the hall for a short walk. I looked into one of the rooms, and there was George. He was so happy to see me and asked if the little boy was mine. I laughed and said yes, busy little guy isn't he? George wanted to see him up close, so I took Paul into his room and sat him on his bed. George was so happy to see me and enjoyed visiting for a short time with Paul and I. Who was George? The father of the young man I had been engaged to before I met and married Jay. I do believe the relationship between myself and George mirrored the relationship I had with Jays' Dad. We loved each other in a very special way. He had never really gotten over the ending of my relationship with his son. Before I left the room he told me he thought his son had made the biggest mistake of his life when he let me get away. I would hardly say he
let me "get away". More like he "threw me away". (Another story - not for now, however.)
Well - back to this story - I put the new information into a Family History and was able to find enough on the family to feel rewarded, "finally". The Mother and Grand Mother were being a bit more troublesome. With eliminating some information for the Census research, I finally broke through and found them too. What started out with a thorny "3" is now up to almost 200 names. If the Grand daughter should go on line now, she will be surprised to find her family - on her Fathers side, pretty well documented from research material I found on line.
To fill in some of the blanks, the Grand daughter turns out to be 19 days younger than Dawn. The Father, Grand father, Grand mother have all passed away. I am finally feeling some relief from all this "bugging" that has been going on. I haven't sat at this computer once in the past months I have wanted to do much on any of my family lines. Work a few minutes and then shut down and walk away. The "spirit" has not allowed me to do anything like I usually do. This seems to have been what has been needed. Maybe now that I have started this flow, it will continue with someone in the family, who, I have no idea, but I am satisfied that when I clean up the remaining items, I can leave it and get on with my own work.
Being a Missionary in Family History, I am well aware of how the "spirit" works. These people are anxious to have their work done and it is by no means weird that they will go to any lengths necessary to see it is completed. George knew how much I loved him and remembered so many great times we enjoyed. There is no question he would "bug" me to get this "brought about". The reason I was so long at reaching the conclusions I have is because I was not "listening" to the promptings before. Doing the dishes, I was able to take the suggestions and do what I needed to. It has been a most exciting journey for me. Another witness that this work is vital and the Gospel that has brought it forward is TRUE. We never get too old to learn, and be of service. What a wonderful day I have had. It has been one great excitement after another to locate people who need to be remembered in a very special way. We had crossed paths, had some time to appreciate each other and leave lasting impressions that have served us well. George, you are still loved and remembered by that 17 year old girl who might have been your Daughter-in-law, but the LORD had other important plans for me, ones that I am most greatful for. It brought the knowledge and technology I needed to help you. Amazing isn't it?!
Written this 14th day of May 2010
by: Eileen C. Rosenberg
Thursday, May 13, 2010
The Continuing "tail" of the Cat
I believe I have written a time of two about MY CAT!
Well, she is over her Ance and has shed all her fur
from the winter and has again trimmed down to a very
"whimpy" looking thing, but I still love her.
This "tail" however is not about MIA, NO, it is about
"her friends". You see our next door neighbor to the
right of us has two cats, well the neighbor to the left
of us has two cats as well, but then, they are not the
Characters the ones to the right are. NO!
Mr. Precious is all black with white whiskers and is
"ancient". He made friends with MIA and their favorite
pass time seems to be rolling on my front sidewalk
trying to out do each other with their "cuteness".
Baby is an all red female who is so shy it is nearly
painful. They have learned over the time MIA has been
here that we have a very Gourmet Feed at our house.
Mr. Precious has taken to scratching on the back Patio
door when he gets hungry to receive a "handout". This
has attracted shy, Baby to come on the porch to share.
Mr. Precious is very accomdating, but she does have
to push him aside at times to be able to get her head
in the dish for her share.
Now they do have a feeder on the front porch of their home
but I notice that Julie is not as good as she might be about
keeping if full, after all, there are a number of cats in the
area, and they all seem to know where the "food" is. I don't
keep anything outside here. MIA eats in the house. I am
just a "soft touch" when it comes to the "scratching" on the
window.
However, that is not what this "Saga" is all about. NO, there
is something so comical going on on my patio I just have to
share it.
While cleaning things up in my office/bedroom last week, I
noticed that MIA had not been sleeping in her bed on the
floor. It is red, fake suede lined with fleece. She would lay
in it occassionaly after I bought it for her, but she prefers
her window bed, so I thought I would put it on the back patio
as I saw Baby was taking a "sunbath" on the stand out
there for the past few weeks. As I placed it where she would
normally lay, she took to it like a duck takes to water. I
enjoyed watching her nap in the sun every afternoon. When
Mr Precious came to scratch for his "beggers portion" she
would get down and enjoy the treat and then return for her
rest. This has gone on for a couple of weeks now. Yesterday
I noticed that she stayed at the dish longer than Mr. Precious.
Next thing I noticed, Mr. Precious had taken over the bed.
NOW when Baby returns, her space has been compromised.
Her solution, she gave him a bath. That didn't change things
so she wormed her way into the bed, as best she could, with
more out than in. Mr. Precious endured it for awhile, but soon
gave up his portion and Baby was ready to assume control.
Later, they were both sitting in the bed. Neither trying to lay
down. Baby again bathing Mr. Precious. I had a good laugh
and Paul had to come out to see the antics of our "fur friends".
When I got up at 5:15 this a.m. I went to see if MIA was in
the bed because she stayed out last night - not her norm, but
she went out just as I went to bed, and I didn't wake up until
then. To my total amusment - in that bed - TOGETHER -
were thosed two cats. One Black and one Red. How they fit
in that bed, is a wonder, but they were both sound asleep.
The Question of the day. Have I enherited two cats, or are they
just sharing because they have found a more comfortable place
to spend the night? Who knows. I will try and get a picture of
this duo and share it if I can.
Cats, aren't they just the MEOW?
Oh, MIA came in the house when I opened the kitchen door.
I have no idea where she spent the night, but she gave me
a good scolding AFTER she had eaten of course.
Well, she is over her Ance and has shed all her fur
from the winter and has again trimmed down to a very
"whimpy" looking thing, but I still love her.
This "tail" however is not about MIA, NO, it is about
"her friends". You see our next door neighbor to the
right of us has two cats, well the neighbor to the left
of us has two cats as well, but then, they are not the
Characters the ones to the right are. NO!
Mr. Precious is all black with white whiskers and is
"ancient". He made friends with MIA and their favorite
pass time seems to be rolling on my front sidewalk
trying to out do each other with their "cuteness".
Baby is an all red female who is so shy it is nearly
painful. They have learned over the time MIA has been
here that we have a very Gourmet Feed at our house.
Mr. Precious has taken to scratching on the back Patio
door when he gets hungry to receive a "handout". This
has attracted shy, Baby to come on the porch to share.
Mr. Precious is very accomdating, but she does have
to push him aside at times to be able to get her head
in the dish for her share.
Now they do have a feeder on the front porch of their home
but I notice that Julie is not as good as she might be about
keeping if full, after all, there are a number of cats in the
area, and they all seem to know where the "food" is. I don't
keep anything outside here. MIA eats in the house. I am
just a "soft touch" when it comes to the "scratching" on the
window.
However, that is not what this "Saga" is all about. NO, there
is something so comical going on on my patio I just have to
share it.
While cleaning things up in my office/bedroom last week, I
noticed that MIA had not been sleeping in her bed on the
floor. It is red, fake suede lined with fleece. She would lay
in it occassionaly after I bought it for her, but she prefers
her window bed, so I thought I would put it on the back patio
as I saw Baby was taking a "sunbath" on the stand out
there for the past few weeks. As I placed it where she would
normally lay, she took to it like a duck takes to water. I
enjoyed watching her nap in the sun every afternoon. When
Mr Precious came to scratch for his "beggers portion" she
would get down and enjoy the treat and then return for her
rest. This has gone on for a couple of weeks now. Yesterday
I noticed that she stayed at the dish longer than Mr. Precious.
Next thing I noticed, Mr. Precious had taken over the bed.
NOW when Baby returns, her space has been compromised.
Her solution, she gave him a bath. That didn't change things
so she wormed her way into the bed, as best she could, with
more out than in. Mr. Precious endured it for awhile, but soon
gave up his portion and Baby was ready to assume control.
Later, they were both sitting in the bed. Neither trying to lay
down. Baby again bathing Mr. Precious. I had a good laugh
and Paul had to come out to see the antics of our "fur friends".
When I got up at 5:15 this a.m. I went to see if MIA was in
the bed because she stayed out last night - not her norm, but
she went out just as I went to bed, and I didn't wake up until
then. To my total amusment - in that bed - TOGETHER -
were thosed two cats. One Black and one Red. How they fit
in that bed, is a wonder, but they were both sound asleep.
The Question of the day. Have I enherited two cats, or are they
just sharing because they have found a more comfortable place
to spend the night? Who knows. I will try and get a picture of
this duo and share it if I can.
Cats, aren't they just the MEOW?
Oh, MIA came in the house when I opened the kitchen door.
I have no idea where she spent the night, but she gave me
a good scolding AFTER she had eaten of course.
Friday, May 7, 2010
My Mothers Apron
What a host of memories that brings back. I believe there is a poem about it, which I did not write. There is a copy around here someplace, but I haven't a clue at present where it might be. If I find it, I will share it with you. For now, I will reflect on what "my mothers apron" ment and means.
Yesterday I received an e-mail from a friend that is over 70 reminding me about the "clothes lines" and their care. It brought back so many memories, which reminded me of Mom on Monday with her Apron over her "house dress". Monday was always "wash day". After we were all sent off to school, Mom would gather up all the dirty laundry and carefully sort it in the back porch. Whites were never washed with colored clothes and of coursed Dads' oiley work clothes were always the last load. Back then the same water was used for the entire laundry. So the whites went in first followed by the lighter colored things, then the darker and finally the work clothes. The very delicate items were washed in the kitchen sink in a large pan of very luke warm water. While the first load was washing, Mom would take her "line clothe" which she had dipped in the warm soapy water and wrung out. Out to the back yard she would go, lower the clothes line poles and wipe down the clothes lines to make sure they were dirt free before she would hang out her clean wash. Normally the lines weren't all that dirty, but if they had been smudging the orange groves, even though they were miles away, the shoot gravitated to our area and would coat the clothes line with an oiley, black coating. No one wanted that on their clean clothes.
Mom would fill her apron pockets with clothes pins and carry her basket full of wet clothes into the back yard and hang them out to dry. That's right, we didn't have clothes dryers back then.
I don't believe you can beat the feel or smell of clean sheets and pillow cases that have been air dried in the sunshine. Something I miss even to this day. Usually by the time Mom had finished the laundry, the front of her apron was wet from her handling all the wet things. That ment she would have to change into a clean apron, which of course had always been starched so any dirt she may accumulate in wearing it would easily wash out and leave no stains. The Apron was as important a part of a housewifes dress as her neatly washed and ironed house dress. Times do change.
On Sunday there was always the nicest apron to be worn over the best dress. Meals were still being cooked and served by Mom so she would keep her dress in good condition by wearing her
nicest apron. When I learned to iron, I was allowed to do the handkerchiefs first, then the pillow cases and then aprons. Shirts and blouses were saved until I had learned how to get the wrinkles out. The starched pieces were always the hardest to iron nice and neat. I learned and found a great deal of pride in taking a piece out of the ironing basket and making it look great. Oh I guess I should tell you about that too. Once the wash was dried, we went out and as the things were removed from the line, they were folded neatly and placed in the basket, that had been left in the yard so the sun would dry it out. The sheets and towels were put into the proper drawers in the bathroom and dining room, where the Buffet Hutch had drawers for them. The ironable pieces were carefully "dampened" and rolled neatly and placed back in the basket to
"season" for ironing on Tuesday morning. Not too much water, but just enough to moisten the fabric so it would respond to the warmth of the iron, NO we did not have steam irons then either. If you wanted to press a dress pair of pants, you laid newspaper on the leg, dampen the paper with a wet rag then press over the wet paper, which made steam. Handy, but far different than how they do it at the cleaners. Coats and suits were about all that went to the cleaners in my youth. In fact I don't believe I had anything cleaned until long after I went to work. Everything we made or purchased was washable.
If Mom went out to shop or visit, etc. she would carefully hang her apron up and when she came home, she would put it back on, almost without thinking about it. Wearing aprons was a habit.
I remembering reading about the pioneer women who had two aprons. One was white and beautifully starched for Sudays. The day to day apron was usually a darker material. One for work and one for dress. Yes, they wore their aprons to church. When a flood came through one of the valley areas the biggest lament the Sisters had was the loss of their beautiful white apron. I guess they had so few nice things that the care and wearing of that one single item was the pinnicle of their lives. We can hardly understand such things, but times and clothes change. We rarely think of the many things we have today, and the care they take to keep us looking good.
Perma press has changed us, but it is never a hardship for me to think back on the care and time spent in keeping a family looking presentable and neat. Mom always told us when she was a girl she had two dresses. One for everyday wear and one for Suday. Aprons were necessary to keep their one dress presentable and their Sunday Dress in good condition so it would last. She wore a lot of hand me downs and realized they had been cared for so she would have something nice.
Being the youngest she rarely had anything "new". There were only three girls in the family of 9, so she wasn't always the same size, but made do. The sister older than her had a very narrow foot, so when the shoes were passed down, they hurt Moms' feet. Wear them she must, or go barefoot. As a result, she was continually caring for "corns" on her feet that were caused by wearing such tight shoes. When I was a kid, we had a pair of school shoes and a pair of dress shoes for Church. I don't recall ever having a pair of "tennis shoes" until I went in to High School and had to have a pair for Gym class. We wore black shorts with a white stipe down the side on which we had to embroidery our name and a white blouse that we had to embroidery our name on the pocket. Tennis shoes were marked with our name with a pen. We felt grown up when we got to High School and changed for Gym Classes. Not as impressive now.
Well yes, I too wore aprons, but not as much as Mom, and probably not as much as my Grandma did. As I said times change. There are a lot of things we don't do, or wear now that were so much a part of life back then. It is for certain everyone today are a lot more casual. For somethings that is good, for others, losing that structured dress has definately lowered the conditions of our society.
Mom made all her own aprons. Some were made out of the printed flower sacks, but the majority were made out of lovely fabrics that were trimmed either with bias tape or rick rack. They were always very distinctive and generally hung from the neck to the hemline of her dress. Only on rare occasions did I see her wear a "half apron", which was one that just tied around the waist. Those were usually for Sunday.
One of the things Mom taught us was: "it is clean and paid for". Coming from a very poor family without a Dad to contribute to the family welfare, everyone had to pitch in and do their share. I believe she and Dad had learned how to "make do and do without" during their young lives so that they tried very hard to see we three kids were better off than they were. I am greatful for that care, and tried to pass it along to our children. Today however I see children with far more than they need and caring less for what they have. Our society has become more of a wanting for things than caring for things. A shame really. If we still only had two aprons I wonder if we could appreciate the things we have been supplied with in these the "latter-days"? From washing in one tub, hanging clothes on the line and ironing every single item we wore or used, well we have come a far place from that. We still can only wear one outfit at a time and eat one meal at a time. It was always just what we had, not what we wanted or would have liked. I know I was a very picky eater when I was younger. Mom would simply say, you don't have to eat it Charmaine, but there isn't anything else. Bread and butter were often the meal I had and
I survived. If we had peanut better I don't remember. Mom did make jam and jelly, so I could have had some of that. Either way, there were not a lot of options, and you know, looking back on that it was O.K. We had it good and in some cases even more or better than some. We didn't complain. Oh, and we were never bored. In fact I wouldn't have know what that was. The kids in the neighborhood were always getting together to enjoy each others company in one game or another.
I remember Mothers Apron, Mom and the good things we enjoyed. I am greatful for all those memories and the times we had together. I don't know if they wear Aprons in Heaven or not, but if they do, I bet Mom has hers on, and is busy doing things for her family there.
Written this 6th day of May 2010
by: Eileen C. Rosenberg
Yesterday I received an e-mail from a friend that is over 70 reminding me about the "clothes lines" and their care. It brought back so many memories, which reminded me of Mom on Monday with her Apron over her "house dress". Monday was always "wash day". After we were all sent off to school, Mom would gather up all the dirty laundry and carefully sort it in the back porch. Whites were never washed with colored clothes and of coursed Dads' oiley work clothes were always the last load. Back then the same water was used for the entire laundry. So the whites went in first followed by the lighter colored things, then the darker and finally the work clothes. The very delicate items were washed in the kitchen sink in a large pan of very luke warm water. While the first load was washing, Mom would take her "line clothe" which she had dipped in the warm soapy water and wrung out. Out to the back yard she would go, lower the clothes line poles and wipe down the clothes lines to make sure they were dirt free before she would hang out her clean wash. Normally the lines weren't all that dirty, but if they had been smudging the orange groves, even though they were miles away, the shoot gravitated to our area and would coat the clothes line with an oiley, black coating. No one wanted that on their clean clothes.
Mom would fill her apron pockets with clothes pins and carry her basket full of wet clothes into the back yard and hang them out to dry. That's right, we didn't have clothes dryers back then.
I don't believe you can beat the feel or smell of clean sheets and pillow cases that have been air dried in the sunshine. Something I miss even to this day. Usually by the time Mom had finished the laundry, the front of her apron was wet from her handling all the wet things. That ment she would have to change into a clean apron, which of course had always been starched so any dirt she may accumulate in wearing it would easily wash out and leave no stains. The Apron was as important a part of a housewifes dress as her neatly washed and ironed house dress. Times do change.
On Sunday there was always the nicest apron to be worn over the best dress. Meals were still being cooked and served by Mom so she would keep her dress in good condition by wearing her
nicest apron. When I learned to iron, I was allowed to do the handkerchiefs first, then the pillow cases and then aprons. Shirts and blouses were saved until I had learned how to get the wrinkles out. The starched pieces were always the hardest to iron nice and neat. I learned and found a great deal of pride in taking a piece out of the ironing basket and making it look great. Oh I guess I should tell you about that too. Once the wash was dried, we went out and as the things were removed from the line, they were folded neatly and placed in the basket, that had been left in the yard so the sun would dry it out. The sheets and towels were put into the proper drawers in the bathroom and dining room, where the Buffet Hutch had drawers for them. The ironable pieces were carefully "dampened" and rolled neatly and placed back in the basket to
"season" for ironing on Tuesday morning. Not too much water, but just enough to moisten the fabric so it would respond to the warmth of the iron, NO we did not have steam irons then either. If you wanted to press a dress pair of pants, you laid newspaper on the leg, dampen the paper with a wet rag then press over the wet paper, which made steam. Handy, but far different than how they do it at the cleaners. Coats and suits were about all that went to the cleaners in my youth. In fact I don't believe I had anything cleaned until long after I went to work. Everything we made or purchased was washable.
If Mom went out to shop or visit, etc. she would carefully hang her apron up and when she came home, she would put it back on, almost without thinking about it. Wearing aprons was a habit.
I remembering reading about the pioneer women who had two aprons. One was white and beautifully starched for Sudays. The day to day apron was usually a darker material. One for work and one for dress. Yes, they wore their aprons to church. When a flood came through one of the valley areas the biggest lament the Sisters had was the loss of their beautiful white apron. I guess they had so few nice things that the care and wearing of that one single item was the pinnicle of their lives. We can hardly understand such things, but times and clothes change. We rarely think of the many things we have today, and the care they take to keep us looking good.
Perma press has changed us, but it is never a hardship for me to think back on the care and time spent in keeping a family looking presentable and neat. Mom always told us when she was a girl she had two dresses. One for everyday wear and one for Suday. Aprons were necessary to keep their one dress presentable and their Sunday Dress in good condition so it would last. She wore a lot of hand me downs and realized they had been cared for so she would have something nice.
Being the youngest she rarely had anything "new". There were only three girls in the family of 9, so she wasn't always the same size, but made do. The sister older than her had a very narrow foot, so when the shoes were passed down, they hurt Moms' feet. Wear them she must, or go barefoot. As a result, she was continually caring for "corns" on her feet that were caused by wearing such tight shoes. When I was a kid, we had a pair of school shoes and a pair of dress shoes for Church. I don't recall ever having a pair of "tennis shoes" until I went in to High School and had to have a pair for Gym class. We wore black shorts with a white stipe down the side on which we had to embroidery our name and a white blouse that we had to embroidery our name on the pocket. Tennis shoes were marked with our name with a pen. We felt grown up when we got to High School and changed for Gym Classes. Not as impressive now.
Well yes, I too wore aprons, but not as much as Mom, and probably not as much as my Grandma did. As I said times change. There are a lot of things we don't do, or wear now that were so much a part of life back then. It is for certain everyone today are a lot more casual. For somethings that is good, for others, losing that structured dress has definately lowered the conditions of our society.
Mom made all her own aprons. Some were made out of the printed flower sacks, but the majority were made out of lovely fabrics that were trimmed either with bias tape or rick rack. They were always very distinctive and generally hung from the neck to the hemline of her dress. Only on rare occasions did I see her wear a "half apron", which was one that just tied around the waist. Those were usually for Sunday.
One of the things Mom taught us was: "it is clean and paid for". Coming from a very poor family without a Dad to contribute to the family welfare, everyone had to pitch in and do their share. I believe she and Dad had learned how to "make do and do without" during their young lives so that they tried very hard to see we three kids were better off than they were. I am greatful for that care, and tried to pass it along to our children. Today however I see children with far more than they need and caring less for what they have. Our society has become more of a wanting for things than caring for things. A shame really. If we still only had two aprons I wonder if we could appreciate the things we have been supplied with in these the "latter-days"? From washing in one tub, hanging clothes on the line and ironing every single item we wore or used, well we have come a far place from that. We still can only wear one outfit at a time and eat one meal at a time. It was always just what we had, not what we wanted or would have liked. I know I was a very picky eater when I was younger. Mom would simply say, you don't have to eat it Charmaine, but there isn't anything else. Bread and butter were often the meal I had and
I survived. If we had peanut better I don't remember. Mom did make jam and jelly, so I could have had some of that. Either way, there were not a lot of options, and you know, looking back on that it was O.K. We had it good and in some cases even more or better than some. We didn't complain. Oh, and we were never bored. In fact I wouldn't have know what that was. The kids in the neighborhood were always getting together to enjoy each others company in one game or another.
I remember Mothers Apron, Mom and the good things we enjoyed. I am greatful for all those memories and the times we had together. I don't know if they wear Aprons in Heaven or not, but if they do, I bet Mom has hers on, and is busy doing things for her family there.
Written this 6th day of May 2010
by: Eileen C. Rosenberg
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
A Lesson I Learned
Well, I have learned a great many lessons over my life time, but one in particular stands out in my mind, and I thought it might be worth telling here.
Paul was in a very active Boy Scout Troup when we lived in Pico Rivera. In fact most of the young men in that troup earned their Eagle Award, Paul being one of that number. This was in the days when Fund Raising was not as limited as it seems to be today. The Troup took some pretty impressive camping trips and the funds to permit such trips was earned by the Troup selling eggs. Each Scout had to get out and get a route to which he would deliver eggs regularly. I was working at the time so Pauls' started out with the people in the office I was employed at. Then he got out and canvased the neighborhood, and had a pretty lucritive route which paid very handily for his trips each year.
Paul, at this time, had a very bad habit. He did not bite his nails, he picked them. He also pulled out all his eyebrows and eyelashes. Nervous tick, but it certainly did not inhance his features. We, as his parents had tried just about everything we could think ,to break these habits, but now that I look back on it, probably only made the situation worse. Sooooo, I told him if he did not stop doing this, he could not go on the Scout Trip, but would have to forfit his money to another Scout who had not been able to earn as much. Naturally I thought it would help brake him, as he always loved going on these trips. However, the habits were so well entrenched he
was not able to stop. As parents, we felt we could not back down, or the lesson would not be beneficial. As the time went by, it was obvious Paul was not going to be able to go on the trip. This was very hurtfull, to which we added the requirement that he help another scout who did not have funds, but also was not going to qualify with the necessary Merit Badges for the trip.
One young Scout needed to pass the Morris Code Badge, and Paul spent hours with him helping him so that he could qualify.
The Troup went on the trip, and Paul stayed home. As parents, we felt bad about it, but felt Paul needed to know we were serious. Years later, there is not one single idea in my head that has not told me over and over that Paul got the message. He really wanted to stop, but it had taken a long time to get caught up in those habits, and it would take just about as much time to break them. (Oh, by the way, he did stop.)
Now, the young Scout who went on that trip, has been forever greatful to Paul for the trip. He was thankful to have the help Paul rendered so he could earn that Merit Badge. In fact I believe in many ways that Scout learned what sacrafice really means from that experience. Not that makes up for anything in the end.
The moral of this whole thing is: "DON'T TAKE ANYTHING AWAY FROM SOMEONE YOU CAN NEVER GIVE BACK". Years have passed and it has weighed heavily on my mind at times. There is nothing that I can now do to make up for what has been forever lost. Sooooo, what is it that can be done?
I learned it; one day when I went to Paul and talked to him about this time. I told him how sorry I was that we had been so strict, that I wanted him to know how very sorry I was that he had to for go that trip. When I finished my repenting spirit, he thanked me for telling him how I felt about it. It ment a lot to him. I didn't give him anything back, but I did let him know that Parents too can suffer when a wrong is done. It was not intended to hurt him, it was a very poor way of trying to make a change.
Now, as you know I have told before how I quit biting my nails. You would have thought my own experience would have taught me enough to know that it is only when someone one really wants to break a bad habit that they are able to do it, and though Paul wanted to, he needed the time to do that, and the time was just not within the limits that had been set. I guess that is something we need to learn, that repentance and breaking habits both take "time". None of us have enough of it really. That being said, it still will never change the fact that is, either knowingly, or unknowingly, we took something from a very worthy Son, something that we can never give him again. He grew from the experience, I guess I have as well, but you know; it doesn't make me feel any better about it. It isn't as if he didn't go on any number of such trips, or that he didn't earn the required funds, or Merit Badges. It was the one that "got away" that will always stand out in his and my mind. I will, however, be eternally greatful I didn't make that mistake on something that was a "one time" thing.
Written this 4th day of May, 2010
by: Eileen Rosenberg
Paul was in a very active Boy Scout Troup when we lived in Pico Rivera. In fact most of the young men in that troup earned their Eagle Award, Paul being one of that number. This was in the days when Fund Raising was not as limited as it seems to be today. The Troup took some pretty impressive camping trips and the funds to permit such trips was earned by the Troup selling eggs. Each Scout had to get out and get a route to which he would deliver eggs regularly. I was working at the time so Pauls' started out with the people in the office I was employed at. Then he got out and canvased the neighborhood, and had a pretty lucritive route which paid very handily for his trips each year.
Paul, at this time, had a very bad habit. He did not bite his nails, he picked them. He also pulled out all his eyebrows and eyelashes. Nervous tick, but it certainly did not inhance his features. We, as his parents had tried just about everything we could think ,to break these habits, but now that I look back on it, probably only made the situation worse. Sooooo, I told him if he did not stop doing this, he could not go on the Scout Trip, but would have to forfit his money to another Scout who had not been able to earn as much. Naturally I thought it would help brake him, as he always loved going on these trips. However, the habits were so well entrenched he
was not able to stop. As parents, we felt we could not back down, or the lesson would not be beneficial. As the time went by, it was obvious Paul was not going to be able to go on the trip. This was very hurtfull, to which we added the requirement that he help another scout who did not have funds, but also was not going to qualify with the necessary Merit Badges for the trip.
One young Scout needed to pass the Morris Code Badge, and Paul spent hours with him helping him so that he could qualify.
The Troup went on the trip, and Paul stayed home. As parents, we felt bad about it, but felt Paul needed to know we were serious. Years later, there is not one single idea in my head that has not told me over and over that Paul got the message. He really wanted to stop, but it had taken a long time to get caught up in those habits, and it would take just about as much time to break them. (Oh, by the way, he did stop.)
Now, the young Scout who went on that trip, has been forever greatful to Paul for the trip. He was thankful to have the help Paul rendered so he could earn that Merit Badge. In fact I believe in many ways that Scout learned what sacrafice really means from that experience. Not that makes up for anything in the end.
The moral of this whole thing is: "DON'T TAKE ANYTHING AWAY FROM SOMEONE YOU CAN NEVER GIVE BACK". Years have passed and it has weighed heavily on my mind at times. There is nothing that I can now do to make up for what has been forever lost. Sooooo, what is it that can be done?
I learned it; one day when I went to Paul and talked to him about this time. I told him how sorry I was that we had been so strict, that I wanted him to know how very sorry I was that he had to for go that trip. When I finished my repenting spirit, he thanked me for telling him how I felt about it. It ment a lot to him. I didn't give him anything back, but I did let him know that Parents too can suffer when a wrong is done. It was not intended to hurt him, it was a very poor way of trying to make a change.
Now, as you know I have told before how I quit biting my nails. You would have thought my own experience would have taught me enough to know that it is only when someone one really wants to break a bad habit that they are able to do it, and though Paul wanted to, he needed the time to do that, and the time was just not within the limits that had been set. I guess that is something we need to learn, that repentance and breaking habits both take "time". None of us have enough of it really. That being said, it still will never change the fact that is, either knowingly, or unknowingly, we took something from a very worthy Son, something that we can never give him again. He grew from the experience, I guess I have as well, but you know; it doesn't make me feel any better about it. It isn't as if he didn't go on any number of such trips, or that he didn't earn the required funds, or Merit Badges. It was the one that "got away" that will always stand out in his and my mind. I will, however, be eternally greatful I didn't make that mistake on something that was a "one time" thing.
Written this 4th day of May, 2010
by: Eileen Rosenberg
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