You may ask, what ever is a 'Toy Loan'? Not 'is', but 'was'. During the 'great depression' many children were not blessed with Toy's. Those who had toys, and no longer needed them, donated them to a local 'Toy Loan'. Just like you go to the Library and check out books to read, then return them, this was a place where a child without Toys could go and look at all the offerings and decide what they would like to have for a few days to play with. Anything that was checked out had to be returned in a number of days. I had to be in good condition and clean for the next child to have for a time. It was so much fun to check the shelves each week to see what was there. As things were rotated every week, it made the choices quite a joy to so many whose parent couldn't afford to buy things.
I didn't find my home was lacking in things, but I will admit that we, my brothers and I, didn't have an over abundance of toys around. Christmas was the time for such things, and even then there was not a lot under the tree. Our parents made sure that we had every needful thing. I don't remember feeling as if I had been 'left out' in any way.
Today the children have an over abundance of so many things and with the High Tech products that are in every hand, it appears they have little chance to find themselves like we did way back then. So up comes the questions? What was it like before Television? Well there was plenty of daylight and we had so many friends in the neighborhood that we played outside until it got dark, or our favorite Radio Program came on. How did you get around? We walked everywhere. Why not, the streets were safe, and everyone was doing it. What you may ask? No cars? Well of course there were cars, but surprising at it may seem - why use them when the weather was good, town wasn't that far away and walking gave us all a chance to 'stretch our legs'. Or as Dad use to tell us: "come on kids let's
shake a leg". If we shopped while we were up town, there was plenty of us to carry the packages back home. We thought nothing of it. How lucky can you get!
How did we fill the time, and believe me there was plenty of it, we used our 'imagination'. We played house, school, office or what ever came into our heads to imagine. Personally I was a dress designer - making outfits for my paper dolls. Used what ever was handy to make our 'make believe'
places to play in. There was nothing as fun as making up something and then spending hours being who ever or what ever you thought up. Today the children or so 'hooked up' to something they are not using their brains to develop life around them. Rather they shut out every good thing around. Something you would never heard expressed out of our mouths was the words: "I'm bored".
Lands we didn't have enough time to be bored. Too much to think up to do. Too many objects to turn into 'make believe'.
I believe I have mentioned before about Tuna Cans being turned into headlights for the boys home made scooters. Canned Milk Cans to be hammered around our shoes to make stilts that clanked on the Sidewalk as we clomped along on unsteady legs. Now that was really FUN. How many homes did it take to make a play box of old clothes, shoes and purses to Play House? Now that really took imagination.
I guess you could say that we were too busy to know that things were'nt 'grand'. Everyone was in the same financial condition. Moms didn't work, they were home when the kids came and went. That changed when the Second World War began. Until then we had a very regular way of life. We didn't envy anyone else. We just used what we had and didn't give it a thought that there could be any other way of doing things. When you are using your imagination, you are too occupied to have other things on your mind. There were others not as well off, but we didn't have TV to tell us things were any different any place else. Radio did have news, but we never listen to it, we were waiting to hear what the Lone Ranger and Tonto were up to. We waited to hear the trials of Elery Queen and what he was about or what the Shadow was solving. We went to the Movies and then looked forward to hearing them replayed on Lux Radio Theatre. There was always and Fiber McGee and Molly to listen to and wait for the Closet door to open and have everything come crashing to the floor. Yes, those were the days. Wouldn't take a Million for those days. Hate to think all that todays children have missing by not having to: "make it do, or do without". We may not have had it posh, but we did have it "our way". If we could think it, we could bring it into the light of day and enjoy every minute of it. What a lucky bunch we were and are. We leaned that 'life is what you make it'. If you think it, you can do it. There wasn't time to be bored. We hated the end of each day because it meant we had to stop having FUN.
No we didn't have a lot of things, but we enjoyed the things we did have. We weren't worried about what someone else had that was different. In fact, if someone had a break, we all thought it was great. No keeping up with Jones' back then. We learned thrift, we learned how to take care of things. We shared bedrooms, one bath to a house and laundry was done each week, hung on a line, taken down folded or dampened down to be ironed. No drip dry for us. Some things were starched so that they were stiff and looked right when they were worn. Just to think about it brings back such wonderful memories. We never miss what we never had, so todays generations haven't a clue as to how it is really done. Times may change and lessons may have to be learned on how to really do it. I'm grateful that I had the days and times to do just that. Grateful for the 'Toy Loan' and what it added to my young life. What I didn't understand then, has become so beautifully clear to me and appreciated now.
Written this 11th day of September 2015
By: Eileen C Rosenberg
Friday, September 11, 2015
Friday, July 25, 2014
My DAD
I suppose every little girl thinks her Dad is about the greatest 'guy' that ever lived. Which means that I must be normal! I always thought my Dad was about the smartest 'fella' I ever knew. He was not born into a great situation, nor did he have a wonderful childhood. His birth took place in England. I suppose it was during a time when things weren't very good in the Country. His family there were pretty average, and so it was when his father decided to make a new beginning in the 'Colonies' that change was to begin for Dad.
Having an older half brother, namely William Horton, living in the United States, Charles Smith was of a mind to give this new Country a try for a better life. So he packed up his wife and son and sailed the Atlantic to begin anew.
I'm sure the change was a hard adjustment for such a young wife, with a small child. Eliza was not only unhappy and homesick, but she wasn't willing to make things work out. She must have complained enough that Charles made arrangements, after only 6 months to return her and John back to England. The last we see of her is in the 1901 British Census where she appeared with John, living with her parents, John and Maria Chatting Bunn. Where she went, or what happened to her we have not been able to learn up to this date. We do know that John was given, or sent to his Paternal Grand Mother to raise. What his life was like during that time, we can only guess. The house hold was full of nothing but adults. His only contact with children was the visits his Grand Mother Ellen Frost Horton Smith arranged with the Bunn Family. The family was large with younger children about the same age as John. He said he always had a good time when he was able to visit. His Grand Mother would set in her buggy and wait for him. So I would surmise that the visits were not as comfortable as they might have been.
In research, it has been learned that Charles made a couple of trips back to England. If one of them was to secure his separation from Eliza is not known. So far checking into Parish Records not divorce or annulment has been proven. Charles did remarry, so it is assumed that one or the other had been arranged. John sailed back to the United States with his Grand Mother and an Aunt Annie Clarke, who came to marry her brother -in-law and younger brother of Charles who had also come to the United States. His family was living in East Liverpool, Ohio, as was Charles. His, Fred, first wife had died leaving Fred Smith with 3 children to raise. His sister-in-law came as nanny to John on the trip, and then went to help Fred with her nephews and niece. They married shortly after her arrival to manage the family and home.
My Dad went to live with his father and new step-mother. Sad to say it was not a happy household. The
step-mother, Carrie Bowman McIntyre Smith was apparently jealous of John, not being able to have any children of her own. John was a very resourceful young man, and worked hard from his youth. Carrie it seemed felt his earnings were more hers than his. She would take his pay, and give him a small allowance for his own use. One has to admire him, because he never spoke or acknowledge her poor treatment of him. When his father passed away, John took Carrie in and gave her a home until her health failed and then he saw to her hospitalization until she passed a year later.
My Dad, John Charles Smith, was a scholar. Not that he had much schooling, but because he was ever seeking more and more knowledge. He would spend hours in second hand book stores and find books that held information he felt would be of interest to him. He read everything. History, Science, Agriculture, Horticulture, Religious well, everything. When he was killed, it was hard to decide which of his Library was worth keeping and which would be returned to the book shelves to be sold to someone else. He would explore many different avenues of life.
He loved to work in his yard. Cultivate any number of different plants, so long as the weather where we lived would encourage the plants to grow and produce fruit. We had a little of everything in our yard. His greatest love was his Camellia bushes. He had many varieties, and they were larger than most grew. He
made his own liquid fertilizer and so his plants were large and healthy, be they fruit, or flower. His tree roses were of the greatest interest. The front walk was lined with them. He spent ours learning how to graft and so each rose bush turned into a fragrant bouquet when they bloomed. It was something to see. His lemon, orange and grapefruit trees produced every season, and kept us in fruit. We had figs, passion fruit and guavas to name just a few of his other cultivated varieties that made our yard a 'garden' par none. Yes! he also planted a garden each year, and we enjoyed the 'fruit' of that labor as well.
He trained himself in many fields, but his occupation was as a machinist. When it was necessary to move the family from Ohio to California, Dad was not afraid to strike out for a job, as he was well qualified to meet the challenges that the new State might offer. As it turned out, it was the Aircraft Industry. Dad fit in very well, and stayed in that capacity for many years. When things slacked off after the Second World War, Dad worked for a time in the Pottery Industry and found a great deal of satisfaction in what was needed there in the way of maintenance of the equipment.
After years away from Aircraft, Dad found his way back into it, and became very involved in Space Models.
It was not that Dad had been educated as an Engineer, but that his years of work and study had broadened his mind so that he was more than equal to any of the challenges that this new side of flight would bring. He could think and work his way through problems that became stumbling blocks to his more learned colleagues. With his personality, he never found himself outside of their respect and friendship. If it was a problem, they all knew they could ask 'Capt. John' and it would be abel towork it out, no matter how long it would take him. Shortly before his death, he took the model for the Space Module that was the forerunner of the one that landed on the moon, back to the Ohio Wind Tunnel.
When the trial ship blew up and killed the Astronauts, he stated they would have to change the fuel if they didn't want such accidents to happen again. He was right!
What was my Dad like as a man? Well he was a very gentle giant. I don't mean in size, but in his character. He always had time for us kids. He was willing to teach us, and eager to talk to us about what he was interested in. One time he worried about his eye sight, so he sought out ways to exercise his eyes and then made his own piece of equipment that he used to keep his eyesight sharp. Yes, he wore glasses, and they had a bi-focal in the lenses, but he was ever eager to keep his eyesight from becoming a problem because of the many things he did that took a keen vision to accomplish the desired results. His grafting was one of those things that needed good vision. He wore a jewelers glass on his glasses when he was doing close work. It seemed that nothing escaped his search to make things easier and his projects more successful.
One of the things I remember most about Dad was his constant searching for things to brighten our lives. He was quick to find fun things for us to do, then he would save his money so he could share them with all of us. I remember when he worked at the pottery way out of town, he discovered a place that made caramel corn.
We would drive way out to the place on Friday night and get a big bag. What fun. Now you have to remember that Dad never used the car, even to go to work. He rode the bus. So to take the car and go for that long of a drive was a treat in itself. I know I have mentioned before the way he would take all of us out to nice eating places for dinner. We were taught how to dress, how to act, and how to enjoy such things while we were growing up. Ever ready to prepare us for the finer things of life, that neither he nor our Mother had every enjoyed until much later in their lives. Living through their youths in families that were depressed, then marring into depression times, they learned to be frugal, and to make life good with the very simple things. We enjoyed camping, and hiking and having a picnic in the quaintest places. We may not have had a lot of money, but we kids never knew it, our parents were eager to see us learn the finer things of life from some of the simple things. When they were able to add the culture because there was more funds to do that, the outings became more educational. I believe attending the theater was probably the more of the interesting things we did. There were not many children in the audiences, which showed just how far sighted our parents were.
Some of the fondest things I did with Dad was our walks up town. He had a way of walking that made me stretch my legs. He loved to walk, and he wanted all of us to enjoy it too. Living in town there were not many chances to get out and hike, but he never passed up an opportunity to ask us to 'shake a leg'. Having a car was never an advantage. When we could walk someplace, that was always the way we went. Life was pretty well geared when we were kids, so we walked to get places. Both my brothers had bikes, but I never had one. I didn't drive until I was 21 and married for a number of years, so walking was just the natural part of life. Even when I could ride the bus to work, I would walk instead. It was the most natural thing to do. Why pay .15 cents when I could 'hike it'?
Well, my Dad was just about the greatest 'guy' that ever walked on this earth. He had a generous heart, a mind that was open and full of excellent advise, if you needed it. One of his talks, could either raise you to the heights, or make you want to find a hole to crawl into. You always knew he had your best interest at heart, but he could make you feel pretty bad. Knowing how far he had come on so little, it was easy to make us feel like we were not stretching far enough. I suppose that is why each of us found our own way to the satisfaction of ending up where we did.
I could have gone to college, there was the way to do that, but I had found an occupation that suited me and was happy in exploring it. It gave me all that I needed and filled me with a feeling of accomplishment over the years. I had a number of chances to educate myself much as my Dad did, and I grabbed each and every opportunity that presented itself, because I knew, from his experience, that much could be gained by extending myself. I'm grateful for the examples of my two parents. They came from very 'humble' beginnings, but they both were pretty much self taught. If they could have gone to college, I am not sure they would have become more accomplished as they were. They came from a generation that had little but their own ability to push them forward. In both their cases they did very well.
My Dad had a heart as big as all outdoors. I never heard him down trod anyone, he was ever eager to help in anyway that he could. He always was the first to encourage us to reach out and do the best that was in us, in what ever pursuit we found interest in. I don't believe I would have gone forward to study and be the teacher I have become without the great encouragement my Dad gave me, or by the examples that he set.
I am only sad that my Dads life was cut short at such an early age. He had so much to offer, but then I do not know just how much he was needed where he went either. With his heart and faith, I am sure that he has been busy and occupied with much more than he could ever have accomplished here on this side of the veil. What a wonderful reunion it will be when I once again can spend time with him, set at his feet and gain the knowledge that he has to impart from what he has learned since last we spent time together.
Yes, I was blessed to have a very special Dad who was wise to pick my very special Mother to give me and my siblings the basics of life and love. I shall remain eternally grateful to a very wise and loving Heavenly Father who made this journey in their company possible.
Written this 25th day of July 2014
by: Eileen C. Rosenberg
..................................................
Having an older half brother, namely William Horton, living in the United States, Charles Smith was of a mind to give this new Country a try for a better life. So he packed up his wife and son and sailed the Atlantic to begin anew.
I'm sure the change was a hard adjustment for such a young wife, with a small child. Eliza was not only unhappy and homesick, but she wasn't willing to make things work out. She must have complained enough that Charles made arrangements, after only 6 months to return her and John back to England. The last we see of her is in the 1901 British Census where she appeared with John, living with her parents, John and Maria Chatting Bunn. Where she went, or what happened to her we have not been able to learn up to this date. We do know that John was given, or sent to his Paternal Grand Mother to raise. What his life was like during that time, we can only guess. The house hold was full of nothing but adults. His only contact with children was the visits his Grand Mother Ellen Frost Horton Smith arranged with the Bunn Family. The family was large with younger children about the same age as John. He said he always had a good time when he was able to visit. His Grand Mother would set in her buggy and wait for him. So I would surmise that the visits were not as comfortable as they might have been.
In research, it has been learned that Charles made a couple of trips back to England. If one of them was to secure his separation from Eliza is not known. So far checking into Parish Records not divorce or annulment has been proven. Charles did remarry, so it is assumed that one or the other had been arranged. John sailed back to the United States with his Grand Mother and an Aunt Annie Clarke, who came to marry her brother -in-law and younger brother of Charles who had also come to the United States. His family was living in East Liverpool, Ohio, as was Charles. His, Fred, first wife had died leaving Fred Smith with 3 children to raise. His sister-in-law came as nanny to John on the trip, and then went to help Fred with her nephews and niece. They married shortly after her arrival to manage the family and home.
My Dad went to live with his father and new step-mother. Sad to say it was not a happy household. The
step-mother, Carrie Bowman McIntyre Smith was apparently jealous of John, not being able to have any children of her own. John was a very resourceful young man, and worked hard from his youth. Carrie it seemed felt his earnings were more hers than his. She would take his pay, and give him a small allowance for his own use. One has to admire him, because he never spoke or acknowledge her poor treatment of him. When his father passed away, John took Carrie in and gave her a home until her health failed and then he saw to her hospitalization until she passed a year later.
My Dad, John Charles Smith, was a scholar. Not that he had much schooling, but because he was ever seeking more and more knowledge. He would spend hours in second hand book stores and find books that held information he felt would be of interest to him. He read everything. History, Science, Agriculture, Horticulture, Religious well, everything. When he was killed, it was hard to decide which of his Library was worth keeping and which would be returned to the book shelves to be sold to someone else. He would explore many different avenues of life.
He loved to work in his yard. Cultivate any number of different plants, so long as the weather where we lived would encourage the plants to grow and produce fruit. We had a little of everything in our yard. His greatest love was his Camellia bushes. He had many varieties, and they were larger than most grew. He
made his own liquid fertilizer and so his plants were large and healthy, be they fruit, or flower. His tree roses were of the greatest interest. The front walk was lined with them. He spent ours learning how to graft and so each rose bush turned into a fragrant bouquet when they bloomed. It was something to see. His lemon, orange and grapefruit trees produced every season, and kept us in fruit. We had figs, passion fruit and guavas to name just a few of his other cultivated varieties that made our yard a 'garden' par none. Yes! he also planted a garden each year, and we enjoyed the 'fruit' of that labor as well.
He trained himself in many fields, but his occupation was as a machinist. When it was necessary to move the family from Ohio to California, Dad was not afraid to strike out for a job, as he was well qualified to meet the challenges that the new State might offer. As it turned out, it was the Aircraft Industry. Dad fit in very well, and stayed in that capacity for many years. When things slacked off after the Second World War, Dad worked for a time in the Pottery Industry and found a great deal of satisfaction in what was needed there in the way of maintenance of the equipment.
After years away from Aircraft, Dad found his way back into it, and became very involved in Space Models.
It was not that Dad had been educated as an Engineer, but that his years of work and study had broadened his mind so that he was more than equal to any of the challenges that this new side of flight would bring. He could think and work his way through problems that became stumbling blocks to his more learned colleagues. With his personality, he never found himself outside of their respect and friendship. If it was a problem, they all knew they could ask 'Capt. John' and it would be abel towork it out, no matter how long it would take him. Shortly before his death, he took the model for the Space Module that was the forerunner of the one that landed on the moon, back to the Ohio Wind Tunnel.
When the trial ship blew up and killed the Astronauts, he stated they would have to change the fuel if they didn't want such accidents to happen again. He was right!
What was my Dad like as a man? Well he was a very gentle giant. I don't mean in size, but in his character. He always had time for us kids. He was willing to teach us, and eager to talk to us about what he was interested in. One time he worried about his eye sight, so he sought out ways to exercise his eyes and then made his own piece of equipment that he used to keep his eyesight sharp. Yes, he wore glasses, and they had a bi-focal in the lenses, but he was ever eager to keep his eyesight from becoming a problem because of the many things he did that took a keen vision to accomplish the desired results. His grafting was one of those things that needed good vision. He wore a jewelers glass on his glasses when he was doing close work. It seemed that nothing escaped his search to make things easier and his projects more successful.
One of the things I remember most about Dad was his constant searching for things to brighten our lives. He was quick to find fun things for us to do, then he would save his money so he could share them with all of us. I remember when he worked at the pottery way out of town, he discovered a place that made caramel corn.
We would drive way out to the place on Friday night and get a big bag. What fun. Now you have to remember that Dad never used the car, even to go to work. He rode the bus. So to take the car and go for that long of a drive was a treat in itself. I know I have mentioned before the way he would take all of us out to nice eating places for dinner. We were taught how to dress, how to act, and how to enjoy such things while we were growing up. Ever ready to prepare us for the finer things of life, that neither he nor our Mother had every enjoyed until much later in their lives. Living through their youths in families that were depressed, then marring into depression times, they learned to be frugal, and to make life good with the very simple things. We enjoyed camping, and hiking and having a picnic in the quaintest places. We may not have had a lot of money, but we kids never knew it, our parents were eager to see us learn the finer things of life from some of the simple things. When they were able to add the culture because there was more funds to do that, the outings became more educational. I believe attending the theater was probably the more of the interesting things we did. There were not many children in the audiences, which showed just how far sighted our parents were.
Some of the fondest things I did with Dad was our walks up town. He had a way of walking that made me stretch my legs. He loved to walk, and he wanted all of us to enjoy it too. Living in town there were not many chances to get out and hike, but he never passed up an opportunity to ask us to 'shake a leg'. Having a car was never an advantage. When we could walk someplace, that was always the way we went. Life was pretty well geared when we were kids, so we walked to get places. Both my brothers had bikes, but I never had one. I didn't drive until I was 21 and married for a number of years, so walking was just the natural part of life. Even when I could ride the bus to work, I would walk instead. It was the most natural thing to do. Why pay .15 cents when I could 'hike it'?
Well, my Dad was just about the greatest 'guy' that ever walked on this earth. He had a generous heart, a mind that was open and full of excellent advise, if you needed it. One of his talks, could either raise you to the heights, or make you want to find a hole to crawl into. You always knew he had your best interest at heart, but he could make you feel pretty bad. Knowing how far he had come on so little, it was easy to make us feel like we were not stretching far enough. I suppose that is why each of us found our own way to the satisfaction of ending up where we did.
I could have gone to college, there was the way to do that, but I had found an occupation that suited me and was happy in exploring it. It gave me all that I needed and filled me with a feeling of accomplishment over the years. I had a number of chances to educate myself much as my Dad did, and I grabbed each and every opportunity that presented itself, because I knew, from his experience, that much could be gained by extending myself. I'm grateful for the examples of my two parents. They came from very 'humble' beginnings, but they both were pretty much self taught. If they could have gone to college, I am not sure they would have become more accomplished as they were. They came from a generation that had little but their own ability to push them forward. In both their cases they did very well.
My Dad had a heart as big as all outdoors. I never heard him down trod anyone, he was ever eager to help in anyway that he could. He always was the first to encourage us to reach out and do the best that was in us, in what ever pursuit we found interest in. I don't believe I would have gone forward to study and be the teacher I have become without the great encouragement my Dad gave me, or by the examples that he set.
I am only sad that my Dads life was cut short at such an early age. He had so much to offer, but then I do not know just how much he was needed where he went either. With his heart and faith, I am sure that he has been busy and occupied with much more than he could ever have accomplished here on this side of the veil. What a wonderful reunion it will be when I once again can spend time with him, set at his feet and gain the knowledge that he has to impart from what he has learned since last we spent time together.
Yes, I was blessed to have a very special Dad who was wise to pick my very special Mother to give me and my siblings the basics of life and love. I shall remain eternally grateful to a very wise and loving Heavenly Father who made this journey in their company possible.
Written this 25th day of July 2014
by: Eileen C. Rosenberg
..................................................
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Remember Things About WW II
Yesterday was D-Day and the TV was full of the scenes of that momentous day and the things that had gone before. The many battles that had been fought the numerous victories that had taken place in the South Pacific and throughout Europe. Americans never wanted to get into the fighting, but when the Japanese attacked our Fleet in Pearl Harbor on the 7th of December in 1941, things changed and very rapidly. It seemed as if the Country was mobilized over night. Men were anxious to make the enemies pay for all the heartache that had gone before, and would yet strike at any moment. Lights went out all over the world and the slogans began: "loose lips sink ships"; "Kilroy was here"; "Lucky Strike Green Has Gone To War" and oh, so many others. Uniforms were seen everywhere. Highways were lined with Service men trying to find their way from point A to point B. Service men's Canteens were popping up around the communities. New or revitalized Mothers Organizations were seen active everywhere. Red Cross bandage making sessions were taking shape with regularity in local parks and schools. Everything was turned over to the 'war effort'. Gas was rationed to keep the Military supplied. Leather was sent into the manufacture of boots and other needs for the Military. No more Nylon hose for the women - that was being used to make parachutes. Well the changes seemed endless and the needs were unnumbered.
But what really brings back the excitement, rather than the drudgery of it all was the site of the large flights of Aircraft in the skies. When they were built and ready for use, women took to the cockpits and flue the bombers and fighter planes in large formations to their needed areas. The sky was full, the sound was loud even to the point of causing things to vibrate. I can remember watching them fly overhead with tears in my eyes knowing they were going to be part of something big and important in my life and in the years to come. I also remember the many convoys of trucks, jeeps and armored vehicles that went down the roads on their way to points to be shipped overseas. Every day there were reminders of a War that was being fought and followed by every civilian who was left behind. I don't believe we appreciated the devastation that was being brought down on people elsewhere. Since the Civil War, battles haven't gone on in this Country and so we have no idea what it is like to have things shot out from under us, or bombed out of existence. How fortunate we are, and have been.
I have driven through many of the battlefields of the Civil War. Things look very peaceful there now, but one can still see the bullet holes in the houses and the cannon still left in the fields where men and animals died from the effects of the effort to win took place. Not wanting to see anyone injured or hurt, it boggles my mind how anyone would want to cause such scenes as we witnessed on the TV yesterday. Why young men have to take up arms to keep peace and safety for those they love at home? The cost of such things is beyond comprehension, but they seem to be revived and brought back, generation upon generation. Man
does not seem to learn from their past errors. There is always some stupid, power hungry individual who gets it into his head that they have a great plan of how to make others bend to their selfish will. No wonder it has been taught: "it is better that one man die, than an entire generation dwindle". Better to destroy the wicked minded than to have an entire nation have to pay such a price ever again.
Being a Teenager during the Second World War, I witnessed what went on, felt the helplessness of so much waste, and dreamed of a day when things would be better for all of us. I was a child of the great depression. I knew the lean years throughout my youth, and then the privation that War causes during my teen years. None of it as a youth seemed hard, because everyone I knew, and their families, was in the same condition. We made do with what we had, and was grateful for an imagination that kept our lives on a level course. When the War started, I learned that doing without wasn't all that hard. We still had food to eat, and our homes were safe to live in. We didn't have to drag out at night to find shelter from bombs or attacks of any kind. We leaned to do without the things that were needed to help the War effort. Walking was no problem, I had done it all my life up until that point, and I enjoyed it. Watching Servicemen come in and out of town was normal. We tried to make them feel at home in every way that we could. Once the War was ended, we looked forward to welcoming home our own. Until that day, we watched the windows of the homes around us, hoping that the blue stars in the windows wouldn't be changed to gold. Nearly every window had a flag telling how many from that house had answered the call. When the gold stars showed in the windows, we knew there was one who would not come home to celebrate what they had fought for. Oh how we learned to grieve with each family. So much to remember - and hopefully - with my generation to keep remembering so that we pass on the horrors of such things and not the glory that weak minded individuals throw out there as a dream of masterful ideas.
May we, as a nation, as well as individuals, remember than nothing good comes of War. May we rise to the challenge, as we did in WW II, though that was not our desire. May we always dream of peace and the safety of our nation and it's people. May be find greatness in what we accomplish, and how we live our lives, rather than look to put others down. May we praise God and all He has given us to enjoy and keep safe. May we be grateful for what we have - great or small - so long as it is ours, gained by our own efforts, and regard it and keep it safe
Life is short and very valuable. We should not waste it on greed or envy!
Written this 7 day of June 2014
by: Eileen C. Rosenberg
But what really brings back the excitement, rather than the drudgery of it all was the site of the large flights of Aircraft in the skies. When they were built and ready for use, women took to the cockpits and flue the bombers and fighter planes in large formations to their needed areas. The sky was full, the sound was loud even to the point of causing things to vibrate. I can remember watching them fly overhead with tears in my eyes knowing they were going to be part of something big and important in my life and in the years to come. I also remember the many convoys of trucks, jeeps and armored vehicles that went down the roads on their way to points to be shipped overseas. Every day there were reminders of a War that was being fought and followed by every civilian who was left behind. I don't believe we appreciated the devastation that was being brought down on people elsewhere. Since the Civil War, battles haven't gone on in this Country and so we have no idea what it is like to have things shot out from under us, or bombed out of existence. How fortunate we are, and have been.
I have driven through many of the battlefields of the Civil War. Things look very peaceful there now, but one can still see the bullet holes in the houses and the cannon still left in the fields where men and animals died from the effects of the effort to win took place. Not wanting to see anyone injured or hurt, it boggles my mind how anyone would want to cause such scenes as we witnessed on the TV yesterday. Why young men have to take up arms to keep peace and safety for those they love at home? The cost of such things is beyond comprehension, but they seem to be revived and brought back, generation upon generation. Man
does not seem to learn from their past errors. There is always some stupid, power hungry individual who gets it into his head that they have a great plan of how to make others bend to their selfish will. No wonder it has been taught: "it is better that one man die, than an entire generation dwindle". Better to destroy the wicked minded than to have an entire nation have to pay such a price ever again.
Being a Teenager during the Second World War, I witnessed what went on, felt the helplessness of so much waste, and dreamed of a day when things would be better for all of us. I was a child of the great depression. I knew the lean years throughout my youth, and then the privation that War causes during my teen years. None of it as a youth seemed hard, because everyone I knew, and their families, was in the same condition. We made do with what we had, and was grateful for an imagination that kept our lives on a level course. When the War started, I learned that doing without wasn't all that hard. We still had food to eat, and our homes were safe to live in. We didn't have to drag out at night to find shelter from bombs or attacks of any kind. We leaned to do without the things that were needed to help the War effort. Walking was no problem, I had done it all my life up until that point, and I enjoyed it. Watching Servicemen come in and out of town was normal. We tried to make them feel at home in every way that we could. Once the War was ended, we looked forward to welcoming home our own. Until that day, we watched the windows of the homes around us, hoping that the blue stars in the windows wouldn't be changed to gold. Nearly every window had a flag telling how many from that house had answered the call. When the gold stars showed in the windows, we knew there was one who would not come home to celebrate what they had fought for. Oh how we learned to grieve with each family. So much to remember - and hopefully - with my generation to keep remembering so that we pass on the horrors of such things and not the glory that weak minded individuals throw out there as a dream of masterful ideas.
May we, as a nation, as well as individuals, remember than nothing good comes of War. May we rise to the challenge, as we did in WW II, though that was not our desire. May we always dream of peace and the safety of our nation and it's people. May be find greatness in what we accomplish, and how we live our lives, rather than look to put others down. May we praise God and all He has given us to enjoy and keep safe. May we be grateful for what we have - great or small - so long as it is ours, gained by our own efforts, and regard it and keep it safe
Life is short and very valuable. We should not waste it on greed or envy!
Written this 7 day of June 2014
by: Eileen C. Rosenberg
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
So You Want To Drive?
I believe I might have covered some of this some time ago, but yesterday I saw an advertisement on the TV of a young lady changing a tire. Her father came around after she had finished and was pleased she had learned the lesson well. I was 21 before I learn to drive, and felt it was necessary for me to be able to take care of the car when I was out and about by myself. Changing a tire was one of the things I felt would possibly come up, so I wanted to know how to do it properly. It wasn't an easy lesson, but one I tackled with the best I had in me. In the first place getting those lug nuts loose, as shown in the TV Ad was the biggest problem. Especially when they had been put on at the Tire Shop.
In a learning experience it was one thing, but on a main street in town, outside the Post Office, it was just a bit more! At least I was alone at the time. Didn't have either of the children with me to keep calm while I went about getting a flat off and the spare on. Oh, and then it was a full size tire. It had been raining, so that added to the problem. I got the car jacked up, and with every bit of leverage I could manage finally got the lug nuts removed and the tire off. Now with my size at the time, not being height alone, it was a job. I was able to get the tire out of the trunk, put the flat in, and then go about mounting the spare. One middle aged man offered to help, but I explained that I wanted to do it. He stayed handy, but didn't try to stop me from what I was successfully doing.
I made sure all the lug nuts were secure. Then I let the car back down and went on my way feeling quite satisfied that I had been able to care for myself in such a circumstance! I still believe that if young ladies want to drive, they should have their Dad or Brother help them learn how to take care of themselves when they are out alone with a car. To be able to change a tire, check the oil or in general have some understanding of the car they are driving will benefit their safety and security.
A young lady should also remember to have her cell phone charged and ready to get help when and where it might be needed. If there is an Insurance that covers Roadside Assistance, than by all means call and take advantage of it, but should something happen where there is a space where cell phones are not working, it will be important to be able to assist ones self in taking care of small emergencies.
It doesn't take up much space to keep a Jumper Cable handy in the truck either. Small preparations are so vital when one is out and about alone. We don't live in a climate where other emergency supplies might be of help, but if one should be living where it could get cold suddenly, it is always wise to keep Space Blankets in the trunk, or under the front seat. Always have a flash light of some sort as well. One with a red portion will be good in case of an accident. Uncle Paul always made sure he had flares in case of an accident. Many a time he stopped to put out flares when he came upon an accident while driving. The Highway Patrol was always please to replace what he had put out.
Driving is one of things we should not take for granted. It is something that should be done with great care. When our children were ready to drive the first thing I told them was that I was putting a weapon in their care. One false or careless action could be deadly to themselves and any number of other people. They were to remember that speed might be exciting, but being able to control the car was far more important!
Driving in all kinds of weather conditions brought different kinds of hazards and thought should be given to the type of road conditions. The first rain was cause to watch. The road glaze from so much summer use caused road slick that could mean hydroplaning and traction of the tires on the road could be difficult. Thus the car could do all sorts of strange things. Learning to steer when those kinds of things happen will be vital to safety within the car and without as well.
I remember hitting a street where someone had been washing out a Filling Station area. It washed out a slick that I drove over and lost traction in a second. I had a car full of Sisters I had taken to a meeting. The car began to fish tail. Fortunately I had been taught to turn into the various turns the car took. Within a few seconds I had the car under control, we were past the danger area and we continued our journey. Had I not known what to do, we could have gone into a spin, even caused us to roll over. It would have only taken a few seconds and there could have been some serious injuries or even deaths. We can never take driving as a casual thing. Once we get behind the wheel of a car, once we turn on the engine and start moving, we are responsible for everything that car does. It may, or may not be, the conditions of the road, or how someone else is driving that is under our control. What ever we find we must be ready to accept the responsibility to keep things going correctly. True, we cannot control the other drivers, but if we are alert, and keeping our car under control, we can save ourselves.
If your tired, stop, rest and then go on. If you are not well, don't get in the car. If you have to take any kind of medication that could cause you to be less alert, get someone else to drive you, or stay home until you are sure you have yourself capable of doing what may need to be done.
Remember one very important thing as well. If you keep the Commandments of the LORD, you have no need to ignore the Laws of the Road. If it says 25 miles an hour, drive 25 miles an hour in that area. If you follow the guide lines that are marked along the way, you won't get into trouble, or pay high prices for tickets that you don't need. Be a good driver. Be alert and careful. Driving is something that has become so necessary in the time in which we live. No horse and buggy for us. Make sure you leave the house with ample time to make it to your appointed place and ON TIME. MORMON STANDARD TIME is not acceptable. If you know the time you are to be someplace, make sure you give yourself ample time to get ready, leave and arrive with time to spare. Don't slide into the Parking Lot, Jump out of the car and Run to get where you are suppose to be. Now, I am not saying there will be times you can't make it due to traffic, or something that is beyond your control, but NEVER leave it up to chance. Keep yourself ever ready to do what needs to be done with thought and preparation. There will be times when you will be called upon to do something in an emergency. That is when you will need to get a grip on yourself and become part of the solution not part of a problem.
So you want to drive? DO IT - but remember that when you are behind the wheel of any moving object, you can come to one quick stop that could mean the very end of health or life. Your choice, choose very carefully.
Written this 5th day of March 2014
by: Eileen C. Rosenberg
In a learning experience it was one thing, but on a main street in town, outside the Post Office, it was just a bit more! At least I was alone at the time. Didn't have either of the children with me to keep calm while I went about getting a flat off and the spare on. Oh, and then it was a full size tire. It had been raining, so that added to the problem. I got the car jacked up, and with every bit of leverage I could manage finally got the lug nuts removed and the tire off. Now with my size at the time, not being height alone, it was a job. I was able to get the tire out of the trunk, put the flat in, and then go about mounting the spare. One middle aged man offered to help, but I explained that I wanted to do it. He stayed handy, but didn't try to stop me from what I was successfully doing.
I made sure all the lug nuts were secure. Then I let the car back down and went on my way feeling quite satisfied that I had been able to care for myself in such a circumstance! I still believe that if young ladies want to drive, they should have their Dad or Brother help them learn how to take care of themselves when they are out alone with a car. To be able to change a tire, check the oil or in general have some understanding of the car they are driving will benefit their safety and security.
A young lady should also remember to have her cell phone charged and ready to get help when and where it might be needed. If there is an Insurance that covers Roadside Assistance, than by all means call and take advantage of it, but should something happen where there is a space where cell phones are not working, it will be important to be able to assist ones self in taking care of small emergencies.
It doesn't take up much space to keep a Jumper Cable handy in the truck either. Small preparations are so vital when one is out and about alone. We don't live in a climate where other emergency supplies might be of help, but if one should be living where it could get cold suddenly, it is always wise to keep Space Blankets in the trunk, or under the front seat. Always have a flash light of some sort as well. One with a red portion will be good in case of an accident. Uncle Paul always made sure he had flares in case of an accident. Many a time he stopped to put out flares when he came upon an accident while driving. The Highway Patrol was always please to replace what he had put out.
Driving is one of things we should not take for granted. It is something that should be done with great care. When our children were ready to drive the first thing I told them was that I was putting a weapon in their care. One false or careless action could be deadly to themselves and any number of other people. They were to remember that speed might be exciting, but being able to control the car was far more important!
Driving in all kinds of weather conditions brought different kinds of hazards and thought should be given to the type of road conditions. The first rain was cause to watch. The road glaze from so much summer use caused road slick that could mean hydroplaning and traction of the tires on the road could be difficult. Thus the car could do all sorts of strange things. Learning to steer when those kinds of things happen will be vital to safety within the car and without as well.
I remember hitting a street where someone had been washing out a Filling Station area. It washed out a slick that I drove over and lost traction in a second. I had a car full of Sisters I had taken to a meeting. The car began to fish tail. Fortunately I had been taught to turn into the various turns the car took. Within a few seconds I had the car under control, we were past the danger area and we continued our journey. Had I not known what to do, we could have gone into a spin, even caused us to roll over. It would have only taken a few seconds and there could have been some serious injuries or even deaths. We can never take driving as a casual thing. Once we get behind the wheel of a car, once we turn on the engine and start moving, we are responsible for everything that car does. It may, or may not be, the conditions of the road, or how someone else is driving that is under our control. What ever we find we must be ready to accept the responsibility to keep things going correctly. True, we cannot control the other drivers, but if we are alert, and keeping our car under control, we can save ourselves.
If your tired, stop, rest and then go on. If you are not well, don't get in the car. If you have to take any kind of medication that could cause you to be less alert, get someone else to drive you, or stay home until you are sure you have yourself capable of doing what may need to be done.
Remember one very important thing as well. If you keep the Commandments of the LORD, you have no need to ignore the Laws of the Road. If it says 25 miles an hour, drive 25 miles an hour in that area. If you follow the guide lines that are marked along the way, you won't get into trouble, or pay high prices for tickets that you don't need. Be a good driver. Be alert and careful. Driving is something that has become so necessary in the time in which we live. No horse and buggy for us. Make sure you leave the house with ample time to make it to your appointed place and ON TIME. MORMON STANDARD TIME is not acceptable. If you know the time you are to be someplace, make sure you give yourself ample time to get ready, leave and arrive with time to spare. Don't slide into the Parking Lot, Jump out of the car and Run to get where you are suppose to be. Now, I am not saying there will be times you can't make it due to traffic, or something that is beyond your control, but NEVER leave it up to chance. Keep yourself ever ready to do what needs to be done with thought and preparation. There will be times when you will be called upon to do something in an emergency. That is when you will need to get a grip on yourself and become part of the solution not part of a problem.
So you want to drive? DO IT - but remember that when you are behind the wheel of any moving object, you can come to one quick stop that could mean the very end of health or life. Your choice, choose very carefully.
Written this 5th day of March 2014
by: Eileen C. Rosenberg
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Oh Yes, The Movies
Thought I would express a word or two about Movies. During the early days of Movie Making they didn't have a lot of money I guess. The Silent Movies were great for their time, but seem a little 'hoakey' to me when I look at them. Of course even at my age, they were out of date when I was going to the Movies as a kid. I had the joy of seeing some of the best, and would stay to see some of them twice they were so go.
Back then, once you were in the Theater, you could stay, they just kept running the program over and over again.
During the Depression, which was my very early years, Movies were a great escape. There was little that people had to make their days brighter. My Dad always had work. The folks were ever mindful that we kids were able to have some fun. It might not be much, but we did some great things as a family. I believe I have mentioned in previous Bolgs' that we had a car, but we seldom used it. When we wanted to go someplace, we used "shanks ponies" and stretched our legs and walked. Always as a family, or at least me along with my two brothers.
Saturday was Movie Day. That was then they made REAL MOVIES. Something you could go to and set in and be uplifted and enjoy yourself. You weren't bombarded with car crashes or everyone shooting or a lot of physical activity on the screen. No those were the days when they had a story line. When they had a moral to their base, and characters that were telling their story with as much normal action as we could believe. No fake stuff, well, there was, but it was so fake, it didn't even fool a kid my age. Most of that was in the Serials they played every Saturday for the kids. Things like "Buck Rogers" which was suppose to be a space thing, but all the rocket ships and the space scenes were so weird that it was not the least bit in any form, reality. But they were entertaining and fun anyway.
There were the Cowboy hero films that all the kids loved. In fact many of them turned up on TV when it was in it's earliest times. We don't ever see them now. They aren't 'hip' enough, or what ever the 'in' word is these days. It seems, from all I see, that unless you are scared half out of your seat, it isn't in the Movies anymore. I recall the one film I went to that had me spending most of my time under the seat. That was
"King Kong". Now when I see scenes from it, I realize just how fake that was, but it still scared me when I was in the theater that Saturday. Ronald laughed at me. I wonder how he really felt, now that I look back on it?
There were the Cartoons that we all laughed at, and the Comedy Films that kept us in stitches. There were the Adventure Films and the Historical Melodrama Films that I liked so much. I remember when Color came out and we saw "Robin Hood" for the first time. Man what a thrill. The Kids shows that came out and we all were so thrilled. "Cinderella", "Bambi", "Dumbo" to name some. The Love Stories were so well done and their was no foul language or sex scenes. The entire experience of going to the Movies was for entertainment and we were certainly entertained. Some of the great stars of those days were: Lorretta Young, Carol Lombard, Madelaine Carrol, Clodette Colbert, Cary Grant, Errol Flynn, Clark Gable, Gary Cooper and of course the Cowboy Stars like Tom Mix, Richard Dix, Hop-a-long Cassidy, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers and back then even John Wayne. He became better know much later in different rolls and was great in everything he did.
No language that would cause for alarm and no action that was unkind to the younger viewers. Yes, we were blessed. I am grateful for the TV re-runs of many if not most of those old movies. The comedy ones are still funny, the action ones are still exciting, or at least to me, and the love stories are just a sweet and delightful as they were back then, when I didn't know a lot about what they all ment at the time. Innocence is so special and it is a shame that it is no longer valued. Language has slipped into such a sink hole that it is unfortunate. Relationships with individuals is portrayed in such a way, so out fashion that it boggles the mind trying to figure out just what the writers and producers are thinking about. Most of what is projected is so far a field from normal life as we know it, that is is unreal. Moral standards have been shot full of holes in the many formats they are producing for not only the movies but for TV as well. It is so bad, in my opinion that very little of reality is out there for the normal person to view.
Sex is the means for selling most everything on TV. In fact when they started using it to sell 'hamburgers'
I really decided someone had slipped a cog in the advertising business. I don't need to be exposed to such junk as they are producing today, so I don't watch much TV and I rarely ever go to a movie theater. I have walked out of a number of theaters when what I saw or heard so insulted my intelligence that I wouldn't spend another minute wasting my time. At one of those times, the Manager of the theater heard my loud disgust at what had just be said and apologized to me. I think he was even upset that such language was coming out of the speakers, and the mouth of a women no less. Well it taught me well that I didn't need to waste my time or money being insulted. I don't even want to hear one bad word, or watch one insulting scene between a man and women. I am not a prude. I just like to think of myself as having good sense and good judgement in what I want to see and hear. For I realize what goes into the mind is something that stays in the mind. No scrubbing will remove it.
I loved the Movies and I loved going to the Theater. I have been fortunate to see some great Stage Plays and Productions. My Dad and Mother wanted us kids to be raised with cultural backgrounds. We were taken to some of the nicest places to eat and then out to see a great live show in Los Angeles. I was and am grateful for their careful teachings and guidance in such things. I have enjoyed Musicals and Drama in live as well at the Movies. I have seen Variety Shows on the Stage in person and on the Movie Screens. I have even performed on the stages of some of those theaters. That was before the days that the live entertainment in between the Movies was no longer deemed necessary. Of course in those days they gave away glass ware and dishes too. Things were a great deal different back then. There were the nights when they had sneak previews. I think I have talked about those before as well. It was such a great thing to see the big lights in the sky outside the Theater announcing there would be a special showing. It didn't cost any more to get in, but it was a thrill to see the first showing of a new Film. One never knew what it would be but everyone was excited to watch and then fill out their suggestion cards at the end. If one was lucky they could catch a glimpse of one or more of the Stars as they left the show. Been there to get the reaction of the audience, don't you know.
Well like most of what I have experienced in my life, things change, and in this case I have to admit I don't think the change has been to the better. The cost has risen and the content has sunk way low. One is not given entertainment, one is exposed to all sorts of unusual action that is so far fetched that it is stupid. I just recently saw one of the old Musicals called "That's Entertainment". Yes, it was! They don't make things like that anymore. They say it would be too expensive. I don't believe it could be any more expensive than what they crank out of their Tech Labs and Computer set ups. It just is they don't have the talent to display. All the singers yell now, they don't style a song. Even the old songs they have to sing out of style and yell the lyrics. They kill the Star Spangled Banner with all their catterwalling and screaming. I have even heard them do a 'job' on America the Beautiful. Apparently nothing is sacred to them. Actors and Actresses that have to reduce themselves to such low levels to put a Film together have never studied what went before, or they would have known that what they are acting in not life, or at least not normal life. I guess the old adage of'
'you get what you pay for' has a whole new meaning in today's standards.
I'll take the good old days when their were Stars who made entertaining Movies. I know the Studios were different back then and molded their Stars and watch over their actions on an off the screen. They guarded their moral code and had ways of keeping things in check. I realize they did have a strict code that had to be followed. A shame that the one they use today only tells how bad the action and language is, not what is in good taste. Even their way of trying to let the public know what is in any given film, they lack the ability to even keep that in any kind of order that the public can really tell.
Well, these are the signs of the time. Everyone has their Agency to make the choices of what they will watch. As for me, I choose not to be part of what is being produced. No, not even on TV, and I pay a lot of money for no more than I do watch. Even the NEWS programs are so bulked up with commercials it takes more time to wade through them. I certainly don't feel like I am getting much for what I pay for.
They don't play Hop-a-Long Cassidy either, or the Cisco Kid. Now there was some real good adventure and moral watching. I did like the Long Ranger too! Well not the new one they turned out. It looked as if it might have come out of the brain of some horror writer? I guess if you want to remake something that was good once, you have to tweak it a bit. Life has it's changes and I am too old to adjust to what they are cranking out as entertainment. Just a cranky old lady here I guess. I do however wish my growing family could look forward to enjoying some of the great things that I was able to enjoy. I wish there were Comedians like Red Skelton, Danny Kaye, Jimmy Durante, Martha Raye, Joan Davis and the venues they played. Why there were the friendly competitions of Bing Crosby and Bob Hope, Jack Benny and Fred Allen. There were the fun Fibber McGee and Molly and so many others that made the nights fun and the air bright with laughter that was uplifting and enlightening. Chuckles that returned until the next time you saw or heard them.
We need a lot of laughter and we need a lot of love, real love to make the days great and happy. No long faces, no heads full of things to make them scared or unhappy. We had some wonderful things to share, and OH, how I wish we had a number of them around right now as well.
This is a wonderful world, and there is a lot of wonderful things in it to make us happy and proud and loved and needed. We need lifting and patted on the back for the goodness that is in each of us. We need the entertainment and laughs that brighten our days and brings happiness in to our lives. We need a lot of what is lacking in the society we are dealing with daily. Too many heads are bowed over small phones that keep them connected to each other, but they have little time to look up and enjoy the things around them. Life is short, it slips away from us one minute at a time. On day at a time, one week at a time. Before the child realizes they are not children any longer. It happens, I can testify to it. I have had a great life. I have enjoyed many things, but most of all I have enjoyed my family. I hope in some way I have put into their lives some of the good that was placed into mine by parents who wanted me to see and experience good things. There are so many around us all the time, but in today's society, it appears one has to dig deep to find them.
Technology has run us right into a whole new way of living. Being as old as I am, I don't find it a place I fit very well. Even the Cell Phones have advance too far for me to manage. How far we have come in so short a time. It must be time for me to slip into the past and let the rest of the world go rapidly by. I won't go quietly however, I have to have my say. I have to leave some word of caution to those who may read my 'rambling'. Don't allow the world to tell you what is good. Don't let the modern things so catch your attention that you forget to enjoy the greatest gifts that God has left here for us. Stop and smell the roses. Lend an ear to the sweet sounds of nature. Wind in the trees, birds singing, animals exploring and playing, the smell of the grass being mowed and the happiness of children laughing. Make the day the best you can, look for the good around you, enjoy being part of something so wonderful as the family you have been blessed with. Gain your place in life by being all that you can be. Love deeply, Laugh from the very bottom of yourself, and touch life with a heart and soul full of gratitude for what you have been blessed with. Be free to enjoy this life, and to return each day with a happy heart in what you accomplish with the time you have been given. Nothing lasts forever, but while you have it, embrace it, and appreciate it. With all my love, now and forever.
Written this 27th day of February 2014
by: Eileen Rosenberg
Back then, once you were in the Theater, you could stay, they just kept running the program over and over again.
During the Depression, which was my very early years, Movies were a great escape. There was little that people had to make their days brighter. My Dad always had work. The folks were ever mindful that we kids were able to have some fun. It might not be much, but we did some great things as a family. I believe I have mentioned in previous Bolgs' that we had a car, but we seldom used it. When we wanted to go someplace, we used "shanks ponies" and stretched our legs and walked. Always as a family, or at least me along with my two brothers.
Saturday was Movie Day. That was then they made REAL MOVIES. Something you could go to and set in and be uplifted and enjoy yourself. You weren't bombarded with car crashes or everyone shooting or a lot of physical activity on the screen. No those were the days when they had a story line. When they had a moral to their base, and characters that were telling their story with as much normal action as we could believe. No fake stuff, well, there was, but it was so fake, it didn't even fool a kid my age. Most of that was in the Serials they played every Saturday for the kids. Things like "Buck Rogers" which was suppose to be a space thing, but all the rocket ships and the space scenes were so weird that it was not the least bit in any form, reality. But they were entertaining and fun anyway.
There were the Cowboy hero films that all the kids loved. In fact many of them turned up on TV when it was in it's earliest times. We don't ever see them now. They aren't 'hip' enough, or what ever the 'in' word is these days. It seems, from all I see, that unless you are scared half out of your seat, it isn't in the Movies anymore. I recall the one film I went to that had me spending most of my time under the seat. That was
"King Kong". Now when I see scenes from it, I realize just how fake that was, but it still scared me when I was in the theater that Saturday. Ronald laughed at me. I wonder how he really felt, now that I look back on it?
There were the Cartoons that we all laughed at, and the Comedy Films that kept us in stitches. There were the Adventure Films and the Historical Melodrama Films that I liked so much. I remember when Color came out and we saw "Robin Hood" for the first time. Man what a thrill. The Kids shows that came out and we all were so thrilled. "Cinderella", "Bambi", "Dumbo" to name some. The Love Stories were so well done and their was no foul language or sex scenes. The entire experience of going to the Movies was for entertainment and we were certainly entertained. Some of the great stars of those days were: Lorretta Young, Carol Lombard, Madelaine Carrol, Clodette Colbert, Cary Grant, Errol Flynn, Clark Gable, Gary Cooper and of course the Cowboy Stars like Tom Mix, Richard Dix, Hop-a-long Cassidy, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers and back then even John Wayne. He became better know much later in different rolls and was great in everything he did.
No language that would cause for alarm and no action that was unkind to the younger viewers. Yes, we were blessed. I am grateful for the TV re-runs of many if not most of those old movies. The comedy ones are still funny, the action ones are still exciting, or at least to me, and the love stories are just a sweet and delightful as they were back then, when I didn't know a lot about what they all ment at the time. Innocence is so special and it is a shame that it is no longer valued. Language has slipped into such a sink hole that it is unfortunate. Relationships with individuals is portrayed in such a way, so out fashion that it boggles the mind trying to figure out just what the writers and producers are thinking about. Most of what is projected is so far a field from normal life as we know it, that is is unreal. Moral standards have been shot full of holes in the many formats they are producing for not only the movies but for TV as well. It is so bad, in my opinion that very little of reality is out there for the normal person to view.
Sex is the means for selling most everything on TV. In fact when they started using it to sell 'hamburgers'
I really decided someone had slipped a cog in the advertising business. I don't need to be exposed to such junk as they are producing today, so I don't watch much TV and I rarely ever go to a movie theater. I have walked out of a number of theaters when what I saw or heard so insulted my intelligence that I wouldn't spend another minute wasting my time. At one of those times, the Manager of the theater heard my loud disgust at what had just be said and apologized to me. I think he was even upset that such language was coming out of the speakers, and the mouth of a women no less. Well it taught me well that I didn't need to waste my time or money being insulted. I don't even want to hear one bad word, or watch one insulting scene between a man and women. I am not a prude. I just like to think of myself as having good sense and good judgement in what I want to see and hear. For I realize what goes into the mind is something that stays in the mind. No scrubbing will remove it.
I loved the Movies and I loved going to the Theater. I have been fortunate to see some great Stage Plays and Productions. My Dad and Mother wanted us kids to be raised with cultural backgrounds. We were taken to some of the nicest places to eat and then out to see a great live show in Los Angeles. I was and am grateful for their careful teachings and guidance in such things. I have enjoyed Musicals and Drama in live as well at the Movies. I have seen Variety Shows on the Stage in person and on the Movie Screens. I have even performed on the stages of some of those theaters. That was before the days that the live entertainment in between the Movies was no longer deemed necessary. Of course in those days they gave away glass ware and dishes too. Things were a great deal different back then. There were the nights when they had sneak previews. I think I have talked about those before as well. It was such a great thing to see the big lights in the sky outside the Theater announcing there would be a special showing. It didn't cost any more to get in, but it was a thrill to see the first showing of a new Film. One never knew what it would be but everyone was excited to watch and then fill out their suggestion cards at the end. If one was lucky they could catch a glimpse of one or more of the Stars as they left the show. Been there to get the reaction of the audience, don't you know.
Well like most of what I have experienced in my life, things change, and in this case I have to admit I don't think the change has been to the better. The cost has risen and the content has sunk way low. One is not given entertainment, one is exposed to all sorts of unusual action that is so far fetched that it is stupid. I just recently saw one of the old Musicals called "That's Entertainment". Yes, it was! They don't make things like that anymore. They say it would be too expensive. I don't believe it could be any more expensive than what they crank out of their Tech Labs and Computer set ups. It just is they don't have the talent to display. All the singers yell now, they don't style a song. Even the old songs they have to sing out of style and yell the lyrics. They kill the Star Spangled Banner with all their catterwalling and screaming. I have even heard them do a 'job' on America the Beautiful. Apparently nothing is sacred to them. Actors and Actresses that have to reduce themselves to such low levels to put a Film together have never studied what went before, or they would have known that what they are acting in not life, or at least not normal life. I guess the old adage of'
'you get what you pay for' has a whole new meaning in today's standards.
I'll take the good old days when their were Stars who made entertaining Movies. I know the Studios were different back then and molded their Stars and watch over their actions on an off the screen. They guarded their moral code and had ways of keeping things in check. I realize they did have a strict code that had to be followed. A shame that the one they use today only tells how bad the action and language is, not what is in good taste. Even their way of trying to let the public know what is in any given film, they lack the ability to even keep that in any kind of order that the public can really tell.
Well, these are the signs of the time. Everyone has their Agency to make the choices of what they will watch. As for me, I choose not to be part of what is being produced. No, not even on TV, and I pay a lot of money for no more than I do watch. Even the NEWS programs are so bulked up with commercials it takes more time to wade through them. I certainly don't feel like I am getting much for what I pay for.
They don't play Hop-a-Long Cassidy either, or the Cisco Kid. Now there was some real good adventure and moral watching. I did like the Long Ranger too! Well not the new one they turned out. It looked as if it might have come out of the brain of some horror writer? I guess if you want to remake something that was good once, you have to tweak it a bit. Life has it's changes and I am too old to adjust to what they are cranking out as entertainment. Just a cranky old lady here I guess. I do however wish my growing family could look forward to enjoying some of the great things that I was able to enjoy. I wish there were Comedians like Red Skelton, Danny Kaye, Jimmy Durante, Martha Raye, Joan Davis and the venues they played. Why there were the friendly competitions of Bing Crosby and Bob Hope, Jack Benny and Fred Allen. There were the fun Fibber McGee and Molly and so many others that made the nights fun and the air bright with laughter that was uplifting and enlightening. Chuckles that returned until the next time you saw or heard them.
We need a lot of laughter and we need a lot of love, real love to make the days great and happy. No long faces, no heads full of things to make them scared or unhappy. We had some wonderful things to share, and OH, how I wish we had a number of them around right now as well.
This is a wonderful world, and there is a lot of wonderful things in it to make us happy and proud and loved and needed. We need lifting and patted on the back for the goodness that is in each of us. We need the entertainment and laughs that brighten our days and brings happiness in to our lives. We need a lot of what is lacking in the society we are dealing with daily. Too many heads are bowed over small phones that keep them connected to each other, but they have little time to look up and enjoy the things around them. Life is short, it slips away from us one minute at a time. On day at a time, one week at a time. Before the child realizes they are not children any longer. It happens, I can testify to it. I have had a great life. I have enjoyed many things, but most of all I have enjoyed my family. I hope in some way I have put into their lives some of the good that was placed into mine by parents who wanted me to see and experience good things. There are so many around us all the time, but in today's society, it appears one has to dig deep to find them.
Technology has run us right into a whole new way of living. Being as old as I am, I don't find it a place I fit very well. Even the Cell Phones have advance too far for me to manage. How far we have come in so short a time. It must be time for me to slip into the past and let the rest of the world go rapidly by. I won't go quietly however, I have to have my say. I have to leave some word of caution to those who may read my 'rambling'. Don't allow the world to tell you what is good. Don't let the modern things so catch your attention that you forget to enjoy the greatest gifts that God has left here for us. Stop and smell the roses. Lend an ear to the sweet sounds of nature. Wind in the trees, birds singing, animals exploring and playing, the smell of the grass being mowed and the happiness of children laughing. Make the day the best you can, look for the good around you, enjoy being part of something so wonderful as the family you have been blessed with. Gain your place in life by being all that you can be. Love deeply, Laugh from the very bottom of yourself, and touch life with a heart and soul full of gratitude for what you have been blessed with. Be free to enjoy this life, and to return each day with a happy heart in what you accomplish with the time you have been given. Nothing lasts forever, but while you have it, embrace it, and appreciate it. With all my love, now and forever.
Written this 27th day of February 2014
by: Eileen Rosenberg
Then There Was Music
We live in a day and age when we have more noise than Music. The beat of the Drums seem to be what is the major part of any piece that is Banging out of car radios as I drive down the Streets. What is being done to the tender ears of those in the cars I pass, I have no idea. I only know that what I hear is NOT MUSIC.
Guess it gives away my ancient age when I make a statement like that. So be it! There is nothing so sweet as a Melody that soothes the ears and makes the heart beat in mellow rhythm.
Back when I was still quite small - maybe 7 or 8 years of age, I went to a Movie - Ziegfield Follies - that was a Broadway Show that was one of the highlights of New York. The sets were spectacular and the girls were dressed in lovely gowns and wore fancy head dresses. In one particular scene Dennis Morgan stood on a huge staircase surrounded by these girls and sang "A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody". I can still hear the Music and Lyrics in my head after all these years. "A pretty girl, is like a melody, that haunts you night and
day. Just like the strains of a haunting refrain, she'll start upon a marathon and run around your brain. You can't forget her, she's in your memory, morning, night and noon. She will leave you, and then, she will come back again. A Pretty Girl Is Just Like A Melody". Now, that is MUSIC!
I am not into Opera. Though I am sure it is wonderful, just not what touches my soul and brings the bright lights into my eyes. Music speaks to the soul and is uplifting. Brings hope and insight into ones very being.
It isn't loud, or hard, is can be jazzy, even have a bit of razz-ma-taz and still be MUSIC. During my youth I know there were a few crazy songs that were popular, but that was mainly their lyrics. Like "Ashe-b-del-a-zuch, Castle Abbey. That a Little English Town by the sea. Where the skies are full of blue and the cows are full of moo. In Ashe-b-del-a-zuch by the sea!".
During the Second World War we were blessed with so much Good Music. There were the Big Bands and the Musicality of the performers. The Soloists, the Groups that belted out the songs with such delight. Every toe tapped and everyone knew every word, but didn't blend in just mouth the words as the singers gave out
with the tunes. That was when Frank Sinatra, Frankie Layne, Mel Torme, Ginny Simms, Lena Horne, Doris Day, Vaughn Monroe, Vic Damon and so many others were getting started. There were the groups that were so great at that same time. One of my very special favorites were the Lettermen. Oh, and who could ever forget the Williams Brothers or the Ink Spots. The olde master Bing Crosby was well established before that time, but he wasn't behind in any of the others you can bet on that.
Being War Time of course the songs were about the Army, and Coming Home Again. Of sweethearts and of the longing of being together. "I'll Be Home For Christmas", "Don't Set Under The Apple Tree With Anyone Else But Me.", "I'll Be Loving You Always", "Bugle Boy From Company 'B', "You're In The Army Now", "Off We Go Into The Wild Blue Yonder" and of course the many sound tracks of the many Movies that told stories of the War and of the men and women who were to live with the dangers and the time of separations. Oh, those were the days when Music spelled out the true feelings of those who were caught up in a time in History that is so sadly lost to the Generations of today. Most of what we lived during those years will never be found in History Books. Memories will slowly fade away and die, because those who were fortunate to have experienced them will die and not leave the least bit of their feelings behind to help their families carry on in even a small way what that time means to their everyday lives.
I remember singing many of the songs over and over when Jay and I would drive along on dates and after we married. We both loved them so much, and they were such a part of our lives at that time. How I fell for those who are young today. That which they classify as Music seems so lacking in the ability to lift them and make their day peaceful and delightful. No Melody to 'run around their brain'. Oh a 'beat' yes, but nothing
to inspire or bring the heart into a sweet pace that helps the whole being feel inspired. Nerves calm and
the mind relaxed and happy.
Music is so special. We enjoy the Hymns at Church because they feed the soul and bring to mind the love and enlightenment to our sacred sides. Their words tell of us such great things and help us learn, through
music what the heart and soul needs to understand. So should the music we listen to for recreation bring us into mellow and sweet mental avenues. When we aren't hearing tones and sounds that bring us into a peaceful place, we aren't really having enjoyment. Well, not in my way of thinking, anyway. I do Love Music. All kinds really, but I don't need 'high tech sound' to help me appreciate the notes that come out of instruments. I love the smooth and even beat of a drum. I will admit that Gene Krupa had a wild way of rapping the drums, but those were mainly in a solo break in a piece that let everyone know that he was a real artist. It was great to watch him, he was a showman, and he could rap out on those Drums like no one could believe. Then the Band went back to the regular Music, and the show went on. The Drum returned to the place it had in the arrangement. It was there, but it was not the BEAT.
I am grateful for the talent of those who can write, and even more so for those who can arrange a piece of Music so that every instrument has their part, and they blend and bring out the beauty of the notes that are on the page. To me Music is another language that has been given to us. Some can read it, but all can hear it. There are many types of Music, and for each, there is an audience. I do not care to take away from anyone what they consider their favorite. I just want to remember that which has brought me so many hours of great pleasure. And still hold such fond memories of times, places, people I don't ever want to forget. I guess it is part of me to love the finer things of the past. My Dad had a lovely voice, as did my Grand Father who sang on the Radio. Dad was a baritone and Grand Father a Tenor. I never heard them sing together but I bet they would have been great. I have sung, good, bad or indifferent all my life, and have enjoyed every minute of it. Now at my age, the voice is no longer of enough quality, and I certainly don't have the wind to maintain notes like I should, but I still sing out when I feel the music, and don't apologize for any lack I may have. After all, the Lord loves to hear us sing. I don't believe He is judging how well we do it, just if we have our HEART in it. I certainly put all my heart and soul into Music. One way I can express myself and be sure I am not insulting anyone.
I am sure when God made the world, He carefully left the Melody in everything He did. That is why their is so much beauty all around us. The wind in the trees, the sweet sound of water running and the clouds drifting lazily over the blue sky. The streaks of color when the sun rises and sets. The bright flash of lightening and the boom of the thunder. Music in a different form, but yet letting our ears and eyes know that there is so much to see, hear and enjoy. Shouldn't we be mindful of just how much Noise we bring into our lives. There is enough racket to jog our nerves, why ply our tender body parts with such crashing and abrasive sounds? I guess it is all in the eyes and ears of the beholder. Thankfully this beholder is grateful for the 'melody that runs around my brain'. I am happy to 'not forget it'!
Written this 27th day of February 2014
by: Eileen Rosenberg
Guess it gives away my ancient age when I make a statement like that. So be it! There is nothing so sweet as a Melody that soothes the ears and makes the heart beat in mellow rhythm.
Back when I was still quite small - maybe 7 or 8 years of age, I went to a Movie - Ziegfield Follies - that was a Broadway Show that was one of the highlights of New York. The sets were spectacular and the girls were dressed in lovely gowns and wore fancy head dresses. In one particular scene Dennis Morgan stood on a huge staircase surrounded by these girls and sang "A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody". I can still hear the Music and Lyrics in my head after all these years. "A pretty girl, is like a melody, that haunts you night and
day. Just like the strains of a haunting refrain, she'll start upon a marathon and run around your brain. You can't forget her, she's in your memory, morning, night and noon. She will leave you, and then, she will come back again. A Pretty Girl Is Just Like A Melody". Now, that is MUSIC!
I am not into Opera. Though I am sure it is wonderful, just not what touches my soul and brings the bright lights into my eyes. Music speaks to the soul and is uplifting. Brings hope and insight into ones very being.
It isn't loud, or hard, is can be jazzy, even have a bit of razz-ma-taz and still be MUSIC. During my youth I know there were a few crazy songs that were popular, but that was mainly their lyrics. Like "Ashe-b-del-a-zuch, Castle Abbey. That a Little English Town by the sea. Where the skies are full of blue and the cows are full of moo. In Ashe-b-del-a-zuch by the sea!".
During the Second World War we were blessed with so much Good Music. There were the Big Bands and the Musicality of the performers. The Soloists, the Groups that belted out the songs with such delight. Every toe tapped and everyone knew every word, but didn't blend in just mouth the words as the singers gave out
with the tunes. That was when Frank Sinatra, Frankie Layne, Mel Torme, Ginny Simms, Lena Horne, Doris Day, Vaughn Monroe, Vic Damon and so many others were getting started. There were the groups that were so great at that same time. One of my very special favorites were the Lettermen. Oh, and who could ever forget the Williams Brothers or the Ink Spots. The olde master Bing Crosby was well established before that time, but he wasn't behind in any of the others you can bet on that.
Being War Time of course the songs were about the Army, and Coming Home Again. Of sweethearts and of the longing of being together. "I'll Be Home For Christmas", "Don't Set Under The Apple Tree With Anyone Else But Me.", "I'll Be Loving You Always", "Bugle Boy From Company 'B', "You're In The Army Now", "Off We Go Into The Wild Blue Yonder" and of course the many sound tracks of the many Movies that told stories of the War and of the men and women who were to live with the dangers and the time of separations. Oh, those were the days when Music spelled out the true feelings of those who were caught up in a time in History that is so sadly lost to the Generations of today. Most of what we lived during those years will never be found in History Books. Memories will slowly fade away and die, because those who were fortunate to have experienced them will die and not leave the least bit of their feelings behind to help their families carry on in even a small way what that time means to their everyday lives.
I remember singing many of the songs over and over when Jay and I would drive along on dates and after we married. We both loved them so much, and they were such a part of our lives at that time. How I fell for those who are young today. That which they classify as Music seems so lacking in the ability to lift them and make their day peaceful and delightful. No Melody to 'run around their brain'. Oh a 'beat' yes, but nothing
to inspire or bring the heart into a sweet pace that helps the whole being feel inspired. Nerves calm and
the mind relaxed and happy.
Music is so special. We enjoy the Hymns at Church because they feed the soul and bring to mind the love and enlightenment to our sacred sides. Their words tell of us such great things and help us learn, through
music what the heart and soul needs to understand. So should the music we listen to for recreation bring us into mellow and sweet mental avenues. When we aren't hearing tones and sounds that bring us into a peaceful place, we aren't really having enjoyment. Well, not in my way of thinking, anyway. I do Love Music. All kinds really, but I don't need 'high tech sound' to help me appreciate the notes that come out of instruments. I love the smooth and even beat of a drum. I will admit that Gene Krupa had a wild way of rapping the drums, but those were mainly in a solo break in a piece that let everyone know that he was a real artist. It was great to watch him, he was a showman, and he could rap out on those Drums like no one could believe. Then the Band went back to the regular Music, and the show went on. The Drum returned to the place it had in the arrangement. It was there, but it was not the BEAT.
I am grateful for the talent of those who can write, and even more so for those who can arrange a piece of Music so that every instrument has their part, and they blend and bring out the beauty of the notes that are on the page. To me Music is another language that has been given to us. Some can read it, but all can hear it. There are many types of Music, and for each, there is an audience. I do not care to take away from anyone what they consider their favorite. I just want to remember that which has brought me so many hours of great pleasure. And still hold such fond memories of times, places, people I don't ever want to forget. I guess it is part of me to love the finer things of the past. My Dad had a lovely voice, as did my Grand Father who sang on the Radio. Dad was a baritone and Grand Father a Tenor. I never heard them sing together but I bet they would have been great. I have sung, good, bad or indifferent all my life, and have enjoyed every minute of it. Now at my age, the voice is no longer of enough quality, and I certainly don't have the wind to maintain notes like I should, but I still sing out when I feel the music, and don't apologize for any lack I may have. After all, the Lord loves to hear us sing. I don't believe He is judging how well we do it, just if we have our HEART in it. I certainly put all my heart and soul into Music. One way I can express myself and be sure I am not insulting anyone.
I am sure when God made the world, He carefully left the Melody in everything He did. That is why their is so much beauty all around us. The wind in the trees, the sweet sound of water running and the clouds drifting lazily over the blue sky. The streaks of color when the sun rises and sets. The bright flash of lightening and the boom of the thunder. Music in a different form, but yet letting our ears and eyes know that there is so much to see, hear and enjoy. Shouldn't we be mindful of just how much Noise we bring into our lives. There is enough racket to jog our nerves, why ply our tender body parts with such crashing and abrasive sounds? I guess it is all in the eyes and ears of the beholder. Thankfully this beholder is grateful for the 'melody that runs around my brain'. I am happy to 'not forget it'!
Written this 27th day of February 2014
by: Eileen Rosenberg
Thursday, January 30, 2014
What a Birthday Brings to Mind
Today is my daughters Birthday. She is in Serbia serving an 18 month Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints aka Mormon Church. I won't say which Birthday it happens to be today, not because I believe it isn't important, but because it hasn't any bearing on what is on my mind at present.
Jay and I were only blessed with two children. A Son Paul LaMar who was born 48 days before my 19th Birthday. He had a big head and large hands. He grew into both, and though he was very badly cross eyed, he grew out of that as well. Starting out as rather an odd looking baby, he soon grew into being a cute little thing, that unfortunately was mistaken as a 'girl'. No wonder seeings he had beautiful blue eyes and a mop of yellow curls, plus a smile that could charm anyone. Paul was friendly, happy and a joy to be around.
He was six (6) years old when he was finally changed from and 'only child' into a Big Brother. He had started Kindergarten and was anxious about whether he was going to have a little brother or sister. As you may well guess his parents were hoping for a girl to round out the family.
Dawn joined the Rosenberg Family 8 days before my 25th Birthday. I always teased Jay about that as I had told him I didn't want to have any children after I was 25. He was sneaky and slipped Dawn under that wire, so to speak. I am sure most of the family has heard that the night she decided to appear on the scene it was FOGGY. We inched our way from our home in Pico Rivera to Downey where my brother Ronald and his wife Willetta lived. They were to take care of Paul while Jay was at the hospital. Once we were able to drop Paul off safely, we started out for the Hospital that was just a short drive away. It seemed to take for-
ever. We had to really watch for the driveway into the parking lot. Once inside, it was determined that I would be awhile, so they told Jay to go back home. (The same thing they told him when I was expecting Paul). Of course, the problem was getting the Dr. to the hospital. I did my normal thing and progressed much faster than the nurses thought I would. Once again I was given something to slow the process down as the Dr. had not been able to get to the hospital. Fortunate for me two Doctors that I had been seen by, prior to my pregnancy were in the hospital. They couldn't leave due to the FOG, so they were setting by my side
talking when I woke up, well slightly that is. I asked who was there. They laughed and told me it was
Dr. Frost and Dr. Sylvester. If Dr. Bloomquist didn't get here in time, they were willing to deliver the baby.
Fortunately shortly after that Dr. Bloomquist burst into the delivery room and was able to assist Dawn into
her earth life. Jay was at home, as usual! They called him, the FOG was not as bad so he made it back to the hospital, but the person at the desk was told that under no circumstance were they to tell Jay the baby was born. Dr. Bloomquist wanted to tell Jay he had 'his girl'.
Dawn was a cute little baby. Beautiful Auburn hair that thrilled me to pieces. Unfortunately it turned blonde over night and I was heart broken. They explained to us she had a very large imbilical (sp) rupture. It was
the size of a silver $. She had difficulty keeping food down. We learned she needed to be burped prior to being fed. My mother made 'belly bands' for her which helped the weakness in her stomach muscles. It
was a constant worry that she could have problems and even pass away. We watched her constantly. Paul was great a setting by her bed and making sure she was O.K. while I had to be taking care of things around the house and cooking.
When Dawn was 9 months old she had grown, but the problem was only becoming more serious. It was decided an operation was in order. Dr. Crum was the surgeon who was recommended to us. I took her to the hospital after taken Paul to school and Jay to work. No pediatric care in the hospital. She looked so tiny in a regular hospital bed. It was about 9 am when they came to take her down to surgery. They picked her up and carried her down. She was quite happy and playful. When they brought her back she was slapping he hand over her face and smiling. I couldn't figure out what was the problem. The nurse came back from surgery and explained they had played with her with the mask to put her to sleep. She would try to push it away and they would laugh and put it back over her nose and mouth until she had received enough medication to put her to sleep. It was apparently a playful time to her, and didn't leave any sad effects on her. Dr. Crum came down and explained the surgery was pretty complicated, but he was able to repair the weakness. He felt Dawn was so tiny he couldn't repair the outer layer like normal, because he didn't want her to feel 'different' than other people, not having a 'belly button'. The incision he had made was a half moon directly under her navel. After she came around, I took her home. As I said they had to pediatric care, so she was better off at home. For them maybe, but it was a real nerve racking time for us. The second day after her surgery I had put her in the small rocking chair while I fixed her breakfast. When I looked back, she had slipped out of the rocker and was holding on the arm standing. She had never done that before. I dropped what I was doing and went to the phone and called Dr. Crum right away. He laughed at me and said: "don't worry, she won't do anything that will hurt her. For the first time in her life she had muscle strength she hasn't had before!". He was right, from then on, she was up and at it and had no fear. Became quite a monkey and could climb anything.
Paul was always proud of his 'little sister' and she of course wanted to be doing anything he did. Not a good thing. He was a 'boy' and didn't really think a 'little sister' was the right kind of 'playmate' for a 'big boy'.
She was more boy than 'little miss'. Loved working along side her Dad. Could do just about anything he could do before she was any size at all. A constant fight over tools when they were in the garage working on something. Many a time I would hear Jay yelling: "Charmaine, come and get this kid, I can't find any of my tools, she has them all over the place!" They would argue and carry on like you wouldn't believe, but never
seemed to want to do anything unless the other one was around.
Age didn't seem to change that much. I can remember when Dawn and Greg were first married, if we would go some place together. Greg walked next to me as we followed Jay and Dawn walking ahead of us sometimes hand in hand. I don't think they ever gave it a thought that they never lost the closeness they had from the time she was born. Jay never was a 'singer'. In fact one might say he couldn't sing. He often told the story about a class he had where the class was all singing. The teacher went up and down the isle listening. When she came to Jay she said: "you - shut up!" Well that never stopped him from singing to Dawn. When she was small, he worked Swing Shift. He would get ready for work, take Dawn and set in the rocker. Feed her and sing to her before putting her down for her nap. I could sing to her and she would never fall asleep. When he sang to her she went out like a light. I don't believe I will examine that further. She either loved his voice, or she was tired. You take your choice on that one.
I never had a sister, and for so many years I hoped for a little girl. I was blessed with a very deal little girl, but it never turned out to be the relationship I had envisioned. Instead of the close relationship I had envisioned I ended up with enjoying the loving and sweet relationship Dawn had with her Dad, like the one I had with mine. Believe me, I couldn't have wished more for her. She was blessed with a Dad who loved her like my Dad loved me. A choice relationship that is worth far more than Gold. Jay named her, and
cherished her. I have felt very blessed to have had them both in my life. Well I guess I should say all three of them in my life. Once a Mother, always a Mother. The best job in the whole world. Every Birthday has been a milestone in our lives. Each has added many more blessings than the ones before. The years just seem to roll by. The changes and adjustments make life both challenging and fun. It has been a very interesting life. School activities, projects, Scouts - both Boy and Girl. Church and the many things it has
added to our lives. Marriages, Grand Children, Great Grand Children and yes deaths. We have experienced them all. There will be more ahead, some of each I am sure. None of it can change the joy of being Family and sharing both the ups and downs. We all have things which made us happy and things that had made us all sad, but we have done them all together. That is what life is all about. Doing and growing and loving and sharing. I feel like Bob Hope - "thanks for the memories." I have certainly enjoyed the journey. Look forward to the winding down scenes as well. For I am one of the very blessed. I Know that Families Are Forever. I am grateful to be part of OURS!
Written this 30th day of January 2014
by: Eileen C. Rosenberg
Jay and I were only blessed with two children. A Son Paul LaMar who was born 48 days before my 19th Birthday. He had a big head and large hands. He grew into both, and though he was very badly cross eyed, he grew out of that as well. Starting out as rather an odd looking baby, he soon grew into being a cute little thing, that unfortunately was mistaken as a 'girl'. No wonder seeings he had beautiful blue eyes and a mop of yellow curls, plus a smile that could charm anyone. Paul was friendly, happy and a joy to be around.
He was six (6) years old when he was finally changed from and 'only child' into a Big Brother. He had started Kindergarten and was anxious about whether he was going to have a little brother or sister. As you may well guess his parents were hoping for a girl to round out the family.
Dawn joined the Rosenberg Family 8 days before my 25th Birthday. I always teased Jay about that as I had told him I didn't want to have any children after I was 25. He was sneaky and slipped Dawn under that wire, so to speak. I am sure most of the family has heard that the night she decided to appear on the scene it was FOGGY. We inched our way from our home in Pico Rivera to Downey where my brother Ronald and his wife Willetta lived. They were to take care of Paul while Jay was at the hospital. Once we were able to drop Paul off safely, we started out for the Hospital that was just a short drive away. It seemed to take for-
ever. We had to really watch for the driveway into the parking lot. Once inside, it was determined that I would be awhile, so they told Jay to go back home. (The same thing they told him when I was expecting Paul). Of course, the problem was getting the Dr. to the hospital. I did my normal thing and progressed much faster than the nurses thought I would. Once again I was given something to slow the process down as the Dr. had not been able to get to the hospital. Fortunate for me two Doctors that I had been seen by, prior to my pregnancy were in the hospital. They couldn't leave due to the FOG, so they were setting by my side
talking when I woke up, well slightly that is. I asked who was there. They laughed and told me it was
Dr. Frost and Dr. Sylvester. If Dr. Bloomquist didn't get here in time, they were willing to deliver the baby.
Fortunately shortly after that Dr. Bloomquist burst into the delivery room and was able to assist Dawn into
her earth life. Jay was at home, as usual! They called him, the FOG was not as bad so he made it back to the hospital, but the person at the desk was told that under no circumstance were they to tell Jay the baby was born. Dr. Bloomquist wanted to tell Jay he had 'his girl'.
Dawn was a cute little baby. Beautiful Auburn hair that thrilled me to pieces. Unfortunately it turned blonde over night and I was heart broken. They explained to us she had a very large imbilical (sp) rupture. It was
the size of a silver $. She had difficulty keeping food down. We learned she needed to be burped prior to being fed. My mother made 'belly bands' for her which helped the weakness in her stomach muscles. It
was a constant worry that she could have problems and even pass away. We watched her constantly. Paul was great a setting by her bed and making sure she was O.K. while I had to be taking care of things around the house and cooking.
When Dawn was 9 months old she had grown, but the problem was only becoming more serious. It was decided an operation was in order. Dr. Crum was the surgeon who was recommended to us. I took her to the hospital after taken Paul to school and Jay to work. No pediatric care in the hospital. She looked so tiny in a regular hospital bed. It was about 9 am when they came to take her down to surgery. They picked her up and carried her down. She was quite happy and playful. When they brought her back she was slapping he hand over her face and smiling. I couldn't figure out what was the problem. The nurse came back from surgery and explained they had played with her with the mask to put her to sleep. She would try to push it away and they would laugh and put it back over her nose and mouth until she had received enough medication to put her to sleep. It was apparently a playful time to her, and didn't leave any sad effects on her. Dr. Crum came down and explained the surgery was pretty complicated, but he was able to repair the weakness. He felt Dawn was so tiny he couldn't repair the outer layer like normal, because he didn't want her to feel 'different' than other people, not having a 'belly button'. The incision he had made was a half moon directly under her navel. After she came around, I took her home. As I said they had to pediatric care, so she was better off at home. For them maybe, but it was a real nerve racking time for us. The second day after her surgery I had put her in the small rocking chair while I fixed her breakfast. When I looked back, she had slipped out of the rocker and was holding on the arm standing. She had never done that before. I dropped what I was doing and went to the phone and called Dr. Crum right away. He laughed at me and said: "don't worry, she won't do anything that will hurt her. For the first time in her life she had muscle strength she hasn't had before!". He was right, from then on, she was up and at it and had no fear. Became quite a monkey and could climb anything.
Paul was always proud of his 'little sister' and she of course wanted to be doing anything he did. Not a good thing. He was a 'boy' and didn't really think a 'little sister' was the right kind of 'playmate' for a 'big boy'.
She was more boy than 'little miss'. Loved working along side her Dad. Could do just about anything he could do before she was any size at all. A constant fight over tools when they were in the garage working on something. Many a time I would hear Jay yelling: "Charmaine, come and get this kid, I can't find any of my tools, she has them all over the place!" They would argue and carry on like you wouldn't believe, but never
seemed to want to do anything unless the other one was around.
Age didn't seem to change that much. I can remember when Dawn and Greg were first married, if we would go some place together. Greg walked next to me as we followed Jay and Dawn walking ahead of us sometimes hand in hand. I don't think they ever gave it a thought that they never lost the closeness they had from the time she was born. Jay never was a 'singer'. In fact one might say he couldn't sing. He often told the story about a class he had where the class was all singing. The teacher went up and down the isle listening. When she came to Jay she said: "you - shut up!" Well that never stopped him from singing to Dawn. When she was small, he worked Swing Shift. He would get ready for work, take Dawn and set in the rocker. Feed her and sing to her before putting her down for her nap. I could sing to her and she would never fall asleep. When he sang to her she went out like a light. I don't believe I will examine that further. She either loved his voice, or she was tired. You take your choice on that one.
I never had a sister, and for so many years I hoped for a little girl. I was blessed with a very deal little girl, but it never turned out to be the relationship I had envisioned. Instead of the close relationship I had envisioned I ended up with enjoying the loving and sweet relationship Dawn had with her Dad, like the one I had with mine. Believe me, I couldn't have wished more for her. She was blessed with a Dad who loved her like my Dad loved me. A choice relationship that is worth far more than Gold. Jay named her, and
cherished her. I have felt very blessed to have had them both in my life. Well I guess I should say all three of them in my life. Once a Mother, always a Mother. The best job in the whole world. Every Birthday has been a milestone in our lives. Each has added many more blessings than the ones before. The years just seem to roll by. The changes and adjustments make life both challenging and fun. It has been a very interesting life. School activities, projects, Scouts - both Boy and Girl. Church and the many things it has
added to our lives. Marriages, Grand Children, Great Grand Children and yes deaths. We have experienced them all. There will be more ahead, some of each I am sure. None of it can change the joy of being Family and sharing both the ups and downs. We all have things which made us happy and things that had made us all sad, but we have done them all together. That is what life is all about. Doing and growing and loving and sharing. I feel like Bob Hope - "thanks for the memories." I have certainly enjoyed the journey. Look forward to the winding down scenes as well. For I am one of the very blessed. I Know that Families Are Forever. I am grateful to be part of OURS!
Written this 30th day of January 2014
by: Eileen C. Rosenberg
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