I find myself thinking about my growing up years, and the special people, places and things that were part of those times. Pictures of school friends were an enjoyable past -time and I have many scrapbooks. Mama encouraged me to always put names on the back. I was a student in Mrs. Carroll's first grade class and remember our first grade play. Friends I will always cherish are pictured here. Some months ago the original picture was not in my picture album! Days of searching found it, and I was able to forward on to class members. Claire Allen Gaines was a classmate and friend.
Mama's aprons were special to me, in that she wore one most of any day that she was cooking or housework. Mama loved to cook and sew. My evening dresses were her creations, as she took out the McCalls patterns. Since Mother was a homemaker, she wore aprons to take care of her best dresses. I see customers in the fabric department of stores, but sewing is not so common. Mother's sewing machine is one of my keepsakes, though the old Singer is not used. I simply cannot part with that antique. When mama made her weekly trip to the grocery store, or to shop, she dressed up! She dressed us for Sunday School. Those things were important to her. I have to say that I was relieved not to wear gloves, as one very often did not make it home...
The View Master I received at Christmas one year was one of my favorite things, as my sister and I spent hours at this! There was the year she received her very own record player. We danced to all the popular songs. There was music at all our birthday parties! Music was enjoyed by our family.
I collect magazines, and should have a house-cleaning! Most young people would laugh at the televisions we all grew up with! This standalone piece of furniture came to our house one Saturday morning, with dad turning the knob to find Annie Oakley! This was a black and white television. This scene replays in my thoughts often, because he and mother were as excited as I was. There are several in our home, as most homes, but this occasion, back then, was unforgettable.
February is here! It's cold-then warm, but we know it is also a time to read, to prune various trees, to work on inside projects, and, as daddy would do, go through seed catalogs and plan the garden. I have always wondered how he managed to have healthy plants with little work. I remember that mama planted her bell peppers in flower beds close to the house. I read that because of COVID, we have up to 20 million new gardeners enjoying their own gardens.
February 17 we observe Presidents' Day. One of the great traditions followed for decades has been the reading of Washington's Farewell Address- which remains an annual event for the Senate to this day.
There is no unbelief;
Whoever plants a seed
beneath the sod. And
Waits to see it push away
the clod, He trusts in God.
Now, may the warming love of friends
Surround you as you go
Down the path of
Light and laughter
Where the happy memories grow.
~Helen Lowrie Marshall~
