When I was a youngster the word CONFERENCE was not in my vocabulary, unknown , that is, until my Uncle Joe gave meaning to it.
My mother's sister, Ellen, was married to Uncle Joe. He was a railroad engineer for the Pennsylvania Railroad, with responsibility for hauling freight (mostly coal) out of Pittsburgh, Pa., where he and the family lived.
Every April, for as long as I can remember, Uncle attended a trainman's conference in Philadelphia. During those times he stayed with us to reduce the cost of the conference. I remember his genial manner and Irish wit.
I have always been interested in trains, sparked, I believe, by those early-day "seashore excursions" (MICKEY-MINNIE-PLUTO blog). Included in this interest is a funny family story that you will enjoy.
When my late mother-in-law's uncle came from Detroit for his yearly visit, they went sightseeing. On one particular visit, they attended the Ben Franklin Museum, in Philadelphia. In the museum basement was a mammoth railroad engine with a sign inviting people to step up into the cab. Inside the cab was a further sign marked "push," so Uncle complied. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MOVE FORWARD, my mother-in-law screamed, and Uncle jumped out of the cab. After moving forward about ten feet, the engine reversed to its starting position --a very realistic part of the exhibit to say the least.
So, dear readers, be selective in your pushing of buttons.
More, later.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
1920
The year 1920 was a year of beginnings, beginnings that included me. The truth will out, I'm in my ninetieth year!!
A number of significant events took place that year, as follows:
BASEBALL - Babe Ruth was sold by the Red Sox to the Yankees for $100,000, plus a $385,000 loan. Don't you suppose the Sox always regretted that sale as they watched THE HOUSE THAT RUTH BUILT become baseball's eternally-dominating team?
PROHIBITION - The 18th amendment that moved the liquor industry underground to the "speakeasy movement," and spawned people like Al Capone and his ilk.
VOTING - This was the year that my mother was able to vote for the first time. My parents always voted, no matter the importance of the ballot, and I have followed their example. In their retirement years they were poll-workers, earning what my mother called "pin money."
FOOTBALL - The American Pro Football League (later to become the National Football League), was formed in Canton, Ohio. Can you believe that the entrance fee was $100.00 for each of the twelve teams?
AIR FLIGHTS - The first commercial air flight was from Havana, Cuba, to Key West, Florida. I didn't have a plane ride until I was 34 years old, but in my later years, made up for that with plenty of business traveling.
THE TEST - Herman Rorsacheck invented the inkblot test, a personality and intelligence test interpreted by ink blots, to reveal intellectual and emotional factors. I could have benefited from such testing.
More, later.
A number of significant events took place that year, as follows:
BASEBALL - Babe Ruth was sold by the Red Sox to the Yankees for $100,000, plus a $385,000 loan. Don't you suppose the Sox always regretted that sale as they watched THE HOUSE THAT RUTH BUILT become baseball's eternally-dominating team?
PROHIBITION - The 18th amendment that moved the liquor industry underground to the "speakeasy movement," and spawned people like Al Capone and his ilk.
VOTING - This was the year that my mother was able to vote for the first time. My parents always voted, no matter the importance of the ballot, and I have followed their example. In their retirement years they were poll-workers, earning what my mother called "pin money."
FOOTBALL - The American Pro Football League (later to become the National Football League), was formed in Canton, Ohio. Can you believe that the entrance fee was $100.00 for each of the twelve teams?
AIR FLIGHTS - The first commercial air flight was from Havana, Cuba, to Key West, Florida. I didn't have a plane ride until I was 34 years old, but in my later years, made up for that with plenty of business traveling.
THE TEST - Herman Rorsacheck invented the inkblot test, a personality and intelligence test interpreted by ink blots, to reveal intellectual and emotional factors. I could have benefited from such testing.
More, later.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
A JAUNTING WE WILL GO
Jaunting car: a two-wheeled, horse-drawn cart, with two long benches facing outward (Webster).
Today is St. Patrick's Day - worldwide. A day for the wearing of Ireland's green, in honor of its patron saint. Green is the color of Ireland, as you may know, if you have visited the "old sod," as Dear Wife and I have done several times. Not only are you surrounded with green hills and fauna, but also with friendly people and entrancing history.
Jaunting cars are no longer in use, but when I was a youngster, I knew about them because of calendars. Every year we received a calendar from my Irish grandfather and it would have one of three themes: a jaunting car, a shamrock, or an Irish cottage with a thatched roof and a group of the smiling Irish in each scene.
In honor of the occasion my mother would serve dinner of corned beef and cabbage, with a side dish of potatoes (of course), and green beans or peas. For dessert we would have green lime Jello and green-decorated cookies.
Erin go bragh.
More, later.
Today is St. Patrick's Day - worldwide. A day for the wearing of Ireland's green, in honor of its patron saint. Green is the color of Ireland, as you may know, if you have visited the "old sod," as Dear Wife and I have done several times. Not only are you surrounded with green hills and fauna, but also with friendly people and entrancing history.
Jaunting cars are no longer in use, but when I was a youngster, I knew about them because of calendars. Every year we received a calendar from my Irish grandfather and it would have one of three themes: a jaunting car, a shamrock, or an Irish cottage with a thatched roof and a group of the smiling Irish in each scene.
In honor of the occasion my mother would serve dinner of corned beef and cabbage, with a side dish of potatoes (of course), and green beans or peas. For dessert we would have green lime Jello and green-decorated cookies.
Erin go bragh.
More, later.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
THE TASTE IS IN THE PUDDING
During a recent dinner visit to a friend's house, the genial host announced that he was going to make rice pudding. That remark triggered memories.
My mother made three puddings that were family favorites: rice, tapioca and vanilla. My favorite was vanilla pudding, served with applesauce.
Puddings during the Great Depression days were easy to make and the fixings were inexpensive to buy. Mom's rice pudding included raisins and it was topped with cinnamon. Yummy! It is still an acceptable home dessert today, but in most restaurants it cannot be found - not glamorous enough I suppose. However, you will find it in the Mom & Pop eating places.
Tapioca is a different story. I have not seen it on restaurant menus for years. Perhaps it's because people view it as my sister did, with an "Ugh, those things look like fish eyes!" Nevertheless, it was downed quickly at our table.
Vanilla pudding topped with applesauce is oh sooooo good. If we were fortunate, some of Mom's cookies were included.
Speaking of applesauce, I think it is a food-for-all-ages. My great-grandchildren love it and so does their great-grandfather - slathered on top of some vanilla ice cream, that too, is oh sooooo good.
When you see your family ingesting applesauce with gusto, you will know that it is a good choice.
More, later.
My mother made three puddings that were family favorites: rice, tapioca and vanilla. My favorite was vanilla pudding, served with applesauce.
Puddings during the Great Depression days were easy to make and the fixings were inexpensive to buy. Mom's rice pudding included raisins and it was topped with cinnamon. Yummy! It is still an acceptable home dessert today, but in most restaurants it cannot be found - not glamorous enough I suppose. However, you will find it in the Mom & Pop eating places.
Tapioca is a different story. I have not seen it on restaurant menus for years. Perhaps it's because people view it as my sister did, with an "Ugh, those things look like fish eyes!" Nevertheless, it was downed quickly at our table.
Vanilla pudding topped with applesauce is oh sooooo good. If we were fortunate, some of Mom's cookies were included.
Speaking of applesauce, I think it is a food-for-all-ages. My great-grandchildren love it and so does their great-grandfather - slathered on top of some vanilla ice cream, that too, is oh sooooo good.
When you see your family ingesting applesauce with gusto, you will know that it is a good choice.
More, later.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
THE FAMILY PET
"Let's all sing like the birdies sing, tweet-tweet-tweet-tweet-tweet." Does that give you a clue about the pet to be described? Just writing about this pet makes me smile.
When I improved my employment status from that of a delivery man to a shipyard worker (blog : A Presidential Smile), my income quadrupled. Suddenly, it seemed that I had more money than I could handle. Not exactly. Mom got half of my paycheck, a quarter went into a savings account, and the balance was mine to spend as I pleased.
Outside the shipyard gates there was always a bevy of vendors. On Fridays I would buy my mother some flowers. One Friday, however, I went all out and brought home a caged canary. My startled mother, once over her surprise, became excitedly happy about this gift. It soon became a family favorite. We enjoyed the bird for about two years when, suddenly, it died. My mother was saddened, but didn't want a replacement because the cycle would repeat itself.
During the Great Depression years, I don't recall a plethora of household pets such as we have today. I suppose that was because we didn't have the money for their upkeep.
I think we missed something in having a mostly petless household.
More, later.
When I improved my employment status from that of a delivery man to a shipyard worker (blog : A Presidential Smile), my income quadrupled. Suddenly, it seemed that I had more money than I could handle. Not exactly. Mom got half of my paycheck, a quarter went into a savings account, and the balance was mine to spend as I pleased.
Outside the shipyard gates there was always a bevy of vendors. On Fridays I would buy my mother some flowers. One Friday, however, I went all out and brought home a caged canary. My startled mother, once over her surprise, became excitedly happy about this gift. It soon became a family favorite. We enjoyed the bird for about two years when, suddenly, it died. My mother was saddened, but didn't want a replacement because the cycle would repeat itself.
During the Great Depression years, I don't recall a plethora of household pets such as we have today. I suppose that was because we didn't have the money for their upkeep.
I think we missed something in having a mostly petless household.
More, later.
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