Some memories, as I sit here thinking about Christmas in the long ago . . .
When I was 7, WWII was raging and most things were in short supply, including rubber items. This was being used in what was called "the war effort." My mother told me later that she had walked and walked through every store in town to find a doll for me. She finally found a Betsy Wetsy which came with bottle, diaper, and Q-tips! She had little rubber ears inserted into her hard skull and they could be cleaned nicely with the little Q-tips. I named this doll Elizabeth Ann and loved her and cared for her and played with her till it was time. In those days, one doll sufficed. My sister had a fancier doll named Mary Ann. One year, my mother made these two dolls winter coats and hats. Mary Ann's was bright royal blue and was trimmed with something that looked like ermine fur, including a matching hat. Elizabeth Ann's coat was a serviceable maroon corduroy with no matching hat. (Many years later, I received another doll - this time a live one - named Elizabeth Ann.)
This might have been the year that brothers Mark and Pat received new bikes, but I'm not sure. It could have been the year before. I know they were still pretty young to be riding bikes to Midnight Mass in deep snow. My dad laughed when they talked about trying to keep the bikes in tire tracks and sliding and slipping and falling down, but he didn't offer to drive them back home.
One other thing I remember about those wonderful Christmas dinners was that I was served Mogen David wine along with everyone else. From an early age. And one time, my mother was scrubbing the vestibule floor after Christmas and noticed an almost-empty Mogen David wine jug in the closet. She saw that it was just a swallow and decided to drink it and get rid of the jug. Simple as that. My brother Pat came upon her as she knelt there, jug to her lips, and shouted Mom, what's going on?
I hope all of you can remember really great things about your past Christmases.
Merry Christmas
Good memories, Mom. Merry Christmas. We'll see you later today.
We had some great Christmases - in the days before instant gratification. Longed for items weren't necessarily a given to be gotten. We didn't expect as much as our children do, though we made a long list from the Sears or Penney's catalog, going page by page and writing down just about anything and everything that would do.
Julia has no clue about economics. She asked for a Maltese puppy, a laptop, a new camera, and a few other items that wouldn't even be considered. Still, they were both happy this a.m. with what they received.
Michael gave me a Himalayan Salt rock lamp. I used to sell them at Synchronicity and still to this day - I think about taking them on the road to sell at outdoor markets on weekends. I never thought I'd have one of my own. I am thrilled and was totally surprised. I thought it was a box of chocolate covered cherries for me under the tree.
Merry Christmas to all. I don't send cards - guilt, guilt. I am my mother's daughter.
Merry Christmas to one and all! I always wondered why Dad would allow us a very minute amount of Mogen David at Christmas and maybe at Thanksgiving. I didn't like it then and I don't like it now.
I had quite the chuckle at work this morning about picturing Grandma kneeling by the closet drinking (!) much less out of a jug! My coworker had to come see what I was laughing about. Yes, working 7:00 - 4:00 today...
Keep the stories coming!
Laura -- I forgot to tell the ending of that story. When she was discovered, she shrieked, jumped up, and took out after a fleeing son who was moving at a very swift pace through the house. He later said he thought she was going to hurl the jug at him at any mmoment and he feared for his life. My dad, who could laugh at anything, almost choked when this tale was told.
Fun story (as usual) Aunt Ginnie. I asked my mom and she remembered the wine story as well. Funny. I would've loved to see Grandma and her shocked at being caught. And, Grandpa laughing! Keep the stories comin'.
Aunt Ginnie: I've never heard the wine story either--can imagine Grandma taking after Uncle Pat, funny story. I do remember Mary Ann---I remember her lying on the linen closet shelf in need of repair---not sure if she ever received it but know that Mom talked of this special doll. Hope you had a nice holiday.
Love the story, Mama! You're a great story teller. I had never heard that one before. Also never heard of Mogen David wine.
It is the most awful wine there is, Angela. I had a chicken recipe that called for it some years ago and there was enough left over to have a taste. Very sorry I did that. If I remember correctly, I think it came with a screwed-on cap. No idea how they stay in business.
I'm not sure how I feel about Butch getting cropped out of the family photo! However, I don't really have room to talk. Flick wasn't in a single family pic this season. (I don't really want to talk about it.)