Lucky Foods For New Years Day

You might need to cook these foods....to bring you luck!

Here are some foods that different cultures believe will bring you good fortune for the new year if you eat these foods on New Years Day.  I personally eat boiled cabbage so that I can have a jingle in my pocket and food in my belly all year long.  In various years eating cabbage brought me good luck...one year I went to the casino and won $4600 that day after eating boiled cabbage.  Another year I got an instant lottery ticket for $50.  The rest of the years we have always had enough food and plenty of jingle in our pockets.
 
1.    Hog jowl and cabbage - Southern USA....Low country
2.    Pork and sauerkraut - Germany.
3.    Collards, black eyed peas and cornbread - Southern USA (eat like a poor man on New Years Day and eat like a King the rest of the year).
4.    Herring, sour cream, onions - Polish
5.    Soba noodles with shrimp, snow peas and carrots (Asian)
6.    Spinach cooked with money in the bottom of the pan - ??
7.    Corned Beef and Cabbage - Someone in Illinois
8.    Hoppin John (rice black eyed peas and veggies)- Southern USA
9.    Lentils - Southern USA
10.  Meat Pies - Germany
11.  Black beans and yellow rice - Spanish tradition
12.  Pomegranates - Turkey/Mediterranean countries -
13. Citrus  (oranges and tangerines) - China
14.  Grapes - Spain
15.  Round cakes with rings baked in them - Greece/Italy/Netherlands/ Mexico
16.  Fish - the silver skin of the fish brings good luck - many cultures.


What not to eat: 
a.  Lobsters....they move backwards and by eating them it could mean a setback for you.

b.  Chicken - chickens scratch backwards so again it could mean a setback and could mean regret or dwelling on the past.

b.  Any fowl - because it has wings and good luck could fly away.

Always have a bit of each food on a plate after midnight - the Germans say it will guarantee a stocked pantry all year.  This is also true in the Philippines.

Make sure you eat lucky foods on New Years Day but don't be a little pig about it.....being too greedy means you will be visiting the gym a lot in the new year!!

*****************************

This last Friday of the old year, 2011, brings me to a point of finishing out the year for posting on this blog since the rebirth (of the blog earlier this year). 

There have been times when I questioned whether I made the right decision on the rebirth.....then in another time I was glad I did.  The indecision was quite hard for me.  It is difficult to continuously post and not really know for sure how the material is taken or perceived.  My mind reading abilities left me about the same time as my ability to read tea leaves and tell fortunes.

Even though I seldom get comments on this blog, I have to assume that the growing number of viewers has some credibility and people are actually reading the stuff I post.  I guess this is enough to keep me posting in the coming year.

I hope your new year brings you fame and fortune with good luck and good health thrown in as extras.  We all could use a little of each of these to brighten each and every day of our lives.

Happy New Year To You And Your Family.

Time Is Slipping Away...

Time Time Time

I remember "It's Howdy Doody Time".    That always gave me the sense of what time it was.  Time for fun!  But as a child, I didn't know what time really was.

We all know that in physics, time runs independently of anything else.  The hands of a clock can stop but time still runs on.  One of the first thing a child learns in school is how to tell time.  Why do we call it "tell time" is a question I've always had.  What the heck are we telling?

As a kid I always thought it was funny that our time in the place where I lived wasn't the same time where others lived.  And, as a really young child I had a hard time understanding how that could be....because the clock told me what time it was so how could it be different somewhere else....didn't they have the same clock as me??  But I didn't know about time zones because that was too complicated for a young child.....but I wondered without knowing about this.  The multiple clocks on the wall in the restaurant in Mason City and the time in different cities are what finally made me understand how time could be different in different places....any one else remember those clocks on the wall in that restaurant??  All I can say is thank goodness for Robertson's Cafe.

Tick tock goes the clock.....the mouse is running up and down the old clock as the old year winds down.  The new mouse is ready to hop on board when father time says it's time to put the old year to bed and wake the new year to its new beginning.  Another year down and another to begin....the story of all of our lives. 

The holidays are almost over.....the relatives have or soon will be gone and in their own homes (you can do your sigh of relief now).....leaving you with only "relative memories" in your home.    Auld Lang Syne (times gone by)!  Time to start thinking about the New Year and your goals for the year.  Maybe you have no goals but that in itself is a goal....to live life as it comes and to heck with goals, schedules and timetables.

Any way you look at it, we're going to have a new year here in a bit so get ready for the fireworks, buy the bottle of good cheer and heck with it, open the bottle and test it out now....a little good cheer ahead of time never hurt anyone!!

Vintage New Year Greetings (click on picture for larger view)

Thought Of The Day

If my doctor told me I had only

six minutes to live, I wouldn't brood. 

I'd type a little faster.

--Isaaic Asimov

The time of life is full of joy, hope, love, mystery, anticipation, wonder and exhilaration.   In the new year ....... Let us not forget old friends.  Let us not forget the friendship that binds us, unless you really don't like the person. 

Let us not think about too much, but not to the point of forgetting, our debtors in the final moments of the old year (believe me they won't let you forget them). 

Let us break bread together, but not at my house due to the many crumbs. 

Let us be one voice in the democracy for which this republic stands (tell that to our political leaders).

Let us be more tolerable to the many stupid people of the world.  And even more tolerable to those who think they are really smart but aren't.

Let us begin to see that people can change.  Let us hope that their change is for the better and not the opposite, because some are really almost a hopeless cause.

Let us remember those who have gone to heaven before us and thank goodness they were first in line.

Let us be thankful for what we have and not be shamed if we want more.

And last but not least, let me thank you for putting up with me and my trailer park humor....it ain't gonna change in the next year so if you ain't used to it yet, move on down the road!!

Please come again and visit my blog.  I  hope you have a good time and enjoy the history and humor. 

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See you next time.

Stupid Questions

Are there really stupid questions?

I think there are no stupid questions, just dumb answers.  But when I think of this I can think of some pretty stupid questions!!

Here's some:

If you buy a piece of land.....do you own it clear to the middle of the earth?

 Corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made form vegetables, what is baby oil made from?

Do blind people see their dreams?

Stairs on the inside but steps on the outside....why the difference?

It's just questions like this that will drive you batty.  Because there doesn't seem to be an answer.  Unless you have one for thers....and if you do please tell me!!


Old Things

Yes Charlie Brown old things wear out....and today I am worn out.  So I am going to cut this post short.  With the holidays I have become a bit worn out and the old mind is having a hard time doing anything, let alone write a long post for the sake of posting.  But I will be back tomorrow with a new post.  So come again and don't become discouraged as you're probably tired too and just won't admit it!

Another Old New Year's Greeting Card From 1916

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Counting Down to Resolution Time

One and a Two and a Three.....

We all know that the week after Christmas is when you start thinking about the many resolutions you will swear you will stick to come New Year's Day.  Just like Santa says HO HO HO.....what a bunch of malarkey because you know you won't stick to the list lying on your kitchen table.  At least I won't.....but we all mean well!!!

First of all there will be the "I swear I will not eat Chocolate".  How horrible this is for me......being a chocoholic!  I know I will write this down on my list and will try to do this and, probably at the stroke of midnight, if you would sneak into my house I will probably be chomping on the Hershey's bar that's in the refrigerator because it goes so well with a nice glass of Merlot.

The next will most likely be "Stop Buying So Many Shoes"!  The closet is full, the top of the closet is full.  The downstairs closet is full.  Now is the time to quit this shoe buying....."STOP!"

Next....the barbeque sauce.  Chicken breast, chicken wings, pork ribs,  pork chops, all slathered in barbeque sauce.....the kind that is sticky sweet and not only sticks to your face and napkin but also sticks to your butt as the more you eat this sweet concoction your old hiney gets bigger and bigger  ..... if you like to eat as much as some people do....me! (I'm surprised I don't just drink it out of the bottle!!)  Stop the salivating right now!!

Here it comes.....a writer always makes a resolution to become a better writer......now how does one do that????  But,  I WILL put it on the list.  If you remember a few months ago,  I told you some one commented on this blog (which I erased) that I wrote Trailer Park Humor......I guess I need to upgrade my humor a bit...to at least a mobile home park....or maybe condominium complex humor.  It makes the list look longer.....

Next on the list is to rewrite my personal definition of "stupid people".....so, that I can become more understanding and more tolerant of this class of persons.  It's hard to be able to open your mind and accept those who make life so difficult so I figure if I write my own definition of what a stupid person is, maybe I can become more tolerant.  Maybe?

Jiminy Cricket....that's only a few resolutions.....I need to google and see who the heck was the person who said we need to do resolutions. 


Next is one of the most important.  When I accidentally (ha ha) let a fart, I swear I won't blame it on the dog.  Everyone thinks the poor dog has a severe case of flatulence since I'm always blaming those really nasty farts on her.

Not so important but this one has bugged me for a long time....it's setting the clock ahead 10 minutes.  Why do I do this....everyone knows that the clock is 10 minutes fast so why do it....so it's time to stop.  Just hope everyone knows that I will be setting the clock back to "au naturel".

Dryer shrinkage is my next resolution.  These clothes I buy keep shrinking in the dryer (ha ha ha).  So I need to either set the dryer to a lower temperature (maybe cold)  or just lose some weight.  I guess it's the dryer....or could it be the 20 pounds that I found on the sidewalk and picked it up and am now carrying it around??

Since the dryer resolution is high on my list maybe I should put my losing weight  resolution right here.  I think if I quit eating the chocolate in the first resolution and cut down on the barbeque sauce in my BBQ resolution or at least change to a less sticky one (check out  Sweet Baby Rays - low calorie if they have one) and if I keep on a truckin and a walkin maybe the I could lose a little weight??? 

Last but surely not least.  I need to make a resolution to cut down on my sitting in front of the computer so dang much.  So for the next year I am making a resolution to stand half the time and sit the other half.....that will surely meet the resolution.

I've done it.  My list is complete.  And now it's time my friend for you to get yours done.  And no copying either!

Vintage Photos Around The Area

Abraham Lincoln Springfield hotel lobby 1951.

Lincoln - Gullets Huge Greenhouse 1942 era -

hail and fire destroyed it.

Petersburg  Menard County Court House 1910 era.

Springfield Sangamo Electric

1941 Indianapolis Raceway Pace Car

visiting Springfield.

Springfield Court House Downtown 1946

Thought For The Day

The secret of your future is

hidden in your daily routine.

--Mike Murdock

Have you spent a bit of time reading greeting card messages?  Some of those are so bizarre I am just astounded.  I read the message and don't know whether to throw the card or laugh or just put it back quietly and pretend I didn't just read that card.  Of course some of them match my humor so I just about roll on the floor laughing.

Yesterday I saw one which got me hooting and snorting.....it said "stupidity is contagious, stand back, I don't want to catch yours".  Then there was this one ..... "your specialness is getting on my nerves".    (I could buy multiples of this one to send to my many "friends".)

Of course I don't know on what occasion some of these would be sent.  Like this one...."If I tell you to have a nice day, Run!"

Vintage New Years Greeting postcard from 1916 era.

Have a grand day.  Come again.

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Now A Christmas Past and Already Looking Forward to Christmas Future

It's Gone...Kaput...Fini....Over....Done....Past

The morning after....just like a hangover.....you need rest....you have a headache.....you have less money or none at all.....

But was it worth it??

You Bet!!

The merchants are richer.....the tree is dry if you had a real tree....the wrapping paper is either on the curb waiting for the trash man or will soon be on the curb (by the way don't forget to tip your trash man)....time to put the extra unused wrapping paper in the closet.....time to pour the last of the eggnog down the drain as it just doesn't taste as good after Christmas as it does before and put the whiskey in the back of the pantry until the  next time.....time to sweep the floor to get up the glitter and food from under the table....

Time to get on the scales and see what damage those cookies and fudge and caramels have done......time to get out the phone book and get the fit club phone number......time to figure out how to rearrange the furniture when the tree comes down.....time to try on the new clothes....time to spray the new cologne on your wrist to see if you will like the exciting cheap K-mart special blend.....time to try out the new hand mixer to see if it will spend fast enough to use it on mashed potatoes.....time to again warm up the leftovers left from yesterday's lunch then leftover from last night's supper......

Time to sneak a look at the visiting relatives' plane ticket(s) to see what time you can expect to get rid of him/her/them......time to pile up the "Take Backs" and make a list of what goes to what store.....time to think about a bigger Christmas Club account for next year.....time to swear off buying so many presents next year.....time to thank goodness you have the day off on the day after.....time to take a sneak in your billfold and see if the old plastic card has any cracks from overuse.....

Just think in 364 days you can do it all over again..........

Old Time Stuff

These are things I remember from the past.  Never whine about the past...but always remember the good things.....yes the bad things are stored in the memory but push them to the side.  Emotional clutter from the past can prevent you from moving forward to better things.

Beechnut gum.  Clove gum.  33 1/3 rpm long play records. 45 rpm records. 78 rpm records.  First moon walk.  Corner Cafe ice cream cones.  The Village Inn.   Icy Root Beer and Tops Big Boy.  The  Linda Theater and seeing Old Yeller and Peter Pan there.  Telephone operator saying "number please?"  Telephone party lines.

Gas from 25 cents per gallon.  Watching Lawrence Welk and Ed Sullivan (not on rerun either).  Worrying about getting spanked at school.  Saying the Pledge of Allegiance at school and praying too.  Work wages of 50 cents per hour.  My graduation present ... a 1960 chevy red and white convertible.

Howdy Doody.  Cars with no seatbelts.  Sunday drives with a picnic basket and stops in roadside picnic areas. "Father Knows Best" television show.  Driving the farm grain truck at age 10.  Making paper mache planets in 6th grade and hanging them from the schoolroom ceiling.  President John Kennedy being killed.  Schwinn bike and Western Auto bike.

Sunday dinner at Grammies house. Drinking beer in the country (underage of course).  Hiding in the back seat or trunk to get in free at the drive-in movie theater.  Riding in the back of a pick-up and feeling the hair blowing (when I had lots of hair on top).  Bell bottom pants.  Pretty dolls.  Electric trains.  Teased hair.  Angora on a boy's class ring.   

My mind is full but it's tired this morning.  I know that you also have memories and I might have just sent you on a trip down memory lane.  It's fun....and we will do it again another time.

Thought For The Day

Age is a very high price to pay

for maturity.

--Tom Stoppard

The New Year is upon us.  I can't believe how fast this year has passed by but, as we age, time seems to pass faster.  It's hard to believe that yesteryear is in fact many years ago instead of just a few.  As a person gets older and older does time seem to pass faster and faster like a globe spinning and gaining speed with each turn??

Time is valuable and never doubt that.  Don't ever let it pass you by without grabbing hold and marveling at each day and grabbing a piece of time to hold on to for at least the day.  If you do, you probably will have stored another memory for future reference.  Just because we are older doesn't mean you should have memories of just the "old stuff".....each day is a memory in your life.

Today is the day after Christmas, 2011.  You now have a memory of yesterday's celebration....maybe a funny thing someone said.  Maybe a cool item you received....these are memories and not soon forgotten.

May this last week of this year be kind to you.  Spend it with loved ones who are visiting or even go visit loved ones.  Time spent wisely is time well spent.  If you spend time or already spent time this holiday season with your children, it is time wisely invested.  Remember we all are only here on earth for a short time.

Happy Boxing Day (if you live in Canada).  Today just sit back and relax...after all you have to start planning for next Christmas....as fast as time passes it will be here before you know it.

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You Never Know When You Might Lose Stuff

If have an incident and lose it....it's only stuff!

Life is the most important thing.  And when something happens, always protect your life and to heck with everything else.  At the time, your "stuff" might seem important but it really isn't....."stuff" can be replaced.

This week my daughter found that out.  Her house caught fire and she lost "stuff" but fortunately not her life nor the lives of her wonderful family.  Sure it's not a good time for this to happen, but it's never a good time for something like this to happen.  One must always look on the bright side.....at least it happened at a time when the family was able to get out and walk away.  It might have been otherwise, but I firmly believe that the reason for the season was watching over my family......he protected them and gave me a reason to give thanks for that.

May we never forget the reason for the season is Jesus.  Our savior. 

In two days time, our family will celebrate the birth of our savior and give thanks for the year.  We have had deaths, illnesses, a fire, hospitalizations, surgeries and other incidents in our family this year, but we praise God that we are still here to give thanks.

As my readers go through this special holiday, be sure to give thanks to God.  And celebrate the real reason for the season, the birth of Jesus.  Merry Christmas, Merry Keshmish, Feliz Navidad,  Happy Holidays, Seasons Greetings, Happy Hanukkah ..... it really doesn't matter how I say it.....but the real reason for the season is included when I say it.

Thank you for your continued viewing of this blog.  Until I return next week

From My Family To Yours....

Peace And Joy And Goodwill To All.

glitter-graphics.com

Merry Christmas From Heaven

Heaven Isn't Far......

Each of us must go through losing a family member at some point in our lives.  To live also means that at some point we will also pass on from life, but it is never easy when a loved one leaves this earth.  The past two years have been very difficult for me and my siblings as we lost two wonderful sisters, the oldest and the youngest. 

The life on earth,these wonderful sisters led, was full of love and joy and both loved the Christmas Season with a passion.  One sister even celebrated a birthday on Christmas Eve, so this time of year was her most favorite, as she always got multiple presents.  This both amused her and thrilled her to see that so many people loved her enough to buy her lots of presents.

As we near the very special Christmas day, I know that my sisters are both busy with their preperations for the celebration of the birth of Jesus.  This year they will hold hands and praise God in the highest and will also thank God for allowing them to sit beside him as he also celebrates his son's birthday.

There is a poem which has helped me to know that my youngest sister, who left this earth this year, will be by my side as I go about our family's Christmas activities this year.  I know she and my older sister will be together with our parents and our brothers and will watch our Christmas Day pleasures.  Some of you might have also lost loved ones, and you will see that this poem assures you that your loved one will be with you.  Enjoy the poem....and rest assured, they are near.

Merry Christmas From Heaven

by...John Mooney

I still hear the songs

I still see the lights

I still feel your love

on cold wintery nights.

I still share your hopes

and all of your cares

I'll even remind you

to please say your prayers.

I just want to tell you

you still make me proud

You stand head and shoulders

above all the crowd.

Keep trying each moment

to stay in his grace

I came here before you

to help set your pace.

You don't have to be

perfect all the time

He forgives you the slip

if you continue to climb.

To my family and friends

please be thankful today

I'm still close beside you

in a new special way.

I love you all dearly

now don't shed a tear

cause I'm spending my Christmas

with Jesus this year.

Happy Birthday dear sister.  Merry Christmas to all my family in heaven.  And, Merry Christmas to all of your loved ones whom you have lost.  All of our loved ones are with us but in a special way.

I know no other words which can compete with those of John Mooney.  May our days be blessed and our hearts healed during this season of joy and peace.  Peace on earth and goodwill to all.

Under The Mistletoe

Don't you dare kiss me you slob!
Did you ever have a case where you were unknowingly under a piece of mistletoe and some jerky ugly slob came up and planted a wet slobbery kiss right on your mouth?  Well it happened to me one time.

I happened to be at a local lounge with a bunch of my co-workers after work.  We went there to celebrate Christmas and were having a mighty good time drinking a few egg nogs and a few cocktails.  We knew a lot of the people who came to this place because they were people who also worked at our company or were just frequent patrons when we had been in there before. 

I had no idea that the owners had placed mistletoe at various places around the bar area.  Those little pieces of mistletoe were just dangling there waiting for an unsuspecting girl to place herself just under the green kissing stuff.  There I was, flitting around from person to person, giving my Christmas wishes to those I knew.  Not knowing that I was getting closer and closer to that dingle dangling dang mistletoe.

All at once the ugliest, slobby, smelly, and did I say jacka$$ jerk grabbed me from behind and flipped me around and planted a juicy wet horrible smooch right on my old kisser.  I grabbed my mouth and started scrubbing, just knowing I now had the bezillion germs of the ghetto right on my mouth.  Of course everyone else started laughing and about rolling on the floor.  They had watched me get closer and also watched this jerky gorilla stalking me as I got closer to the mistletoe.  That ended my session at the lounge....I'd had enough.  No more anything....and especially no more chances of landing under the other 15 pieces of mistletoe hanging around the place.

For years since then I have always looked at the ceiling in every similar place I went....I don't ever want to again experience that kiss full of slobbers on the old kisseroo.  Of course now, I should probably let go of my inhibitions and see how many people want to kiss an old fat, ugly woman standing under the mistletoe....probably no one.

Old Time Things.
What do you remember about old time things at Christmas Time?
Here's a few things I remember about my days of old:

1.   The downtown Springfield stores where we shopped for presents.  And the wonderfully decorated windows in the major department stores.

2.   Getting a doll from Santa.

3.   Going to Tolly's market and standing looking at the pretty dollies in the big boxes, and wishing for Santa to bring me one of those.

4.   Going to get the "real" Christmas tree.  We went to a couple of places...one over towards Havana (Heinhorse) and one north of Mason City (Schaubs).

5.   Always getting an orange and nuts with shells in our stockings which were hanging from our living room fireplace.  (I still give my kids an orange in their stockings....and they expect it too.)

6.   Always getting Evening in Paris toilet water and a box of life savers which opened up like a book from my great grandmother Lizzie and my Aunt Marie and Uncle Joe.

7.   Eating date pudding at my Aunt Marie's house. 

8.   Stringing popcorn with a needle and thread.

9.   My Grandma cooking a duck (icky).

10.  Sitting on the staircase to see if we could see Santa.

11.  Ribbon candy and rock candy and a big bowl of nuts in the shell with nutcrackers and a pick in the bowl.

12.  Always going to church on Christmas Eve.

13.  Going sledding in the afternoon and later in life, playing pinochle with the adults after I had learned to be a better player than the adults.

14.  All of us standing around the piano and singing Christmas carols, with Grandma or my sister playing for us....and grandpa with his fiddle or his harmonica.

15.  And last, but surely not least, sitting on Santa's lap just like in this picture of me with Santa.  I loved old man Santa....and I really believed....and I still do.

Thought Of The Day

As you prepare for the holidays, think about those who might be less fortunate.  In today's times, there are persons who have been out of work for months, with no income and very little or no food in the house.  At Christmas time, those of us who are more fortunate, waste so much food and items that others might be able to use.  If you know a shut-in or a less fortunate person, fix an extra plate and take time to take that plate of food to that person.  It might be the only meal they have on Christmas Day...and it might be the only food they have had for a while.  Or go to a nursing home and visit persons....even if you don't know those persons, they will be glad to see you.  If you see someone with children  in your town and you know where they live, and those children don't have mittens or gloves or a scarf, buy an inexpensive pair of gloves or mittens or a scarf and leave it on their doorstep.  And maybe include a nice treat too.

We Americans are a proud nation, but we have hunger and poverty, and more than most of us realize.  Have a kind heart this year at Christmas time.  And remember the real reason for Christmas....the birth of our savior, Jesus. 


Several songs to put you in the spirit.....

A Fairytale of New York.....An Irish crimbo Christmas song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwHyuraau4Q&feature=share

O Holy Night - sung in Navajo-Native American....to respect those persons who were on our Americans lands before us.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SE7a7eM2bTU&feature=share

The Prayer by Celine Dion and Andrea Bortelli
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FK5VulNn3so&feature=related

May the spirit be with you in the coming days before this religious holiday.  My family and I certainly wish blessings of peace and joy to you and your family.  Have a wonderful day.

Excuse Me There Is A Hair In My Soup

A Hair In Soup Adds Body???

I don't mind vegetables or mushrooms or meat in my soup, but a hair in my soup just about makes me come unglued.

Not long ago I ordered a nice bowl of "all you can eat" cream of potato soup because it was a cold day and the thought of a yummy hot soup on a cold day brought a glow to my body.  When the soup arrived, it was nice and creamy and the first bite was delightful.  Another few bites proved that the chef knew how to make a good potato soup. 

I placed my spoon in the midst of the chunky potatoes and then I saw something which wasn't white and creamy....it was black and ummm..... oh my God it was course and curly.  Kerplunk went the spoon.....napkin came up and covered my mouth in case the other spoonsful made their way back up from the belly.  Could it be???  Was this a pubic hair????  I look around, and see no one with short curly hair.  I sit there a moment trying to get my rebelling tummy to quit fighting with my guts......don't you dare make me barf tummy. 

I'm still looking around when I see the kitchen door open and see a cook in the back with long brown hair.  So no short curly hair back in the kitchen.....it must be someone's lost hair from a spot I don't even want to think about.  I try to get my speaking ability.....still trying to keep from losing it all.  Finally I am able to signal the waitress....which incidentally has blonde hair as do several of the waitresses.  The waitress comes over and asks if I am alright in a pleasant voice.  I proceed to tell her that I have found someone's lost property in my soup.

She's really not listening I can tell...she is more concerned with the patrons who have just yelled at her from across the room......her response  to me is "that's nice".  I sit back astounded at what I have just heard.  It practically wounded me to hear that.....I respond in a a matter of seconds "What do you mean that's nice....are you people serving "Soup of Hair" so no one will ask for a second helping?"  Then it must have hit her .... she was beginning to understand that I really had a problem and turned on the Miss Nice voice. "I am so sorry Ma'am....let me get you another bowl with no hair. "  What?????????????  Do you think I want another bowl of the same soup....no way.  Just bring me the check...and she did.  And the worst thing was I had to pay for that bowl of hairy soup.  I just got the heck out of there before my stomach really rebelled. 

Abraham Lincoln - The Grocery Clerk
It is always nice to learn more about our esteemed former county resident and 16th president, Mr. Abraham Lincoln.  The following is taken from the book  "Early Pioneers and Pioneer Events of the State of Illinois" published in 1899.

The first time I ever saw or heard of Abraham Lincoln was in 1832.  I had stopped over night at Jack Armstrong's, who lived on a farm 5 miles northwest of New Salem.  I there saw a young man whom I had never met before, and asked him who he was, and he said his name was Abe Lincoln, and that he was working for his father.  He was tall and slender, and was dressed in homemade jeans, about the same goods that the majority of young men were wearing at that time - about the same that I wore myself.  The next time I saw Lincoln, to become acquainted with him, was the log tavern at New Salem, kept by James Rutledge.  I was carrying the mail from Lewistown to Srpingfield, and put up with the Rutledge tavern where Mr. Lincoln was boarding.  He was at that time a clerk in the store of Samuel Hill a merchant of New Salem.  Mr. Lincoln had been to New Orleans on a flat boat load of produce, and Mr. Hill had sent by him 100 barrels of flour that was ground at the water mill at New Salem.  Mr. Lincoln sold the flour at a good price, and was so prompt paying the money, and gave such good satisfaction, that on return that Mr. Hill made him a clerk in his store.  Mr. Hill had the largest stock of goods in New Salem, and also kept the post office.  Mr. Lincoln I observed was very attentive to business, and was kind and obliging to the customers of the store, having pleasant things to say to them; and they had so much confidence in his honesty that they preferred to trade with him rather than Mr. Hill or the other clerks.  I noticed that this was particularly true with the women customers; they would often say they liked to trade with Mr. Lincoln, for they believed that he was honest and would tell the truth about the goods.

I went into the store one day to buy a pair of buckskin gloves and asked him if he had a pair that would fit me.  He threw a pair on the counter.  "There is a pair of dogskin gloves that I think will fit you, and you can have them for seventy five cents."  When he called them dogskin
"How do you know they are dog skin gloves?"  I believe he thought my question was a little impudent, and it rasped him somewhat that I had the audacity to question his word.  "Well sir", said he, "I will tell you how I know these are dogskin gloves.  Jack Clery's dog killed Tom Watkin's sheep, and Tom Watkin's boy killed the dog, and old John Mounts tanned the dogskin and Sally Spears made the gloves, and that is how I know they are dogskin gloves."   So I asked no more questions about the gloves, but paid the six bits and took them; and I can truly say that I have worn buckskin and dogskin gloves from time to time for sixty years since then, and have never found a pair that did me the service that those I got from Mr. Lincoln. 

I have understood that Mr. Lincoln got $20 a month for clerking in Mr. Hill's store, which was considered good wages at that time although he had to pay $2 a week for his board.

While Mr. Lincoln was clerking in the store for $20 a month, Mr. Hill gave him the privilege of going out to work in the time of harvest, where he could earn $1 to $1.25 a day and his board; and when the harvest was over he would take him back in the store again.

At another time I will post more from this book so that we can all learn more about Abraham Lincoln.

Recipe
Pecan Turtles
1 pound pecan halves
1 package chocolate chips - melted
1 package caramels

Place 2 pecan halves on a lightly greased cookie sheet.  Place a caramel on top of the pecan halve.  Repeat until cookie sheet is filled, leaving about 2 inches between turtles.  Bake at 200 degrees F. for 2 -3 minutes.  Remove from oven and let cool until you can handle them.  Press a third pecan on top of the caramel.  Dip caramel part into melted chocolate chips.  Place on waxed paper until firm.

Thought Of The Day

Ideas without action are worthless.

--Harvey Mackay

That ATM card has sure had a work out these last weeks.  Every time I use it, it's like the lottery....you don't know if you will win or not.....but in my case, don't know if money will come out or stay in the bank...under someone else's name of course.

It's almost to the point, that when I go to the ATM and punch in my password, I get slower and slower punching in the numbers, because between numbers I am saying a prayer to the Lord, "please Lord let there be one more time of coming out the slot, you know Lord what I'm talking about...green stuff....about five inches long and a couple of inches wide....and I don't mean grass either Lord."   I punch in another number and then I'm ready to punch in the last number....my prayer is complete.  Now I wait for the rumbling of the stomach of the ATM machine.  Will it or will it not???? That is the question.

The money door slides open.....there is the green stuff.....I start yelling "I won I won".  Oops I must have thought I was at a casino.  Of course at the casino about the only machines that do pay are the ATM's.

Now that I have my ATM money, I wonder how many more times before that little card of plastic finally wears out....it can't be long I'm sure!!

The final days before Christmas are upon us.  As I think back through the year, I had one wish when I did a rebirth of this blog....it was to be able to keep posting through the year and especially at least reach a date around the holidays.  Even though at times I didn't know if I would be able to continue, I persevered and have almost reached my target of the Christmas holidays.  What a wonderful Christmas present to myself.  I sincerely hope that the coming holidays will bring you as much joy as I am experiencing this year.....to be here on earth and able to continue to post is a joy and a dream come true.  Thank you for having faith in me.

Does The Bogeyman Follow Santa

I Know There Is A Bogeyman!

I'm sure most of us grew up knowing about the bogeyman.  If you weren't good, you probably heard "the bogeyman will come and get you".  I think I might have heard that many many times over my life.....but I guess I must not have been too terribly bad as I'm still here.

But, at Christmas, I seemed to hear that "bogeyman will get you" more than the average child......I think my mom and later my oldest sister wanted to make sure I was a perfect kid (cough cough).  Maybe it was because they knew I wasn't so perfect due to the fact that one year I unwrapped a present.  It was a beautiful jacket and I decided that no one would know, so I wore it to school  ...... BUSTED....I didn't know my sister was coming home from work early!!!

As a kid I always wondered how the words "Santa knows you've been bad and he will not bring you anything" and the phrase "the bogeyman will get you if you're bad" fit together at Christmas time. It crossed my mind enough to worry a few years if  the bogeyman followed Santa on his Christmas Eve rounds to scoop up all of the bad kids.  On those childhood years, when I knew I'd  been bad (because I was told several times and even got butt swats in a couple of cases of mouth trouble), I covered up my head with the covers and laid awake almost all night wondering when the bogeyman was going to come through my bedroom door (which I locked) to get me.

But I'm still here so I guess the bogeyman must have forgotten to stop at our house.  Whew!

As an adult and a mother I can see why kids might worry at Christmas time......the bogeyman trick is intended to frighten kids into compliant behavior and so is the "Santa knows you've been bad and won't bring you anything".  There are some kids who now suffer from emotional problems....perhaps it's because of the bogeyman and Santa.  Maybe parents in general have told kids these phrases too many times. Think about it!!

But in my ripe old age of  ??  I still believe in Santa.....and the big bad bogeyman.  I still cover my head up when I've been bad although I have no one to tell me that the bogeyman is going to get me.....but I know when I've been bad he just might come and get me....and especially on Christmas Eve because I think the bogeyman follows Santa.

Old Time Springfield

Black Angus.....2200 block of South 6th near the viaduct where

Gallegher's is now.

Steak and Shake 7th and South Grand

Lake Club 1950's

Lake Club Interior Postcard

Swimming at Memorial Pool

Converse Street....I remember swimming here

several times in the early 1960's.  The bottom was rough and always hurt my feet.

Vintage Springfield Marine Bank

North 6th Street downtown 1920's

Vintage Springfield First National Bank

5th and Adams Downtown

Springfield High School

1865 to 1897

Some of these are postcards from my collection while others

are copies of photos sent to me by my friend who knows I have an interest in history of local villages/towns.

Recipe

A Christmas treat always welcomed at most homes is tasty fudge.  I love peanut butter fudge but, really don't care too much for the kind made with marshmallow creme and peanut butter chips.  The following recipe is a quick and easy recipe. 

Peanut Butter Fudge
2 cps sugar
1/2 cup milk (I use evaporated)
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup chopped nuts

Put sugar and milk in a heavy pan and bring to a boil stirring constantly.  Boil 2 1/2 minutes...stir entire time.  Remove from heat and add peanut butter and vanilla.  Stir just until mixed well and quickly add nuts and briefly stir.  Pour into buttered 8 x 8 pan.  Cool before cutting.

Thought For The Day

Laughter is the shortest distance

between two people.

--Victor Borge

Giddey Up ...let's go.  In the days of old, those  words were used to tell a horse to stop standing there....and hurry up let's go.  But, I wonder if that horse knew what those words meant??

Even the sleigh ride song has those words in it.

http://www.christmas-carols.net/carols/sleigh-ride.html

I think when people hear those words and that song, it catapults people into the holiday spirit....at least it does me.  I used to wanna get out in the snow (which we don't have on the ground) and hook up the old sleigh and get going....and then get back to the house all cold and with a red nose....and drink hot chocolate and eat cookies to warm up.  At least that was what we did in the days of old. 

Those olden days were so much fun.  We didn't have a care in the world and looked forward to making our own fun.....singing Christmas carols with our friends and playing in the snow....and sitting on the sleigh and telling the make believe horses "Giddey Up..let's go".  Now I sit on my sofa with the television remote and watch television and think about how I'm going to get everything done for Christmas. 

Well.....I guess I better giddey up off this sofa and "let's go" !!!  Later................if I can just get off this dang sofa!

One week from yesterday is the big day.

Come again and sit a spell.

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Old Stuff

Due to appointments, I have to do only a simple post.  These are just some old postcard photos and postcard Christmas Cards I have.  Enjoy.  See you next week.

From 1910

From 1910

An old Harley Davison Advertisment Photo

An old Pegwell Pete Birthday Card

which was sent to persons who had been on the show.

Springfield Lake Baptist church camp...unknown date.

1908 Washington Park Arbor, Springfield

1905 Springfield rail station

Come again.....this blog and the posts are protected under copyright laws.

Enjoy your weekend.