Gracie ~~ January 2016

Let It Snow!

Mom's JCPenney Name Tag ~~ Early 1970s

Mom worked at the JCPenney Store in the Walnut Mall for a few years in the early 1970s working as a receptionist in the Home Decorator's Department until an opening came up in the Finance/Billing Department.   Eventually the mall closed and was subsequently torn down sometime in the late 1980s or early 1990s and a new shopping center is there now.  Nothing stays the same!

My Parents' Chevrolet Impala ~~ Mid to Late 1960s

This photo was taken in Grandma's driveway on Ott Boulevard in Allentown sometime in the mid to late 1960s.

Winter Song

Gracie ~~ January 2016

Andrew Jackson Stamp ~~ Issued 1963

Clover ~~ January 2016

When she stands on her back legs, we see eye to eye!  I wish hers were open for the photo but she's still beautiful!

Orange Sponge Cake

Mom ~~ mid 1960s

Peng Shui

Gracie ~~ Queen of the Hill ~~ January 2016

Bollingbrook School Book Day Flyer - 1976

Me ~~ 1960s

Crocuses Blooming at Mom's House ~~ Early January 2016

So True!

Guide Dogs for the Blind Stamp (One of a Series Honoring Working Dogs) ~~ Issued 2012

Lily & Petunia ~~ December 2015

The Girls ~~ January 2002

Bird Treats ~~ Winter 2009

Meat Loaf

Me in My Element ~~ Early 1960s

Grandma Letter ~~ January 1994

It was a rough week for her!

She writes:

Dear Shelby,

Received your nice letter & always glad to hear from you.

I hope your weather is better than ours.  It has snowed, sleeted, freezing rain, etc. for 1 1/2 weeks.  I can't shovel or anything and I hate for Ruth to do it.  I got my car out of the parking space last Saturday & Sunday but this weekend, I didn't even try.  It snowed & then ice, then on Wednesday 8" more on top & then it went to -1F with a wind chill of -31F.  The mess has to be chopped out and now it is snowing since 7:00 AM & it is supposed to drop about 8" more then turn to sleet & freezing rain by night.  I tried to get my car out on Thursday & it was on ice & slid to 1" of Mary Jane's car (she parks next to mine) & then I stopped & called AAA.  Two hours later, they still were not here.  Tom's son (next to my car on the other side) came to shovel him out and he got my car out without hitting Mary Jane's car.  Then I put it back in my parking space.  Since then I haven't tried to get it out & now all this on top of all that, I'll be here till Spring! 

I was glad I got the car back in because I was half way out into the drive & no one could get by.  Just after I got the car in place, the ambulance came up.  The lady next to Ruth's apartment had died the night before while watching tv.  Ruth went in & found her.  She hasn't "gotten over it" yet.  I was upset over my car & then finding out that Mamie had died, I really was in bad shape.  I haven't been out since last Thursday.

Yes, Harold gets up to eat & has a rocker beside his bed & sits in that when he is not in bed.  One day he is good then gets bad again.

I am sending you a recipe for a dirt cake.  I had some at Donna's on Thanksgiving.  It was good.  I'm going to halve the recipe & put it in a deep dish.  Let me know if you ever make it.  

Well, not much more news, so write & let me know how you both are doing.  Your Mom is having a time with her allergies.  

Love always,

Grandma

Love to Jack.

I'm sending you the write-up about the rough time they had in Philly.

A Sketch of Dad while serving in the Navy on board the U.S.S. Haskell during WWII

This sketch was made by a fellow naval serviceman while in the Pacific during World War II.  I think it does resemble my dad in his late teens when his features were more angular.  Dad wrote at the bottom "This is me."

The U.S.S. Haskell ~~~~~> Click here!

The Colonel ~~ January 1996

Creek Waterfall & Pool ~~ December 2015

So true!

Ralph Bunche Stamp ~~ Issued 1982

Ralph Bunche ~~~~~> Click here!

Grandpa, Mildred, Mom & Me ~~ Mid 1960s

Petunia ~~ November 2015

Snow White Cocoa

Petunia & Gracie ~~ November 2015

Grandma & Uncle Paul ~ 1918/1919 "ish"

Petunia ~~ November 2015

Grandma Letter ~~ December 1994

She writes:

12/7/94

Dear Shelby

Thanks for the pretty card.  They are always so pretty & the letter most enjoyable.

I'm glad you enjoyed your Thanksgiving.  It always tastes better when someone else cooks it.

My cactus is dormant now but it is healthy looking.  It has certainly grown.  I've changed the plant food last week.  I'm using Schultz Instant plant food.  I want to see if that will do any good.

I'm glad  you liked the "Lady".  It was  lot of work.  It went so much easier after I started blocking off in squares.  I could keep better track of the pattern.  I like the little boy & girl pictures.  They are so real looking.

I agree with you on your ideas about the house.  Now days they just slap them up & you pay through the nose for it.

I got out my Xmas decorations yesterday.  I don't put out a lot because I hate to take them down.

I got a perm Monday.  My hair was getting long & out of shape.

I liked those cookies best too.  They are called "The White House Favorite".  It takes 3 1/3 cups of ground nuts.  Thank goodness I have a blender.

Ruth didn't do so hot at Atlantic City - broke about even.  I would love to go but my legs get so tired when I walk a lot.  The doctor calls it edema of the legs due to heart failure.  Well, I just walk until I get tired & then I stop.  I can always read!

Take care & write soon.  Love to you & Jack.

Love always,

Grandma

Wild Duck on the Pond ~~ April 2010

January ~~ Get Cozy!