A Memory from my Childhood

Taken probably in the very early 40's, this is a picture of some of us Rome girls after going to the Sunday School that was held at our grade school and taught by Kenny and Elmira Koch from Chillicothe.  As I was doing some of the few chores I do around the house anymore, I was thinking of life as a young girl in Rome and how almost all of us had very limited "wardrobes" - so much so that I can vividly remember some of the few clothes I wore that were so special.  We certainly did not get anything new very often.  Case in point - I am the girl with the majorette boots - I was so very proud of those boots.  Cannot imagine why I wanted them, but they certainly pleased me.  Most of us in Rome were pretty much in the same boat when it came to having a limited amount of clothes, etc., but we still had a good time and life was good. 

Some things that happen make an indelible impression on you.  The girl standing to my right is Mary.  Mary 's younger sister is at the left in the front row and she also had a sister my age, Sally, and a brother who was the youngest in the family.  Mary never, never or hardly ever got anything new!  She wore Sally's handmedowns and I suppose by the time she had outgrown them, they were too used up for her little sister, Elsa.  But one day, Mary did get a new outfit and I can almost see it.  It was what was known as a "bobby suit" - a two piece cotton outfit.  Her bobby suit was red and navy.  She was so proud and happy.  Then her mom washed it and it faded terribly.  That made me feel so bad for Mary - I have never forgotten that little story.  Even though it isn't a really great story, I will always remember how sorry I was that Mary's new dress was ruined. 

Postcard Friendship Friday

 I found this postcard on Card Cow - seems almost like a chain letter.  You can get free hot iron transfers for embroidery simply by addressing five postcards to five of your friends then send them in to Modern Handcraft along with 10 cents in stamps or coins (coins preferred).  You will then be mailed your free transfers.  And you shouldn't forget to send your name and address, too.  

Have a great PFF!  Thanks to Beth  for being our hostess!   Have a great weekend, everyone.

Fishing in Rome, Illinois, in 1907

From the book "Around Chillicothe, Illinois" by the Chillicothe Historical Society, comes this picture of a family with an amazing number of fish from the Illinois River at Rome (just south of Chillicothe and where I spent my childhood).  Looks as if they may have been caught on hook and line judging from the four poles in the picture.  The photo is labeled an hour's catch on Aug. 10,  1907, and the photo is courtesy of Dr. and Mrs. Baker.  It was 31 years later that we moved to Rome.  My father was an avid hunter and fisherman as posted earlier in my blog.  Hope these folks had a great fishfry and invited lots of folks to enjoy their catch of the day!

Smilin' Jack

The other day when looking around on the net, something caught my eye and took me back to being a little girl again - a comic strip  that I used to read.  Here is handsome, dapper, brave Smilin' Jack.  I kind of think he probably was pretty well pleased with himself, also.

Now this is the fellow who stuck out in my mind and I couldn't for the life of me remember his name.  All I could remember was the chicken always there always ready to catch the button that popped off his shirt.  So I did some more searching and, lo and behold, his name is  Fat Stuff!

  I don't remember Dixie, but do remember Jack's "hill billy mechanic" Rufus Jimpson. 

Here's Jack in his goggles - just as handsome as ever.  Note that the strip started in the Chicago Tribune in December of 1933.  Long, long ago.  I probably was reading it in the late 30's and early 40's.  Lots of fun old comic strips back then - will look one up once in a while if folks enjoy this sort of thing.

Postcard Friendship Friday

While looking through albums the other day, I ran across this postcard from our son and his new bride sent from Aspen where they spent their honeymoon 31 years ago.  Bill has always and still has a great personality and is a fun guy!  He and Ann are a great couple.  Doesn't seem like 31 years have gone by since they were married. 

Have a great PFF and thanks Beth at  http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/ for being our hostess.  Drop over and check out the postcards for this Friday,