Childhood Memories/Old Photos

Me (age 3?) at Christmas

My mother and I began reminiscing during my daily telephone call to her. I described the old picture (above) and mom told me that it was taken at my Aunt Alma and Uncle Frank’s house when they lived two doors from us. She thinks that I was about three years old.

Uncle Frank (Frankie Joe to me) and me

She remembered that Uncle Frank Chickens and ducks in his back yard at that house. I was frightened of them when I was very young. By the time I was or so I had lost my fear to the point that I would go into their pen and feed them.(See below).

Frankie Joe's chickens and me

We also talked about the first dog that I ever knew. He was named by my sister, Debbie close, Boo-Boo.  Boo-Boo was quite protective of Debbie and me. Mom would put Debbie into a playpen on our front yard and I would play in the yard beside her. Boo-Boo was always there and put himself between Debbie and me and anyone walking on the sidewalk in front of our house. If someone came into the yard Boo-Boo would stand between them and us, growling.

Sister Debbie and me

I wish I had a photograph of Boo-Boo, but I don't

26 December, 2012

It is the day after Christmas and all through the house all three kitties are running because there is no mouse. In other words, the Kitty kids are looking for treats and have been hassling me for more and more treats for the past hour.

Christmas day was again a sad one for me; alone here with my Kitty kids was okay, but I know that I need to be with human beings. I must get out to do some shopping today – primarily Kitty cat treats – so I will at least have human contact with a sales clerk.

The first winter storm of the season is forecast to begin early this evening. The forecasters indicate that the heaviest snowfall will take place north of the Ohio River. Supposedly, I can expect no more than an inch or two of snow. That is not enough to even waste time reporting here in my journal.

It's bedtime for all 4 of us. Sugar is already asleep. I have renewed pain in my left leg and hope the prescribed medication reduces it so I can get some sleep.

Many blessings to you, my dear friends.

25 December, 2012: Christmas Thoughts

Me

Today my earliest Christmas memories have been flowing through my mind.

Family gatherings were central to my Christmas celebrations. Christmas Eve was spent with my mother’s family, rotating each year through the homes of my aunts and uncles. Christmas morning was reserved for exchanging gifts at home. The afternoon of Christmas Day was always with my father’s family, initially at Granddaddy Nick’s house until he had a stroke.

Just after Christmas Day we would visit my mother’s sisters, Abba (Alma) and Frank and Lill and Otto. Our unmarried aunt, Dorothy (Aunt Dot), was usually at one or both of the gatherings. The presents we received at these homes were always more in number and nicer than the ones we received elsewhere.

December 16, 2012

My grandchildren at my home, Christmas 2008 (the last time I was with my family at Christmastime) 

I dreamed about Christmas last night. Yesterday I watched in 1954 film, White Christmas, which had me into the Christmas mood. I had attempted to put up my Christmas tree; however, due to the pain I was feeling in my leg, arm, and hand, I was unable to retrieve the tree from the story should area that is off my patio. 

It is been four years since I celebrated Christmas with any of my family members. It appears and show also be alone this Christmas season. I feel a great sadness about that, primarily because I do not know how many Christmases I have left.

White Christmas (1954) finale

I'm experiencing lots of pain in my left arm, hand, and leg again. Arthritis?

The following graphic will be part of tomorrow's Too Bad It Monday post at Nick's Bytes: