The Elderly

For the sake of my new readers and followers, I will give a little background on myself.  I am an only child, born in 1956.  My mother had four miscarriages before I was born...then, in 1950, she gave birth to a son and called him "Richard".  From the photos I have seen, he was a beautiful baby.  Unfortunately, though, he died at the tender age of 7 months...bronchiole pneumonia.  My mother was told by her doctor that she was unable to have any more children.  After all, she had already lost 5.  However, almost 6 years later I was born.  

I am very grateful that I survived, as when I was born I was a mere 5 pounds 8 ounces...almost incubator bound.  When I was 4 years old it was discovered that I had a rotten right kidney.  The doctors told my parents that if they did NOT remove the kidney I would surely die...but if they DID remove it, I had a 50% chance to live.  My parents opted to have the kidney removed.  I have been living with one kidney well for 51 years now and have not needed any medication or treatment;  thank God.

Now to get to the topic of this post.  I have always loved the elderly ever since I can remember.  I had a great aunt whom I was very fond of...and who was very fond of me.  In the past week I have had the opportunity to meet and talk to a couple of elderly ladies...one at the bus stop whilst waiting for my bus, the other on the street, and both of them said to me, "You're such a nice lady!"  This touched me deeply and I pray that I continue to be this way towards everyone I meet.  I am sharing some photos that I found on the internet that touched my heart, and I hope they will touch your hearts as well.  These are photos of elderly people.

The first photo is of an elderly couple shopping and holding the shopping basket together.

This second photo is of an elderly man and pig appearing to be comforting one another.  This touches me deeply.

This next photo is also one that touches me deeply.  An elderly man is holding a cat and both the man and the cat appear to have deep thoughts and feelings for one another.

Last photo for this post is an elderly woman with a cat...note the pure blissful expressions on both of them.  Amazing and beautiful!

I sometimes see that some children of the elderly seem to get fed up and tired of listening to their parents share their memories of days gone by.  I think it is good to listen to them, allow them to express themselves and talk about the things that they experienced and lived.  The elderly can be a real encouragement to us and teach us much...if we let them be themselves and appreciate them for who they are.

Thank you so much for visiting me here.  I look forward to your thoughts...please click on the "comments" link at the end of my post to share.

The Way Things Were

I think at times we don't realize how far we have come over the decades...that is until we are reminded as to how things were in the past.  We sometimes refer to the past as "simpler times."  We also sometimes use the expression "Those were the days!"  Well, I know I do, and I am sure some of you do as well.  


I think that children that were born in the 1980's and onward...if they are able to see photos of vintage technology, they might say, "How did you ever survive without computers, colour TV, etc.?"  If someone asks me this question I will respond with, "We just did...that is all we had, and it did us just fine."  (with a smile, of course).  :)  


I found some photos that I wanted to share with you all to see what you think and/or remember.  


This first photo is of a 1930's stove with a side hot water well.  I love the look of this stove, but am not clear on the hot water well aspect, so if any of you are, please feel free to share your knowledge, I would very much appreciate it.

Next...a butterscotch Bakelite radio.  Simpler times indeed...just two buttons on this;  one for the volume, the other to change the channels.  Bakelite was something (I think) from the 1940's...do any of you remember any Bakelite products?  Please share if you do!

The next photo is of a 1958 phone booth.  I wouldn't mind having this at home!  :)

The next photo...I am going back more than a century with this one, to 1895!  An old Ford typewriter.

The last photo for today's post is a 1940's red Bakelite clock...yet another Bakelite product.

Thank you all so much for visiting me here!  I look forward to hearing your thoughts and/or memories.  Please click on the "comments" link at the end of my post to share.

Stained Glass

Sometimes I know right away what I want to post on any given day and will even make the post hours or a day in advance.  I started doing this (scheduling posts) just a week or two ago...once I figured out how.  LOL!
This blogging is still new to me, but I have to say that I am really enjoying it and feel that I am getting something out of it.


Not only am I learning new things with this blog, but it enables me to express myself the way I want to, and to share the things that I enjoy and that are important to me.  Just the other day I made a difficult decision, but one that was long in coming.  I had been on a networking site for a few years...but over the last couple of months it was starting to give me more heartaches than joy, so I decided to leave it.  I did not intend to, and don't feel that I have, leave the friends I made there.  I let them know where to find me here if they wished to.  


Sometimes we need to make difficult decisions in life, but once we take the leap and do it we realize that it isn't so bad after all.  In fact, I feel that I have more time to accomplish the things I need to, and I appreciate all the friends and followers I have here on this blog and wanted to thank you all for that.


All that having been said, I wanted to share some photos with you all (ones that I found on the web) and see what you all think.


I have always loved stained glass.  Hope you enjoy these photos.

Thank you all so much for visiting me here, and I look forward to your thoughts.  Please click on the "comments" link at the end of my post to share.

Things to Brighten your Day

I found some things on the internet that I thought might be an encouragement to you all...that will hopefully make you smile and brighten your day!

Thank you all so much for visiting me here...your presence and comments always brighten my day and make me smile.  I hope my post today does the same for you all!  Please feel free to share your thoughts by clicking on the "comments" link at the end of my post.

Vintage Magazines

Hi everyone!  I thought it would be kind of neat to share some vintage magazine covers here (that I found on the web) and see what you all know, think and/or remember!  As for myself, I would be fascinated to be able to flip through these magazines...not only to see the stories in them, but also to see the vintage ads as well!  Those were the days!  :)


First is a British magazine from 1947 called "Post Office Magazine".  I had never even heard about this magazine until I saw the photo....and I love the image on the cover!

Next is another magazine I hadn't heard of before...Electrical Engineer.  This is the cover from a 1938 issue. Although I am not really technically inclined, I think I would enjoy looking through this magazine!  

Next we have yet another magazine I hadn't heard of until I saw this...Avocations.  It looks pretty interesting;  this is a 1938 issue.

Next we have The American Girl, published by the Girl Scouts...again, I had never heard of this until I saw the photo.  This is a 1931 issue.

Finally for this post, we have a magazine called "Household".  This issue is more recent than the previous photos, this is a 1952 edition.  Again, I had never heard of this one, either, until I saw the photo!

Thank you all so much for visiting me here, I very much appreciate you taking the time to read my posts, and for your comments as well!  So how about you?  Have any of you heard of , seen any of these magazines...or perhaps even read one?  I would enjoy hearing your responses.  Please click on the "comments" link at the end of my post to share.

Repurposed Items

I came across some photos on the internet that I will share with you all today.  I am not sure what you all know about repurposing, so I will explain what it is for those who may not know.  Repurposing is taking an old item (piece of furniture or clothing, etc.), and changing its purpose to something else.  For example, you may have an old bed frame that you are no longer using.  You could change its purpose by making it into a towel rack, for example.  


I have become fascinated with this and find it very good.  It sort of makes us look outside of the box and see what else we could use an old item for...then making it happen, thus giving the item new life and appeal.


Here are the photos I found on the web...and I will give a short description of each one.


First we have what looks to be an old baby crib transformed into a child's study and work area.  I found this brilliant!

Next we have what looks to be a couple of old cutting boards made into a container where you can put napkins or condiments.

Now we have what looks to be an old dresser...transformed into a bench!

Next is an old newspaper box...transformed into a terrarium!

Next we have an old piece of furniture that has been transformed into a compact office for files, etc., and it has a pin board at the top.  Fantastic!

Next is a few old pot lids which, with a piece of wood, has been transformed into a peg rack for small items of clothing.  I think this could also be used for towels in the bathroom.  

Finally for this post, we have an old skirt...that has been transformed into a tote!

Thank you all so much for visiting me here, and I hope you all enjoy this post as much as I have enjoyed sharing it!  Please feel free to share your thoughts by clicking on the "comments" link at the end of my post.

My News...and Good News!

If you are new to my blog...welcome!  For those of you who have been following my blog, a welcome and thank you to you all!  


For the sake of my newer readers, I will give a little background about me so that this post will make more sense.  When I was in elementary and high school, I was put into a special class in grade 2 that was geared for "slow learners."  I was in such a class right up to grade 10 in high school.  Thanks to some good friends and people who know me well, both on the internet as well as face to face, I am now believing that my having been in a special class was a mistake.  See, I have a different way of viewing things and of processing information.  I am soft spoken, more of a listener than a talker (except with close friends), and this is because I find that I learn much by listening and watching people and things.  I am a deep thinker, I like to take my time to learn things...and to learn them well.  


That having all been said, I have told my doctor and medical authorities as well as the government about my having been in a special class, because it does affect me.  I have absolutely no problem learning new skills on my own at my own pace and with people who are kind and patient.  However, if I am in a very stressful environment and with impatient and angry people, I tend to freeze.  I don't like to be yelled at, (I suppose most people don't), and I need time to absorb things in a more relaxed setting.  Once I learn something, I learn it thoroughly and well, and am able to help others to learn it, because I am patient and understand and can empathize with (especially) people who have learning disabilities, physical disabilities, the elderly, etc.  


Now that I have given you all a rundown on myself, here is my news.  As I mentioned, I told my doctor and medical authorities as well as the government about the fact that I was in a special class in school.  Whether or not it was an error that I was in such a class, some good things are coming out of it and I am very grateful for this.  I am working with an employment counselor which has been assigned to me by the government...she is very good!  She specializes in helping people with both physical and intellectual disabilities.  I am also prone to depression, unfortunately, but am on medication for this at this time...and I have weakness in my hands due to arthritis and because I broke my right wrist in two places 5 years ago in a work accident.  


Now...the employment counselor who is working with me has been absolutely wonderful.  I feel very blessed to have her, as she knows a lot about the laws here as far as work goes, and she has been opening doors for me in this aspect.  She has told me that I am eligible for a government salary grant.  I am not sure exactly what it entails...however, what I do know is that this means that a potential employer will be more likely to hire me...even with my limited skills, because the government will subsidize part of my salary with the employer, apparently encouraging the employer to hire me and spend more time training me and helping me to upgrade my skills.  I am bilingual (French and English) and have good communication skills, but where I am lacking in skills is with the new technology.


I am in the job search mode right now...and deeply, and I would greatly appreciate your prayers and thoughts on my behalf.


So that is my good news!  Thank you all so much for visiting me here and for listening.  I really appreciate your support and kindness.  Please feel free to share your thoughts by clicking on the "comments" link at the end of my post.

Vintage Drugstore/Pharmacy

When I was a little girl, pharmacies were much different than they are today!  For one thing, back then, there was a soda fountain in the pharmacy where you could order a soda, milkshake or even a meal.  The atmosphere was warm and friendly, and often the sales clerks and pharmacist got to know the customers well and addressed them by their names. (e.g. Mr. Smith, Mrs. Jones, etc.)  Perhaps there may still be some pharmacies today with a soda fountain and counter on the premises, but none that I know of in my area!  I really miss the soda fountain...


I found some photos on the web of vintage pharmacies and pharmaceuticals that I thought I would share here with you all.


The first photo is of a vintage drugstore and the soda fountain.  

Next photo is of another drugstore equipped with a soda fountain.  Note the ornate decor on the upper walls and ceiling as well.

Next photo is of a vintage pharmaceutical product that was sold in England in the early 1900's.

Next photo is of another vintage remedy...

Next is another vintage remedy...

Final photo for this post...yet another vintage remedy.

Thank you all so much for stopping by, and I hope you enjoyed today's post.  So...what were pharmacies like in your area in the past?  Did they have a soda fountain in them like in the first couple of photos here?  Do any pharmacies in your area have soda fountains now?  Please share your memories and thoughts, I appreciate and enjoy hearing from you!  Just click on the "comments" link at the end of my post to share.

Unlikely Animal Friends

I made a post last week where I shared some photos of  some what I call unlikely animal friendships.  I found some more such photos on the internet to share, so I hope you enjoy them.  :)


First we have a kitten and a rooster...

How about a zebra and a giraffe?

Next we have a dog and a baby kangaroo...here is the great story for this photo.  Rex, the dog, found a dead kangaroo in the road.  Amazingly, one of its joeys was alive in its mother's pouch.  Rex rescued the joey, took it home and dropped it at his owner's feet.  The Guardian reports that this dog and baby kangaroo are now best friends.

Next we have an owl and a fox...

Last photo for this post we have a couple of goats and a pig...

Thank you all so much for visiting me here, and I look forward to your comments...and very much appreciate them!  Please click on the "comments" link at the end of my post to share your thoughts.

F.W. Woolworth...end of an era (Part 2)

As you can all see, I really loved the F.W. Woolworth stores!  I decided to make my post in two parts due to the amount of photos I have to share and in order to share with you all how much these stores meant to me as a little girl.  Even today I have such fond memories of the stores, and all I have is just that...fond memories.  I am grateful, though, that my memories live on and I am able to share them all with you!


When I was a little girl, my parents would often take me to the F.W. Woolworth store to shop;  especially on a Friday evening or Saturday morning.  If we went on a Saturday morning we would begin our shopping day with breakfast at Woolworth.  We would sit and chat and enjoy a leisurely breakfast and my parents would talk about what they needed to buy that day.  The food was always delicious and fresh, and the price was fantastic!  Most of the shopping (with the exception of food) was done at Woolworth...much to my delight!  


Woolworth sold just about everything!  They had wool, school supplies, sewing needs, pet supplies such as turtle and fish food, bird food...and they even sold budgies, canaries, fish and turtles.  They also sold a good selection of toys, games, colouring books and many more items!  You could hear the birds chirping in the store when you were at the luncheonette or just browsing the store.  It was a great place to shop, I just loved the atmosphere and the selection of goods.


This post will complete my topic of F.W. Woolworth...end of an era.  I hope you all enjoyed seeing the photos and hearing my memories of this amazing store!


Here are the final photos.  First up is the F.W. Woolworth grate.

Next is an old F.W. Woolworth voucher.  I don't recall anything about these vouchers, but I found the photo so I thought it would be good to share with you all.

Next is an old F.W. Woolworth ad...

And another old F.W. Woolworth ad...

Finally, and for the last two photos for this topic are the end of F.W. Woolworth...

Although this is the end of the era for F.W. Woolworth, it is indeed a historic wonder that I will remember for the rest of my life...

Thank you all so much for visiting me here, and I hope you have enjoyed my two posts on F.W. Woolworth...end of an era.  I really look forward to hearing your memories and thoughts.  Please click on the "comments" link at the end of my post to share.

F.W. Woolworth...end of an era (Part I)

Thank you all so much for visiting me here and for your comments on my posts, I really appreciate it.  This post will be in either two or three parts, as I have many photos to share with you all.  Hope you enjoy my posts on F.W. Woolworth.


I am sure most of us remember the F.W. Woolworth stores of days gone by.  Perhaps they are still around in some parts of the world such as the U.K., but as for Canada and the U.S., they have sadly disappeared.  


The F.W. Woolworth stores were the "old five and dime" stores.  The atmosphere was warm and friendly, the selection of merchandise and prices were very good, and they had a very long lunch counter where you could order a breakfast or lunch...or just a soft drink, coffee, piece of pie, etc.  Whatever you ordered, it was always fresh and delicious...and at a great price. I really miss these stores.


I have found many photos on the internet in reference to F.W. Woolworth that I will share with you all.  


First photo was taken in 1926.

Next we have a photo of the lunch counter...this particular one was the world's longest F.W. Woolworth counter, situated in Los Angeles.

Next we have a photo of the Woolworth building...it is the tallest one in the photo.

Next we have a 50th anniversary F.W. Woolworth promotional booklet...1879-1929.

Next we have an F.W. Woolworth 50th anniversary promotional ad.

Last photo for this post is of the old F.W. Woolworth floor!

This terminates Part I of my F.W. Woolworth...end of an era.  I hope you all enjoyed this, and I look forward to hearing your memories and thoughts.  Please click on the "comments" link at the end of my post to share.  Thank you so much!