I Miss REAL Letters

I've never been much of a telephone chatter person. I use the phone for making appointments or for a short conversation with someone that lives nearby and I'm more likely to see a little more often- like Stevie who refuses to answer emails.
I know that email is a good way to keep in touch and I do use it often. When I have some quick question late at night (at my age I'm always afraid I may forget it by morning), or I don't really have much to say but just want to 'touch base' with someone. It's great when you would have to make multiple phone calls for the same message to a group or you just want to hear from someone as often as possible - like your kids. Becky was great at emailing almost everyday while she was in Nashville, Jen wasn't too bad - she usually answered about every fifth or sixth one of mine. Getting an email from Stevie was almost too good to be true. I think I've gotten maybe half a dozen emails from him ever - maybe it's a guy thing. He was always good about calling though.
But I really miss walking out to the mailbox and getting a good old fashioned letter from someone you haven't heard from in months. The closest we ever get to that anymore is from a friend of Steve's -Bill Walker - who very kindly includes me in his greetings. We usually get postcards from him - from all over the world. And I love that kind of mail and really miss it. When I was a kid we use to have penpals or I had a friend who moved away that would write for awhile. I can remember when I was at OCC the highest point in the day was checking the mailbox. Mama wrote me at least once a week and my brother Joe would write now and then. For years after high school I would often get letters from old friends or some of the new ones I had made in Oklahoma. After I was married I still had several friends and one big brother that would write now and then. I was looking through some old pictues and stuff from my younger years and I found a few letters I had kept - if I had known they were going to be a thing of the past I probably would have kept a lot more of them! Now I know what you're going to say - I should write letters to some old friends so they will write me back - I've tried that. I've either been ignored completely or they email me - which isn't bad but I really would like to find a letter in my mailbox sometimes! Well, I don't know what I think whining to those who read my blog will do - but I'm curious - do you guys get real mail or is it truly a thing of the past?
Maybe I should write a bunch of letters and see if I can start a new fad.

Flotkens Market

Steve has been on a health kick lately which includes a lot of walking. He's been very diligent about taking a walk everyday. It's still too hot & humid out there for me so I do the treadmill - I probably wouldn't be able to keep up with his long legs anyway.
Anyway, the last few times we've needed a few items from the grocery store he's been walking up to the Farmer's Market up on Watson and it brought back memories of walking down to Flotkens Market where Daddy worked when we were kids. I remember when we were too young to go on our own we would walk down there with Mama. She had it timed so she could do her shopping during the last hour of his shift so he could drive us and all the groceries home (mama didn't drive).
While she did the shopping I (and probably Jimmy) would follow daddy around as he worked in the produce. I loved going back to the huge refrigerator and watching him sort out any bad produce before he'd come out and restock the bins. I can remember a lot of the customers stopping to chat with him and ask for his help picking out produce. He really spoiled us - he always brought home the best fruit & veggies. Sometimes he would charmingly tease one of his regulars - usually an older lady who loved the attention- and after they were out of earshot he'd tell us he did that cause they were such old crabs. If he was really busy and we were underfoot he'd send us over to visit the bakery where the ladies would give us a free sugar donut and we'd visit there until mama was ready to check out.
The store was one of those little friendly family owned stores and the owners treated us like family. When I was a bit older I would sometimes go down there just to stop and chat with daddy. Mr. Flotkens helped me set up a stand in his store to sell my product from Junior Achievment and he came to my wedding - I still have their wedding gift.
At some point they moved the store out to Olivette. The Flotkens were Jewish and they could cater more to that clientel out there. I do remember daddy complaining that they all took off for the Jewish holidays and the Christiam holidays. Jimmy worked for them there (that was how he avoided Miss Hullings) so he probably has a more mature memory of the store and family. But walking down on 'grocery shopping day' was always a treat to me - as was walking to the library, Famous-Barr, Hampton Village or taking the bus to Cherokee street. I guess if gas gets too high we may have to start having those types of adventures again.

Weekend Theme

I just finished reading a good book, "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls. It was a memoir of her life starting when she was 3. Jeannette was one of four children raised by seemingly intelligent but unresponsible, lazy, and selfish parents. She knew what it was like to have food on the table one day and to dig in the trash for food for weeks. She did a really good job of not dwelling on some of the misery she went through - she gave you enough to get the idea without making you feel real depressed and she gave you reason to cheer now and then. It was a quick read and well written - but about hard times.
This morning Steve & I went down to Kimmswick to check out the shops and (of course) to eat lunch at the Blue Owl. Kimmswick looks like it has really fallen on hard times. A lot of shops were closed, some were vacant, and the ones that were open had very little business. Blue Owl was doing a good business though. We didn't indulge in any of their famous pies but they sure looked good.
This afternoon we went to see a movie that has been out for months, Prairie Home Companion. It was a cute movie - but again it was about old days and the closing down of a radio show - hard times.
Tonight I watched a Miami CSI repeat - and wouldn't you know it was about IRS agents getting killed for turning people out into the street - more hard times.
Are you seeing the theme of my weekend so far? I'm not sure if I want to go watch the news! But really, I'd recommend the book, the movie, and CSI is always good even if it is a repeat - however, I'd only go to Kimmswick if you want to eat at the Blue Owl - the rest of the town is rather sad. I already know tomorrow will be more cheerful - worship with family & friends is always good times. Hope your weekend has been full of very good times!

Stevie's birthday party

We celebrated Stevie's 25th birthday last night by going to Sam's Steakhouse where Stevie got a HUGE steak (see Becky's blog) and then to the old homestead where we had cheesecake or brownies. I think he had a good birthday - next thing on his list is a wedding.

Stevie's Birthday is coming up!

Thursday, August 17 is the birthday of my baby boy – Stevie. He’s going to be 25 years old! At this post he has not yet decided how we are going to celebrate his birthday. As these pics show, he always went with the ‘superhero’ or ‘sports’ theme as a kid – but since he’s a mature adult now (sorta) he thinks more in terms of a good steak. Stevie has always been good to his momma and he gives the best hugs! HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVIE – I LOVE YOU!

Super Sleuth

Tonight is our anniversary and we were just going to go see a good movie and out to eat. However, there are not any movies out that I cared anything about seeing. So my next idea was just to go out to a nice dinner to someplace we haven't been before. I've always wanted to go to the Lemp Mansion and so Steve was going to call to make reservations - I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Turns out we were at one of those "murder mystery audience participation dinners". Somehow I got lucky and didn't get picked on (which would have been really bad because my bio said I loved to sing) but Steve had to perform- but I think he liked it. I was Helen Rump and he was Roswell somebody. Out of all of us who guessed the right perpetrator - Steve got the trophy - hurrah!!

It was an interesting evening. The 2 actors were fun - of course it was all corny but we had a good time. The food wasn't bad - but not excellent either. An appetizer plate had an ok selection. (One strawberry, one melon bite, one chicken strip, one cabbage roll, one tostito, and 2 cubes of cheese.) The salads had that Mayfair dressing with the anchovies - yuck! But the chicken was good with cheesey potatoes, a glass of wine, one roll and one pat of butter -and they gave you a generous slice of cheesecake for dessert. The other entree choices were prime rib or tilapia.

The house itself is pretty interesting - it's suppose to be haunted but we didn't see any ghosts - we did see a wedding party though (I wouldn't recommend a reception there - you're in about 6 different rooms)
A very different type of anniversary dinner for me but it was fun and now I can say I've been to Lemp Mansion. Maybe I'll go back for lunch someday - without the mystery theater.

Thirty four years

Thirty-four years ago I was very busy trying to get all the last minute details organized for my wedding. When I look at these pictures and think about how hot it is - I have to wonder 'what was I thinking with long sleeves and high neck' - but that was more the style of that time. Plus, I always broke out in big red blotches on my neck when I got nervous so I was just 'covering up.' Why we chose August had more to do with schedules - ours and our friends - people just didn't travel for a quick wedding weekend like they do now.
Our actual anniversary is Friday, August 4th. Tommy South performed the ceremony and his wife, Linda and Neal Anderson sang for us. I remember we had "Sunrise, Sunset" for the parents to walk in and "One Hand, One Heart" when we lit the unity candle. Strangely enough I don't remember what I walked down the aisle to - just that it was a song I hated but Steve insisted on because it was traditional. I had three bridesmaids, 4 junior bridesmaids, and a flower girl & ring bearer. I remember when I was walking down the aisle the lace on my veil kept catching on the runner and I thought sure it was going to just get yanked off my head before we could get up front. Patty Wareham made my cake and we had a small reception at a small hall rather that the traditional cake & punch in the church basement. (We did, however, have a pot-luck rehearsal dinner in the church basement.) I asked the elders wives to serve the punch at the reception so there would be no questions as to what the ingredients might be. We spent our honeymoon night at the Viking (at Lindbergh & Watson) and spent maybe 2 days at Branson as our honeymoon trip. Actually, I think we stayed in Springfield because we couldn't find a room in Branson - didn't know anything about making reservations back then - and then drove to the Branson area. We decided to head home earlier than planned because we still had to move into our new house on Friar Tuck before we'd have to go back to work.
Weddings are a lot more complicated and EXPENSIVE now ( my dress & veil was less than $100) but we got the deed done. I had about $6000 in my bank account before we got married and we spent it all on the wedding (Daddy bought my dress but the rest was my responsibility) and on furniture for the bedroom, living room, and kitchen. Thirty four years makes a big difference in the price of things. Anyway, we may not be those same young kids (21 & 23) but we have a lot to be thankful for in all those years - Happy 34th Anniversary Steve!

Window fans and front porches

I know you are all probably tired of hearing about the storm but we finally have our electric back on so this is the first chance I've had to get on the computer. We did have about 12-15 hours of electric last night before it shut down again but we were only home about 30 minutes of that time.
Anyway - aside from the fact that it was hot and we lost all the food in the refrigerator - I was just thankful that we still had plumbing, no small children, pets or elderly sick ones to worry about, money to go out to eat with, plenty of gas in both our cars, and 2 kids who never lost power and 1 who only lost it one night. Thanks kids for the a/c days and nights!
But atually the heat just made me think about my childhood days. We didn't have a/c for a long time but at least we did have electricity - and the most wonderful window fan in the world. The only thing that would compare is an attic fan. Flipping the switch on the fan before bed was just part of the "going to bed" ritual. I'd lie there in my bed with the gentle breeze the fan pulled in fluttering my curtains, brushing my skin, and actually making the room chilly by morning sometimes. But the best part was the constant rhythm of the fan. Sometimes when I have trouble sleeping I try to pull that sound from my memories - it just lulled you to sleep so easily.
We spent two nights at Stevie's house in the city and that stirred up a lot of old memories too. With no electric, people were sitting out on their porches like we always did in our neighborhood and neighbors would walk by and stop to chat on the front steps. I use to love taking night time walks around the block or up to the ice cream stand. Sometimes daddy would bring home a watermelon and we'd sit out in the back yard and enjoy that. As kids, we played out in the front up and down the block until "the streetlights come on." That was every kids' signal it was time to go home. We didn't watch a lot of tv (of course there were a lot fewer choices to watch) but we visited relatives for a few hours or just sat on the porch and watched the world go by - not a bad way to spend an evening at all. What we didn't do back then was take very many pictures - so this me in front of the porch in my 8th grade graduation dress - I figure we could all use a good laugh after this past week - and
Jimmy, Nancy, Joe, and I on the front porch before we put the house up for sale.
I hope everyone is back up and running real soon - but if the electric is out and you think there's nothing to do - just use it as an excuse to relax and daydream - it'll be good for you.

Almost Family Reunion Time

Nancy tells me she got an email this week reminding us it's almost "McCoy Family Reunion" time down at Reelfoot Lake. The pictures are 1- Reelfoot Lake with what's left of the old dock in the state park. It use to go out further and there would be lots of people out there fishing. Daddy told me on one on his last trips down there that the fish in that lake were not edible anymore and the restaurants use farm fish now - but we use to eat those big ole' catfish! 2- this picture is also of the lake but you can see all those stump looking things - those are 'cypress knees' - at least that's what we call them. They look like tree stumps but they are really part of the existing trees - like the roots. These trees build themselves up so they can grow out in the lake. There use to be zillions of trees out over the whole lake but they have slowly died off. 3- a picture of one of those rare reunions that we got Steve to go to and some of the kids who were too young to have a choice. I guess Stevie is the only one who hasn't ever been. 4- this was the FIRST reunion but it wasn't at Reelfoot - it was at an uncle's farm - we had a fish fry - don't you know Steve was excited!!. 5- Jenny would listen to Aunt Nancy and I talk about all the fun we had on these trips so she decided she would come along by choice once - but it was only once. She was a good sport but once was all we ever talked her into. At least she got a t-shirt!
The reunions are a good time to share memories and hear stories about momma & daddy that we never knew. Saturday we have a lot of laughs, lots of catching up with families, and a good home cooked country meal. Sunday morning we worship with the family (who are all Baptist) - complete with a preacher (Uncle Jesse) and sometimes an organist, take some pictures, and then we go make ourselves sick on every imaginable fried food there is: fried fish, chicken, onion rings, french fries, hush puppies - add a little very salty country ham, beans, slaw, apples - makes your mouth water, doesn't it?

Jen's Birthday Party

I remembered to take some pictures last night at Jen's 30th Birthday Party so I thought I'd share a few. We went to 1111 Mississippi for dinner and then back to our house for some yummy 'free' ice cream cake from Cold Stone Creamery. We had a nice celebration but Nate wasn't able to join us because Samson had to have 'cat surgery' yesterday so he stayed home with the patient.

Happy Birthday to Jenny

Tomorrow- Monday, July10, 2006 is Jen's 30th Birthday! Seems like it was only a few years ago that we brought her home from the hospital so I don't know how she could be 30 already. But my first beautiful tiny baby has grown into a beautiful young woman. The day she was born I got side swiped on my way to my doctor's appointment. The doctor was sure my pains were a result of my anxiety and that I would not deliver for at least another week. But he was wrong and she came that evening. They told Steve to go eat dinner because I wouldn't deliver until morning - but they were wrong again and he almost missed the whole event. Jenny has always been on the stubborn side when anyone tries to tell her what to do - just kidding. Happy Birthday Jen - I love you!

Spencer's First Over-Nite

Spencer came to stay over nite with Nana & Popo last night. It was his first time away from Mommy & Daddy and he did great. We took him to Lion's Choice for dinner cause he likes "turkey, and bun, and fries, and milk" and sometimes he would remember to add "and ice cream". After Popo and Spencer watched a little ballgame (I think Popo was already asleep), Nana and Spencer read a few books and said our prayers. He was so good - he laid right down (as soon as Nana promised him she was sleeping right next to him) and in 10 minutes he was out. He's a restless sleeper just like his mommy was at his age but he slept until 7:30 am so Nana was happy. Spencer was the perfect over-nite guest and I'm glad he enjoyed it so he can come back again.

Family Get-together

It was good to see Joe & Sandi last week and that also meant we got to see Kelly, Joe, & Karli - we missed Rachel because she's a working girl now. We never see enough of this group and I know it's hard for them to get to St. Louis very often
(I guess we could all go to Colorado??)
But anyway - no one has changed much except the girls - they are really grown up! Joe & Sandi are still the same - lots of fun and silliness! Of course - silliness goes well in this family - and it's not genetic. That's Karl showing Sandi how we pose for pictures in St. Louis and Karli is showing us that she has learned some of her grandpa's tricks. Sandi & Nancy are the sweet innocents - yeah right! And don't let that sweet picture of Joe & Kelly fool you - they are just as silly and as much fun as the rest of them. One more thing - Monday is Kelly's birthday - HAPPY BIRTHDAY KELLY!!!!!

Where NOT to get a manicure!

David & Lindsey's wedding is this weekend and I was way overdue for a pedicure & manicure anyway. I went to my usual pedicure lady because I feel safe with her. You hear all those horror stories about infections & diseases you can get from some places but she's very particular (she's actually a massage therapist too). However, she only does pedicures. I really needed a manicure but I was very short on time (this volunteer job at church has taken up most of yesterday & today). So I went to this little shop near my house.
I guess I should have known I was in trouble when she told me "for you, twelve dollar". Don't misunderstand me, I have no problem with foreigners but I can't ever get that Jerry Seinfeld scene out of my head when I go for a manicure. I know there are some excellent manicurist that don't speak English - but this shop isn't where they are. They talked non-stop the whole time I was there but they only tried to speak English to me. *Side note- the sign in the shop actually said Manicure - $11.99.
Of course, I caused the first problem. I was hoping to match my pedicure color. I'm still not sure if they didn't understand what color I was saying or they just didn't have it - and bless their hearts, they (and I mean the whole shop- there were 5 of them) searched every bottle and compared it to my toes. I finally convinced them that a color would do just fine - but the father continued to search and compare to my toes the whole time I was getting worked on.
The girl who did my nails was either new at it or the whole group just likes to watch over her shoulder (unfortunately, I was the only customer most of the time). Every single one of them took turns standing over us and felt compelled to ask me questions. "You like?" "That ok?" - Usually I could just smile and say 'yes' and they seemed happy. When she wanted to ask me something she would tell the mother to ask me - but her English only went so far - I think she thinks I'm marrying my nephew this weekend.
The girl almost drew blood as she ruined my cuticles - I'm hoping it's not permanent damage. She almost forgot to put on the undercoat but the father must have reminded her because she scowled at him and said something but then went over to get the bottle she needed. One of the girls spent my whole time there trying to convince me I needed a pedicure also but she finally gave up and packed up and went home. As she left she said "next time you do pedicure too - very pretty" and I said "Ok" - like there will ever be a next time!!
When the torture was over and the nails were painted they left me alone for a few minutes to let them dry - I think this was because another lady had popped in and there were all over her now. But 3 times a different one would come over to check my nails to see if they were dry yet.
I know I'm probably just being cranky because as people they were actually very nice and REALLY tried to make you feel welcome. But I'm not pleased with my manicure or with what I had to go through for it - so does anyone have a good manicurist they'd recommend for next time???

History Lessons

If you asked any of my family what was the worse vacation they ever had - they would probably all tell you it was our South Carolina trip. We stayed at Kiawah Island - on the beach and a short drive from Charleston. Although the resort was nice enough and the beach and grounds were great - the mid-August weather was even unbearable for my kids. It was too hot and muggy to be fun at all. These pictures are when I made them all go to Charleston - I love old mansions and historical places - and it shows what a great family I have. They were all hot, miserable and bored to death but they didn't let that keep them from being silly and having a little fun while trying to humor me.
It amazes me that I like any history at all. I hated history in school. Three of my four high school history classes was with the very same boring, dull, dry, bad-breath - did I say boring- teacher. I never had a good history teacher although I heard rumors that Cleveland had a few - those were probably for those 1-A brainy students. Strangely enough, I enjoy visiting historical spots and I love historical fiction novels - that's how they should teach people like me history! I read "The Other Boleyn Girl, "The Queen's Fool", and the "Virgin's Lover" by Philippa Gregory and finally understand that part of England's history. I'd also recommend "Lucy" by Ellen Feldman, "Mount Vernon Love Story" by Mary Higgins Clark, "Memoirs of a Geisha", and a non-fiction book that reads like fiction, "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson. (It's about the Chicago World's Fair.)
I still would like to go back to Charleston someday and spend a little more time there - but probably more like in October or November - never again in the summer!

Late Birthday Wishes

Happy Belated Birthday to Karli Brennan - her birthday was on June 10. And also to her dad -Joe Brennan -his birthday was the 12th. I don't get to see the Brennan clan often unless there's a wedding or Joe & Sandi happen to be in town. Hopefully we'll get to see a bit more of them next week since there's a wedding AND Joe & Sandi are in town for the week. It will be good to get everyone together for a nice visit.
The picture is Kelly, Joe,Rachel, & Karli (about 8 years ago!)

Miss Hullings - Part 1

Miss Hullings at 11th & Locust was my first job. I got the job over stacks of other applicants because Aunt Mazie, a long-time dedicated employee there, put in a good word for me - plus Nancy & Joe had both worked there. It was the easiest job I ever got and, except for motherhood, probably one of the most interesting and eye-opening jobs I would ever experience.
These pictures are from a 40th Anniversary promotion they had where I got to play hostess. The one picture is with Mrs. Apted (Miss Hullings). I still remember her driving me and a few other girls to a costume store for this event. She came to a dead stop in the far left hand lane of the highway because we were at our exit. She just sat there and waited until she could pull across the other 2 lanes to exit - I thought sure we were all dead.
When Nancy had worked at Miss Hullings she was a waitress in the restaurant side. I'm guessing she worked for Miss Linda? I do remember she got lots of tips because when the ice cream man would come down the street Mom would tell us to look through her purses in the bottom of her wardrobe for some change. Ask her about the "jello" incident.
Joe, I think, worked either behind the counter or was a busboy for the restaurant side. He was a favorite of Aunt Mazie and Miss Ann's. I'm sure he could probably tell quite a few of stories himself.
I got stuck on the cafeteria side (at least I didn't get sent to the kitchen) with Miss Goldie. I started out as a bus girl - the one who cleans off the tables. After a while I was graduated to bell/bus girl. Which means I still cleaned off the tables but I was the one that would go get that extra pat of butter for you or refill your coffee. You got a few tips as bell girl - but very few. My last job there was as cashier - I never realized how disgustingly dirty money could be - especially when you saw someone dig the money out of their 'hiding place' in their clothing. YUCK!
During the slack times you were always kept busy. I sometimes got put to work behind the counter, sent to the kitchen to roll silverware, sent to a banquet room to set tables, clean off tables or to fill sugar, salt, & pepper jars. Sometimes I was sent up to the bakery to help out or to the bake shop to stock shelves. And then there was this time in the pictures where I played hostess.
I met a lot of interesting or sometimes just plain weird people - both customers and other employees. I'll save them for Part 2. I don't know how Jimmy managed to avoid working at Miss Hullings - you just don't know what you missed Jimmy -ha ha