The earliest music I remember was the church pianos playing children's Christian songs and the church organ playing hymns. We had a radio at home, but I don't remember listening to music on it in the early years of childhood. I have fond memories, though, of records. Grandma Mary Jonas had a Victor Victrola (or, if made after 1929, RCA Victor Victrola) that you cranked, delivering turntable revolutions for the effort. A certain amount of cranking allowed the machine to play a 78 RPM record. Grandma had a huge collection of records that we rarely listened to at her home next door. Children didn't mess with the Victrola (click on this link for more detailed information about Victor Records, Machines and RCA)
Victor Talking Machine Company
When I was 5 or 6, we got an electric record player which played 78's and allowed stacking of waiting records fora multiple play feature. I played records over and over if I liked them. There were lots of 1940's songs and many WWII songs that I loved. "This is the Army Mr. Jones" sticks out as one I heard repeatedly. "This is the Army, Mr. Jones, No private rooms or telephones. You had your breakfast in be before, but you won't have it there anymore. This is the Army Mr. Green. We like the barracks nice and clean. You had a housemaid to clean your floor, but she won't help you out any more. Do what the buglers command. They're in the Army and not in a band. This is the Army Mr. Brown. You and your baby went to town. She had you worried, but this is war, and she won't worry you any more." This is the Army, Mr Jones
When we started to get our own records, I played the Johnny Appleseed album from Disney with Dennis Day over and over. "Get on the wagon rolling west, out to the great unknown. Get on the wagon rolling west, or you'll be left alone. We made a home before. We're starting out again. We ain't afeered of man or beast or stout hearted friend, so Get on the wagons rolling west out to the great unknown. Get on the wagons rolling west, or you'll be left alone." And he was left alone in the Disney story, so he had to make do with what he had. Shoeless with a pot for a hat and appleseeds to offer. And he did what he knew, becoming famous, but still wearing rags. So he sang, "The Lord's been good to me, and so I thank the Lord, for giving me the things I need: the sun and rain and the appleseed. The Lord's been good to me." And that's a lesson for kids. The Lord's Been Good to Me
Later, I learned more about John Chapman, a fascinating nurseryman and religious man.
From Wikipedia: Johnny Appleseed (September 26, 1774 – March 18, 1845), born John Chapman, was an American pioneer nurseryman who introduced apple trees to large parts of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. He became an American legend while still alive, largely because of his kind and generous ways, his great leadership in conservation, and the symbolic importance he attributed to apples.
He was also a missionary for The New Church, or Swedenborgian Church, so named because it teaches the theological doctrines contained in the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg.
Life in Liberty was musical in many ways. Was it for you? What are your musical memories?
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Mother's Day and The Mothers of Liberty: We Love You!
Happy Mothers Day!
Esther, Fanny, Mary, Ruth, Gladys, Evy, Pauline, Mickey, Joy, Norma, Bessie, Alvina, Pearl, Henrietta, Dee, Clara, Clara, Catherine, Corrie, Ruth, Ruth, Hilda, Hester, Margaret, Aunty, Lois, Jean, Evelyn and on and on. These were some of the first names I remember of the "Mothers of Liberty" when I was a child. Please add more and stories as you see fit in the comments section at the end of this entry.
It seemed to me that the Mothers of Liberty shared a lot with each other about home life and raising children. They also learned formally together through Iris McCumber, the Home Extension Agent who shared the latest homemaking insights with these women. On Back Street, the women also shared the knowledge about using weeping willow tree branches for switches to keep the neighborhood children in line. "Go get me a switch from the weeping willow tree, and it better not be too small," I remember my mother saying when I stepped over the line with my behavior.
They could bake, sew and command as needed. They could wait, pray and spew a bit of anger when their volunteer firefighter husbands went into United Fireworks to put out an explosive, dangerous fire. They attended Women's Camp in Clarksville sometimes in the summer (My Grandma Mary Jonas loved to lead the women in singing at camp).
These women were present in our lives and in our community. They taught us by example what mothers are and what they do. They helped us to understand who we are.
On Mother's Day now many of these women are remembered through stories and photos and in graveyards. I just had lunch with Mom (Esther), Mike and Paddy, Patrick and Spencer in Springboro at the China Cottage. Mom wanted to make sure she got vegetables. That's one not so subtle way to get a chance to be 85, eat your vegetables, Folks. Thanks for the example, Mom. Her mother, Fanny Clayton, was wheelchair bound as long as I knew her with severe rheumatoid arthritis but used her swollen hands to make all sorts of crafty items including Christmas ornaments from Meadowgold Dairy tin foil bottle caps and handmade greeting cards. She crocheted doilies and painted knick knacks and a few pictures of her surroundings, including one still hanging on my mother's kitchen wall of Henry Bussey's cows and the IV tree, as we called it. Grandma Clayton always ate vegetables, too.
I remember a song we sang in Liberty EUB choir on Mother's Day, 1960. I reflect on these words every Mother's Day, since Frances Wolf, our director asked me to sing the first part as a solo, which I nervously did. The chorus swelled with love and honor as we thought about the meaning of Mother for each of us. I couldn't find the name or rest of the words on the internet. Who knows the name/ rest of the song?
Mother, Oh let me tell it once more
Tell it that all may know
Tell it, oft though I've told it before
All that to Mother I owe
Tell it gracefully. Tell it tenderly.
Tell how I love you so.
Mother, What other name could there be
Mother, so full of meaning to me
Tend'rest, Dearest, Blessings Divine
Oh how I Love You,
Mother of mine.
God Bless the Mothers of Liberty and the meaning of their love and example for the Children of Liberty.
Esther, Fanny, Mary, Ruth, Gladys, Evy, Pauline, Mickey, Joy, Norma, Bessie, Alvina, Pearl, Henrietta, Dee, Clara, Clara, Catherine, Corrie, Ruth, Ruth, Hilda, Hester, Margaret, Aunty, Lois, Jean, Evelyn and on and on. These were some of the first names I remember of the "Mothers of Liberty" when I was a child. Please add more and stories as you see fit in the comments section at the end of this entry.
It seemed to me that the Mothers of Liberty shared a lot with each other about home life and raising children. They also learned formally together through Iris McCumber, the Home Extension Agent who shared the latest homemaking insights with these women. On Back Street, the women also shared the knowledge about using weeping willow tree branches for switches to keep the neighborhood children in line. "Go get me a switch from the weeping willow tree, and it better not be too small," I remember my mother saying when I stepped over the line with my behavior.
They could bake, sew and command as needed. They could wait, pray and spew a bit of anger when their volunteer firefighter husbands went into United Fireworks to put out an explosive, dangerous fire. They attended Women's Camp in Clarksville sometimes in the summer (My Grandma Mary Jonas loved to lead the women in singing at camp).
These women were present in our lives and in our community. They taught us by example what mothers are and what they do. They helped us to understand who we are.
On Mother's Day now many of these women are remembered through stories and photos and in graveyards. I just had lunch with Mom (Esther), Mike and Paddy, Patrick and Spencer in Springboro at the China Cottage. Mom wanted to make sure she got vegetables. That's one not so subtle way to get a chance to be 85, eat your vegetables, Folks. Thanks for the example, Mom. Her mother, Fanny Clayton, was wheelchair bound as long as I knew her with severe rheumatoid arthritis but used her swollen hands to make all sorts of crafty items including Christmas ornaments from Meadowgold Dairy tin foil bottle caps and handmade greeting cards. She crocheted doilies and painted knick knacks and a few pictures of her surroundings, including one still hanging on my mother's kitchen wall of Henry Bussey's cows and the IV tree, as we called it. Grandma Clayton always ate vegetables, too.
I remember a song we sang in Liberty EUB choir on Mother's Day, 1960. I reflect on these words every Mother's Day, since Frances Wolf, our director asked me to sing the first part as a solo, which I nervously did. The chorus swelled with love and honor as we thought about the meaning of Mother for each of us. I couldn't find the name or rest of the words on the internet. Who knows the name/ rest of the song?
Mother, Oh let me tell it once more
Tell it that all may know
Tell it, oft though I've told it before
All that to Mother I owe
Tell it gracefully. Tell it tenderly.
Tell how I love you so.
Mother, What other name could there be
Mother, so full of meaning to me
Tend'rest, Dearest, Blessings Divine
Oh how I Love You,
Mother of mine.
God Bless the Mothers of Liberty and the meaning of their love and example for the Children of Liberty.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Childhood Easter in Liberty
Easter Hymns have always been an important aspect of Easter in Liberty. My childhood favorite was, "Low in the Grave He Lay", "Christ The Lord is Risen Today" was a close second and is my adult favorite Easter hymn. These hymns resonnated well in the Liberty EUB Church on Easter Sunday.
The community often got an early start at the Easter Sunrise Service sponsored by the community churches in the township (Bearcreek Church of the Brethren) and villages of Ellerton and Liberty. This service often was held at the Jefferson High School stadium, with 3 crosses propped on the field in front of the bleachers. This was a great time to see school friends like Donnie Smith, Mike Maxwell and Dan Maxwell and their families, appreciating the community pastors gifts and enjoying the Easter breakfast together in the school cafeteria.
We went to early service followed by Sunday School where we sang more Easter hymns and, in later years, went to late service, too. The choir, which I later joined, would sing at both services on Easter Sunday, affording four sessions of worship and singing. This was uplifting and fulfilling. It felt right.
Jesus Lives! was the message for all. The story of the Resurrection was powerful. The empty tomb and Jesus appearing after "He arose the victor from the dark domain" were joyous testimony that "He lives forever with His saints to reign". Children could understand that and Believe! We would sing together in the closing hymn, "Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia! Following our exalted Head, Alleluia! Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia! Hail the Resurrection Thou, Alleluia!" Amen.
The specialness of Easter was enhanced by the childhood delights of Easter Eggs and Easter Egg hunts. The chocolate Easter bunnies added to the tastiness of the day. Were the hollow ones better than the solid milk chocolate? The yellow chickies were made of marshmallow like material, pretty but not as tasty as the chocolate bunnies and chocolate eggs. Candy pleased us, but we also got new clothes for Easter. Nice tradition, well supported by having both sets of grandparents living next door and across the street.
The whole family got together at one of the grandparents homes after church. Art and Mary, Bill and Fanny, Esther and Scud, Jerry and Joy, Mike and I gathered for an amazing feast and conversation. Ollie and Clarbel Webb were often included as members of the family, too. Grandpa Jonas made the most incredible mashed potatoes and Grandpa Clayton could make delicious swiss steak. The ham and green beans were great, too. But the pies were a special delicacy.
The Easter message for children in Liberty was magical for me. It wasn't the candy, the egg hunt or even being with family, all of which I enjoyed. Jesus died and rose from the dead for me. And you, too. We are forgiven.
The community often got an early start at the Easter Sunrise Service sponsored by the community churches in the township (Bearcreek Church of the Brethren) and villages of Ellerton and Liberty. This service often was held at the Jefferson High School stadium, with 3 crosses propped on the field in front of the bleachers. This was a great time to see school friends like Donnie Smith, Mike Maxwell and Dan Maxwell and their families, appreciating the community pastors gifts and enjoying the Easter breakfast together in the school cafeteria.
We went to early service followed by Sunday School where we sang more Easter hymns and, in later years, went to late service, too. The choir, which I later joined, would sing at both services on Easter Sunday, affording four sessions of worship and singing. This was uplifting and fulfilling. It felt right.
Jesus Lives! was the message for all. The story of the Resurrection was powerful. The empty tomb and Jesus appearing after "He arose the victor from the dark domain" were joyous testimony that "He lives forever with His saints to reign". Children could understand that and Believe! We would sing together in the closing hymn, "Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia! Following our exalted Head, Alleluia! Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia! Hail the Resurrection Thou, Alleluia!" Amen.
The specialness of Easter was enhanced by the childhood delights of Easter Eggs and Easter Egg hunts. The chocolate Easter bunnies added to the tastiness of the day. Were the hollow ones better than the solid milk chocolate? The yellow chickies were made of marshmallow like material, pretty but not as tasty as the chocolate bunnies and chocolate eggs. Candy pleased us, but we also got new clothes for Easter. Nice tradition, well supported by having both sets of grandparents living next door and across the street.
The whole family got together at one of the grandparents homes after church. Art and Mary, Bill and Fanny, Esther and Scud, Jerry and Joy, Mike and I gathered for an amazing feast and conversation. Ollie and Clarbel Webb were often included as members of the family, too. Grandpa Jonas made the most incredible mashed potatoes and Grandpa Clayton could make delicious swiss steak. The ham and green beans were great, too. But the pies were a special delicacy.
The Easter message for children in Liberty was magical for me. It wasn't the candy, the egg hunt or even being with family, all of which I enjoyed. Jesus died and rose from the dead for me. And you, too. We are forgiven.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Esther's Birthday. Stories of Jesus in Stained Glass and Music
Esther Jean Clayton Jonas celebrated her birthday one day after the event with her sons, daughters in law, several grandchildren and great grand children on Sunday April 3rd by worshiping together in Liberty. When she was born in St. Ann's Hospital in 1926, her future husband Art ("Scud") Jonas, already lived in Liberty on Back Street. Growing up in Dayton on Orchard St. just down the street from Roosevelt High School, she might not have dreamed of a life in the country, but Liberty called and she's still there. As her 20th birthday present (one day later on April 3, 1946) I was happy to grow up in Liberty, and pleased to celebrate my 65th birthday on April 3rd with family in the Liberty Church. It is a church with a great history and hopefully a unique future, as God wills.
In the sanctuary of the Liberty United Methodist Church, two beautiful stained glass windows enhance the meaning of each service on the sides of the worship area and one more looks over the congregation from the back. On the right window labeled to honor the donor, "The Ladies Aid Society", Jesus is praying in the Garden of Gesthemane. In the garden, Jesus prayed alone, then was betrayed and arrested.
Among other thoughts as I looked at that window last Sunday, I recall that one of my Grandma Mary Jonas' favorite songs was "In the Garden". (Words and music here) It was in the United Brethren Church hymnal but not in the Methodist Hymnal until they merged with the Evangelical United Brethren Church (EUB, which came after UB) by the way. The chorus of the song proclaims, "And He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known."
The second verse includes, "And the melody That He gave to me, Within my heart is ringing." There was always a melody ringing in my Grandma's heart, in fact she really enjoyed singing, "In My Heart There Rings a Melody". (words/music here) It could be the title of her biography, should it ever be written.
The stained glass window on the left as one faces the alter is the image of Jesus knocking on a door, carrying a cane in His left hand while knocking with the back of His right hand. I had forgotten the cane, but remember, "Behold I stand at the door and knock." The door has no handle since we're supposed to open it from the inside for Him when He knocks at our hearts. In the lowest part of the stained glass are the words, "By the Children of the Circuit".
The image in the rearmost stained glass window is Jesus holding a lamb in the crook of His right arm. The story is found in Matthew and Luke:
The story is beautifully depicted in the window and the hymn is in the United Brethren Hymnal (and not in the Methodist Hymnal, where the Wesley's rule). (words/music "The Ninety and Nine" Here). This song has some awesome recordings on YouTube if you want to hear other versions (e.g., Tennessee Ernie Ford).
Who knows the donor names on the bottom of this window?
When you come to Liberty United Methodist Church, check out the beautiful and meaningful stained glass windows. They will tell you a story when you're ready to listen. May God continue to bless this church, its people, it's windows and their message. Peace.
Pat Jonas
In the sanctuary of the Liberty United Methodist Church, two beautiful stained glass windows enhance the meaning of each service on the sides of the worship area and one more looks over the congregation from the back. On the right window labeled to honor the donor, "The Ladies Aid Society", Jesus is praying in the Garden of Gesthemane. In the garden, Jesus prayed alone, then was betrayed and arrested.
Among other thoughts as I looked at that window last Sunday, I recall that one of my Grandma Mary Jonas' favorite songs was "In the Garden". (Words and music here) It was in the United Brethren Church hymnal but not in the Methodist Hymnal until they merged with the Evangelical United Brethren Church (EUB, which came after UB) by the way. The chorus of the song proclaims, "And He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known."
The second verse includes, "And the melody That He gave to me, Within my heart is ringing." There was always a melody ringing in my Grandma's heart, in fact she really enjoyed singing, "In My Heart There Rings a Melody". (words/music here) It could be the title of her biography, should it ever be written.
The stained glass window on the left as one faces the alter is the image of Jesus knocking on a door, carrying a cane in His left hand while knocking with the back of His right hand. I had forgotten the cane, but remember, "Behold I stand at the door and knock." The door has no handle since we're supposed to open it from the inside for Him when He knocks at our hearts. In the lowest part of the stained glass are the words, "By the Children of the Circuit".
The image in the rearmost stained glass window is Jesus holding a lamb in the crook of His right arm. The story is found in Matthew and Luke:
Matthew 18:12-14 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
Luke 15:4-7 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
The story is beautifully depicted in the window and the hymn is in the United Brethren Hymnal (and not in the Methodist Hymnal, where the Wesley's rule). (words/music "The Ninety and Nine" Here). This song has some awesome recordings on YouTube if you want to hear other versions (e.g., Tennessee Ernie Ford).
Who knows the donor names on the bottom of this window?
When you come to Liberty United Methodist Church, check out the beautiful and meaningful stained glass windows. They will tell you a story when you're ready to listen. May God continue to bless this church, its people, it's windows and their message. Peace.
Pat Jonas
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Red Wagons, Church Softball ("Eye for Eye") and Concession Stands
Children's Sunday School Songs: The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock , The B-I-B-L-E
"That's cuter than a little red wagon" was a phrase I heard my Grandma (Mary) Jonas use a lot. Little red wagons were common in the world of children and they did look cute. Their history via the Radio Flyer Wagon manufacturer is here.
One of my childhood photos is four boys in a wooden wagon with the slats removed in front of Grandma Jonas house. In back is Mike, then Bobby Whitaker, Bobby Ogle and me (about 18-24 months old) in the front. It's not a red wagon, so maybe not so cute, but we guys were cute. (OK, I'll start scanning in some of these photos in a few weeks).
Church softball games were special treats as a boy. Our church had a few families with lots of athletic men (the Schencks had 9 or so and the Whitakers had several, the Wolfs and Weavers had so many relatives they aren't countable- I go to the Wolf reunion now having married a Michael). The dads would play and we kids could run around and get soft drinks such as Nehi Orange Soda or Cream Soda and Dreamsicles, Creamsicles, fudgesicles or popsicles. There were also chewable or lickable items such as Double Bubble Gum, Tootsie Roll Pops and gummy things. They played at Farmersville, I remember slow pitch softball there and fast pitch at New Lebanon, each one with a unique concession stand and play areas around and under the bleachers. Once we got ball gloves with S & H Green Stamps, Mike and I could throw the ball around behind the bleachers.
It might have been church league softball but there were some intense disagreements at times caused by the Liberty players. We apparently had some young men who had extra intensity and a low threshold to disagree with umpires or members of the other team. I don't think trash talking was included, since that would have been un-Christian. But "an eye for an eye" was more important than "turning the other cheek". I don't know if we also pressed for "a tooth for a tooth", but older Liberty Church members and former members could tell the stories. The important part was that all the players had to attend church to be able to play. I wonder if any sermons focused on love and forgiveness in athletic endeavors.
My dad, "Scud" Jonas (see photo at left) was a unique player since he had no left hand. He played right field and had a fast movement to catch a ball in the glove on his right hand, quickly trap the glove -which now includes the ball in its pocket- in the crook of his left arm, take the ball in right hand and throw it. He batted left handed and was a "slap" hitter. I don't remember him ever being in the fights mentioned above. He also played for the Monarch Tags softball team through his work at the Monarch Marking System Company.
Many of you have similar memories about life in Liberty and thereafter. Feel free to comment.
"That's cuter than a little red wagon" was a phrase I heard my Grandma (Mary) Jonas use a lot. Little red wagons were common in the world of children and they did look cute. Their history via the Radio Flyer Wagon manufacturer is here.
One of my childhood photos is four boys in a wooden wagon with the slats removed in front of Grandma Jonas house. In back is Mike, then Bobby Whitaker, Bobby Ogle and me (about 18-24 months old) in the front. It's not a red wagon, so maybe not so cute, but we guys were cute. (OK, I'll start scanning in some of these photos in a few weeks).
Church softball games were special treats as a boy. Our church had a few families with lots of athletic men (the Schencks had 9 or so and the Whitakers had several, the Wolfs and Weavers had so many relatives they aren't countable- I go to the Wolf reunion now having married a Michael). The dads would play and we kids could run around and get soft drinks such as Nehi Orange Soda or Cream Soda and Dreamsicles, Creamsicles, fudgesicles or popsicles. There were also chewable or lickable items such as Double Bubble Gum, Tootsie Roll Pops and gummy things. They played at Farmersville, I remember slow pitch softball there and fast pitch at New Lebanon, each one with a unique concession stand and play areas around and under the bleachers. Once we got ball gloves with S & H Green Stamps, Mike and I could throw the ball around behind the bleachers.
It might have been church league softball but there were some intense disagreements at times caused by the Liberty players. We apparently had some young men who had extra intensity and a low threshold to disagree with umpires or members of the other team. I don't think trash talking was included, since that would have been un-Christian. But "an eye for an eye" was more important than "turning the other cheek". I don't know if we also pressed for "a tooth for a tooth", but older Liberty Church members and former members could tell the stories. The important part was that all the players had to attend church to be able to play. I wonder if any sermons focused on love and forgiveness in athletic endeavors.
My dad, "Scud" Jonas (see photo at left) was a unique player since he had no left hand. He played right field and had a fast movement to catch a ball in the glove on his right hand, quickly trap the glove -which now includes the ball in its pocket- in the crook of his left arm, take the ball in right hand and throw it. He batted left handed and was a "slap" hitter. I don't remember him ever being in the fights mentioned above. He also played for the Monarch Tags softball team through his work at the Monarch Marking System Company.
Many of you have similar memories about life in Liberty and thereafter. Feel free to comment.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Dogs, Cowboys and Ice Cream
Childhood at Liberty Church- More Sunday School songs: Let the Son Shine In
Rise Shine- Children of the Lord
Play: Many of us had a dog to play with. Bobby Ogle's dog was Chi Chi, a brown mutt. Bobby Whitaker had a small collie named Skippy . Ours was Blackie, sister of Grandma Clayton's dog, Dixie, part Fox Terrier and part mutt. Later dad got us a Pure Bred Boxer which was named Peanuts. She had "papers". She drooled a lot and occasionally blessed our home with aromatically unpleasant flatus. But she was a good dog for kids who needed to wrestle and play "fetch" with the dog.
Mike and I played special rules football in the house at night when Mom and Dad were at the neighbors for a card game or whatever. I don't remember exactly how it worked, but I do remember a broken lamp that got us into trouble. On occasion, Mike, being the older brother by 2 years, would hold me down until I said uncle or gave him a toy or let him play with my six guns or toy rifle. Outdoor football consisted of one kicking off and the other running back trying to score. This was full tackle, no pads football.
Since cowboys were so important in those days, we both had a double holster for our six guns that shot caps if we had any. We got the toy rifles one year for Christmas, complete with rifle holster suitable for tying on our bikes just like Roy Rogers, Gene Autrey and Hopalong Cassidy did on their horses. I remember playing on a dirt pile where Aunt Joy (Jonas Hoffman) and Uncle Jerry (Hoffman) were building their house, through our yard and Grandpa/ma Jonas back yard, still on Back Street. One day, Mike and Bobby Whitaker were there and we had our toy rifles ( I loved mine) but somehow got into an altercation with Bobby as we threw dirt clods at each other. I was excessively angry about the results of the dirt clod throwing and losing "King of the dirt pile" repeatedly and suddenly broke the stock of my toy rifle over Bobby's head. I then began crying because I broke my rifle (no remorse apparently at trying to harm a friend). I never got another toy rifle (consequences).
Brenda Lodge (Stone) baby sat for Mike and I, maybe to protect the lamps from our football, but certainly for safety and control purposes. She was surprised when we announced that it was time for ice cream and Mike and I both reached in the refrigerator to get our personal pint of ice cream. Yes, we were given too much ice cream, but it was great from the kids perspective. I think it related to my Grandpa Jonas growing up in East Dayton with a very stern German-American father. In their house, if you didn't eat all your food, you got it at the next meal. Since there were 8 children or so, money was tight and food was scarce. So Mike and Pat get some extra food and ice cream in their childhood to make up for Arthur Harry Jonas' life in East Dayton. I can't remember if Brenda got ice cream, too. Certainly we must have shared?
Rise Shine- Children of the Lord
Play: Many of us had a dog to play with. Bobby Ogle's dog was Chi Chi, a brown mutt. Bobby Whitaker had a small collie named Skippy . Ours was Blackie, sister of Grandma Clayton's dog, Dixie, part Fox Terrier and part mutt. Later dad got us a Pure Bred Boxer which was named Peanuts. She had "papers". She drooled a lot and occasionally blessed our home with aromatically unpleasant flatus. But she was a good dog for kids who needed to wrestle and play "fetch" with the dog.
Mike and I played special rules football in the house at night when Mom and Dad were at the neighbors for a card game or whatever. I don't remember exactly how it worked, but I do remember a broken lamp that got us into trouble. On occasion, Mike, being the older brother by 2 years, would hold me down until I said uncle or gave him a toy or let him play with my six guns or toy rifle. Outdoor football consisted of one kicking off and the other running back trying to score. This was full tackle, no pads football.
Since cowboys were so important in those days, we both had a double holster for our six guns that shot caps if we had any. We got the toy rifles one year for Christmas, complete with rifle holster suitable for tying on our bikes just like Roy Rogers, Gene Autrey and Hopalong Cassidy did on their horses. I remember playing on a dirt pile where Aunt Joy (Jonas Hoffman) and Uncle Jerry (Hoffman) were building their house, through our yard and Grandpa/ma Jonas back yard, still on Back Street. One day, Mike and Bobby Whitaker were there and we had our toy rifles ( I loved mine) but somehow got into an altercation with Bobby as we threw dirt clods at each other. I was excessively angry about the results of the dirt clod throwing and losing "King of the dirt pile" repeatedly and suddenly broke the stock of my toy rifle over Bobby's head. I then began crying because I broke my rifle (no remorse apparently at trying to harm a friend). I never got another toy rifle (consequences).
Brenda Lodge (Stone) baby sat for Mike and I, maybe to protect the lamps from our football, but certainly for safety and control purposes. She was surprised when we announced that it was time for ice cream and Mike and I both reached in the refrigerator to get our personal pint of ice cream. Yes, we were given too much ice cream, but it was great from the kids perspective. I think it related to my Grandpa Jonas growing up in East Dayton with a very stern German-American father. In their house, if you didn't eat all your food, you got it at the next meal. Since there were 8 children or so, money was tight and food was scarce. So Mike and Pat get some extra food and ice cream in their childhood to make up for Arthur Harry Jonas' life in East Dayton. I can't remember if Brenda got ice cream, too. Certainly we must have shared?
Monday, March 7, 2011
Jesus, Loss, Death and a Goiter
More classic Sunday School songs from age 3-8: Tell Me the Stories of Jesus Zacchaeus
There was a woman in Liberty church with a huge goiter. I stared at that a couple times, trying to figure out what was wrong with her neck. "Don't stare at people, that's not nice," my Grandma Jonas would say. That became a childhood rule since, "some people aren't as fortunate as we."
We had a parakeet and it flew away (I wasn't so good at closing doors) so we felt bad, getting our introduction to grief. Then the neighbor man, Mr. (Tom) Atkins died and they had his viewing in his living room. I remember walking down the street and into the Atkins home. Suddenly, there he was lying in a casket, very still and peaceful. Someone explained death to me once we got home (about 90 feet from Mr Atkins porch.) I didn't understand the loss and grief part, yet.
I did understand the food part, though, at a young age. "Wow, we're having pecan pie!" I would exclaim as I noticed a pecan pie (usually two) being made in our kitchen. "No, it's not for us, it's for the so and so family, Mrs. so and so's mother suddenly died last weekend." We're making the food to take to the church after the funeral service is over so the women in the family don't have to cook. When someone dies, there is a lot of food.
We had a few hogs in a crumbling barn just behind our house, until the family had a big butchering session at Grandma Jonas house, next door. I remember blood everywhere in Grandma's kitchen. She had a favorite butcher knife that got a workout on those former hogs. Whenever we had fried chicken, the killing of the chickens happened in Grandma and Grandpa Jonas' yard. Someone like my Uncle Jerry (Hoffman) would tie the chickens on the clothes line, then quickly cut off their heads and get out of the way. Mike and I would each get a chicken's foot to play around with. It was interesting how you could pull on the tendons and see the claws move. I have a vague memory of scaring girls by sitting the claws on their shoulder and pulling the tendon to make the claws contract.
The wishbone was the other prized item with butchering turkeys and chickens on special occasions. Make a wish and pull. It would come true, allegedly, for the person with the longest part of the bone. One thing I prayed for with the wish bone and my birthday cake candles was for my Mom to get better. She suddenly got polio and couldn't walk for a while. She used to go to the hospital for therapy to get her legs strong again. It worked. (The prayer and the therapy). I'll tell you later about Mike hitting me in the head with a baseball bat (accidentally) when Mom couldn't walk.
We'd learn about Jesus and sing about him and pray to his Father in small town Liberty. We felt safe.
We're working on some info about the Liberty town pump for another post on this site. If you have stories about the town pump, get ready to comment, or send me a note about it. Thanks.
There was a woman in Liberty church with a huge goiter. I stared at that a couple times, trying to figure out what was wrong with her neck. "Don't stare at people, that's not nice," my Grandma Jonas would say. That became a childhood rule since, "some people aren't as fortunate as we."
We had a parakeet and it flew away (I wasn't so good at closing doors) so we felt bad, getting our introduction to grief. Then the neighbor man, Mr. (Tom) Atkins died and they had his viewing in his living room. I remember walking down the street and into the Atkins home. Suddenly, there he was lying in a casket, very still and peaceful. Someone explained death to me once we got home (about 90 feet from Mr Atkins porch.) I didn't understand the loss and grief part, yet.
I did understand the food part, though, at a young age. "Wow, we're having pecan pie!" I would exclaim as I noticed a pecan pie (usually two) being made in our kitchen. "No, it's not for us, it's for the so and so family, Mrs. so and so's mother suddenly died last weekend." We're making the food to take to the church after the funeral service is over so the women in the family don't have to cook. When someone dies, there is a lot of food.
We had a few hogs in a crumbling barn just behind our house, until the family had a big butchering session at Grandma Jonas house, next door. I remember blood everywhere in Grandma's kitchen. She had a favorite butcher knife that got a workout on those former hogs. Whenever we had fried chicken, the killing of the chickens happened in Grandma and Grandpa Jonas' yard. Someone like my Uncle Jerry (Hoffman) would tie the chickens on the clothes line, then quickly cut off their heads and get out of the way. Mike and I would each get a chicken's foot to play around with. It was interesting how you could pull on the tendons and see the claws move. I have a vague memory of scaring girls by sitting the claws on their shoulder and pulling the tendon to make the claws contract.
The wishbone was the other prized item with butchering turkeys and chickens on special occasions. Make a wish and pull. It would come true, allegedly, for the person with the longest part of the bone. One thing I prayed for with the wish bone and my birthday cake candles was for my Mom to get better. She suddenly got polio and couldn't walk for a while. She used to go to the hospital for therapy to get her legs strong again. It worked. (The prayer and the therapy). I'll tell you later about Mike hitting me in the head with a baseball bat (accidentally) when Mom couldn't walk.
We'd learn about Jesus and sing about him and pray to his Father in small town Liberty. We felt safe.
We're working on some info about the Liberty town pump for another post on this site. If you have stories about the town pump, get ready to comment, or send me a note about it. Thanks.
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