Viv about 2 years old
Bicycle built for two
IN MEMORIUM NOVEMBER 11, 2013
Today, November 11, 2013 is Veteran’s Day, but in my day it was “Armistice Day” ever since November 11, 1918. It is fitting that we all give thanks and prayers, and honor the millions and millions of the men and women whom have served our Nation for more than 200 years. We should bow our heads, hand over heart and say a prayer for the thousands and thousands that didn’t make it out alive.
That said, I will change the pace with memories of my younger sister, Vivian, who was born on this date in 1919. (We have a cousin in San Francisco who was born on the 11th of November, 1918 when the bells were ringing to celebrate the end of WWI — the first Armistice Day.)
Growing up, Viv and I had a few wars of our own. Whoever the instigator was, that’s the one that got the lickin’ –- sometimes both of us –- just on general principles. We stopped being boring antagonists around the time we hit the first grade, and smooth sailing became the norm in our relationship. We travelled in the same circle of friends. We all loved to dance and would hit the DeMolay Dance (to recordings,) then on Saturday night it was usually the Balboa Ballroom with live big bands, and there was the Valencia Ballroom between Santa Ana and
Anaheim where Stan Kenton first started his climb to popularity.
Viv went on to marry Luke, both have gone on their beeg vacations, and have left 3 beautiful, smart kids — George and Janice are in the Sacramento area, and Marci, the youngest is now ensconced over in Moreno Valley. And guess what MY Warden has come up with! She gets Marci to come over to watch me while she has to go off for a day of golf, or shopping, or just get rid of me out her sight for some respite. (I know I would be going bonkers having to put up with me.) Marci and I jabber away so we have our own fun.
1925 at Aunt Mae’s
2 dolls
I’m going to stop typing — remember my old hands and fingers can’t hack it any more like I used to. I must try to get that Dragon voice to computer program up and running. My stories will be more lengthy because I can talk an arm and a leg off of anyone.
NOW FOR SOME PICTURES
MELITAS FORSTER
Olympic hopefuls
Being nice
Happy Armistice Day Melitas!
That was a good read this morning…although a little shorter than usual, but I guess you can take a break now and then. I do love to hear stories about your family and the pictures are a nice touch too!
Thank you
Jamie
God Bless America and the UCLA Bruins!
Great pictures M. You and Viv – adorable.
I still have an arm and a leg left so I’ll see you soon for more stories.
Love and kisses. Roberta
Reading ‘Mondays with Melitas’ always starts my week off great!! I love the picture with the dolls! My favorite doll when I was a kid was my Barbara Ann Scott doll. She won a gold medal for Canada at the Olympics in singles skating in 1948 and was a HUGE celebrity forever after – just died a few years ago. Wish I’d kept the doll…..did you keep yours?
Hope to see you at Desert League lunch tomorrow.
Absolutely love this. Haven’t seen these pictures of you and Mom. You forgot to add that she went and died on your birthday! Guess she was getting back at you for hitting her on the head. As Vice Warden, I will see you tomorrow. Hope you will be on your best behavior (as always). Love, Marcie
Short story or not, I still see a lot of “rascal” in you. I don’t know how you do it. I can’t even remember when my doctor appointments are. I went to one just today which I found out is actually tomorrow. Keep your “oldtimer” girlfriends entertained. We love it.
DeeDee
Thanks for the tribute to Mom. We all miss her every day. The pics are fantastic. Hope you’re feeling better and the swelling in the knee is gone.
Love, George
You are still as entertaining as ever. Keep your “fun to read” stories coming. Short or long, it doesn’t make any difference! I love them either way. Thanks for your memories!
What a way to start or end a week. In my case end!!! I will start this next week on Monday. Keep them coming girl!!!! I hope you get as much kick out of the memories as I do