Tag Archive | Nostalgia

Story Time

Nov13

Before television, there was the radio. Before the radio there were books. Before there were books, there was the spoken word. Before then, God spoke the world into existence.  For thousands of years, families gathered around the fire and shared family stories, legends and The Word of God. Storytelling was an art and it still is today.

Story time

 

I don’t know about you, but I have always loved listening to stories.

Whether it was my grandmother, Isabel talking about her childhood, Mom’s family stories or listening to stories on the radio.

I grew up listening to a Gospel Music channel who broadcasted Pastor’s messages on air and on Saturday. Back to the Bible radio show aired a show just for the youth of the 1960’s and 70’s on Saturdays with  Danny Orlis stories. Check out this link: Danny Orlis HistoryThey also had a magazine called Young Ambassador. A friend of our family who discipled us when we first received Christ as our Savior in 1968 sent me a subscription to Young Ambassadors every year. I loved it! Back to the Bible’s Young Ambassador

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Then there was Your Story Hour! I listened to this even as an adult. Our local radio station doesn’t run the Saturday morning line-up of “children’s programming” (I’m a child at heart.) The good news is that you can visit their website and listen to stories at your convenience.  This is their link.  Your Story Hour.   

And then the wonderful Children’s Bible Hour with Uncle Charlie. I don’t know about you, but every time I hear the theme song, I want to say, “Hi, Uncle Charlie!” Along with the children. This was their opening for many years. Keys for Kids is also online now. Keys for Kids with Uncle Charlie

Boys and Girls for Children Youtube

Who can forget the wonderful songs and stories by Ron Hamilton/Majesty Music as Patch the Pirate? Ron Hamilton has been a blessing to me since I first met him and his wife at a teacher’s conference over thirty years ago. For years, they produced cassette tapes, CDs and now the wonder Patch the Pirate series is online. Check it out – including Ron’s testimony. Many may not know that Ron and his family need our prayer now as he is having serious medical problems. What a wonderful legacy he is leaving behind for children today and for years to come! Patch the Pirate – Ron Hamilton

Last but not least has been one of my favorites for years. I loved listening to Adventures in Oddessey by Focus on the Family while preparing dinner each weekday. It has been online as podcasts for years.  I still love listening to this program. Especially when the story is about history! Visit John Avery Whittaker at Wits End!  Adventures in Oddessey

There are at least two websites you can go to for a variety of children’s programming and for adults as well. one is on the Christian Radio Station, BBN. BBN Radio Programming

There are stories, music, and Preaching of the Word of God. Oneplace Ministries.

Whenever I think of “story time” I envision the multitudes following Jesus, gathering around and drinking in every word. The disciples considered the children who wanted to be with Jesus, to be blessed by Him, as a nuisance but Jesus rebuked them.

“Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them and departed thence.” Matthew 19:13-15

Research Tip for Writers:

There are also several secular sites where you can listen to the old radio shows our grandparents and great-grandparents listened to back in the good old days! Old Time Radio Shows. This is a great site for historical writers!

 

Walking Down Memory Lane on Nannie’s Birthday

Aug28

There are some special people in our lives who never forget about us. They put themselves before others. That describes my grandmother. She went by so many different names. Katherine “Isabel”, Sis, Mama, Grandma, Granny (I switched from Grandma to Granny the first time I watched the Beverly Hillbillies. I thought it sounded neat. I couldn’t understand why she wasn’t thrilled. Now I do!) but to many people, she was “Nannie” and that fit her very well. Even neighborhood children called her Nannie.

Today “Nannie” would have been 104 years old. She was born on August 28, 1914. She is celebrating her birthday in Heaven with the Lord and her precious family. Parents, siblings, her husband, three children, a son-in-law and one grandson. She went home to be with the Lord in 1999 and looked forward to “going home”. I remember a few weeks before she was “called home,” she told me about a dream she had the night before. She said that as she woke up, her beautiful, sweet mother was sitting by her bed, stroking her hair. She reached up to touch her mother’s soft cheek and asked if she had come to take her home. “Not yet,” her mother had said, “but it won’t be long.”

Isabel was eleven-years-old when she lost her mother but seventy-four years later, she still remembered her mother’s face and voice.  No. I don’t think she had a vision but was looking forward to seeing her loved ones again. Someday, we will see her again!

I was thinking of different ways to celebrate her birthday. I could bake a devils food cake with her seven-minute frosting but I don’t have a double boiler or a hand mixer. She used to bake pineapple upside down cakes which were simply delicious!

One year, I bought mint julep candies in bulk and sent them to Mom and her sisters to share with their children and grandchildren. Granny had craved these candies when she was carrying my favorite aunt. To this day, whenever I hear the word Mint Julep or see the candy, I think of her. Perhaps today I will buy a Kit Kat bar in her honor.

 

Then I remember how she used to take me downtown on the bus to pay bills and shop. We always had lunch at the five and dime where we bought candy to take home for Aunt Sandara and for everyone to share. When I visited her after she moved to Richmond in the 1960’s she invited me to spend at least a week with her every summer. I loved that! I so longed for everyone to be together. She didn’t mind that we all talked at once, laughed loudly and sang in the kitchen. I think she relished it! As an adult, I lived in Richmond for a while and worked at a retail store. She would call me at work and ask me to bring her a Kit Kat bar. I usually bought a few for her. She would smile when I walked through the door with her treat.

There are so many memories of my selfless grandmother. She had a hard life but she didn’t let that get her down. This is one reason I write about her childhood. She worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant until past retirement age because she loved caring for others. She raised and helped raise at least three grandchildren and loved every child. I think her favorite thing to do was to rock babies!

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She was a good money manager and always made me laugh. She always cared about everyone. I feel blessed that she was my Grandmother. Love you, Nannie. I will see you again someday!

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Changing Styles: From Fluffy to Traditional/Vintage.

Feb21

Traditionally, Monday is laundry day which means clean sheets! Who doesn’t love clean sheets? The only thing better is line dried sheets but we don’t have a yard so it must be the dryer for this gal!

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I like the new way of making beds. You know, the inviting look. The big fluffy comforter, pillow shams and lots of pillows which give the bed so much appeal. However, with cats in the house, I like to keep the pillows we sleep on covered. No kitty-smelling pillow for this gal! Besides, as much as I love fluffy, warm comforters, my husband is just the opposite.

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This was our seventeen-year-old Patch. He earned the priviledge of napping on the pillows. Besides, at night he slept on the pillow between us and sometimes on my head but that was a long time ago. 

The cozy comforter ended up folded at the end of the bed because it was too hot. Uncomfortable. And so, for Christmas one year, John picked out a bedspread. When it is folded to be carried to the dry cleaners, it’s heavy but it is surprisingly lightweight on the bed.

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Skippy taking possession of the new bedspread

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I moved out heavy comforter and pillow shams to the guest room and pulled this bedspread out of the closet. I was surprised how lightweight it was but it is slippery!

Every morning, one of us has a majority of the cover. (I keep a folded quilt on my side of the bed. I would freeze with just a sheet and bedspread.) So I tried tucking in the bedspread at the foot of the bed. Since we have a footboard, it wasn’t seen.

It didn’t work. I bought a roll of non-skid rug liner. (Also great for drawers and shelves.)

I put the liner between the top sheet and the bedspread. It didn’t work either.

Today is Monday so when I changed the sheets, I had a brilliant idea. (We’ll see!)

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This is the foot of the bedspread.

I pinned the rubber backing to the foot of the spread and tucked it in. Hopefully, the weight of the mattress will hold spread in place.

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“Tucking it in.”

And now I am reverting back to the traditional way of making the bed. The way Granny taught me when I was six-years-old. (I love nostalgia!)

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Add throw pillows so that it won’t look too plain.

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Just like John’s grandmother made her bed. 

Footnote. Ruby just came to get me and led me to the bedroom. She walked straight to the bed which is usually her way of saying, “lets nap!” I usually stand up the pillow so that she has room but this time I just moved the throw pillows and she jumped up, looked around and headed to the covered quilt at the foot of the bed.

I might have to find another quilt to cover up with tonight. Ruby is in for the night. At least until kitty snack time.

Home for Christmas ~ Looking Back

Dec8

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I don’t know about you, but when I think of Christmas, my heart returns to my loved ones in my hometown, Roanoke, Virginia. Christmas Eve was so special because it was spent with family. This picture was taken at my grandparent’s home. Mom and I lived with them until I was seven so this was a very special Christmas. My Aunt Sandra tried to get me to dance to Christmas music on video. We were so silly! Later, we would go to the Hinchee house for dinner, to my new “Uncle J.H. and Barbara’s” house and opened gifts with their three daughters, to our house for snacks and gifts and then to “Great Aunt Louise (Hinchee)  and Uncle Carl Kelly’s house for more gifts and refreshments. Wow! That was a lot of memories in one short paragraph!

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I know John has a lot of Christmas memories of Roanoke as well. I think Christmas Day was their day with family. They have some great pics of “Little Johnny” through the years.

John Purdy's Cowboy Shoot

After John and I were married we lived in Lynchburg We often had family come for dinner and to join us at the Candlelight Service at Church and we drove to Roanoke on Christmas Day to be with our parents and siblings.

Special memories!

Tommy Holcomb posted a song and picture of what Roanoke looked like in the good old days and has given me permission to share it with you! Step back in time. Enjoy Good ol’ Roanoke with us.

Looking Back by Tommy Holcomb

A song about growing up in Roanoke, VA.

There are a few things in the video I don’t remember and would have coke-cola in my glass but he mentions S&W Cafeteria where Mom worked as a line supervisor. Loved Lakeside Amusement Park and Lendys where we got to eat in the car!  My memories of the drive-in-movie was going in my pajamas and taking a blanket as I fell asleep in the back seat while Mom and Dad Hinchee watched the movie.

Thank you, Tommy for reminding us of “Home”!

There is a lot going on in Roanoke this Christmas. If you are looking for something interesting to do this year, check out the link below.

Dickens of a Christmas

 

 

What’s This? ~ Nostalgia Time

Jun25

Can you solve the mystery of this antique item?  I will give you a hint. Your great-grandparents would be very familiar with this and would know just what to do.

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Please leave a comment if you know what this is. 

One more hint: It could lead to a friendly welcome.  I can’t wait to see your responses!

Kathy

Nostalgia – A Short Visit

Jul3

We have lights and air conditioning!

We often become nostalgic and long for the “good old days” when children played outside games such as Hide and Go Seek, Tag and chasing lightening bugs in jars while parents sat on the front porch enjoying the evening.

As of Friday evening, I remember those days more clearly now. We played outside as children, and sat in the porch swing each evening after dinner was cooked, dishes washed and floors swept – in order to escape the heat!

Even with the windows open, fans blowing and even with a window air conditioning unit, most of the house was sweltering in the summer and freezing in the winter. (Loved the vent in the floor when my parents had an oil furnace. We would stand over the vent in order to get warm.) I now remember the discomfort of the weather, the mosquito bites, the hot attic room and the fact that my body does not cope well in hot weather.

As many of you know, we had a terrible storm Friday evening in Virginia. In our neighborhood, it didn’t seem that severe. Very windy and a lot of lightning but little rain.

Our lights flickered and then – darkness! Fortunately, we have several candles and flashlights. We do not have screens on our windows so we could not open the windows to allow fresh air in. The temperature rose and my love for nostalgia dwindled. Temporarily, anyway.

We stayed two nights in the stifling house before finding a hotel room in a town about twenty minutes away. They had lights, air, hot water and a internet access.

My husband logged onto my laptop computer while I read and thought about our poor kitties who were all alone in the dark, warm house. They had food and water and cool ceramic tiles to lie on but I couldn’t help but worry. Silly, I know. I grew up in worse conditions and didn’t even notice! It appears that I am spoiled by the luxuries we often take for granted.

Nostalgia is a nice place to “visit” but I wouldn’t want to live there!

As for the storm, many people had trees falling on their home, there were reports of utility poles snapping, power outages in at least three states! People lost their lives. When I think of what could have happened, we were blessed!

What about the kitties? They are happily running around the house, chasing each other and getting as close to us as possible. They were fine. We noticed that their toys had been moved so they must have had some play time.

I am praying for those who are still without power or a place to live and dealing with the highest temperatures this year. We are especially thankful for those wonderful people who are working so hard to clean up the rubble and to restore power.
We were told we may not have power until Saturday. It is Monday and our lights are on, the air is working and the refrigerator is cleaned , cooled and ready to be filled with good food.

Sometimes the Lord allows storms in our lives and we think we can not endure but He will give us the grace when we look trust Him – the One light which will never grow dim. Jesus, the Light of the world who takes away the sins of the world…