Back To The Future

I think it is important to consider that what we do today may be of interest for those yet to come. Thoughtful recordings of events and milestones may warm the hearts of future generations.

Grandmotherly Love

Yesterday’s Wordless Wednesday post was a family photograph. I chuckle when I see this photograph because it speaks volumes about my grandmothers.

The subject of the photograph is my maternal grandmother, Henrietta Evelina Danker Dollen Haskins. As you can see, my grandmother loved to have a good time! She was a flapper. She was engaged twice prior to marrying at the age of seventeen.

So, there she is, my mischievous, maternal grandmother with streamers around her neck and party poppers inserted in her nostrils and ears! It must be New Year’s Eve as she is raising a glass in a toasting gesture. Grandma Haskins is thoroughly enjoying her moment. She is the life of the party!

Let your eyes wander to the back of the photograph and you will see my paternal grandmother, Olga Bertha Louise Schumann Meyer. This grandmother is cradling my brother, Jeff, in her arms.  Jeff is about six months of age. Grandma Meyer is completely in love with the little boy in her arms and thoroughly enjoying her moment.

Those grandmothers of mine are radically different people! They are both beautiful, loving women who lived life in the own unique style.  Watching each of my grandmothers in action makes me treasure this photograph.

The boy with the patch on his eye is my brother, Dick. He had lazy eye and needed to wear the patch to correct his vision. His left arm did not get into the picture. If it did, you would have seen his arm in a cast.

 

That is me on the left. I am that half a girl watching my silly grandmother!

Wordless Wednesday

A Sigh of Relief

Did you hear my huge sigh of relief? 

My life has been spiraling out of control in the sea of paperwork atop my desk! My son’s quick relocation to Seattle took a toll. He arrived safely and is settling in to his apartment minus his furniture that will arrive within the next two weeks. Freedom from my motherly worries has given me the opportunity to reorganize my life.

My desk is now clean. Paperwork now rests in its proper folder. One more day of household organization and I will be back on track!

Your happy blogger,

Linda

Winter Snow Warning

I have to chuckle about winter this year. Our spring-like January yielded to Old Man Winter last week appearing just as my son was setting off for a cross-country road trip to Seattle, Washington. Driving across South Dakota, Montana, Idaho and Washington set off a series of conversations regarding snow tires, studded tires, tire chains and tire cables. Needless to say, my son and his friends drove off with none of the above causing this mother great angst.

The weather and road conditions were good and the boys/men made great time until they reached the great state of Washington. As things would go, they arrived in Seattle the day of the Big Storm! The hilly streets present challenges for cars and buses in snowstorms. My anxiety levels decreased once I knew they had arrived safely without sliding down any hills.

Today in Chicagoland we are under a Winter Snow Warning with a forecast of four to eight inches of snow. It is snowing as I type. The light fluffy snow is turning my neighborhood into a beautiful winter wonderland.

All of this reminds me of a story my maternal grandmother told me of her childhood.  My grandmother was born in 1907 in a rural community outside of Chicago. She grew up on a truck farm and remembered the winters of her childhood. The family’s mode of transportation was horse and wagon. Their horses were very valuable and were treated with the utmost care. So, when the weather turned cold and snowy, the horses would remain in the warm barn and the family would brave the elements on foot.

Transportation has made great strides in the past one hundred years. We have gone from horse and wagon to specialized tires on cars. Drive carefully, please!

Back in Time

Do you ever wish you could go back in time? I do. I would not mind traveling back in time for the opportunity of meeting this happy couple. Stephen and Elizabeth Dooley are dressed in their finest and appear to be celebrating an important event.

The corsage and boutonnière suggest some honor such as a wedding anniversary. I showed this photograph to my husband and he felt it was taken at Stephen’s retirement party. Perhaps that is the reason for his big smile!

My husband believes the photograph was taken sometime between 1955 - 1960. I would have to agree with the time frame based on Elizabeth’s hat with netting. I believe it was a popular look of the time.

I hope you have enjoyed the previous posts about Stephen Clement Dooley’s life. He lived his life well and was loved by all.

Steven Clement Dooley is Awarded a Purple Heart!

Steven Clement Dooley’s World War I draft registration may not be found, but I believe we are in possession of ample evidence of his military service. I am speaking of his Purple Heart. The Purple Heart is awarded to the brave members of the United States Armed Services who are wounded in war at the hands of the enemy. The Purple Heart is a combat decoration.

“COLUMBIA GIVES TO HER SON THE ACCOLADE OF THE NEW CHIVALRY OF HUMANITY”

This poster acknowledges Steven Clement Dooley’s service during the First World War confirming that he was in the 131st Infantry and the wagon supply company.

“Steve C. Dooley, Wag. Sup. Co., 131^st Infantry SERVED WITH HONOR IN THE WORLD WAR AND WAS WOUNDED IN ACTION.”

Steven C. Dooley’s service record included the following battles:

July 4, 1918                 Battle of Hamel and Vaire Woods

                                    The 131 and 132 Infantry regiments brigaded with Australian troops.

August 9, 1918            Battle at Chippilly Ridge and the Gressaire Woods

                                    Fought with the 58^th British Division in difficult terrain.

September 1918 -

October 21, 1918        The 131 Infantry took part in the opening of the Meuse-Argonne offensive. During this period of time, Steven C. Dooley was constantly subjected to heavy artillery and machine gun fire. This is where he earned his Purple Heart. Sadly the German military bombarded the U.S. troops with mustard gas.

October 26, 1918        The 131 Infantry drove the enemy from St. Hilaire and Marcheville and occupied Butgneville and Riaville.

November 11, 1918    The World War ends!