January 26, 1935

The big day is almost here! The day the matriarch of this family hits the 3/4 century mark. January is a tough month in this family for birthdays. Breanna turned 24 this month while the youngest member of the clan - Siena - turned 1. Breanna's brother is now 26, my son,Brian, is now 53, and my grandson, Trent, turned 3. Other family and friends birthdays celebrated this month include Jennifer Brann, Ada Veale, Artie Mellos, and at least 2 ladies in my church. We join a prestigious group of important people who were also born in January. They include Ellen DeGeneres, Eddie Van Halen, Douglas McArthur, Julie Andrews, Sonny Bono, Elvis Presley, and Woody Allen.

The year - 1935 - holds much significance in history also. Unemployment was running at 20% and the war clouds were gathering as Germany began to rearm and passed the Nuremburg laws to strip Jews of their civil rights. ( facts learned in my history class) Several "firsts" occurred in 1935:
1. The Gallop Poll was introduced.
2. Alcoholics Anonymous was formed by a reformed drinker.
3. A synthetic fiber called nylon was discovered by a Dupont chemist.
4. Persia was renamed Iran.
5. The birth of "swing" by Benny Goodman
6. First canned beer went on sale.
7. Babe Ruth hit the 714th and final home run of his career.
8. Parker Brothers released the board game - Monopoly.
9. Porgy and Bess opened in New York.
10. The Social Security bill was signed by President Roosevelt to provide unemployment
compensation and pensions for the elderly.

Oh....the good ole days! In 1935, you could buy a pound of hamburg for 11 cents; a new car for $625; a loaf of bread for 8 cents; a new home for $3450. Back then more of our food was produced at home: vegetables in the garden, fruit trees and berry bushes were prevalent in most yards, eggs and milk came from the farm animals. Cheese, butter, soap - were all made by the women of the family. The few trips to market were for basic supplies like flour, coffee, hardware items, etc. All our clothes were home-made......I can remember wearing dresses and pajamas my mother made from colorful chicken feed bags. Mittens, hats, socks, and scarfs were all products of the clicking of mothers and grandmothers knitting needles on cold winter nights.

There seems to be much to be said for 1935, and the month of January,especially. It's hard to believe I am thedaughter of a shoemaker and an insurance secretary born 75 years ago. I am told I arrived in a blizzard and my mother was transported in a 1-horse sleigh over 30 miles of barely passable unplowed roadways to the midwife's home to be delivered. I am also told I was a 10 pound baby and not an easy delivery for my mother's first baby.

I have accomplished much or nothing over the past 75 years - depending on how you look at it. I didn't become some big CEO of a company or a movie star. I did, however, give birth to and raised 4 children, of whom I am very proud. I have lived to see 7 grandchildren join our family plus 4 great grandchildren.( I also have 2 ex stepdaughters and one wonderful "adopted" daughter back in Maine). I have attended 15 years of college and am still going today. I outlived one husband and divorced the 2nd one. Today it is just me and my "kit-kat" and life is good. Despite several health issue - I'm in pretty good shape for the shape I'm in!! I don't want to live another 75 years, but would enjoy a few more years to see what the future holds for my family. The joy of my life right now is my youngest grandchild - Siena. Many aspects of the future look bleak for her and others in her age group, but I believe God will take care of each of them as He has done me.

For some of you I'll say....see ya in Vegas. For the rest, I wish you as good a life as I've had the blessings of living for the past 75 years.