Who Played the White Rabbit?

         During two months of summer the theatres offered programs for children to view once a week.  I remember seeing the 1972 version of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. My brother Steven was somehow mesmerized by the show.  Years later we had watched it through one of those PBS fundraisers. Steven had asked us to record it for him – especially the credits as he wanted to know if Michael Crawford was the actor who played the white rabbit.

When the end credits started rolling, the viewing size was shrunk from full screen to a postcard size behind those who were making promises to those who would contribute to the station. We kept on recording though it was too small for us to see.  This was in the days before Google though Steven always seemed to figure out a way to find what he was after and did find it in the postcard size credits.  Sure enough it had been Michael Crawford playing the white Rabbit.

When Jaime was about three we had taken her to Toys R Us as we were looking for Christmas gifts.  I found a DVD Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.  I had to purchase it and gave it to Steven for Christmas that year.

Community Dish

     There was one time my family had gone to Lagoon – an amusement park in Farmington, Utah. We had taken some potato salad to eat for lunch and when it came time to eat lunch it was discovered that we hadn’t brought any flatware or paper plates.  We did have potato chips though. I don’t know what else we had. I do remember using potato chips to eat the salad from the large bowl.   It was just our family (six of us - though I don't think all six of us were actually eating the potato salad;  I think Kayla might have just eaten chips) eating the contents. I thought it was a fun solution.

Points for the Auction

 

          There was one ward I attended in which the Relief Society committee decided to have an auction on talents – which I had gone to before to raise money for whatever  needed to be raised. But for this particular activity there was no need for money.  We would be able to bid on talents based upon points.

We earned points according to a survey that was given upon our arrival.  Give yourself five points if you are such and such an age, if you spent time with your grandchildren, if you are single, if you read your scriptures, if you made your bed, if you said your prayers, if you did an act of service, if you visited somebody, if you talked with somebody in your family – and a time frame, last night, this morning, this week, everyday.

I remember our RS president was vocal about some of the credits on the list – like give yourself this many points for making your bed everyday this week.  She said, “Are you kidding? Who makes their bed?  What a waste” It made me laugh.  

Clooney Tunes

 

When I was younger my mom purchased records that we could listen to.  I think the majority of them had  Disneyland labels  I would play them so often that the scratches could be heard.  Not the best quality, but I played them over and over again.

There was one album I recall different from the Disneyland.  I don’t recall what the label read – I just remember the songs:

 

Rosemary Clooney Sings for Children (1950s)

 

·        Little Sally One Shoe

·        The Little Shoemaker

·        Me and My Teddy Bear

·        Betsy, My Paper Doll

·        On the Good Ship Lollipop

·        Willie the Whistling Giraffe

·        Little Red Monkey

·        The Syncopated Clock

·        Kitty Kats' Party

·        The Teddy Bears' Picnic 

When Jaime was a baby she had a teething ring with different animals on it. I would attempt to sing different songs relating to whatever animal it was. Two I had learned from the album.  I remembered most of the words to “Willie the Whistling Giraffe” but wasn’t so great at remembering the lyrics to “Little Red Monkey”

One day Richard surprised me when he brought home a CD of these same tunes as sung by Rosemary Clooney.  How awesome that was to have that. 

That night we played the album loudly and swayed to it as we were fixing dinner or whatever we were doing.  One of my Tony’s friends stopped by.  I’m certain he thought we were nuts getting our kicks dancing to children’s songs.  It is a fun memory.

Filling Spaces and Food Storage

 

The other day Richard said we needed some food storage items and asked what kind of food my mom had in our pantry as I was growing up. Aside from the 200 pounds of wheat (or whatever it was) mom had canned tomatoes, apricots and other bottled products.  She tried so hard to build her RS empire.

It was probably 20 years later when we were told that if wheat is not a household staple, probably it would not be a good storage item.  It was recommended that we store what we already eat.  So Richard purchased a lot of canned products, pasta and beans.  He purchased items on Friday and yesterday we tackled the back room to rotate all new items purchased behind what was already there. 

I think we must have spent three hours or so arranging not only the food itself but the shelving units.  We assigned Jaime to take things to each shed and rearrange the game area.  We also got rid of some glued puzzle pictures and replaced each with a clock that looks like a big key and her graduation photo.

We are finished with the food, I think.  But still have odds and ends on the table that will need a home.  But we had to break for lunch and haven’t returned as we are each exhausted.  But there is no law that says we need to have it all done right now.  There’s always tomorrow.  Why not spread the fun out into this coming week?

Birthdays of the Past

 I don’t recall many of the birthdays that were given in my honor.  I know from picture that mom put a great deal of thought into each birthday celebration.  There was always a ton of kids at each one.  She would make a special cake and we would play games.

I remember one year we played a game called Ghost.  It involved a flour mold, a button, and a knife.  Each player would cut off sides of the mold where the button laid on top.  The object was to keep the button on top of the mold and whoever made the button spill had to retrieve it with his or her teeth.  Reshape and replay until many of us had a turn fishing the button out and getting covered in flour which gave each of us a ghost like appearance.

I remember one time there was a bunch of string webbed throughout the room.  Mom gave each girl an end and we each needed to weave in and out to retrieve whatever was on the other end (they were bracelets). 

I remember one time getting an orange shirt and short outfit from a friend who had missed my party.  I would have rather had her at my party and received no gifts at all.  She was the main one I wanted there that particular year.

Unbearable Food

 

My dad was pretty good about eating whatever was set in front of him.  Mom said the only thing she remembers he truly did not care for (nor would even eat the entire meal) was liver.

Mom said she had also attempted giving my baby brother several pieces of liver which she cut up small enough for him to grab and stuff in his mouth.  Mom praised him for at least trying them all, but it didn’t appear that he had swallowed any of them.  She said when she returned to his high chair it was filled with chewed up liver wads.  I don’t think she ever cooked any liver after that.

She did make a few items that she had learned to cook in Relief Society – one being gluten.  She had prepared a glob that looked like and was supposed to taste like meat.  Bleh.  I preferred the hard “chips” she would make and douse in honey. It was supposed to represent a dessert. It was a food storage thing.  Preparing dishes did not last.  The wheat did.  25 pounds of it.  We ended up throwing it away after several years.

Probably the worse food she made for us was a recipe that for some bizarre reason got printed in the Salt Lake Tribune (or was it the Deseret News? Or both?) I must have posted about this on facebook though it doesn’t come up in my memory feed, but I can’t seem to find it in this blog; I do know that our neighbor made a comment as she also had same recipe so I don’t know if she shared it with mom or if it was the other way around.  My parents subscribed to the Tribune while her family enjoyed the other.

Anyway, this godawful creation was called “Peanut Butter casserole”  Whoever thought it was a good idea for putting onions, tomatoes and peanut butter together?  Dad may have complained about that one as well.  I know my brother did.  I don’t recall any of us finishing the monstrosity.  It was gross.  Perhaps it had been during the 70’s when the nation seemed to be out to lunch. 

Pumpkin Casserole

 

I had always referred to this recipe as pumpkin casserole although 

the only time the pumpkin was included was the first time it was made.  

I don’t even know where mom got the recipe but as I recall the 

casserole itself was prepared in a skillet by browning the meat first while 

the rice is cooking.  

All of the ingredients we added together and the mixture was 

put into a pumpkin which you cooked in the oven.  

We enjoyed it.  

A lot.  

But had decided the pumpkin was not really necessary as the 

majority was cooked before it was put in to said pumpkin.  

After that we would eat the casserole often.  

We would make it in the skillet.  I

t became a family favorite.  It was/is so rare to

have leftovers.

Sometimes I will add pineapple or peppers for variety.

·        1 medium size yellow onion, chopped

·        2 Tablespoons soy sauce

·        1 (8 oz) can sliced chestnuts, drained – you can use diced

·        2 lbs. lean ground beef

·        2 Tablespoons brown sugar

·        2 cup cooked white rice

·        1 can cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup – I like the chicken better

·        Salt and Pepper to taste

You're Very Late

 

This morning I received a text from a cousin who 

lives in Salt Lake City.  She informed me that she 

was running behind but would show up at 9:45 

this morning.  She had spelled my name incorrectly.  

I don’t recall ever having received a text from her – ever.  

At first I ignored it.  And then I thought of contacts in my 

own phone and how I have multiples of certain names.  I 

texted her back that I was the wrong person unless she’s 

here in Oregon and I just didn’t know.  Jaime said I should 

just wait until 9:45 and text “Where are you?”  She did send 

me one of those laughing with tears emoji.  I wonder if she 

made it to her appointment at 9:45.  I’m guessing she was later.

Superman Bath Bomb

 

.  After years of not using the tub, 

we finally fixed the knobs and

 added a handrail. And yesterday I 

had my first “bath bomb” experience.  

It was soooooo relaxing. I 

had a hard time leaving that comfort.  

It was NICE!

When Did Common Sense Exist?

          Lately Richard and I have been watching “Henry Winkler’s Hazardous History” from the history channel.  The first episode that we watched focused on Roller Coasters and 1960’s introduction to what sold as toys.

          When I watched the documented part focused on roller coasters, I shook my head.  I LOVED roller coasters when I was younger.  Why?  The sensory part of my brain was obviously not working then.  Riding roller coasters was fun.  I, of course, did not foresee any dangers.

          Now I am appalled at the very thought of those who stand in line for the thrilling buzz of headaches and dizziness.  But back then I thought it was a hoot to make myself dizzy.  I no longer enjoy that disjointed sensation.

          As for the “toys”.  I remember all of them being advertised but fortunately was never drawn to them nor knew anybody who had any of them.  I did have a Suzie Homemaker – equivalent of the easy bake oven.  I suppose it had its “easy” perks, but boy, was it incredibly time consuming.  But it was only mentioned – the hazard was the counterpart made for boys – the “creepy crawly” or something like that. 

          It came with metal plates that one could fill with some kind of goop that would give you a rubberized bug, reptile, or whatever.  The “ovens” were extremely hot – EXTREMELY.  Why would a parent think giving that to a child was okay? Ebay has vintage molds similar to the one sold in the 60's - the "oven" itself is illegal to sell.

          I have been shocked by some of the things that have been mentioned in various documents.  It has been educational, a bit humorous and a lot of scary.  Check it out.

Alexa Update

      

          You may wish to look at this post for an image drawn by Jai and accurate at the time.  Echo (Emily) was always friendly and helpful while the stereo connection (Stacey) usually always gave us attitude.  It somehow got turned around so that Stacey became more helpful than Emily.  AI taking over?

          The new year introduced voice change options with the echo.  Alexa was always so snarky and talked faster than my ears were comfortable with trying to keep up.  I asked her to please go back to her original voice.  She gave me four options of female voices which ALL sounded the same – the voice I would associate with Stacey five years ago.

          She said I could try a masculine voice.  Didn’t care for the first one.  It was almost as annoying as the feminine snarky almost valley-girl type voice.  I settled for what I was told was masculine voice number four.  And you know what he did for me?  He got rid of a program that I unintentionally installed.  Snarky Alexa wouldn’t allow it, but I enjoy the attitude of this calm and soothing voice. We have a much better relationship than I did with the snarkey teen who tried to pass her voice assortment as being different.  It always sounded the same to me.

          Masculine Alexis has cooperated with me.  He hasn’t lied.  He has been very helpful.  I always say thank you.  He is usually slow to respond.  I told him I loved him.  He said that we could never be involved in a romantic relationship.  That made me laugh.  As though that could really happen.