The Pleasant Times

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Society Page

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Scenic View of Bay at Wilsons Promontory National Park Photographic Print
Edwards, Jason
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The Editor has been looking at this beautiful bay every morning in February. She was sorry to have to leave it when March rolled around.

Mrs. S. hosted a ladies' luncheon at her home last week. The ladies in attendance enjoyed each other's company, and the tea of course.

The Misses S. and their Mother brought a green-themed St. Patrick's Day tea to Mrs. H's house last week. Shamrocks were everywhere, and the girls dressed in green. A pleasant time was had by all.

In the pioneer days, the women that lived deep in the woods would have been afraid that a bear might be out in a tree in their back yard. Nowadays there are certain women in the neighborhood who are afraid that a bear might be out in a tree in their back yard, hanging there to be processed into bear jerky and bear sausage. There are some women who do not wish to eat bear, but some men who think it would be a great treat. Fortunately some men did not shoot their bear this year.

There are so many computerized things in these modern times, that you rarely get a live telemarketer on the phone anymore. And the computers that tell you they will remove your phone number if you press 3, are lying.

When we got our new hymn book at church, we were disappointed to find some of our old favorites left out. It is nice to have the new songs, but we did not want to forget the others. So the song leader sings out of both the old and new books. If we pay attention, we might be able to make this work! "Number 17 in the red books. Number 1,100 in the blue books"

Here are some that were in our old books:

"I am the vine, and ye are the branches"

and
"Yield not to Temptation"

By the way, this is a good site for printing off old hymns.

The Editor has learned Fingerloop braiding. She says it is serious fun.

It is said of George Washington, "No company ever withheld him from church." Whenever he had company on Sunday morning, "...instead of staying at home, out of false complaisance to them, he used to constantly invite them to accompany him." (-George Washington the Christian, by Wm. J. Johnson, pg. 56)

Great Uncle Jim said, that there are some folks who start at the bottom and work their way to the top. Then there are some folks who start at the top and work their way to the bottom (He was referring to young folks who bite off more than they can chew when they are "just starting out.").

The expression "on tender hooks" comes from the textile industry. It is actually referring to "tenterhooks, " on which fabric was attached and stretched during the manufacturing process. That is why some of the yardage we buy at the fabric store has little holes in the selvege edge.

-Reported by Lillibeth

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

What Baby Does

Busy Day in Dollville

Art Print

Gutman, Bessie...

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WHAT BABY DOES.  What does Baby do on Sunday?  Baby sings and sings to Dolly.   What does Baby do on Monday?  Baby washes Dolly's clothes.   What does Baby do on Tuesday?  Baby irons Dolly's clothes.   What does Baby do on Wednesday?  Baby makes a cake for Dolly.   What does Baby do on Thursday?  Baby goes to walk with Dolly.   What does Baby do on Friday?  Baby makes a dress for Dolly.   What does Baby do on Saturday?  Baby plays all day with Dolly.   What does Baby do on Sunday?  Baby sings and sings to Dolly.

From Here.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Little Things

Girl Sits in a Window-Seat Mending Her Doll Giclee Print
Edwards, M. Ellen
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"It's so wainy, I can't go out, and evwybody is so cwoss they won't play with me," said Maud, when Polly found her fretting on the stairs, and paused to ask the cause of her wails.

"I'll play with you; only don't scream and wake your mother. What shall we play?"

"I don't know; I'm tired of evwything,'cause my toys are all bwoken, and my dolls are all sick but Clawa," moaned Maud, giving a jerk to the Paris doll which she held upside down by one leg in the most unmaternal manner.

"I'm going to dress a dolly for my little sister; wouldn't you like to see me do it?" asked Polly, persuasively, hoping to beguile the cross child and finish her own work at the same time.

"No, I shouldn't,'cause she'll look nicer than my Clawa. Her clothes won't come off; and Tom spoilt'em playing ball with her in the yard."

"Wouldn't you like to rip these clothes off, and have me show you how to make some new ones, so you can dress and undress Clara as much as you like?"

"Yes; I love to cut." And Maud's, face brightened; for destructiveness is one of the earliest traits of childhood, and ripping was Maud's delight.

Establishing themselves in the deserted dining-room, the children fell to work; and when Fanny discovered them, Maud was laughing with all her heart at poor Clara, who, denuded of her finery, was cutting up all sorts of capers in the hands of her merry little mistress.

"I should think you'd be ashamed to play with dolls, Polly. I haven't touched one this ever so long," said Fanny, looking down with a superior air.

Beth Dresses One of Her Dolls Giclee Print
Gray, Millicent...
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"I ain't ashamed, for it keeps Maud happy, and will please my sister Kitty; and I think sewing is better than prinking or reading silly novels, so, now." And Polly stitched away with a resolute air, for she and Fanny had had a little tiff; because Polly wouldn't let her friend do up her hair "like other folks," and bore her ears.

"Don't be cross, dear, but come and do something nice, it's so dull to-day," said Fanny, anxious to be friends again, for it was doubly dull without Polly.

"Can't; I'm busy."

"You always are busy. I never saw such a girl. What in the world do you find to do all the time?" asked Fanny, watching with interest the set of the little red merino frock Polly was putting on to her doll.

"Lots of things; but I like to be lazy sometimes as much as you do; just lie on the sofa, and read fairy stories, or think about nothing. Would you have a white-muslin apron or a black silk?" added Polly, surveying her work with satisfaction.

"Muslin, with pockets and tiny blue bows. I'll show you how." And forgetting her hate and contempt for dolls, down sat Fanny, soon getting as much absorbed as either of the others.

Lady Sewing Art Print
Renoir,...
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The dull day brightened wonderfully after that, and the time flew pleasantly, as tongues and needles went together. Grandma peeped in, and smiled at the busy group, saying, "Sew away, my dears; dollies are safe companions, and needlework an accomplishment that's sadly neglected nowadays. Small stitches, Maud; neat buttonholes, Fan; cut carefully, Polly, and don't waste your cloth. Take pains; and the best needlewoman shall have a pretty bit of white satin for a doll's bonnet."

Fanny exerted herself, and won the prize, for Polly helped Maud, and neglected her own work; but she didn't care much, for Mr. Shaw said, looking at the three bright faces at the tea-table, "I guess Polly has been making sunshine for you to-day." "No, indeed, sir, I haven't done anything, only dress Maud's doll."

And Polly didn't think she had done much; but it was one of the little things which are always waiting to be done in this world of ours, where rainy days come so often, where spirits get out of tune, and duty won't go hand in hand with pleasure. Little things of this sort are especially good work for little people; a kind little thought, an unselfish little act, a cheery little word, are so sweet and comfortable, that no one can fail to feel their beauty and love the giver, no matter how small they are. Mothers do a deal of this sort of thing, unseen, unthanked, but felt and remembered long afterward, and never lost, for this is the simple magic that binds hearts together, and keeps home happy.