Dear Mom and Dad

The day Pluto was discovered

2012-02-18T07:07:00.002-05:00

Jim was discovering his whole new world.
February 18, 1930

Dad in Pana

2012-02-12T15:43:00.002-05:00

Post Card: S.S. United States

2012-01-29T18:15:00.000-05:00

To Mr. & Mrs. E.M. Singer, R.R. #3, Pana

June 11, 1968

Dear Mom & Dad,

Our voyage is going quite well. We all had a taste of seasickness yesterday

but we sruvived. Kids are enjoying themselves and we hope to see you soon.

Love Jim and Dina

Postcard Santa Maria Del Mar

2012-01-27T18:41:00.000-05:00

(never sent)

Wela's house is somewhere in this postcard of Santa Maria Del Mar

Postcard from New York "El Chico" Dining Room

2012-01-22T17:02:00.001-05:00

"As Spanish as Spain"

6/19/1950

Mrs. P. Garcia, 6209 Idaho Ave. St. Louis, Mo.

Spent a lovely evening here. Saw the famous Pepita Marcos from Cabalgata. Other stars Roberto & Alicia, flamenco dancers and Pelasina Tavino a singer, very good show. Awaiting bus for airport,

Love Dad

Postcard from Ireland

2012-01-15T14:03:00.000-05:00

1965 Ashford Castle, Co. Mayo

Mr. and Mrs. E.M. Singer,

RR#3, Pana, Illinois

Dear Mom and Dad,

We are really enjoying the Irish people. It is the first enjoyment I can

truly say I've had over here. They are lovely and friendly.

I am really glad I came. Will write more soon.

Love Jim and Dina

Photo Postcard - New Orleans

2012-01-14T15:30:00.000-05:00

1950's Real Photo Postcard

Vintage Postcard Cowboy Style

2012-01-08T17:46:00.001-05:00

'Real Photo' postcard (never sent)

AZO Stamp Box dates to 1918-1930

Welo is the one in the back

Vintage Postcard from Welo

2011-12-31T12:11:00.000-05:00

to Mrs. P. Garcia, 6209 Idaho Ave

6-17-50 12:30PM
Leaving Pittsburgh, Pa. Had a wonderful flight, very smooth. We flew about 18000 ft. up. The name of the plane is "Son of Ireland," Constellation plane. There is 53 aboard. Expect to reach New York city about 3:00PM. We left St. Louis about 10:00AM. It is very cool at present. I guess we will be eating as soon as we leave. Love Dad

Postcards from Dad

2011-12-30T11:01:00.000-05:00

Ecuador

to John Ryan, 812 N. Kenmore

Could you make a pot this big?

Love, Dad

Postcards from the past

2011-12-29T09:15:00.001-05:00

February 28, 1948

to Mrs. E.M. Singer, Moorhead Minn, R#2

I'll beat the cold there I'm sure but I thought you would like this picture.

Will be glad when this trip is over --has been raining through Neb, love Loretta

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

2011-12-24T06:48:00.002-05:00

Dear Mom and Dad: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas: We Wish you a Merry Christmas from Marybeth on Vimeo . If you are in the mood here's a little Christmas video greeting, if not watch the ...

Charlie Brown Tree

2011-12-16T05:56:00.000-05:00

First Christmas in Arlington

1968

November is over but one more Mom snap shot in time

2011-12-04T19:34:00.000-05:00

Story time. The Borrowers.

Make a wish Nancy!

2011-11-27T22:41:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday!

(believe it or not all seven siblings are in this picture)

Random Snap of the Mom

2011-11-26T07:18:00.000-05:00

Today is a Birthday

2011-11-24T06:53:00.000-05:00

November Birthday Buddies

2011-11-20T11:05:00.000-05:00

The gift of gab

2011-11-17T20:00:00.000-05:00

Bless you Carolyn - Jan 21, 1912 - Nov 13, 2011

2011-11-15T18:28:00.001-05:00

Carolyn Rodriguez, the tall one next to Wela, in 1977

Another Mom favorite

2011-11-12T21:26:00.000-05:00

Barbara, no longer a baby

November is the month of Mom

2011-11-05T07:39:00.001-04:00

Mom and Barbara

I will be posting my favorite pictures of Mom this month.

Reblogging. If that's a word.

2011-10-08T21:50:00.001-04:00

This old recording from 1967ish in Belgium just makes me laugh and a just little bit weepy. I think it's me at the beginning and Kenny at the end.

Skip to my Lou

2011-10-02T21:21:00.002-04:00

Farewell Ms. Sunshine

2011-09-25T18:45:00.000-04:00

We'll miss you

Doing the Dishes

2011-09-17T22:36:00.000-04:00

No Dishwasher at this house.

Doggie sings 1977

2011-09-04T13:58:00.001-04:00

Doggie sings 1977 by Milsapy

More random snaps

2011-08-25T21:12:00.000-04:00

Random Snap from the Past

2011-08-06T14:05:00.000-04:00

Letters from Pana - "Has she a name yet?"

2011-07-23T20:53:00.001-04:00

When I was born Mom sent Jim and Barbara to stay with Grandma and Grandpa Singer. I found these three short letters in an envelope addressed to Dora and Pete from Grandma Singer. I am posting them all together.

Mrs. E. M. Singer

R. R. No. 3

Pana, Illinois

Tuesday evening (July 26, 1960)

Dear Jim & Dina & all

It is 10:00 O’clock and all is quiet, even Grandpa is asleep. Barbara and Jimmy were so good on the bus all the way and enjoyed the trip. Barbara’s idea of bringing a lunch in her new lunch box worked perfect. They decided they wanted a sandwich by the time we reached the outskirts of East St. Louis. Then about ½ hour later Jimmy signed and said “At least we finally caught our bus, but I forgot, where are we going?” Just as we got off the bus at Pana Grandpa came with a big Township truck and took us to the station where the car was. As soon as we got to the station Jimmy gave Grandpa his cigar and Don was over here after supper so he gave him his cigar too. They are looking forward to picking up potatoes as I dig them tomorrow.

Jimmy wasn’t sure he wanted to go to bed, but when we had finished our prayers I told them I would lie down with them for a while. They were both asleep in a few minutes. Hope your are feeling good Dina.

Much love to all,

Mother

Mrs. E. M. Singer

R. R. No. 3

Pana, Illinois

Thursday evening (July 28, 1960)

Dear Dora and Pete & all,

If you are missing the two precious kiddies we have here as much as we are enjoying them, then I know you are missing them a great deal. They both seem to be very content, no sign of homesickness at all yet.

Jimmy’s appetite hasn’t been so good, but then I guess he never does eat much and he has been somewhat constipated, so I have been giving him prune juice and prunes and peaches. Today he got good results from that and said “Grandma, when I want to go to the bathroom again I’ll tell you and you can give me more prune juice, because I just love it.”

When we were up town this morning we stopped to see Fern and Florence and they wanted us to have lunch with them, so we finished our shopping (a new straw hat for Grandpa) and on our way up to Florence’s I reminded the kiddies to be real nice kids at the table at Florence’s, then Barbara said “What if she gives me something to eat that I don’t like?” Jimmy said “Well Barbara, they aren’t going to give you anything with poison in it, because they like us and they wish that they had some (the ink is in the room where the kiddies are sleeping) childred.”

This morning we went out in the pasture to hunt for blackberries. Found just a few that were ripe. We also found a baby bunny. I sure wish there were more blackberries, the children enjoyed eating what few we could find. How are you Dina? Sure hope and pray all is well with you and the baby. Has she a name yet? I’ll bet Kenny is lost without B & Jim. It will be quite a reunion when the family is all together again. In the meantime, we will continue to enjoy these two for as long as we may be permitted to keep them. They are so good, I haven’t had any trouble with them at all.

It is just about midnight now and everyone else is asleep so I better go to bed too.

Don’t worry about the kiddies.

Love

Grandma Singer

Mrs. E. M. Singer

R. R. No. 3

Pana, Illinois

Monday morning (August 1, 1960)

Dear Dina, Jim & all

Just a quick note before I do down to start the washing. B & J are asleep yet. They kept covered all night. It was so cool, nice for sleeping. Jimmy found a seed in his cantaloupe and said he is going to plant it today so we will have a cantaloupe tree. They get quite a kick out of finding things to eat in the garden, such as potatoes and carrots.

The spent the most part of one afternoon in a tub of water in the yard, and eating carrots we had found in the garden. Barbara just came and crawled up on my lap, still half asleep. I asked her what she wanted to tell you and she says to tell you she will be home in a couple of weeks.

I will send you a snap shot I have. I took it the day after we came home from St. L.

The wiggle girl on my lap is my excuse for my scribbling this time.

David was so good last night. Paul & G. brought him here about 6:00. They stayed for supper then went to the races at Springfield. Ginny put David in the crib when she brought him and he didn’t wake up until 11:30 so we hardly knew we had him.

I just had a frightful scare. Jimmy stuck his head at of their bedroom door & hollered “Boo”. So Grandma had better get busy. Don’t worry about our darlings. We are all doing fine. Sure hope your Mom gets to feeling much better soon.

Love to all

Mom

Jimmy says “Be sure to tell mommy that David was here.”

Nap time

2011-07-09T23:20:00.000-04:00

A splice of life

2011-06-25T06:38:00.000-04:00

Belgium circa 1965

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-19T07:22:00.000-04:00

Let's hear it for the working man!

Kenmore Street - The early days

2011-06-12T08:19:00.000-04:00

On the Porch

(circa 1968)

Hello Summer, I missed you so

2011-05-30T08:09:00.000-04:00

"Hey Boo Boo, let's go get us a pic-a-nic basket."

Birth Certificate

2011-05-17T19:12:00.002-04:00

Not too long ago a family friend obtained my grandmother's birth certificate for me from the civil registry in Spain. My abuela always celebrated on May 2nd, but this says she was born on the 17th of May. Close enough!

Every Day is Mothers Day at this Blog

2011-05-06T18:07:00.001-04:00

Cheers to all the hardworking moms!

Wedding Mania

2011-04-29T18:27:00.000-04:00

Mom's dress was fit for a future Princess. Brilliant!

Easter in St. Louis 1940

2011-04-23T16:59:00.000-04:00

House on Idaho Street. Mom, Tio Don, the twins and a neighbor.

Why does everyone look so miserable? Look at Don's jacket and socks.

Ponchos!

2011-04-13T22:34:00.000-04:00

More cherry blossoms. It's almost Easter!

1965 Message to Tio Don

2011-04-09T08:42:00.001-04:00

1965 Message to Tio Don from Marybeth on Vimeo.

Re-Blogging an old post. I like hearing everyone's voices together.

What's in a name?

2011-03-30T19:11:00.000-04:00

My grandmother named her Doraldina so she wouldn't

have a nickname. I'm sure Dina saw the humor in that

and in this newspaper getting her name wrong.

Cherry Blossoms

2011-03-26T15:45:00.001-04:00

Tidal Basin circa 1970

Check out the Swan Boat!

(Pretty sure that's the back of Dad's head.)

That's what it's all about

2011-03-23T19:05:00.000-04:00

Everybody dance!

Wonderful World of Bloggers

2011-03-19T18:55:00.001-04:00

Tracie from Spirits of the Old put me on her Lovely Blog Award list.

I am working on paying it forward, and will post some favorites soon.

So many bloggers, so little time. Thanks!

Asturian Celtic Roots

2011-03-15T21:54:00.001-04:00

Garcia Family circa 1910

St. Louis, Mo.

(Thanks Tio Don!)

That pig had a name. Wish I could remember what it was.

2011-03-08T19:48:00.001-05:00

Fernandez Family circa 1915

Santa Maria del Mar, Asturias, Spain

Random Snap from the Past

2011-02-26T22:38:00.000-05:00

Grandma loved her little camera too!

Happy Birthday Daddy

2011-02-18T06:52:00.001-05:00

Photo by James P. Ryan

Home Movies

2011-02-13T09:37:00.003-05:00

I am here in my mind (or mond if you like) from Marybeth on Vimeo.

These faces got verve!

Super Duper

2011-02-06T14:17:00.000-05:00

Ken and John

Kenmore Street backyard

Mish Mash!

2011-01-29T10:55:00.004-05:00

Polaroid and Falling Water from Marybeth on Vimeo.

In case you don't listen to the whole tape, Mom is not the one playing the piano (Punch buggy, no punch back!)

Pictorialism

2011-01-18T21:00:00.001-05:00

I don't know when this was taken, but it feels like January.

Photo by James P. Ryan

I had to laugh

2011-01-09T18:26:00.002-05:00

Betty and Mom yuk it up.

This is from one of Grandma Singer's albums,

but I think that is Dad's hand up in the corner.

My resolution for 2011

2011-01-07T18:58:00.000-05:00

So long 2010. Smoke 'em if you've got 'em

2010-12-31T18:14:00.001-05:00

Photographer: James P. Ryan

(self portrait)

Pictorialism?

2010-12-28T21:35:00.001-05:00

Dina in Paris (circa 1968)

Photographer: James P. Ryan

Christmas Greetings

2010-12-25T07:34:00.001-05:00

Christmas Shoes (circa 1968)

2010-12-23T20:04:00.002-05:00

Tis the Season - (recycling from last year)

2010-12-10T18:02:00.003-05:00

We Wish you a Merry Christmas from Marybeth on Vimeo.

Audio: Dina Ryan on Piano and Jim E. on Guitar - December 24, 1981
8mm clips: by James P. Ryan
Photos: Various

Random Snap from the Past

2010-12-03T18:06:00.000-05:00

Roast Beef, it's what's for dinner

1977 Korea Mom interviews John

2010-11-25T10:53:00.002-05:00

1977 Korea Mom interviews John

From nutty kid to father of three. Mom would be proud. Thanks for hosting us for Thanksgiving John and Cheryl.

Today is a birthday, I wonder for who . . .

2010-11-24T00:00:00.000-05:00

A tragic day

2010-11-22T07:07:00.001-05:00

"Francisca noticed my picture of Kennedy today –

she said all the bells in Spain tolled for the dead when they heard the news."

...from a letter from Dina 1964.

Random Snap from the Past

2010-11-18T18:50:00.000-05:00

Dinnertime with the girls (circa 1970)

Happy Birthday Mary Chic!

2010-11-13T21:30:00.002-05:00

1983 Mary Chic likes little people?

The nicest lady in the world.

2010-11-13T11:16:00.001-05:00

Snack time with Wela (circa 1970)

The mystery man

2010-11-11T00:00:00.006-05:00

Veteran of WWI and WWII.

Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, CA

Photo by John C. Ryan

(shadows John and Cheryl)

September 4, 1966 "Our trip home was long but the kids behaved very well so that helped."

2010-11-09T19:10:00.000-05:00

September 4, 1966

Dear Mom and Dad,

Here we are back in Brussels. Our trip home was long but the kids behaved very well so that helped. Right now it is noon and a few people upstairs are starting to stir. I may not finish this right now.

Mrs. Goeng had brought in our mail and we had a table full of it. You have a few letters too but nothing to exciting looking.

Let me know when you’ll be coming in plenty of time so we can meet you at the airport.

We were so busy in St. Louis I only went shopping twice. But Lily, Helen C., and Mary Varela gave me some lovely clothes. We were $60 overweight. Now the problem is putting it all away. So give me a few days to get the suitcases put away especially if Corona is coming with you. It shouldn’t take me long with everyone in school this week.

The last few days in St. Louis really flew. Chic was in the hospital a few days. But now he is back home.

Miss Edy died and I went to see her (at Southern) at 8A.M. the morning of the funeral. People were dropping in and out of our house all week.

Tiá Lola looked good when I left. Sally and she came by the night before we left.

Gloria will be moving downstairs this week. I went to see her place and it is nice. She and Willie will go to Florida the last two weeks of September.

Be sure to let us know when you are coming. Our love to everyone there.

Love,

Jim and Dina

August 29, 1966 "Today we plan to gather all our things together and start packing. "

2010-11-08T17:58:00.000-05:00

August 29, 1966

Dear Mom and Dad,

Hope you are all fine. We had quite a busy weekend. Friday night we went to Helen C__’s for a party with the Fontbonne crowd. Saturday we went to see the neighbors on Dover Pl. Poor McClaughlin sisters are so grief stricken and getting so old. Mr. Zeedan enjoyed his trip to Brazil. He stayed three months. His biggest problem was writing a letter home. Neither he nor his sister and husband there can write in Syrian and his younger relatives know only Portuguese and no English. So he ended up going to the American Consul to write a letter for him. They all like our renters very much. They keep our place spotless.

Saturday evening Jim’s folks came and Virginia and the boys came along. We all went to Mary and Chic’s and had a most pleasant evening. Lola and Sallie and Tiá Maria were there and of course Joe and Jeanine, Anita and Doggie. Mary had a feast laid out as usual. Sunday afternoon we all went out to see Lorraine and the girls. Bud is working Davenport during the sheet metal strike here. We got a nice reception and really enjoyed seeing the girls. L herself looks as pretty as ever. She looks like an older sister to her girls. Her girls are really lovable. The Singers left right after we ate and Jim and I and kids stayed until 10PM. We had a nice pleasant evening.

Douglas and his girl bought a house in South County. Mil and Jul are very pleased with it. When I see what a sensible kid he is I really wonder just what is the value of a lot of schooling.

Mary D____ dropped in to see me Friday afternoon. She was telling me about Maria M_____ and all the rumors etc about the house and money. She hasn’t changed. She loves to know everything.

Today we plan to gather all our things together and start packing. We must get your place back in order too. All the boxes in the attic are opened etc. One thing for sure you'll have enought to keep you busy when you get home. All of us have handled everything and nothing is in the same place.

Bob and Tala left on vacation Sunday morning.

The kids are fine and enjoying all the running around. Greet everyone there.

Love

Jim and Dina

August 25, 1966 "We have our return reservations for Friday September 2nd at noon."

2010-11-07T22:20:00.000-05:00

August 25, 1966

Thursday

Dear Mom and Dad,

Received your letter and clipping of the drowning. We are all fine. Time is certainly flying. We went out to see the Funks. They have a beautiful big home in Ladue. I don’t like it as well as Carm’s but it is certainly big. Their furniture has not arrived yet but Donna has your number and she will call you when it comes. Probably about the same time that you will get here.

We have our return reservations for Friday September 2^nd at noon. We go to N.Y. and then to Brussels.

Yesterday we spent the afternoon with the Meyers. We went out to Shaw’s Garden Climatron and visited the Rose Garden. Mary Beth and Patricia spent the afternoon at Julie’s. She had come over Monday night with her Debbie and Chelas and Margie. The little girls hit it off so well that they were invited to spend the day. Kathy came and got them in the car. Doesn’t that make you feel old? Pretty soon all those Spanish girls will be grandmas. We went to pick them up and I saw Valentin and Amadina. Both sent you their best wishes.

You received your wedding invitation from Jean Campa. Did you want me to send a gift for you?

Angeles called to say she received a letter from her brothers saying you both look very well. Also Herminia wrote saying how pleased she is with her brother and wife. Angeles is so funny. She said she was afraid for Herminia because she knows how good she is. So she had written to her “Cuidado, Herminia – ya fuiste criada de bastantes y los Cubanos les gustan mucho las sillas.” But she said that Herminia was well pleased with them. I’m so glad for her.

Next Tuesday we are going over to Lela’s then come back by way of Maria Barril’s house. That is the only invitation I have for next week and it is the only one I am going to accept. I must finish up some shopping and then start packing all this. The Singers will come down this weekend.

Barbara spent tow nights at Michele Kickham’s and had a wonderful time.

The Broyles’ leave Sunday for their vacation. We are certainly grateful to them as we have used their car constantly.

Well give our best to everyone there –have fun and don’t forget to visit Southern Spain.

Love from all the family and friends here,

Jim and Dina

August 22, 1966 "He wasn’t here 5 minutes and Mary Beth of all people jumped in his lap."

2010-11-07T06:23:00.000-05:00

August 22, 1966

Dear Mom and Dad,

It is 8:30 AM and everyone is asleep except Nancy and I. Yesterday afternoon we went to Mildred’s and Tiá Lola looked and felt very good. Sally and Lil were also there. Mary and Chick – Clorinda and Billie’s and family. They all look wonderful. Billie and Colleen are ageless and their kids are still very sweet. Imagine 3 other teenagers spending an afternoon like that. Alice and Toots were there. For a while she and I sat outside in the yard and she was telling me some of the happenings. Of course I had heard it but I didn’t tell her. Bobby is married again and his wife is nice, she says. We showed some of our movies and everyone wanted to see the ones with both of you in them. I didn’t realize we had so few shots of you two. Neva was there and helped Mildred cook.

Then at 7PM we came home and Estelle and Oscar dropped in (Linda is on vacation). Estelle has quit work because her mother is ill and she goes over there to help out a few days in the week. They also keep Cobby’s little girl a lot and enjoy her so much. You can tell Oscar loves kids. He wasn’t here 5 minutes and Mary Beth of all people jumped in his lap.

I was inquiring about Luisa from Colleen and she says that Luisa was really brave. She is very resigned and says everything is fine. If she is in any discomfort nobody knows it. The real problem is Julio who is now completely helpless. It’s a terrible situation because Bob and Luisa want to put him in a home and Antonia says “If he goes, I go.” Colleen said she really feels sorry for Antonia. It’s too much for her and she’s afraid for Luisa to strain herself but she says “What will the people in St. Louis say if I put him in a home?” From listening to Colleen and then Bessie tell about her poor mom – makes you realize how lucky Josie was.

I received a long letter from Jeanne B____. She was really pleased with your visit. She thinks you are both marvelous people and hopes they can continue to see you when they return to St. Louis. I didn’t realize poor Jeanne was so nervous. She said Mom helped her a lot and Tommy is crazy about Dad. Their trip to Ireland was marvelous. They rented a car and traveled 1000 miles. She also said you left their house just spotless.

The phone just rang and Maria Barril called and wants us to come over. I told her you had gotten a big kick out of her letters and in her typical fashion she answered “Hombre, tu madre, que sabe ella de cartas!”

Well I will close for now. Give everyone our love. Have a good time and enjoy the old homeland.

Love,

Jim and Dina

August 19, 1966 "a Cook’s Tour of six days through Granada etc. would cost about $100 each"

2010-11-06T07:28:00.002-04:00

August 19, 1966

Dear Mom and Dad,

Received your postcard of Salinas today. Your sleeping and eating arrangements sound very good. In fact I’m certain this visit is much more satisfactory for you. I hope you are taking all those walks around the places you love. Don’t know how much longer you are planning to stay but I hope you will allow yourselves enough time for a brief tour of So. Spain. You can’t say you have really seen Spain until you visit the South. I think a Cook’s Tour of six days through Granada etc. would cost about $100 each. Six days more is nothing when you have been gone almost 2 years. You’ve seen London at its most exciting and really lived in Europe - saw a glimpse of Holland and visited the wonderful people of Spain. I’m sure your pension people would let you leave some of your luggage there too. Be sure to do it – you’ll thank me for the advice.

Our time is flying by - and still so much we want to do. Last night Rudy and Helen C. took us to the opera.

Today Jim took Kenny to the eye doctor. I want someone else's opinion about that eye.

I am trying to write this and watch television so I’ll stop for a while.

Later

Sure enough the eye doctor said he does not need glasses – so we have to take K. to another eye clinic to get some eye exercises for him to do at home. Tonight Angeles, Margaret, Paquita and Maria Tata dropped in for a short visit – also Tiá Mariá and Mercedes la de Justa. Mercedes said to tell you that she misses you so much. Since you left she never went anywhere. (that is since Dad left for the wahes etc. She said she only went to the SS three times. Bessie Crook also came by. Her mother is doing very poorly – so depressing – but she said her grandchildren are so good to her.

I talked to Tala today and she read me parts of your long letter to her. From it I gather you will try to see as much as you can. Good idea!

Margaret brought me some “bullinas” and Angeles baked me to apple pies from her apple tree. I was thrilled to get them as tomorrow night some of the Fontbonne crowd is coming over.

The kids are fine. They have been changing back and forth with the Damaris’. Tonight we have everyone home. Nancy is getting very smart. She crawls all over and pulls herself up. She can say mama and loves to hear P. screaming. She gets all excited and laughs – the louder P. gets, the more she laughs.

Greet everyone there for us. And be sure to get it all in.

Love

Jim and Dina

August 16, 1966 "no sign of the charge plates"

2010-11-05T17:52:00.003-04:00

August 16, 1966

Tuesday

Dear Mom and Dad,

We returned at 4PM from Pana. The kids had a ball there. Betty and Glen came up Monday as he had business in Decatur. The boys really enjoyed the apple trees, cornfields etc. Jim fixed a few of his Mom’s appliances. Aunt Rose went back on Monday.

We came home to find your most interesting letter about your trip through the Spanish Mountains. Sure am anxious to get together with you and hear all the details. Also had a letter from Don.

The trip to Gary was a great success – we stopped by Mary Colasin’s this evening to drop off some eggs. She was hoarse and said she never laughed so hard in her life. Then we went to Tala’s to see our piano and drop off some eggs. She said she had the best time ever. Clo was in form – dressed like a farmer – Neva laughed all the way. Lola Patona, Esther, Honey and Angeles were the whole show. And except for Teresa P who was a pain everyone really enjoyed the trip. Sophie also went and Anita met her in Chicago. The people at Gary really entertained them and the bus driver said “If you ladies go next year, will you ask for me?”

Tala got her beaded bag and she really liked it. The time is flying by so fast and we still have so much we want to do.

Your stay in Asturias should go very nicely. I think there is more room for you and I’m sure Pacita will let you both go off on your own. Be sure to greet all the family for us and Herminia of course.

Right now we are watching the Tonight Show – so I will wait until tomorrow to finish this after I call Tiá Lola.

Wed, August 17

I called Tiá Lola and she is feeling very good. She may come to Mildred’s next Sunday if she continues the same. I talked to Mary Diaz today and she says Jesus Glenna is sick in the hospital and that Luisa is doing o.k. I talked to Margaret Diaz and she said the gang really missed Dora and Amelia on the trip.

Katie Sabadell said Corona is having a nice time and the family in Spain was very good to her. I also talked to Mercedes “la de justa” so you see I spent most of the day on the phone.

Jim went with Tala to the bank today but no sign of the charge plates.

Tala and Bob will leave for their vacation on August 28^th.

I must drop a line to Don and Jim’s mother.

Love,

Dina

August 12, 1966 "Ruth and I were sitting outside husking corn "

2010-11-03T18:35:00.003-04:00

Fri, Aug 12^th (1966, Pana, Illinois)

Dear Mom and Dad,

Yesterday we had a nice surprise! Ruth and I were sitting outside husking corn when a cab drove up and Aunt Rose from Minnesota came out. She had taken the Greyhound bus when Jim’s mom wrote to tell her we would be here. She is Ruth’s sister from Minneapolis.

On Sunday Jim’s mom has invited all the cousins from miles around to a family reunion. We have never met most of them.

The Kids are having a ball. Kenny and Davy are inseparable. Kenny spent the night with him last night.

The kids have been out in the corn field picking corn and today they are going to dig up potatoes.

Last night we showed some of our home movies and some of the neighbors came over to watch.

Aunt Rose is very interested in everything about living in Europe. She always asks questions and listens to the answers.

Right now the kids are watching Captain Kangaroo and Aunt Rose and Ruth are out in the garden already.

After we got here Jim took Tala’s car to the mechanic that the Singers know to have it worked on. We thought it better to do it here since we don’t know any mechanic in St. Louis. They put some spark plugs, cleaned the points – brakes etc.

Today I think we’ll take the kids to town for some play shoes and blue jeans.

Nancy is getting around on her knees. She is a little fireball now and really knows what she wants.

I think I’ll cut this short because I want to mail this in town and we’ll be going soon.

Please give the family there our best regards. Hope everything is going well for you.

Love Dina and Jim

p.s. Jim has made our return reservations for Friday Sept. 2^nd.

August 10, 1966 "Jim has been busy today repairing some of the electrical appliances"

2010-11-02T18:59:00.002-04:00

P.S. We’ll be here until Tues Aug 16^th, Regards to all the family

August 10, 1966, Pana, Illinois

Dear Mom and Dad,

We drove down yesterday in Bob and Tala’s car in exactly 2 hours. I know the kids are growing up because no one complained or fought the whole trip. We are having a nice visit – the kids are really enjoying themselves. Davy spent the night here and the boys really hit it off fine. B has been behaving like a real lady the whole trip. You know how well she can do when she tries - helping with the baby etc.

As luck would have it – Lorraine and the girls are in Pana too spending a week with Mrs. Millot.

Jim’s mom and dad are both looking well and feeling o.k. too. His mom was telling me they have some new treatment for emphysema – but she can’t take it because it contains penicillin. I wish Julius could get it though.

Last Monday Douglas’s girlfriend got baptized and Mildred was her godmother.

Jim has been busy today repairing some of the electrical appliances around here.

All the things we sent his mom really look pretty. The curtain is just beautiful. I’m sure yours will look wonderful too. I especially like the wood carving from Mallorca. It is so beautiful. They also received the mantillas we sent.

I’ve been trying to track down the things we sent and most of them have arrived. Anita K___ received her guest towels but her mom’s did not arrive and I sent them a month sooner.

Tala still did not receive the beaded bag either. The Sadies are going on their Gary, Ind. Trip this weekend. Mary Chick called me before we left. Your old barber Lucas died this week also.

We still have so much to do. When we get back Jim must look in his safe deposit box. I still have to get the kids shoes, get over to Dover Pl., call Sr. J.J. and get out to Fontbonne.

The biggest laugh we have gotten so far is that, except for Helen and Rudy C., no one has asked us anything about Europe. No one is the least interested – and I can understand it.

Received a letter from Don – He spent a month in Campinas and found a month’s mail waiting for him. He said he received your letter from London, Dad.

More Later,

Love

Dina

August 8, 1966 "Nancy has grown up so much these past few weeks."

2010-11-01T19:52:00.006-04:00

August 8, 1966

Monday

Dear Mom and Dad,

Well it is 9A.M. and Nancy and I are the only ones up. We are all fine and enjoying every minute in the good old U.S.A. The weather has been perfect. Very nice and cool – just like resort weather.

Yesterday we went to Alice’s house. Mil and Jul came with us. I was happy to see Lola there. She looks very good and says she feels much better. Tiá Clorinda was also there and Sally had little Donnie and Eddie (Tommy’s son). Eddie is really a darling boy and so big and smart for his age. OF course Donnie is jealous of him. So he led Sally on a merry chase all day. Betty and husband were there too. She has two darling children and both very good.

I forgot to tell you that Anita, Digna and Margie stopped in one evening on the way home from Kate’s. They received your cloth and thanked you very much. They really love it.

Would you believe we still have not gone over to Dover Pl. I hope we can today. It seems like we never have an extra minute. Florence and Margaret R. came by Saturday afternoon. Jim went out to Korvett (a new store) and did the shopping for clothes that he needed. I think one more trip for me will set me up.

Tomorrow we go to Pana for a week. I’m glad we planned it this way as we will have a week just to visit with them and rest. Then when we come back we can start our rounds again. It has really been fun seeing everyone. So far everyone looks good. Toots is heavy again and Alice thin, but she says she feels good and enjoys her job so much.

Nancy has grown up so much these past few weeks. St. Louis really agrees with her – she has gained weight and now she “tocas manitas” and gives you a kiss. She is always smiling especially when she sees Barbara. All the kids have been behaving themselves very nicely. P is still jealous but she is having fun showing off for everyone. She is also the only one who says anything in French. None of the others will say a word. Alice tried out some of the sentences that the old man had taught you all. B understood her. Later on in the yard we were talking about speaking French etc. and Mil said “ I don’t think it’s very hard, probably a lot like Spanish.”

I’m sure the family in Bilbao are grateful for your visit. I’ll bet they are very sad these days.

I’ll write from Pana. The kids can’t wait to get there.

Love

Jim and Dina,

August 6, 1966 "I will send this letter to Bilbao and then the others to Asturias."

2010-10-31T08:09:00.002-04:00

Dear Mom and Dad,

Received your postcards departing from London. Glad to hear all went so well there. I will send this letter to Bilbao and then the others to Asturias. What is Jesusa’s address now? I can’t remember Pacita’s husband’s name or I would send it there.

Things are moving along very fast here. We have been busy. Jim and I went out to Carm’s house for dinner and Neva and Mildred babysat for us. They said the baby was good. Anita K and Ester came to see us – brought a beautiful sweater for Nancy and a bottle of Champagne. Last night we went out to see the Petry’s. They have a nice old big home in Webster. Jo Anne H_____ was there. She is staying at her mother’s waiting to have her baby already 4 days late.

Tomorrow Mil and Julious are going with us over to Alice’s house. We have been using Tala’s car constantly. I feel so obligated to them.

The kids are having so much fun playing and going out and drinking soda etc. They’ll really hate to settle down to school again.

Everyone we’ve seen certainly looks good. But of course every home has its problems. You’ll certainly have enough to keep you busy when you get back. Just visiting Trina, Lola and Tiá Maria will be enough. Lil says the only time her mom feels better is when she is talking with someone.

Tuesday August 9^th we are going to Pana for a week. Monday Douglas’ girl gets baptized and Mildred is going to be her god mother.

I finally called Florence D________ and she might stop by this afternoon. Ran into Gertie Jean and she is married to Mel Z_______. That really completed the break with her family (who are now sure they won’t get her money).

Bessie C____ called me and wanted to take me out to lunch. I told her I would call her after I get back form Pana. Carmen B___ also called me.

Jim’s hay fever has been pretty bad but he is the only one to feel sick. All of us are great and Nancy has gained weight and gotten so smart. I’ll never get her back in the playpen. She crawls all over the house.

In between times I have been going through the chests and drawers. Yesterday was so cool I did some of the attic clothes bags. I have been finding a lot of nice things – but still haven’t found all those clothes of Donnie’s which you said were here. The ones Lil gave me now are size 14 and I’m sure there were some here that were smaller. Are there any clothes in those boxes in the attic? I don’t want to start in there if there are no clothes in them.

Please greet all the family in Spain for us and thank them again for the gift for Nancy.

Love from all,

Jim and Dina

August 2, 1966 " We still haven’t gone over to Dover Pl. Boy, the time just flies by."

2010-10-30T07:55:00.003-04:00

Dear Mom and Dad,

We received your letter this morning and are so glad to know how enjoyable your stay in London went . Here we are all fine and really having a ball.

I knew you would enjoy the Byrne’s. Jeanne is just as you see her – straightforward and so interested in people. Her husband has always appealed to me. He’s the kind of man I like. Quiet and very very nice and simple. I know Jeanne is quite a housekeeper. Isn’t she marvelous?

Glad you got in some shopping. I also went to Famous and bought a suit and car coat and black dress. Also bought 2 pair of shoes at Stix. Boy do those clothes in the stores look marvelous! I don’t think I’ll need anything for the kids except shoes. Last night I went through every chest and drawer in the room downstairs. I found lots of stuff for the kids and Betty and Lily brought me a big sack full of stuff too. I still haven’t looked upstairs but I think the kids have quite a good supply.

One thing you can say for the English people. They certainly are courteous and helpful. I see you got the same treatment. People think of them as cold and reserved but they are certainly decent folks.

Everyone in St. Louis really enjoyed the last game. We all looked for you in the crowd. What a crowd.

I just called Tiá Lola up and she says she feels better every day. Yes, she knows her heart acted up in the hospital but as she says – she could last for many years. So far she has no pain and she says she just feels very lazy. She has lots of company and that helps her a lot.

Sunday Carolyn brought Tiá Clorinda and Trina and picked up Tiá Mariá too. We had a nice little visit with them. Tiá Trina is pretty forgetful but still very good company. Clorinda said she never saw Julio so happy in his life now that Billie is back in town.

The kids haven’t played too much with the Bogdans because they had their tonsils out.

I called Donna F___ and will see her after we get back from Pana as she was going to Ohio for a few days this week.

We still haven’t gone over to Dover Pl. Boy, the time just flies by. This afternoon Esther and Anita K_____ are coming by. And tonight we must go to Donna Lee’s.

I priced beaded bags at Stix. One like you sent Corona was $70.

Will write more later,

Love

Jim and Dina

July 31, 1966 "Mary Chick has already sent over two cakes"

2010-10-29T23:57:00.001-04:00

July 31, 1966 (St. Louis)

Dear Mom and Dad,

Hope all is well with you. We watched the last games of the World Cup Saturday morning at 11A.M. by Telestar. It was a great game! We looked for you in the crowd.

Everyone here is fine. I still haven’t seen Clorinda or Trina. Billie was moving this weekend and they were quite busy. He found a house a block from Margaret’s house. Carolyn said they might take a drive over today if the weather stays cool. I figure it’s better for them to come here as Tiá Trina likes to get out and Nancy can take her nap in peace.

Last night we went out to Rosemarie’s. O’Bee and family came in town and we visited with them.

Mary Chick has already sent over two cakes and Anita has offered to babysit. I might take her up on that as Carm asked us over and I wouldn’t want to take the kids out there.

We still haven’t gone over to Dover Pl. but I hope to today. This time just seems to be flying. This week is pretty well dated up. So I think we will go to Pana after August 7^th.

I think if I mail this this morning you still may get it at Jeanne’s.

The kids are all well and having a ball. There has been a break in the weather and we were wearing sweaters sitting out at Rosemarie’s last night.

So glad everything went so well for you in London. A nice place to stay and tickets for those exciting games. Sure hope the shopping went well too. I must get started on mine as I can see it is not so easy when you are hard to fit.

Haven’t heard from Don but no doubt we have mail going to Brussels yet.

I must get ready for Mass. Hope to hear from you soon again.

Keep in touch.

Love

Dina and all

July 24, 1966 "there are no other people in the world like our family!"

2010-10-29T23:46:00.004-04:00

In 1966 we Ryans were still living in Brussels. Welo and Wela came to stay with us in Brussels for a few months (years?) after my grandfather retired from the bank. That summer we traveled home for a visit. Welo and Welo went on a trip to London and Spain before they came back to the States. I am posting a series of letters my Mom wrote from St. Louis to her mother in Europe that summer (see the Archives from 2007 for the initial 1964 series of letters that started this Blog). Even though Mom was on vacation and had a short amount of time to visit with friends and family she still managed to write to her mother almost every day.

Enjoy,

July 24, 1966

Sunday

Dear Mom and Dad, (Hi Jeanne & Barney)

It is now 7:30A.M. and I am going to write this letter before anything. We had a wonderful trip home. I called Tala from Chicago and she told me that she and Betty D. would meet us. (Jo came to see us at the O’Hare and we had good hour to talk.) When we got off at Lambert – there were - Mildred, Julius, Chick, Mary, Anita, Doggie and kids, Donna Lee & whole family, Tala & family, Bentons, Dameris’ with a huge sign Welcome Home Ryans . We had our choice of cars for the ride home.

The house looks marvelous. Mildred, Mary Chick, Margaret & Angeles have it looking like you just stepped out to the bakery. Everything is back in place. Jim said it looked like a welcome home for a honeymoon couple. They all said it had been left terribly dirty. They shampooed the rug twice. But at least there is absolutely no permanent damage.

When you get home you’ll have to paint the kitchen and repair that damn crack in the dining room. That’s it. Glen D___ had hooked up the dryer and he said he can’t figure out how Jim Ryan can get out of doing that every time. Mary Chick had baked a huge cake and cup cakes, and they had ham sandwiches and beer and soda. Tala and Bob had bought a supply of groceries and I would say that there are no other people in the world like our family! They all stayed quite late and when everyone left Jim and I looked at my watch on Brussels time and we had been up 26 hours. But it was worth it!

Saturday at 7:30A.M. good old Gloria was at the door with bakery goods for breakfast. And throughout the day Mildred, Neva, the Dameris’, Lil and Bob and Gas dropped in. As a result I’m still not unpacked but it’s been great. Wait ‘til you get back – you can’t imagine how wonderful St. Louis will look to you – even though everything is really dry and brunt up. The weather has been great. Between the fan and attic fan we have stayed really cool. Mildred has already adopted Patricia. P. says “you are not Aunt Mildred, you’re Wela.” The kids are having a ball. We did go to the doctor with Mary Beth who got up vomiting I was sure she was just exhausted but ever since Jim had that scare in Malaga he was afraid. So we took her and Nancy. The doctor gave her something and an hour later she was fine. He looked at Nancy’s leg and said it will be all right and she was fine, he thought. He gave her the oral polio which is good. We called Jim’s mom and we told her we’ll try to get down after a week as we have so much to do here. Everyone I saw so far looks wonderful. Exactly the same. I talked to tiá Lola and she might come by today - but last night talking to Lil, she tells me her mom had another heart attack in the hospital and is really failing. I might call her and ask her not to make the trip. We’ll try to get over there one day this week. Tala and Bob let us use their Ford also for today and yesterday.

Well I must feed this baby. Everyone thinks she’s cute . I’ll try to write tomorrow. Let us know how you’re doing. My love to the Byrnes.

Love,

Jim and Dina

Fall back

2010-10-10T22:50:00.001-04:00

Fort Marcy Park

circa 1968

Dina circa 1932

2010-10-03T21:31:00.002-04:00

Dina and Donna Lee Dancing

Who can tell me what kind of car that is?

It was a very hot day back in September 1954

2010-09-24T18:58:00.001-04:00

Dina and Jim

1954: The highest temperature on record at St. Louis

for the month of September (104 degrees) was recorded.

Welo Swims

2010-09-19T14:33:00.000-04:00

Welo Swims from Marybeth on Vimeo.

Great Grandpa Sannes

2010-09-18T07:04:00.001-04:00

Henry Otto and ? (maybe Ingaborg, probably Bergette)

Connecting with Cousins

2010-09-10T17:03:00.004-04:00

Ken and Dave
Pana, Illinois

We enjoy the fruits of his Labor

2010-09-05T07:30:00.002-04:00

"Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if Labor had not first existed. Labor is superior to capital, and deserves much the higher consideration"...*Abraham Lincoln*

Thanks for all your hard work Dad.

Flair anyone? I got a box full of these pins etc.

Who are they?

2010-08-30T21:20:00.002-04:00

I don't know who they are, but sweet ride!

I researched the scooter and it is made by American Moto-Scoot Co.,

between 1937-1947 in Chicago, Illinois

*on the back it's stamped Ray's Photo Service, La Crosse, Wisconsin*

Random Snap from the Past

2010-08-21T10:44:00.000-04:00

Grandma Singer

Puerto Plata

Gift of Gab

2010-08-01T09:10:00.001-04:00

Dina and Rose Marie in high school.

Our two favorite ladies are definitely award winning conversationalists.

Always look before you toss

2010-07-21T22:26:00.001-04:00

I never really spoke to Dad about his father or grandparents, or maybe I just don’t remember him talking about them. His father left when he was a very small boy so we never saw or knew any of the Ryan side of the family. However we always talked about the fact that we kids were 1/8 Irish and 1/8 Luxembourgian and ¼ Norwegian (and 1/2 Spanish, from Mom). It never occurred to me that Dad might actually have any family history written down. Today I was sorting through old boxes of Dad’s stuff to organize and toss some “unimportant” papers, like envelopes and old tax returns etc. My Dad liked to write cryptic, esoteric notes on pieces of paper and in notebooks. Some notes I think were solutions to word puzzles, on others I think maybe he was in a drunken stupor. Hard to say. Mostly I just set them aside because I keep thinking I am going to discover he really was a spy and had to communicate in secret code.

The point of this post is an old envelope I found in a box of papers from Bangkok. Inside the envelope are negatives from Korea and Thailand. To be clear I could have stuck the negatives in the envelope on one of my previous sorting binges. What is in the envelope has nothing to do with notes written on the back of the envelope. On the top portion of the envelope he wrote all the dates of different places he lived. Some are abbreviations for States, some are street names in St. Louis.

47 - IL (Illinois)
49 - Keesler (no idea where this is?)
53 - S.Dak (South Dakota I guess?)
54 - Cleve (this is his first house after he married Mom, Cleveland Place in St. Louis, Mo.)
57 - Maple (Maplewood Avenue in St. Louis)
63 - Dover Place (street in St. Louis)
64 - Switzerland – Bel. (Belgium)
68 - US (United States)
76 - K (Korea)

The bottom of the envelope is more interesting. These numbers, or rather dates, are what really caught my eye. If I had not been doing genealogy research for the last few years and just happened to have certain dates stuck in my head I may never have figured out what this series numbers meant.

1868 – Lux
1873(5) US
1885 to MHd (17)
1887(19) married
1905(37) widow
1944

1944
1868
____
76

My great grandmother (Dad’s grandmother) Lena Steichen was born in Luxembourg in 1868. She immigrated with her family in 1873 (when she was five years old). The Steichen family moved to Moorhead, Minnesota in 1885. Lena married James Ryan in 1887. My great grandfather James Ryan died in 1905. Lena died in 1943. Ok this last date does not quite match but it’s close enough. Where did he get these dates? When and why did he write them down on the back of an envelope? I found all the dates through census, death records, obits etc! If I had only known that he had all this information all the time!! What else did he know?

1934 La Sociedad Espanola

2010-07-20T17:48:00.002-04:00

Soccer mania is over but here's one more photo of the Spanish Soccer Club

Top Row: far left - Benito "Chic" Fernandez, sixth over from left Henry "Eggie" Fernandez, and second from right Prudencio "Pete" Garcia

Spanish Soccer Club, St. Louis, Mo.

2010-07-11T07:46:00.005-04:00

1929-1930 City Champions

Uncle "Eggie" (Enrique Fernandez) is the tall boy in the back row.
It's hard to see, but there is writing at the bottom of the photo.
(I think the city is East St. Louis)

Lazy Days of Summer (circa 1968)

2010-07-09T18:49:00.001-04:00

At the Singer's Farm

Pana, Illinois

God Bless America

2010-07-02T18:22:00.002-04:00

God Bless America from Wela

Independence Day, St. Louis 1963

2010-07-02T18:07:00.003-04:00

Top: Jim E. waving

Bottom: Tio ?, Welo, Barb, Ken and MB

July 4th Parade

St. Louis, Mo. 1963

Father Ryan

2010-06-20T09:58:00.002-04:00

"While it is often exhilirating to know one-of-a-kind persons, it is also sadder when they go because you know how unique and rare they are. And in their own little corner of the world there will always be a little vacancy - they can never be replaced."

... quote from Jim Ryan in a condolence note to a friend.

Summertime is finally here!

2010-06-13T08:18:00.000-04:00

Summertime Snackin' circa 1970 from Marybeth on Vimeo.

(Sorry it's a bit out of focus. I just couldn't get a clear copy and gave up.)

Always Remember - It's not just a day off work.

2010-05-30T07:27:00.010-04:00

Douglas on the far right smiling

Dina at the Wall

http://www.virtualwall.org/dg/GonzalezDD01a.htm

In memory of our cousin Douglas D. Gonzalez

"...I also remember Aunt Mildred's grief ...and a line that I will never forget. She told her sister Dora that she had cried so much she knew she didn't have any more tears left...though the next morning she cried as if it was yesterday. I was very young at the time, but I understood the magnitude of this loss." Barbara R.