Another St. Patrick's Day brings back fond memories of my Great Aunt Gertrude Hickey (nee Houlihan) who lived until the ripe old age of 101, sharp as a tack until the day she died.
Gert loved her highballs and with the exception of the occasional doctor's orders limiting her to one per day, she pretty much had free reign over the sauce. One of our favorite Gert stories had her at the doctor's office one day. After the medic examined her, he said: "Gert, you're the picture of health, you've outlived most of your friends and family. You're in better shape than most people half your age. Tell me, how do you do it?" Aunt Gertrude replied: "Well I never smoked, I get plenty of rest, and I've learned never to take anything too seriously. And I take plenty of Vitamin ET."
Now the doctor was too embarrassed at the time to admit he never heard of such a vitamin but on a follow up visit he said: "OK Gert, we searched through all our medical journals and came up empty, what the heck is Vitamin ET?"
With a devilish look on her face Gertrude told the doctor: "Early Times!"
Showing posts with label St. Patrick's Day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label St. Patrick's Day. Show all posts
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Child care, Chicago, c. 1920
St. Patrick's day always brings memories of my grandmother and her sister, my great Aunt Gertrude Hickey (nee Houlihan).
Aunt Gert died in 2001, just after celebrating her 101st birthday. She was a pistol, without a doubt one of the most memorable people I've ever known. A whirlwind of tales came out of our every visit, one never knew what was coming but she never disappointed. She also never told the same story twice unless you asked her. Gertrude was more with it than people half or even a quarter her age.
Beth reminded me this morning of our favorite Gertrude story, this one has perhaps a touch of the blarney, but it could just be true.
Seems that back in 1920's Chicago, South Side, if a couple with a baby wanted to go out on the town and needed a babysitter, what they'd do is this:
Put the baby on the front porch along with a bottle of beer and an opener. The first passerby to arrive at the scene would find the beer, help him or herself to it, then feel compelled to watch the baby until the parents came home.
Seems reasonable to me.
God bless ya Gert!
Aunt Gert died in 2001, just after celebrating her 101st birthday. She was a pistol, without a doubt one of the most memorable people I've ever known. A whirlwind of tales came out of our every visit, one never knew what was coming but she never disappointed. She also never told the same story twice unless you asked her. Gertrude was more with it than people half or even a quarter her age.
Beth reminded me this morning of our favorite Gertrude story, this one has perhaps a touch of the blarney, but it could just be true.
Seems that back in 1920's Chicago, South Side, if a couple with a baby wanted to go out on the town and needed a babysitter, what they'd do is this:
Put the baby on the front porch along with a bottle of beer and an opener. The first passerby to arrive at the scene would find the beer, help him or herself to it, then feel compelled to watch the baby until the parents came home.
Seems reasonable to me.
God bless ya Gert!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Erin go bah humbug
For as long as I can remember I've been a St. Paddy's Day Scrooge. It probably began when my grandmother made me wear an enormous "Kiss me I'm Irish" button back in third grade.
I have to admit having attended many St. Patrick's Day Parades back in the day. My first and most memorable was in 1976, Richard J. Daley's last one. Actually got a picture or two of Hizzoner, you can tell by his bright red face somewhere way off in the crowd.
It was also one of the last St. Paddy's Day parades on State Street, before they closed it off to build the State Street Mall.
There was something to all the hoopla and tradition to the Downtown parade, the playing of "When Mayor Daley leads the Parade Down State Street", the green river, the show of political force. It was the Chicago version of May Day in Red Square.
It probably still is except I never go anymore. There's something lacking in parades on Columbus Drive, although I understand the reasons for having them there. And of course the obilgatory displays of public drunkenness, exacerbated by the parade now being held on the weekend, gets a little tiresome.
Oh well maybe I should just lighten up and pour myself a Guinness. Except that I've given up drinking for Lent.
Ah now we're getting somewhere!
I have to admit having attended many St. Patrick's Day Parades back in the day. My first and most memorable was in 1976, Richard J. Daley's last one. Actually got a picture or two of Hizzoner, you can tell by his bright red face somewhere way off in the crowd.
It was also one of the last St. Paddy's Day parades on State Street, before they closed it off to build the State Street Mall.
There was something to all the hoopla and tradition to the Downtown parade, the playing of "When Mayor Daley leads the Parade Down State Street", the green river, the show of political force. It was the Chicago version of May Day in Red Square.
It probably still is except I never go anymore. There's something lacking in parades on Columbus Drive, although I understand the reasons for having them there. And of course the obilgatory displays of public drunkenness, exacerbated by the parade now being held on the weekend, gets a little tiresome.
Oh well maybe I should just lighten up and pour myself a Guinness. Except that I've given up drinking for Lent.
Ah now we're getting somewhere!
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