Christmas' on Verbena Street

First photo was Christmas 1961. Yes, I am aware that I look like I am on drugs or at least some heavy medication!


Of course, that's my father and mother in the back and Eric and I in front.

2nd photo was taken at Christmas time again on Verbena Street. The house in the background is that of my Grandma and Grandpa Seligman. What a beautiful home that was!


Lee was home that year on leave from the Navy and I think that is the year we celebrated not only Christmas, but Hanukkah as well. I loved celebrating Hanukkah - gifts for 8 days each better than the day before and wonderful food too (mazto ball soup - yummy Cortni!) - what else could a kid ask for?

I'm sure you are by now laughing out loud at the plaid and tweed coats - my "blue" glasses and the BAD hair cut (I think my mother must have trimmed my bangs) and look closely at the fur lined ear "flaps" on my brother's hat.

Anyway, we had driven all night from Louisiana to spend the holidays with both sets of grandparents. Imagine the surprise Eric and I had when we saw what seemed to be 10 feet of snow! We had never seen that much snow before. I can remember sledding - snowmen and snowball fights - damn Eric you threw that one too hard - it hurt!


The photos below were also taken Christmas - 1962 - OMG - it just dawned on me - that was 46 years ago!

Left to right:

Uncle Lee, Aunt Boddy, Eric, Uncle Selly. Lee gave me one of his hats and I used to wear it everywhere! He was my hero!

Below are Lee and "big sister" May (my mother). Such a happy holiday - at least that's the way I remember it.

Apologies

I feel that I need to apologize for this blog not being in chronological order.

As Lee sends the scans, they spark a memory or an emotion and that is where the photos end up - totally out of sequence.

Realize that I too am seeing a great many of these pictures for the first time. I just feel the need to share them as quickly as possible before time slips away and they end up buried on my hard drive

A Birthday Evening?

Fuzzy photo of my parents May Margret Seligman Erickson and William Murphy Erickson. Probably taken in 1954 (but not absolutely sure). I do know this was taken outside my grandparents house on 16th Street in Washington, DC.

Since they both looked dressed to the "t" this is possibly a night out on the town for their birthdays. My parents were both born on August 14th. My mother (if memory serves - and it doesn't too much lately) in 1929 and my father exactly 2 years earlier.

Again if memory serves, they met in college (George Washington?) and had a brief courtship before marrying in May of 1948.

My brother Eric was born on October 26, 1949 and I followed three years later on November 12, 1952.

How strange to look at this handsome couple and think of them as my parents. The memories that I have stored are of them in much later years. My father I can only remember in work clothes and boots with totally gray hair. My mother appears to me in business attire. They look so very young with the whole world in front of them and not a care in the world.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to just choose a photo - jump back in it and start again from there? That's me - a dreamer always was - always will be.

Vacationing

Not too sure about this photo except it was taken pre-1960 at the Concord Hotel in the Catskills.

This is all I could find on the Internet regarding that hotel. It must have been a favorite get-away for the Seligman clan as I have several photos with reference to this landmark.

"11-06-1998 Landmark Catskills Hotel Shuts Doors: The Concord Resort Will Be Auctioned Off, Marking End of an Era NEW YORK -- The Concord Resort Hotel, one of the premier Jewish getaways in the Catskills that for years served as a summer home to thousands of Jewish families and spawned a extraordinary culture of its own..."

"Many decades ago, the Concord, in the community of Kiamesha Lake, about 90 miles northwest of New York, was the newest and swankiest place in the Catskills for weddings, bar mitzvahs and family reunions. It was part of the Borscht Belt, a group of resorts that catered to a mostly Jewish clientele, and for many years, it occupied a place in many hearts as a family vacation home.

Not only was there segregation of African-Americans in the South, but Jewish people were segregated to their own resorts and country clubs as well all around the United States.

The Rabbit AGAIN

Lee appears to be about 3 or 4 in this photo with my grandparents Dorothy and Mervin Seligman. That "rabbit" must have gone everywhere with him. Today we call that a woobie!

Funny, I never saw my grandfather without glasses on - I guess I just assumed he always wore them. Strange the things we remember - isn't it? Handsome 1940's family - don't you think?

And last but not least - Cortni and family

Sometimes surprises can be the best things in the world. Not only was Cortni a total surprise for me, but her son Mason was a total surprise for her and Brian. What a little charmer he can be! Anyone I know would give anything to have those huge beautiful eyes and those loooong eyelashes!

I was going to post another photo of the family, but the picture is so small that I chose this one instead. Of course, that is my daughter (and youngest child) Cortni, her husband Brian and Mr. Mason Taylor Fleske. The perfect family in my book (or should I say on my blog!).

A few weeks back, Cortni took Mason to the beach. They had such a wonderful time together. Mason loves anything having to do with water whether it be swimming or simply jumping in a big puddle! Think he might get that from the Seligman side. Anyway... he is ALL boy!

Mason's 5th birthday portrait. Having a daughter who is a photographer has it's "Nana" advantages. When all the other grandma's are showing Sear's Portrait Studio photos of their grandchildren.... I can whip these out!

Mason starts kindergarten this year - I'm not sure where the time has gone. It's probably a toss up as to who is more excited about his new charter school... Mason or Cortni. Mason is so smart. Even though Cortni and Brian have had to work Mason's entire life, they have made sure he was in a pre-school and not just in child care. Between that and the work they do with him at home, he is way beyond an ordinary public school. He needs to be challenged and according to Cortni this school will be just the ticket.

Tiffani and Athena Shelton

Going to try to finish the introductions of family to family today as I don't know when I will get a chance to continue with the blog.

So.... moving to the "middle child" Tiffani and her daughter Athena....Tiffani was certainly blessed when she had this little girl. Athena is full of wisdom far beyond her 9 years. She is a kind and loving child who is quite shy at first but once she warms up to you she is funny and social. Athena knows how to be a child when she is with her friends, but also can be quite adult when the situation calls. I sometimes say she is 9 going on 25.

This portrait was taken by a friend of Cortni's when Athena and Tiffani were visiting in Georgia. As memory serves, it was taken last summer. Mother and daughter are more than just that - they are close friends as well. What a combination they are!


Athena and Wendall just after Athena got her first pair of glasses. Unfortunately, I think all of my children and grandchildren will inherit my eyesight. Let's just hope that none are as blind as me. Athena wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up. She loves animals of any kind (especially horses!). If she has half the determination of her mother, I know she will accomplish that goal.

Miss Athena is off to a great start of being an accomplished violinist. This photo was taken at her last recital. She played so beautifully that day. In fact she plays so well that she was chosen to play in a group of much older students and her instructor for one piece. I was busting with pride that day!

Athena also loves ballet. This photo was also taken at this year's recital. There were lots of family and friends to see her dance. I know Nana's are supposed to brag, but everyone else said she was the BEST too! She was so graceful - she nearly floated across the stage!

Meet the Fannan's

As the Seligman's may or may not know, Ryan is my son from my first marriage.

Caitlyn Elizabeth Fannan

Photo was taken nearly 12 years ago. We don't know where Caiti is as she and her mother have moved and we don't know where to even begin to look. Caitlyn is now 14 years old and we still search for her. She is Ryan's first born and although we don't see her, we all love her dearly. Our hope is that someday she will come looking for us.

Michael and Samuel Fannan

Michael is now 9 and Samuel is 8. They live with their mother in Kansas. Ryan makes the four hour drive every other weekend to visit them. He actually had custody of them for about 4 years, but when he moved to Missouri, he had to relinquish to their mother. They stay with me on the weekends Ryan is in Kansas City, so I get to see them a great deal.

Ryan Fannan, his wife Nancy and their baby girl Emily Nichole.

Emily will be one year old next month - where did the year go? She is one of the happiest babies I have ever met. Nancy is a great mother and wife - Ryan was lucky to have found her after all the "other" women in his life. I feel that for the first time in his life he is happy and content. What a beautiful family!

Meet the family - continued

To continue the introductions...

This photo is the most recent I have with all my kids together. Left to right... Cortni, Ryan and Tiffani taken in November of 2002. The funny thing is that after six years, they all look just the same as they do in this photo... I think they are ageless!

Ryan is the General Manager of a plastics factory in Southern Missouri. He has worked his way up the ladder from machine operator to his current position without benefit of a college education. Quite an accomplishment in my eyes. Ryan is the father of four children (2 girls and 2 boys) ... yes I think he is trying to repopulate the earth single handedly! Ryan is only about a year (maybe two) younger than Todd!

Tiffani (on the right) is a medical school student who just moved to Alabama with her daughter Athena to begin her clinicals. After two grueling years of studying in Kansas City, she is on her way to becoming a doctor; a goal from which she has never wavered since she was about 9 or 10 years old! She is incredible! Not only is she smart; she is one of the best mothers I have ever had the privilege of knowing.

Cortni (on the left) is pregnant in this photo with her son Mason. She is the artistic one in the family and I feel has a great deal in common with Todd. Although her primary job is that of a production artist for new home guides, her primary interest is to open her own photography studio. Since the time she was very small, she could draw - I mean really draw - things you could recognize without having to ask "what is that?". She lives in Norcorss, GA with her husband Brian and their son Mason.

Can you tell I'm the proud mother of three wonderful people?
The next post will be of their children and then I will probably return to times past. I just thought it important that everyone be able to put faces with names.

Posted this photo as it is only about a year old and one of my favorites of Tiffani and Cortni together. That's Cortni on the left and Tiffani on the right. I never noticed how much they look alike as adults - as children they looked absolutely nothing alike!

Time for the family to meet

With all the talk about family history and such, it just dawned on me that the cousins have not even met and my children have never met their Great-Uncle Lee.

All of these photos are of my Uncle Lee and my two "baby" cousins Todd and Mark. I have a bit of trouble telling my cousins apart as I have only seen them once together and that was about six years ago. To me they look amazingly alike. So .... if I get the names wrong regarding the photos, my apologizes to them both.

The old fart in all three photos is my Uncle Lee (I say that lovingly). He lives in Long Beach, CA with Mark (when Mark is home anyway). Lee has been diligently scanning and sending me photos for this blog. The story of me finding him after nearly thirty years is what I consider a miracle! But I think you all know that story so I won't digress. You have already seen photos of Lee as a child and ones of him from the Naval Academy.

In the first photo, I think that is Mark on the left and Todd in the middle - only guessing.

In the second photo, I think that is Todd on the left of Lee and Mark on the right - again only guessing. To me they look like twins in this particular photo.

The third photo is (I'm nearly sure this time) Mark on the left and Todd in the middle.

Todd owns his own company, Dardvl Entertainment. If you want to learn more about your cousin Todd, just do a google search - there sure are a lot of hits! From professional BMX rider to current presidency of his own company. Todd will be getting married to the love of his life, Sian on October 5th of this year. I will post photos of the wedding when I return.

Mark chose a different path. Mark loves to work with his hands and his careers include a boat repair shop in Long Beach to off-shore oil drilling. Not sure exactly what Mark's title is, but I think he is more of a consultant than an actual worker on the rigs. Mark; did I get that right? I do know that Mark travels all over the country. Just recently he got stuck in Houston during hurricane Dolly. Was there way.... longer than he had hoped due to the storm.

Anyway... meet the Seligmans; Lee, Todd and Mark! Introduce yourselves - I'm sure they want you know you.

My mother and Lee

Since my mother was over eight years old when my Uncle Lee was born, I think there are probably not a great deal of photos of them together as children. Anyway, these are two that Lee sent to me.

The one with Lee in the basket with Mom looking down at him was taken at the house on 16th Street in 1938 (at least it looks like the same house).

The other was taken in 1939 at the creek near the cottage of Aunt Bobby and Uncle Selly. That's my mother holding up Lee (or was she thinking of drowning him - hehe) and Aunt Bobby in the background.

That's about all I know about these. Did I mention how much fun I am having sharing these with anyone interested? Todd and Mark, I do this blog not only for my children and their children and any more generations to come, but rather I do it for you two as well - so you will know and pass on your heritage. Have you noticed that as a baby your Dad had more hair than he ever had as an adult (dig-dig!)?

OMG I had to laugh at the bow in Mom's hair and I can remember them making me wear a STUPID bathing cap like the one she is wearing in the other photo. Damn those things hurt your head - not to mention why did the girls have to wear them and the boys not? Discrimination?

Back to Edgewater, MD - Labor Day 1940

These photos were also taken at the cottage belonging to my grandparent's dear friends Bobby and Selly.

You will hear me refer to them as Aunt Bobby and Uncle Selly.

Although not related by blood, they were the epitemy of a different lifestyle. And oh how they love us!

Their lives in comparison to what I remember of my grandparents was a more "lay-back" life.

On nearly every holiday I can remember at my grandparents, there were Aunt Bobby and Uncle Selly with hugs, smiles and kisses enough for everyone!

My grandparents would venture into "the country" on numerous visits during the year. I think the truth be known, my grandma would have preferred to visit with them in the city. My grandfather on the other hand relished his "country" time. It seem he would actually kick back, relax and just be.

Moving slowly forward - The Cottage in Edgewater

July 1939

Aunt Bobby and Uncle Lee in the front of Aunt Bobby and Uncle Selly's cottage.

I know the photo is not clear, but the memories of the cottage are very clear in my mind.

The huge porch with a long table full of fresh crabs - the small kitchen where Aunt Bobby would make her "famous" crab cakes - the pier where the sailboat was moored - the old chest style deep freezer that always contained popsicles.

Back then I hated crab cakes - what I would not give for one of Aunt Bobby's today. The popcicles... well Aunt Bobby knew I loved them and would tell me she got them just for me. Somehow though, I think Uncle Selly liked them as much as me!

As for the sailboat - well with my motion sickness, I would dread the outings. I spent most of the time on the boat sick to my stomach with my mother giving me tea or ginger ale and big hard pretzels from a five gallon can (like popcorn comes in today).

I wonder how many times I would either say or think - "Are we home yet?". But I know for the rest of the family it was a treat to spend time on that sailboat. The boat seemed very big to me (probably was not as big as I remember). It had sleeping quarters and a galley below.

To this day I cannot think of my Uncle Selly without seeing the boat in the background or him on the boat at the wheel!

Back and back in time - 1938

Charles B. Tenney & Eva Bailey Tenney [parents of Alice T. Mann, May Tenney, Paul B. Tenney, & Dorothy Jean Tenney Seligman] with brand new & only Grandson, Lee Charles Seligman, pic dated 22March'38.

Either Great-grandpa Tenney was very tall or Great-grandma Tenney was very short. Hard to tell from the photo. Anyway - cool pic of newborn only grandson

Lee would have been just a month old in this photo. Can't really make out his face, but I find it interesting to see photos of my great-grandparents on Grandma's side of the family. Kids and grand kids, I hope you will cherish photos of your great-great and great-great-great grandparents in the future.

At least with the assistance of Lee, you have the start of a family tree (well maybe a branch?).

1952 Birthday Celebration

1952

I bet my grandfather took this photo!

Center stage is my brother Eric on what must have been his 3rd birthday party. Just "above him is Grandma Seligman.

Those in the background from what I can determine are from left to right...

My father (at least it looks like his pose), my Auntie (Aunt Alice - Grandma's older sister) and My Grandmother Erickson. I have no idea who the "hands and skirt" belong to unless they are my mother's.

What a cute "little guy" - huh? Since Eric was born on October 26, 1949 and I on November 12, 1952, my mother would have been VERY pregnant with me.

Thinking

I've been thinking about my brother Eric extensively for the past 24 hours. He has never been far from my thoughts, but finding my mother's obituary a couple of months back and another recent turn of events has brought my thoughts and memories back to a much easier time of life.

This blog was set up for happy memories and I will do my best to keep it that way, but I feel I must post a copy of my Mom's obituary so that everyone can read. My children (with the exception of Ryan) know little about my parents and Todd, Mark and my grandchildren know nothing.

Since this blog is a history of the Seligman family, I feel it important to pass this along. The next post will be a happy one, I promise!

Anyway, below is the obituary my brother wrote.

May Margaret Seligman Erickson 1929-2007

May S. Erickson, 77, died Sunday evening, July 22, 2007 en route to Lexington Medical Center in West Columbia, SC.May, or Dusty as she was known in some circles, was born August 14, 1929, in Washington, D.C., to Mervin M. and Dorothy Jean Seligman. She was raised and attended school in the District.She married William M. Erickson on May 22, 1948, in Rockville, Maryland. They became the parents of two children.Through the years, the family of four moved several times as a result of Mr. Erickson’s work with consulting engineering firms specializing in bridge construction (Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Denham Springs, La.; Cincinnati, and Kansas City). May primarily worked as a secretary in various capacities (travel agencies, legal firms, real estate agencies, etc.), while supporting her husband and children in their individual and collective endeavors. The family moved to Somerset, Kansas, in rural Paola, where they established Erickson Land Surveys in 1971. While usually maintaining employment outside the home (i.e., various legal secretarial positions, Lakemary Center, etc.), May served as her husband’s accountant and clerk in his home-based business. The couple eventually moved themselves and the business into a log cabin north of Paola. May officially retired when Mr. Erickson retired from surveying in 1994. Upon the death of her husband in 2001, she negotiated the sale of the family home and moved to the St. Andrews area of Columbia, SC, in 2003 to be closer to her son.A night-person by nature, May enjoyed both foreign and domestic travel, playing cards, music, TV and movies, gambling, crossword puzzles, fine dining, and socializing in general. She was an avid football/baseball fan, and a rabid supporter of both the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. More recently, she had developed into a follower and fan of the Atlanta Falcons & Braves, as well as the Carolina Panthers.Surviving are her son, Eric Erickson of Columbia, SC; a daughter; and three grandchildren.Mrs. Erickson donated her body to science. Arrangements were made via Science Care of Arizona in coordination with Lexington Medical Center. At her request, and in keeping with the provisions she made for her husband of 53 years, no formal services are planned.In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made in her name to Lakemary Center (http://www. lakemaryctr. org/).

Amazing Piece of History!

I had no idea that my grandmother Seligman was an Asst. Sector Air Raid Warden during World War II.

I could not find much on the internet about the duties of these wardens, but I think they were responsible for insuring that during air raid drills, the neighbors complied with the Civil Defence regulations.

I can remember hearing my mother talk about rationing of most staples such as sugar and meat and even gasoline, tires were hard to get so retreads came into general use. There were paper drives and collections for many things made from metals of all kinds. Savings bonds were widely sold as a patriotic gesture, it was a first time savings vehicle for many during that era.

The attack on Pearl Harbor I am quite sure was what spawned the need to create this department and from what I can determine was manned (and womaned) primarily by volunteers. Take note that card refers to "him" as though women were still considered "second class".

I was so impressed by this card that I just had to share with everyone. It would appear that although my grandmother's house was always neat and clean, she was a bit of a pack-rat. I am glad she was!

Edgewater, MD - January 1954

Back and forth in history - no matter, I am trying to put the dates with the photos. Besides, I want to try to remember to post them as I get them.

Damn I was an ugly baby! I wonder what that blotch is on the side of my face - looks icky! Anyway, I never did take a good picture except for the ones where I was newborn!

That's my Grandma Seligman holding me and if you look toward the floor on the right, that's my brother Eric. Must have been early morning or nearly bedtime as you can see, we are dressed in our Dr. Dentons.

Everyone called my brother Ricky. I think to this day that I am the only one who called him Eric.

If this photo was taken in Edgewater, then it must have been inside the home of my Aunt Bobby and Uncle Selly. They were not "blood" relatives, but rather very close friends of the family. Back then close friends were called "Aunt" and "Uncle". Sort of like in the South were children still call their elders "Miss" or "Mr" and then their first name.

I wish I could see my brother's face better, I don't remember seeing too many photos of him as a child. Although we are estranged, he is still my brother and I still love him.

Uncle Lee's comment about the above photo.

"So, I explained all about Santa Clause, the cookies & milk thing & HOW HE SHOULDN'T EAT THEM ! 1st Lt Lee [the short haired one] and Baron Sigfried von Brutus Seligman. It really was my chair, I just didn't have the heart to tell him ... not that it would have done any good !My Xmas card pic ... "

What a sweet looking dog to have eaten my Aunties Mr. Chips (bird)! Accident - I know - but to this day when I think about Brutus, I think about Mr. Chips flying by and CHOMP! Lee replaced that Mr. Chips with another Mr. Chips - I'm sure as close in color to the Brutus appetizer. (sorry Lee - could not resist!).

By-the-way kids, check out the television set on the right. That was probably fairly new in 1961! Do you know what they used for remotes in 1961? They used their children. Only about three channels - four or five if you lived in the city. I'm quite sure Lee watched primarily for the news. He was and still is so into politics.

OMG and NO video games either! How would you children have managed?

Since, the far past has not generated much enthusiasm from the family, I thought maybe my kids might like to see a couple of photos of their "old gray-haired" mother as a newborn. The first photo was taken of my mother and me in November of 1952 - probably just a couple of days old (perhaps my "coming home" photo). See, I was not born 55 years old with gray hair! Nor was I born "bald" as were my girls!

The second is one of my Great-Nana holding me in December of 1952 (duh - Christmas tree is a dead give-away as to the month). I did not know know Great-Nana as I understand she passed away a mere few weeks after this photo was taken. I think the photo was taken at my grandparents house on 16th Street as the fireplace looks very familiar to me.

Great Grandmother Mamie Herman Seligman was my grandfather's mother. There is a previous post with a photo of her before I was born.

I love these old classic photos - all the women look so prim and proper - true ladies! They remind me of a time when life was much slower and less stressful.

My Great Nana

Lee writes of the photo:

"Mamie Herman Seligman [Nana], wife of Lee Leo, Mother of Mervin & Margaret [?Oct 1887-23Dec1952]

She was my Grandfather Seligman's mother. There is a photo of her holding me (which I will post another day). Unfortunately, I don't remember her at all as she died about a month after I was born.

I do know that my mother had very fond memories of her and told me that she was a very special person.

Rear of house @ 7816-16th St., NW, Washington 12, DC

Since my Uncle Lee is giving me descriptions of the photos he is sending, I will just let him tell you about each. My memories of the inside of the house were from the perspective of a very small child. Below is what Lee has to say - much more accurate than my own from a few posts back

"Back of 16th St [sleeping porch at 2nd floor ... white, lap-strake wood and green and white striped awnings ... below that was the den (knotty-pine paneled with built in floor-to-ceiling bookshelves on tither side of the glass-paned door to the living room), Dad's liquor closet and the 1/2bathroom]; kitchen is on the far right; formal living room, foyer, and formal dining room in front [on left from street] 2nd floor: in addition to the back porch, there were 2 bedrooms and a full bathroom and the "master suite" with bath [stall shower]; stairway to 3rd floor between bedrooms: cedar closet that stretched full width of the house; hallway, and another bedroom which was mine after your mother left home c. '47-8. There was also a basement with Angie's room and bath, laundry [washing machine and tubs ... no dryer ... things were hung outside in nice weather and in the basement when not !, and storage. The lot was deep, maybe 150 feet or more with a two-car garage and storage loft [neat to play in as a kid ... if you didn't get caught !;"

"The porch to which you refer [I think] was on the second floor and was my "bedroom" during the summer and a very large refrigerator during the winter; it was screened and had awnings, but also had crank- out windows and ran almost half the width of the house ... the dog probably was mine; her name was Ginger, breed unknown but believed to be part German Shepard, part Dingo ... she didn't hate you, she just didn't like kids, especially those who tried to pull her ears and tail !!! She was not a friendly dog, but was very protective of her family ... she waited for my Dad at the front door at 1800 hrs every day and stayed there 'til he came home. I once ran into [actually was pushed] a street lamp post in junior high going to lunch at the drug store lunch counter/soda fountain a couple of blocks away and literally knocked myself out. Cops brought me home [one was Aunt Eva Press' brother ... they had to help me to the front door and when they opened the door, Ginger bit one of them; she thought they were trying to hurt me !!"

See, I told you how funny it was the things you remember from childhood! That house sure does look smaller than I remember.

My Grandpa must have smoked a pipe at some point in his life. When I think of him, I often can smell the sweet aroma of pipe tobacco - and peppermint? This must have been in the den to which Lee referred above.

Lee states of this photo of my Grandpa Seligman

"Apart from golf, dealing cards, and running to the window [$50 or $100] at the track, this is absolutely the only time I saw my Dad do real physical labor ... termites got to the back door steps ... 1946."

I can't ever remember him doing anything out doorsy either. I think he always had a gardener to mow and with the exception of going to work every day, he spent his leisure time doing just that .... lounging, playing golf, playing cards or hanging out at the country club. I guess that is the reason I always felt they were wealthy. Even my grandmother had a maid to do the heavy cleaning and even a great deal of the cooking.

But for me, what a treat that was! I was a poor child from the "wrong" side of the tracks in New Orleans. One of my earliest recollections was sleeping on a bare mattress in the corner of the kitchen with my brother.

Going to my grandparents house to visit was like going to a fairy tale land - it transformed me from a frog into a princess. Every little girl should feel like a princess sometimes. Being with my Grandma and Grandpa made me feel loved, special and safe. I loved them both very, very much!

This appears to be Lee at three years or maybe four years old - that would mean it was taken in the early 1940's.

Athena has her bun-bun. Mason has his woobie and bear. Lee had his.... um..... I'm not quite sure what that is, but I am sure it went everywhere with him.

Christmas 1942 - Lee

According to Lee, my grandfather did not usually take very good photos. But this one of Lee on Christmas Eve of 1942 looks like it belongs on the cover a a magazine.

Lee would have been nearly five years old at the time - if I did the math correctly.

S. Kann and Sons Department Store

What would memories of my childhood be without mentioning yet another special place in my heart; Kann's Department Store.

My Grandfather was Head Shoe Buyer (at least that's how I remember it) for Jewish family owned department store located on what S Kann described as the "Busy Corner" of Eighth Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW. The department store was a Washington area landmark from 1893 to 1975.

When I would visit my Grandparents (nearly every summer), my Grandmother would drive me downtown Washington DC to meet my Grandfather for lunch. I always got a new pair of shoes and more often than not a few dresses too. Then we would walk down the street to a wonderful Jewish deli for a Kosher hot dog - yum! If I close my eyes and think hard enough, I can still smell the aroma of kosher meats and fresh baked breads.

In the winter, my mother would trace my feet and send the tracings to my Grandfather. In a few weeks... viola.... a couple of new pair of shoes would arrive at our home just for me and just my size!

If you ever wondered what was behind the curtains in the shoe department, all I know is that at Kann's Department Store - it was boxes and boxes of shoes and my Grandfather's office.

I still love the feel and smell of a good fitting shoe!

Below are some photos of that store. It's a shame that my children never knew what an "old time" department store was. When you watch old Christmas movies from say... the 1940's and 1950's watch closely for the department store windows. What a wonderful sight!

Inside the store

7816 16th Street, Washington, DC

This was the home of Mervin and Dorothy Seligman and their two children May Margret and Lee Charles from 1941 through 1958.

I remember the inside of this house much better than the outside. The photo was actually a bit of a shock for me. The black and white images that flash through my head when I think of the times I spent with my Grandparents are quite different.

My recollections are....

A large kitchen with a swinging door - "watch out the door will bite you"

A very large dog under the kitchen table that growled whenever I came near - bad doggie!

A screened in porch (on an upper level - I think) with me coloring and playing games with Grandma - hugs and kisses were abundant!

A rather robust black woman named Angie who made the best fried chicken, read stories to me and let me follow her around as she did her daily chores. I remember sitting on her bed as she brushed my hair and hummed songs to me. (I sure loved her!)

Of course my Grandma and Grandpa with me at the table eating dinner. Back then children were expected to sit at the table until excused - sometimes that seemed an eternity!

Funny the little flashes of childhood we remember - never quite knowing if real or imagined. The above memories are very real to me - I sure hope I didn't just imagine such a happy and safe place.

After 1958 my Grandparents moved to an apartment.. not like the ones I live in, but big, bright and beautiful. Unfortunately the balcony of the apartment never did take the place of that screened in porch.

Uncle Lee

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I thought it apropos to post these two particular photos today as I received an email from my Uncle Lee stating that he would be spending a great deal of time working on plans for his 50th year reunion from the Naval Academy. New photos of the Seligman clan would be coming more sporadically than in the past couple of weeks.

The upper photo is Lee in dress whites as a plebe (1st year student).

The lower photo is one of him in 1960 the year he graduated.

Quite handsome in his uniform (civies too!). No wonder when I was four and a bit older as well, I would tell everyone that I was going to marry him someday!

Lee? Do you know you look somewhat like Elvis in the lower photo? Love you anyway!

Wal-Mart

I created this blog as a way to post photos of the Seligman family past to present. But I feel I have something to say tonight that not all of you will agree with and some may even take issue.

As most of my immediate family knows, I have absolutely no use for Wal-Mart. I don't think I knew exactly why that was until tonight while watching a two hour documentary. If you did not see it, you will probably think I am just babbling here. If you did see it, I hope you have tears in your eyes as do I as I write this.

I was horrified to see the thousands and thousands of people from foreign countries working in Wal-Mart factories. If indeed you can call them factories! The average wage for these workers is $.18 per hour. They work and live in conditions that mimic those of the slums in the United States. Many countries have dormitories set up for their workers so they work and live (or should I say sleep) in close proximity. These dormitories are little more than slave quarters.

These people work seven days as week 10-16 hour days and average $3.00/day USD. In one segment of the show, I listened to one of the workers who assembled toys. She made $.18 per hour and the toy she was assembling sold for $14.95 in the US Wal-Mart stores. Inspections of these facilities are known by the managers well in advance and the workers are told what to say. They are coached to say they work six days instead of the actual seven. If they do not comply they are more than aware that disciplinary action will be taken.

There is little time for socializing or just plain relaxing. Even if there were time, the little money made is used for food with a small amount sent to even less fortunate family members.

Oh, by-the-way, I almost forgot to say that if they choose not to live in the dorms, the rent for the dorm room is still subtracted from their wages. The only thing they don't have to pay is for the utilities.

So far, I have only spoken of workers in foreign countries such as China, Honduras, Brazil, Mexico... the list seems to go on and on.

Women and minorities in the United States (as well as other countries) are blatantly discriminated against. Overtime hours are not allowed, so if your time card shows any overtime at all, records are changed to reflect those hours forwarded to the next week. Workers are expected to "work off the clock" to complete tasks that could not possibly have been completed in an eight hour shift. It is made quite clear that there are hundreds of people just waiting in line to take your job. Many, many class action suits have been filed against this giant of low prices, lower wages, and few if any benefits. Wal-Mart touts that over 80% of their employees are considered full-time workers. What they neglect to tell the American public is that Wal-Mart considers 28 or more hours per week full time!

The above paragraph rings especially home to me as my daughter Tiffani worked at Wal-Mart while pregnant with her daughter Athena. I don't really know the details, but either she was fired after she started to show (at nearly 8 months and STILL doing her job) or her manager made it impossible for her to stay. Either way, she was in California with no family, no income, and baby on the way. Did Wal-Mart care? What do you think?

Did you know that Lee Scott C.E.O of Wal-Mart grossed nearly $23,000,000 in salary, bonuses, stock options and tax credits in 2007? Did you know that the Wal-Mart employees alone raised over $5,00,000 for various community efforts and to help fellow Wal-Mart employees meet the needs of their families? Wal-Mart's contribution was $6,000. Does the average American know that the surviving members of the Walton family are worth in excess of $53,000,000,000?

Somehow, I don't think this is what Sam had in mind when he opened that small store in Bentonville, Arkansas. When we lived in Bentonville, Sam was often there to great his customers, direct them to their needs and give a "helpful smile". That store was tiny in comparison to the smallest Wal-Mart today. It was often dirty and actually, I did not like going in it much even back then.

Are you aware that most every town that has a Wal-Mart paid subsidiaries to Wal-Mart for the "privilege" of having a Wal-Mart in their town at the risk of loosing small businesses? My children may remember the grocery chain stores "Esry's" in central Missouri. Red Esry opened his first store in 1970 in Cameron, MO. Soon he managed to grow to a four store chain. In 1995 Wal-Mart came to town. None of the subsidies given to Wal-Mart were made available to the Esry family. After two painful years of Wal-Mart’s unfair practices, Red was forced to close down.

I could go on and on about the lack of safety measures taken in the Wal-Mart parking lots. Even though it was proven that if security guards on golf carts were present the parking lot crime would fall to nearly zero. There are security cameras in nearly all Wal-Mart parking lots - but in very few is there actually someone watching the monitors. There have been many times more than the average of murders, rapes, car thefts, kidnappings and assaults in these lots; yet Wal-Mart does nothing except take your money inside. Maybe if the cash registers were in the parking lots?

Even the company I work for profits from Wal-Mart. It will sicken me tomorrow to do an estimate for a Wal-Mart flyer or hand-out or even just to see the Wal-Mart logo we have so proudly displayed in the halls of our small family owned company. It seems as if everyone in this country is affected in some way. I don't go into Wal-Mart, but my job is to help produce advertising for them! Ironic...

Sorry for deviating from my purpose of this blog. But hey... it's my blog and tonight I had to talk to someone.

I should have posted this one first.

From left to right....

My Great Aunt - Alice T. Mann. We all called her Auntie. She was a very special lady. My fondest memories of Autie are of her bird "Mr. Chips" and how he would fly around the apartment and land on Aunties shoulder. She used to take me shopping and buy me a very special outfit. I don't think she owned a car because we always road the bus. She lived in a small but very nice apartment from the time I can remember. My Grandparents always made her a special part of our celebrations. I loved her very much.

My Great Uncle Paul - I don't remember him at all

My Great Aunt May - my mother was named for her (I think). I did not know her either.

This photo must have been taken before my Grandmother was born. According to Lee, the photo was taken in 1900.