Archive for the 'Family' Category

A GIFT FROM DAD

June 10, 2024 | Author Friend Promo, Family, Holidays

Pondering what it means to be poor

by Anne Montgomery

When my dad was 92, he got sick.  With the exception of some childhood bouts of pneumonia—the result of growing up in a house full of chain-smoking coal miners—he’d been robustly healthy his entire life. That he survived the twin assaults of Valley Fever and pneumonia was surprising. Before dying just a week shy of 97, he still took ballroom dance lessons, required not a single medication, and read the New York Times every day.

My father was an ice dancer until he was 80. Then he took up ballroom.

However, my dad was not the same as he was before his illness. His mind was altered, leaving him fuzzy in the short-term memory department. Ironically, and like many elderly people, he has no trouble recalling in vivid detail events that occurred many decades ago. The Japanese kamikaze that flew so close to his destroyer escort he could see the young pilot’s eyes before the plane narrowly missed the ship and plunged into the sea. The sailor plucked from dark, oil-slicked water who lay in his arms and asked for a cigarette before dying. The shipmate who worked as Mickey Rooney’s stunt double who sometimes climbed the mast and performed swan dives into the ocean. And the bodies of downed pilots, in a neat row on the deck, tarp covered save for their feet which rocked rhythmically as the ship swayed beneath the night sky, waiting to be buried at sea.

My father served on a destroyer escort during World War II. The men of the USS Ulvert Moore fought in numerous battles, including Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

Bright and clear is another memory my dad carries, one of a ten-year-old growing up in the mining town of North Irwin, Pennsylvania. The small dwelling on Penn Avenue housed immigrants, Irish in my father’s case. But Italians, and Poles, and Russians, and others lived on the street, as well, all sharing something in common. They were poor.

“Dad’s taking you to a ballgame,” his mother called.

Clad in knickers with clasps below the knees, brown shoes and socks, and a white button-down, my father balked when she handed him a sack lunch bearing a chicken sandwich and a small red apple.

“I wanna get lunch when I get there,” he said. “Everyone buys their lunch at the ballgame.”

My grandfather— thin, balding, blue eyes dancing beneath the brim of a fedora—smiled, then ushered my dad to the train station. There was no money to make the trip to Pittsburg’s Forbes Field, but my grandfather worked for the railroad, one of the few members of the Butler clan to avoid laboring in the mines, so they rode the train for free.

My dad still clutched his sack lunch on the streetcar that would drop them in front of the stadium. “I wanted to hide it,” he said. “I put it under the seat because I didn’t want people to see it.”

After disembarking at Forbes Field, they were caught in an excited wave of baseball fans rushing to get into the game. When they settled into their seats, my dad tucked the brown bag out of sight.

The game got underway, but then a strange murmuring swept through the crowd. My dad turned and, up in the stands on the third-base side, he saw a couple approaching.

“The man was young, dashing. Black hair. Big smile. Well-dressed. She was a beautiful lady. Blonde. She looked like a movie star. People were waving at them.”

And there was something else.

“He was carrying a two-handled picnic basket.”

“What are you looking at?” my grandfather asked. “I think there’s gonna be a squeeze play.”

But my dad kept staring at the couple.

“Paul, you have to watch the game. Is there something wrong?” My grandfather turned.

“I don’t understand why anyone would bring a picnic basket to a ballgame unless they were real poor. He doesn’t look poor.”

“Paul, he isn’t poor!” my grandfather said. “That’s Billy Conn, the Light Heavyweight Champion of the World.”

Conn, an Irish-American boxer and local favorite called The Pittsburgh Kid, was known for being cocky and brash, his fights against Joe Louis, and his 63-11-1 record.

My dad continued to keep his brown bag hidden beneath the seat as he watched the game that day, taking a bite occasionally, hoping no one would notice. He wondered about the glamorous couple, sneaking peeks as they snacked on their picnic-basket lunch. He thought about what it meant to be poor.

 

A chance sighting of world champion boxer Billy Conn had my then ten-year-old father pondering what it meant to be poor.

“I should have been proud to be able to go to the ballgame,” my dad said, blinking blue eyes that look just like mine. “I learned that I shouldn’t worry about what other people might think of me.”

I thought about his wise words, a lesson he learned at the tender age of ten, a time he still recalls so vividly.

Thanks to the G.I. Bill, my father would earn a bachelor’s degree from Penn State University. When I was eight, I watched from the balcony as he received a master’s degree from Seton Hall. Because of his stint in the Navy and his education, we were never poor, something that, as a ten-year-old, he might have been comforted to know.

Here is a brief peek at Anne’s latest release.

Bud Richardville is inducted into the Army as the United States prepares for the invasion of Europe in 1943. A chance comment has Bud assigned to the Graves Registration Service where his unit is tasked with locating, identifying, and burying the dead. Bud ships out, leaving behind his new wife, Lorraine, a mysterious woman who has stolen his heart but whose secretive nature and shadowy past leave many unanswered questions. When Bud and his men hit the beach at Normandy, they are immediately thrust into the horrors of what working in a graves unit entails. Bud is beaten down by the gruesome demands of his job and losses in his personal life, but then he meets Eva, an optimistic soul who despite the war can see a positive future. Will Eva’s love be enough to save him?

Praise for Your Forgotten Sons

“Although a defty crafted work of original fiction, “Your Forgotten Sons” by Anne Montgomery is inspired by a true story. An original and inherently interesting read from start to finish, “Your Forgotten Sons” will prove to be an immediate and enduringly appreciated pick.”  Midwest Book Review

“This was a quick, riveting read that really challenged me to think differently about our servicemen and women, especially those who take on the jobs that don’t get heroically depicted in the media or news…I really highly recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a different take on American history. I left it with a newfound appreciation for the unsung heroes.” Bekah C NetGalley

“This is the truth. It’s gritty and painful and bittersweet – and true.  When you think you’ve read every perspective of WWII, along comes Bud to break your heart.” Bridgett Siter Former Military Reporter

“Anne Montgomery writes a strong story and I was hooked from the first page. It had a great concept and I enjoyed that this was inspired by a true story…It was written perfectly and I was invested in the story. Anne Montgomery has a great writing style and left me wanting to read more.” –  Kathryn McLeer NetGalley

Available at Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Google Books, and Kobo

 

Anne Montgomery has worked as a television sportscaster, newspaper and magazine writer, teacher, amateur baseball umpire, and high school football referee. She worked at WRBL‐TV in Columbus, Georgia, WROC‐TV in Rochester, New York, KTSP‐TV in Phoenix, Arizona, ESPN in Bristol, Connecticut, where she anchored the Emmy and ACE award‐winning SportsCenter, and ASPN-TV as the studio host for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns. Montgomery has been a freelance and staff writer for six publications, writing sports, features, movie reviews, and archeological pieces.

When she can, Anne indulges in her passions: rock collecting, scuba diving, football refereeing, and playing her guitar.

Learn more about Anne Montgomery on her website and Wikipedia. Stay connected on Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter.

 

 

I BLAME UNCLE STEVE

February 21, 2022 | Family

My obsession with cooking is his fault. No denying it. He was a carpenter until the Army sent him an invitation to join their illustrious ranks. He did and was made a cook. Go figure. Until then he had no clue about kitchen work, but he soon learned and loved his job. Fast forward to me age five. This quiet mountain of a man sat me in a chair close to the stove where he created magic with the merest of supplies. He was patient and answered every dumb question I asked while he encouraged me to toss in a handful of chives, parsley, or whatever else was available. He made cooking interesting and fun. Watching and working with my favorite uncle was a wonderful experience I cherish.

Time passed and I setup my own household. No longer did I have the ease of single dish prep. I had to concoct the entire meal and was expected to cook many entire meals. Fear struck so I beelined to the store and stocked up on cookbooks. And that led to frustration. All those delicious sounding recipes left it up to me to decide what to serve with them. Beans or peas? Fried or boiled potatoes? To salad or not. You get the idea. We’re not talking Haute cuisine, but a clue or two from those big-buck chefs, whose books I paid dearly for, would sure have helped. And that’s why I took matters into my own hands and wrote a cookbook with full menus minus desserts. I don’t bake and my family is grateful since my creations are horrible.

Back to hands, I use mine for most meal prep instead of spoons and spatulas. Therefore, I work with big pots, pans, and bowls. That means more washing by hand, but everything stays in the container, and I have room to work comfortably with the ingredients instead of them flying all over the counter.

We’re cooking here not baking, so no need to be precise. Change measurements to suit your taste. You love garlic – toss in more. Pepper isn’t your thing – leave it out. Make these recipes your own. Side dishes and beverages are suggestions not a rule of thumb. Those recipes are found in the Veggies section or Salads, Sauces, Sides, & Extras section at the back of my cookbooks.

So, grab your partners and don your aprons. Crack open a bottle of your favorite wine! Let’s take a giant step forward to ease the burden of overworked women and bring romance back into our lives with meals to make together for a romantic evening.

May you enjoy all the days of your life filled with good friends, laughter, and seated around a well-laden table!

Sloane

Appetizer? Lunch? You Decide!

April 22, 2020 | Cooking, Family

My sister-in-law Carol is a warmhearted woman who is happy to help out and ready to contribute her delicious recipes to parties. She is the appetizer queen in my book. This is a hearty treat that leaves you wanting these delicious Ham & Swiss Cheese Sliders at every gathering. And lunch, too.

Auntie Carol’s Special Sliders
¾ cup butter, melted
1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp. brown sugar
2 tsp. dried minced onion
1 tbsp. poppy seeds, optional
1 lb. ham, sliced thin
1 lb. Swiss cheese, sliced thin
24 mini Hawaiian rolls

Preheat oven to 350° F.

Mix butter, mustard, Worcestershire, sugar, onion, and poppy seeds together in a small bowl. Set aside.

Lay a sheet of parchment paper on a cookie sheet. This helps the roll bottoms not to burn. You can also use cooking spray on aluminum foil for baking the sliders. Line up bottom half of rolls on paper/foil.

Spread half the ham evenly amongst the rolls. Cover with Swiss cheese slices. Top off with the rest of the ham. Place roll tops onto each sandwich.

Stir mustard mixture well and then evenly pour or spoon the dressing over the rolls.

Bake until rolls are lightly browned and cheese is melted, about 20 minutes. Watch carefully as they can burn quickly.

DINNER IS NOW SERVED

May 2, 2018 | Family

A quick and tasty meal served over rice is perfect for those super busy days when you don’t want to spend a lot of time at the stove. Be sure to cook the rice first and keep warm in a 210° F oven while you make the chicken.

CHICKEN STIR-FRY

¼ cup olive oil
⅓cup honey
⅓cup soy sauce
¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
2 gloves garlic, chopped fine
2 boneless and skinless chicken breasts, cut in large chunks
1 medium onion, quartered
1 red pepper, seeded and chopped

Combine all ingredients in a glass or ceramic bowl. Marinate for 4 to 8 hours in the refrigerator.

Remove from the fridge one hour before cooking to bring mixture to room temperature.

Drain chicken and vegetables in a colander. Do no reserve the marinade.

Heat a large frying pan on medium-high. It’s ready to use when a sprinkle of water dances across the surface.

Add the chicken and vegetables to the pan. Sauté for 10 to 13 minutes or until the meat is no longer pink.

This dish can also be prepared as SHISH KABOBS on the grill.

Follow the recipe up to the cooking steps.

Soak the skewers in a dish of water for at least 30 minutes before threading the raw ingredients. This stops the skewer from catching on fire.

Preheat your gas grill on medium-high.

Thread the meat and vegetables onto wooden skewers chicken, onion, pepper. Repeat until all your ingredients are used. This recipe will make at least 6 skewers.

Grill 12 – 15 minutes. Be sure to turn often so they don’t burn.

May you enjoy all the days of your life filled with laughter and seated around a well laden table!

Sloane

A Simple Request

September 16, 2010 | Family

Take a look at these sweet kids. Aren’t they the picture of hope and trust?

How about encouraging them with a simple act?

These second-graders at Our Lady of Grace School have a goal this school year. They’re trying to receive picture postcards from every state in the United States.

If you know someone living in or visiting another state please ask them to mail a postcard with a few facts about that state to:

Our Lady of Grace School Grade 2
3025 Highway Ave.
Highland, IN 46322

Thanks for helping. I’ll be back next week. Until then…

Happy Writing!

Sloane Taylor
Sweet as Honey…Hotter than Hell

HAVE A HEART

May 27, 2010 | Family

You are invited to
The Northern Illinois NMF Chapter’s 17th Annual Marfan Syndrome Walk-a-thon.

Join us for our Have a Heart Walk-a-thon, Bike or Rollarblade event.

DAY: Sunday June 6th, 2010
TIME: 11:00am Registration Walk begins at 11:30am till ???
LOCATION: TY WARNER PARK in Westmont IL
(see mapsonus.com for directions)

This is a Memorial Walk in memory of those who have passed. Their names will be posted. If you wish to add a name please call or email us.

Please mark your calendars for this great event!!!

All funds raised will be donated to Pediatric Awareness and Education and Support.

Paramount Tall Club of Chicago will host the outing and Marfan raffle. The picnic will be paid for by the Northern Illinois Chapter.

Please let us know if you are able to attend so we order enough food and drink for everyone. R.S.V.P us at our voice mail number 630-415-0044 or e-mail us at: bklein01@sbcglobal.net

T-shirts for all who participate with a minimum donation of $25.00 or more. There will be door prizes and a raffle after registration.

If you are unable to attend, but would still like to make a donation for this important cause, simply print the form below, fill it in, and mail with your check to:

Bruce Klein
President Northern Illinois Marfan Chapter
1328 Court O
Hanover Park, IL 60133-5511

Pledge Sheet

Name_________________________________

Address_______________________________City,State_____

$Amount_____________

Fed. Tax I.D. 501c #52-1265361

We thank you for your support.

Bruce

Please consider any size contribution. This is truly a good cause. There are no salaried CEOs or staff dipping their fingers into the funds. ALL the money is used for Pediatric Awareness and Education and Support.

I’ll be back next week. Until then…

Happy Writing!

Sloane Taylor
Sweet as Honey…Hotter than Hell

Time to Say Good-bye

December 4, 2009 | Family

Sometimes it’s hard for a professional writer to find the right works. Today is that time for me.

Studs’ 89 year old dad peacefully passed away this past Monday. A devout Catholic, Dave was a man filled with love and humor which he needed while he and his lovely wife Ruth raised their nine children. He loved to sing and for 25 years belonged to a barbershop quartet and chorus, The Singing Men of Note, where he sang lead and bass.

Even though today we must say good-bye, Dave and the kindness he showered on me the few years I knew him has effected my life for the better. His generosity and patience are traits I aspire to.

I’ll miss you, young Dave. May you rest well.

Sloane Taylor

MARFAN, Help is a Phone Call Away

April 6, 2009 | Family

If you suspect a friend or relative has Marfan, please contact a clinic for an assessment. It is possible to google for a facility in your community. Should you live in the Chicagoland Area, below is a list of excellent locations who will help you.

Children’s Memorial Hospital
2300 Children’s Plaza
Chicago, IL 60614-3394
Clinic Coordinator: Bethany Friedman
773-975-8507 Clinic hours: 2nd Friday of the month
____________________
Edward Hospital
801 S. Washington St.
Naperville, IL 60540
Clinic coordinator: Celia Thomas, R.N.
630-527-7180 Clinic hours: 4th Monday of the month
___________________
Loyola University Medical Center
2160 S. First Ave.
Maywood, IL 60153
Clinic coordinator: Sara Cherny
Call for appointment 708-327-9056
___________________
Northwestern University – Feinberg School of Medicine
201 E. Huron St.
Chicago, IL 60611-2968
Clinic coordinator: Amy Ochs, R.N.
Call for appointment 312-695-4965
____________________
University of Chicago Medical Center
5841 S. Maryland Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637
Clinic Coordinator: Lisa Dellefave, MS, CGC
773-702-4310 Clinic hours: 2nd Thursday of the month

Please don’t delay. Have your suspicions checked before it’s too late. You would be saving a life.

I’ll be back tomorrow,

Sloane Taylor

Marfan, Do You Have It?

April 3, 2009 | Family

Today we have a guest blogger, Bruce Klein, President Northern Illinois Marfan Chapter. I hope you all read what Bruce has to say. It is life saving.

This is the year of Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday, which brings on my question;

What do Marfan Patients and Abraham Lincoln Have in Common?

Abe Lincoln was thought to have Marfan syndrome. What is this dreaded disease?
Marfan syndrome is a connective tissue disorder discovered by Dr. Antoine Marfan in 1896 in France when he treated several children with this disorder.

This sometimes inherited condition effects approximately 1 in every 5000 people in the U.S. While only sometimes inherited, it’s been proven that 75% of the cases diagnosed are inherited and the other 25% of the cases are a new spontaneous mutation at birth.

Researchers today have learned that this condition is caused by a mutation of certain chromosomes that effect a protein called fibrillin. Fibrillin is the glue that holds our bodies or connective tissue together and is found throughout us from head to toe. Like in most syndromes and diseases there are varying degrees of Marfan syndrome from mild cases to severe and life threatening. Diagnosis of Marfan syndrome is often missed by doctors who do not have experience in treating patients with this disorder. We have 5 established clinics in the Chicagoland area which will be posted in this blog Monday, April 6.

Some symptoms of Marfan syndrome are:

Taller than Average Long Thin Face
Hyper-mobility of All Joints
A Disproportionment of Body, Arm & Leg Length
Long Fingers and Toes
Flat Feet
Eye, Lens Dislocation
Curvature of the Spine
Hernias
Stretch Marks
Chest Deformity (Pectus Excavatum or Carinatum)
Spontaneous Pneumothorax
Heart Murmur & Aortic Artery Dilation (Aneurysms) which can be fatal

If you know someone with 3 or more of these symptoms please tell them about Marfan syndrome and help us save a life.

For more information go to the website for the National Marfan Foundation, www.marfan.org. You can also email or call us at our chapter voice mail number listed above in our letterhead.

How do I know so much about Marfan syndrome? I have it and I am.

Bruce C. Klein, President
Northern Illinois Marfan Chapter
The Northern Illinois NMF Chapter
1328 Court “O”
Hanover Park, IL 60133
630-415-0044 or 1-800-8-MARFAN
email: bklein01@sbcglobal.net

Thank you all for your time. Please return on Monday when Bruce will have more on this life threatening disorder.

Sloane Taylor

We’re back!

November 16, 2007 | Family

Orlando was wonderful. The weather was great and Studs has decided it’s the place for us when we retire.

We all had a great time even though the four middle adults tried to kill us with all the activity they planned each day. We spent full days at Universal and Disney, and didn’t miss a thing, before we wined and dined around the city.

The four little kids had a ball. They were up for anything at least twice. However, If I hear It’s a Small World one more time I swear I’m going to strangle myself. lol

Today I’m over at The Romance Studio blogging. Check it out and feel free to leave feedback.

See you next week. Until then…

Happy Writing!
Sloane