Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Vintage Thingies Thursday




Today I am going to share a vintage STORY with you. After visiting my post, drop by Coloradolady for a lot more great vintage items.




Since it is time for school to start, thought this might be a good time to count your blessing and those of your children more. This is a true story.

Back in the 30's a little girl had her first day at school. She wore dresses made from printed flour sacks. Lived in what was called the "back woods" of nowhere. The first day in school did not turn out too well. She had to carry her lunch,{cold, buttered biscuits with sugar sprinkled on them from breakfast} which was probably in a syrup bucket, and if she had school supplies, they would be in a plain sack. No backpacks or lunch boxes during this time. Not knowing what to do with these things, she carried them with her everywhere she went in school or play ground. The other children made fun of her, so she left school. She lived on a long, country road several miles from the school. It was a hot day. She ran all the way, never stopping and crying her eyes out. Neighbors along the way tried to stop her to give her something to drink and cool off. She would not have any part of that. Never stopped till she was home. She was almost sick from running so far in the heat. Well she survived the day. Needless to say, she was marched right back the next day. After her father had a talk with the teacher, and she was instructed on what to do with her things, she made it through her first year at this school.
That little girl who had a hard first day of school, was none other than myself.....



This is an old book cover from the 30'time frame. That was a big thing back then. They are certainly not used in today's school world.

THIS IS JUST THE WAY IT WAS.

29 comments:

marian said...

Oh LV i was ssoo moved by your first day at school experience..you never forget something like that do you?..thank you for sharing :)

JEWELGIRL said...

Yes kids have it much easier with
technology and buses that pick them
up but they have other issues at school and home. Wish we could go
back to simpler times so kids could
be kids longer! :) sweet post :)

Postcardy said...

I don't remember my first day of school. I was in kindergarten and it was a big city school. I had been to nursery school so it probably wasn't too much different.

CC said...

I wish I could have been there and hugged that little girl..she needed a hug that day. However, she grew up to be a wonderful lady, full of life and spirit and a great sense of fun..and an attitude of love for everyone. The little girl has done well. Hugs and more hugs..CC

Neabear said...

I am glad you made it through your first day of school. Celebrate the success. Thanks for sharing for VTT. Happy Thursday to you!

George said...

What a wonderful story. I remember making book covers very similar to the ones you showed.

Beca said...

Sweet story. I was always a ball of nerves on the first day of school. It's amazing you've kept your book cover this long. When I was in school we used paper book covers. I think we could buy them at school for like a quarter. But we always covered ours with brown paper grocery bags. It worked just as good and it was free. Now the kids here cover their books with stretchy material like covers. How times change.

Coloradolady said...

I am so glad you wrote about your first day of school. What a great memory to have recorded for everyone to be reminded how much things have changed.

I can just imagine you running all the way home...the hard part of the story to imagine is you being hot...even with all that running...I did not think your body temp got over heated ever!! LOL

Love ya...have a great day!

rt said...

Wonderful post!

Olde Dame Penniwig said...

Oh, that sad story of yours reminds me of some my parents told. My dad was also a country kid and brought his biscuits to school, but the city kids mocked him...he was very poor...the teacher was even laughing at his lunch and clothes...those were also the days when teachers could be very mean to the kids without reprimand...he went on to attend Harvard and I doubt his little tormentors did...

farmlady said...

I remember a little girl that was afraid to go to school on the first day. It was me. I didn't run home because it was too far but I cried.
Oh, how I cried...

I remember making book covers out of brown paper bags too, and eating out of a lunch pails with a little thermos in it.I loved to eat my lunch and Mom always had a little note in there to make me feel better.

Thanks for the school memories. What happened there, good or bad, was a part our childhood and shaped us into who we are.

Ulla said...

That was a sad little story but I'm so glad your second day was already better. Children can be too cruel, even today.

Rechelle ~Walnuthaven Cottage~ said...

The first day of school can be a bit daunting and I could just "feel" for the little girl you were. Thank you for letting us share in your memory. (((hugs)))

fitty's pinky rose cottage said...

aaaawwww.. what a nice post! i cried while reading this.. I can't remember much how I survived my first day at school but I do remember I went to a missionary kindy with a small church next to the building. We have Sisters teaching us English at that time.. Things were much more free and easier at that time.. thanks for sharing this story.. Happy VTT

Lisa said...

Wow, this is so cool-

Jingle said...

Oh! I just want to hug that little girl that you were back then! You poor thing! I'm glad it turned out okay, though!

Old Time Cindy said...

Your story brings many memories of years gone by...walking to school, taking homemade lunches, making book covers out of butcher paper and sacks! Isn't it amazing that those simpler times were also hard times? Thanks for sharing your story.
Cindy

Drawn to The Sea said...

What a sweet story. You told it so well... I could see "little girl you" in every sentence. I remember sitting on the floor folding paper bags for book covers.

Pleasant day,
Julia @ Drawn to the Sea

Kayleen said...

Oh, what a sad little story! Kids are so much more bold these days, not so timid as years ago.

Anonymous said...

Oh... what a story LV.... I think my mother and you must have had similar beginnings as she told me she too wore flour sack dresses and such.
Grandmother cleaned houses and Grandfather was a coal miner so money was scarce.

I loved your story VL, very much. Thank you :)

Diva Kreszl said...

Thank you for sharing your heartfelt story with us, it saddened me to think that terrible first day left such an impression on you. I'm sure God used that day (and others too) to shape you into the strong and remarkable woman you are today!

Kathi Fly said...

Love your story! Love the books covers too. I remember making books covers the first night of school for all of my brand new books!

Cass @ That Old House said...

Oh you poor baby! My heart aches for your embarrassment. And good for you, for the little girl you were, to have made a comeback!

What a sweet story. Thank you so much for sharing. it's always good to remember that sometimes we are all the outsider, and all can have a tough time.

Cass

Janet said...

Well...LV it is too bad you don't have your little flour sack dresses, can you just imagine how much those would be worth and treasured.....You know, by today's standards, the things that the poor people had and used are worth far more today than you can imagine. what a cute little story....

Unknown said...

My how times have changed. But I'd probably enjoy a cold biscuit with sugar instead of my usual granola bar!

Keetha Broyles said...

I just want to go back in time and take that scared, unsure little girl in my arms and protect her!!! Where WAS that teacher?

We used paper book covers when I first came to this school 10 years ago.

I remember MAKING book covers out of brown paper bags.

Hank - Joyce said...

Oh sister i remember that day and those times, but you grew up to be my rock. Love you

Sara Chapman in Seattle, USA said...

And did I espy our beloved Seattle Space Needle on the sweet book cover? I also am old enough to remember walking to school (only one mile) paper book covers (and how to fold them!) and no lunchboxes, but we did have the luxury of a brown paper bag for lunch, and waxed paper for the sandwich!

Thanks so much for visiting.

Anonymous said...

What a moving story. I think we all have stories in our memory if we go to the trouble to remember. I hope you saturday was nice and Pink (I am late)