A packed suitcase under every bed.

As said before I grew up in a house with grandparents in their 70s, a father with TB and mother with various ailments from time to time.
I think my only stay in hospital was around age 3, when I had my tonsils out. I remember that time with vivid clarity. The crisply starched nurses aprons, and the different caps for the seniority of each. The watches hanging from a fob, at the top of their apron bib, so they could lift it up to check the time when they checked your pulse. The bed sheets firmly tucked in, then folded down during the day so you couldn't cover up at all. The smells. The scared children. The parents coming, bringing balloons and toys. They let me catch measles so I'd be immune late in life, and hoped that I'd also catch mumps, but I didn't. I have an idea they also wanted me to catch German measles, but again, I didn't. I can remember whooping cough going around, and it seemed like I was in there forever. It was pre-tv, and I was too young to read, so it probably was 'forever' (around 2 weeks).
The hospital was old, and I loved old buildings, so all was fascinating to me. I remember my Dad bringing me icecream for my throat, but have an idea that it didn't stay down.
What bought back a flood of these memories was tidying up a room - and I came across an old suitcase of Mum's. Barely more than cardboard with her name in permanent ink inside the lid.
Each of us had a suitcase packed under our beds for an unexpected hospital trip. Periodically the contents were taken out and rotated, or replaced. But there were 'sample' sizes of personal toiletries - soap, powder, etc. combs/brushes, shavers for the men, and of course, toothpaste and toothbrushes. A personal towel. Several pairs of pyjamas, or nightdresses in the case of my Nan. These were often much grander than the ones we wore usually. A dressing gown (robe), usually chenille, which was so popular at the time - matching our bed spreads.
It took me a long time to realize that I didn't have to keep a suitcase 'at the ready', although sometimes I think that it's not too bad an idea. I certainly could have used one back in 1993 when I went to the hospital to find out the results of an xray and was admitted to hospital with no prior notice.

I'm not sure if other families did this, but suspect some possibly did.

I borrowed the image from the web. If you need me to take it down I will. The suitcases were virtually identical to the top one in the photo.

Tied to her apron strings ...

I had two adult women in my household when I was young - the 1950s. My grandmother was born in the 1870s, and my mother in 1912.
My grandmother nearly always had a full-bib cotton apron on. It was untied at night and hung up for the next day. This was done when we retired to the 'living room' after the evening meal was eaten, dishes done and put away, and table cleared off.
If someone came to the door, the apron was also taken off. It was also known as a 'pinny' (pin-eee) - short for pinafore. I could never understand why these were designed to fasten at the rear, as a child one of my tasks was to tie these for Mum & Nan, when I was old enough.
But I was also known to untie them! Or tie them around the back of a chair.
Needless to say, I would get told off, or smacked over these childish pranks.
Mum usually wore a half-apron, if one at all.
And when I went to other friend's houses, their mothers usually wore aprons also.
I loved the cotton fabrics and patterns/designs, known as 'retro' or 'kitsch' now. Some of the first sewing lessons at school were on making of aprons. Popular ones were with embroidery or gingham with X stitches in the squares. Other aprons were creatively made of handkerchiefs, and sometimes there were very frilly, lacy ones, that were just for show.
There was a special drawer in most kitchens for 'aprons', and it would be full. If there was a party or gathering, the women would often retire to the kitchen after to help clean up, and aprons were handed out. This was the same at church suppers and so forth. An apron was an entirely appropriate gift to give a woman in the 50s.

I have a wonderful photo of an apron I bought from that era, made of handkerchiefs, I'll post the photo when I find it.

"The Wars" (WW I & WW 2)

Every time there is conflict in the world, I am always scared of another 'World War'. At times this fright has changed my life. As recent as the Iraq 'war' - I changed countries to be nearer to my son, in case he was forced to go into combat.

The second world war was only just over by a few years when I was born. I lived in a house with 4 adults - parents and grandparents. My parents were 'old' by most standards, and a family that I was adopted into. Mum was 36 and Dad was 40 - my grandparents were in their 70s - having been born in the 1870s, I believe. More on that later.

War 'heroes' were held in high esteem. My mother would frown and 'let me know her displeasure' if I dated a guy whose father had not 'served', even if they had a legitimate reason.

We had weapons, souvenirs, letters, uniforms, medals, books and photos in the house - and in most of those of my family and friends. And there were stories.

One uncle had a 'tic' - an involuntary face movement - I was told it was from his time in a Japanese prison camp. I was also told of the skeleton frame he had when finally returned home.

My father was blown up in an ammunition truck in the middle east (but survived), and supposedly 'caught' TB in the snow in Syria. He talked of nightlife in Cairo, Egypt - the bars were full of seedy 'acts' for troops.

Upon the death of my grandfather (1962) we had to call in police to remove live grenades and bullets from our linen closet.

One souvenir was a Japanese carved sword (ivory?). I was told it was for committing suicide. I could not imagine it being used as such, especially as it was so intricately carved. I gave it to a boyfriend when I was about 18. I later will swear I saw it (or one identical) in an antique market in the city, with a price tag around $1,000.

I was bought up to save everything. All string was kept and wound onto a ball. Groceries were kept so that whatever was used, was replaced. The staples (sugar, flour, etc.) were usually bought in bulk. I was told - keep this, if there is another war, you'll need all this...

All my closest family had died by 2001, so I was left with a lot of mementos and so forth. One of the more unusual things was a shell dressing of Uncle Wally's - used in Darwin. Distributed by Johnson & Johnson. I sold it on eBay to a doctor/medical person in Darwin. Exactly like the one shown above. Unused. Image borrowed as a reference photo from the internet. If you'd like it removed, please let me know.

"It's snowing down south."

This was a commonly hear phrase when growing up. Underwear was hidden - never seen. I used to sew holders at shoulder seams to keep errant bra straps in place. Though it seems years since I ever heard the saying - once SO common place - hey! it's snowing down south! - this meant you slip/petticoat was showing below your hem. Unforgivable! Slips/petticoats were usually always white, hence the 'snow'. If you had a black slip, if it showed it seemed noone said anything to you as it was considered a bit risque, and to let it show was 'advertising'.

My uncle was an iceman.

My uncle was an iceman. In the outside laundry there was an old ice chest, with wood so cracked with age, that to tough it was to promptly gain a splinter, followed by tears. Running to my grandmother for comfort and being fussed over, until a needle was scalded, and the offending splinter extracted, and a kiss given, to 'make it all better'.

Summer was best. To hear the side gate open. Not many used it, so it was associated with my uncle. He would be there, such a big man, I would look up, and up, and up at him. But there, on one side would be this huge lump of glistening ice, held firmly in an iron clamp, rusted with age. The ice had magic, like a giant crystal, so clear and sparkling.

In our sweltering heat of a century plus, I would beg for some ice.

As the ice was intended for the cooler, every piece was precious. Finally permission was given. I would race into my bedroom, tugging open my 'hankie' drawer. Only a freshly ironed cotton handkerchief would do! Running outside to see my uncle chipping off a corner of the huge ice block. I'd shake out the handkerchief from its folds and carefully place the ice inside, gathering the corners up over the treasured chunk. Then, grasping the corners, and with the fabric uppermost, I would suck on the icy treat.
It was long ago, but the childhood sensations remain.

1954?

Image is 'borrowed' as a reference photo from the internet. The ice chunk was much bigger - carried down by his side. He didn't wear a uniform. If any objections to the photo use. Please contact. Thanks.

Movie Stars were indeed Stars

To me, as a child, movie stars were all adored and could do no wrong, we aspired to be as glamorous and just like the characters they portrayed in most instances. Probably, because of my age, I still found it difficult to separate the movie persona from their personal lives. Movie star's private lives were hidden if they were a bit on the shady side.
I avidly cut out magazine pictures of everyone portrayed as a film star.
Being an only child, living in a house with 4 adults (parents, grandparents) I had to occupy my time in various ways.
This was but one.
I begged magazines from neighbours. My favorite always was the Australian Women's Weekly - at that time it was a weekly magazine, and quite large in size - tabloid/newspaper style, but stapled in the middle.
Sometimes I was allowed to buy movie magazines at the theatre (not really a theatre, but the Town Hall at Henley Beach - converted most evenings to become a theatre or a stage). But buying these magazines was an extravagance that was frowned upon.
I was besides myself when I was given some photos from a hard-bound book. Here the photography rendered my favorite stars as perfection, with lighting and poses that were extraordinary. This made me yearn to be just like them, even more.
I had a divan bed. And one drawer in its base was completely full of clippings.
I was almost obsessive about this, but some of it was the times ... I thought everyone did this, and I felt complelled to have the best collection I could gather.
Favourites were Greta Garbo, Elizabeth Taylor, Veronica Lake, Marlene Deitrich, Clark Gable, Katherine Hepburn, and more.