American Legacies Organization, Inc.

Submitted by Mrs. Lee Thatcher

We’ve all heard that expression so many times, it almost sounds hollow- unless we’re old enough to actually remember “The Good Ole Days.” But what does it mean? Was life in the USA really better fifty or sixty years ago? Eighty years ago?

Exclamations:

"Well knock me down and steal muh teeth!"

"Well, butter my butt and call me a biscuit."

"Ahm fixin ta do that"  

Threats:

"I'll slap you so hard, when you wake up, your clothes will be outta style."

"This'll jar your preserves."

"Don't you be makin' me open a can o' whoop-ass on ya!"  

Compliments:

"Cute as a sack full of puppies."

"If things get any better, I may have to hire someone to help me enjoy it."

"Gooder than grits."

By Mrs. Anjum Wasim Dar

Rabbit or Squirrel Dressing
Legacy of Ollie Hamby Fortner

1 rabbit or squirrel, cut up
1 large pan of cornbread
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 Egg

Directions
Place rabbit or squirrel in large boiler, cover with water, boil until tender. Save water rabbit or squirrel was cooked in. Crumble cornbread in large bowl. Stir egg into cornbread.

Submitted by:  Fay Oxley

She is a grown woman now with a husband and children of her own. I remember the Christmas in 1960 when she was ten days old. She came to us when misfortune and worry seemed to follow us. Her father had been injured early in the summer and had been unable to work for many months.

By: Sandy Williams Driver

While searching for something to snack on the other day, I scrounged around in my kitchen cabinets and then opened the refrigerator. With three teenagers in the house, there wasn’t much to choose from inside the softly humming appliance; a small bowl of leftover broccoli, an empty carton of milk, a few eggs, two brown colored apples and one shriveled up orange.

By Sandy Williams Driver

(Disclaimer: At American Legacies we strive to preserve the "old" language and spelling that stories are submitted with. Although they appear wrong to us now, this is from ages gone by.)

The image above is of an original Nickledeon Machine

I have a vague recollection of the times back in the early 1950's, when my brother and I would get to ride a train around 700 miles from our home in Pennsylvania to Chicago, without a parent or guardian to watch over us.

I was a very young boy at the time. I don't exactly remember how old I was when our train rides stopped, but I would guess they stopped when I was around 8 years old. The only reason I gave that age as a stopping point is because by the time I turned 10, we moved away from Pennsylvania.

Please read these directions and explanations first.

Boiling: Everything should be gently boiled, rather than boiled fast, in order to be tender. The water should never be allowed to stop boiling before the article is done. The kettle should be kept covered, merely raising the cover to remove the scum. When more water is needed always use boiling water, adding cold water will ruin anything.

March 2, 1944 - The Academy awards are presented for the first time, as a variety show. Hosted by Jack Benny, the ceremony took place at Graumans Chinese Theater in Los Angeles. The program was broadcast locally, due to a lack of national interest. Awards were presented to Bing Crosby, best actor for his male lead in the picture Going My Way, which won best film. Ingrid Bergman won best actress for her performance in Gaslight.