Beginning with Mrs. McBee

Written by Cecil Maiden

Drawings by Hilary Knight

Copyright 1960

Sometimes, a book written for the express purpose of teaching a lesson can be obnoxious and cloying. This one, however, is really delightful. Beginning with Mrs. McBee is all about paying it forward. In fact, a repeating line from the book is, “Doing something you can do very well, for somebody who needs it being done, not only pleases him, it pleases you.” The line was first spoken by lonely Mrs. McBee, when Mr. Broadhurst wanted to pay her for helping him with his garden. The following day, Mr. Broadhurst took the advice to heart, taking old, retired fisherman Mr. Grigsby for a joyful ride in his boat. The kind deeds continue throughout the neighborhood until Mr. Mumble, having just enjoyed a home-baked pie, was told by Ethel to just “find somebody who really needs something you can do very well – then go ahead and do it!”

The next morning, Mr. Mumble, upon seeing lonely Mrs. McBee sitting in her rocking chair, gazing longingly up the road, offers to take her for a ride. The story ends with Mr. Mumble and Mrs. McBee riding off into the hills, chatting and singing happily.

Mrs. McBee’s act of kindness caused a chain of events that eventually led full circle right back to her doorstep. That time she spent unselfishly helping her neighbor solve a problem in his garden eventually led to her own feeling of loneliness being swept away by another’s kind deed. This lovely little book, charmingly illustrated by the artist best known for illustrating the Eloise picture books, is truly a gem!

Beady Bear

By Don Freeman

Copyright 1954

Beady Bear is the story of a wind-up stuffed toy who belongs to a boy who loves him very much. One day, his boy leaves on a trip with his family and doesn’t say when he’ll return. Beady Bear occupies his time by reading an alphabet book. Reading leads him to the discovery that “B is for Bear – An animal brave who lives in a cave.” This is news to Beady! But if bears are supposed to live in caves, that is what Beady will have to do.

He found a cave, but it was very uncomfortable for sleeping, as the sharp stones dug into his back. The next day he brought a pillow, but somehow it still didn’t seem right. Days and nights went by, and Beady never seemed to settle in. Fortunately, his boy returned and discovered Beady in the cave. They realized just how much they need each other, and Beady returned home once again.

If only Beady had followed his heart and his instincts from the beginning. If only he knew not to be concerned about what someone said he was supposed to do, he would have saved a lot of discomfort and trouble. What do other bears do? That shouldn’t matter. What matters is what is right for Beady. I think he learned his lesson!

The Saturday Evening Post

January 29, 1944

The Saturday Evening Post traces its roots back to 1728 and Benjamin Franklin’s Pennsylvania Gazette. In 1821, new owners changed the name to the current one. The publication has been through many changes over the centuries. This 1944 edition is filled with fiction, human interest stories, humor, cartoons, photographs - and my favorite part of vintage magazines -  advertisements.

The reader can often pick up quite a bit about the lifestyle and values of a time by taking a look at the ads.  Reading the ads in this magazine, I can see that our country was consumed by the war effort.  

Florsheim Shoes warns us to “make today’s Florsheim shoes last longer”.  They are doing their part by making better shoes that will last longer. The money we don’t have to spend on new shoes can then be spent on War Bonds.  Florsheim is doing its part to bring Victory closer!

Palmolive assures us that women can have more beautiful skin in 14 days by using their soap. They also include tips for making soap last longer, since vital materials needed to win the war are used in making soaps. Please don’t let your soap soak in water or rest in a wet soap dish!

Another advertisement states, “Sorry you can’t buy that Hamilton Watch today. Hamilton is making precision timepieces for Uncle Sam only now. But, when American watches can again be made, Hamilton will once more make America’s preferred gift watch – a watch worth waiting for.”

Arrow Shirts has a full-page color ad with humorous cartoons, depicting eight tips for you and the “Little Woman” on how to keep shirts in good condition – saving materials and manpower, and giving you more money for War Bonds.  The tips range from turning the collar up before tossing the shirt in the hamper to using fabric from worn shirts for aprons and tots’ clothes.

More than the articles in the magazine, it’s the advertisements that transport me back in time, for they speak directly to the everyday man or woman. Reading them, I can imagine the 1944 woman’s concern over how to provide for her family while still following rationing rules and expressing patriotism.  Also, I sure wish companies would still make merchandise to last and encourage us to use items carefully!