Windfall

(1954 January)

I had a windfall yesterday and I must tell you! LL and Mr. Sharp somewhat laughed at me when I rescued old thermostat and took it to Sears to see if it could be resold. But nothing but respect for me when at Kiwanis Mr. Lloyd gave LL $6.00 for me from it! More than the whole furnace brought at junk yard, $2.90. (Of course I have [saved] some [parts of it] for trash burning.).

Grapes again

(1953 September)

Fearing frost, picked 2 bushels of grapes yesterday afternoon. Now my days are full of juice and jelly and fatigue.

Hot stuff

(1953 Summer)

I trust you enjoyed your walk back home [in Madison] more than we our ride back home. Thinking I would have a refreshing drink of ice water in thermos, I took a big swallow and gagged, as it was almost boiling; in fact, I did pour the remainder over spinach to get it cooking for supper. But home safely.

Kiwanis picnic

(1953 June)

Tonight, Monday, was the Kiwanis picnic at park. Potluck and lush. Then games etc. afterward. One stunt was to line up 6 couples and give the ladies each a roll of toilet paper to wind completely around their partners and then prizes to the best mummies. Daddy was first in hanging out a wash but didn't get a prize as his sagged and touched the ground.

Half holiday

(1953 late June)

Daddy says not to forget to tell you the fireworks is at 9:45 this year July 3 so that the VFW boys can go on trips over the weekend and that it will not interfere with the stores' trade as stores will be open till 9:30.

Cowardly language

(1953 May)

Tuckers were in Milwaukee the same weekend as it was Mother's Week End. Two plays were given for entertainment, and one was "Fumed Oak" by Noel Coward. All were shocked by the filthy language. I just must find it and read it, or if you could tell me about it, it would suffice.

Whistleblower

(1950 June 1)

Thank you so kindly for Mary Margaret's whistle which she blows shrilly constantly. She also loves the hot water bottle and fills and refills it with water when the first has leaked out. Appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Fish story

(1950 June 1)

This morning I heard MM's voice in the neighborhood, much later looked for her in vain. About noon saw her coming up from the Foot Bridge with four boys, happy as a lark. She told me later they had caught a Harp and were going to put it in the watering trough. It has been so unpleasant all day disciplining her for going and for saying she didn't.

Varmits in the attic

(1950 February 27)

Well, Skip, the pay off was last night - such a rat wrassle you never heard. It's a wonder I didn't have hysterics. Just awful. Then a little creature sang for about 5 minutes in a high squeak - like a bat, a tree toad, a cicada - a rat! Baby owl? They say flying squirrels bark. If there ever was an indifferent mortal it is your father! I had to turn to someone, so I called Mr. Miller, the county agent, who was simply intrigued and said he would come with a lot of new poisons and traps if I wouldn't laugh at him for catching nothing in case it was a ghost! When he did come it was only with poisoned oats, now in our attic. Not a sound so far tonight. But last night I could hardly get to sleep for the noise.

(1950 March 4)

The poisoned oats has tracks in it and the noises are almost gone too. I hear a faint rustle sometimes which may be bats, but we think others were flying squirrels.

Canasta instead

(1950 February 27)

Tomorrow, Sunday, is band concert for new uniforms, and as Ellen plays, we bought two tickets but probably won't go. Eve is having us and Propsts over for supper and to play canasta (ha, ha) - although we really should be at a church potluck supper they really shouldn't be having at all because of fuel shortage.

New dressmaker

(1950 February 27)

Friday Ruth came and she cleaned the encyclopedias. We arranged she was to let me know whether she could baby sit in the p.m. so I could go to the dressmakers. But our phone went out of order and she thought I was hurt and couldn't get to it so came anyway. Susie Dorjan? - go up 3rd street til you come to high school gym, turn right, second house on right - very nice little dressmaker. I had to keep trying on my jacket from 3:30 to 5:00 ... My jacket will be done for Easter (at least).

Not on the right page

(1950 January 15)

I want to stop right now to thank you ever and ever so far for that beautiful and handy date book! It has revolutionized my life and if I don't do something at least I know I should be doing it, and not overlooking it entirely. I don't see how you could part with it really. The pictures are so beautiful - and maybe it's as my undoing, as MM loves to page thru it and frequently leaves me on the wrong week!

A grand afternoon

(1950 January 20)

Yesterday I took Mary Margaret to town and we had a perfectly grand afternoon. At the 5 & 10 got assorted candles for her cake [birthday January 22], a paintbrush to paint back hall, Valentine book for her, then at Fleming's shoe store Bob F (Rosie's finacee) waited on us and we got her a pair of brown oxfords and a pair of patent leather pumps for Easter and parties, as her old ones are too small. (Big sale.) Then as we had time on our hands, went to Soffels [music store] and listened to a Bugs Bunny album of a race between Bugs and the tortoise and Bugs B won. Just terribly cute. Then for me a fine floor waxer. Got Daddy [at his office] and all had a coke and home. Bob Fleming gave her two balloons....

The Kiddie Hour

(1950 February 20)

Mrs. R took Ronnie and MM to the radio station last Saturday. They sat in the front row and Uncle Bob asked R how old he was - said 6.
MM: "Oh no he isn't! He's 4."
UB: "Who is this? Your sister? No? Your cousin? Who is she then.?"
Ron: "She's my girl friend."
UB: "Are you his girl friend?"
MM: "Yes I am."
UB: "Ooh - what we have down here on the kiddie hour today!" Etc., etc.
Ron recited "Little MissMuffet" but MM said she would next time. It seems everyone in town heard her.

A long Library Hour

(1950 February 20)

Lately I have been taking the kids to the Library Hour, going back with Daddy at one. First Di went with us, then Di and Ronnie, today Di, Ron + 3 Bogarts, thus making me in charge of 6 kids. I arranged with Uncle Lyle [Bogart] that I would call him when it was over (1:45) and he would come for us. Only when it was over, the Coles [next door] hung on to the [party phone] line until 2:05. Here they were all howling on the Library steps, scantily clad, thinking they would be popping in and out of cars - and once chased by the janitor for jumping off pillars into snow banks. I thought I'd never get that line but finally did.

Facts of life

(1949 December 8)

The word is that Father Stewart was quite a talker at the PTA meet last night where "Birth of a Child from Conception" was shown to parents to see if they would approve showing it to kids. Nazarenes all against it. Stu took all comers and talked himself hoarse. Tuck: "Wonderful speaker."

[Polly's husband, Lorin, gave a juicer account:] Father Stewart had, I am told, an exciting evening Tuesday, when he and Dr. Meyer [M.D. and R.C.] showed a sex instruction picture they wanted the PTA to have shown to kids in school. Rev. Mr. Meyer, the Nazarene, got up and objected, saying it was very disgusting to him; Fr. Stewart drew himself up and said it was the first time he had heard that the works of the Lord were disgusting to anybody. The battle ended in better than a draw, the majority of articulates speaking up in favor of the Picture. Meyer the doc and his reverence make quite a team, with Rome and PE's lined up against the Protestants.

Scat

(1949 December 8)

Mary M <4> heard me say "scat" and now she has a new word. Only she says "scatter."

Holy Oakies

(1949 December 8)

These "oakies" the Haddocks - the ones Father Stewart befriended - have left town. A priest from another town called Father S to ask about them as they were now at that church asking for help. disgusting to think of them working their way over the country, begging off the church, known the Church will always help, pulling up stakes and leaving in the night - on to the next town, next parish.

Robin Hood

(1949 December 5)

Kathryn Bailey [moving to an apartment] brought picture [she had painted ten years ago] of you as Robin Hood in big gilt frame. Unless you want to take it back with you Xmas to hang in your room [at college!], Daddy may hang it in the office. [And so he did; now Skip has it.] It now leans against the piano looking at me with Skippy-blue eyes that you had when you were young and cute.

Square dancing

(1949 December 5)

Last night, Friday, Ann Rose and friends had a Square Dance Party above old Penny store. Helen Dixon baby sat and off we went, about nine. The dance school master taught about 50 or so of us. It was fun but very tiresome standing for instruction. We learned a lot tho. In our square was a young man, very nice, Mr. Kelley, who is the radio announcer. It was curious to see how people we haven't seen for a long time have aged - like ZZ. Suppose they were thinking the same of me too. Refreshments were cider and donuts on a Xmas decorated table. I was tired before I went, having gone to the clinic in the morning and scrubbed and waxed kitchen floor in the p.m.

[Lorin Kay saw things differently, on December 1:] I am in misery. This noon Mother announced that Anne Rose and a number of others are throwing a Square Dance party in the old Cosmos club tomorrow night, Friday, and we are invited. Mary Margaret is enthusiastic, and wish I could figure out some way of sending her as my substitute, but I suppose it will wind up with me going.

[Next semester, Skip would take compulsory Square Dancing in gym class.]

Terrorist

(1949 December 5, "Santa Claus Day")

I always like to have an excuse for writing on this [cheap notebook] paper and now I have a good one. My other paper is about gone. I really wonder myself why I haven't written you all week. I think first of all I decided to wait for your letter so ours wouldn't cross. It just came today. Then there is the terrifying thought that you are keeping all my letters. That dries the ink before it starts to flow.

Friendship

(1949 November 3)

Speaking of pictures, Louis Dodge [retired music professor] had 200 pix of himself printed up and is now giving them forth on every side. Busy as a bee. A contest to see whether he has 200 friends that will agree to take them, say I.

Halloween

(1949 October 31)

I have to get going on this costume now. Oh - forgot to tell you - Mary is going as Red Riding Hood with [your German shepherd] Vica as The Wolf. Mrs. R called to ask if M could walk with Di in parade. Said Di had grass skirt and beads but would have to wear over snow suit as it's so cold. I convinced her The Grandmother would be a more suitable and warmer character....

Vica was very good all through the festivities. All up and down the street everyone was saying, "Hi Vica - Vica -- that's Skip Kay's little sister. Look at Red Riding Hood and TheWolf." "That's no wolf, that's a dog." "Is too a wolf - see Red Riding Hood." Mary was just a honey and doubly cute with Vic. Think I'll get a film and take some pix myself. [She did.]

P.S. after the Parade. It seemed to me it was Department of Utter Confusion tonight. (1) 6:30-7:30 kids assembled in Auditorium and howled with nothing to do. No entertainment. (2) Band was late again. (3) Street lights went out just as we marched out. Had to stand shivering with little kids. (4) Band played quick music kids couldn't keep up with. (5) Films for movies didn't come, but some were later dug up. (6) We marched to Park Hotel and back twice instead of once as in paper. (7) All prize winners were marched on stage and held there for 15-20 minutes until hooked up with radio. (8) Pictures were posed, taken by Farness on stage instead of off as planned. (9) Kids got restless and chanted "We want a show." (10) MM and Vica were darling but no prize. (11) Farness said to come up right after he took groups and he would take their pictures (for me) and we did. Then someone thrust a marvelous prize in her arms - a suitcase full of nurse's equipment! How to explain to Diane and Patty etc. who were with us? But who is happy? You guessed it - Little Red Riding Hood.

Code

(1949 October 19, postcard)

Throw away your knitting needles - crisis not at hand. Mom

[Code for "Your bitch is not pregnant."]

Enceinte?

(1949 November 16)

[Postcard to Skip who was taking Freshman French:] Je pense que votre chien est enceinte. [He got it just before class, and anxious to know what was wrong with his dog, he asked his teacher to translate enceinte and was mortified when the old lady snapped "pregnant."]

Varnished in

(1949 October 10)

Goodnight, Sweet Prince - I shall now go up to bed and varnish myself in and hope that Mary M doesn't have to paddle down the hall in the middle of the night and that all will be dry by morning so we can rise. If not, a perfect excuse for not attending services. If we get out and go to church, I will mail this letter tomorrow and if you do not get it, that is a sign we are still varnished in.

Cleaning the study

(1949 October 7)

I am so tired I can hardly hold a pen. Now I am housecleaning Daddy's study and hope all goes well so I can get it back together before he gets home [from California]. I can hardly push the stuff back far enough to get a square yard to varnish. Then I wait a day for that to dry and thus I continue. -- Yaas - now that I have got the three worst offenders out of the house, I am trying to restore the poor thing.

This morning finished varnishing the study except way under the safe. It seemed too terribly heavy to move because I was tired. I know it has casters and really isn't and feel guilty. Mary M unloaded the oak bookcase you made, and I cleaned and put all back, though I fear not in identical spots.

I know just how it will be: Daddy will come home and glance in and see the shiny floor and all in order and his heart will sink. But he will have guessed how hard I worked and so he will kiss me and say how wonderful it looks. Then when the welcome is over, he will sit down and dig in. Then things will start to fly and thump and that will be a good time for me to rake leaves, if daylight, or take a bath, if evening. But then it will be clean - after all, once every 3 years when he goes to his church convention.

Outing

(1949 October 7)

Tonight I went to Woman's Club program in a cab, the first I took since Daddy left [for church convention in California] - pretty good for us. Heard Mineral Point artists and saw their pictures. Mrs. F had puppets she made to put on St. George and the Dragon, and she decorates bowls etc. Mr. F had pictures he painted (and will sell). They bought an old rock house and restored it. Then I saw many old friends I hadn't seen in years. One does feel stuck in the woods once in a while.

Fried eggs

(1949 October 7)

[The new mother's helper] is by far the nicest girl I've ever had.... She fried the eggs last night while I took a bath and Mary Margaret came up and said, "How do you want your eggs, Mother? S'all we turn 'em over or s'all we let 'em lay?" This with the cutest gestures you ever saw.

Cosmic humor

(1949 October 4)

Today on hike:

Me: "Look at the moon, girls."

Diane: "Hey - what's the moon doing in the sky when the sun is out?"

Mary Margaret <4> (sighing as if the universe is too much for her): "Oh, God's a funny guy."

Sandman

(1949 late September)

Saturday morning a young fellow, Al something, from Coast to Coast, brought this guy Woody out with the sander. Vica [our German shepherd] was in the house and didn't see the car come nor see them get out until they were at the door, when I thought (and they were sure) she would tear them apart. So I put her in the basement. Old Woody: "No sir. I want to be apart from the dog, as I can see he don't like me" (quaint). They were both green they were so scared. Well as things went on we discovered the dining-room plug didn't work and an extension was needed. I told Al to go look in the basement. He yanked open the cellar door and there sat Vica looking right up at him. He acted just like a scared guy in a movie. His knees shook and he clutched the door and said in a sinking voice, "Ooo man!" - almost a prayer. I wanted to laugh in his face but called Vica and sat down on a kitchen chair and she put her paws on my shoulders and kissed me, and if I had been trifling with one wild black panther they could not have been much more impressed!