(1957 February 18)
Saturday night the Girl Scout Box Social in Methodist Church basement. My troop gave a puppet show and at the very end the stage (planks on horses) shot out into the audience. The floor is new and varnished and slick. I was thankful no one was hurt. But that's me all over.
November 29, 2009
November 28, 2009
Tea shock
(1957 February 18, Monday)
I read an item which has shaken me to my depths today - which says that all tea grows on the same type of bush and that what makes the difference is the way it is cured, etc. (and what branch). Shocking - isn't it?
I read an item which has shaken me to my depths today - which says that all tea grows on the same type of bush and that what makes the difference is the way it is cured, etc. (and what branch). Shocking - isn't it?
November 27, 2009
Forgotten music
(1957 January)
When the Richland Center band arrived in your town [Madison] to play for Vernon [Thompson, governor & RC native], they discovered they had forgotten their music at the high school. So director Johnson phoned RC police who raced to Madison with it and got there with ten minutes to spare!
When the Richland Center band arrived in your town [Madison] to play for Vernon [Thompson, governor & RC native], they discovered they had forgotten their music at the high school. So director Johnson phoned RC police who raced to Madison with it and got there with ten minutes to spare!
November 26, 2009
Sick leave
(1957 January)
MM was washing dishes Monday and let a milk bottle fall and break in the sink and cut herself on her right hand between little and ring fingers bad enough to need both fingers bandaged together for healing. As this prevents both music lesson and practicing, she is not too badly off.
MM was washing dishes Monday and let a milk bottle fall and break in the sink and cut herself on her right hand between little and ring fingers bad enough to need both fingers bandaged together for healing. As this prevents both music lesson and practicing, she is not too badly off.
November 25, 2009
The dancing juggler
(1956 December, Wednesday)
Also and this is very very important - you are all hereby invited to MM's dancing class to see "The Juggler." This is, I believe, at 4:30, so please stop in as soon as you get to town. It is at The Auditorium in the basement. If you arrive in the middle of an act, you may have to stand until it is over before seats are offered you, but I am sure it would be just about two minutes or so.
Also and this is very very important - you are all hereby invited to MM's dancing class to see "The Juggler." This is, I believe, at 4:30, so please stop in as soon as you get to town. It is at The Auditorium in the basement. If you arrive in the middle of an act, you may have to stand until it is over before seats are offered you, but I am sure it would be just about two minutes or so.
November 24, 2009
Confirmation
(1956 June)
This morning all went well. Before Church MM <11>opened her Prayer Book from godmothers and the book from you. Very happy about both and read some in each but I must admit far more carried away by our library book, The Nylon Safari, a gem. After church, home and back at 12. Right behind our car the bishop pulled up so no delay. MM wore same outfit as at your wedding only the veil. All went off well and she got a certificate about as big as this paper [8 x 6"]. A hundred years ago Baptism & Confirmation Certificates surely were more impressive than they are today. When I looked up those of my mother's family, I found them to be very well illustrated and at least twice as big as MM's.
This morning all went well. Before Church MM <11>opened her Prayer Book from godmothers and the book from you. Very happy about both and read some in each but I must admit far more carried away by our library book, The Nylon Safari, a gem. After church, home and back at 12. Right behind our car the bishop pulled up so no delay. MM wore same outfit as at your wedding only the veil. All went off well and she got a certificate about as big as this paper [8 x 6"]. A hundred years ago Baptism & Confirmation Certificates surely were more impressive than they are today. When I looked up those of my mother's family, I found them to be very well illustrated and at least twice as big as MM's.
November 20, 2009
Bad bus ride
(1956 July)
At last we got on that bus! Relief on both sides! All the seats were taken except the back where a man of sorts was doubled up like a jackknife sleeping it off. Gradually we worked up to the front where it was less bumpy. One woman told me the reason for being so late was drivers from Chicago being new to the road, substituting for others on vacation. Daddy was there to meet us, still able to smile after the long wait. I told him not to!
At last we got on that bus! Relief on both sides! All the seats were taken except the back where a man of sorts was doubled up like a jackknife sleeping it off. Gradually we worked up to the front where it was less bumpy. One woman told me the reason for being so late was drivers from Chicago being new to the road, substituting for others on vacation. Daddy was there to meet us, still able to smile after the long wait. I told him not to!
November 19, 2009
A rare occasion
(1956 November)
The [the Birketts] recently got TV and had friends in election night who had had them over 4 years ago. I said that was the kind of club I might get my husband to join that met every 4 years.
The [the Birketts] recently got TV and had friends in election night who had had them over 4 years ago. I said that was the kind of club I might get my husband to join that met every 4 years.
November 18, 2009
A visit
(1956 November)
Today we called on Birketts and honored their 5-month-old daughter with a gift, 5 months late. MM is wonderful with children and had fun with Ellen, now about 3. They took a walk and M brot her some of her cups and saucers and they had a tea party, etc. We all took turns holding the baby until she spit up and then no one wanted her and she was put in her teeter.
Today we called on Birketts and honored their 5-month-old daughter with a gift, 5 months late. MM is wonderful with children and had fun with Ellen, now about 3. They took a walk and M brot her some of her cups and saucers and they had a tea party, etc. We all took turns holding the baby until she spit up and then no one wanted her and she was put in her teeter.
November 17, 2009
Heads up
(1956 November)
I dropped into Mary Speidel's [gift shop] last week and told her you were so happy with all the things she picked out for you. She said the last time she saw you, you were walking down the street reading a book. My goodness, you mustn't do that, honey. People think you are missing and mention it to me in a nice way. Let's fool 'em and act normal, eh?
I dropped into Mary Speidel's [gift shop] last week and told her you were so happy with all the things she picked out for you. She said the last time she saw you, you were walking down the street reading a book. My goodness, you mustn't do that, honey. People think you are missing and mention it to me in a nice way. Let's fool 'em and act normal, eh?
November 16, 2009
Long distance
(1956 November)
The other night the phone rang about 10:30 and Daddy rose from his warm bed to answer. No one on the line. Dead silence. But now and then a loud and long ring, after which he would bellow "Hell O." Then came a fearful ring in his ear that brot forth an oath - and then - nice as you please - he was connected with his father. After a little legal chat back and forth, Grandfather said he was sorry he could not come for Thanksgiving as he had already accepted an invitation; however, he could come Friday.
The other night the phone rang about 10:30 and Daddy rose from his warm bed to answer. No one on the line. Dead silence. But now and then a loud and long ring, after which he would bellow "Hell O." Then came a fearful ring in his ear that brot forth an oath - and then - nice as you please - he was connected with his father. After a little legal chat back and forth, Grandfather said he was sorry he could not come for Thanksgiving as he had already accepted an invitation; however, he could come Friday.
November 15, 2009
Roadside stands
(1956 October)
We stopped at the roadside stand at Middleton for MM's pumpkin, ground cherries, tomatoes, Indian corn and a taffy apple. At Green Thumb got tulip bulbs.
We stopped at the roadside stand at Middleton for MM's pumpkin, ground cherries, tomatoes, Indian corn and a taffy apple. At Green Thumb got tulip bulbs.
November 14, 2009
Apples & pears
(1956 September)
Sunday LL & MM went to Premo's [orchard] and got a bushel of apples - juicy and good - and a bag of the juciest pears I ever tasted.
Sunday LL & MM went to Premo's [orchard] and got a bushel of apples - juicy and good - and a bag of the juciest pears I ever tasted.
November 13, 2009
Pizza mixup
(1956 Easter)
Sunday night I made an Appian Way Pizza Pie Mix I happened to have on the shelf and filled it with a ground meat mixture besides the sauce in the mix, and I never cooked anything worse. The dough or crust was so tough we could not chew it and it could be cut only by using force on the kitchen shears. To top it off, after supper I got one of my gastric attacks and went to bed fending off MM who wanted to put an ice pack on my poor stomach.
[Marginal note:] Are all pizza pies that way? Our first.
Sunday night I made an Appian Way Pizza Pie Mix I happened to have on the shelf and filled it with a ground meat mixture besides the sauce in the mix, and I never cooked anything worse. The dough or crust was so tough we could not chew it and it could be cut only by using force on the kitchen shears. To top it off, after supper I got one of my gastric attacks and went to bed fending off MM who wanted to put an ice pack on my poor stomach.
[Marginal note:] Are all pizza pies that way? Our first.
November 12, 2009
Dial phones?
(1956 July 3)
I see a telephone truck is stopping here and I suppose they will wire us for Dial which will have next year. No - they are trimming the tree. No they are attaching a cable - putting several wheels on a wire - ?? with a pole - ??
I see a telephone truck is stopping here and I suppose they will wire us for Dial which will have next year. No - they are trimming the tree. No they are attaching a cable - putting several wheels on a wire - ?? with a pole - ??
November 11, 2009
Handyboy
(1956 July 3)
Yes, Skip had had lots of experience in many directions. Never a week, barely a day, at home but what we had some darn project underfoot like taking out a rug or building a shelf or even turning a mattress. He usually stayed at home and enjoyed puttering at times, but you-know-who [MM] says "I'll be seeing ya" and off like a rocket.
Yes, Skip had had lots of experience in many directions. Never a week, barely a day, at home but what we had some darn project underfoot like taking out a rug or building a shelf or even turning a mattress. He usually stayed at home and enjoyed puttering at times, but you-know-who [MM] says "I'll be seeing ya" and off like a rocket.
November 10, 2009
Missed your graduation
(1956 July 3)
We had the radio on the whole time and were disappointed not to hear your name spoken. Supper was prepared, eaten, and dishes washed before it was over. As you said, long to sit. Just as I was using my garbage disposer, Charles Starr's name was called!
We had the radio on the whole time and were disappointed not to hear your name spoken. Supper was prepared, eaten, and dishes washed before it was over. As you said, long to sit. Just as I was using my garbage disposer, Charles Starr's name was called!
November 9, 2009
Progress
(1956 Summer)
Lorin's desk got rained on and we got a new roof on deck, hot water heater blew a fuse in the thunderstorm, we get a bible school teacher tomorrow, - on with progress! (I must kill a fly now.)
Lorin's desk got rained on and we got a new roof on deck, hot water heater blew a fuse in the thunderstorm, we get a bible school teacher tomorrow, - on with progress! (I must kill a fly now.)
November 8, 2009
Batting bats
(1956 Summer)
There is an old laundry case in the attic which might be pressed into service if you aren't afraid of the bat up there. Lenzes were here to supper last night and Don killed one but no one knows where the other is.
There is an old laundry case in the attic which might be pressed into service if you aren't afraid of the bat up there. Lenzes were here to supper last night and Don killed one but no one knows where the other is.
November 7, 2009
The puppet king
(1956 Winter)
MM has a puppet project on at school and we have been making a puppet king with two outfits, an ermine trimmed purple robe over a dark red gown, or robe, and also an ermine trimmed nightgown and nightcap. It was a lot of work, especially hunting the materials. But it turned out well, except the ermine. On that everything went wrong. First I washed an old pair of white fur mittens, cut it into strips (got rabbit hair all over). Then I painted on the black stripes with some black ink which looked wonderful. Only later when it wouldn't dry did I reflect it was ink for a stamping pad designed never to dry! So I blotted that up with a Kleenex, put on hair lacquer, and painted it over with white oil paint and touched up the black with oil paint. That isn't dry yet either. But Mary Margaret forgave me and thot it was wonderful!
MM has a puppet project on at school and we have been making a puppet king with two outfits, an ermine trimmed purple robe over a dark red gown, or robe, and also an ermine trimmed nightgown and nightcap. It was a lot of work, especially hunting the materials. But it turned out well, except the ermine. On that everything went wrong. First I washed an old pair of white fur mittens, cut it into strips (got rabbit hair all over). Then I painted on the black stripes with some black ink which looked wonderful. Only later when it wouldn't dry did I reflect it was ink for a stamping pad designed never to dry! So I blotted that up with a Kleenex, put on hair lacquer, and painted it over with white oil paint and touched up the black with oil paint. That isn't dry yet either. But Mary Margaret forgave me and thot it was wonderful!
November 6, 2009
Dutch teapot
(1956 January)
In the meanwhile I have used the tea pot, a lot. When I first saw it I fell in love with the beauty of the shape and the metal. But when I became more acquainted with it I got to know what a wonderful little pot it really is. It goes on and on keeping the tea piping hot. I don't know why it doesn't cool off, really. And as if that were not enough, it never spills no matter how full it is. I didn't know before the Dutch were that clever. I have the one that matches my kitchen china and a small one for just a cup. But neither are one bit obliging if I pour in a bit too much water to suit them.
In the meanwhile I have used the tea pot, a lot. When I first saw it I fell in love with the beauty of the shape and the metal. But when I became more acquainted with it I got to know what a wonderful little pot it really is. It goes on and on keeping the tea piping hot. I don't know why it doesn't cool off, really. And as if that were not enough, it never spills no matter how full it is. I didn't know before the Dutch were that clever. I have the one that matches my kitchen china and a small one for just a cup. But neither are one bit obliging if I pour in a bit too much water to suit them.
November 5, 2009
Kodak's fault
(1956 January)
Come home - all is forgivern - Keegans [drug store] tested my camera and immediately gave me a new one and shot the other back to the factory because there was a short in it. So far - I haven't used it. There has been no particular occasion. But I know I shall.
Come home - all is forgivern - Keegans [drug store] tested my camera and immediately gave me a new one and shot the other back to the factory because there was a short in it. So far - I haven't used it. There has been no particular occasion. But I know I shall.
November 4, 2009
Oysters
(1956 January)
I am now going into the kitchen to try my hand at scolloping some oysters. I tried last week but too much pepper in the sauce and threw the recipe out.
I am now going into the kitchen to try my hand at scolloping some oysters. I tried last week but too much pepper in the sauce and threw the recipe out.
November 3, 2009
More painting
(1956 January 13)
But I have smelled paint again and am in the throes of decorating the cupboad for towels, blankets, etc. which sits in the sewing room. Today I painted the inside of the upper half blue (2-1/2 hours). When I finally get all the ground work done, I'll decorate it. I got out the Peter Hunt book Skip gave me in 1954 and out of that will come something, I hope. Lorin wants me to paint MM jumping out of the bath tub. He thinks it's unique. She puts both feet tight together and leaps. I think it very dangerous and put a stop to it, but he thinks it should be commemorated to posterity. Instead, I think I'll draw her on a bank with her feet in a stream of water.
But I have smelled paint again and am in the throes of decorating the cupboad for towels, blankets, etc. which sits in the sewing room. Today I painted the inside of the upper half blue (2-1/2 hours). When I finally get all the ground work done, I'll decorate it. I got out the Peter Hunt book Skip gave me in 1954 and out of that will come something, I hope. Lorin wants me to paint MM
November 2, 2009
Painting
(1956 January 13)
We have been having the painter and now all those hideous brown (of various shades) doors are all a lovely ivory once more. We were so confused and jumbled up around here for three days. Lorin couldn't get clean shirts out of his closet as that door was painted. Neither he nor MM could hang up their things in the usual hall closet near the north door nor would I let them come in that way. All wraps on dining room chairs! The guest closet doors painted too. And MM and I had our wraps hanging on the shower curtain pole. All is back now!
We have been having the painter and now all those hideous brown (of various shades) doors are all a lovely ivory once more. We were so confused and jumbled up around here for three days. Lorin couldn't get clean shirts out of his closet as that door was painted. Neither he nor MM could hang up their things in the usual hall closet near the north door nor would I let them come in that way. All wraps on dining room chairs! The guest closet doors painted too. And MM and I had our wraps hanging on the shower curtain pole. All is back now!
November 1, 2009
Towel talk
(1956 January 13, Friday)
I have been attending the January sales and while at Krouskops remembered to get the other half of your Xmas present, only the green towels were gone. So I did get the yellow and then to make up for the green ones got others which I hope will do for a start anyway. If you are not wild about them, always console yourself with the thought that they will wear out! But I thought they were attractive and maybe you will too. I know you will excuse me if I do not spend half an hour doing them up beautifully, but shall send them with your laundry.
I have been attending the January sales and while at Krouskops remembered to get the other half of your Xmas present, only the green towels were gone. So I did get the yellow and then to make up for the green ones got others which I hope will do for a start anyway. If you are not wild about them, always console yourself with the thought that they will wear out! But I thought they were attractive and maybe you will too. I know you will excuse me if I do not spend half an hour doing them up beautifully, but shall send them with your laundry.
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