(1962 January 10)
The cold is creeping in everywhere today; so I have built myself a fire, moved my chair in front of it, put my toes on the hearthstone, and am nicely browning, writing notes, almost ready to be turned!
February 28, 2010
February 25, 2010
Bridge
(1961 September 20)
Now, if you want some unasked for advice, here it is. Learn to play Bridge. The more versatile you are, the more friends you will have. Many a couple cannot face asking people over with no entertainment in sight and many a tale would not be told if it were not told over a bridge table. I refused to learn to play and have become a hermit in a bridge-crazy town. I even got MM started before she went to school tho now she is in a Gin tournament. You both are marvelous potential players.
Now, if you want some unasked for advice, here it is. Learn to play Bridge. The more versatile you are, the more friends you will have. Many a couple cannot face asking people over with no entertainment in sight and many a tale would not be told if it were not told over a bridge table. I refused to learn to play and have become a hermit in a bridge-crazy town. I even got MM started before she went to school tho now she is in a Gin tournament. You both are marvelous potential players.
February 24, 2010
Community progress
(1961 September 20)
You are up against a small Midwest town [Galesburg IL] all right. But here, altho we have but one movie, we do not pay to have garbage and trash service. Last Monday a bond issue was voted to buy more land and enlarge the schools. So you see we try to be progressive.
You are up against a small Midwest town [Galesburg IL] all right. But here, altho we have but one movie, we do not pay to have garbage and trash service. Last Monday a bond issue was voted to buy more land and enlarge the schools. So you see we try to be progressive.
February 23, 2010
Lie detector
(1961 September 20)
Daddy took a teenager into Madison Crime Lab for a lie detector test last week. Very informative.
Daddy took a teenager into Madison Crime Lab for a lie detector test last week. Very informative.
February 22, 2010
Talking French
(1961 September 20)
Tonight I am going to start a French conversation course at Vocational School - teacher Jean Birkett. It will be a refresher course mostly. When we get together, we can all talk French!
Tonight I am going to start a French conversation course at Vocational School - teacher Jean Birkett. It will be a refresher course mostly. When we get together, we can all talk French!
February 21, 2010
A mess at church
(1961 October 1)
The contractor was to come with crew to re-do the inside of our church. The roof is to be raised (over chancel), the east wall bricked, the walls plastered or paneled, new shutters inside (?). And also Tuesday 10th the convocation meets here. We found it out by seeing a published schedule!!! After writing the dean about the mess we expected to be in, the secretary received a reply stating that he thot it would do the others good to see R.C. working and so ----- I guess we'll have it. (Only no workmen have shown up yet.) We don't care if they sit around on nail kegs for their workshops - we aren't lifting a finger.
The contractor was to come with crew to re-do the inside of our church. The roof is to be raised (over chancel), the east wall bricked, the walls plastered or paneled, new shutters inside (?). And also Tuesday 10th the convocation meets here. We found it out by seeing a published schedule!!! After writing the dean about the mess we expected to be in, the secretary received a reply stating that he thot it would do the others good to see R.C. working and so ----- I guess we'll have it. (Only no workmen have shown up yet.) We don't care if they sit around on nail kegs for their workshops - we aren't lifting a finger.
February 20, 2010
God's plan
(1961 September 30)
Well, today as the sun is out it must not be going to rain and may be a little warmer and I think I'll get out my shovel and pail of fertilzer and motor over to Church at 1 with LL to dig a trench for my Sunday School class to plant tulips. It will be on the east side close to the window area ways so our class can see them, all red, 6, in the Spring, thus seeing what God's plan for bulbs is. Let's hope squirrels don't have their plans too.
Well, today as the sun is out it must not be going to rain and may be a little warmer and I think I'll get out my shovel and pail of fertilzer and motor over to Church at 1 with LL to dig a trench for my Sunday School class to plant tulips. It will be on the east side close to the window area ways so our class can see them, all red, 6, in the Spring, thus seeing what God's plan for bulbs is. Let's hope squirrels don't have their plans too.
February 19, 2010
Card readers
(1961 September 30)
Thank you for your card - now we have it straight. I wouldn't be so frank on a postal card if I were you. I know your writing is tiny, but you would be surprised. A man who works in the Post Office here asked Lorin for a certain stamp on a card when he was thru with it.
Thank you for your card - now we have it straight. I wouldn't be so frank on a postal card if I were you. I know your writing is tiny, but you would be surprised. A man who works in the Post Office here asked Lorin for a certain stamp on a card when he was thru with it.
February 18, 2010
Thoughtless
(1961 July)
I am writing in bed and can't think of a thing to say. Daddy says that's the time to say good bye and he is usually right.
I am writing in bed and can't think of a thing to say. Daddy says that's the time to say good bye and he is usually right.
February 17, 2010
Cha
(1961 July 5)
Thank you for the cha. It is right on the sill with my other teas, and today LL may drink coffee if he choses, but I shall open the tea.
Thank you for the cha. It is right on the sill with my other teas, and today LL may drink coffee if he choses, but I shall open the tea.
February 16, 2010
Jury trail
(1961 June 19)
Daddy is on a case for Mr. Cradwell. A highway has been altered to cut up his farm in such a way as to do a lot of damage, and the government offered too little recompense. So Daddy goes into the fray. Today he takes the jury out to the farm, and I made him take his rubbers along. Also, with no prompting, I saw a Ring book in his bag.
Daddy is on a case for Mr. Cradwell. A highway has been altered to cut up his farm in such a way as to do a lot of damage, and the government offered too little recompense. So Daddy goes into the fray. Today he takes the jury out to the farm, and I made him take his rubbers along. Also, with no prompting, I saw a Ring book in his bag.
February 15, 2010
Brownie camp
(1952? Summer)
Rain this morning and no camp; so we carve our designs on carrots tomorrow morning. Monday, the first day, left me a wreck (30 Brownies pointing their teaspoons at me simultaneously demanding to know whether their Plaster of Paris was hardening OK almost de trop) but I went back Tuesday, and tho I have been sleeping afternoons and going to bed early, I have been all right. Ann Rose [Meadows, another leader] seems to be exhausted and nervous when I see her. Tomorrow will be the last day.
Rain this morning and no camp; so we carve our designs on carrots tomorrow morning. Monday, the first day, left me a wreck (30 Brownies pointing their teaspoons at me simultaneously demanding to know whether their Plaster of Paris was hardening OK almost de trop) but I went back Tuesday, and tho I have been sleeping afternoons and going to bed early, I have been all right. Ann Rose [Meadows, another leader] seems to be exhausted and nervous when I see her. Tomorrow will be the last day.
February 14, 2010
Pet news
(1961 April 25)
Last night Sam took guinea pigs and vicious hare home with him. Penelope [cat] looked all over and cried before she slept. MM is pleased they are gone. Had enough. Pet Shop, Elizabeth Watson, just called and said they would buy guinea pigs!
Last night Sam took guinea pigs and vicious hare home with him. Penelope [cat] looked all over and cried before she slept. MM is pleased they are gone. Had enough. Pet Shop, Elizabeth Watson, just called and said they would buy guinea pigs!
February 13, 2010
Prom night
(1961 April 25)
Last Saturday was the Prom and I was dreading it because kids think that night is open to do anything anyone suggests - lite out to Madison, etc. But all went very well as far as I could see. M's hair turned out well and that seemed to be so important. As she is up to 130 she had to wear a strong undergarment to get her formal on, but she is a sturdy girl and doesn't seem to mind. Her friends came here at 9, all with orchid corsages. M says hers was originally purple dyed yellow to match her dress. Very shortly after 12 they were all back tying into the sandwiches and cakes. At 1 they all left and at 1:15 we were all asleep. I stayed up and read in the kitchen, as others dropped in from Premo party and I thot I should be en garde. I am very glad it is over and that it went over as well as it did.
Last Saturday was the Prom and I was dreading it because kids think that night is open to do anything anyone suggests - lite out to Madison, etc. But all went very well as far as I could see. M's hair turned out well and that seemed to be so important. As she is up to 130 she had to wear a strong undergarment to get her formal on, but she is a sturdy girl and doesn't seem to mind. Her friends came here at 9, all with orchid corsages. M says hers was originally purple dyed yellow to match her dress. Very shortly after 12 they were all back tying into the sandwiches and cakes. At 1 they all left and at 1:15 we were all asleep. I stayed up and read in the kitchen, as others dropped in from Premo party and I thot I should be en garde. I am very glad it is over and that it went over as well as it did.
February 12, 2010
Snow flurries
(1961 April)
Our snow this morning is just like the one the morning Skip was born. I remember it well. It's so beautiful outside today. I saw a squirrel chase a red-headed woodpecker up a tree down in the Jungle.
Our snow this morning is just like the one the morning Skip was born. I remember it well. It's so beautiful outside today. I saw a squirrel chase a red-headed woodpecker up a tree down in the Jungle.
February 11, 2010
Science project
(1960 November)
Well, Meg [= MM, high school sophomore] has this bee in her bonnet. I called Mildred Griswold [biology teacher] last night to discuss it and she said she tried to talk her out of it, but would order what they asked her to. Said a pair of hamsters would be $5 and express $4 - run her $9-10. Now she started an incubator project with virus and has spend $1 on penecillin and hasn't tried to write it up at all nor gone on with it. She doesn't know what she is trying to prove. No idea. Also same with the hamsters. Just a thing to do. No scientific viewpoint sincerely. M. Griswold said she first wanted to order a monkey. MM says she wants to grow hamsters to dissect them. M. Griswold says if so she can buy them pickled much cheaper. MM says she will not have it. LL says by March 1 (Science Fair) she will have 100000000 hamsters and should try to work something out with plants. She screams she will not. -- Well, I said she could do it. If things get too bad, I'll let the cat loose.
Well, Meg [= MM, high school sophomore] has this bee in her bonnet. I called Mildred Griswold [biology teacher] last night to discuss it and she said she tried to talk her out of it, but would order what they asked her to. Said a pair of hamsters would be $5 and express $4 - run her $9-10. Now she started an incubator project with virus and has spend $1 on penecillin and hasn't tried to write it up at all nor gone on with it. She doesn't know what she is trying to prove. No idea. Also same with the hamsters. Just a thing to do. No scientific viewpoint sincerely. M. Griswold said she first wanted to order a monkey. MM says she wants to grow hamsters to dissect them. M. Griswold says if so she can buy them pickled much cheaper. MM says she will not have it. LL says by March 1 (Science Fair) she will have 100000000 hamsters and should try to work something out with plants. She screams she will not. -- Well, I said she could do it. If things get too bad, I'll let the cat loose.
February 10, 2010
Sleeping party
(1960? October?)
MM was on a binge Friday - Alice Premo had a big sleeping party. Her father took about a dozen girls to Wisconsin Dells football game, then to Premos to eat and carouse all night. She tells a story about making fudge at 2 a.m. and putting ExLax in it. Put it out to cool and a girl tipped it over. Rip and snort. Home 1 p.m. Saturday. Boys involved. A long story. Poor grades. Latin D.
MM was on a binge Friday - Alice Premo had a big sleeping party. Her father took about a dozen girls to Wisconsin Dells football game, then to Premos to eat and carouse all night. She tells a story about making fudge at 2 a.m. and putting ExLax in it. Put it out to cool and a girl tipped it over. Rip and snort. Home 1 p.m. Saturday. Boys involved. A long story. Poor grades. Latin D.
February 9, 2010
Norwegian
(1960? October?)
Sunday, 4:30. Just got back from more Norwegian entertainment. The singer's little daughter came along in hand knit Norwegian sweater, speaking only Norwegian. Daddy and I enjoyed wathing her enjoyment of all the Norwegian jokes and songs. She was about 7. In High School, Little Theater.
Sunday, 4:30. Just got back from more Norwegian entertainment. The singer's little daughter came along in hand knit Norwegian sweater, speaking only Norwegian. Daddy and I enjoyed wathing her enjoyment of all the Norwegian jokes and songs. She was about 7. In High School, Little Theater.
February 8, 2010
Funeral
(1960 October 5)
After the service at Pratt's [funeral parlor, for whom is not stated], we drove to Woodstock Cemetery in string of about 20 cars. Then parked and climbed steep hill and trekked thru long cemetery grass. At graveside Masonic rites and VFW and American Legion. All went well or smoothly until the widow was presented with the flag and the guns were shot into the woods - she lost control then. It was terrible, I thot. Some of the customs are just too much.
After the service at Pratt's [funeral parlor, for whom is not stated], we drove to Woodstock Cemetery in string of about 20 cars. Then parked and climbed steep hill and trekked thru long cemetery grass. At graveside Masonic rites and VFW and American Legion. All went well or smoothly until the widow was presented with the flag and the guns were shot into the woods - she lost control then. It was terrible, I thot. Some of the customs are just too much.
February 7, 2010
Happy Birthday, Polly
(2010 February 7)
Today is Polly's birthday, anno aetatis suae 106. She was always pleased that it was also the birthday of Charles Dickens, one of her favorite authors. Today also begins the second year of this blog, with plenty of selections in store and no end in sight. Enjoy & atb - Skip
Today is Polly's birthday, anno aetatis suae 106. She was always pleased that it was also the birthday of Charles Dickens, one of her favorite authors. Today also begins the second year of this blog, with plenty of selections in store and no end in sight. Enjoy & atb - Skip
February 6, 2010
Crazy days
(1960 October 5)
Last Saturday the merchants here observed Crazy Days, a time for clerks to dress up crazy and sell old junk from booths in the middle of the street. The ladies of our church suddenly decided to try a rummage sale and made $75 to everyone's joy.
Last Saturday the merchants here observed Crazy Days, a time for clerks to dress up crazy and sell old junk from booths in the middle of the street. The ladies of our church suddenly decided to try a rummage sale and made $75 to everyone's joy.
February 5, 2010
Bat watch
(1960 July 13)
I must go outside and see if I can see bats fly out of our attic. Then to get someone to plug the holes when they are out with oakum and we'll have that problem licked. As they eat only flying insects, poisoning is out of the question. ... I went bat-watching 8:30-9:30 but saw no bats.
I must go outside and see if I can see bats fly out of our attic. Then to get someone to plug the holes when they are out with oakum and we'll have that problem licked. As they eat only flying insects, poisoning is out of the question. ... I went bat-watching 8:30-9:30 but saw no bats.
February 4, 2010
Not rained out
(1960 July 13)
Last night the Episcopal Churchwomen of St. Barnabas had a family picnic at the Park. It was 90 degrees here when we left home, and when we got there it got dark and cold and rained, and we ate in a shelter and the napkins flew off the tables in the wind. After the families went home, we had our business meeting while we could still see, and a drearier, more dismal gathering I never was at. Huddled together, wrapped in towels, tableclothes or what was at hand, we braved the elements until the closing prayer.
Last night the Episcopal Churchwomen of St. Barnabas had a family picnic at the Park. It was 90 degrees here when we left home, and when we got there it got dark and cold and rained, and we ate in a shelter and the napkins flew off the tables in the wind. After the families went home, we had our business meeting while we could still see, and a drearier, more dismal gathering I never was at. Huddled together, wrapped in towels, tableclothes or what was at hand, we braved the elements until the closing prayer.
February 3, 2010
Office picnic
(1960 July 19)
All I can retaliate with is that we are getting ready for an office picnic in our yard the 30th and expect about 20 people including about 6 children. Have been mending, scrubbing, painting lawn chairs, making new seats, etc. All is so run down. All so hard to do. Guests include Kanables, Birketts, Kennedys, Jacobs, Arnettes. Either I or Louis [Saloutos] will bake an enormous ham and have all the usual to go with it. The mosquitoes are fierce and I hope it doesn't rain. Read Madison was declared a disaster area because of mosquitoes. So much rain. Well, Skip, wish me luck.
All I can retaliate with is that we are getting ready for an office picnic in our yard the 30th and expect about 20 people including about 6 children. Have been mending, scrubbing, painting lawn chairs, making new seats, etc. All is so run down. All so hard to do. Guests include Kanables, Birketts, Kennedys, Jacobs, Arnettes. Either I or Louis [Saloutos] will bake an enormous ham and have all the usual to go with it. The mosquitoes are fierce and I hope it doesn't rain. Read Madison was declared a disaster area because of mosquitoes. So much rain. Well, Skip, wish me luck.
February 2, 2010
Jehovah's Witnesses
(1960 June)
Well, long before she [Auntie Mabel] came, the Jehovah's Witnesses planned a big convention here and we were canvassed for rooms but refused. When Auntie went home, MM took her in a cab to the bus and walked back, meeting 3 cars of parked Witnesses who were looking up people on a list for rooms. They asked MM for help in locating the people on the list, and much to her amazement our name led all the rest! The family who wanted to come here was a Negro one with 3 children, one 3, 2, and 6 months. She excused us, said I wasn't well, etc - but we decided to fool L and at lunch told him we had accepted this Negro family, as what could we do, they had no place to go. He too was exhausted from Auntie's visit, but cautiously asked, "For how long?" M said, "As long as the Convention lasts, 3 days." At that he let out a roar that could be heard as far as Gotham and swore horribly, "Jesus H. Christ." MM and I laughed so hard we were hysterical.
Well, long before she [Auntie Mabel] came, the Jehovah's Witnesses planned a big convention here and we were canvassed for rooms but refused. When Auntie went home, MM took her in a cab to the bus and walked back, meeting 3 cars of parked Witnesses who were looking up people on a list for rooms. They asked MM for help in locating the people on the list, and much to her amazement our name led all the rest! The family who wanted to come here was a Negro one with 3 children, one 3, 2, and 6 months. She excused us, said I wasn't well, etc - but we decided to fool L and at lunch told him we had accepted this Negro family, as what could we do, they had no place to go. He too was exhausted from Auntie's visit, but cautiously asked, "For how long?" M said, "As long as the Convention lasts, 3 days." At that he let out a roar that could be heard as far as Gotham and swore horribly, "Jesus H. Christ." MM and I laughed so hard we were hysterical.
February 1, 2010
Cooking with Auntie
(1960 June)
I tried to cook good meals [for Auntie Mable]. Yet soft, as her false teeth bother her. Had turkey, chop suey, chicken noodle casserole, baked potatoes, and fish - all a big treat. ... Two years ago I gave her for Xmas a pan with a cover so she could boil a chicken and filled it with good canned food to equal one good meal and told her to ask a friend in. The friend left town and Auntie hasn't opened a thing, but is waiting for her to come back some day. The pan she says Auntie Gertie gave her, but she has never used as she lost the recipe. So she and I walked to Krogers and let her pick out a chicken, put it on to cook and later dish up the soup. Also I wrote out the directions again and hope she will have it as she loves it but thinks she can't cook it so always has cheese, processed, or other gunk. Poor soul, poor us.
I tried to cook good meals [for Auntie Mable]. Yet soft, as her false teeth bother her. Had turkey, chop suey, chicken noodle casserole, baked potatoes, and fish - all a big treat. ... Two years ago I gave her for Xmas a pan with a cover so she could boil a chicken and filled it with good canned food to equal one good meal and told her to ask a friend in. The friend left town and Auntie hasn't opened a thing, but is waiting for her to come back some day. The pan she says Auntie Gertie gave her, but she has never used as she lost the recipe. So she and I walked to Krogers and let her pick out a chicken, put it on to cook and later dish up the soup. Also I wrote out the directions again and hope she will have it as she loves it but thinks she can't cook it so always has cheese, processed, or other gunk. Poor soul, poor us.
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