Megachurch

(1987 September 6, Sunday)

As I slept little last night, I slept more this morning, with the result that I skipped church entirely. Mopischly I ate my Wheaties, wondered what to do next, and turned on the TV. I was just in time for the Service in the Rev. Schuler's Church, Garden City, CA. I have never heard you speak of this, and since you say you watch so little, perhaps it would not be amiss if I should tell you a little about it. This monstrous place is made almost entirely of glass and has a high-reaching tower. It is always crowded with people who often take bus trips to go, such as Carolyn Bancroft and her mother Dorothy. Schuler is adored by many. How they can, I cannot conceive. He is about five feet tall, thick white hair neatly trimmed, with a simpering sort of smile meant to be friendly.

Herons

(1987 September 3)

This afternoon as I was walking down the road, Betty Brindley overtook me in her car, begged me to get in and come for a chat ... I asked about the variety of birds they used to feed there. Now they are proud of their brown thrashers (never sparrows) but their pride and joy are the herons both blue and white on the river. Jim got his glass(es) and pointed out a white one across the river in the rushes. They seem to be about gone now. But I saw it well.

Reunion

(1987 September 1)

I received an invitation to the 65th reunion of my high school class, which is to be held in Fond du Lac October 1 in Petrie's Resturant at noon. I thought I would write a note to congratulate those who were there and to explain my absence. If you have a flattering picture of me, I should like to put it with it. ... All who will come will be fighting some illness no doubt.

No poaching

(1987 September 19)

Surely do not understand the clergy's rules. Since Father Caballero has been here, Father Maier [retired] has not called on Portia even as a friend in fear of taking the priest's place. They surely are afraid of usurping rights.

Break-ins

(1987 November 1, All Saints)

I have been well and busy except for nervousness following the break-in at Lona Johnson's. I do what I can to keep safe. Every night I turn on the back porch light and lock both laundry doors. I worry that the front door is glass, but do lock the storm door together with the front door and leave a dim hall-light on. Also I am not going to church regularly as my movements may be watched as were hers (every Friday out for fish). I was surprised at church coffee this morning how many had break-ins when I broached the subject.

Lilactime

(1987 May)

Yesterday Laurie and I went out with rake, hammer & clippers to cut lilacs. The wind was very high and tho we dressed for it, we were so tired when we got them in vases we each slept a couple of hours.

Damom

(1987 May)

Yesterday in church a heavy young man sat ahead of me with his lame father. He would measure about 24 inches across his seat, enough to catch the eye. Coming home Bill was telling me who he was - his name, DAMOM. "No," said I, "that would Damon & Pythias from mythology." "No," says Bill. "I asked his father how he got the name, and father said he and his wife wanted, the two of them, to share in his name. So the DA is for DAD and the MOM is for - well, you can finish it yourself and say what you like. " I did.

Presbyterians

(1987 May)

The Rev. Ewig Holtz had the [funeral] service. When he was Presbyterian minister here he was very popular among many. Raved about his preaching. So I ws anxious to see him and his style tho he is now 88. This was it: Quotations - well known from Bible and poets. A good supply. Held together by a sentence or two. Daddy always said how bare the Protestant services were, and I have to go to one to recall how right he was. Divinity is lacking tho not devotion. I will say this: lovely soft leather seats on the pews.

Long & hard work

(1987 May)

I never realized how long and hard some people work until lately. Anna [Polly's schoolgirl] works 10 hours helping the bakers, wrapping the rolls, etc. Cleans the counters, mops the floor. ... When Father Maier took me there shopping [at the new supermarket], a small girl lifted our bags from the cart to the car trunk. I asked, "Do you do this all day?" and she said, "Only 6 hours." I could hardly lift one bag. I get very tired filling a list in a big store - so far to walk back if you forget something. But fresh vegetables and same sales.

Parsimony

(1987 May 23)

Deciding on one piece of toast for breakfast, I composed:

"Never take two / When one will do."

Xmas cards

(1987 November)

Last year there was a great dropping off of Xmas cards, and all my friends have noticed it. Used to send 50, now 20. So this year I didn't order any new ones, just using what I have on hand.

Overdue update

(1987 June 3)

I have something you don't have - or at least I might. It's a new fire extinguisher Ralph Klinzing brot and put up today. It is cream and fastened on the wall between the bathroom and my [bedroom] door. My old one expired in 1965, and I phoned Ralph for instructions on how to dispose of it properly. He came right over and got it and took it to the Dump himself. Then got this one (Gamble's) and brot his electric drill and put it up today.

Candlemaking

(1987 May 27)

Suzy Hirshey is always trying to place me in history. She last asked, "Did your mother make candles?" I said no - did your mother? Amusing.

Upholsterers

(1987 February 27)

So far no one to tackle my love seat. Every one you ask says "Cockcroft" - he did mine for years and no longer very interested. Jean has already bought the material for her davenport and is worried. Jan cannot find Walstead, the man who should do it, as he put the cover on and tied the springs in the first place. Out of biz.

Valentine

(1987 February 14)

Sal said to her Gramma one day / "Please buy me a horsey, I pray. / I'll gallop - I'll trot - / I'll canter - or not." / But Gramma to Sally said, "NEIGH."

Disincentives

(1987 January 31)

The hymn book now is too heavy to hold thru 6-8 verses as we sing now and the print too fine to read - nearly all the songs unheard of for me; so I do very little singing.

Missing joke

(1987 January 31)

Last week did you listen to Garrison Kieler tell a naughty joke? About ice fishermen? When he was 8 years old he was first asked to go out on the ice to one of those little huts. He then realized how much men had to got away from women. Too much religion. Too much wiping the feet - all those rules instigated by women. And apparently to tell a man joke.

Indoor arena

(1987 January 31)

Sherry, I don't see how you can get any enjoyment out of riding around in a barn. Just seems rather dim and dusty from where I sit. Do you bring your own horse? Suppose you are learning something, but if the horse isn't learning too, where are you? Suppose I just do not understand these fine features.

Penmanship

Yes, I notice Sally does not write well. When she wrote that note to Burnetts, she held her pencil between first and second fingers instead of thumb and first finger as most people do. (A bank teller used to hold his pen in an odd way but could not change as he learned so in childhood.) I called this to Sally's attention, but she tossed her head and kept on, her way. But I am glad you are making headway because all along the way, in high school and college, if the teacher cannot readily read a test paper, the very fact he is having trouble irritates him and may cause him to downgrade a paper. I look at the writing of my students and many are very odd indeed. Lorin's was almost illegible, and often he couldn't read it himself later on! Volumes could be written and no doubt have been. Well, keep at it. Neatness does count and I'll help on this end.

AIDS in RC

(1986 November 12)

Church sermon and prayers on AIDS today. Not well received. Bill tells people he has AIDS - hearing aids.

Latino respect

(1986 November 12)

Monday Suzy [next-door neighbor] is coming to spend a few days, but she will leave her pet rabbit home. She doesn't see eye to eye with the South American girl, the runner, who brot her scrap book. Eugenia scolds Suzy if Suzy says anything edgy to her mother, which is none of her affair. In South America the mother is highly thot of, I'm told. So Suzy needs to cool off.

B-line

(1986 November 12)

Was so Happy to hear Sally got B's on her Report Card - shows she is still one of us mortals.

The thought that counts

(1986 November 12)

I cannot help but express my views on Xmas gifts. A "My Little Pony Barn" for $80. Are we all mad? What became of our resolution to cut down and try for $25? per person! I am not going to buy expensive things and I hope I don't get any to embarrass me.

Circus parade

(1986 July 12)

Have watched good circus parade in Milwaukee 2-4 pm [on TV]. Fine horses from around Wisconsin and circus wagons restored from Italy, England, US - often rotting in sheds. I don't recall having seen llamas hitched to wagons before - 4-6 to one trot along jauntily. A Liberty holding the Torch had to practice a long time to hold up arm. .... Beautiful horses etc.

Ticked off

(1986 July 12)

I did a miserable thing today. The blue pillow on davenport was losing feathers and a bother. So I made a new cover for the inside pillow of ticking. On the machine. Got it all done and was very disappointed to feel how hard it was - not nice for naps any more. I didn't know the ticking would make it so hard. At least we are spared feathers all over.

Conjugal bliss

(1986 July 12)

Your daughter [Sally, 7] is a marvel! Does she really conjugate the [Latin] verbs? Of course she has a pretty good teacher [Skip].

Helper

(1986 October 18)

Sally ... I enclose a dollar ... to help the good cause along. Let me know how you use it. I help whales, sea lions, sick people, and Indians. Others too.

The kettle song

(1986 March 30)

Sally, last night I heard children play piano. A boy, 5, played "Polly Put the Kettle On," just like you.