(1990 February 1)
As I cannot find new lampshades for lamps over my beds, now and then I need to make one. Today was such a time. Pulling out the wall paper sample book Skip got me from Bailey's [paint store], I cut one after the one I made before; at the dots [in her sketch of pattern] I stapled it together and am about to try it out soon.
July 31, 2011
July 30, 2011
Unpersuaded
(1989 July 27)
Speaking of books ... I read Persuasion, and I must say I can't recall ever reading a duller book. At the end of this romance, not a kiss, not a holding of hands even. Just a letter with tenderness WRITTEN. What an ending!
Speaking of books ... I read Persuasion, and I must say I can't recall ever reading a duller book. At the end of this romance, not a kiss, not a holding of hands even. Just a letter with tenderness WRITTEN. What an ending!
July 29, 2011
Bastille Day
(1989 July 14)
It seems to be the 200th anniversary of French Independence, asI hear bursts of the Marseillaise on the radio. I used to sing this in French but no more.
It seems to be the 200th anniversary of French Independence, asI hear bursts of the Marseillaise on the radio. I used to sing this in French but no more.
July 28, 2011
Pea pods
(1989 June 26)
Bill brought me some delicious peas which are the kind of which one eats the pods. He says that is the only kind he bothers with any more.
Bill brought me some delicious peas which are the kind of which one eats the pods. He says that is the only kind he bothers with any more.
July 27, 2011
Swan
(1989 June 21)
Well - I can think of no more and shall ring off. - O yes - I saw the Swan on TV. Grace Kelley. Our theatre class in Shorewood [in 1930s; Milwaukee suburb] worked on that play. Excellent.
Well - I can think of no more and shall ring off. - O yes - I saw the Swan on TV. Grace Kelley. Our theatre class in Shorewood [in 1930s; Milwaukee suburb] worked on that play. Excellent.
July 26, 2011
Big Box
(1989 June 21)
I wish I could think of a little news for you. The Chinese Restaurant on the Square is no more - changed hands, and no Chinese food. Burnsteads on the Square has remodeled and is very large, too large for me, as I get too tired walking so far to pick up groceries, but patronized by many.
I wish I could think of a little news for you. The Chinese Restaurant on the Square is no more - changed hands, and no Chinese food. Burnsteads on the Square has remodeled and is very large, too large for me, as I get too tired walking so far to pick up groceries, but patronized by many.
July 17, 2011
Hands full
(1989 May 31)
The Birketts are not going to England this year. Jean has her hands full with being head of the Campus and teaching a summer class also.
[N.B. The Polly Blog will be on vacation for a few days.]
The Birketts are not going to England this year. Jean has her hands full with being head of the Campus and teaching a summer class also.
[N.B. The Polly Blog will be on vacation for a few days.]
July 16, 2011
Cyclones or something
(1989 May 31)
Here the weather threatens and is said to be volcanic. The radio gives off sharp beats which tell us to look for and notice, in case one has been spotted. I really do not fear and have never run to the basement or under the bed. I know the power is tremendous and is wild and free. One hopes it will go away.
Here the weather threatens and is said to be volcanic. The radio gives off sharp beats which tell us to look for and notice, in case one has been spotted. I really do not fear and have never run to the basement or under the bed. I know the power is tremendous and is wild and free. One hopes it will go away.
July 15, 2011
Boone story
(1989 May 31)
I told you how she [Geraldine] was descended from Daniel Boone and his Indian wife. "My pa told me," she said, "but never knew what Indian." (Meaning Tribe.)
I told you how she [Geraldine] was descended from Daniel Boone and his Indian wife. "My pa told me," she said, "but never knew what Indian." (Meaning Tribe.)
July 14, 2011
Geraldine's flowers
(1989 May 31)
I have described Geraldine, my previous help, to you - large, some fat, gray hair cut Dutch-boy, blowsy. "Violets!" she would exclaim - "Violets! I used to have 'um - lots of 'um. Got no place to put them now, but I did have," and she waves her right arm to take in quite a space. "My mother now. She had flowers. She used to chew Copenhagen and put it around them. You never seen anything like them blossoms. Oh!"
I have described Geraldine, my previous help, to you - large, some fat, gray hair cut Dutch-boy, blowsy. "Violets!" she would exclaim - "Violets! I used to have 'um - lots of 'um. Got no place to put them now, but I did have," and she waves her right arm to take in quite a space. "My mother now. She had flowers. She used to chew Copenhagen and put it around them. You never seen anything like them blossoms. Oh!"
July 13, 2011
Mrs. Morris
(1989 May 31)
My new help has been here and gone. ... She arrived in the school bus she drives and parked it in the street opposite the garage. Fair and capable-looking, she took off her shoes at the door, preferring to work in her socks. ... This is a pretty good sample of Mrs. Morris's conversation: We are making my bed. I say, "Some of my sheets are getting thin, and it's been hard to find white ones." "White ones? I don't like white at all. None of mine are white." I say, "You decide with the majority," and the talk ends.
My new help has been here and gone. ... She arrived in the school bus she drives and parked it in the street opposite the garage. Fair and capable-looking, she took off her shoes at the door, preferring to work in her socks. ... This is a pretty good sample of Mrs. Morris's conversation: We are making my bed. I say, "Some of my sheets are getting thin, and it's been hard to find white ones." "White ones? I don't like white at all. None of mine are white." I say, "You decide with the majority," and the talk ends.
July 12, 2011
Lyme disease
(1989 late April)
Our state entomologist was on the call-in program today. The problems some people are having with insects! Some are taking samples to County Agent for identification, and worst of all a woman with a little girl up north where the deer come in the yard, scrape against bushes, etc. - she got Lyme Disease. My [box elder] bugs are becoming fewer.
Our state entomologist was on the call-in program today. The problems some people are having with insects! Some are taking samples to County Agent for identification, and worst of all a woman with a little girl up north where the deer come in the yard, scrape against bushes, etc. - she got Lyme Disease. My [box elder] bugs are becoming fewer.
July 11, 2011
Poachers
(1989 late April)
You like to get into disputes and too bad you aren't here, as the Chippewa Nation has not stayed on the Reservation and has gone spear-fishing in other lakes, thus upsetting people who earn their living from Tourism. People won't come fish if the lakes are all fished out. I have seen on TV the spear fishing at night, and I don't see how the Indians can eat all that fish, but I bet they sell them. Of course I am on the side of the Indians; the resort owners are disgusted because Madison doesn't deal with it once for all. The Governor has spoken of getting out the militia.
You like to get into disputes and too bad you aren't here, as the Chippewa Nation has not stayed on the Reservation and has gone spear-fishing in other lakes, thus upsetting people who earn their living from Tourism. People won't come fish if the lakes are all fished out. I have seen on TV the spear fishing at night, and I don't see how the Indians can eat all that fish, but I bet they sell them. Of course I am on the side of the Indians; the resort owners are disgusted because Madison doesn't deal with it once for all. The Governor has spoken of getting out the militia.
July 10, 2011
Climate change
(1989 February 1)
Tuesday it was 59 degrees and getting colder all the time.... Suppose you heard - 80 degrees in Alaska. I heard a good program on climate changes - something that happens --
Tuesday it was 59 degrees and getting colder all the time.... Suppose you heard - 80 degrees in Alaska. I heard a good program on climate changes - something that happens --
July 8, 2011
Image problem
(1989 April 22)
Kathryn has a new problem: a robin keeps hopping on her porch and pecks at his reflection in the glass. She made a falcon after consulting encyclopedia, and Pulvermacher's [poultry house] brot a stuffed owl and put it up, but nothing helps. I told her to tape newspapers to the outside, but very cold and windy and she has not done so. Maybe she likes the Fame.
Kathryn has a new problem: a robin keeps hopping on her porch and pecks at his reflection in the glass. She made a falcon after consulting encyclopedia, and Pulvermacher's [poultry house] brot a stuffed owl and put it up, but nothing helps. I told her to tape newspapers to the outside, but very cold and windy and she has not done so. Maybe she likes the Fame.
July 7, 2011
Morels
(1989 April 22)
I opened your letter to add the very latest fungi news before it leaves Wis. Today the topic on WHA Radio Call-in was edible mushrooms, esp. the morel. Many called in with problems and I learned always to cook them. Then the guest for the day from Forest Products Lab (I think) told of reading a book years ago by Alex. Smith, Michigan, "The Guru of Michigan," with description and drawings and what not to eat. Other works were mentioned, so I called in to say there was a new list just out and gave yours. He had to know the publisher and may send for it. Do you think I should charge 10%?
I opened your letter to add the very latest fungi news before it leaves Wis. Today the topic on WHA Radio Call-in was edible mushrooms, esp. the morel. Many called in with problems and I learned always to cook them. Then the guest for the day from Forest Products Lab (I think) told of reading a book years ago by Alex. Smith, Michigan, "The Guru of Michigan," with description and drawings and what not to eat. Other works were mentioned, so I called in to say there was a new list just out and gave yours. He had to know the publisher and may send for it. Do you think I should charge 10%?
July 6, 2011
Rushdee
(1989 St. Matthew's)
Quite a stink over this book of Rushdee's. I know you will say absolute freedom of the press. But I also think, Why go out of your way to antagonize people, especially when they will probably kill you for it.
Quite a stink over this book of Rushdee's. I know you will say absolute freedom of the press. But I also think, Why go out of your way to antagonize people, especially when they will probably kill you for it.
July 4, 2011
book's?
(1989 St. Mathew's)
I could not but wonder about using "book's," as I was taught not to make the possessive of inanimate objects with 'S but instead say "OF the book" etc. Well, rules change, and I am sure you could quote the rule.
I could not but wonder about using "book's," as I was taught not to make the possessive of inanimate objects with 'S but instead say "OF the book" etc. Well, rules change, and I am sure you could quote the rule.
July 3, 2011
Oolong
(1989 February)
Bill took me to town yesterday for the usual hair do and bank stop. He bought a coffee cake for me, and Jan came and brewed oolong tea.
Bill took me to town yesterday for the usual hair do and bank stop. He bought a coffee cake for me, and Jan came and brewed oolong tea.
July 2, 2011
Casting Dicken
(1989 February)
I am nearly through Nikolas Nickleby, the spring Campus play and Jean says the last she will direct. She is dreaming of retirement. ... [And in a later letter:] Jean has cast Nicholas Nickleby and has given Paul [Fowell] the part of Mr. Gride, a dwarf. I warned her, but to no avail. The audience won't know the difference as N.N. is a thick book. Bill is building the set every day, happy it will be his last.
I am nearly through Nikolas Nickleby, the spring Campus play and Jean says the last she will direct. She is dreaming of retirement. ... [And in a later letter:] Jean has cast Nicholas Nickleby and has given Paul [Fowell] the part of Mr. Gride, a dwarf. I warned her, but to no avail. The audience won't know the difference as N.N. is a thick book. Bill is building the set every day, happy it will be his last.
July 1, 2011
My plans
(1989 February)
My plans are to take a cab and visit my poor friend Portia Martin when she has finished her dinner about 12:30. Then about 9, Karen will come and will eat popcorn and drink tea and see how "Murder in the Vicarage" comes out. (As if we didn't know!)
My plans are to take a cab and visit my poor friend Portia Martin when she has finished her dinner about 12:30. Then about 9, Karen will come and will eat popcorn and drink tea and see how "Murder in the Vicarage" comes out. (As if we didn't know!)
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