The bread machine

(1991 March 16)

I am making bread [with her new Bread Machine] and have come into the kitchen, where it smells yeasty and good. About the mixing - the hardest part was the pain of staying on my feet. Next time I'll take a couple of aspirns first. Second, I ran out of flour and had to get a 5# bag out of the very back of lower cupboard, taking all the near things out first. That's done for next time. Then there is a tublular "cup" that comes with the set - one must use for mixing ingredients. It is harder to put flour in than my open cups; but, as Karen said, "where else could you find a measure for 7/8 of a cup?" So true.

Lost letter

(1991 March 1)

As a French assignment, I wrote a letter to you. My teacher was delighted, and after I read it aloud, she read it to the class - then corrected the errors. [The letter itself was never sent.]

Chilled to the bone

(1991 February 20)

[After Portia's funeral service] we had to hurry in the car for the drive to cemetery. Bill and I got out for prayers around the raised gray casket, about 10 degrees. I have never stood in colder wind and started to shake. On the way home I sat in the sun and got warm. All but my feet - a very cold car floor. ... [When I got home] I had hot soup and went to bed. Later Jan came with soup for supper, worrying about me.

Portia's funeral

(1991 February 20)

Do you remember Trinity Church [at Baraboo]? Gothic - beautiful stained glass windows, an altar set back two steps. ... Besides the pall bearers there were no more than six there. ... Even dead, Portia with her strong mind gathered us together for her service exactly as she wanted it.

Roadtrip

(1991 February 20)

Yes, I went to Portia's funeral [in Baraboo] and got along all right. The divisions of each block of cement covering the road gave me a jolt as we rode along. I wanted the back seat, so I could lie down if necessary, but it was not. Father Maier sat in the front. Bill is such a good and experienced driver. ... I took along aspirins and a bottle of water to swallow them with,but not needed.

Trinity

(1991 February 20)

I met a boy at Church about six or so who told me in clear tones his name is Trinity. That I have never before heard given a child. You?

Junk mail

(1991 February 20)

I am sitting at my desk trying to see how much milIcan throw out without answering.

Valentine box

(1991 February 20)

A Valentine Box in a Country School. Each one had to send one to each so an unpopular child would not feel bad. Remember the trouble you got into with Delores? Not Taxi driver's child as you thought [but barber's].

New outline

(1991 February 20)

I think I am going to write about our trip to Quebec [ca. 1947 with Lorin] in one Blank Book; for once I am going to make an outline instead of diving right in.

Lent

(1991 February 14, Valentine's Day)

What are you doing for Lent? I am trying to be busier - get more done.

Hot water bottle

(1991 January's end)

Tomorrow, Saturday, Jan and I will go to the Square to buy me a Hot Water Bottle, which has been laid aside for me from a new shipment. My electric blanket is not enough to warm my feet and I cannot sleep with cold feet.

Twenty below

(1991 January's end)

We are getting very tired of this cold weather, every night with 20 below or so. Today my beautician who lives on a farm told of her living room which had a couple of walls covered with frost. The front door of the beauty parlor is open and shut all the time and this makes the floor cold and our feet freezing. The best spot in the house is at my desk near a radiator; also on davenport under an afghan. ... I wish you were all here and we'd play Spades. Near the fire.

Snow prophet

(1991 January 22)

When I went to Church, the skies were clear, but when I came out, a heavy snow storm with Big Flakes. Bill (weather prophet) says if the flakes are big, it means they will not stick nor the storm amount to much. It is 5:30 now and very white outside. So much for prophets.

Beggar's Opera

(1991 January 22)

Do you have a copy of John Gay's "Beggar's Opera"? I am anxious to read it; I don't think it is really an opera (sung) - do you? So often quoted. I promise to returnit quickly.

The Wright Way

(1991 January 22)

We are all worked up here again over Frank L. Wright, and he is on the front page of RC paper. The Historical Society has been out and ascertained his birthplace, and it has been on the radio. When you come, we'll drive around [so Polly can see it]. Edith and Bruce are followers of Wright, go to luncheons honoring him, etc. You know they built their house in Wright Style and got the City to call their short street The Wright Way. And the Society is working on changing the road to Madison (Highway 14) to The Wright Road. Think tourists will want to come to RC on it.

Nickelodeon

(1991 January 22)

I have an idea that might please Dorothy. I'll enclose a dollar which you will change to nickels. Tell her you will hide a nickel every day in the room the piano is in, which she may hunt for after she finishes practicing. Tell her it is just for fun. Places to look might be under the sheet music, under a corner of a rug - no place where she might break a vase or such. If she doesn't like it, just quit and buy stamps with the remainder.

STD

(1991 January 22)

Books, new books, are not much fun. On "Chapter a Day" [WHA radio program] now we have one about sex disease. A wife, Clara ("Burden of Proof") commits suicide. No one knows why, but when her husband thinks he is affected, he goes to his doctor son. Isn't that jolly?

Baghdad

(1991 January 22)

Suddenly we are at war. I always thought of Baghdad as a mysterious Persian city where strange stories came from. I watched a while on CNN and must say all the soldiers were smiling - maybe to the camera.

Carpet war

(1991 January 23)

Are you aware postage is going up? From 25 cents to 29, and on cards from 15 to 19. To pay for the war. I heard a talk this morning calling the shooting "a carpet war" - shooting everything in sight - milk dairies - anything. Then when we get it all shot up, we'll pay for it and put it all back.

Gulf War

People are having quiet protest walks against the war. The other day there was one here from the Court House to the Library. I suppose Bush thinks he is doing the right thing, but it is a very sad thing he is doing. Oher nations stand by, safe.

Crazy glue

(1991 January 14)

I was heartbroken to read of Dorothy's bad luck with her horse breaking. Poor child! ... That wicked cat! The horses's leg can be well mended with Crazy Glue, which can be purchased at variety stores or hardware. You must beware not to get involved with it, as when it sticks, it clings forever - just one touch and you are stuck. When it first came out there were dreadful stories of it. The one I recall was a woman stuck to the refrig and could not free herself until her husband came home and got the remedy. But it will fix the leg on good and strong. You bet.

Wine

(1991 January 14)

After attending the Free Methodist Church for 6-7 years, [a friend of mine] finally joined the Church Sunday. Before that she thot she wanted to be able to have a glass of wine now and then when it was served, but at last she decided she would do without it. As she follows Jesus in other things, I should think she could drink wine, as I think he did. But I cannot put my finger on the verse in the Bible where it specifically says so; so need not bring it up.

The Necklace

(1991 January 14)

I thot I'd read that old diary of Daddy's, 1930.... Nearly all his beginning court cases and before we were married.... He said he was giving me a silver and amythest necklace for my birthday, and I am so ashamed to say not only do I not have it, but I don't remember it. (Oh dear!) Perhaps I lost it.

Slang

(1991 January 4)

That other book I thot rather low. A man says he "is pissing" when I think he means he has been drinking. I understand several books have been written with the same sleuth, Charley -----?

Leftovers

(1991 January 4)

I gave Geraldine the radishes [left over from Xmas]. "Nope. Who would eat them? They cause gas." I will boil them. "What about the onion?" (The salad onion you bought.) "Well -- I might chop it up with my venison for supper." So that found a use. In her pocket. Her mittens are very holey, and I must give her some tan yarn next week.

Mixed report

(1991 January 4)

Geraldine tells me about her son who drinks yet gave her $50 for Xmas, and her granddaughter who pierced her own ears and had to write 50X she would never hurt her body again.

Canny surprise

(1991 January 4)

Geraldine was here today cleaning me up. We folded sheets, and I ironed pillow cases, and when she carried it all up[stairs], she was gone a suspiciously long time and came down so proud. "The big one is all made up," she said, "and I used the old ones in the cupboard."

Workhorses

(1991 January)

There is a team of 4 or 6 [horses] that goes thru here in the fall to join some old timer occasion. I like those strong horses and always look them out at the fair.

Epateuse

(1991 January)

I was glad I decided to go to the concert as my headache went off. The pianist wore an off shoulder red gown on which seemed to be red Xmas tree lights which twinkled. Showy for the provinces, I thot.

Tacky cards

(1990 December 12)

About Xmas cards - I am too late to order anything good; so have decided to use the ones mailed to me to make money for organizations - schools, etc.