(Dogs. 31)
So on a Sunday afternoon family car ride we saw the sign with "Cairn Terriers for Sale." They were all brindle except ours, for he was ours the minute we saw him scaring the grasshoppers in the garden -- black, hairy, not very big, hrdy, and with a quizzical expression.
Showing posts with label decisions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label decisions. Show all posts
September 19, 2013
September 12, 2013
A new dog
(Dogs 30)
So then we had cats, one batch after the other from our queen, Fraidy Cat; and while they have their blandishments, they are not dogs. And now [in my memory] it is Mary Margaret who is begging for a dog. And really there is no reason why not. It must be rather a small one, it must have hair, and it must have personality.
So then we had cats, one batch after the other from our queen, Fraidy Cat; and while they have their blandishments, they are not dogs. And now [in my memory] it is Mary Margaret who is begging for a dog. And really there is no reason why not. It must be rather a small one, it must have hair, and it must have personality.
June 4, 2013
Pork chop
(1930)
Although Alfred, my father-in-law, had settled his family in one of the finest neighborhoods in Milwaukee, Richland Court in Shorewood, yet he was close about many other things. One night while I was there, Bobby, Lorin's younger brother, let us know he would not be home for supper. "Oh, good," Lorin said, "I can have his pork chop!" "I get some of it," Dede, his sister, said. It was bewildering. We always had meat left over at our house, but then we had no maid to serve it nor a beautiful house that was displayed in an architect's magazine to serve it in.
Although Alfred, my father-in-law, had settled his family in one of the finest neighborhoods in Milwaukee, Richland Court in Shorewood, yet he was close about many other things. One night while I was there, Bobby, Lorin's younger brother, let us know he would not be home for supper. "Oh, good," Lorin said, "I can have his pork chop!" "I get some of it," Dede, his sister, said. It was bewildering. We always had meat left over at our house, but then we had no maid to serve it nor a beautiful house that was displayed in an architect's magazine to serve it in.
May 27, 2013
Hotel
(1930 June)
It was about supper time as we came to the next town, spotted the only hotel, and decided to spend the night. Was it Antiack? It may well have been [but probably was Antigo]. Hotels in the northern part of the state do not present a very grand appearance. This one was poor and bare. If there were carpets, they had been there a long, long time. We stood alone in the entrance, rang a bell on the desk, and waited. A man came from the back, sleeves rolled up, surprised we wanted a room. After we checked in, he carried our cases up.
It was about supper time as we came to the next town, spotted the only hotel, and decided to spend the night. Was it Antiack? It may well have been [but probably was Antigo]. Hotels in the northern part of the state do not present a very grand appearance. This one was poor and bare. If there were carpets, they had been there a long, long time. We stood alone in the entrance, rang a bell on the desk, and waited. A man came from the back, sleeves rolled up, surprised we wanted a room. After we checked in, he carried our cases up.
May 9, 2013
Halloween
(1980 memoirs)
This [social whirl] went on for two years until in my Junior Year I started going with Lorin. On Halloween, after a movie, I think, he asked me to marry him. We got engaged first and became acquainted later. From then on all we cared about was being together. We went to parties, movies, walks, and wrote for the school paper, as far as I recall the only class we had together.
This [social whirl] went on for two years until in my Junior Year I started going with Lorin. On Halloween, after a movie, I think, he asked me to marry him. We got engaged first and became acquainted later. From then on all we cared about was being together. We went to parties, movies, walks, and wrote for the school paper, as far as I recall the only class we had together.
May 2, 2013
Cemetery scene
(1980 memoirs)
Of course Harry [the drummer] and I had movie dates, etc. Sometimes after a movie we'd go to Sanford Cemetery and sit on the tombstones and talk. He might put his arm around me and say, "Well, I see you have on your cast-iron protector tonight." I would giggle and say, "Yes." So then pretty soon we'd walk home! This went one for a while, and it wasn't too many weeks before we mutually went our separate ways. Too little in common.
Of course Harry [the drummer] and I had movie dates, etc. Sometimes after a movie we'd go to Sanford Cemetery and sit on the tombstones and talk. He might put his arm around me and say, "Well, I see you have on your cast-iron protector tonight." I would giggle and say, "Yes." So then pretty soon we'd walk home! This went one for a while, and it wasn't too many weeks before we mutually went our separate ways. Too little in common.
April 30, 2013
Book burning
(1980 memoirs)
But I kept the Ripon Memory Book, and one fine day after I was married a while, I burned the whole she-bang in our coal furnace in the utility room [on Beaumont Avenue]. All the things in this book suddenly became very trivial and unimportant. More and more I felt how silly I'd feel if anyone read it, especially Lorin. I felt silly myself. Whatever prompted me to spend time on it?
But I kept the Ripon Memory Book, and one fine day after I was married a while, I burned the whole she-bang in our coal furnace in the utility room [on Beaumont Avenue]. All the things in this book suddenly became very trivial and unimportant. More and more I felt how silly I'd feel if anyone read it, especially Lorin. I felt silly myself. Whatever prompted me to spend time on it?
February 22, 2013
How Frankie looked
(1980 memoirs)
Before leaving my dear cousin, I must tell you how she dressed, how she looked. She was rather a large boned woman, bigger than I, dressed always out of style, always the same. It was as if in her girlhood she found skirts and shirtwaists suited her, never wore them out and never replaced them.
Before leaving my dear cousin, I must tell you how she dressed, how she looked. She was rather a large boned woman, bigger than I, dressed always out of style, always the same. It was as if in her girlhood she found skirts and shirtwaists suited her, never wore them out and never replaced them.
December 22, 2012
Self sacrifice
(1980 memoirs)
And yet Frankie had her romance. A man named Spencer Carrier (I think) thought a lot of her and wanted to be married. She told me about it once and said so pitifully, "But, you see, I had to care for Mother. She was sick and had to have care. And I couldn't leave her." I could only nod. No use to make suggestions: --Couldn't you have all lived together? --Couldn't something be worked out? Water over the bridge and all long ago.
And yet Frankie had her romance. A man named Spencer Carrier (I think) thought a lot of her and wanted to be married. She told me about it once and said so pitifully, "But, you see, I had to care for Mother. She was sick and had to have care. And I couldn't leave her." I could only nod. No use to make suggestions: --Couldn't you have all lived together? --Couldn't something be worked out? Water over the bridge and all long ago.
July 2, 2012
Something new
1968 March 20, First day of Spring
As Lorin came home at noon, I was finishing licking an envelope at my desk. "I just threw Caution to the Winds" I said. "And ordered a dress and cape at Simpson's. What's new with you?" -- "Look outside," said he. Looking out, I spied a gold four-door Cadillac. "Whew!" said I. Then he explained: as he was coming home [in his Oldsmobile] Frank Jones [client & GM dealer] caught up with him at Hestitunes with this car they had been waiting to come in. So they traded so Lorin could try it out. So there it was. Beautiful. Convenient to get in and out of. Our last car. You know, every time Lorin (the Bank) uses his car, he salts away fifty cents so when it is time for a new one, he has a car fund ready.
As Lorin came home at noon, I was finishing licking an envelope at my desk. "I just threw Caution to the Winds" I said. "And ordered a dress and cape at Simpson's. What's new with you?" -- "Look outside," said he. Looking out, I spied a gold four-door Cadillac. "Whew!" said I. Then he explained: as he was coming home [in his Oldsmobile] Frank Jones [client & GM dealer] caught up with him at Hestitunes with this car they had been waiting to come in. So they traded so Lorin could try it out. So there it was. Beautiful. Convenient to get in and out of. Our last car. You know, every time Lorin (the Bank) uses his car, he salts away fifty cents so when it is time for a new one, he has a car fund ready.
May 16, 2012
First choice
(1994 early January)
Do you remember how Louis Dodge [retired music professor] used to go on about a decision at meals? "Tea or coffee?" I might ask with a pot in each hand. "O" he would moan, clapping a hand to his brow, "which would be best?" It was often quite a struggle. -- Today I found myself becoming one of his Followers. I must find an easy way out of this, said I to myself. "There are but two choices - first or second - meat or chicken? I like both." What to do? Suddenly it dawned on me - today, Monday, let all such decisions be for first choice! "Meat or chicken?" "Beef" I said, astounding her, before the words were well out of her mouth. ... Now tomorrow must be a Second Choice day. If I am offered asparagus or spinach, spinach it is! What think you of that, Skiperonius?
Do you remember how Louis Dodge [retired music professor] used to go on about a decision at meals? "Tea or coffee?" I might ask with a pot in each hand. "O" he would moan, clapping a hand to his brow, "which would be best?" It was often quite a struggle. -- Today I found myself becoming one of his Followers. I must find an easy way out of this, said I to myself. "There are but two choices - first or second - meat or chicken? I like both." What to do? Suddenly it dawned on me - today, Monday, let all such decisions be for first choice! "Meat or chicken?" "Beef" I said, astounding her, before the words were well out of her mouth. ... Now tomorrow must be a Second Choice day. If I am offered asparagus or spinach, spinach it is! What think you of that, Skiperonius?
May 13, 2012
Green choices
(1993 April)
Would you like spinach or broccali the third Sunday after Easter? Choice of food always given. Waitress goes around each of 5 tables and records preference.
Would you like spinach or broccali the third Sunday after Easter? Choice of food always given. Waitress goes around each of 5 tables and records preference.
April 26, 2012
Dear little tea pot
(1993 December)
When she [Susan Hirschy] grew older, she became v v fond of tea, and showed this by finishing up all of that elixir left in their tea cups by the company. So after a few years, I put the kettle on when she was coming and brewed our own tea in my dear little copper tea pot, which through the years somehow was felt to belong to both of us. "Shall I get out our dear little tea pot?" she'd say. This affection, and her affection for me, led me to give that dear little pot to her today. I hope you won't feel too bad about it. As one gets older and older, one is more inclined to part with keepsakes, I find. [P.S.] Do say it's all right.
When she [Susan Hirschy] grew older, she became v v fond of tea, and showed this by finishing up all of that elixir left in their tea cups by the company. So after a few years, I put the kettle on when she was coming and brewed our own tea in my dear little copper tea pot, which through the years somehow was felt to belong to both of us. "Shall I get out our dear little tea pot?" she'd say. This affection, and her affection for me, led me to give that dear little pot to her today. I hope you won't feel too bad about it. As one gets older and older, one is more inclined to part with keepsakes, I find. [P.S.] Do say it's all right.
April 5, 2012
Kerosine
(1993 July 19)
Ron is working on Daddy's alarm clock and came in my room very pleased to say it has been running for an hour. I asked him to work on it because I know it required kerosine to clean it and Ron owns filling sttions.
Ron is working on Daddy's alarm clock and came in my room very pleased to say it has been running for an hour. I asked him to work on it because I know it required kerosine to clean it and Ron owns filling sttions.
October 1, 2011
Company
(1991 March 16)
Today I feel rather low on account of the pain, and am thinking of asking someone to live with me so I can stay here. I am so used to being alone it would be hard to not be.
Today I feel rather low on account of the pain, and am thinking of asking someone to live with me so I can stay here. I am so used to being alone it would be hard to not be.
August 28, 2011
French verbs
(1999 October 6)
I keep studying my French verbs and must say there is a strong temptation to slide roughshod over all using parlez as a guide. Then there is the a [with a grave accent] and the de choices. Glad there is no written test or grade.
I keep studying my French verbs and must say there is a strong temptation to slide roughshod over all using parlez as a guide. Then there is the a [with a grave accent] and the de choices. Glad there is no written test or grade.
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.
June 22, 2011
Galileo
(1989 November 5)
Do you remember Mark Russell - the funny man with the piano cracking about US affairs? Last night he said the pope has just pardoned Galileo. You can't rush these things. All takes time.
Do you remember Mark Russell - the funny man with the piano cracking about US affairs? Last night he said the pope has just pardoned Galileo. You can't rush these things. All takes time.
February 19, 2011
Parsimony
(1987 May 23)
Deciding on one piece of toast for breakfast, I composed:
"Never take two / When one will do."
Deciding on one piece of toast for breakfast, I composed:
"Never take two / When one will do."
February 17, 2011
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.
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.
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