(1980 memoirs)
Lucretia Clapp was a big horsey person with an English accent, large boned, well filled out, long black naturally curly hair. The hair is what I have never forgotten because if you stretch the truth a little you could say she never washed it. She parted it in the middle, combed it neatly down on each side where it waved, and wound it into a big bun on top of her head with a comb to hold her back hair up.
Showing posts with label fashion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fashion. Show all posts
December 1, 2012
August 9, 2012
What'sup?
(1966 August 10)
We follow the adventures of the Kentucky Kays with eager attention. By the 24th will Laurie be walking? Will the cat have kittens? Will the Volvo speedometer be working? Will the bill on prayers in schools be dropped? Will the French landlord change his mind on taking out his bedding? What about the snags in the Doctor's MS [about the Council of Bourges]? Will they be ironed out? [No - it was finally published in 2002.] Can Gail bring her bike? Were Elizabeth's winter boots packed? Is there room for Miryam's roller skates? Don't forget your camera.
We follow the adventures of the Kentucky Kays with eager attention. By the 24th will Laurie be walking? Will the cat have kittens? Will the Volvo speedometer be working? Will the bill on prayers in schools be dropped? Will the French landlord change his mind on taking out his bedding? What about the snags in the Doctor's MS [about the Council of Bourges]? Will they be ironed out? [No - it was finally published in 2002.] Can Gail bring her bike? Were Elizabeth's winter boots packed? Is there room for Miryam's roller skates? Don't forget your camera.
February 14, 2012
Fanu
(1993 January 12)
Fanu was here for lunch. She is tall with a big brown bob, rather a toothy smile, wears boots and turtle necks. Has taken a long cruise given by family acquaintances - Jamaica etc. Lives in Spring Green. Husband gives talks at Edgewood, etc. Pictured.
Fanu was here for lunch. She is tall with a big brown bob, rather a toothy smile, wears boots and turtle necks. Has taken a long cruise given by family acquaintances - Jamaica etc. Lives in Spring Green. Husband gives talks at Edgewood, etc. Pictured.
February 7, 2012
Cutesy
(1993 February 8)
I have just come from supper, where little girls dressed in white with little white caps serve our meal oh so nicely.
Today - February 7 - is Polly's birthday -born 1904, so 108 years old today.
I have just come from supper, where little girls dressed in white with little white caps serve our meal oh so nicely.
Today - February 7 - is Polly's birthday -born 1904, so 108 years old today.
December 10, 2011
Redbeard
(1992 March 28)
How doth your pretty beard today
A-growing on your chin?
Is it the boast of Broadway
Or bothersome as sin?
When you are eating soup one day,
Is it awfully in the way?
How doth your pretty beard today
A-growing on your chin?
Is it the boast of Broadway
Or bothersome as sin?
When you are eating soup one day,
Is it awfully in the way?
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.
May 19, 2011
Orchard White
(1988 August 26)
While I was sitting under the dryer [at the hairdressers], directly in front of me came a mother wearing a shampoo cape, on her lap holding a dear little girl about a year old who had colorless hair that needed cutting. She howled as she had a right to while being held and cut. - Suddenly a piece of a poem I wrote about 75 years ago flashed thru my brain: "My mother held me tight / And rubbed on Orchard White." She was ashamed of my tan, not fashionable as now, and was getting me ready for school, to my disgust.
While I was sitting under the dryer [at the hairdressers], directly in front of me came a mother wearing a shampoo cape, on her lap holding a dear little girl about a year old who had colorless hair that needed cutting. She howled as she had a right to while being held and cut. - Suddenly a piece of a poem I wrote about 75 years ago flashed thru my brain: "My mother held me tight / And rubbed on Orchard White." She was ashamed of my tan, not fashionable as now, and was getting me ready for school, to my disgust.
January 22, 2011
Pullover pushover
(1986 February 12)
I have solved my problem of how to make Lawrence's sweater - I don't see many boys on TV in cardigans; so think I'll make a pullover with round or V neck and long sleeves. A boy at Harvard had one on last night and looked well.
I have solved my problem of how to make Lawrence's sweater - I don't see many boys on TV in cardigans; so think I'll make a pullover with round or V neck and long sleeves. A boy at Harvard had one on last night and looked well.
October 8, 2010
Sauna
(1974 January 20)
In Lawrence is there a club of single parents? I have heard those are often interesting with similar problems. But this sauna - Skip, how could you? Oh! I could not go into the cold. Hot, yes. It's a wonder you didn't have heart failure. (P.S. How many were in this with you? Ducking in the horse trough?!)
In Lawrence is there a club of single parents? I have heard those are often interesting with similar problems. But this sauna - Skip, how could you? Oh! I could not go into the cold. Hot, yes. It's a wonder you didn't have heart failure. (P.S. How many were in this with you? Ducking in the horse trough?!)
September 25, 2010
Longhair alert
(1974 December 2)
Unasked for advice: ... (2) I hope you will cut your hair so that you present a very neat appearance. When you go to ... do business, [at] banks where older and neater people are, you will find they would rather do business with a person who does not present a wild (collegiate) appearance. "I hope you realize I am saying this for your own good." (Calm down, now.)
Unasked for advice: ... (2) I hope you will cut your hair so that you present a very neat appearance. When you go to ... do business, [at] banks where older and neater people are, you will find they would rather do business with a person who does not present a wild (collegiate) appearance. "I hope you realize I am saying this for your own good." (Calm down, now.)
June 29, 2010
Channel 21
(1966 January 7)
Daddy says I gave him Channel 21, but I can't claim much credit, as to set it all off Holly [Strang, the electrician] told LL he bet we could get 21 because Williams sometimes did with no additional ariel. So LL told him to go ahead. But he cooled off until I called Olita [Strang] one day and asked her to speed up Holly because that was the only thing LL wanted for Xmas from me. So Holly put on more hardware on the roof, and it comes in fine except for the snow. He is still working on it. That is the UW channel, you know. Tonight we just heard an hour on the life of Sibelius. Incidently, his music is like the Finnish language with the accent on the first syllable, as they say HEL'sinki. Before that, program was on the Broadway theater - Benefit Performances. Also plays by Sari - and no commercials. You really feel the continuity.
Daddy says I gave him Channel 21, but I can't claim much credit, as to set it all off Holly [Strang, the electrician] told LL he bet we could get 21 because Williams sometimes did with no additional ariel. So LL told him to go ahead. But he cooled off until I called Olita [Strang] one day and asked her to speed up Holly because that was the only thing LL wanted for Xmas from me. So Holly put on more hardware on the roof, and it comes in fine except for the snow. He is still working on it. That is the UW channel, you know. Tonight we just heard an hour on the life of Sibelius. Incidently, his music is like the Finnish language with the accent on the first syllable, as they say HEL'sinki. Before that, program was on the Broadway theater - Benefit Performances. Also plays by Sari - and no commercials. You really feel the continuity.
June 20, 2010
Easter not enough
(1966 April 9)
March 19 I took a pattern and material etc. to dressmaker (Mrs. Knothe). No murmur. Finally I called her and she said, "O, did you want that for Easter?" Then she tried, but she didn't make it. To vindicate herself, she asked where I was going anyway that I needed a new outfit. I said I would like to wear it to church, and she laughed to show what a silly idea that was. "Why you couldn't wear it anyway this weather without your coat." Foolishly I carried on the conversation and said I realized that but intended to take coat off when I got there. But unless she know what the occasion is, and if important enough, she will not rise to it. So tomorrow I worship perhaps more humbly than I would have otherwise, in an old outfit. Really, I am not broken up, only annoyed.
March 19 I took a pattern and material etc. to dressmaker (Mrs. Knothe). No murmur. Finally I called her and she said, "O, did you want that for Easter?" Then she tried, but she didn't make it. To vindicate herself, she asked where I was going anyway that I needed a new outfit. I said I would like to wear it to church, and she laughed to show what a silly idea that was. "Why you couldn't wear it anyway this weather without your coat." Foolishly I carried on the conversation and said I realized that but intended to take coat off when I got there. But unless she know what the occasion is, and if important enough, she will not rise to it. So tomorrow I worship perhaps more humbly than I would have otherwise, in an old outfit. Really, I am not broken up, only annoyed.
April 3, 2010
The hairdresser
(1963 October 7)
Auntie Mabel [living with caregiver] had been dressed by Mrs. S. in view of our visit and looked fine in lavender sweater. Lorin: How nice you look, auntie. M: Thank you, dear. L: Your hair is so pretty. M: I just had a permanent. The hairdresser fixed it. L: It looks very nice. Well, shall we go upstairs and have our visit? M: No, no. You can't go up there. L: Why not? M: She's asleep. L: Who's asleep? M: The hairdresser.
Auntie Mabel [living with caregiver] had been dressed by Mrs. S. in view of our visit and looked fine in lavender sweater. Lorin: How nice you look, auntie. M: Thank you, dear. L: Your hair is so pretty. M: I just had a permanent. The hairdresser fixed it. L: It looks very nice. Well, shall we go upstairs and have our visit? M: No, no. You can't go up there. L: Why not? M: She's asleep. L: Who's asleep? M: The hairdresser.
March 18, 2010
Puppet gala
(1962 December 31)
Last night [on the Ed Sullivan Show] we saw these wonderful puppets and I wished that something would be on when you were here. Skip, it was a full hour of these and they were made by masters - wonderful apt expressions - and controlled by experts. We were shown back stage several times, but mostly just sat enjoying it. There was a negro band and a wench doing the Charleston! There was a marimba band and Maurice chevalier to a T. There was a longhaired proff at the piano and an opera singer whose neck stretched when she reached for a high note that made us hoot - circus, acrobats. Mostly it was how the men who controlled them were so good at it. Puppets did such lifelike things we forgot they weren't real. I read years ago how they were popular in Europe when a big play house was filled, balconies and all, with an audience. The puppet choruses, acts, or complete plays were all the go.
Last night [on the Ed Sullivan Show] we saw these wonderful puppets and I wished that something would be on when you were here. Skip, it was a full hour of these and they were made by masters - wonderful apt expressions - and controlled by experts. We were shown back stage several times, but mostly just sat enjoying it. There was a negro band and a wench doing the Charleston! There was a marimba band and Maurice chevalier to a T. There was a longhaired proff at the piano and an opera singer whose neck stretched when she reached for a high note that made us hoot - circus, acrobats. Mostly it was how the men who controlled them were so good at it. Puppets did such lifelike things we forgot they weren't real. I read years ago how they were popular in Europe when a big play house was filled, balconies and all, with an audience. The puppet choruses, acts, or complete plays were all the go.
March 10, 2010
Hairdressing
(1962 June?)
Edith [Tuxford] goes to Madison regularly to get her hair cut and waved. Then she lets a girl here wash it in between. I could never be that fussy and went down to the Cardinal as usual Tuesday. That will do for a while.
Edith [Tuxford] goes to Madison regularly to get her hair cut and waved. Then she lets a girl here wash it in between. I could never be that fussy and went down to the Cardinal as usual Tuesday. That will do for a while.
January 23, 2010
Mismatch
(1960 March 17)
But most of all, the news is I am doing the room upstairs with the fireplace and am about scatty because the color seems so different on the wall than it was in the sample. I was just wild this morning. The painter is $1.85 an hour and this is his 3rd day. Tuesday he steamed off old paper and started washing off the layers of calomine and put one coat on ceiling. The tan I picked was the only plain paper in the good books. Everything is fancy with gold or silver streaks. Well, when the paint for the trim (which was mixed to match the paper exactly) was on, it seemed to have a lavendar tone. The painter, Byron Turner, said I could send back the paper (paying postage both ways and for one roll) and he could get new paint for the final coat. But L said he thot it was OK and I guess it won't be too bad when the furniture is in.
But most of all, the news is I am doing the room upstairs with the fireplace and am about scatty because the color seems so different on the wall than it was in the sample. I was just wild this morning. The painter is $1.85 an hour and this is his 3rd day. Tuesday he steamed off old paper and started washing off the layers of calomine and put one coat on ceiling. The tan I picked was the only plain paper in the good books. Everything is fancy with gold or silver streaks. Well, when the paint for the trim (which was mixed to match the paper exactly) was on, it seemed to have a lavendar tone. The painter, Byron Turner, said I could send back the paper (paying postage both ways and for one roll) and he could get new paint for the final coat. But L said he thot it was OK and I guess it won't be too bad when the furniture is in.
December 31, 2009
Tempus fugit
(1959 February 1)
Mary M and I feel so very sorry because we were so late and especially since by your remarks I could tell you didn't believe us. Actually, it is often hard to account for time which often goes by quickly especially in a department store. I have been wondering myself where the time went. I suppose we were about 20 minutes in Manchesters where we observed teen fashions and bought my black tights. Then about 15 in Barons where M bot her black tights. And at least half an hour in Rendalls to buy M's jacket and wait until snaps were sewed on. Then the wait for the bus, the delicatessen, the sausage shop, the wait for the cab and the long snaillike pace. I really do think your wife might understand better than you about shopping, but anyway, please try to understand the feminine mind and that we are so very sorry to have caused you so much inconvenience.
Mary M and I feel so very sorry because we were so late and especially since by your remarks I could tell you didn't believe us. Actually, it is often hard to account for time which often goes by quickly especially in a department store. I have been wondering myself where the time went. I suppose we were about 20 minutes in Manchesters where we observed teen fashions and bought my black tights. Then about 15 in Barons where M bot her black tights. And at least half an hour in Rendalls to buy M's jacket and wait until snaps were sewed on. Then the wait for the bus, the delicatessen, the sausage shop, the wait for the cab and the long snaillike pace. I really do think your wife might understand better than you about shopping, but anyway, please try to understand the feminine mind and that we are so very sorry to have caused you so much inconvenience.
December 13, 2009
Spanish by the direct method
(1958 February 11)
Como este Vd.? I have been to my Spanish class twice now and enjoy it a lot. My teacher is dark and handsome with no crew cut. We seem to progress slowly and I wish we had more in the way of a real assignment. The texts are still in the thinking stage and as there are only ten classes, I can see how beneficial they will be. But it is fun taking an academic subject and I have things here to practice on. I am no good trilling rr's.
Como este Vd.? I have been to my Spanish class twice now and enjoy it a lot. My teacher is dark and handsome with no crew cut. We seem to progress slowly and I wish we had more in the way of a real assignment. The texts are still in the thinking stage and as there are only ten classes, I can see how beneficial they will be. But it is fun taking an academic subject and I have things here to practice on. I am no good trilling rr's.
October 19, 2009
Pillowtalk
(1955 April 18)
I was able to exchange the foam rubber pillows for sheets and now have a feather pillow on your bed for you to test next time. There are no feather pillows for sale in Richland Center that I know of. This one was one I had on hand. Dacron is the big seller, and foam.
I was able to exchange the foam rubber pillows for sheets and now have a feather pillow on your bed for you to test next time. There are no feather pillows for sale in Richland Center that I know of. This one was one I had on hand. Dacron is the big seller, and foam.
August 21, 2009
New dressmaker
(1950 February 27)
Friday Ruth came and she cleaned the encyclopedias. We arranged she was to let me know whether she could baby sit in the p.m. so I could go to the dressmakers. But our phone went out of order and she thought I was hurt and couldn't get to it so came anyway. Susie Dorjan? - go up 3rd street til you come to high school gym, turn right, second house on right - very nice little dressmaker. I had to keep trying on my jacket from 3:30 to 5:00 ... My jacket will be done for Easter (at least).
Friday Ruth came and she cleaned the encyclopedias. We arranged she was to let me know whether she could baby sit in the p.m. so I could go to the dressmakers. But our phone went out of order and she thought I was hurt and couldn't get to it so came anyway. Susie Dorjan? - go up 3rd street til you come to high school gym, turn right, second house on right - very nice little dressmaker. I had to keep trying on my jacket from 3:30 to 5:00 ... My jacket will be done for Easter (at least).
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