Showing posts with label manners. Show all posts
Showing posts with label manners. Show all posts
August 25, 2013
Regrets
(Dogs 19) Vica was a marvelous dog. She really was. And sometimes now I feel bad because I was never so very nice to her. I complained about her size, the mud she tracked in, the new sock she quietly chewed up one evening while her master was translating his Latin and she was waiting for her walk.
May 29, 2013
Transition
(1930 June)
I had just wound up a year of school teaching, finishing local and state reports. Then Lorin came with the car and there was a great moving of all my possessions, clothes and books to my Fond du Lac home. After a week or so, I was invited to the Kay home [in Milwaukee] to go apartment hunting. I believe by the time I got there Vina [Lorin's step-mother] had already secured an apartment on the second floor of a two-story building on Oakland Avenue.
I had just wound up a year of school teaching, finishing local and state reports. Then Lorin came with the car and there was a great moving of all my possessions, clothes and books to my Fond du Lac home. After a week or so, I was invited to the Kay home [in Milwaukee] to go apartment hunting. I believe by the time I got there Vina [Lorin's step-mother] had already secured an apartment on the second floor of a two-story building on Oakland Avenue.
February 17, 2013
Tabletalk
(1980 memoirs)
Supper [with Frankie] was always laid out in the dining room properly. And how well I remember our discussions! We talked about all our family members, the family tree, New England, Floridy, Ripon, the College years ago, the professors, which ones were ministers of the Gospel and often held the services in the Congregational Church, which was part of Ripon College; we talked about Russia, a lot about religion and beliefs, customs, manners, the neighbors, the "creatures," and of course ourselves.
Supper [with Frankie] was always laid out in the dining room properly. And how well I remember our discussions! We talked about all our family members, the family tree, New England, Floridy, Ripon, the College years ago, the professors, which ones were ministers of the Gospel and often held the services in the Congregational Church, which was part of Ripon College; we talked about Russia, a lot about religion and beliefs, customs, manners, the neighbors, the "creatures," and of course ourselves.
January 17, 2013
Engagement
(1980 memoirs)
Lorin and I had just had a couple of dates that fall, gone to a Hallowe'en movie, came home and were sitting on that very sofa I described, when he asked me to marry him. I liked him so much I said yes and we were engaged and got acquainted later. This was the first night of a five year engagement, unheard of to-day.
Lorin and I had just had a couple of dates that fall, gone to a Hallowe'en movie, came home and were sitting on that very sofa I described, when he asked me to marry him. I liked him so much I said yes and we were engaged and got acquainted later. This was the first night of a five year engagement, unheard of to-day.
December 2, 2012
Business woman
(1980 memoirs)
Henry's sister Frances and family didn't care for Lucretia because she was so bold and inquisitive about business matters which were better left to the men. Frankie told me about it when I lived with her and went to Ripon College. "When Father and my Brother Henry were talking about business, she went right behind Father's Chair and leaned over to read his papers!" she said, still with awe at the enormity of it.
Henry's sister Frances and family didn't care for Lucretia because she was so bold and inquisitive about business matters which were better left to the men. Frankie told me about it when I lived with her and went to Ripon College. "When Father and my Brother Henry were talking about business, she went right behind Father's Chair and leaned over to read his papers!" she said, still with awe at the enormity of it.
November 20, 2012
Minnie solitaire
(1994 October, memoir)
[Minnie, my mother, was] solitary and none of the neighbors good enough to invite over. To tell the truth, that's the way it was. She was above them in education, had taught school, and read every book she could. She even tried Christian Science, but it never quite came off.
[Minnie, my mother, was] solitary and none of the neighbors good enough to invite over. To tell the truth, that's the way it was. She was above them in education, had taught school, and read every book she could. She even tried Christian Science, but it never quite came off.
November 15, 2012
The wicked glint
(1995 March 13)
Skip, I want to tell you about how you behaved to the delight of all assembled when you were eating. Sometimes I would take you to visit Grandma Rosa Kay and her daughter Lee, and of course you were the prime show. I fed you first and got you off for a nap or there was no peace. So -- you were with your bib tied firmly on and a dish of cream of wheat before you. Lee and Grandma seated on one side were ready for a show. I was the one with the apron and the spoon in hand. So -- open wide -- a spoonful of cereal -- equal to your role of entertainer -- as soon as you had a mouthful, you loqked as wicked as ever you could, took a deep breath, and let it all out, admiring ones beware! -- Then Grandma and Lee would howl with laughter! Later on in the week when Lee went out with her friend Arabella and Grandma would invite Mrs. Watkins over, she would tell the whle story including the wicked glint in the big blue eye. Also when Lee was at her bridge party she would entertain all with what Skippy was able to eat and drink and how he managed those things. So -- if it were early enough, Lee would walk to the street car with us and see us safely on our way to Whitefish Bay, or sometimes Lorin came to eat with us, and of course then we would all three ride home together and get a tired little boy washed up and tucked in.
Skip, I want to tell you about how you behaved to the delight of all assembled when you were eating. Sometimes I would take you to visit Grandma Rosa Kay and her daughter Lee, and of course you were the prime show. I fed you first and got you off for a nap or there was no peace. So -- you were with your bib tied firmly on and a dish of cream of wheat before you. Lee and Grandma seated on one side were ready for a show. I was the one with the apron and the spoon in hand. So -- open wide -- a spoonful of cereal -- equal to your role of entertainer -- as soon as you had a mouthful, you loqked as wicked as ever you could, took a deep breath, and let it all out, admiring ones beware! -- Then Grandma and Lee would howl with laughter! Later on in the week when Lee went out with her friend Arabella and Grandma would invite Mrs. Watkins over, she would tell the whle story including the wicked glint in the big blue eye. Also when Lee was at her bridge party she would entertain all with what Skippy was able to eat and drink and how he managed those things. So -- if it were early enough, Lee would walk to the street car with us and see us safely on our way to Whitefish Bay, or sometimes Lorin came to eat with us, and of course then we would all three ride home together and get a tired little boy washed up and tucked in.
November 4, 2012
Lois
(1993 July, Parsons memoirs)
[Martha's] daughter Lois was "the smart one" and married Ad Brower, a man I never remember seeing. She divorced him because he gambled; and married Bill McWhorter, a fat, bald engineer on a railroad. In both of these marriages Lois never left home. I always thot him not a very nice person, sort of a low thinker and speaker.
[Martha's] daughter Lois was "the smart one" and married Ad Brower, a man I never remember seeing. She divorced him because he gambled; and married Bill McWhorter, a fat, bald engineer on a railroad. In both of these marriages Lois never left home. I always thot him not a very nice person, sort of a low thinker and speaker.
October 30, 2012
No sleeves
(1993 July, Rueping memoirs)
Over on the Ruepings' lawn, my father had a fine sand box built, and my brother Lyndon and I went and played too. One hot summer day, about 100 degrees I suppose, my father came home all excited, complaining to my mother: "Do you know that Carolyn is over there playing with no sleeves on her dress?" Mother said she thot it was OK as I was young and weather so hot, "but send her home, then." And that was the first time I ever felt self conscious. I was wearing a blue calico dress.
Over on the Ruepings' lawn, my father had a fine sand box built, and my brother Lyndon and I went and played too. One hot summer day, about 100 degrees I suppose, my father came home all excited, complaining to my mother: "Do you know that Carolyn is over there playing with no sleeves on her dress?" Mother said she thot it was OK as I was young and weather so hot, "but send her home, then." And that was the first time I ever felt self conscious. I was wearing a blue calico dress.
October 25, 2012
The big cheese
(1993 July, Rueping memoirs)
When my mother died [in 1919], the Ruepings sent over a big cheese, dark yellow American, thinking it was something we could use different ways.
When my mother died [in 1919], the Ruepings sent over a big cheese, dark yellow American, thinking it was something we could use different ways.
September 16, 2012
Escorts
(1992)
Jan is expected back from Milwaukee where she has been to a teachers' convention. And so I did years ago [when teaching at Linden WI and engaged to Lorin]. An incident I recalled from that era. I had come to Milwaukee and Lorin met me. A teacher I knew and had sat with on the bus naturally expected me to go around with him. But here was Lorin taking one arm, the other man the other arm -- "Polly is going with me" -- a slight pull on the arm. Daddy said, "Oh no. Polly is going with me." So I told the Linden man that's the way it was and I went to a very beautiful room at Richland Court -- I may have slept with Dede, Lorin's sister -- so long ago.
Jan is expected back from Milwaukee where she has been to a teachers' convention. And so I did years ago [when teaching at Linden WI and engaged to Lorin]. An incident I recalled from that era. I had come to Milwaukee and Lorin met me. A teacher I knew and had sat with on the bus naturally expected me to go around with him. But here was Lorin taking one arm, the other man the other arm -- "Polly is going with me" -- a slight pull on the arm. Daddy said, "Oh no. Polly is going with me." So I told the Linden man that's the way it was and I went to a very beautiful room at Richland Court -- I may have slept with Dede, Lorin's sister -- so long ago.
September 11, 2012
Cow boys
(1929 August, Buffalo, Wyoming)
These towns are full of cow boys with high Stetson hats, fancy boots and high heels, colored leather and stitching. Sometimes their shirts are of 6 or 7 different colors - bandana or scarf -- oh, boy!
These towns are full of cow boys with high Stetson hats, fancy boots and high heels, colored leather and stitching. Sometimes their shirts are of 6 or 7 different colors - bandana or scarf -- oh, boy!
July 25, 2012
Remote
(1966 July 4)
[Mary Margaret, at RC hospital for tonsillectomy] has a wonderful corner room (#325) - the Housner Room - complete with TV high over the dresser mirror. The first thing she did as we waited for nurse to come in was to snoop in all the dresser drawers. In the top dresser drawer she immediately pulled out a gadget and started snapping it. She said, "Gee - I never saw one of these before. It must be remote control." It was, and the Picture showed on The Box. I was sorry it didn't operate something else just to teach her a lesson.
[Mary Margaret, at RC hospital for tonsillectomy] has a wonderful corner room (#325) - the Housner Room - complete with TV high over the dresser mirror. The first thing she did as we waited for nurse to come in was to snoop in all the dresser drawers. In the top dresser drawer she immediately pulled out a gadget and started snapping it. She said, "Gee - I never saw one of these before. It must be remote control." It was, and the Picture showed on The Box. I was sorry it didn't operate something else just to teach her a lesson.
June 15, 2012
Mum's the word
(1967 October)
Last night Daddy went to Father S's study group [about changes in Episcopalian liturgy]. He came home feeling he had done his duty by going and keeping mum. But on the side, tells me what errors in spelling were made on blackboard, what haf truths were stated etc. He could give the lecture without notes! But very sporting to go.
Last night Daddy went to Father S's study group [about changes in Episcopalian liturgy]. He came home feeling he had done his duty by going and keeping mum. But on the side, tells me what errors in spelling were made on blackboard, what haf truths were stated etc. He could give the lecture without notes! But very sporting to go.
March 8, 2012
Long reach
(1993 January 2)
As long as I entertain you, I'll go on. At supper, Phyllis, a big girl on my left, said, demonstrating, "Well, Folks, I got a hell of a long reach; so let me know if you need anything." No one did; so she sank back in her seat.
As long as I entertain you, I'll go on. At supper, Phyllis, a big girl on my left, said, demonstrating, "Well, Folks, I got a hell of a long reach; so let me know if you need anything." No one did; so she sank back in her seat.
January 24, 2012
So long
(1992 December)
Geraldine is going to her son's in Florida for a week - said "so long." If you say "Goodbye," you do not expect to see the person again, her father told her.
Geraldine is going to her son's in Florida for a week - said "so long." If you say "Goodbye," you do not expect to see the person again, her father told her.
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.
June 16, 2011
Bad manners
(1989 September 10)
If I had dared interrupt my parents on the phone or in other conversations, I think my father would have given me a spanking I should long remember. Unless the house was on fire, Dorothy should have waited her turn [on the phone]. ... But to burst in and expect ME to give way to her. I shall never forget it. I am crying. I feel very bad.
If I had dared interrupt my parents on the phone or in other conversations, I think my father would have given me a spanking I should long remember. Unless the house was on fire, Dorothy should have waited her turn [on the phone]. ... But to burst in and expect ME to give way to her. I shall never forget it. I am crying. I feel very bad.
June 15, 2011
Fire alarm
(1989 September 3)
[Kathy, new schoolgirl] is really a nice person - very pleasant - "can I help?" person. One night about 11 when I had fallen asleep, she heard the fire siren at Richland Hills apartments across from Community Building [a block from Polly's] and at once ran out to see if she could help - two fire engines were there. She said she gave a woman her jacket. As I say - a kind person.
[Kathy, new schoolgirl] is really a nice person - very pleasant - "can I help?" person. One night about 11 when I had fallen asleep, she heard the fire siren at Richland Hills apartments across from Community Building [a block from Polly's] and at once ran out to see if she could help - two fire engines were there. She said she gave a woman her jacket. As I say - a kind person.
February 8, 2011
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.
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.
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