Thursday, November 30, 2006

Monday, November 30, 1925

Monday, November 30, 1925

Put in the day sewing. Cut out waists of the two remnants I got Friday and with the skirt Bess outgrew and gave me, I expect to have a decent costume for all the going I’ll do. Have so much sewing to do and the mending has stacked up till my sewing machine is snowed under.

(To clarify, a "waist" is a type of shirt, I think without shirttails to tuck in.
Bess, Grandma's sister in law, must have had trouble with her weight.
So much sewing. Grandma sewed most of what she and the boys wore, it seems.)

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Sunday, November 29, 1925

Sunday, November 29, 1925

Had so much to do that I didn’t get bathed and ready to sit down and rest till five o’clock. While we were eating dinner, Guys drove in for a few minutes to consult about Mama’s Christmas present. We are going together to get her a lamp.

(Seems even Grandma started thinking about Christmas fairly early on. "Guys" refers to her brother Guy and his family.

And haven't we all had days when we had so much to do, it took basically all day to get it done!)

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Saturday, November 28, 1925

Saturday, November 28, 1925

Put in a big day of course. Saturdays are always hard it seems. Had ironing to do after everything else and had to go to the store for a pattern so didn’t get dishes and bathing done. Felt lucky that I got the boys all scrubbed.

(Marjorie wrote: "Saturday was always bath day. We had to light up the water heater to have warm baths."

Some days, you just don't get everything done, even today, with our "modern conveniences" which Grandma would marvel at. To bathe everyone, she had to light up a water heater and warm the water. Her iron was heavy and not some "teflon coated" easy glide iron. Going to the store meant either a walk of a few blocks or a street car ride or bus ride downtown. Dishes were all washed and dried by hand. And she needed a pattern because she made most of the clothes they wore.

I hope Grandma was able to take catch up on her own bathing by the next day!)

Monday, November 27, 2006

Friday, November 27, 1925

Friday, November 27, 1925
Clear and cold

We discovered Dick’s shoe were clear out and as there was a sale at Goldstein’s where I could get him a pair for $1, I took him and went. Ned went too for the bus ride. I put Marjorie to sleep and left her with Dale and Albert. Was gone an hour and a half and she never woke up. I ironed all afternoon. Got me two remnants of silk for a waist.

(Marjorie noted that when their shoes were worn through on the bottom, they used the cardboard strips that came in the boxes of Shredded Wheat to line the bottom of the shoe, to cover the hole. "Clear out" might also mean that Dick had outgrown those shoes. I used this site to calculate that those shoes would cost $11.14 today. That's still a fairly cheap pair of shoes.

This is the first mention Grandma made of leaving Marjorie with the boys. Dale was 9 years old at this time, Albert was 5. Dale had already skipped a grade in school, so may have been more mature than most 9 year olds.)

Sunday, November 26, 2006

Thursday, November 26, 1925

Thursday, November 26, 1925
Cloudy

Thanksgiving. Gilbert put in the morning with the boys cleaning up the yard. Papa and Winifred came for dinner as Mama went to Elwood. Winifred fed Marjorie while she was awake and regretted when she went to sleep. In the evening the boys went to the show. It would have been a gloomy evening if Gilbert hadn’t been here.

(Even in 1925, the movie theater was open on Thanksgiving.)

Saturday, November 25, 2006

Wednesday, November 25, 1925

Wednesday, November 25, 1925

Preparations for Thanksgiving took up the day. Mama came over to “help”. I had a cake baked and four pumpkin pies. She helped me wash up the dishes but didn’t get done till Mrs. Collins came and stayed an hour or so. So I didn’t get the frying, ironing, etc. done till evening. I ironed what we would need after supper.

(They must be expecting quite a few people for Thanksgiving - 4 pies! And still that ironing needed to be done, holiday or not.

Marjorie wrote that she remembered Grandma baking mince meat pies, too. And that she always cleaned out the china closet (cabinet) before Thanksgiving. We don't know if those were the dishes she wrote about washing or if she washed dishes from all the baking.

The china cabinet was in the dining room and is now in my youngest sister's living room. Grandma also had a clock on top of the cabinet which chimed every half hour. My older sister has it in her family room, but it no longer works. I had the clock for awhile but traded it to my older sister so she would stop trying to claim a purple vase, which I coveted. I now have the purple vase! We all seem to have something or other from Grandma that we cherish.)

Friday, November 24, 2006

Tuesday, November 24, 1925

Tuesday, November 24, 1925
Slightly warmer

My cold seemed a little better today and Marjorie’s too. Here’s hoping we continue to improve. Marjorie is getting cute. Beginning to coo and laugh when I talk to her and her face lights up as if she was going to speak.

(Not much to add to this middle of the week diary entry. Might be a good day to tell you about Grandma's cousin, Edna, but I'm still gathering some information, so it will be a few more days before I am ready to tell her story.)

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Monday, November 23, 1925

Monday, November 23, 1925
Cold and clear

I had to take Marjorie’s baby bunting back and get some wraps that fit her closer and change Dick’s pants for an 8 year size so Bess helped me down as she went home. I wanted to look around at the pretty things but Marjorie got to crying and was pretty heavy on my arm, and Ned wouldn’t go without my leading him so I came home as soon as possible and spent the PM in bed. My cold so bad.

(Sounds like not too good of a day, that Grandma had her hands full, and then some, plus another cold or maybe the same cold she had before.

I was thinking about what Grandma would think if she walked through a Walmart or Target today about what all we have available to buy now. Or if she went to the local mall, what she might think of the number of stores.)

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Sunday, November 22, 1925

Sunday, November 22, 1925
Cold and cloudy

Bess didn’t stay for dinner but went to Hankin’s. We had just gotten up from the table at 2 o’clock when Mrs. Kaser called up. They and Salys’ were coming over. I hadn’t bathed yet. Marjorie had slept all morning and hadn’t had her bath yet. Gilbert had to shave, so believe me we did some hustling and were all ready in apple pie order (except the kitchen) when they arrived. Marjorie K. brought our Marjorie a dress.

(Seems like they went from a few weeks ago having no visitors, to having several families come to see them at once.

I haven't heard the phrase "apple pie order" before.

According to Aunt Marjorie, Kaser's were neighbors from when they lived on Euclid Ave. before they moved to Rural St. Marjorie Kaser was a playmate of Dale's, and Aunt Marjorie believes she was named after this friend.)

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Saturday, November 21, 1925

Saturday, November 21, 1925
Fair and Warm

Gilbert is going to take Dale and Dick down to get them some pants anyway so we let them take Albert and walk to the plant and meet Gilbert and go from there. They had a big time. Got Dale a lumberjack, too. They are not handsome, but warm. Dick’s pants are too large. Bess came after supper for a weekend visit.


(Marjorie noted "Did the boys walk from home to the gas plant? It must be almost 2 miles, at least! They had to cross 10th St., Michigan St., & Washington St., - heavy traffic!"

It seems that the Smiths were going on a bit of a spending spree these last few days. Even if Gilbert wasn't so good at getting the right sizes, at least he was an involved father.

Bess, as you will recall, is one of Gilbert's sisters. Here picture is posted at this link.

Monday, November 20, 2006

Friday, November 20, 1925

Friday, November 20, 1925

The boys wanted me to go to school and visit. Dale didn’t insist but Dick cried when I told him I couldn’t. This is education week and all mothers are supposed to visit. So I bundled Marjorie and Ned up and took Albert, too, and walked all the way over there and back carrying Marjorie. A big job but felt repaid when I saw the glad look on Dick’s face and heard the good reports from both teachers. Had so many compliments on my family.

(According to Marjorie, the school was 5 blocks from their house. That's quite a distance to walk carrying a six week old infant and guiding a 2 year old and 5 year old along with you. Since this was a Friday, I assume it was the last day of "education week" and so she had to go on this day, or risk disappointing Dick.

The boys always did well in school. In fact, early in elementary school, Dale was allowed to skip a grade.)

Sunday, November 19, 2006

Thursday, November 19, 1925

Thursday, November 19, 1925
Cloudy

An eventful day. The World Books came. There was no kindergarten so Albert had a big time looking at pictures. Also the buses started running and Ned had to watch for them although he was nearly sick. Gilbert opened an account at Goldstein’s and got Ned a new outfit and Marjorie, too. Ned looks beautiful in his, but Marjorie’s isn’t what she needs, I’m afraid.

(Encyclopedias! I'm sure they were well used by the boys.

As for the buses running and Gilbert buying clothes for the children, Marjorie wrote the following "I thought we always had buses running past our house! I don't remember Daddy (GIlbert) ever buying clothes for us girls. He apparently flunked in that respect.")

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Wednesday, November 18, 1925

Wednesday, November 18, 1925
Rainy

We are all about sick with these colds or maybe I had better say the babies and I. The three older boys are a trifle better but it is bad anyway as the babies take so much care when they feel bad and I feel bum, too. Mama was over today and turned up the hem of a house dress for me that I started to make before Marjorie was born.

(More colds, they seemed to catch a lot of colds.

Another item I've never owned is a house dress. I assume this was "casual clothing" for wearing around the house, much like our jeans and t-shirts today or maybe like sweat pants and sweat shirts. Although today we'd leave the house in jeans and t-shirts without a second thought, generally in the 1920's, I don't think anyone would leave their house wearing a "house dress".

Did anyone notice that with the new version of Blogger, I figured out how to post some pictures on the sidebar? I thought it would be nice to see Grandma's picture as you read the diary, as a reminder that she was quite real, along with Gilbert and the boys.

With just a few sentences each day, she has given us much insight into what her life was like. Has anyone considered doing the same, writing just a few sentences a day, to leave for their grandchildren to read some day?)

Friday, November 17, 2006

Tuesday, November 17, 1925

Tuesday, November 17, 1925

Put in my spare time mending and got all done but the stockings and they are a hopeless mess. Most of them look like they would go to the rag bag.

(Mending? I don't know when was the last time I had to mend anything, yet it was almost a daily task for Grandma to mend something. Could be just part of having 4 boys running around playing outside? And does anyone have a "rag bag" anymore, or keep a box of buttons? I know Grandma probably kept everything and anything that might be useful at some time.)

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Monday, November 16, 1925

Monday, November 16, 1925

Marjorie is six weeks old today so I feel as if I were about back to normal. She is as good a baby as they ever get I believe and although she and I both have colds, I think we are doing fine. I got out my machine today and began to unload my mending off of it.

(And life continues… more mending to do, more colds (seems like they had a lot of colds).

By the way, I’m going to find a picture of Grandma’s cousin, Edna, because I have more info to provide about her, but don’t want to do so until there is a picture of her to refer to.)

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Sunday, November 15, 1925

Sunday, November 15, 1925
Cold

The last two Sundays were beautiful days and we expected callers but no one came and today was cold and cloudy and Papa came and Morgan’s with their children. I had been having a little soreness in my throat, but after I talked to them so much my throat was just raw.

(Per Marjorie, the Morgans were John & Aunt Grace, who were life-time friends. Their children were Janet (who was Dick's age) and "Johnny Bob" (who was Albert's age).

Finally, some callers! I'm sure it was a nice 'bonus' that the Morgans came and brought their children for the boys to play with it.)

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Saturday, November 14, 1925

Marjorie didn’t sleep well and fretted till noon when I gave her a dose of castoria which eased her and put her to sleep. Then I had so much to do and didn’t get all done.

(Grandma had noted before in her diary about using Fletcher’s castoria to cure whatever ailed her children.)

(Note on the blog. I have updated to the new version of Blogger and cleaned up the sidebar. If you post a comment, you will notice that it is more secure when you do so. Also, with this posting, I am trying out the feature to post at a future date/time automatically.)

Monday, November 13, 2006

Friday, November 13, 1925

Friday, November 13, 1925

Cleaned windows and swept the ceilings, etc. till noon then Marjorie fretted the rest of the day and I didn’t get half done what I wanted to. Her bowels are so sluggish.

(When baby’s fuss, nothing else gets done. It’s a universal, ageless truth, I guess.

Seems funny to think about someone sweeping their ceilings. Marjorie wrote me that she can remember the long-handled brush that Grandma used to get cobwebs off the ceiling. It was only used for that purpose.

And, I thought that Mrs. Little, who came to stay with them to help during the 1st few weeks after Marjorie was born, cleaned all the windows before she left? I believe my mom when she says that the soot from all the coal furnaces got on everything, including the windows. I don’t want to even say when I last washed windows at my house!)

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Thursday, November 12, 1925

Thursday, November 12, 1925

It was a big job but I got my ironing done in one day – and put away, too.

(Marjorie sent me a letter with comments for most of the November diary entries. For today, she noted that she thinks Grandma was still sending the laundry out to be washed at this time. The “wet wash” as Grandma called it, would deliver the laundry to her still damp. She still had to hang it all to dry and, of course, iron everything. But at least she didn’t have to wash the clothes.

Marjorie also confirmed in some other information that Grandma had a roller-type washer, so she did have to stand there and wash the clothes. It was time-consuming.

We’ve noted before that Grandma spent hours and hours washing and ironing their clothes. Marjorie also commented that Grandma was "very particular about her laundry".)

Saturday, November 11, 2006

Wednesday, November 11, 1925

Wednesday, November 11, 1925

Mama came over to day and kept Marjorie while Ned and I went shopping down Tenth St. for shoes and a corset.

(A corset sounds like a most uncomfortable garment!

By the way, the reason Grandma probably didn't mention this was "Armistice Day" or "Veterans Day" is probably because 1925 was in the early days of this becoming a legal holiday.

"The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words:

Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and

Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and

Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples."

Armistice Day became a legal holiday in 1938, then I think became Veterans Day in the 1950's.)

Friday, November 10, 2006

Tuesday, November 10, 1925

Tuesday, November 10, 1925
Fair

I ironed yesterday a little and today finally got caught up. The first time the ironing basket has been empty since I took charge again. Mrs. McDowell came to see the baby. Marjorie is so bright and strong for her size. Can almost hold her head up now. Is so good since I’m giving her a bottle, too.

(All seems to be going well for Grandma and the baby Marjorie these days.

FYI, I am looking for a picture of Edna (Grandma’s cousin) to post with the other pictures so that when I provide more information on her, there will be a face to put with the story.)

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Monday, November 9, 1925

Monday, November 9, 1925
Fair

Just as sure as I begin writing Ned comes along and starts to climb on my chair. He surely is a little darling these days. Tries to talk a little. Repeats words after the boys but doesn’t put them together yet. He gets himself understood so why should he? Mrs. Smith called this PM. She makes me feel proud of my flock.

(Mrs. Smith is no relation to Grandma. Aunt Marjorie sent me the following information about her:

“Mrs. Smith was Mother’s Sunday School teacher since she was a kid. Mrs. Smith never had her own children. I remember her buying hair ribbons for Eleanor & me. I remember sitting on the front steps playing jacks with her chauffeur (Luther). When Daddy died (1937), Mrs. Smith sent Luther and her car to take us to the funeral, to the cemetery and back home. I imagine Mac & Marguerite (also close friends) took part of the family.”

I am happy that both my mom (Eleanor) and Aunt Marjorie are adding comments and sharing more info about the people mentioned in the diaries and their own recollections of growing up. Without their additional comments, we would not know who people like “Mrs. Smith” were.


By the way, there are a few references earlier about Grandma’s cousin, Edna. She visited on October 11th to see the baby. Marjorie provided more interesting information about her, which I will share soon.)

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Sunday, November 8, 1925

Sunday, November 8, 1925
Cold and Fair

A beautiful sunshiny day but so much colder. Last evening it was so warm that we didn’t have many covers on the beds and it turned cold in the night with a strong west wind and the boys slept cold and didn’t tell us till morning. They got damp yesterday and I’m afraid they are in for bad colds. One would expect visitors on a day like this but no one came.

(Marjorie commented that it was unfortunate that her father (Gilbert) did not drive due to his shorter right leg. Otherwise, they could have been the ones to go and visit others, versus waiting at home for friends to visit them. It would have been too expensive to modify a car so he could drive it. so they never owned one. Per Marjorie, when Gilbert walked, he led with his left leg, and drug his right leg up behind him. He wore a special shoe with a built up sole on his right foot to make up for the shorter leg.

They used a coke furnace to heat the house, so it could be they let the fire burn out when it was warmer and then had no heat when it got colder. I’m not sure why those sleeping downstairs wouldn’t have felt the cold the same as the boys sleeping upstairs.)

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Saturday, November 7, 1925

Saturday, November 7, 1925
Rain

Gave Marjorie a bottle every nursing time after she finished nursing and she slept better and was just fine. I don’t want to give up nursing her but it seems my milk is not sufficient any more. She hasn’t gained a great deal so I have to feed her I guess. This was a rainy day and the boys didn’t know what to do with themselves.

(I have found in reading the diaries that the boys generally played outside year ‘round, regardless of the cold, but rain did keep them inside. )

Monday, November 06, 2006

Friday, November 6, 1925

Friday, November 6, 1925
Fair

Marjorie was still fussy and I decided she must be hungry, so gave her the bottle oftener. Mama came over to go to the milliners to get a hat and I went too and struck a bargain. Got a $10 hat for $5. She had so many pretty ones it was hard to decide. Gilbert worked late and it was a good thing, Marjorie was so fussy.

(I used an online calculator to determine what that $5 would be today. It told me that what cost $5 in 1925 would cost $54 dollars today. I just can’t imagine that Grandma spent that much money on a hat and considered it a bargain.

Before she got married, Grandma worked as a milliner in a hat shop, so maybe she just had a greater appreciation for hats?


Someone posted a comment the other day asking if Grandma had a husband (a comment I couldn't post due to Blogger database issues.) Gilbert is Grandma’s husband. The reason I don’t call him Grandpa when I write about him is because he died in 1937, so I never knew him, obviously. It didn’t feel right to call Grandma by her name, Ruth, as I wrote my thoughts, so I choose to refer to them as Grandma and Gilbert. I hope that hasn’t been too confusing.)

Sunday, November 05, 2006

Thursday, November 5, 1925

Thursday, November 5, 1925
Rain

Tried my best to iron but Marjorie was fretful all day, and I didn’t get any more ironed than we will actually need before Sunday.

(Remember that ironing was something Grandma had to do nearly everyday for nearly everything they wore. No 'wash and wear' back then.)

Saturday, November 04, 2006

Wednesday, November 4, 1925

Wednesday, November 4, 1925

Didn’t get a lot done today, my back still bothered me. Marjorie is pretty good these days. Sleeps most of the time – in my bed at night. Ned is a little man now days. He takes his nap upstairs alone in his bed and at night lets me turn out the light and go down stairs. He is getting so fat and rosy again, such a beautiful baby.

(Ned is 2 at this time.)

Friday, November 03, 2006

Tuesday, November 3, 1925

Tuesday, November 3, 1925
Warm.

Election day. Had a worse back ache than at any time yet. Lifted Ned last evening and something seemed to give away. So had to take it easy. Mrs. Burns and another lady came in a machine and took me to the polls. It was a lovely Indian summer day. Mrs. Collins came in for a little while.

(So, Grandma’s first day out after having the baby appears to be to go to the polls to vote. I had noted on May 5th that women were given the right to vote in 1920, just 5 years earlier than she wrote this, so I would guess Grandma wasn’t going to miss voting for anything.

Today, people take the right to vote so casually, yet here just two generations back from me, Grandma would remember a time when women couldn’t vote!

I assume Mrs. Collins watched the baby?)

Thursday, November 02, 2006

Monday, November 2, 1925

Monday, November 2, 1925

I ironed quite a bit after I got my house cleaned up. Mrs. Little came after some quinces for a friend. She wanted to see the baby, too. She said this seemed like home to her. She liked it here. Poor woman! Life has not been very joyful for her. I hope my boys do not grow up to be such disappointments.

(We will never know Mrs. Little’s story and what it was about her boys that was such a disappointment. Were they in jail, mooching off of her, hobo’s or what? We don't even know her first name. Well, at least Grandma finally had someone visit!

I remember Grandma having a small quince tree in her back yard when I was little. I wonder if it was the same one.)

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Sunday, November 1, 1925

Sunday, November 1, 1925
Warmer

A lovely day. I was in hopes someone would come to see us but not a soul came. Where are all our friends? Have we got any left? How easy we are forgotten when we stay home a while. I am so happy over my little girl. I want to show her to everyone, but no one comes to see her and I haven’t clothes to get out yet.

(Grandma’s lament, no visitors. I’m sure she was feeling quite isolated after so long at home. No TV, obviously, and no radio for diversion. It must have been quiet, except for when the four boys were running around and the baby was crying.

Marjorie wrote me a note with a comment for today, saying she’d bet that Grandma had not lost her extra weight yet. She probably didn’t have anything she would consider decent enough to wear to go out anywhere, especially on Sunday. People dressed up more “back then”, I suppose, and though we would run out in jeans and an old sweatshirt and think nothing of it, I don’t think they thought that way in the 1920’s.


I know my Mom (Eleanor) always dressed up if she was going to downtown Indianapolis until maybe the late 60's. She told us that the 1st time she wore slacks downtime, she hurried around, hoping she didn't run into anyone she knew.)