Wednesday, October 14, 1925
Cloudy
Nothing happened to break the monotony of the day in bed. The baby sleeps for hours in the daytime but at night she wants to look at the light and grunt and root around. She isn’t bad – never had the colic but being awake that way keeps us from sound sleep. I can doze in the daytime now, but Mrs. Little has her work to do then and can’t nap.
(Grandma should have gotten up to break the monotony of lying in bed! Grandma was fortunate to have Mrs. Little around so she could stay in bed like that.
Typical baby, Marjorie had her days and nights mixed up, it seems.)
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Friday, October 13, 2006
Tuesday, October 13, 1925
Tuesday, October 13, 1925
Cloudy and Warmer
Mama came out and was here about three hours and a half but didn’t see Marjorie at all only as she lay asleep. Then she took the boys down to get Albert some new shoes and they brought him home. Poor little Ned is so forlorn since I am in bed especially when the other boys are gone. He has gotten so he doesn’t want Mrs. Little to do anything for him, and when she does, he cries like his heart would break.
(I can't believe how long Grandma spent in bed after having the baby! Without Mrs. Little, she would not have been able to do this.)
Cloudy and Warmer
Mama came out and was here about three hours and a half but didn’t see Marjorie at all only as she lay asleep. Then she took the boys down to get Albert some new shoes and they brought him home. Poor little Ned is so forlorn since I am in bed especially when the other boys are gone. He has gotten so he doesn’t want Mrs. Little to do anything for him, and when she does, he cries like his heart would break.
(I can't believe how long Grandma spent in bed after having the baby! Without Mrs. Little, she would not have been able to do this.)
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Monday, October 12, 1925
Monday, October 12, 1925
Rainy and dark.
Baby had a fretful night of it and this AM we found two big white sores on the roof of her mouth. Poor little thing! This was the darkest, gloomiest day. I couldn’t see to read or do a crossword puzzle even and I lay most of the time with my eyes shut, so Mrs. Little wouldn’t talk me to death. All her family troubles and aches and pains are so tiresome.
(For some reason, I am amused to think of Grandma lying in bed with her eyes shut so that Mrs. Little would think she was asleep and not talk to her.)
Rainy and dark.
Baby had a fretful night of it and this AM we found two big white sores on the roof of her mouth. Poor little thing! This was the darkest, gloomiest day. I couldn’t see to read or do a crossword puzzle even and I lay most of the time with my eyes shut, so Mrs. Little wouldn’t talk me to death. All her family troubles and aches and pains are so tiresome.
(For some reason, I am amused to think of Grandma lying in bed with her eyes shut so that Mrs. Little would think she was asleep and not talk to her.)
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Sunday, October 11, 1925
Sunday, October 11, 1925
Rainy and cold
Gilbert, Dale, and Dick went to Sunday school but didn’t see any of our particular friends. After dinner, Edna came and brought Marjorie a dress and petticoat. Then Guy drove in with the boys and Ella. Brought Marjorie a blanket, comb and brush and some old comforts, etc. Papa and Mama came too and Guy took them all out to Mama’s for supper.
(They attended Central Christian Church, which was near downtown Indianapolis and a fairly large church, so it would not be surprising that they didn’t run into any of their “particular friends”. Sounds like a typical Sunday with some visiting and all. Mrs. Little was still there, as far as I know, so I assume she was doing all the laundry, cleaning and cooking for everyone while Grandma continued to rest.)
Rainy and cold
Gilbert, Dale, and Dick went to Sunday school but didn’t see any of our particular friends. After dinner, Edna came and brought Marjorie a dress and petticoat. Then Guy drove in with the boys and Ella. Brought Marjorie a blanket, comb and brush and some old comforts, etc. Papa and Mama came too and Guy took them all out to Mama’s for supper.
(They attended Central Christian Church, which was near downtown Indianapolis and a fairly large church, so it would not be surprising that they didn’t run into any of their “particular friends”. Sounds like a typical Sunday with some visiting and all. Mrs. Little was still there, as far as I know, so I assume she was doing all the laundry, cleaning and cooking for everyone while Grandma continued to rest.)
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Saturday, October 10, 1925
Saturday, October 10, 1925
Fair and cold
Marjorie kept us awake till 2 last night, the first time she has been bad. She cried at breakfast time (for her Daddy’s benefit) but slept most of the day till supper time. I thought some one might come to see me this PM but no one came. It is so tiresome in bed. Ned is my only amuser but he doesn’t talk much.
(Grandma seems a bit bored staying so long in bed. The baby was 5 days old).
Fair and cold
Marjorie kept us awake till 2 last night, the first time she has been bad. She cried at breakfast time (for her Daddy’s benefit) but slept most of the day till supper time. I thought some one might come to see me this PM but no one came. It is so tiresome in bed. Ned is my only amuser but he doesn’t talk much.
(Grandma seems a bit bored staying so long in bed. The baby was 5 days old).
Monday, October 09, 2006
Friday, October 9, 1925
Friday, October 9, 1925
Cold and cloudy
A long day. Mama came but nothing else happened. Gilbert took supper at the Severin with the community chest workers and heard several good speeches and enjoyed it.
(Please go back and read comments for October 5th. Marjorie left us a comment on that post last night with more info on her birthday.
Grandma seemed to be a bit bored with resting in bed all day!)
Cold and cloudy
A long day. Mama came but nothing else happened. Gilbert took supper at the Severin with the community chest workers and heard several good speeches and enjoyed it.
(Please go back and read comments for October 5th. Marjorie left us a comment on that post last night with more info on her birthday.
Grandma seemed to be a bit bored with resting in bed all day!)
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Thursday, October 8, 1925
Thursday, October 8, 1925
Fair and cold
Lying in bed is getting tiresome since I feel all right again. The after pains have about left now. Ella and Don came for a little while towards evening. The Sunday school class sent flowers this AM and Mrs. Hunter called up, all of which helped to keep the day from being too monotonous.
(It almost sounds like Grandma was getting a bit ansy with all her rest? I recall the earlier diary entries where she was tired and that's all she wanted to do was rest. I hope she used some of the time for reading, which is what she wrote she wanted to do before.)
Fair and cold
Lying in bed is getting tiresome since I feel all right again. The after pains have about left now. Ella and Don came for a little while towards evening. The Sunday school class sent flowers this AM and Mrs. Hunter called up, all of which helped to keep the day from being too monotonous.
(It almost sounds like Grandma was getting a bit ansy with all her rest? I recall the earlier diary entries where she was tired and that's all she wanted to do was rest. I hope she used some of the time for reading, which is what she wrote she wanted to do before.)
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Wednesday, October 7, 1925
Wednesday, October 7, 1925
Fair and cooler
Mama came over and reported numerous comments of folks she had called on the telephone. Winifred came out after school and sat and held Marjorie till Mama had to make her go home. She is wild about the baby and never got to hold one before. Ned is crazy about her and every time he comes in the room, wants to “hee it”. Her kidneys didn’t act till this PM.
(Winifred would grow up to have her own babies, twin boys, in fact.
I think some people might be surprised, but they did have telephones. Alexander Graham Bell invited the telephone in 1876, so it was not a new technology in 1925.)
Fair and cooler
Mama came over and reported numerous comments of folks she had called on the telephone. Winifred came out after school and sat and held Marjorie till Mama had to make her go home. She is wild about the baby and never got to hold one before. Ned is crazy about her and every time he comes in the room, wants to “hee it”. Her kidneys didn’t act till this PM.
(Winifred would grow up to have her own babies, twin boys, in fact.
I think some people might be surprised, but they did have telephones. Alexander Graham Bell invited the telephone in 1876, so it was not a new technology in 1925.)
Friday, October 06, 2006
Tuesday, October 6, 1925
Tuesday, October 6, 1925
Rain.
A long day. Mrs. Little got done with her work in good time. The baby slept all day, and nothing much happened, but the boys want to hover over the baby all the time and watch her. We decided on a name this evening – or rather the boys named her Marjorie and Papa named her Ruth, so that’s her name.
(I can just imagine the scene in the small bedroom that Grandma was probably in, just off the front room of the house. Four boys, ages around 9, 8, 5 and 2 all hanging over a little bassinet with their one day old baby sister "Marjorie Ruth" lying there, and all trying to see her at once.)
Rain.
A long day. Mrs. Little got done with her work in good time. The baby slept all day, and nothing much happened, but the boys want to hover over the baby all the time and watch her. We decided on a name this evening – or rather the boys named her Marjorie and Papa named her Ruth, so that’s her name.
(I can just imagine the scene in the small bedroom that Grandma was probably in, just off the front room of the house. Four boys, ages around 9, 8, 5 and 2 all hanging over a little bassinet with their one day old baby sister "Marjorie Ruth" lying there, and all trying to see her at once.)
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Monday, October 5, 1925
Monday, October 5, 1925
Fair
My darling baby girl’s birthday. Had pains from 2 o’clock on, all morning but not strong enough to do any good till after 1 o’ clock. Had trouble getting Papa and held off as long as I could. He hadn’t been in the house two minutes till she came at 1:55. Gilbert had the company auto bring him in a jiffy and he was here perhaps 10 minutes. The boys are wild with joy. Such excitement and Collins, Papa and Winifred here after supper.
(Finally, Happy Birthday, Aunt Marjorie! She is 81 today, and when she visits her daughter she is going online to read these diaires, too. We hope to have a comment or two from her in the near future. In the meantime, you can visit this blog article on my garden blog to see her gardens. And if you send birthday greetings, I’ll be sure she gets them!
Grandma’s father delivered the baby, he was a ‘women’s doctor’ and therefore qualified to do so. I’m a little surprised that Gilbert went to work that day, especially if Grandma was in labor at the time. I wonder if her mother (Mama) came over in the morning? Or did she just have Mrs. Little there to assist before everyone else arrived? Yes, she did have the baby at home. Obviously, having a baby is much different today than it was in 1925.
Such joy, yes, and I hope you all continue to come back and read the diaries each day, as there is more to come.
By the way, in case you haven’t caught on, comments from Eleanor are from THE Eleanor, Grandma’s other daughter, born in 1929.)
Fair
My darling baby girl’s birthday. Had pains from 2 o’clock on, all morning but not strong enough to do any good till after 1 o’ clock. Had trouble getting Papa and held off as long as I could. He hadn’t been in the house two minutes till she came at 1:55. Gilbert had the company auto bring him in a jiffy and he was here perhaps 10 minutes. The boys are wild with joy. Such excitement and Collins, Papa and Winifred here after supper.
(Finally, Happy Birthday, Aunt Marjorie! She is 81 today, and when she visits her daughter she is going online to read these diaires, too. We hope to have a comment or two from her in the near future. In the meantime, you can visit this blog article on my garden blog to see her gardens. And if you send birthday greetings, I’ll be sure she gets them!
Grandma’s father delivered the baby, he was a ‘women’s doctor’ and therefore qualified to do so. I’m a little surprised that Gilbert went to work that day, especially if Grandma was in labor at the time. I wonder if her mother (Mama) came over in the morning? Or did she just have Mrs. Little there to assist before everyone else arrived? Yes, she did have the baby at home. Obviously, having a baby is much different today than it was in 1925.
Such joy, yes, and I hope you all continue to come back and read the diaries each day, as there is more to come.
By the way, in case you haven’t caught on, comments from Eleanor are from THE Eleanor, Grandma’s other daughter, born in 1929.)
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Sunday, October 4, 1925
Sunday, October 4, 1925
Fair
Nothing doing yet. Gilbert and the boys went to Sunday school. Bess came out toward evening disappointed because she expected to see the new one by this time. She and Gilbert went to see “Don Q., Son of Zorro” after supper. I feel awfully uneasy again, have all day but symptoms seem favorable again, but I dare not hope, so to bed.
(And just like Bess, I bet the readers of this diary are also disappointed that there is no baby yet.
As noted before, Grandma rarely seemed to go out of the house the last few months of her pregnancy. She had often told us that “back then”, it wasn’t considered proper for an obviously pregnant woman to be out in public.)
Fair
Nothing doing yet. Gilbert and the boys went to Sunday school. Bess came out toward evening disappointed because she expected to see the new one by this time. She and Gilbert went to see “Don Q., Son of Zorro” after supper. I feel awfully uneasy again, have all day but symptoms seem favorable again, but I dare not hope, so to bed.
(And just like Bess, I bet the readers of this diary are also disappointed that there is no baby yet.
As noted before, Grandma rarely seemed to go out of the house the last few months of her pregnancy. She had often told us that “back then”, it wasn’t considered proper for an obviously pregnant woman to be out in public.)
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Saturday, October 3, 1925
Saturday, October 3, 1925
Rain and cooler
Had a good night’s sleep last night, the only one this week., so felt pretty good all day. Walked around in the house all I could so as to keep on my feet and exercise but it did no good. Gilbert and I took a walk after we got the boys to bed. The air felt good as this house is too hot with a fire but too cool and damp without one.
(I can’t imagine heating a house with a coke furnace which is either burning or not. I am sure it was difficult to regulate the temperature in the house, especially in the fall when one day could be dreary and cold, nearly freezing, and then a few days later it could be sunny and warm.
Still no baby!)
Rain and cooler
Had a good night’s sleep last night, the only one this week., so felt pretty good all day. Walked around in the house all I could so as to keep on my feet and exercise but it did no good. Gilbert and I took a walk after we got the boys to bed. The air felt good as this house is too hot with a fire but too cool and damp without one.
(I can’t imagine heating a house with a coke furnace which is either burning or not. I am sure it was difficult to regulate the temperature in the house, especially in the fall when one day could be dreary and cold, nearly freezing, and then a few days later it could be sunny and warm.
Still no baby!)
Monday, October 02, 2006
Friday, October 2, 1925
Friday, October 2, 1925
Felt awfully bum and uneasy all day. Mama came over and I finished the little dress I was making and all the odd jobs I had on hand. The little outing comfort top, etc. Mrs. Collins came over a little while in the evening to see if anything had happened yet.
(And Mrs. Collins found that nothing had happened yet!
Still sitting and sewing. Grandma’s hands didn’t ever seem to have been idle. So much to do, I guess, or feeling that there was too much to do to sit and relax.
Fortunately for us, she did find time each day to write a few sentences in her diary. She didn't write elaborately, or pages and pages, but left us with enough info to get a good glimpse into her life!.)
Felt awfully bum and uneasy all day. Mama came over and I finished the little dress I was making and all the odd jobs I had on hand. The little outing comfort top, etc. Mrs. Collins came over a little while in the evening to see if anything had happened yet.
(And Mrs. Collins found that nothing had happened yet!
Still sitting and sewing. Grandma’s hands didn’t ever seem to have been idle. So much to do, I guess, or feeling that there was too much to do to sit and relax.
Fortunately for us, she did find time each day to write a few sentences in her diary. She didn't write elaborately, or pages and pages, but left us with enough info to get a good glimpse into her life!.)
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Thursday, October 1, 1925
Thursday, October 1, 1925
Cloudy
Nothing happened yet. Got outing to make Ned pajamas and finished one. Mrs. Little cut pieces for an outing, comforter for Ned’s bed and I got a big part of it pieced together. I sat and sewed so steady I felt I need some exercise and air so we took a walk of about half a mile, Gilbert and I , hoping to start something.
(No baby yet, but at least Grandma was starting to think about how to get things going. She had written earlier that she didn't want to send for Mrs. Little too soon because of the cost, so I'm sure she wanted to have that baby by now, as much as some readers of this diary want her to have that baby by now.
But it didn't happen on this day.
I'm not sure what she is writing about when she refers to "outing". When she wrote she "got outing.." I assume that means fabric. When she wrote "cut pieces for an outing", that sounds like she is refering to a type of garment. Hmmm...)
Cloudy
Nothing happened yet. Got outing to make Ned pajamas and finished one. Mrs. Little cut pieces for an outing, comforter for Ned’s bed and I got a big part of it pieced together. I sat and sewed so steady I felt I need some exercise and air so we took a walk of about half a mile, Gilbert and I , hoping to start something.
(No baby yet, but at least Grandma was starting to think about how to get things going. She had written earlier that she didn't want to send for Mrs. Little too soon because of the cost, so I'm sure she wanted to have that baby by now, as much as some readers of this diary want her to have that baby by now.
But it didn't happen on this day.
I'm not sure what she is writing about when she refers to "outing". When she wrote she "got outing.." I assume that means fabric. When she wrote "cut pieces for an outing", that sounds like she is refering to a type of garment. Hmmm...)
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Wednesday, September 30, 1925
Wednesday, September 30, 1925
Fair
The washing came home and I thought if I stood and ironed I might start something but I was so sick at my stomach and faint I couldn’t do it and had to lie down. Felt awfully bum but not the way I wanted to. Have little head cold that causes it I believe. If Mrs. Little hadn’t been here to iron, I don’t know what I would have done.
(Remember that a while back, Grandma started sending their launtry to a "wet wash" to save some time. But when it came back, it was wet and she still had to hang it all to dry and then iron it.
Mrs. Little has arrived, so can that baby be that far off? At least Grandma had some help at this point, somone willing to do some ironing.)
Fair
The washing came home and I thought if I stood and ironed I might start something but I was so sick at my stomach and faint I couldn’t do it and had to lie down. Felt awfully bum but not the way I wanted to. Have little head cold that causes it I believe. If Mrs. Little hadn’t been here to iron, I don’t know what I would have done.
(Remember that a while back, Grandma started sending their launtry to a "wet wash" to save some time. But when it came back, it was wet and she still had to hang it all to dry and then iron it.
Mrs. Little has arrived, so can that baby be that far off? At least Grandma had some help at this point, somone willing to do some ironing.)
Friday, September 29, 2006
Tuesday, September 29, 1925
Tuesday, September 29, 1925
Fair
Nothing much doing except I felt awfully bum. Albert has a cold and is awfully cross. He had a fit when I want to get him ready for Kindergarten, but loves it after he goes. I wish he weren’t so tempestuous. I have been putting quinine and Vaseline on his thumb to keep him from sucking it, but he seems to like it, and is more determined to suck it than ever.
(“Nothing much doing” means no baby yet. Albert is 5 and ½ at this point. I’ve posted before what he grew up to be… a Jesuit priest.)
Fair
Nothing much doing except I felt awfully bum. Albert has a cold and is awfully cross. He had a fit when I want to get him ready for Kindergarten, but loves it after he goes. I wish he weren’t so tempestuous. I have been putting quinine and Vaseline on his thumb to keep him from sucking it, but he seems to like it, and is more determined to suck it than ever.
(“Nothing much doing” means no baby yet. Albert is 5 and ½ at this point. I’ve posted before what he grew up to be… a Jesuit priest.)
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Monday, September 28, 1925
Monday, September 28, 1925
Fair
Woke up at daylight with an uneasy feeling, which hasn’t left me all day. Had a backache all day and felt like I couldn’t go any longer at noon so sent for Mrs. Little to come this PM. Hope the time is not far off now that she is here, but she lived so far that I was afraid to wait till pains appeared to call her.
(Mrs. Little is who Grandma hired to come stay for awhile after the baby was born and help take care of her and the boys.
FYI, in a previous post when Grandma wrote about mending all their long socks, Eleanor added a comment asking if anyone knew what a darning egg was. At least person commented wanting an answer. Here is an official answer and a website with everything you ever wanted to know about darning:
“A darning egg is an egg-shaped ovoid of stone, porcelain, wood, or similar hard material, which is inserted into the toe or heel of the sock to hold it in the proper shape and provide a firm foundation for repairs. When the repairs are finished, the darning egg is removed.”)
Fair
Woke up at daylight with an uneasy feeling, which hasn’t left me all day. Had a backache all day and felt like I couldn’t go any longer at noon so sent for Mrs. Little to come this PM. Hope the time is not far off now that she is here, but she lived so far that I was afraid to wait till pains appeared to call her.
(Mrs. Little is who Grandma hired to come stay for awhile after the baby was born and help take care of her and the boys.
FYI, in a previous post when Grandma wrote about mending all their long socks, Eleanor added a comment asking if anyone knew what a darning egg was. At least person commented wanting an answer. Here is an official answer and a website with everything you ever wanted to know about darning:
“A darning egg is an egg-shaped ovoid of stone, porcelain, wood, or similar hard material, which is inserted into the toe or heel of the sock to hold it in the proper shape and provide a firm foundation for repairs. When the repairs are finished, the darning egg is removed.”)
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Sunday, September 27, 1925
Sunday, September 27, 1925
A rainy morning for the boys to go to Sunday school. Gilbert went too and saw Dale graduate and get his Bible. He and Dick both got their gold star pins for attendance and are proud of them. Mama and Winifred went to Brownsburg and Papa came out for dinner. Albert has a bad cold in his head. It cleared off and was nice in the afternoon and we had a peaceful Sunday evening.
(I think this was a rather typical Sunday for them, other than the special awards that Dale and Dick got in Sunday School. I assume they didn’t get those every week. But otherwise, I think they generally went to Sunday School, church and had a nice Sunday dinner. Sometimes Grandma’s Papa and Mama would be there or everyone would go to their house. They attended Central Christian Church.
Poor Albert, he just can’t get sick again, not after what he went through in the spring.
Oh, and it wouldn't be typical for Grandma to stay home like she has been, waiting for the baby to be born.)
A rainy morning for the boys to go to Sunday school. Gilbert went too and saw Dale graduate and get his Bible. He and Dick both got their gold star pins for attendance and are proud of them. Mama and Winifred went to Brownsburg and Papa came out for dinner. Albert has a bad cold in his head. It cleared off and was nice in the afternoon and we had a peaceful Sunday evening.
(I think this was a rather typical Sunday for them, other than the special awards that Dale and Dick got in Sunday School. I assume they didn’t get those every week. But otherwise, I think they generally went to Sunday School, church and had a nice Sunday dinner. Sometimes Grandma’s Papa and Mama would be there or everyone would go to their house. They attended Central Christian Church.
Poor Albert, he just can’t get sick again, not after what he went through in the spring.
Oh, and it wouldn't be typical for Grandma to stay home like she has been, waiting for the baby to be born.)
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Saturday, September 26, 1925
Saturday, September 26, 1925
Rain
The boys went to the show last night and saw Dick Turpin an old English bandit and today the yard is full of bandits. They cut up my old couch cover for capes. Raided my rag bag for black masks and armed with swords, had a great time. They hated to take time for a hair cut, baths or anything else. Gilbert got the springs on the beds changed.
(Sounds like the boys had some great fun playing after seeing a movie. No need for elaborate toys or games. With just their imaginations, an idea from a movie and some old couch covers and rags, and they had all they needed for a fun day of play.)
Rain
The boys went to the show last night and saw Dick Turpin an old English bandit and today the yard is full of bandits. They cut up my old couch cover for capes. Raided my rag bag for black masks and armed with swords, had a great time. They hated to take time for a hair cut, baths or anything else. Gilbert got the springs on the beds changed.
(Sounds like the boys had some great fun playing after seeing a movie. No need for elaborate toys or games. With just their imaginations, an idea from a movie and some old couch covers and rags, and they had all they needed for a fun day of play.)
Monday, September 25, 2006
Friday, September 25, 1925
Friday, September 25, 1925
Chilly
Got up awfully dizzy and felt sick at my stomach all day. Sat and made button holes most of the time. Albert stayed home from kindergarten and played with Ned. Ned plays like an older child. You would never think he was only two. Says most any word he takes a notion to but doesn’t put any together yet. He is so jolly and happy and devilish.
(Hmmm, did Albert stay home because Grandma was feeling sick and she wanted someone to watch Ned? Albert was only 5, but if he could keep Ned, aged 2, entertained, it probably helped.
And even when not feeling well, Grandma worked on sewing. Still no baby!)
Chilly
Got up awfully dizzy and felt sick at my stomach all day. Sat and made button holes most of the time. Albert stayed home from kindergarten and played with Ned. Ned plays like an older child. You would never think he was only two. Says most any word he takes a notion to but doesn’t put any together yet. He is so jolly and happy and devilish.
(Hmmm, did Albert stay home because Grandma was feeling sick and she wanted someone to watch Ned? Albert was only 5, but if he could keep Ned, aged 2, entertained, it probably helped.
And even when not feeling well, Grandma worked on sewing. Still no baby!)
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Thursday, September 24, 1925
Thursday, September 24, 1925
Warmer
Finished up darning the winters’ stockings, patching, etc. Mama came over. Dale got goods for Daddy a shirt and I almost made it. Have a baby comforter I want to work on now that the boys are in bed. Dale and Dick went down town to the public library this evening after school. Their legs are so sore from skating that a trip like that would be better.
(More sewing, but no baby, yet!)
Warmer
Finished up darning the winters’ stockings, patching, etc. Mama came over. Dale got goods for Daddy a shirt and I almost made it. Have a baby comforter I want to work on now that the boys are in bed. Dale and Dick went down town to the public library this evening after school. Their legs are so sore from skating that a trip like that would be better.
(More sewing, but no baby, yet!)
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Wednesday, September 23, 1925
Wednesday, September 23, 1925
Warmer
Harry’s birthday, a lovely day. The laundry came home early and I got all the ironing done, without being overly tired. There was an auto collision at the foot of the hill early this AM and a man killed. He had the right of way but another fellow coasted down hill, didn’t stop and ran into him. The first dead person the boys ever saw. Harry Doyle reported improving rapidly.
(Harry was one of Grandma’s brothers, born in 1883, so he was 9 years older than her. She had two other older brothers, George Guy (1880), whom they called Guy, Andrew Wilbur (1881), whom they called Bur, and Harry Jordan. All three brothers were in the printing/newspaper business. I did read in Grandma’s family history that Harry moved around a lot, and at one point she lost touch with him for several years, while he was in California, probably in the 1930’s.
Harry Doyle was mentioned on September 16, and Mom added more info on him in a comment, if you would like to go back and read that.
It appeared that Grandma had a pretty good day today; no mention of the baby coming or of having any aches or pains.
Times have changed considerably on Rural St. where Grandma raised her family and lived until she died. There was an article in the Indianapolis Star yesterday about the problems on that street, with a subtitle "city's most violent neighborhood". Some of the worst violence is about six blocks north of where Grandma lived, on the other side of Brookside Park, but some of it is near where she lived.)
Warmer
Harry’s birthday, a lovely day. The laundry came home early and I got all the ironing done, without being overly tired. There was an auto collision at the foot of the hill early this AM and a man killed. He had the right of way but another fellow coasted down hill, didn’t stop and ran into him. The first dead person the boys ever saw. Harry Doyle reported improving rapidly.
(Harry was one of Grandma’s brothers, born in 1883, so he was 9 years older than her. She had two other older brothers, George Guy (1880), whom they called Guy, Andrew Wilbur (1881), whom they called Bur, and Harry Jordan. All three brothers were in the printing/newspaper business. I did read in Grandma’s family history that Harry moved around a lot, and at one point she lost touch with him for several years, while he was in California, probably in the 1930’s.
Harry Doyle was mentioned on September 16, and Mom added more info on him in a comment, if you would like to go back and read that.
It appeared that Grandma had a pretty good day today; no mention of the baby coming or of having any aches or pains.
Times have changed considerably on Rural St. where Grandma raised her family and lived until she died. There was an article in the Indianapolis Star yesterday about the problems on that street, with a subtitle "city's most violent neighborhood". Some of the worst violence is about six blocks north of where Grandma lived, on the other side of Brookside Park, but some of it is near where she lived.)
Friday, September 22, 2006
Tuesday, September 22, 1925
Tuesday, September 22, 1925
Cold
Finished up lots of odds and ends I wanted to do. New pillow covers, pants for Ned, etc. Then it got so cold had to put on my sweater and the boys looked so cold with their knees bare that I decided to darn up their long stockings which was a big undertaking. The boys took a big skate this evening, the first of the season.
(The boys primarily wore short pants or knickers with socks. That’s apparently what all boys wore in the 1920’s.
It sounds like “took a big skate” means they went to a roller skating party; it wouldn’t be cold enough for ice skating.
And, no baby yet. Grandma was still catching up on sewing, waiting for the big event. I am intentionally not revealing the actual day she gives birth, to keep everyone coming back. And obviously you can't read ahead, like you can with a book. I publish one day at a time, so you have to check back. I know that earlier in the spring some readers were concerned that Albert was going to take a turn for the worse when he was sick, and I did reveal that he recovered and provided information on what he did as an adult. But, for the birth, I'm just going to let it be announced when it occurs, just like in real life.)
Cold
Finished up lots of odds and ends I wanted to do. New pillow covers, pants for Ned, etc. Then it got so cold had to put on my sweater and the boys looked so cold with their knees bare that I decided to darn up their long stockings which was a big undertaking. The boys took a big skate this evening, the first of the season.
(The boys primarily wore short pants or knickers with socks. That’s apparently what all boys wore in the 1920’s.
It sounds like “took a big skate” means they went to a roller skating party; it wouldn’t be cold enough for ice skating.
And, no baby yet. Grandma was still catching up on sewing, waiting for the big event. I am intentionally not revealing the actual day she gives birth, to keep everyone coming back. And obviously you can't read ahead, like you can with a book. I publish one day at a time, so you have to check back. I know that earlier in the spring some readers were concerned that Albert was going to take a turn for the worse when he was sick, and I did reveal that he recovered and provided information on what he did as an adult. But, for the birth, I'm just going to let it be announced when it occurs, just like in real life.)
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Monday, September 21, 1925
Monday, September 21, 1925
Cooler
Well I felt better this AM and decided the false alarm yesterday PM was due to being on my feet too much last week. So I decided to sit and sew today. But I had no more than started when the vegetable man came bringing the bushel of tomatoes I wanted last week and he couldn’t get. So I took them and canned them, doing everything possible sitting down. Feel no worse for it this eve.
(Grandma is still working, this time sewing, then canning. No just sitting and reading, or sitting and relaxing, or sitting and watching TV. Always something to do!)
Cooler
Well I felt better this AM and decided the false alarm yesterday PM was due to being on my feet too much last week. So I decided to sit and sew today. But I had no more than started when the vegetable man came bringing the bushel of tomatoes I wanted last week and he couldn’t get. So I took them and canned them, doing everything possible sitting down. Feel no worse for it this eve.
(Grandma is still working, this time sewing, then canning. No just sitting and reading, or sitting and relaxing, or sitting and watching TV. Always something to do!)
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Sunday, September 20, 1925
Sunday, September 20, 1925
Rain
Well I wonder this evening what the night will bring if anything. I opened the Bible to Psalm 127, by accident. It seemed so appropriate though and comforting. Ever since one o’clock today I’ve been uneasy. If I could only know whether to call Mrs. Little or not! Grace called up today to see why I hadn’t been to Sunday school lately, she reports Georgia as seriously ill.
(Psalm 127: “Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless the Lord guard the city, in vain does the guard keep vigil. It is vain for you to rise early, or put off your rest, You that eat hard-earned bread, for he gives to his beloved in sleep.
Behold sons are a gift form the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons of one’s youth. Happy the man whose quiver is filled with them; they shall not be put to shame when they contend with enemies at the gate.”
Grandma did generally go to Sunday School and church each week, but she did not go out of the house in the later stages of her pregnancy. She told us when we were kids that it wasn’t proper to do so in her day.
I do not know who Grace or Georgia were, probably just friends from church.)
Rain
Well I wonder this evening what the night will bring if anything. I opened the Bible to Psalm 127, by accident. It seemed so appropriate though and comforting. Ever since one o’clock today I’ve been uneasy. If I could only know whether to call Mrs. Little or not! Grace called up today to see why I hadn’t been to Sunday school lately, she reports Georgia as seriously ill.
(Psalm 127: “Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless the Lord guard the city, in vain does the guard keep vigil. It is vain for you to rise early, or put off your rest, You that eat hard-earned bread, for he gives to his beloved in sleep.
Behold sons are a gift form the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons of one’s youth. Happy the man whose quiver is filled with them; they shall not be put to shame when they contend with enemies at the gate.”
Grandma did generally go to Sunday School and church each week, but she did not go out of the house in the later stages of her pregnancy. She told us when we were kids that it wasn’t proper to do so in her day.
I do not know who Grace or Georgia were, probably just friends from church.)
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Saturday, September 19, 1925
Saturday, September 19, 1925
Hot
Put in a big day cleaning etc. putting my house in order for the event which must be near now. I have felt so very tired, my back and hips ache so that it must be the beginning of the end. If I had money enough I would have Mrs. Little come now so as I could rest. But I can’t afford it. Dale and Daddy went to the 10 cent store and got me my dishes this PM.
(Keep in mind that Grandma probably didn’t know her exact due date. Mrs. Little is the woman she interviewed a few weeks prior, who would eventually come and stay with them to help out after Grandma had the baby. )
Hot
Put in a big day cleaning etc. putting my house in order for the event which must be near now. I have felt so very tired, my back and hips ache so that it must be the beginning of the end. If I had money enough I would have Mrs. Little come now so as I could rest. But I can’t afford it. Dale and Daddy went to the 10 cent store and got me my dishes this PM.
(Keep in mind that Grandma probably didn’t know her exact due date. Mrs. Little is the woman she interviewed a few weeks prior, who would eventually come and stay with them to help out after Grandma had the baby. )
Monday, September 18, 2006
Friday, September 18, 1925
Friday, September 18, 1925
Hot
Dale’s ninth birthday. Nine strenuous years. Very few hours I’ve rested these years during the days. So much good reading and parties, etc. passed up. But they have been happy years for the most part for the boys have all generally been boys to be proud of. If I work for them now, maybe they will make it easier in my old days.
(One of the frequent comments made after reading these diaries is “I get tired just reading all she had to do each day.” Cooking, cleaning, washing clothes, ironing, sewing, looking after the boys, and mending took up most of her days. Indeed, it does not appear that Grandma had much time for reading, which she did enjoy. Earlier in January, she wrote:
“We just got a new set of books. The Pocket University. My! How I would love to read, but seems not for me. The reading guide says only 15 minutes a day… so sat down to follow directions. The allotment was 57 pages long. If they expect us to read that in 15 minutes, I am hopeless.”
She also commented about reading from the Pocket University on February 20. By the way, in the comments on that day, I noted she attended college for a year. I believe now, based on what she wrote in her family history, that she didn’t last through the first semester. Her complaint was that she could not afford to live on campus, and ao she had to take a bus every day to and from the campus which at the time was in the Irvington area. It wore her out, so she dropped out.
Here’s a link to a Pocket University book from 1926, which I assume is typical of the books she got.
All her boys were successful in their chosen professions. Three became college professors, and Dale was a successful businessman who enjoyed traveling all over the world. Dale graduated from Lake Forest College in Chicago in 1937 and served in the Navy in World War II. He lived the longest of any of the boys, passing away in January 2004. Both daughters are still very much alive!)
Hot
Dale’s ninth birthday. Nine strenuous years. Very few hours I’ve rested these years during the days. So much good reading and parties, etc. passed up. But they have been happy years for the most part for the boys have all generally been boys to be proud of. If I work for them now, maybe they will make it easier in my old days.
(One of the frequent comments made after reading these diaries is “I get tired just reading all she had to do each day.” Cooking, cleaning, washing clothes, ironing, sewing, looking after the boys, and mending took up most of her days. Indeed, it does not appear that Grandma had much time for reading, which she did enjoy. Earlier in January, she wrote:
“We just got a new set of books. The Pocket University. My! How I would love to read, but seems not for me. The reading guide says only 15 minutes a day… so sat down to follow directions. The allotment was 57 pages long. If they expect us to read that in 15 minutes, I am hopeless.”
She also commented about reading from the Pocket University on February 20. By the way, in the comments on that day, I noted she attended college for a year. I believe now, based on what she wrote in her family history, that she didn’t last through the first semester. Her complaint was that she could not afford to live on campus, and ao she had to take a bus every day to and from the campus which at the time was in the Irvington area. It wore her out, so she dropped out.
Here’s a link to a Pocket University book from 1926, which I assume is typical of the books she got.
All her boys were successful in their chosen professions. Three became college professors, and Dale was a successful businessman who enjoyed traveling all over the world. Dale graduated from Lake Forest College in Chicago in 1937 and served in the Navy in World War II. He lived the longest of any of the boys, passing away in January 2004. Both daughters are still very much alive!)
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Thursday, September 17, 1925
Thursday, September 17, 1925
Warmer
So tired but had my ironing to finish. Then sat and sewed. Had such a throbbing ache in my back and hips the latter part of the day that on going to bed I wonder what it expect by morning. Have felt so fine up till the last day or two. Harry Doyle reported having concussion of the brain (conclusion Dale says) and a fractured skull.
(There seemed to be no rest for Grandma. Even when she was tired and aching, she did her ironing and sewing.
The x-ray machine was invented around 1895, so they probably were able to use an x-ray machine to determine that poor Harry Doyle did have a fractured skull).
Warmer
So tired but had my ironing to finish. Then sat and sewed. Had such a throbbing ache in my back and hips the latter part of the day that on going to bed I wonder what it expect by morning. Have felt so fine up till the last day or two. Harry Doyle reported having concussion of the brain (conclusion Dale says) and a fractured skull.
(There seemed to be no rest for Grandma. Even when she was tired and aching, she did her ironing and sewing.
The x-ray machine was invented around 1895, so they probably were able to use an x-ray machine to determine that poor Harry Doyle did have a fractured skull).
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Wednesday, September 16, 1925
Wednesday, September 16, 1925
Clear and cool
Well, I didn’t feel extra well, believe I have taken a cold. Got 40 tomatoes of Smith and canned 11 ½ quarts and had a dish full for supper. Got my laundry ready to iron but didn’t iron much. Felt awfully stiff and achy. Harry Doyle got hit by a machine at 10th and Rural and our boys almost saw it. It upset us all quite a bit. Don’t know how bad hurt he is.
(Grandma’s 11 ½ quarts of tomatoes wasn’t much compared to what my other grandmother would can in a season. They both worked hard, but in different ways, due in part I am sure to the fact that one lived in the city, the other on a farm. However, I won’t be too quick to judge because Grandma could have canned a lot more that she wrote about in her diary. It does appear that one difference between the two was that Grandma relied on the vegetable man (Smith, no relation) to bring her produce, whereas my other grandmother grew most of their produce in a big garden.
I think Harry Doyle was a friend of the older boys. 10th and Rural was just a few blocks from their house and probably on the way to school. A “machine” by the way was a car.
Grandma doesn't appear to have left the house in weeks, based on her diaries, so where could she have picked up a cold?)
Clear and cool
Well, I didn’t feel extra well, believe I have taken a cold. Got 40 tomatoes of Smith and canned 11 ½ quarts and had a dish full for supper. Got my laundry ready to iron but didn’t iron much. Felt awfully stiff and achy. Harry Doyle got hit by a machine at 10th and Rural and our boys almost saw it. It upset us all quite a bit. Don’t know how bad hurt he is.
(Grandma’s 11 ½ quarts of tomatoes wasn’t much compared to what my other grandmother would can in a season. They both worked hard, but in different ways, due in part I am sure to the fact that one lived in the city, the other on a farm. However, I won’t be too quick to judge because Grandma could have canned a lot more that she wrote about in her diary. It does appear that one difference between the two was that Grandma relied on the vegetable man (Smith, no relation) to bring her produce, whereas my other grandmother grew most of their produce in a big garden.
I think Harry Doyle was a friend of the older boys. 10th and Rural was just a few blocks from their house and probably on the way to school. A “machine” by the way was a car.
Grandma doesn't appear to have left the house in weeks, based on her diaries, so where could she have picked up a cold?)
Friday, September 15, 2006
Tuesday, September 15, 1925
Tuesday, September 15, 1925
Rain
Mama’s birthday. We had planned to have Dale go down town after school and get her a record and as the two oldest had to have shoes I phoned Papa to take them to a shoe store and superintend them buying them. I finished painting the bed and washed blankets for the baby and the boys’ sweaters. Trying to wind up my work for the big event.
(‘Mama’ is Nancy Elizabeth Jordan Campbell, pictured here and here. She was born in 1857, the 4th of 5 children and the only girl in her family. She died in 1947. Her record player would be one of the hand cranked models, a victrola. Grandma also had one that we played with sometimes as kids, very gently cranking it and playing old records, our favorite being one that ended with a little dog barking. I think that was also my mom’s favorite record when she was a little girl. I don’t recall the tune of the song, just the barking at the end.
FYI, my mom, Eleanor, Grandma’s youngest daughter born in 1929, is now occasionally posting comments on the diaries. So, go back and read some of the past days to see her comments. I’ve also added a picture of her to the picture blog so you can put a face with a name.)
Rain
Mama’s birthday. We had planned to have Dale go down town after school and get her a record and as the two oldest had to have shoes I phoned Papa to take them to a shoe store and superintend them buying them. I finished painting the bed and washed blankets for the baby and the boys’ sweaters. Trying to wind up my work for the big event.
(‘Mama’ is Nancy Elizabeth Jordan Campbell, pictured here and here. She was born in 1857, the 4th of 5 children and the only girl in her family. She died in 1947. Her record player would be one of the hand cranked models, a victrola. Grandma also had one that we played with sometimes as kids, very gently cranking it and playing old records, our favorite being one that ended with a little dog barking. I think that was also my mom’s favorite record when she was a little girl. I don’t recall the tune of the song, just the barking at the end.
FYI, my mom, Eleanor, Grandma’s youngest daughter born in 1929, is now occasionally posting comments on the diaries. So, go back and read some of the past days to see her comments. I’ve also added a picture of her to the picture blog so you can put a face with a name.)
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Monday, September 14, 1925
Monday, September 14, 1925
Rain
Cool and drizzly most of the day. Albert went to see if kindergarten opened, as Anna said theirs did and sure enough this was the first day, so he was enrolled again. But this evening eating corn on the cob for supper, he threw up again, so I’m afraid he isn’t as well as he should be. Ned is a little rowdy and romp these days, a regular clown.
(Albert was a little over 5 ½ years old and it sounds like he went to kindergarten by himself to enroll. I was mistaken earlier that he was a 1st grader at this point. He also attended kindergarten last spring, starting around March 9th, so they must have just sent the young ones to kindergarten once they turned 5 years old, which for Albert was on February 6th. Poor Albert was still having some stomach problems, which we know he continued to have through out his life, in some form or fashion. )
Rain
Cool and drizzly most of the day. Albert went to see if kindergarten opened, as Anna said theirs did and sure enough this was the first day, so he was enrolled again. But this evening eating corn on the cob for supper, he threw up again, so I’m afraid he isn’t as well as he should be. Ned is a little rowdy and romp these days, a regular clown.
(Albert was a little over 5 ½ years old and it sounds like he went to kindergarten by himself to enroll. I was mistaken earlier that he was a 1st grader at this point. He also attended kindergarten last spring, starting around March 9th, so they must have just sent the young ones to kindergarten once they turned 5 years old, which for Albert was on February 6th. Poor Albert was still having some stomach problems, which we know he continued to have through out his life, in some form or fashion. )
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Sunday, September 13, 1925
Sunday, September 13, 1925
Rain
Dick and Dale went to Sunday school and walked up town to catch a car coming home. Albert seemed to feel okay today. Bess spent the afternoon with us. Happened to be in the town to the dentist’s. It just poured rain all afternoon and left us all depressed and the kids were surely cross. Ned got in the mud twice, and dirtied four rompers today. Oh, the laundry bill!
(Bess (Clara Bessie) was one of Gilbert’s two older sisters. The other sister was Nell (Nellie May). Bess’s story is a bit sad. She was married once, briefly, but the marriage was annulled when they found out her husband already had a wife on the East cost somewhere. She never re-married, and ended up in the Marion County Guardian’s home in her old age, where she died in 1970 of “a heart attack which caused a fall and head injuries, with internal bleeding”. She was 82 years old when she died. Link here for a picture of Bess with a solider. We do not know if that is who she married. I’ve also added a new picture of Bess, one of Nell, and also one of Gilbert and his parents and sisters, probably taken in the mid 1890’s to the companion picture blog. Gilberts’ mother, Caroline, was 35 years old when she married his father, J.W.A. Smith, and nearly 6 years older than him.
I am sure the boys did feel a little cooped up on a rainy day. After all, what was there to do? No TV, video games, Internet, etc. I guess they had to play games, read, draw, talk to one another, etc. and apparently occasionally go outside and get dirty.)
(You may want to go back and read yesterdays' diary entry and comments, more info was added late about Ray & Anna Mock and their two daughters, Betty & Wilma.)
Rain
Dick and Dale went to Sunday school and walked up town to catch a car coming home. Albert seemed to feel okay today. Bess spent the afternoon with us. Happened to be in the town to the dentist’s. It just poured rain all afternoon and left us all depressed and the kids were surely cross. Ned got in the mud twice, and dirtied four rompers today. Oh, the laundry bill!
(Bess (Clara Bessie) was one of Gilbert’s two older sisters. The other sister was Nell (Nellie May). Bess’s story is a bit sad. She was married once, briefly, but the marriage was annulled when they found out her husband already had a wife on the East cost somewhere. She never re-married, and ended up in the Marion County Guardian’s home in her old age, where she died in 1970 of “a heart attack which caused a fall and head injuries, with internal bleeding”. She was 82 years old when she died. Link here for a picture of Bess with a solider. We do not know if that is who she married. I’ve also added a new picture of Bess, one of Nell, and also one of Gilbert and his parents and sisters, probably taken in the mid 1890’s to the companion picture blog. Gilberts’ mother, Caroline, was 35 years old when she married his father, J.W.A. Smith, and nearly 6 years older than him.
I am sure the boys did feel a little cooped up on a rainy day. After all, what was there to do? No TV, video games, Internet, etc. I guess they had to play games, read, draw, talk to one another, etc. and apparently occasionally go outside and get dirty.)
(You may want to go back and read yesterdays' diary entry and comments, more info was added late about Ray & Anna Mock and their two daughters, Betty & Wilma.)
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Saturday, September 12, 1925
Saturday, September 12, 1925
Rain
The boys had said they were coming home early but they got to playing with Winifred and having such a good time they stayed till after dinner. Mama said she never knew Winifred to romp so. Albert had the stomach ache and laid around all day. Anna and Ray dropped in on us a little while about 5 o’clock. They happened to be out this way.
(Apparently, the boys spent the night with their grandparents, after seeing the fireworks. Winifred is their cousin, here’s a link to her story. I also previously put pictures of her on Grandma’s Picture Blog, here’s a link to one of them.
I’m inclined to think that if Albert was laying around all day with a stomach ache that he didn’t go to his grandparents to see fireworks and spend the night.
Anna and Ray were family friends who lived on the north side of Indianapolis. What little I know of them I included in a previous diary entry. Perhaps my mom knows more about them?
Update: Annie in Austin provided some additional information on Ray and Anna Mock, available from the public census records for 1920 and 1930. The Mocks were married in 1914. They had two daughters, Betty Jane, who was probably born in 1920, and Wilma J. who was born around 1928. In 1942, Ray listed Betty on his WWII registry card as someone who would always know his address, which may indicate that he was a widower at that time. Anna died fairly young, as Mom noted. Thanks, Annie!
Now, how did Grandma and Gilbert come to know them? Through church? Gilbert's work?)
Rain
The boys had said they were coming home early but they got to playing with Winifred and having such a good time they stayed till after dinner. Mama said she never knew Winifred to romp so. Albert had the stomach ache and laid around all day. Anna and Ray dropped in on us a little while about 5 o’clock. They happened to be out this way.
(Apparently, the boys spent the night with their grandparents, after seeing the fireworks. Winifred is their cousin, here’s a link to her story. I also previously put pictures of her on Grandma’s Picture Blog, here’s a link to one of them.
I’m inclined to think that if Albert was laying around all day with a stomach ache that he didn’t go to his grandparents to see fireworks and spend the night.
Anna and Ray were family friends who lived on the north side of Indianapolis. What little I know of them I included in a previous diary entry. Perhaps my mom knows more about them?
Update: Annie in Austin provided some additional information on Ray and Anna Mock, available from the public census records for 1920 and 1930. The Mocks were married in 1914. They had two daughters, Betty Jane, who was probably born in 1920, and Wilma J. who was born around 1928. In 1942, Ray listed Betty on his WWII registry card as someone who would always know his address, which may indicate that he was a widower at that time. Anna died fairly young, as Mom noted. Thanks, Annie!
Now, how did Grandma and Gilbert come to know them? Through church? Gilbert's work?)
Monday, September 11, 2006
Friday, September 11, 1925
Friday, September 11, 1925
Sewed today, made Gilbert a shirt and Dale a waist. Didn’t feel extra well. The three boys all went to Mama’s for supper and they took them to see the fireworks display at the fair grounds. They were having so much fun in the garage, each setting up a store that I had trouble to get them ready in time for supper. Gilbert worked late.
(Even though Grandma did not feel “extra well”, she still sat there and sewed clothes. Remember she called the boys’ shirts “waists”. I’m not sure what the difference was between a waist and a shirt. The only thing I can think of is that a shirt was designed to be tucked into pants, and a waist wasn’t.
This is the 1st reference in the diaries to a garage. They didn’t have a car, but I think the garage was an outbuilding in the backyard, used more as a shed, with access from the alley that ran behind all the houses. By the time I was a kid, the garage was long gone.
Finally, I’ve noticed that the boys were going out more on their own or with others these last few months, further confirming in my mind that Grandma was staying at home due to her pregnancy. I remember her telling us that pregnant women just did not go out in public in her day! I’m sure the boys (which probably was just Dale, Dick & maybe Albert) thoroughly enjoyed seeing the fireworks.)
Sewed today, made Gilbert a shirt and Dale a waist. Didn’t feel extra well. The three boys all went to Mama’s for supper and they took them to see the fireworks display at the fair grounds. They were having so much fun in the garage, each setting up a store that I had trouble to get them ready in time for supper. Gilbert worked late.
(Even though Grandma did not feel “extra well”, she still sat there and sewed clothes. Remember she called the boys’ shirts “waists”. I’m not sure what the difference was between a waist and a shirt. The only thing I can think of is that a shirt was designed to be tucked into pants, and a waist wasn’t.
This is the 1st reference in the diaries to a garage. They didn’t have a car, but I think the garage was an outbuilding in the backyard, used more as a shed, with access from the alley that ran behind all the houses. By the time I was a kid, the garage was long gone.
Finally, I’ve noticed that the boys were going out more on their own or with others these last few months, further confirming in my mind that Grandma was staying at home due to her pregnancy. I remember her telling us that pregnant women just did not go out in public in her day! I’m sure the boys (which probably was just Dale, Dick & maybe Albert) thoroughly enjoyed seeing the fireworks.)
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Thursday, September 10, 1925
Thursday, September 10, 1925
Rain and cooler
It rained most of the night but Gilbert got along very well. He stayed here most of the morning to be sure he wasn’t going to be affected and finally went and got along okay. Mama came over about noon for a little while. We got our first load of coke for the winter. I ironed most of the day and felt as if it were too much for me.
(Gilbert seemed to suffer quite a bit from his hay fever/allergies/asthma, or whatever he had. Fall was an especially bad time for him, based on what Grandma wrote in the diaries.
They used coke in the furnace to heat the house. The coke was dumped through a small opening straight into the basement. I don't know if the pile of coke was in a separate room down there, or if it just sat in the middle of the floor in the same room with the washer. I also assume that their clothes washer was in the basement, but I guess don't really know that for sure. That's where I remember it being when I visited as a kid.
Based on what Grandma wrote in earlier diary entries, they had to tend to the furnace quite bit, to keep the fire going. )
Rain and cooler
It rained most of the night but Gilbert got along very well. He stayed here most of the morning to be sure he wasn’t going to be affected and finally went and got along okay. Mama came over about noon for a little while. We got our first load of coke for the winter. I ironed most of the day and felt as if it were too much for me.
(Gilbert seemed to suffer quite a bit from his hay fever/allergies/asthma, or whatever he had. Fall was an especially bad time for him, based on what Grandma wrote in the diaries.
They used coke in the furnace to heat the house. The coke was dumped through a small opening straight into the basement. I don't know if the pile of coke was in a separate room down there, or if it just sat in the middle of the floor in the same room with the washer. I also assume that their clothes washer was in the basement, but I guess don't really know that for sure. That's where I remember it being when I visited as a kid.
Based on what Grandma wrote in earlier diary entries, they had to tend to the furnace quite bit, to keep the fire going. )
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Wednesday, September 9, 1925
Wednesday, September 9, 1925
Hot
Neddy’s birthday. I ironed till noon, then made him a cocoanut cake. He rubbed his tummy and shouted “oh boy!” Dale went down town and got him a little wheel barrow which pleased Ned very much. Smith the vegetable man who Albert thinks brought Ned gave him a sack full of fruit and Ned didn’t understand why he put it in a sack instead of the basket. Dear little white top!
(Ned turned 2 on this day, and Grandma’s diary entry tells us quite a bit.
I believe the reason she sent Dale out to buy a gift for Ned was because she didn’t go out too often in her last few months of pregnancy. I remember her telling us that pregnant women did not go out much in public when they were “showing” and that even when someone came to the door, she would peek around the door to talk to them, so whoever it was would not see her body.
They didn’t grow their own vegetables, even though they had a yard big enough to have a vegetable garden. “Smith the vegetable man” was no relation to them. I believe he would stop by every week or so to offer whatever was in season. My other grandmother, on the other hand, lived on a farm and they grew and canned all kinds of vegetables.
They celebrated birthdays rather simply, but did celebrate them. A nice cake and one gift.
Ned must have been quite blond as a child, to be called "dear little white top".
Grandma will have the baby at home. Albert will be older this time, so maybe he’ll come to a different conclusion about where babies come from!)
Hot
Neddy’s birthday. I ironed till noon, then made him a cocoanut cake. He rubbed his tummy and shouted “oh boy!” Dale went down town and got him a little wheel barrow which pleased Ned very much. Smith the vegetable man who Albert thinks brought Ned gave him a sack full of fruit and Ned didn’t understand why he put it in a sack instead of the basket. Dear little white top!
(Ned turned 2 on this day, and Grandma’s diary entry tells us quite a bit.
I believe the reason she sent Dale out to buy a gift for Ned was because she didn’t go out too often in her last few months of pregnancy. I remember her telling us that pregnant women did not go out much in public when they were “showing” and that even when someone came to the door, she would peek around the door to talk to them, so whoever it was would not see her body.
They didn’t grow their own vegetables, even though they had a yard big enough to have a vegetable garden. “Smith the vegetable man” was no relation to them. I believe he would stop by every week or so to offer whatever was in season. My other grandmother, on the other hand, lived on a farm and they grew and canned all kinds of vegetables.
They celebrated birthdays rather simply, but did celebrate them. A nice cake and one gift.
Ned must have been quite blond as a child, to be called "dear little white top".
Grandma will have the baby at home. Albert will be older this time, so maybe he’ll come to a different conclusion about where babies come from!)
Friday, September 08, 2006
Tuesday, September 8, 1925
Tuesday, September 8, 1925
Warm
School started. Dick was delighted but Dale was a little loath to give up play. He had been having so much fun lately. Ned had a little stomach ache this AM and insisted on having the witch hazel bottle. I gave it to him. Then he wanted his waist unbuttoned. After it was open he proceeded to rub witch hazel on his stomach. Then he was better. Rain this evening that put Gilbert out.
(I doubt the witch hazel really did anything for Ned, but it must have been something he saw others do, so he wanted to do it, too. Here’s one source of info on what witch hazel was used for. Remember that a "waist" was what Grandma called a shirt.
I am hoping my mom reads this and provides more information on the elementary school they attended. I’m not sure what grades they were starting, but think perhaps Albert was going into 1st grade, Dick into 3rd grade, and Dale into 4th or 5th grade.)
Warm
School started. Dick was delighted but Dale was a little loath to give up play. He had been having so much fun lately. Ned had a little stomach ache this AM and insisted on having the witch hazel bottle. I gave it to him. Then he wanted his waist unbuttoned. After it was open he proceeded to rub witch hazel on his stomach. Then he was better. Rain this evening that put Gilbert out.
(I doubt the witch hazel really did anything for Ned, but it must have been something he saw others do, so he wanted to do it, too. Here’s one source of info on what witch hazel was used for. Remember that a "waist" was what Grandma called a shirt.
I am hoping my mom reads this and provides more information on the elementary school they attended. I’m not sure what grades they were starting, but think perhaps Albert was going into 1st grade, Dick into 3rd grade, and Dale into 4th or 5th grade.)
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Monday, September 7, 1925
Monday, September 7, 1925
Warm
The boys wanted to see the fair and as there was no one to take them, Dale and Dick went by themselves. They left here about 9. We placed no restrictions on them. Soon after they were back. They had seen it all. Got barbecue sandwiches, pop, cones, all at the cheapest places. Went on merry-go-round, caterpillar, and looked till they were tired. They had no trouble at all. Little men!!
(The fair Grandma was referring to was the Indiana State Fair.
Dale was 11 days shy of his 9th birthday, and Dick was 7½ years old when they went there by themselves. We are always amazed in reading the diaries what the boys were allowed to do alone at this age. On this day, it was going to the fair by themselves, probably taking a bus or streetcar to get there, having money to spend, riding rides, the whole deal. I believe the fairgrounds were about 4 miles from their house, so it is also possible that they walked the whole way there.
This was also Labor Day, which was observed “back then” and was actually observed as far back as the mid 1880’s.)
Warm
The boys wanted to see the fair and as there was no one to take them, Dale and Dick went by themselves. They left here about 9. We placed no restrictions on them. Soon after they were back. They had seen it all. Got barbecue sandwiches, pop, cones, all at the cheapest places. Went on merry-go-round, caterpillar, and looked till they were tired. They had no trouble at all. Little men!!
(The fair Grandma was referring to was the Indiana State Fair.
Dale was 11 days shy of his 9th birthday, and Dick was 7½ years old when they went there by themselves. We are always amazed in reading the diaries what the boys were allowed to do alone at this age. On this day, it was going to the fair by themselves, probably taking a bus or streetcar to get there, having money to spend, riding rides, the whole deal. I believe the fairgrounds were about 4 miles from their house, so it is also possible that they walked the whole way there.
This was also Labor Day, which was observed “back then” and was actually observed as far back as the mid 1880’s.)
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Sunday, September 6, 1925
Sunday, September 6, 1925
Hot & rain & cooler
Before I was up this morning Dick and Ned broke my pretty new lamp. I can’t have anything decent, everything gets broke up. Was awfully tired today. Got dinner and Papa came out. Mama is in Illinois at the reunion. The boys went to the show and stayed 4 ½ hours. They told me all about it. Gilbert went, too, but while there a rain came up which put him in his room for the evening.
(I’m sure it was difficult for Grandma to keep things intact with four boys under the age of 10 running all through the house. The boys had to go through her bedroom or the kitchen to get to the one bathroom in the house, and I would guess that is why they were in her room before she was up.
Ruth’s mother, Nancy Elizabeth Jordan Campbell, whom she refers to as “Mama”, was from Illinois and had four brothers, who all farmed somewhere near Gibson City, Illinois. That’s who she was visiting with at the reunion in Illinois. Grandma wrote quite a bit about the Jordan family in the family history she compiled. (We are very appreciative that she took the time to write down what she knew of the family history, for without her written history, we would know very little about our ancestry! I believe my cousin David is the one who prompted her to do so.)
I’ve posted two picture of Ruth’s mother in the accompanying picture blog. One is probably from the late 1890's when Ruth was a child, the other is how I am guessing she looked in the 1920’s, but I don’t know specific dates for the pictures, so I could be off a decade or two.
Grandma seemed to always enjoy when her children came home from the movies or from playing or visiting someone and told her about their adventures, though I think she was pretty much a home-body herself. Gilbert seemed like one who wanted to be out and about.)
Hot & rain & cooler
Before I was up this morning Dick and Ned broke my pretty new lamp. I can’t have anything decent, everything gets broke up. Was awfully tired today. Got dinner and Papa came out. Mama is in Illinois at the reunion. The boys went to the show and stayed 4 ½ hours. They told me all about it. Gilbert went, too, but while there a rain came up which put him in his room for the evening.
(I’m sure it was difficult for Grandma to keep things intact with four boys under the age of 10 running all through the house. The boys had to go through her bedroom or the kitchen to get to the one bathroom in the house, and I would guess that is why they were in her room before she was up.
Ruth’s mother, Nancy Elizabeth Jordan Campbell, whom she refers to as “Mama”, was from Illinois and had four brothers, who all farmed somewhere near Gibson City, Illinois. That’s who she was visiting with at the reunion in Illinois. Grandma wrote quite a bit about the Jordan family in the family history she compiled. (We are very appreciative that she took the time to write down what she knew of the family history, for without her written history, we would know very little about our ancestry! I believe my cousin David is the one who prompted her to do so.)
I’ve posted two picture of Ruth’s mother in the accompanying picture blog. One is probably from the late 1890's when Ruth was a child, the other is how I am guessing she looked in the 1920’s, but I don’t know specific dates for the pictures, so I could be off a decade or two.
Grandma seemed to always enjoy when her children came home from the movies or from playing or visiting someone and told her about their adventures, though I think she was pretty much a home-body herself. Gilbert seemed like one who wanted to be out and about.)
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Saturday, September 5, 1925
Saturday, September 5, 1925
Hot
I put in a big day but things do look nice and clean this evening. Finally got the dresser up downstairs, all the curtains up, etc. Went over all the floors around the edges with gasoline and paraffin oil. I put up my pretty little bed room lamp by my bed and it looks so nice. Washed my hair, bathed all of us and Gilbert cut my hair too short. One whole ear shows and half of other one.
(It’s unbelievable at times to think about some of the things they used in the 1920’s that we would not even consider using today, like paraffin and gasoline to clean along the edges of a wood floor. Sounds quite flammable and dangerous, to say the least.
And, I didn’t know Grandma let Gilbert cut her hair like that. Was this a cost-cutting measure? It sounds like the results were less than satisfactory. Previously she had written about going to the hair dressers to get a marcel. Maybe she only did that for special occasions? I remember Grandma as having longer hair, which she braided and wrapped into a bun. Her hair must have been shorter when she was younger, which was more the style of the 1920’s.)
Hot
I put in a big day but things do look nice and clean this evening. Finally got the dresser up downstairs, all the curtains up, etc. Went over all the floors around the edges with gasoline and paraffin oil. I put up my pretty little bed room lamp by my bed and it looks so nice. Washed my hair, bathed all of us and Gilbert cut my hair too short. One whole ear shows and half of other one.
(It’s unbelievable at times to think about some of the things they used in the 1920’s that we would not even consider using today, like paraffin and gasoline to clean along the edges of a wood floor. Sounds quite flammable and dangerous, to say the least.
And, I didn’t know Grandma let Gilbert cut her hair like that. Was this a cost-cutting measure? It sounds like the results were less than satisfactory. Previously she had written about going to the hair dressers to get a marcel. Maybe she only did that for special occasions? I remember Grandma as having longer hair, which she braided and wrapped into a bun. Her hair must have been shorter when she was younger, which was more the style of the 1920’s.)
Monday, September 04, 2006
Friday, September 4, 1925
Friday, September 4, 1925
Hot
Well, I puttied in a glass in a dining room window, cleaned them inside and out and put up my new yellow curtains. Put up curtains in the kitchen and pantry, cleaned out the kitchen closet, put things back in the cabinet. Run the cleaner over the house, not to mention dish washing and meals, etc. The veins in my forehead were all swelled up.
(Another big day of working on cleaning and fixing up the house. Grandma even knew how to fix a window. We are certainly aware of her skills as a seamstress, but I didn’t know she had skills to fix windows!
We used to hear how there was a pipe or heating duct that ran from the inside of the kitchen closet up to the 2nd floor where the boys had their bedrooms and Grandma could bang on that in the kitchen to wake them upstairs. Other than that, I don’t recall too much about what might have been in that kitchen closet. Most of the food was kept in the pantry, ice box, or cabinet.
I’ve already mentioned that the cabinet was what was typically referred to as a Hoosier Cabinet and it was where flour, sugar, and other baking items were kept, and was really the only work surface in the kitchen, other than the kitchen table in the center of the room.
If Grandma’s veins in her forehead were all swelled up after cleaning and being on her feet all day, I wonder if she had high blood pressure?)
Hot
Well, I puttied in a glass in a dining room window, cleaned them inside and out and put up my new yellow curtains. Put up curtains in the kitchen and pantry, cleaned out the kitchen closet, put things back in the cabinet. Run the cleaner over the house, not to mention dish washing and meals, etc. The veins in my forehead were all swelled up.
(Another big day of working on cleaning and fixing up the house. Grandma even knew how to fix a window. We are certainly aware of her skills as a seamstress, but I didn’t know she had skills to fix windows!
We used to hear how there was a pipe or heating duct that ran from the inside of the kitchen closet up to the 2nd floor where the boys had their bedrooms and Grandma could bang on that in the kitchen to wake them upstairs. Other than that, I don’t recall too much about what might have been in that kitchen closet. Most of the food was kept in the pantry, ice box, or cabinet.
I’ve already mentioned that the cabinet was what was typically referred to as a Hoosier Cabinet and it was where flour, sugar, and other baking items were kept, and was really the only work surface in the kitchen, other than the kitchen table in the center of the room.
If Grandma’s veins in her forehead were all swelled up after cleaning and being on her feet all day, I wonder if she had high blood pressure?)
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Thursday, September 3, 1925
Thursday, September 3, 1925
Hot
Painted the baby bed this AM and after noon cleaned woodwork, windows, and floor in kitchen, pantry, and bathroom. Things begin to look better although the cabinet was too sticky inside to put things back in yet. But the worst of the dirt is out and how much lighter the rooms are! Oh so tired!
(Work continued to get ready for the birth of the baby. Grandma was doing quite a bit of hard work in her last trimester. I recall in the spring she wrote so often about feeling 'bum', having no energy, etc. so this is quite a change from before. We have hypothesized that she felt so bad in winter, early spring because of their coke furnace in the basement and perhaps that was not ventilating properly and they were breathing those fumes (like carbon monoxide) all of the time. Or maybe she just didn’t’ feel well early on in her pregnancy?
By the way, two “blog” related items. First, I’ve notice additional web traffic, so more people are finding these diaries. I love comments from people who find these daily diary readings interesting and read them, so don’t be shy. Click on comments and you can either be anonymous or enter a name, or if you are on blogger, you can use your blogger name with your comments.
Second, my Mom, the youngest daughter, Eleanor, is now connected to the Internet, so we are going to teach her how to add comments with her own recollections of her mother (Ruth Campbell Smith) and brothers, sister, and father.)
Hot
Painted the baby bed this AM and after noon cleaned woodwork, windows, and floor in kitchen, pantry, and bathroom. Things begin to look better although the cabinet was too sticky inside to put things back in yet. But the worst of the dirt is out and how much lighter the rooms are! Oh so tired!
(Work continued to get ready for the birth of the baby. Grandma was doing quite a bit of hard work in her last trimester. I recall in the spring she wrote so often about feeling 'bum', having no energy, etc. so this is quite a change from before. We have hypothesized that she felt so bad in winter, early spring because of their coke furnace in the basement and perhaps that was not ventilating properly and they were breathing those fumes (like carbon monoxide) all of the time. Or maybe she just didn’t’ feel well early on in her pregnancy?
By the way, two “blog” related items. First, I’ve notice additional web traffic, so more people are finding these diaries. I love comments from people who find these daily diary readings interesting and read them, so don’t be shy. Click on comments and you can either be anonymous or enter a name, or if you are on blogger, you can use your blogger name with your comments.
Second, my Mom, the youngest daughter, Eleanor, is now connected to the Internet, so we are going to teach her how to add comments with her own recollections of her mother (Ruth Campbell Smith) and brothers, sister, and father.)
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Wednesday, September 2, 1925
Wednesday, September 2, 1925
Hot
Gilbert was able to go to work this morning thanks to the medicine Dale got from Papa’s office yesterday PM. But his nose got worse again and he seemed to start hay fever over. I pitched in to finish his job of painting. If I wait on him, Snookums will beat us for sure. So I stayed up till 1 AM to complete the job was too tired to sleep, then.
(Snookums? I had to read that sentence a couple of times before I realized she was talking about her unborn baby. I have not included the baby’s exact birth date in the blog description, so it will be a surprise to all when she is born.
But, since I don't have the 1929 diary (if Grandma even kept one that year), I'm not really giving away a future secret by posting a Happy Birthday to Eleanor, their youngest child, born today in 1929. Happy Birthday, Mom!)
Hot
Gilbert was able to go to work this morning thanks to the medicine Dale got from Papa’s office yesterday PM. But his nose got worse again and he seemed to start hay fever over. I pitched in to finish his job of painting. If I wait on him, Snookums will beat us for sure. So I stayed up till 1 AM to complete the job was too tired to sleep, then.
(Snookums? I had to read that sentence a couple of times before I realized she was talking about her unborn baby. I have not included the baby’s exact birth date in the blog description, so it will be a surprise to all when she is born.
But, since I don't have the 1929 diary (if Grandma even kept one that year), I'm not really giving away a future secret by posting a Happy Birthday to Eleanor, their youngest child, born today in 1929. Happy Birthday, Mom!)
Friday, September 01, 2006
Tuesday, September 1, 1925
Tuesday, September 1, 1925
Fair, Hot
A lovely day with a good breeze but Gilbert’s asthma still hung on and he didn’t go to work. I put in a big day ironing when I wasn’t scrubbing boys. They built a fire and undertook to cook their dinner, but their wood was too green and did nothing but smoke and they got quite dirty. Took about 2 hours to scrub them all up. Dale went to Mama’s and down town.
(Sounds like more fun in the backyard for the boys, and then baths for everyone. I can’t really tell from the diaries how often they bathed. I would guess not every day, but not just once a week, more like whenever they got dirty.
I found on Google Books a book written in 1922, which might have been typical of the books Grandma had if she had any books to guide her in raising her children. It is “The Healthy Child From Two to Seven” by Francis Hamilton MacCarthy, M.D. There is a section on gardening with children and one one playing, in which the author compares raising children to growing plants! There is also a section on colds and how to keep your children from catching a cold. And, there is a section on bathing children. I am sure there is a lot of interest in the book, and it might help us understand more about how Grandma raised her children. It is downloadable for offline reading.)
Fair, Hot
A lovely day with a good breeze but Gilbert’s asthma still hung on and he didn’t go to work. I put in a big day ironing when I wasn’t scrubbing boys. They built a fire and undertook to cook their dinner, but their wood was too green and did nothing but smoke and they got quite dirty. Took about 2 hours to scrub them all up. Dale went to Mama’s and down town.
(Sounds like more fun in the backyard for the boys, and then baths for everyone. I can’t really tell from the diaries how often they bathed. I would guess not every day, but not just once a week, more like whenever they got dirty.
I found on Google Books a book written in 1922, which might have been typical of the books Grandma had if she had any books to guide her in raising her children. It is “The Healthy Child From Two to Seven” by Francis Hamilton MacCarthy, M.D. There is a section on gardening with children and one one playing, in which the author compares raising children to growing plants! There is also a section on colds and how to keep your children from catching a cold. And, there is a section on bathing children. I am sure there is a lot of interest in the book, and it might help us understand more about how Grandma raised her children. It is downloadable for offline reading.)
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Monday, August 31, 1925
Monday, August 31, 1925
Cloudy
The atmosphere was so heavy all day that Gilbert didn’t attempt to go to work. It was even hard for me to breathe, but his asthma came up worse than any time this year. The boys had a great time, with Don C. They were cave dwellers and made their huts and camp fires and roasted potatoes and Oh! How dirty they got! But such fun!
(I believe the Don C. she is referring to is their friend Don Carper who went down town with them a few days ago, not Don Campbell, their young cousin.
So, she let them play outside with fire. I recall talking our Mom into letting us build a little fire out in the back yard to roast potatoes in. I guess we survived it, too. I wonder what they made their huts out of? Did she let them dig big holes in the back yard to be "cave dwellers"? I think I recall her writing about the boys digging in the back yard in thes spring.
I can’t imagine what it must have been like to suffer from asthma (or was it hay fever that she called asthma) in the 1920’s and not have any of the treatments we have today. And, for those who have read all the way through, isn’t it nice that Albert seems to have recovered from whatever he had most of the spring? She hasn’t mentioned him in the dairy in quite some time, so I assume he was well at this point.)
Cloudy
The atmosphere was so heavy all day that Gilbert didn’t attempt to go to work. It was even hard for me to breathe, but his asthma came up worse than any time this year. The boys had a great time, with Don C. They were cave dwellers and made their huts and camp fires and roasted potatoes and Oh! How dirty they got! But such fun!
(I believe the Don C. she is referring to is their friend Don Carper who went down town with them a few days ago, not Don Campbell, their young cousin.
So, she let them play outside with fire. I recall talking our Mom into letting us build a little fire out in the back yard to roast potatoes in. I guess we survived it, too. I wonder what they made their huts out of? Did she let them dig big holes in the back yard to be "cave dwellers"? I think I recall her writing about the boys digging in the back yard in thes spring.
I can’t imagine what it must have been like to suffer from asthma (or was it hay fever that she called asthma) in the 1920’s and not have any of the treatments we have today. And, for those who have read all the way through, isn’t it nice that Albert seems to have recovered from whatever he had most of the spring? She hasn’t mentioned him in the dairy in quite some time, so I assume he was well at this point.)
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Sunday, August 30, 1925
Sunday, August 30, 1925
Hot
Gilbert’s birthday but the poor boy put in most of it working. He finally finished the kitchen while I got dinner and the smell almost got the best of me. Ella and the kids were over in the PM. Then Gilbert started to put the white on the bathroom, although wheezy and the brush he bought shed hairs so he decided to try soaking it. Never will get done.
(Ella was Grandma’s sister-in-law, 1st wife of her brother Guy. They had four children, Mildred (b. 1904), Onarga (b. 1906), Robert (b. 1912), and Don (b. 1922). I provided more info on them in the March 29, 1925 post. Guy divorced Mildred in 1929 and married Vangie in 1930. According to the family history Grandma wrote, “In 1929, the year that his father died, the gossips of Brownsburg began to talk of an affair between him (Guy) and Vangie Duncan, one of his employees, a divorcee, which caused trouble between him and his family.” I’ll bet it did!
Don Campbell wrote a book published in 1959 called “Let’s Take Stock – An Inside Look at Wall Street” while he was a business editor for the Indianapolis Star.
Happy 117th Birthday to Gilbert, born in 1889. I didn’t realize his birthday was just three days before his youngest daughter, Eleanor’s, who was born September 2, 1929.)
Hot
Gilbert’s birthday but the poor boy put in most of it working. He finally finished the kitchen while I got dinner and the smell almost got the best of me. Ella and the kids were over in the PM. Then Gilbert started to put the white on the bathroom, although wheezy and the brush he bought shed hairs so he decided to try soaking it. Never will get done.
(Ella was Grandma’s sister-in-law, 1st wife of her brother Guy. They had four children, Mildred (b. 1904), Onarga (b. 1906), Robert (b. 1912), and Don (b. 1922). I provided more info on them in the March 29, 1925 post. Guy divorced Mildred in 1929 and married Vangie in 1930. According to the family history Grandma wrote, “In 1929, the year that his father died, the gossips of Brownsburg began to talk of an affair between him (Guy) and Vangie Duncan, one of his employees, a divorcee, which caused trouble between him and his family.” I’ll bet it did!
Don Campbell wrote a book published in 1959 called “Let’s Take Stock – An Inside Look at Wall Street” while he was a business editor for the Indianapolis Star.
Happy 117th Birthday to Gilbert, born in 1889. I didn’t realize his birthday was just three days before his youngest daughter, Eleanor’s, who was born September 2, 1929.)
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Saturday, August 29, 1925
Saturday, August 29, 1925
Hot
No good all day and didn’t do much. Kept waiting till Gilbert should come home and move the dresser and put the new bed springs on as he had promised to be home early and do it. But he didn’t come home till 5:00 and then so wheezy he didn’t do anything but paint the kitchen ceiling. And I expected to be all done and fixed up by tonight.
(I was surprised reading the diaries that Gilbert seemed to work a lot of Saturdays. I guess I just assumed as an accountant, he would have the weekends off. I also did not realize he suffered from hay fever/asthma in the fall. At least he got one thing done on this particular day as Grandma continued to work on fixing up and cleaning up in anticipation of the new baby. At least, I think that is why she worked so hard these last few days.)
Hot
No good all day and didn’t do much. Kept waiting till Gilbert should come home and move the dresser and put the new bed springs on as he had promised to be home early and do it. But he didn’t come home till 5:00 and then so wheezy he didn’t do anything but paint the kitchen ceiling. And I expected to be all done and fixed up by tonight.
(I was surprised reading the diaries that Gilbert seemed to work a lot of Saturdays. I guess I just assumed as an accountant, he would have the weekends off. I also did not realize he suffered from hay fever/asthma in the fall. At least he got one thing done on this particular day as Grandma continued to work on fixing up and cleaning up in anticipation of the new baby. At least, I think that is why she worked so hard these last few days.)
Monday, August 28, 2006
Friday, August 28, 1925
Friday, August 28, 1925
Warm
Could hardly navigate. Sent Dale and Dick down town to get Daddy a birthday present. Don Carper went too. They went to Stewarts, then visited all the 10 cent stores and got them some toys. Some experienced little men! I cleaned the dining room, but it was hard to keep at it I felt so draggy. I’m anxious to get my heavy work done, then rest and sew.
(I’m not sure Grandma ever mentioned what the boys bought Gilbert (Daddy) for his birthday, but I did find some brief information about Stewarts on this website.
They are quite experienced little boys, for their ages. Dale was not quite 10 and Dick was 8 or so years old at this time, if I’ve done my math correctly, and they were allowed to take street cars and buses around the city by themselves. On this day, she sent them down town to shop, not just to stores a few blocks away, so they would have had to take a street car.
I assume Grandma told the boys they could also buy themselves some toys, or she would have mentioned them being in trouble for doing so. I assume if they got the toys at the 10 cent stores, they probably paid about 10 cents per toy.)
Warm
Could hardly navigate. Sent Dale and Dick down town to get Daddy a birthday present. Don Carper went too. They went to Stewarts, then visited all the 10 cent stores and got them some toys. Some experienced little men! I cleaned the dining room, but it was hard to keep at it I felt so draggy. I’m anxious to get my heavy work done, then rest and sew.
(I’m not sure Grandma ever mentioned what the boys bought Gilbert (Daddy) for his birthday, but I did find some brief information about Stewarts on this website.
They are quite experienced little boys, for their ages. Dale was not quite 10 and Dick was 8 or so years old at this time, if I’ve done my math correctly, and they were allowed to take street cars and buses around the city by themselves. On this day, she sent them down town to shop, not just to stores a few blocks away, so they would have had to take a street car.
I assume Grandma told the boys they could also buy themselves some toys, or she would have mentioned them being in trouble for doing so. I assume if they got the toys at the 10 cent stores, they probably paid about 10 cents per toy.)
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Thursday, August 27, 1925
Thursday, August 27, 1925
Cooler
Ironed all morning. Was thankful for a cooler day. Little odd jobs of mending, making noodles, putting clothes away took the afternoon so I didn’t get any more house cleaning done. My legs feel like they would break before they would bend any way. Gilbert going to be too late to paint. Will he ever get done?
(Except for ironing and making noodles, sounds like Grandma "took the day off". She still seemed to do a lot even on "off" days and when she didn't feel well. There was just no break in the work that she had to do to keep everyone clothed and fed.)
Cooler
Ironed all morning. Was thankful for a cooler day. Little odd jobs of mending, making noodles, putting clothes away took the afternoon so I didn’t get any more house cleaning done. My legs feel like they would break before they would bend any way. Gilbert going to be too late to paint. Will he ever get done?
(Except for ironing and making noodles, sounds like Grandma "took the day off". She still seemed to do a lot even on "off" days and when she didn't feel well. There was just no break in the work that she had to do to keep everyone clothed and fed.)
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Wednesday, August 26, 1925
Wednesday, August 26, 1925
Hot
Intended to iron but had to straighten up the house first, then Mrs. Little came to see about the job of nursing. Noon when she left. I sprinkled the clothes. Mama came. The new window blinds came for the front windows but were wrong side out so Mama and I put in all PM fixing them and some old blinds up. Got a little paint on.
(With all the cleaning the last few days, I was a bit surprised that Grandma had to straighten up the house for company. I am sure with the four boys it was hard to keep everything picked up and straightened up. Plus, sometimes when you are in the midst of heavy cleaning, that’s when your house looks the worst.
It appears that she was planning to have a nurse come in to help her at some point, presumably after she had the baby. I find that a bit surprising. Interesting that Grandma has had no pre-natal care, never once mentioned in her diary anything about visiting a doctor. Her father was a doctor, specializing in gynecology, but she doesn’t even mention him checking her out. She will have the baby at home.
Grandma was still working on fixing up and cleaning up the house. She’s been at it for several days with no real break. I assume that it was Gilbert who did a little painting.)
Hot
Intended to iron but had to straighten up the house first, then Mrs. Little came to see about the job of nursing. Noon when she left. I sprinkled the clothes. Mama came. The new window blinds came for the front windows but were wrong side out so Mama and I put in all PM fixing them and some old blinds up. Got a little paint on.
(With all the cleaning the last few days, I was a bit surprised that Grandma had to straighten up the house for company. I am sure with the four boys it was hard to keep everything picked up and straightened up. Plus, sometimes when you are in the midst of heavy cleaning, that’s when your house looks the worst.
It appears that she was planning to have a nurse come in to help her at some point, presumably after she had the baby. I find that a bit surprising. Interesting that Grandma has had no pre-natal care, never once mentioned in her diary anything about visiting a doctor. Her father was a doctor, specializing in gynecology, but she doesn’t even mention him checking her out. She will have the baby at home.
Grandma was still working on fixing up and cleaning up the house. She’s been at it for several days with no real break. I assume that it was Gilbert who did a little painting.)
Friday, August 25, 2006
Tuesday, August 25, 1925
Tuesday, August 25, 1925
Hot
Put in a big day cleaning woodwork in upstairs hall and the two front rooms downstairs, then windows, chandeliers, floors, etc. Was nearly dead by evening, for after they were cleaned, I put clean papers on the pantry shelves and everything back in there. Gilbert put in the evening manicuring the basement and set the new cot up for me to sleep on and rugs down.
(Grandma was still working on cleaning in the house. In previous months, it always seemed like she worked hard one day, and then had to rest the next day. Now, she is working hard several days in a row. Must be true about that “nesting instinct” that new mothers get before they have their babies. Need to get everything ready!
I called my mom to find out about the cot and if it was really set up in the basement, because it was not clear from the diary. She said she remembered that in the kitchen the original sink was the kind that hung off the wall with no cabinets around it, and she remembers her mother setting up a cot under that, but that seems to make no sense, either. We wondered if they put the cot in the basement where it would be cooler. Surely they weren’t planning for Grandma to go down there to have the baby? It would be so damp. I think what they probably did was straighten up the basement; set up a cot someplace, but not necessarily in the basement or kitchen; and then put down rugs, which she may have taken outside to clean. That would make some sense?
I don’t usually like to send people back to previous days, but please go back and read the August 11th post. I have added some additional information about their neighbor Miss Dunlea, the one with the chickens.)
Hot
Put in a big day cleaning woodwork in upstairs hall and the two front rooms downstairs, then windows, chandeliers, floors, etc. Was nearly dead by evening, for after they were cleaned, I put clean papers on the pantry shelves and everything back in there. Gilbert put in the evening manicuring the basement and set the new cot up for me to sleep on and rugs down.
(Grandma was still working on cleaning in the house. In previous months, it always seemed like she worked hard one day, and then had to rest the next day. Now, she is working hard several days in a row. Must be true about that “nesting instinct” that new mothers get before they have their babies. Need to get everything ready!
I called my mom to find out about the cot and if it was really set up in the basement, because it was not clear from the diary. She said she remembered that in the kitchen the original sink was the kind that hung off the wall with no cabinets around it, and she remembers her mother setting up a cot under that, but that seems to make no sense, either. We wondered if they put the cot in the basement where it would be cooler. Surely they weren’t planning for Grandma to go down there to have the baby? It would be so damp. I think what they probably did was straighten up the basement; set up a cot someplace, but not necessarily in the basement or kitchen; and then put down rugs, which she may have taken outside to clean. That would make some sense?
I don’t usually like to send people back to previous days, but please go back and read the August 11th post. I have added some additional information about their neighbor Miss Dunlea, the one with the chickens.)
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Monday, August 24, 1925
Monday, August 24, 1925
Sent the washing to the laundry again and they were back at two in time to dry them today. However I put in a big day, washing the bed clothes we have been using this summer and all the curtains in the house. Reaching up, stretching and hanging them just takes all my breath away. Gilbert late and didn’t paint.
(Grandma was sure working hard to clean up the house and get everything taken care of before she had the baby, due in early October. Remember from a few days ago, she had decided to send the laundry out to be washed, and they brought it back wet, so she still had to hang it out to dry and then iron it all. Seems like sending out the clothes to be washed just gave her the time to wash other items that weren’t generally washed every day, like bed clothes (sheets and blankets, I assume) and curtains. I’d guess there were 7 sets of curtains to wash, not counting curtains on the glass front door or curtains in the smaller windows that were in the little rooms tucked under the eaves in the upstairs.
Grandma has made comments before that implied Gilbert wasn’t all that interested in painting and fixing up around the house. Keep in mind before you judge him, he did generally use a cane to walk, due to one leg being quite a bit shorter than the other, plus he suffered from hay fever, so he just might not have felt up to the task at hand.)
Sent the washing to the laundry again and they were back at two in time to dry them today. However I put in a big day, washing the bed clothes we have been using this summer and all the curtains in the house. Reaching up, stretching and hanging them just takes all my breath away. Gilbert late and didn’t paint.
(Grandma was sure working hard to clean up the house and get everything taken care of before she had the baby, due in early October. Remember from a few days ago, she had decided to send the laundry out to be washed, and they brought it back wet, so she still had to hang it out to dry and then iron it all. Seems like sending out the clothes to be washed just gave her the time to wash other items that weren’t generally washed every day, like bed clothes (sheets and blankets, I assume) and curtains. I’d guess there were 7 sets of curtains to wash, not counting curtains on the glass front door or curtains in the smaller windows that were in the little rooms tucked under the eaves in the upstairs.
Grandma has made comments before that implied Gilbert wasn’t all that interested in painting and fixing up around the house. Keep in mind before you judge him, he did generally use a cane to walk, due to one leg being quite a bit shorter than the other, plus he suffered from hay fever, so he just might not have felt up to the task at hand.)
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Sunday, August 23, 1925
Sunday, August 23, 1925
Warm
Gilbert put in the morning painting behind the cabinet and putting that back. Then tore out the pantry and painted it. Spilt my goose grease all over the refrigerator and the things on it. Such a mess! Left all things out in the kitchen to climb over till the shelves get dry.
(It does appear that they were finally making some good progress on the painting. The pantry was a small room just off the kitchen. As I recall, there was a small window in the pantry that looked out onto the backyard and of course, there were shelves along the two sides that didn’t have either a door or window in them.
I certainly don’t know anyone who cooks with goose grease these days. I can’t tell from her diary if she spilled (spilt) the grease or if Gilbert did it, perhaps while moving things around to paint. Some research revealed that goose grease was sometimes used in cooking, like olive oil, and as a general lubricant. I guess it would be a mess to clean up.)
Warm
Gilbert put in the morning painting behind the cabinet and putting that back. Then tore out the pantry and painted it. Spilt my goose grease all over the refrigerator and the things on it. Such a mess! Left all things out in the kitchen to climb over till the shelves get dry.
(It does appear that they were finally making some good progress on the painting. The pantry was a small room just off the kitchen. As I recall, there was a small window in the pantry that looked out onto the backyard and of course, there were shelves along the two sides that didn’t have either a door or window in them.
I certainly don’t know anyone who cooks with goose grease these days. I can’t tell from her diary if she spilled (spilt) the grease or if Gilbert did it, perhaps while moving things around to paint. Some research revealed that goose grease was sometimes used in cooking, like olive oil, and as a general lubricant. I guess it would be a mess to clean up.)
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Saturday, August 22, 1925
Saturday, August 22, 1925
Got done my cleaning house and made cake and pies, cleaned up the boys so they could go to the park as the paper said there was to be a celebration there but they couldn’t find anything. Gilbert finished putting the sizing on the walls. Moved the cabinet and I had the top and back of that to clean.
(The cabinet Grandma referred to is commonly called a Hoosier cabinet, and was something like the one on this website. She still had it in her kitchen until the day she moved out of the house in the early 1970's. Previously, I had written about the type of ice box they had which required blocks of ice to keep things cool.
It sounds like Gilbert was getting the painting done, in spite of having stayed downtown the night before! Though, Im still confused about where he was putting sizing, which was/is commonly used on walls that are going to be papered.
The boys seemed to be always looking for an adventure. Notice they are still not back in school yet. They definitely waited until after Labor Day to go back to school, unlike today when school starts up again in mid-August.)
Got done my cleaning house and made cake and pies, cleaned up the boys so they could go to the park as the paper said there was to be a celebration there but they couldn’t find anything. Gilbert finished putting the sizing on the walls. Moved the cabinet and I had the top and back of that to clean.
(The cabinet Grandma referred to is commonly called a Hoosier cabinet, and was something like the one on this website. She still had it in her kitchen until the day she moved out of the house in the early 1970's. Previously, I had written about the type of ice box they had which required blocks of ice to keep things cool.
It sounds like Gilbert was getting the painting done, in spite of having stayed downtown the night before! Though, Im still confused about where he was putting sizing, which was/is commonly used on walls that are going to be papered.
The boys seemed to be always looking for an adventure. Notice they are still not back in school yet. They definitely waited until after Labor Day to go back to school, unlike today when school starts up again in mid-August.)
Monday, August 21, 2006
Friday, August 21, 1925
Friday, August 21, 1925
Fair
The boys had been wanting to “take a travel” and eat their lunch somewhere but the rain kept them in yesterday. This was fair and cooler so they started out. Went to Ellenberger Park, with their lunch. Came back in four hours; three, tired, happy little travelers. Gilbert went to a Mardi Gras on Penn St. instead of painting. He doesn’t care about how ugly things are around here.
(I'm going to assume that Grandma's harsh words about Gilbert were because she was in her last trimester of pregnancy and just wanted the house to look nice before she had the next baby. He was probably thinking he had all day Saturday to work on the painting. That said, I am somewhat surprised Gilbert would stay downtown for a Mardi Gras event versus come straight home after work.
Three happy little travelers appoximately 9, 7, and 5 years old go went by themselves to a park to picnic. That's quite young these days for that kind of independence!)
Fair
The boys had been wanting to “take a travel” and eat their lunch somewhere but the rain kept them in yesterday. This was fair and cooler so they started out. Went to Ellenberger Park, with their lunch. Came back in four hours; three, tired, happy little travelers. Gilbert went to a Mardi Gras on Penn St. instead of painting. He doesn’t care about how ugly things are around here.
(I'm going to assume that Grandma's harsh words about Gilbert were because she was in her last trimester of pregnancy and just wanted the house to look nice before she had the next baby. He was probably thinking he had all day Saturday to work on the painting. That said, I am somewhat surprised Gilbert would stay downtown for a Mardi Gras event versus come straight home after work.
Three happy little travelers appoximately 9, 7, and 5 years old go went by themselves to a park to picnic. That's quite young these days for that kind of independence!)
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Thursday, August 20, 1925
Thursday, August 20, 1925
Rain
I ironed while it drizzled outdoors and the boys played indoors and tore up Jack generally. Gilbert’s hay fever didn’t both him any, or rather asthma, on a day like this. It is remarkable how much better he is this year.
(I think Grandma preferred the boys to play outside because they were "boys" in general, and played loudly. She used the phrase "tore up Jack" several times, and I take it to mean that they made a mess of whatever room they were in. I'm sure our house was this way when I was growing up and we played inside on a rainy day, throwing couch cushions on the floor, getting out toys and books, deciding to move furniture around or getting out a card table and blanket to make a tent... just generally having fun.
For those in the family who suffer in August with hay fever, it appears you can trace this affliction back to Grandpa Gilbert. You will want to stay tuned to read about some of his treatments.
And, as noted a few days ago, I did find time to post some additional pictures on Grandma's Pictures. There is a picture of Gilbert in his office at the gas company and a graduation phote of Gilbert in 1909. Since Gilbert would have been 20 in this picture (he was born in 1889), this is likely to be from when he graduated from "business college". I do not know where he attended college, and Grandma did not mention which college in the family history that she wrote. Call out to family members.... does anyone know?
I also added a picture of Grandma's "papa" in his office and a picture of her nephew, Bob, who is mentioned in a diary entry a few days ago. I think Bob might have been just a bit older than Dale, and he looks like he's either a very nice polite little boy or someone who could talk his younger cousins into quite a bit of mischief! Anyone agree with me?
I want to thank my cousin David and his wife Leesa for providing this latest set of pictures. They did a wonderful job of scanning all the photos and copying them to CD's for everyone to enjoy.
Rain
I ironed while it drizzled outdoors and the boys played indoors and tore up Jack generally. Gilbert’s hay fever didn’t both him any, or rather asthma, on a day like this. It is remarkable how much better he is this year.
(I think Grandma preferred the boys to play outside because they were "boys" in general, and played loudly. She used the phrase "tore up Jack" several times, and I take it to mean that they made a mess of whatever room they were in. I'm sure our house was this way when I was growing up and we played inside on a rainy day, throwing couch cushions on the floor, getting out toys and books, deciding to move furniture around or getting out a card table and blanket to make a tent... just generally having fun.
For those in the family who suffer in August with hay fever, it appears you can trace this affliction back to Grandpa Gilbert. You will want to stay tuned to read about some of his treatments.
And, as noted a few days ago, I did find time to post some additional pictures on Grandma's Pictures. There is a picture of Gilbert in his office at the gas company and a graduation phote of Gilbert in 1909. Since Gilbert would have been 20 in this picture (he was born in 1889), this is likely to be from when he graduated from "business college". I do not know where he attended college, and Grandma did not mention which college in the family history that she wrote. Call out to family members.... does anyone know?
I also added a picture of Grandma's "papa" in his office and a picture of her nephew, Bob, who is mentioned in a diary entry a few days ago. I think Bob might have been just a bit older than Dale, and he looks like he's either a very nice polite little boy or someone who could talk his younger cousins into quite a bit of mischief! Anyone agree with me?
I want to thank my cousin David and his wife Leesa for providing this latest set of pictures. They did a wonderful job of scanning all the photos and copying them to CD's for everyone to enjoy.
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Wednesday, August 19, 1925
Wednesday, August 19, 1925
There was a big industrial parade this afternoon so I let the boys meet Mama and see it. They went to the museum at the state house first and Dale saw so many things of interest. He talked about it more than the parade which the paper said was the largest in the history of Indianapolis.
(I did a quick online search for information on industrial parades in Indianapolis, and found a site about the history of Indiana beer, if anyone is interested. The connection is that there was also, apparently, a "magnificant industrial parade" in Indianpolis in 1900 when a brewing company won an award. I don't believe that Grandma ever drank beer or other alcoholic drinks, and I assume Gilbert didn't either.
I'm not surprised to read that Dale "saw many things of interest" when he went to the museum and would enjoy that more than the parade. As an adult, Dale was a world traveler. He and his wife, also named Ruth, went on vacations on every continent. On the occasions when they visited us, they would always do a nice slide show of the last place they visited, which might be Thailand or Europe or Mexico or ??? Dale had three children, and I need to reconnect with them, as I think they have more diaries and other notes Grandma made on calendars through the years.)
There was a big industrial parade this afternoon so I let the boys meet Mama and see it. They went to the museum at the state house first and Dale saw so many things of interest. He talked about it more than the parade which the paper said was the largest in the history of Indianapolis.
(I did a quick online search for information on industrial parades in Indianapolis, and found a site about the history of Indiana beer, if anyone is interested. The connection is that there was also, apparently, a "magnificant industrial parade" in Indianpolis in 1900 when a brewing company won an award. I don't believe that Grandma ever drank beer or other alcoholic drinks, and I assume Gilbert didn't either.
I'm not surprised to read that Dale "saw many things of interest" when he went to the museum and would enjoy that more than the parade. As an adult, Dale was a world traveler. He and his wife, also named Ruth, went on vacations on every continent. On the occasions when they visited us, they would always do a nice slide show of the last place they visited, which might be Thailand or Europe or Mexico or ??? Dale had three children, and I need to reconnect with them, as I think they have more diaries and other notes Grandma made on calendars through the years.)
Friday, August 18, 2006
Tuesday, August 18, 1925
Tuesday, August 18, 1925
I decided I had better not do the washing any more regardless of cost so called up the laundry but they didn’t call for it till afternoon. Mama brought Bobby and Winifred over to spend the day. The boys had a great time playing in Dale’s “hut” while Winifred played with the cat and read.
(From what I can tell from the diaries, the laundry only did the washing. They brought back wet, but clean, laundry, which Grandma still had to hang out to dry and then iron.
Bobby and Winifred are cousins of the boys. Bobby was the son of Grandma's brother Guy, and Winifred was her brother Harry's daughter.
I believe the "hut" is something Dale built in the living room with old quilts draped across the furniture.)
I decided I had better not do the washing any more regardless of cost so called up the laundry but they didn’t call for it till afternoon. Mama brought Bobby and Winifred over to spend the day. The boys had a great time playing in Dale’s “hut” while Winifred played with the cat and read.
(From what I can tell from the diaries, the laundry only did the washing. They brought back wet, but clean, laundry, which Grandma still had to hang out to dry and then iron.
Bobby and Winifred are cousins of the boys. Bobby was the son of Grandma's brother Guy, and Winifred was her brother Harry's daughter.
I believe the "hut" is something Dale built in the living room with old quilts draped across the furniture.)
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Monday, August 17, 1925
Monday, August 17, 1925
Dad left with Gilbert this morning. I sewed till noon and made a couple of nighties. Then the pains came back and I concluded it was the paint causing it so shut out that part of the house and made button holes and felt better by evening.
(More sewing! I am sure I could not make "a couple of nighties" in a morning. And even not feeling well, Grandma continued to keep busy making button holes.)
Dad left with Gilbert this morning. I sewed till noon and made a couple of nighties. Then the pains came back and I concluded it was the paint causing it so shut out that part of the house and made button holes and felt better by evening.
(More sewing! I am sure I could not make "a couple of nighties" in a morning. And even not feeling well, Grandma continued to keep busy making button holes.)
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Sunday, August 16, 1925
Sunday, August 16, 1925
Gilbert finally got the upper part of the bathroom done last night while I went to Coyners. Didn’t do anything but straighten up today as Dad was here. He took the kids to the park for a walk this afternoon and I had a good rest. Toward evening had severe stomach pains all night.
(I wonder if the paint fumes caused Grandma her problems of not feeling well? Sounds like they had a fairly relaxing Sunday, otherwise.)
Gilbert finally got the upper part of the bathroom done last night while I went to Coyners. Didn’t do anything but straighten up today as Dad was here. He took the kids to the park for a walk this afternoon and I had a good rest. Toward evening had severe stomach pains all night.
(I wonder if the paint fumes caused Grandma her problems of not feeling well? Sounds like they had a fairly relaxing Sunday, otherwise.)
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Saturday, August 15, 1925
Saturday, August 15, 1925
Was so tired and done up today after my useless walk yesterday, that I could hardly wiggle. Mrs. Collins dropped in, in the afternoon and I told her about it so they took me to Coyners after supper and I got all the things I could pay for, and had some goods laid away to send Dale after next week. Dad went to Milt’s for the night.
(The neighbors to the rescue. The Collins family across the street had a car and often gave Grandma or others rides to various places. Sometimes it seems like Grandma wrote about all of them in the same car, which might be 10 or more adults and children. I bet they weren't all wearing seat belts!
I have no idea who Milt is, neither does Mom. We assume that he was a friend of Dad's, which is what Grandma calls her father-in-law.)
Was so tired and done up today after my useless walk yesterday, that I could hardly wiggle. Mrs. Collins dropped in, in the afternoon and I told her about it so they took me to Coyners after supper and I got all the things I could pay for, and had some goods laid away to send Dale after next week. Dad went to Milt’s for the night.
(The neighbors to the rescue. The Collins family across the street had a car and often gave Grandma or others rides to various places. Sometimes it seems like Grandma wrote about all of them in the same car, which might be 10 or more adults and children. I bet they weren't all wearing seat belts!
I have no idea who Milt is, neither does Mom. We assume that he was a friend of Dad's, which is what Grandma calls her father-in-law.)
Monday, August 14, 2006
Friday, August 14, 1925
Friday, August 14, 1925
Warm
Got the house straightened up and bathed and walked over to Miss McGregor’s store with a long list to get and found the store closed until Sept. 8. Well I was hot and so tired when I got back. Nearly sick and Dad came to spend a few days. Albert went to the corner to wait for him and he walked past Albert and never saw him, so Albert followed him home.
("Dad" refers to Gilbert's father, James W. Smith, from Crawfordsville. Sounds like he didn't see his grandsons too often, to have missed one standing on the sidewalk waiting for him.
I am sure Grandma was frustrated to find out the store she wanted to go to was closed for several weeks. I'm guessing she was planning to get things for the arrival of the baby.)
Warm
Got the house straightened up and bathed and walked over to Miss McGregor’s store with a long list to get and found the store closed until Sept. 8. Well I was hot and so tired when I got back. Nearly sick and Dad came to spend a few days. Albert went to the corner to wait for him and he walked past Albert and never saw him, so Albert followed him home.
("Dad" refers to Gilbert's father, James W. Smith, from Crawfordsville. Sounds like he didn't see his grandsons too often, to have missed one standing on the sidewalk waiting for him.
I am sure Grandma was frustrated to find out the store she wanted to go to was closed for several weeks. I'm guessing she was planning to get things for the arrival of the baby.)
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Thursday, August 13, 1925
Thursday, August 13, 1925
Warm
Had a good sized day of it ironing and was so tired when I got done. I oughtn’t to do it I’m afraid but it is either iron or eat or don’t iron and don’t eat. I see no way out, no help in sight and so many things needed before the big event. I am badly discouraged. The boys scraped the kitchen and such a mess!! Gilbert painted the ceiling with sizing.
(I mentioned yesterday about the lead paint, and now the boys are scraping it off the walls. When you watch on TV today how they put on all kinds of protective clothing and masks whenever they remove lead paint, and contrast that with what the did in the 1920's, it is quite a difference.
I'm curious what the sizing was that Gilbert put on the ceiling. I am only familiar with sizing used to prep walls for wallpapering. Surely they didn't paper the ceiling? Perhaps "sizing" just referred to a type of paint primer?
Grandma's own words speak for themselves regarding how she felt. Of course, the big event is the birth of the next child, the fifth, which is 6 or 7 weeks away. I'm sure Grandma did have quite a bit to do to prepare. Many have already commented how hard she worked to keep everyone clothed and fed. As Mom said, they ironed everything they wore, plus sheets and towels, everything. And, if Grandma wasn't washing clothes or ironing them, she was making them or mending them.)
Warm
Had a good sized day of it ironing and was so tired when I got done. I oughtn’t to do it I’m afraid but it is either iron or eat or don’t iron and don’t eat. I see no way out, no help in sight and so many things needed before the big event. I am badly discouraged. The boys scraped the kitchen and such a mess!! Gilbert painted the ceiling with sizing.
(I mentioned yesterday about the lead paint, and now the boys are scraping it off the walls. When you watch on TV today how they put on all kinds of protective clothing and masks whenever they remove lead paint, and contrast that with what the did in the 1920's, it is quite a difference.
I'm curious what the sizing was that Gilbert put on the ceiling. I am only familiar with sizing used to prep walls for wallpapering. Surely they didn't paper the ceiling? Perhaps "sizing" just referred to a type of paint primer?
Grandma's own words speak for themselves regarding how she felt. Of course, the big event is the birth of the next child, the fifth, which is 6 or 7 weeks away. I'm sure Grandma did have quite a bit to do to prepare. Many have already commented how hard she worked to keep everyone clothed and fed. As Mom said, they ironed everything they wore, plus sheets and towels, everything. And, if Grandma wasn't washing clothes or ironing them, she was making them or mending them.)
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Wednesday, August 12, 1925
Wednesday, August 12, 1925
Hot and rain
I finally got my clothes dry after about ten o’clock. It rained up till then. Mama and Edna came over to help me sew, but of course there was more visiting than sewing. The smell of the paint made me pretty sick for a while. Had a headache most of the day. Dale went to Mama’s and carried home a big black cat, “Sambo”.
(There are certainly differences between 1925 and 2006. First, Sambo is not a politically correct name for a black cat. Second, pregnant women today stay away from areas being painted because of the potential harmful affects of the paint, especially lead paint, which is what they would have used in 1925. Remember a few days ago, Gilbert scraped the kitchen ceiling to get it ready to paint? Imagine the amount of lead-laced paint dust and chips that kicked up, in the kitchen where food is prepared. It's a wonder, isn't it, that they all survived in those days!
By the way, I don't know who Edna was and when I asked Mom she said she vaguely remembers the name but doesn't know what relationship Edna was to them. Any family reading have an idea?)
Hot and rain
I finally got my clothes dry after about ten o’clock. It rained up till then. Mama and Edna came over to help me sew, but of course there was more visiting than sewing. The smell of the paint made me pretty sick for a while. Had a headache most of the day. Dale went to Mama’s and carried home a big black cat, “Sambo”.
(There are certainly differences between 1925 and 2006. First, Sambo is not a politically correct name for a black cat. Second, pregnant women today stay away from areas being painted because of the potential harmful affects of the paint, especially lead paint, which is what they would have used in 1925. Remember a few days ago, Gilbert scraped the kitchen ceiling to get it ready to paint? Imagine the amount of lead-laced paint dust and chips that kicked up, in the kitchen where food is prepared. It's a wonder, isn't it, that they all survived in those days!
By the way, I don't know who Edna was and when I asked Mom she said she vaguely remembers the name but doesn't know what relationship Edna was to them. Any family reading have an idea?)
Friday, August 11, 2006
Tuesday, August 11, 1925
Tuesday, August 11, 1925
Rain
Had washing on hand but it poured down and drizzled till noon. Then I put the colored clothes out and they just barely got dry enough to iron by dark. Miss Dunlea told me in no kind terms not to throw my scraps to the chickens. I had tried to be careful and not throw anything they wouldn’t eat, but she has evidently got peeved at something.
(I assume that Miss Dunlea was a neighbor to one side or another who kept chickens. As far as I know, Grandma never had any chickens or other livestock in her back yard. Today there is probably a city ordinance against keeping any kind of livestock within the city limits!)
(08/24/2006 - Following is some additional info on Miss Dunlea. Using public census and index records, Annie in Austin, found out the following:
It looks like the neighbor was Mary/Mame Dunlea, born about 1873. In 1900, Miss Dunlea (Mary) was on her own, working as a riveter. (I didn't think women worked as "riveters" until World War II?) Her brother John and his wife, Annie Dunlea, lived elsewhere and had several children. By 1910 Annie appears to have died, and Mary was living with her brother John, who is listed as the head of the house.
By 1920, John is gone, the family was at a different address, [not the one by Grandma] and Mary was the head of the house, which included her father Charles Dunlea as well as John's 3 adult children.
By 1930, and as reported in the 1930 census, Mary owned the house by Grandma. Mary had 2 adult nieces and a nephew living with her, but not her father.
From Annie in Austin... "I guess she had to be pretty tough, but sure wonder what would bother the chickens? Aren't they like walking garbage disposals?"
I then called my mom and she remembered Miss Dunlea as a "crabby old lady" who didn't like anyone to be on her property. Sometime in the 1930's, a paper boy realized that Miss Dunlea had not taken in her paper for several days, so he told his parents, who called the police. They found her in the house, alive, but having had a stroke. She probably laid there for several days before the police found her. Mom said that's why you should be neighborly, because if you aren't no one notices if you haven't been seen for a few days, and you could be sick in your house, like Miss Dunlea. Mom doesn't know when Miss Dunlea died, but remembers a younger family moving in at some point.
As a kid, I remember that this is the house that you could see from a window on the landing halfway up the steps to the 2nd floor. I don't recall ever seening anyone around the house or yard when we visited Grandma in the 1960's. I do remember that when we looked at the house from that window on the landing, we could see a gun shaped stick of some sort on the roof, which we assumed was something Santa had dropped there one Christmas and it was just laying up there rotting away, whatever it was.)
Rain
Had washing on hand but it poured down and drizzled till noon. Then I put the colored clothes out and they just barely got dry enough to iron by dark. Miss Dunlea told me in no kind terms not to throw my scraps to the chickens. I had tried to be careful and not throw anything they wouldn’t eat, but she has evidently got peeved at something.
(I assume that Miss Dunlea was a neighbor to one side or another who kept chickens. As far as I know, Grandma never had any chickens or other livestock in her back yard. Today there is probably a city ordinance against keeping any kind of livestock within the city limits!)
(08/24/2006 - Following is some additional info on Miss Dunlea. Using public census and index records, Annie in Austin, found out the following:
It looks like the neighbor was Mary/Mame Dunlea, born about 1873. In 1900, Miss Dunlea (Mary) was on her own, working as a riveter. (I didn't think women worked as "riveters" until World War II?) Her brother John and his wife, Annie Dunlea, lived elsewhere and had several children. By 1910 Annie appears to have died, and Mary was living with her brother John, who is listed as the head of the house.
By 1920, John is gone, the family was at a different address, [not the one by Grandma] and Mary was the head of the house, which included her father Charles Dunlea as well as John's 3 adult children.
By 1930, and as reported in the 1930 census, Mary owned the house by Grandma. Mary had 2 adult nieces and a nephew living with her, but not her father.
From Annie in Austin... "I guess she had to be pretty tough, but sure wonder what would bother the chickens? Aren't they like walking garbage disposals?"
I then called my mom and she remembered Miss Dunlea as a "crabby old lady" who didn't like anyone to be on her property. Sometime in the 1930's, a paper boy realized that Miss Dunlea had not taken in her paper for several days, so he told his parents, who called the police. They found her in the house, alive, but having had a stroke. She probably laid there for several days before the police found her. Mom said that's why you should be neighborly, because if you aren't no one notices if you haven't been seen for a few days, and you could be sick in your house, like Miss Dunlea. Mom doesn't know when Miss Dunlea died, but remembers a younger family moving in at some point.
As a kid, I remember that this is the house that you could see from a window on the landing halfway up the steps to the 2nd floor. I don't recall ever seening anyone around the house or yard when we visited Grandma in the 1960's. I do remember that when we looked at the house from that window on the landing, we could see a gun shaped stick of some sort on the roof, which we assumed was something Santa had dropped there one Christmas and it was just laying up there rotting away, whatever it was.)
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Monday, August 10, 1925
Monday, August 10, 1925
Warm
Had to hull beans till noon. Didn’t feel a bit good. Couldn’t have canned the beans if I had wanted to, but we didn’t like those I canned last year, so hardly know what to do with so many. Put my clothes to soak as I have no money to hire it done, but feel like I was at the end of my string.
(I'm not sure what kind of beans they got yesterday from Bess, that needed to be hulled. Certainly not green beans. Any ideas,anyone?
Overall doesn't seem like a good day for Grandma.)
Warm
Had to hull beans till noon. Didn’t feel a bit good. Couldn’t have canned the beans if I had wanted to, but we didn’t like those I canned last year, so hardly know what to do with so many. Put my clothes to soak as I have no money to hire it done, but feel like I was at the end of my string.
(I'm not sure what kind of beans they got yesterday from Bess, that needed to be hulled. Certainly not green beans. Any ideas,anyone?
Overall doesn't seem like a good day for Grandma.)
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Sunday, August 9, 1925
Sunday, August 9, 1925
Gilbert got out his brushes etc. prepared to paint the bathroom and kitchen but they were in such bad shape he had to put them to soak and scraped the ceiling better. He got awfully dirty and after he cleaned up and rested he had to go to the terminal station to get some beans Bess left there for him.
(Bess was one of Gilbert's older sisters. The other sister was Nell. I think Bess must have brought the beans with her from Crawfordsville on the bus and left them at the bus station (terminal) or just shipped them on the bus for him to get. I don't think it was that uncommon for the buses to carry packages like that in 1925.)
Gilbert got out his brushes etc. prepared to paint the bathroom and kitchen but they were in such bad shape he had to put them to soak and scraped the ceiling better. He got awfully dirty and after he cleaned up and rested he had to go to the terminal station to get some beans Bess left there for him.
(Bess was one of Gilbert's older sisters. The other sister was Nell. I think Bess must have brought the beans with her from Crawfordsville on the bus and left them at the bus station (terminal) or just shipped them on the bus for him to get. I don't think it was that uncommon for the buses to carry packages like that in 1925.)
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Saturday, August 8, 1925
Saturday, August 8, 1925
Felt a little more peppy, so cleaned up my house early and had the boys bathed and ready to go to the Ripple with Daddy to swim as soon as he got home. Albert was so crazy to go, he fell down the front steps watching for Daddy and skinned one side of his face all up. Daddy gave them one good time to last all season.
("Daddy" refers to Grandma's husband, Gilbert. (Since Gilbert died in the 30's and was never known by his grandchildren, I have a hard time referring to him as "Grandpa". Yet, since I knew Grandma, I feel weird referring to her as Ruth, so early on I decided just to call them Grandma and Gilbert in my comments. Though sometimes when I talk about Grandma being pregnant, I wonder if people reading the diaries think that is weird. I may have to post a link over on Grandma's Pictures with a run down of who is who so people can refer to it to figure out who everyone is as they read the diaires. I know not everyone is reading "from the beginning", which is a post on Feb. 12, 2006 for Feb. 12, 1925.)
Anyway, regarding swimming, Grandma wrote in the family history that even though Gilbert was "crippled" by a childhood illness that left one leg shorter than the other, such that he had to use a cane to walk and wear a shoe with a built up sole on it, he was quite the swimmer and as a boy, rescued another friend from drowning.
I've also picked up that Gilbert often worked Saturday mornings at the gas company where he was an accountant. Perhaps he worked this Saturday to get month end reporting done?
Finally, I don't think they all bathed every day, so I found it odd she would have the boys bathe before they went swimming. But maybe even in 1925 they understood enough about germs to post signs at the pool "Please shower before entering the pool" like they do today? I wonder how they treated the water in the pool? The Ripple she refers to would be a pool in Broad Ripple on the northeast side of Indianapolis. They lived on the near east side so would have taken a bus to to get there.
I did some checking, and though Broad Ripple Park was listed as opening in 1946, there was a pool at that location that was used for the Olympic tryouts in 1924. Must have been a nice pool!)
Felt a little more peppy, so cleaned up my house early and had the boys bathed and ready to go to the Ripple with Daddy to swim as soon as he got home. Albert was so crazy to go, he fell down the front steps watching for Daddy and skinned one side of his face all up. Daddy gave them one good time to last all season.
("Daddy" refers to Grandma's husband, Gilbert. (Since Gilbert died in the 30's and was never known by his grandchildren, I have a hard time referring to him as "Grandpa". Yet, since I knew Grandma, I feel weird referring to her as Ruth, so early on I decided just to call them Grandma and Gilbert in my comments. Though sometimes when I talk about Grandma being pregnant, I wonder if people reading the diaries think that is weird. I may have to post a link over on Grandma's Pictures with a run down of who is who so people can refer to it to figure out who everyone is as they read the diaires. I know not everyone is reading "from the beginning", which is a post on Feb. 12, 2006 for Feb. 12, 1925.)
Anyway, regarding swimming, Grandma wrote in the family history that even though Gilbert was "crippled" by a childhood illness that left one leg shorter than the other, such that he had to use a cane to walk and wear a shoe with a built up sole on it, he was quite the swimmer and as a boy, rescued another friend from drowning.
I've also picked up that Gilbert often worked Saturday mornings at the gas company where he was an accountant. Perhaps he worked this Saturday to get month end reporting done?
Finally, I don't think they all bathed every day, so I found it odd she would have the boys bathe before they went swimming. But maybe even in 1925 they understood enough about germs to post signs at the pool "Please shower before entering the pool" like they do today? I wonder how they treated the water in the pool? The Ripple she refers to would be a pool in Broad Ripple on the northeast side of Indianapolis. They lived on the near east side so would have taken a bus to to get there.
I did some checking, and though Broad Ripple Park was listed as opening in 1946, there was a pool at that location that was used for the Olympic tryouts in 1924. Must have been a nice pool!)
Monday, August 07, 2006
Friday, August 7, 1925
Friday, August 7, 1925
Finished my ironing and sat and did my mending while I rested. The boys all are so well and happy these days. They surely are growing now. Ned says lots of words and is as cute as a button these days. The boys think there never was a baby as sweet.
(I guess a benefit of the older boys being grounded to their own yard and house is they spent more time with their little brother, Ned, who was 2 at this time. Grandma still refers to him as the "baby". I assume she stopped that once she had her next baby in a few months.
And for those who read the diaries all spring, it is nice to no longer have to read about all that illness they had, isn't it?)
Finished my ironing and sat and did my mending while I rested. The boys all are so well and happy these days. They surely are growing now. Ned says lots of words and is as cute as a button these days. The boys think there never was a baby as sweet.
(I guess a benefit of the older boys being grounded to their own yard and house is they spent more time with their little brother, Ned, who was 2 at this time. Grandma still refers to him as the "baby". I assume she stopped that once she had her next baby in a few months.
And for those who read the diaries all spring, it is nice to no longer have to read about all that illness they had, isn't it?)
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Thursday, August 6, 1925
Thursday, August 6, 1925
Hot
I’m so tired these days I only did part of my ironing. Aunt Mollie, Fannie, Francis, and Betty drove in and they all were here in the PM. The boys made boats in the morning and sailed them in the bath tub and got the floor all wet. Ned got wet and I cleaned him up and the floor, then he got into a can of varnish. I had to wash him in turpentine and give him another bath.
(I do know who these four women were and how they really relate to Grandma, so I'll have to do some checking.
Sounds like the boys are still playing inside since they were grounded to their own yard earlier in the week. Perhaps Grandma should have re-thought that punishment, as it seemed to be creating more work and clean up for her!)
Hot
I’m so tired these days I only did part of my ironing. Aunt Mollie, Fannie, Francis, and Betty drove in and they all were here in the PM. The boys made boats in the morning and sailed them in the bath tub and got the floor all wet. Ned got wet and I cleaned him up and the floor, then he got into a can of varnish. I had to wash him in turpentine and give him another bath.
(I do know who these four women were and how they really relate to Grandma, so I'll have to do some checking.
Sounds like the boys are still playing inside since they were grounded to their own yard earlier in the week. Perhaps Grandma should have re-thought that punishment, as it seemed to be creating more work and clean up for her!)
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Wednesday, August 5, 1925
Wednesday, August 5, 1925
Hot
They boys had fixed a tent in the middle of the front room out of an old quilt attached to piano, chairs, etc. and are surely having a great time. Gilbert had work to do at the office and didn’t come home for supper. I sat and made buttonholes this PM. Felt so tired. Collins kids came this PM and started a fight with gang next door. I can’t have that.
(I guess since the boys couldn't leave the yard (punishment for coming how very late yesterday), they decided they would just play inside. Grandma has previously written how all the noise they made got on her nerves. I'm guessing her nerves were shot on this day, especially with it ending with a fight with the neighbor gang next door.
Remember, she was about 7 months pregnant on this date.)
Hot
They boys had fixed a tent in the middle of the front room out of an old quilt attached to piano, chairs, etc. and are surely having a great time. Gilbert had work to do at the office and didn’t come home for supper. I sat and made buttonholes this PM. Felt so tired. Collins kids came this PM and started a fight with gang next door. I can’t have that.
(I guess since the boys couldn't leave the yard (punishment for coming how very late yesterday), they decided they would just play inside. Grandma has previously written how all the noise they made got on her nerves. I'm guessing her nerves were shot on this day, especially with it ending with a fight with the neighbor gang next door.
Remember, she was about 7 months pregnant on this date.)
Friday, August 04, 2006
Tuesday, August 4, 1925
Tuesday, August 4, 1925
Warm
Made a pair of rompers for Ned after I had given the house a good cleaning. The boys left about 9 to go fishing up the creek a little ways. They promised not to go far and to be back by noon, but didn’t get in till about 4. Found out Ron Johnson and Miller were in the crowd so the boys can not leave the yard after this for punishment. They are such a bad influence.
(I bet the boys were hungry when they got home if they left at 9:00 and didn't get back until supper time. I wonder how long she kept them confined to their own yard? Surely not the rest of the summer?
Otherwise, it would have been one of those days that Grandma liked, when she got a lot done, and it sounds like she got a lot done. I wonder how she was the next day, as generally she'd have a good day when she got a lot done and then be wiped out the next day.)
Warm
Made a pair of rompers for Ned after I had given the house a good cleaning. The boys left about 9 to go fishing up the creek a little ways. They promised not to go far and to be back by noon, but didn’t get in till about 4. Found out Ron Johnson and Miller were in the crowd so the boys can not leave the yard after this for punishment. They are such a bad influence.
(I bet the boys were hungry when they got home if they left at 9:00 and didn't get back until supper time. I wonder how long she kept them confined to their own yard? Surely not the rest of the summer?
Otherwise, it would have been one of those days that Grandma liked, when she got a lot done, and it sounds like she got a lot done. I wonder how she was the next day, as generally she'd have a good day when she got a lot done and then be wiped out the next day.)
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Monday, August 3, 1925
Monday, August 3, 1925
Warmer
Was too tired for utterance. Just sat still and sewed at the machine and got a lot done after all. Sewing doesn’t tire me much. Once in awhile it makes me nervous but not generally. Sitting still at that and getting a lot done makes me feel like a day well spent if I am resting. Had quite a storm and hailed about 5 this PM
(I think it is good that Grandma enjoyed sewing, as much as the family relied on her to keep them in clothes. I could not sit at a sewing machine all day long like that.)
Warmer
Was too tired for utterance. Just sat still and sewed at the machine and got a lot done after all. Sewing doesn’t tire me much. Once in awhile it makes me nervous but not generally. Sitting still at that and getting a lot done makes me feel like a day well spent if I am resting. Had quite a storm and hailed about 5 this PM
(I think it is good that Grandma enjoyed sewing, as much as the family relied on her to keep them in clothes. I could not sit at a sewing machine all day long like that.)
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Sunday, August 2, 1925
Sunday, August 2, 1925
Cool
Rained early in the morning and I thought it would be a good day to stay home and rest as I was tired and ached awfully. We had promised to go to Mama’s and Albert set up a tune when we talked of staying at home. It cleared off and we went. Gilbert took work with him. Guys and Burs both drove in. The boys had a big time. Georgia and Barney came as we were getting in. Had a nice visit.
(I checked with Mom and she has no idea who Georgia and Barney were. Anyone? Guys and Burs refers to Grandma's brothers, Guy and Bur (short for Wilbur) and their families.
Sounds like Albert was finally through with his long illness and was ready to go places and do things. No sitting home for him.
And I thought bringing work home to do, much less take to it your in-laws to work on, was a more recent social development? Sounds like they did it in the 1920's, too.)
(If you have already read the July 28th posting, go back and check out the comments for more info on "rolling down clothes". Thanks to Annie in Austin for some more research on this, and to Mom for confirming that Grandma did indeed "roll down the clothes".)
Cool
Rained early in the morning and I thought it would be a good day to stay home and rest as I was tired and ached awfully. We had promised to go to Mama’s and Albert set up a tune when we talked of staying at home. It cleared off and we went. Gilbert took work with him. Guys and Burs both drove in. The boys had a big time. Georgia and Barney came as we were getting in. Had a nice visit.
(I checked with Mom and she has no idea who Georgia and Barney were. Anyone? Guys and Burs refers to Grandma's brothers, Guy and Bur (short for Wilbur) and their families.
Sounds like Albert was finally through with his long illness and was ready to go places and do things. No sitting home for him.
And I thought bringing work home to do, much less take to it your in-laws to work on, was a more recent social development? Sounds like they did it in the 1920's, too.)
(If you have already read the July 28th posting, go back and check out the comments for more info on "rolling down clothes". Thanks to Annie in Austin for some more research on this, and to Mom for confirming that Grandma did indeed "roll down the clothes".)
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Saturday, August 1, 1925
Saturday, August 1, 1925
Cool
Got out in the yard and cut the grass, pulled weeds, raked etc. from the time I finished breakfast dishes till noon. It was a big job. Have been trying to get Gilbert to do it and he kept saying the grass was too long and ground uneven. Was awfully tired but the yard looked respectable for once since the tree fell.
(We know that Grandma was the gardener in this family! Remember, however, before you are too hard on Gilbert for having excuses not to work in the yard, that due to a childhood illness, his one leg was shorter than the other, which I am sure caused him some pain when he walked around a lot, especially on uneven terrain.
I do remember that Grandma had one of those big heavy rollers that they filled with water and then rolled all over the grass to even up the ground. I am not exactly sure now that I think about it how she rolled that thing around once it was full because it would be quite heavy. She didn't have a riding mower to attach it to. Their mower in 1925 was most likely a manual reel mower, which is supposed to be hard to cut with, especially if the grass is long.
Most experts agree now that rolling a lawn to even up the ground is not a good practice, as it tends to compact the soil, actually making it more difficult for the grass to grow.)
Cool
Got out in the yard and cut the grass, pulled weeds, raked etc. from the time I finished breakfast dishes till noon. It was a big job. Have been trying to get Gilbert to do it and he kept saying the grass was too long and ground uneven. Was awfully tired but the yard looked respectable for once since the tree fell.
(We know that Grandma was the gardener in this family! Remember, however, before you are too hard on Gilbert for having excuses not to work in the yard, that due to a childhood illness, his one leg was shorter than the other, which I am sure caused him some pain when he walked around a lot, especially on uneven terrain.
I do remember that Grandma had one of those big heavy rollers that they filled with water and then rolled all over the grass to even up the ground. I am not exactly sure now that I think about it how she rolled that thing around once it was full because it would be quite heavy. She didn't have a riding mower to attach it to. Their mower in 1925 was most likely a manual reel mower, which is supposed to be hard to cut with, especially if the grass is long.
Most experts agree now that rolling a lawn to even up the ground is not a good practice, as it tends to compact the soil, actually making it more difficult for the grass to grow.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
