Wednesday, March 17, 1926

Wednesday, March 17, 1926
Warmer

Ned and Marjorie both had fever and were real sick. Expected them to break out with measles, but as they didn’t guess the cause is just a heavy cold. Must get at it. It makes me sick to think of them ailing. When they get sick I get panicky. I was trying to clean the bathroom and the kitchen floor but two roofing men and Mrs. Collins came and talked and talked and with Ned’s peal of “hold me” I didn’t get done till 5:30 then I got supper and washed the flannels after supper while Daddy herded the kiddies.

(Aunt Marjorie wrote, "So it wasn't measles. If you thought the attic was scary (because I wrote earlier that I did!), I always thought the basement was! So she had to finish washing in the creepy basement at night? The "flannels" must have been pajamas & night gowns - maybe diapers made of outing flannel. No "pampers" in those days!

I hate when "day time chores" extend into the evening, too. And I remember only once or twice looking into the basement, maybe once going down in it, so I don't recall much about it. I do remember that under the stairs, there were some shelves that were full of glass jars. Many were canning jars, I think, and others were just jars from food she had purchased. Grandma did not throw anything away that she might use later.)

Tuesday, March 16, 1926

Tuesday, March 16, 1926
Snow

Ironed all day till 5:30 and didn’t get near done.

(Now there's a sentence you wouldn't hear me say! I might say "read email all day (at work) and didn't get near done", or "ran errands all day long and didn't get near done", or "gardened all day long and didn't get near done", but never "ironed"!)

Monday, March 15, 1926

Monday, March 15, 1926
Clear and cold

Ned was so near sick I didn’t know whether to start washing or not and decided I had better hurry and get it out of the way before he should get worse or break out with the measles. He didn’t have any fever but looked awfully bad. My foot hurts terribly wash days by the time I get done running up and down stairs, although I wear the bunion protector and get along pretty well except wash days.

(Aunt Marjorie wrote that she wondered what Grandma did with the babies while she was down in the basement working on the laundry. I think she had a roller type washer, so she couldn't just throw a load of clothes into the washer and dash back upstairs. And, she had to hang the clothes to dry.

Grandma always had problems with her feet; remembering earlier she thought she might have broken her toe.)

Sunday, March 14, 1926

Sunday, March 14, 1926
Cold

We were booked to go to the folk’s for dinner but Ned was feverish when he got up so we didn’t know whether to go or not. Called Papa and he wanted us to come and as Ned didn’t act like he felt bad said he guessed it wouldn’t hurt him. After we got there, he acted very much as if the measles were working on him and we were glad to get him back home although we did have a very nice time Aunt Hattie and Edna were there and we had a very nice dinner. The boys had books to read – played the Edison and behaved themselves pretty well.

(Aunt Marjorie wonders if the reason Grandma didn't write in her diary for almost two weeks is because the older boys had measles? She wonders where else Ned would come in contact with measles and why they would suspect measles if he just had a fever?

I've posted about Aunt Hattie and her daughter Edna before. Check it here. If you haven't read about Aunt Hattie, follow that link and read the whole story. It is quite interesting with a twist to it.

Aunt Marjorie still has the Edison record player. It needs some repair, which we are going to attempt to do, and then we'll play some of the old favorites for Aunt Marjorie and Mom).

Saturday, March 13, 1926

Grandma resumes writing in her diary tomorrow. In the meantime, one more post from the family history she wrote...

"The Bells had been favorably impressed by Gilbert's integrity from the start and in telling about him, Mr. Bell had said, "he may be crippled in the leg, but he is not in the head, which is more important." I liked him from the first, for, although he was quiet in a crowd, he was good company in a small group and really was very keen intellectually. Although he had been unhappy in his home life, with his older sisters always dictating to him, and criticizing everything that he did, he really longed for a home of his own. But he was not really ready financially as we later found out, and attraction overcame our better judgement, and we began to think of marriage. I did not have any trouble in keeping him interested in the church! We often met at the noon hour in a small lunch room that operated on Market Street, between Illinois and the Circle, where a parking garge is now located. I worked a few blocks west or south and he worked on south Pennnsylvania Street, so eating together came to be a pleasant habit. In those days one could get a satisfactory lunch for twelve or fifteen cents, which made our small salaries seem adequate. While we were both working, we saved all the money we could toward furnishing our home, and I bought and made hand decorated things for my "hope chest", too much in love to realize that what we had was not really enough and that we should save longer before we were married. Gilbert was twenty-six and I was approaching my twenty-third birthday, and we both felt that we were old enough to take the final step toward matrimoney. Except among the very rich who had church weddings, it was the custom to have weddings at home with invited friends and relatives present. All but one of my friends had home weddings, so we were married in front of the flower decked mantel at the end of the long living room of my father's home at 3916 College Avenue in the evening of October 20, 1915. Dr. Philputt performed the ceremony and my little nieces, Mildred and Onarga, were flower girls, and carried baskets ahead of us as we went down the stairs and across the room to the tune of the wedding march played on my little piano by my good friend from Kempton, Jessie Cunningham...

...What happened after that is perhaps more vivid in the minds of my children than in my own, for I was so busy caring for my family, and events crowded in so fast that I don't feel that I can trust my own memory."

Grandma wrote the above in 1970. My sister called me and asked if I was going to include information about how Grandma's parents didn't like anyone she dated prior to Gilbert, always saying they weren't good enough, but with Gilbert, Grandma put her foot down and would not listen to them. I don't know about that, but I do recall Grandam wrote someplace that for awhile she thought she was destined to become a farmer's wife, but that relationship didn't last.

Friday, March 12, 1926

Grandma starts writing again in her diary in two days. In the meantime, I'll continue with the story of Gilbert, picking up where we left off yesterday. This is what Grandma wrote in her family history.

"His (Gilbert's) first job was for a fertilizer company in Francesville. I do not know how long he worked there, but am sure that he did not enjoy it, so was glad when his friend McMullen came to Indianapolis and wrote for him to come to the city as he could get a job with the gas company if he were here. For a while he lived with Mac at the home of his aunt, which was in the north west part of the city near the Langsdale Avenue plant where Mac worked, but his work was in the downtown office, so that is how he happened to walk up Alabama Street looking for a room, and see the "room for rent" sign in Mrs. Bell's window which led him to move into Bell's home.

The Bells, whom I had known for many years, were in charge of the Intermediate Department of the Central Christian Church Sunday School, having been active in the organization of that department when the Sunday School was first departmentalized and they were the first Superintendents and I was the first secretary. At that time more than a thousand people attended every Sunday, and there were close to a hundred in the department. Mrs. Bell had been of the Robert's family in whose home the church had been organized, and she was a relative of William Canfield who, at his death, left a half million dollar estate to the church for educational purposes and was at that time time still active in the Christian Endeavor and one of its sponsors whom Gilbert and I came to know.

The Bells lived on Alabama Street, in the block east of the church, in one of the big old houses of the neighborhood. They had three girls in school at that time, and Mr. Bell worked at the post office. He aspired to become a minister so in order to further his education and study for that calling, they rented their spare rooms to augment their income. So they had a card in the window advertising a room for rent, andGilbert had seen it while looking for a place to live and had moved in. Always looking for a chance to do a good turn and to promote the interests of the church, the Bells soon learned that their new roomer was from a Christian home, without a church connection in the city and had invited him to visit Church and Sunday School with them. So it happened that on that Septmeber Sunday morning, as the departments assembled with the rest of the Sunday School fro the closing exercises, I looked across the balcony and saw a stranger and asked Mrs. Bell, "Who is that tall good looking young man over there on the other side?" and she replied "That's my Mr. Smith. I brought him here, and I want you to see that he comes acquainted and stays. So I did! Could it have been "love at first sight"? He was there every weekend after that, and went to Christian Endeavor too, and the next Easter, he put his letter in the church, and on October 20, 1915, we were married in my father's home on College Avenue."

Annie was so right in her comment yesterday. We are lucky and fortunate that Grandma took the time to write all of this down. Otherwise, we would not know so much about our grandparents. And having my Mom and Aunt Marjorie comment with what they know, just adds to the depth of information.

Have YOU taken time to write your own family history?

Thursday, March 11, 1926

Grandma starts to write in her diary in just a few more days. In the meantime, here is more from her family history:

"Gilbert, being unable to run and play with the other children, became an avid reader and it was at this time that his Aunt Lucy remarked that it was too bad that Liney's boy would never amount to anything because he was always sitting around with his nose in a book!... After Gilbert graduated from the Ladoga High School, the family moved to Crawfordsville, where Nell worked as a night operator for the telephone company and Bess became a sales lady in Bischoff's Dry Goods Store. By that time, Gilbert was able to walk without a cane, but the right limb was always shorter than the left, and he had to have his shoe rebuilt with an extension heel, and the limp was always visible. He was always sensitive about his condition and seemed to strive to compensate by holding his shoulders erect, and standing as tall as possible. He loved to take long walks even when he had to use his cane, and on days when there was no school, as a boy he would be found on the creek bank, fishing or swimming. His family did not know about his ability to swim until a school mate of his approached Bess on the street, and congratulated her on his bravery in pulling out another boy who was drowning. Bess was amazed and told him that he must have the wrong person in mind, as her brother was a cripple and could not swim but was soon convinced that he was the best swimmer of the crowd.

When they moved to Crawfordsville, the family was indignant because he refused to take a job of running the elevator in Bischoff's store, but he had other ideas. He decided to go to business college and prepare himself for a job in an office, but not having any money for the tuition, he spent the summer previous to entering doing janitor work, cleaning and painting at the college preparatory to its opening in the fall. So he worked his way through and garduated a respected member of his class, who had made good grades and several fast friends, Paul Jones and Nina Mount, who later married, and Everett McMullen."

I'll finish the story of Gilbert over the next few days...

Wednesday, March 10, 1926

In just a few days, Grandma resumes writing in her diary. In the meantime, we'll continue with excerpts from the family history she wrote. Here is more about Gilbert, her husband and my grandfather:

(Gilbert's mother, Caroline Lucinda Thompson).. " married a neighbor, James William Albert Smith who was about six years younger. To this union were born Nellie May, on Nov. 5, 1874, Clara Bessie, born Sept. 4, 1886, and Gilbert Leo, born August 30, 1889, on a farm near Carpentersville. After having the two girls, they were overjoyed at the arrival of a boy in Liney's family (Liney was Caroline's nickname). His Dad thought that at last he had help with his farming. But alas, it did not turn out that way, for at the age of five Gilbert became ill, and at the time when he should have been starting to school, he was bedfast and under a doctor's care. At that time in the country, medical knowledge was so limited that they never knew just what the trouble was. Their doctor called it 'white swelling' which seemed to affect the thigh bone on his right side. After the fever subsided, the bone was so tender that he could not walk without crutches for several years. Also, the growth of that bone was retarded for a while so that leg was never quite as long as the other one, so after the crutches, he used a cane. He was finally able to start to school when he was eight years old, and was such a good scholar that he was soon able to make up part of what he had missed."

We will continue with more about Gilbert over the next few days. Does anyone have any idea what the "white swelling" might have been? I checked one site of outdated medical terms and it refers to it as "tuberculosis of bones and joints.

Tuesday, March 9, 1926

The next several posts will be about Gilbert Leo Smith. Aunt Marjorie corrected me on the job he had at the local gas company:

"Daddy was chief clerk! He had a secretary and occasionally talked about her. She was an identical twin, and one time a boyfriend came to see her and she just didn't want to see him. She said, "I'm sorry but my sister isn't home." Another time, Daddy asked me for one of my magazines, 'Wee Wisdom' so his secretary could show it to her niece."

Here's a link to a picture of Gilbert's office at the gas company and a link to a picture of him taken at outside at the gas company.

Monday, March 8, 1926

To fill in this gap in Grandma's diary, I'm quoting from the family history she wrote. I'm going to fast forward to her thoughts on her new home at 1208 N. Rural St.

"We moved into our newly purchased home on October 18, 1921, just two days short of our sixth wedding anniversary, one of the happiest days of my life. After living in a run-down rental property where the only modern convenience was electricity, it seemed like heaven to live in a house with bedrooms upstairs and a modern bathroom and connections for a gas stove, although we did have to count our pennies very carefully to pay for the increase in the cost of our monthly expenses. One bedroom and the bath were downstairs, which made it very convenient when Ned Myron was born on Sept. 9, 1923 and Marjorie Ruth came on October 5, 1925, and Eleanor June on Sept. 2, 1929, which was Labor Day."

I know that many readers have been following these diaries for several months, and might have some questions about who some of these people are or what became of them. If you have a question, please leave it in a comment and I'll do my best to answer it or get an answer from my Mom or Aunt Marjorie. You can even leave your question anonymously, if your prefer.

Sunday, March 7, 1926

We are about half way through Grandma's gap in diary writing, so here is some more from the family history.

"During this time Guy, (her brother) was in Ashkum, publishing his paper, as a bachelor at first, doing his own cooking and housework, and even his own mending and embroidering in his spare time. Then he married Nellie Schneipp, and they set up housekeeping, with the consent of her parents, but after a short time it was learned that Nellie had tuberculosis, so her father forced their separation and took Nellie and the rest of the family to Lamar, Missouri where she was bedfast until her death. It was for Nellie that Guy had purchased the little piano which he gave to me upon Nellie's death, and on which I learned to play and used for many years. My first teacher was a neighbor girl in Irvington when I was eight."

So now we know where Grandma got her piano. But it seems sad the way Nellie's father took her away from her husband Guy when she got sick.

Saturday, March 6, 1926

More family history because Grandma has a gap in her diary writing...

Grandma had three older brothers, George Guy (called Guy) born Feb. 17, 1880, Andrew Wilbur (called Bur) born September 16, 1881, Harry Jordan born September 23, 1883. Grandma was born December 18, 1892. When Grandma was five years old, they moved to Gibson City, Illinois and Grandma wrote:

"It was time for school to start when we moved, and my father was going to take Harry to enroll him when I begged to go along, just to be going somewhere, and I was permitted to go, after I had promised not to beg to enroll in school too, as I had not yet passed my sixth birthday and my folks thought that I would not be entitled to enter until I was six. So Harry was enrolled, then the principal insisted that I enter too when he learned that my birthday was before Christmas. So I not only entered school as a surprise before I was six, they found that I already knew the first year work before many weeks had passed, for while I played around the printing office with Guy, he had taught me my numbers and how to read and spell, and also how to set type. So before long, I was in the second grade."

All three of Grandma's brothers were in the printing business, working for a variety of printers and newspapers. She noted that her brother Guy started a newspaper and ran a job printing office at the age of eighteen, in Ashkum, Illinois, the youngest newspaper editor in the state.

Friday, March 5, 1926

I'm continuing with excerpts from the family history that Grandma wrote, since she has a gap of several days in her diary. This excerpt is about her paternal grandparents, Issac M. Campbell and his wife, Lydia Ann Hoar, who were married on June 28, 1849. They had four children, Harriet Theressa, Rolla Wilbur (Grandma's father), Jesse Elijah and Mary Hannah (who died before she was two years old). And I've added several pictures of them on the picture blog, you can link there from their names.

"The doctor (Issac M. Campbell) was a large, heavy set man for his day, while his wife, known as 'Little Grandma' weighed 80 pounds most of her life. She was so small and young looking that folks would come to their house to get the doctor, and would often mistake her for his daughter, and ask her if her father was in. But I was told by those who knew them as neighbors, as well as relatives that what she lacked in stature, she made up in disposition and ability to help anyone in a time of crisis. She was the one of the neighborhood that folks would want to help nurse them when they were ill, and she never turned down a call for help. Her kindness and gentle nature were traditional to the family in the whole town, and they used to say that the hobos had her house marked as a place where they could always expect a handout. She was a 'sainted grandmother', as one chronicler put it."

Lydia sounds like a lovely person, though I'm not sure how young she looks in the picture we have of her. But I don't think anyone looked all that great in the pictures taken in the 1800's.

Thursday, March 4, 1926

As noted a few days ago, we have a gap in Grandma's diaries for these first days of March, so I am filling in with some family history information that she wrote. She wrote the following about her grandfather, Isaac M. Campbell, who was also a physician, like her father.

"In the pioneer days, even the doctors in the small towns had to take care of their own manual chores so I am told that my grandfather was a very good cabinet maker and made part of his own furniture. The bed stand and the dresser that I have, however, had been made for them by Isaac Hanna, probably in the 1850's or 1860's. Also organized churches were scarce, so often neighbors would hold meetings in someone's home with one of them doing the preaching in case there was no circuit rider available. In such a case they found that grandfather, with his college education, could offer the prayer, and preach a sermon as well as the best of them. I have heard it said that he could attend at the birth of a person, take care of his physical and spiritual needs while he was living, and at the time of his death he could make his coffin and preach his funeral! It was also claimed by some that he possessed occult powers and could visualize patient's physical surroundings as well as his condition, and prescribe accordingly. This, however, was not mentioned by my father (Rolla) who did not tend to believe what he could not understand, though his brother Jesse took much stock in it."

I believe that one of my cousins has at least the bed stand mentioned here. It is a large, carved, heavy wood headboard.

Wednesday, March 3, 1926

Since Grandma did not write in her diary today, we'll continue with excerpts from the family history she wrote.

"After their wedding, the Campbells went to housekeeping in Fort Recovery (Ohio), where Rolla started his practice of medicine in the office of Dr. John Adams, who also had a drug store and the new doctor was employed at $26 a month. That was not too meager a start in those days for they were content with their scanty furnishings, which were as good as their contemporaries had when they started out."

I used an inflation calculate to determine that what cost $26 in 1879 would cost $524.35 in 2006. I don't think that really tells us what standard of living someone could afford making $26 per month in 1879. I found another site that indicated $1 in 1878 would be the same as $15.19 today.

I think it is safe to say that a young doctor did not make a lot of money back then.

("Campbells" are Ruth's parents, Rolla was her father).

Tuesday, March 2, 1926

There is no diary entry for March 2, 1926, in fact there are several days coming up when Grandma did not write in her diary. Aunt Marjorie sent me a note speculating on why she missed these days, but I'll leave that explanation for the day she starts writing again.

In the meantime, for those who stop by daily, I'll share some of the family history that Grandma wrote in 1972. We'll start with the story of how her parents, Rolla Wilbur Campbell and Nancy Elizabeth Jordan met, even though Rolla lived in Ohio, and Nancy in Illinois. (If this isn't what you came here to read, I understand, please come back in a week or so when Grandma starts writing in her diary again.)

"So the only living descendents of the Isaac M. Campbells were the family of my father, Rolla Wilbur, who had hauled logs from Fort Recovery (Ohio) to a spoke factory at Union City (Indiana?) to earn enough money to pay his way through the University of Cincinnati Medical School where he graduated near the head of his class in 1879. His roommate there was James Denney, also from Fort Recovery. He (James) had been writing to a former neighbor girl, Emma Creary, whose family had moved to Ford county, Illinois where they were neighbors of the Jordan family. It was through her recommendation too that William Jordan got the name of James Denney's sister, Sarah, in Fort Recovery and he wrote to her. Their coorespondence ended in his going to Ohio and marrying her, and they went to Illinois to live. She (Sarah) sent her brother James the name of her sister-in-law whom they called Lizzie (Nancy Elizabeth Jordan), and they wrote to each other for some time, until James proposed that he and Rolla trade names, to let him write to Emma Creary for awhile. Later James Denney wanted to trade back, but neither Lizzie or Rolla consented. Right after he graduated from college, Rolla went to Gibson City (Illinois) and married Nancy Elizabeth Jordan on March 11, 1879, at the home of the bride's parent, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Jordan. However, this was not the first time they had seen each other, for he previously had visited her, and had seen that she was as attractive as her letters had made her seem. This answers the question that was often asked, "How did you two meet with your homes so far apart"? Dr. James Denney never married but I remember his visiting us at one time, as he was passing through Indianapolis from Chicago where he was the doctor for one of the railroads, and was quite well-to-do. Emma Creary visited at our home once, also."

I had to read that twice to figure out who was writing to who. Can you imagine marrying someone at your second meeting, after only exchanging letters for a period of time? I would guess they wrote back and forth for a couple of years. Those letters would be interesting to read! But I am positive somone long ago threw them away or lost them.

Monday, March 1, 1926

Monday, March 1, 1926
All kinds

Mama came over to help me down town with the kiddies. We got goods for our quilt backs then she came home with them. I went on to Goldsteins and got my curtain goods, a crepe dress, an then to Kirks and got a buffet and a chiffonier, surely a big day! I didn’t get home till six. Found Mama had gone home leaving the babies asleep. Then she called up and found Marjorie crying so she called Mrs. Camplin to come and feed and dry her. I found her here and the boys were making so much noise Marjorie was frightened. Pandemonium reigned and I was thoroughly ashamed of the whole Smith family.

(The "kiddies" would be Ned & Marjorie. Aunt Marjorie wrote to me, "Mrs.Camplin lived across the street in the house Jackie Wills lived in later. She was older, and her children were grown. I guess the buffet I remember wasn't as big as the one you remember. After Grandpa Campbell died and Grandmother closed down her house, she gave the lovely dining room furniture to Mother. I don't know what happened to the original furniture that I remember. She surely went on a shopping spree today!"

Yes, the buffet I remember was a large piece of furniture, as was the table that went with it.

I had to laugh at Grandma's last comment about being "ashamed of the whole Smith family". I guess the older boys weren't on their best behavior!)

Sunday, February 28, 1926

Grandma did not write in her diary on this day. I would guess they went to Sunday School and some would stay for church, which was their usual routine. Afterwards, they would have a nice Sunday dinner and spend the rest of the day relaxing.

Does your family ever discuss who looks like who in your family tree? Here's Aunt Marjorie's comment on that ,in response to my comment that I thought I looked a little bit like Aunt Bess (she doesn't necessarily agree that is who I look like, but she remembers the older Aunt Bess, and I'm just comparing myself to a picture of a younger Bess).

"Mother always said Eleanor and Albert looked like Smiths, Dale looked like Grandpa Cambell, Dick and I were Campbells and/or Jordans, and Ned was a changling. Mother always said if Ned been born in a hospital they must have switched babies!"

But Ned, along with all the other children, was born at home, so has to be claimed!

Saturday, February 27, 1926

Again, Grandma did not write in her diary today. Here is some information from Aunt Marjorie on the piano playing:

"When Albert was in high school, he visited one of his school friends in Irvington, either John or Louis Bruck and was enthralled with their ability to play the piano. Bruck told his teacher, Edith Garrison at 101 S. Ritter (I think) who invited Albert as a scholarship student. He advanced quickly, and I still instantly recognize the classical music he played. (One of the Bruck boys was killed in WWII. Their sister Katherine was at Tech (High School) with Ned.)"

Here's a link to a picture of Albert as an adult and a link to more information about him. Would any family members care to comment with memories of Uncle Albert?

Friday, February 26, 1926

Another day when Grandma did not post a diary entry. However, Aunt Marjorie sent me some notes on past diary entries, to expand upon what I wrote and clear up some comments I made. Here is what she wrote about their piano.

"We always had a piano when we were young. It was old and finally got so out of tune it couldn't be tuned again. The Collins family (they lived across the street) had a piano and later somehow they thought they didn't need it any more and offered it to Mother. She gave our old one to Goodwill or someone. I don't know how old I was, but I was old enough to be embarrassed when the men carrying it out stood on the front porch playing it and laughing at how bad it sounded. The Collins' piano was the one Albert, Eleanor and I took piano lessons on. Many years later, Mary Collins asked Mother if we were still using the piano as Marianna would love to have it for her 3 children. Of course, Mother said okay."

An odd coincidence, perhaps, but my youngest sister (who comments as "Sister of the Homestead") recently acquired a piano from her neighbor across the street, and her two older children are taking lessons. I did not know my mother (Eleanor) ever took piano lessons! I knew she played the flute in high school.

Thursday, February 25, 1926

Thursday, February 25, 1926
Windy

My how the days fly! Got my ironing done by noon and had planned to make a house dress this PM and possibly cut out some things but Mama came and I cut out a pattern off of hers and didn’t even get my dishes done till time to get supper. Had planned to take Dale to the church prayer meetings, but saw I wouldn’t get ready in time. Then I thought I would put in the evening sewing and get something made yet and Marjorie took a spell crying so hard that I haven’t done a thing but walk the floor with her. Don’t know what is the matter with her. This is the second spell this week.

(Another day with a lot of sewing, or attempts to do some sewing. In othe diary entries, Grandma has written that she didn't get much done when her mother came to visit, because her mother talked all the time, and because she could not hear well out of one ear, she had to strain to listen.

Wednesday, February 24, 1926

Wednesday, February 24, 1926

I’m getting a bad case of blues. There are so many things I would like to do – places to go, etc. none of them taking much, but I can’t do a thing to have any fun at all it seems, for lack of a few dimes and a little time. “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” and Jill, too and that’s my ticket. Gilbert had to work late this eve and a high wind came up with caused all kinds of noises around the house and coupled with rumors of a strange man in a vacant house in the neighborhood made me too nervous to enjoy the evening. More mending today – all my spare time.

(Aunt Majorie wrote, "I wonder if the kids brought home the rumors of a stranger in the neighborhood? I was never afraid when noisy boys were around the house, but only if I was alone with just sleeping babies.")

Grandma doesn't seem all too happy, but the end of a long winter can bring anyone down. As Marjorie previously noted several days ago, Grandma never had great material wealth, just "family" wealth.)

Tuesday, February 23, 1926

Tuesday, February 23, 1926
Clear & warm – springlike

Marjorie is getting as fat and pink cheeked as she can be. But last night about midnight she had a crying spell that seemed to bespeak genuine misery someway. She cried so hard! Finally got to sleep after one and I let her sleep this morning as long as she wanted to 11:30, thinking her stomach needed the rest. However it made her bath late, etc. and I didn’t get as much done today as yesterday as I had quite a bit of mending to do. Bess came out for supper – seemed in good spirits which is unusual for her as she usually has something to howl about. She plays with the boys and they are always hilarious when she comes out.

(This could be any 'stay at home' mother's post for today, even 80 years later.

If you haven't looked at the pictures in a while, here is a link to Aunt Bess's picture. This is probably when she was in her early 20's, she'd be closer to 40 at this time?

I see that it has been awhile since I posted any family pictures. I'll have to look for some more soon to post.)

Monday, February 22, 1926

Monday, February 22, 1926

The boys home all day dodging in and out. Mama came out about noon and Mrs. Collins came late in the afternoon and watched me sew. I made Albert a waist and she marveled at the ease with which I did it. A boy’s waist is a big job for her, but I told her that was because she never made many of them. I hope I get as much accomplished all week, as I did a pretty good sized wash by hand this AM. Been working in my low bath slippers, but have decided to put my shoes on soon even if my toe does hurt for these flat shoes make me tired all over.

(A "waist" is a type of shirt, by the way. And this would have been a school holiday, Washington's Birthday!)

Sunday, February 21, 1926

Sunday, February 21, 1926

Stayed home all day and tried to rest. Gilbert went to Sunday school and church with the boys. Albert stayed in “kindergarten” during services. Gilbert likes the new minister fine.

(Grandma was probably still struggling from her toe injury. I'm sure it was hard to get around and keep up with everyone and everything when she couldn't put weight on her foot.)

Saturday, February 20, 1926

Grandma did not have a diary entry for this day. Since it was just President's Day, I thought I would explain how through Gilbert, we can trace the family tree back to a branch in George Washington's family tree.

Gilbert's mother was Lucinda Caroline Thompson.
Lucinda's mother was Mariah Caldwell Thompson, born October 10, 1808, died April 26, 1886.
Mariah is somehow related to the sister of Mary Ball, "who married a Caldwell". I don't know if the sister of Mary Ball was Mariah's mother or her grandmother, I just know that she married someone with the last name of Caldwell.

Mary Ball was George Washington's mother.

At least that is what Grandma wrote in her family history.

Friday, February 19, 1926

Friday, February 19, 1926
Fair and cold

As I write I sit with my feet in hot water. My injured toe stays about the same. The flesh soreness has left but the joint hurts constantly and is painful when I walk.

(I'm still curious why Grandma didn't write in her diary nearly all of last week, and made no mention of why she hadn't. She just starts writing again, and then this week, she's written every day, in spite of her toe injury.)

Thursday, February 18, 1926

Thursday, February 18, 1926
Dark and rainy

Managed to get my ironing done by sitting on my high stool. Then I did most of my mending. Four pairs of pants, other things and Dale’s lumberjack. These boys so active and hard on clothes! Dale is the worst. He has two pairs of everyday pants and one for Sunday and this week he has torn his pants every day making me always having a pair to patch. Yesterday I didn’t get it done and so today he had to wear his Sunday pants to school so this evening I had a button off of them to sew on and a little hole in the knee to darn. I patched up an old discarded pair for Dick so as he wouldn’t have to wear his best to school while I darned his school pants.

(Aunt Marjorie wrote, "Too bad jeans were not available for kids those days! Now days, if jeans get a hole in the knee it is stylish to wear them without patching them apparently, according to the TV ads."

I'm sure fabrics were not as sturdy then as they are now. And it is good that Grandma knew how to patch and darn. Did every woman have this skill back then?)

Wednesday, February 17, 1926

Wednesday, February 17, 1926
Warm and cloudy

Was on my feet all day cleaning up the house, starching clothes, etc. Mama was here a little while. Knocked the day right in it’s middle. I oughtn’t to feel that way I know, but I would think she would see I have to quit work to hear her talk. But I suppose that’s what she got me for to talk to. I feel if I ever got caught up it wouldn’t matter, but I’ve been behind ever since Marjorie came. When I was done with my work Dick came in from having a fight with Richard Miller. Through no fault of Dick’s they got into it and Richard got Dick by the throat and I really believe would have killed Dick if Dale had not knocked him off. His prints were on Dick’s neck for hours. Then I had to bathe Dick & Ned, etc.

(Aunt Marjorie wrote, "I'm sure the Miller's were mean kids. The Smith boys occasionally had personal jealousies within the family but got along well with most of the neighborhood kids."

Of course, no mother believes her children are at fault, especially if the other kids are known to be mean!)

Tuesday, February 16, 1926

Tuesday, February 16, 1926

Papa came this morning and bound my foot for me. Made it feel lots better. Some of the soreness is gone but still I don’t want to bear any weight on it. However there were baby’s things to be washed so I was all afternoon doing it. All the time I can spare I rub my foot and I did hope to get a lot of sewing done this week! What time I do take a needle in my hand it is to patch or darn and I can’t get caught up on that! Oh well, when these kiddies are grown I may wish I had them trouping around my feet to patch for! I hope there will be no regrets. I am giving them all my time and trying to make good men of them.

(Remember that "Papa" was a physician, so he would know what to do for the toe (even though his specialty was gynecology.) Aunt Marjorie wrote, "Mother always told me how fortunate I was to have my children and that the best years of her life was with her children."

And Grandma had many grandchildren. Dale had a son and two daughers, Dick did not have any children, Albert became a priest and did not have children, Ned had a daugher and a son, Marjorie had two sons and two daughers, and Eleanor (my mother) had four daughters and one son. I also counted 25 great grandchildren, not including step-great grandchildren, give or take, I might be off one or two. She did live long enough to see at least her first great-grandson.

I certainly appreciate her last two sentences, and I don't think she had any regrets at how her children ended up as adults.)

Monday, February 15, 1926

Monday, February 15, 1926

I’m afraid I have injured my foot seriously. It is swollen. The big joint is red, the veins purple and so sore I can scarcely bear my weight on it. Going up and down stairs is next to impossible. I have done little but soak it in hot water and put balm on. My toe’s not broke I guess. I can wiggle it but it is painful. Mama came over and sympathized. I am a cripple – temporarily at least. They say keep off of my feet, but there is no one else to do the work and plenty that has to be done. So matter how injurious or painful, I have to do it. This evening I sat with it in hot water, with a board on my lap and wrote credit union receipts for Gilbert.

(It sounds like something is seriously wrong with Grandma's toe, and maybe it is broken. But life must go on, and if she doesn't do the work, who will?)

Sunday, February 14, 1926

Sunday, February 14, 1926
Rainy

The folks had prepared a chicken dinner expecting Winifred and she went back on them so they wanted us to come but I was too tired and it looked rainy besides so they didn’t insist. I got pretty well rested although it seemed I would never get done my work and dinner over. Well in the evening Dale and I started to church. As we were waiting for the car, Collin’s passed going down and stopped across the street and called to us to get in. I don’t know how it happened, it was so quick, but I ran to get in and just before I reached the car, I felt I had broken my big toe of my left foot. I must have stepped for the curb, missed and bent it back. At any rate it hurt my toe. We went to church however and they visited afterward so it didn’t get much attention.

(Aunt Marjorie wrote, "that toe hurt her the rest of her life."

It is interesting how one little step, or one little mis-step, can make such a difference. Grandma always had problems with her feet, and now this happened. )

Saturday, February 13, 1926

Saturday, February 13, 1926

Saturday is a hard day for me. I always feel as if I must bake and fix extras for Sunday, clean up the house, etc. and generally go down town after Gilbert comes home to keep the babies. Such was the case today and it tired me out. I spent quite a bit of time looking at curtain goods and didn’t get done all I wanted to. Besides I didn’t have any money to spend. With a family this size, one could go down town every week with $10 and not have too much money to spend. It sure would seem heavenly.



(Grandma is back with her diary. I don't know what she did for the five days or so when she didn't write in her diary, I'm just glad she starting writing again. I was running out of other ideas on what to post to "cover" for her.

Aunt Marjorie wrote "Mother was short of money until all her children were raised. I don't know if she felt she had enough money after that. She rarely discussed her private affairs, just as she never allowed us to look in her purse or in the desk drawer where she kept her bank book and bills. After Daddy (Gilbert) died, however, Dale and Dick had regular discussions with Mother about family finances as they helped raise us for several years. On the other hand, she never questioned us about our personal finances, at least me personally."

My impression is that Grandma never had material wealth, and she made use of everything she had, not throwing away any scraps of fabric, glass jars, etc. She also used bread wrappers as stuffing for pillows. When we visited on Sundays, we often had Chef-Boy-Ar-Dee spaghetti until my Dad decided to take a hibachi grill and steaks to cook, along with salad, and all she had to provide was baked potatoes. I think he was tired of spaghetti!)

Friday, Feburary 12, 1926

Grandma starts up writing in her diary again tomorrow, I promise!

In the meantime, this is the one year anniversary of this blog. For those who have read from the beginning, you've come through a whole year one day at a time. Thanks for staying with this. We'll continue until the diary entries run out... two more years!

Thursday, February 11, 1926

Yet another day when Grandma did not write in her "Bookof Remembrance". So, how about what she wrote one year ago in 1925:

Wednesday, February 11, 1925
Snow

Ironed all morning till two and then got ready and went to the mothers’ meeting at school. Dale hurried home and took care of the little ones. They got along fine and I enjoyed the meeting so much. They had cute dances and a little drill of wooden soldiers that was too cunning. Also a fine address on “Lincoln”. I bought some of their salad, talked to some of the ladies and came home, glad I had gone.

The reason I chose this one was because I started posting on February 12th, so this one would not have "seen the light of day" otherwise.

Wednesday, February 10, 1926

Grandma left a gap in her diaries, and I don't know why. She resumed writing after a few days. In the meantime, I've unearthed some other information from some copies of various documents sent to me by my cousin.

Grandma received the following letter from her church on February 3, 1960

Dear Ruth:

You have been elected to a high office in the life of the Church. Having manifested a loyalty to the highest and best, you are now called to join us in building a stronger church in Indianapolis.

The first Official Board meeting will be held on Thursday night, February 11, at 7:15 p.m. We will expect you to be present, to be introduced, and to become informed about the program of the congregation. You will also, from time to time, be contacted by the chairman of the Board of Deaconesses regarding special assignments.

The destiny of the Church rests in the hands of people like you. We covet your cooperation, your thoughts, and prayers, as we work together to help establish the Kingdom of God on earth.

Very sincerely yours,
Myron C. Cole
Ralpb B. Reese

Grandma attended Central Christian Church, I think from the time she moved to Indianapolis as a young girl until she died in 1972.

Tuesday, February 9, 1926

Another day when Grandma did not write a diary entry. Perhaps you would be interested to see who else was born in 1889 besides Gilbert Smith?

Monday, February 8, 1926

Grandma did not write a diary entry for this day. Perhaps you will find this link on Wikipedia of other people born in 1892 to be of interest?

Sunday, February 7, 1926

Sunday, February 7, 1926

Grandpa Smith was here today. We got out our old Kodak pictures and was looking at them – made fudge – read and had a very enjoyable day. Dale and I went to church to hear the new minister. We liked his sermon very much and the man, as much as we saw of him. This was his first Sunday evening service. He was here last Sunday morning but Dr. Smith preached his farewell sermon that evening. Shullenberger was especially cordial to Dale – patted him on the back, etc. He has three boys, the youngest Dale’s age.

(Sounds like a very nice Sunday! Aunt Marjorie wrote, "Dr Shullenberger did my wedding, and Eleanor's? Anyway, he was there many years". Eleanor (Mom) got married in 1950, Marjorie in 1945.)

Saturday, February 6, 1926

Saturday, February 6, 1926

Albert’s birthday. We got him two sets of Lincoln Logs and Mama got him the other. Ours were to be delivered this AM so he nearly deviled me to death till they got here. Dale went over and got the other set so they had a big time building cabins, etc. They are awfully nice toys if they don’t get scattered. Dad came in the evening. My feet tire so they make me sick almost. My new shoes are too high heeled to wear doing house work. They make me so draggy I never get done.

(Aunt Marjorie wrote, "Ned and I used to play with Lincoln Logs probably the same ones! I never knew Mother to wear very high heels. Her feet always hurt - no matter what! "Dad" is Grandma Smith (Gilbert's father)".

It is interesting that you can still buy Lincoln Logs today. What other toys are like that, withstanding the test of time?)

Friday, February 5, 1926

Friday, February 5, 1926

Albert came home from school looking so pale and tired. I began to feel as if all day school from the start is a little too much for him. Just as soon as he gets home he goes to the couch to lie down and roll. I’m trying to stop his rolling habit but he still tries to keep it up.

(Aunt Marjorie wrote, "Albert would lie on his back with his hands clasped behind his head and roll from side to side until he would fall asleep. He did that until he went to college. If he had any room mates he must have driven them crazy! Ned always slept with Albert and was used to it. When Albert left home, Ned laughingly said he had trouble going to sleep with nobody there to rock him to sleep. We never knew if Albert ever stopped rolling."

I wonder what we would do today with a child with this habit? What kinds of tests or sleep studies would be conducted?)

Thursday, February 4, 1926

Another day when Grandma did not write anything in her diary. I promise she resumed writing again on February 5th after her two day hiatus.

I have often thought what would Grandma think of life in the 21st century, with all the innovations and changes over the last 100+ years. And I think about words we use every day that she never heard... Internet, blog, even "digital".

I read today about someone who would know what Grandma might have thought. The oldest U.S. citizen, born April 20, 1893, just 5 months after Grandma, is 113 and lives not far from here, in Shelbyville, Indiana. She made the front page of the paper on Saturday, along with all the pre-game hype about the Super Bowl. She would know...

Wednesday, February 3, 1926

An unusual event, Grandma did not post a diary entry for this day. Perhaps she was too sick? She did write a few days ago about not feeling well.

Since we have this brief, rare day without a diary entry, I have nothing to comment on. Why don't you leave a comment and let me know you came by and maybe tell me how you found this blog?

Tuesday, February 2, 1926

Tuesday, February 2, 1926

The ground hog saw his shadow although it was cloudy most of the day.

(Has much changed in all these years? We still wonder if the ground hog saw his shadow on "Groundhog Day".)

Monday, February 1, 1926

Monday, February 1, 1926
Cloudy

I’ve felt miserable all day – sort throat, head ache and roars in my ears, etc. Didn’t wash as I wanted to doctor up. Made Albert another waist out of long cloth and dyed it gray.

(Aunt Marjorie wrote, "Didn't wash? Monday was always (almost) wash day!)

I'm impressed that even though Grandma did not feel well, she made Albert a shirt (waist) and then even dyed it!

Sunday, January 31, 1926

Sunday, January 31, 1926
Cloudy and rain.

Went to the folks today for dinner. I was so tired I couldn’t hurry and we got up late besides. Marjorie has to do better than this I can’t stand losing sleep very well. Had a very nice time but would much rather have stayed home and rested. It started to rain after we got there and we had to come home in the rain. Albert had a sore throat already.

(Aunt Marjorie wrote, "At least she didn't have to cook dinner! Sounds like Mother gave me an ultimatum."

I've come to realize that Grandma was a bit of a home-body, commenting several times that she preferred to stay home to read or enjoy some peace & quiet, especially if Gilbert took the boys out for a walk or to some place to swim. Though he could not walk well, Gilbert was an excellent swimmer, once saving someone from drowning when he was a boy in Crawfordsville. I assume in the water, one leg being shorter than the other no longer mattered!)

Saturday, January 30, 1926

Saturday, January 30, 1926
Fair and warm

Instead of my usual Saturday cleaning I baked some whole wheat bread and pies then put in the rest of the morning sewing. Made Albert a waist and finished his pants. Then I bathed and went down town leaving the children with Gilbert who came home early. I got Dale some underwear and us all some stockings and me a pair of shoes. Got home at six and had supper to get and the button holes on Albert’s outfit to make. Would have gotten along ok if Marjorie hadn’t been wakeful. She fussed and cried and wouldn’t go to sleep till 1 o’ clock, so I had a trying time of it.

(Aunt Marjorie wrote, "Looks like I got my days and nights mixed up. When Mother made pies, it was almost always 2 or 3 at a time and not with frozen crusts from the grocery store."

I would guess she made her pie crusts with lard.)

Friday, January 29, 1926

Friday, January 29, 1926
Clear and Cold

A fine winter day. Cleaned quite a bit and hoped to get to sewing but that is as far as I get these days it seems – clean and hope to sew – but the sewing usually doesn’t get done. Marjorie kept me up till one again last night so didn’t feel any too peppy although I can’t complain. Dale was elected council member at school. Quite an honor. Our volume of Shakespeare complete and Omar came today. Marjorie wasn’t sleepy this evening till about one again.

(Aunt Marjorie wrote, "And many years later, if I remember correctly, Dale was again elected a council member, then vice mayor of Modesto, California."

Does anyone know who "Omar" is? I could not find anything on that or him, or whatever that book might be.

One thing that hasn't changed since the 1920's. people still have "hopes" to do something and can never seem to get to it. )

Thursday, January 28, 1926

Thursday, January 28, 1926
Cold Wave

I don’t know when I’ve heard the wind blow like it did last night. A terrible gale form the west and below zero, too. The boys were not very warm, I’m afraid. I must get some wool comforts made. Marjorie had the colic until 1 o’clock and kept me up in my nightie. Then Ned woke at 3 wet and cold so I don’t get much rest after that as he was so cold he wanted in my bed and that made me so crowded I couldn’t sleep very well. Mama came over today to “help”. She patched a waist for Dale while I ironed.

(Grandma has written before that her mother, Mama, was not much help when she came over. Something about talking too much and distracting Grandma from her work.)

Wednesday, January 27, 1926

Wednesday, January 27, 1926
Snow

I starched and washed and ironed and seemed to spend too much time with clothes to pay to have them washed. Then I had to darn the boys some stockings to put on in the morning. I haven’t yet found any that were hole proof and my boys are certainly as hard on them as any one can be. Even the baby kicks big holes in the heels of her stockings.

(Aunt Marjorie wrote, "The textile industries have certainly advanced in the last 80 years."

Imagine having to darn your socks the night before, or have none to wear? We have certainly come a long with socks especially. I think I've asked before, but it is worth asking again, who darns socks these days? I saw a segment on a Martha Stewart show where she showed Bette Midler how to darn socks. There are some tricks to it, including you need to own a darning egg. Bette had some cashmere socks with holes in the toes and she didn't want to just throw them out and Martha proceeded to show her how to mend them. She did make mention that Bette could just go buy more socks. I wonder if Martha darns her socks, or just throws them out when they get holes in them?)

Tuesday, January 26, 1926

Tuesday, January 26, 1926

Put in big day sewing. I wish I could put in lots of days like this. Maybe I could get something made then, but I don’t get more than a good start in a day and then can’t finish up right away so things drag. Tomorrow the washing will be home and I will have to starch and iron some of the clothes and so won’t get much sewing done I’m afraid. Albert is just desperate for clothes. I want to get his pants and several waists made this week.

(Seems like Grandma was still enjoying the "luxury" of the wet wash, sending their clothes out to be washed and then brought back wet for her to dry and, of course, iron.

"Waists" are shirts... I wonder if all families relied on the mother to sew their clothes? If I had to sew all my clothes, well, it would not be good.)

Monday, January 25, 1926

Monday, January 25, 1926
Warmer

Albert’s first day at school. Dale took him. To my surprise he gets to go all day from the first. He ought to advance faster than the other boys as he is getting a better start. He seems to like it fine. Mrs. McDowell registered him so Dale could go to his room then came and reported to me and visited awhile. Then Mama came over. I did a little washing and sewing. Feel like possibly I can get something done now if the boys all leave at once and stay all day. I have so much to do.

(According to Marjorie, "Mrs. McDowell must have been a neighbor and knew Albert, since she was able to register him."

Albert was being registered for the 1st grade. I think that his "better start" was the time he spent in kindergarten. Perhaps Dale and Dick didn't attend kindergarten?

We are not really sure who Mrs. McDowell was.)

Sunday, January 24, 1926

Sunday, January 24, 1926
Bright

A beautiful day and I believe warmer although I didn’t even stick my nose out. My head got achy and I feel so dull staying indoors all the time. The three boys went to Sunday school. Gilbert stayed at home and helped clean up. We didn’t get up early and so we didn’t get done with the work until 3:30. I read all the rest of the day, anxious for the time to come to go to bed so as I could open the window and breathe the fresh air. Collin’s came over about when we were about to get ready for bed.

(Aunt Marjorie wrote, "We grew up with bedroom windows open and bedroom doors closed to keep the rest of the house warm. In bitter cold weather, we had newspapers between the blankets, which kept us very warm. In winter the bedrooms were warmed about once a week to change the sheets and clean the rooms. I remember jumping out of bed and running out to the warm hallway to get dressed. Ah, I love springtime!"

I think breathing all that outside air is probably what saved them from the sooty air that they seemed to have inside because of the coke furnace. I think that is why Grandma was achy and dull after being inside all day long. But sleeping in that cold air doesn't seem like it would be all that restful.

It is nice to read that Gilbert helped out on the weekends. We should keep in mind that with his disability, one leg much shorter than the other, it probably involved some pain to do a lot of walking. And, he died from Parkinson disease in 1935, so at this time, 9 years earlier, would he be starting to experience some of the symptoms?)

Saturday, January 23, 1926

Saturday, January 23, 1926
Clear and cold

The first thing after breakfast the boys went outdoors to play – all four of them, but they didn’t stay too long. It was too cold. They played in the house most of the time after that, tore up everything, upset chairs and made airplancs out of them. Then when I was cleaning upstairs, without a word they (Albert and Dick) straightened everything up nice and ran the cleaner over the floors for me. Dick has been so good to help lately - more than willing. Albert will do things too if he wants to and thinks nobody is going to make him. But he is a regular mule to drive.

(Aunt Marjorie wrote, "As I recall, all the Smith boys (and girls) had minds of their own! That's what happens when you teach chidlren to think for themselves, but after all, I wouldn't have it any other way." Grandma has mentioned before that Albert was a bit stubborn.)

Friday, January 22, 1926

Friday, January 22, 1926
Colder

The boys came home with their grades. This is promotion day. I was real proud of their records, no tardiness or absence. Dale had 3 A+’s and one B in music – the rest A’s. Dick had a record of mostly B’s with a few A’s. Both had the best mark in the character development side. Dale was very much disappointed that he won’t have Miss Torreau again this term. I’ve felt so dull and depressed lately, can never get my work done any more. Too draggy to accomplish much.

(Aunt Marjorie commented that she thinks that Grandma was eating too many buckwheat pancakes, which is why she felt all draggy.

I did find out that they advanced grades at the beginning of the calendar year, and not in the fall as we do today.)

Thursday, January 21, 1926

Thursday, January 21, 1926
Snow

Mama came over today and I went to the kindergarten to try to locate Albert’s rubbers that he lost Monday. He has had such a cold and the walks have been wet so I didn’t let him go without his rubbers and I thought they were in the kindergarten by now. There was a pair there which I brought home but they were too little for Albert. I should have ironed but going over there took all morning and as Mama was here, I didn’t feel like starting in the PM so got the clothes ready for an early start tomorrow. Ran up a couple of pairs of pants for Ned.

(The rubbers fit over the shoes to keep them from getting too wet. Aunt Marjorie must have lost hers as a child, too, since she wrote "So, another kid had to go home without his rubbers?"

I think Grandma wrote more each day in 1926 than in 1925, and she so far is writing more about her children, as she intended, though she still wrote quite a bit about cleaning and ironing.

What do you think?)

Wednesday, January 20, 1926

Wednesday, January 20, 1926
Colder

Marjorie is getting awfully sweet these days and as good as can be. Sleeps all night long lately and I should be feeling top notch, but I don’t. I guess my system is filled with cold and together with buckwheat cakes for breakfast, I don’t feel top notch by any means. Ned gets me up in the night generally and always wakes up wet in the morning. The baby sits up propped in a chair with pillows tied in with a towel and thus Bess found her this evening when she happened out for supper and she was so surprised to see how she had grown. She tries to get hold of things she sees but can’t make her hands behave.

(Aunt Marjorie wrote, "The buckwheat pancakes started for Christmas and went on till it was all gone. Combine pure buckwheat flour (NOT a mix) with water, yeast and a pinch of salt in the evening to the right consistency for pancakes, cover and let it sit in room temperature until breakfast; make how many pancakes you can eat (best with sausage or bacon) and put the balance of batter back in refrigerator (covered) till you want pancakes again. Then the night before, get the batter out again, add a little water, buckwheat flour & a pinch of salt and mix again, let it sit at room temperature all night again, etc. You don't add yeast again, just to start it. You can just add to the batter several times."

I always wondered how they made buckwheat pancakes! Mom (Eleanor) and Aunt Marjorie try to get together once a year around the holidays to have buckwheat pancakes for breakast. I've never had them.

Bess, recall, was one of Gilbert's two older sisters. Look at her picture here. That picture kind of creeps me out a bit because I think I look "somewhat" like her. I even asked my nephew who is 11 who he thought she looked like and he said "you".

I will be looking through more family pictures soon to see if I can find some more to post.)

Tuesday, January 19, 1926

Tuesday, January 19, 1926
Foggy

Albert was so pale and irritable this morning and didn’t want to go to kindergarten so I didn’t insist. Thought I would let him stay home and doctor him up. I don’t like for him to be this way. I guess it is just cold. I went to the attic and invoiced a couple of boxes and found eleven waists that have lost their pants that Ned can wear with his little suspender pants and look cute, too. I will be glad to have them worn out. Intended all day to get at Ned’s other wool pants but was kept busy otherwise.

(Aunt Marjorie wrote, "If the waists (shirts) had 'lost their pants' I suppose the pants had originally buttoned onto the shirts, like the 'panty-waists' I wore when I was little (underwear). I was told that Grandpa thought it was not good for children to have tight clothes around the waist - elastic - therefore buttons were used to hold the pants on."

That attic was a small room that ran under the eaves on one side of the upstairs. It was a scary, dark, dusty place, from what I remember. We were afraid as kids to go in there when we visited. There was always that long, coffin-shaped box in there...

For those who have been reading for awhile, remember that last spring (1925) Albert was very sick with "glandular fever". Apparently, Grandma's father, a physician, spent a lot of time researching Albert's symptoms trying to come up with something to cure him. At least one person who was reading the diary entries last spring wrote a comment asking if Albert survived, he seemed so sick. I think readers were afraid they would read one day that he had died. I promise, he did survive these childhood illnesses.)

Monday, January 18, 1926

Monday, January 18, 1926
Warm drizzle

Albert went to kindergarten but came home without his rubbers, someone else had worn them home I guess. It was too bad for the boys to play out after school so I let them make houses with the chairs indoors and tear up Jack generally. Gilbert did not come home to supper, but came home earlier in the evening than I expected and the house looked like a cyclone had struck it. Marjorie has quite a cold again – in her eyes and head and today acted as if her stomach hurt her and cried quite a lot. Then Ned cried and tried to get out of his nap till late, then only slept half hour when Dick and Albert woke him up. Then with the boy’s noise I got awfully nervous.

(Aunt Marjorie wrote, "Ned and I, too, used ot make "houses" with dining room chairs on rainy days. We turned the chairs down side by side and crawled beneath the backs, like tunnels. Or lay a blanket over them and really had privacy. Trouble was, Mother always spoiled our fun by making us put the chairs back in place when we were finished!"

We used to turn chairs over and and crawl through them when we were little, too. Or we would put blankets over a card table to make an indoor tent. I hope all moms let their kids do this at least once on a rainy day.

Thank you to all who commented on yesterday's post. I plant to continue this blog until I run out of diaries, which will be in late 2008, unless we discover some more diaries that we didn't know about.

Back in the 1920's, when people went out visiting, if they didn't find someone at home, they would leave a calling card with their name on it to let the person know they had been by. Feel free to leave your "calling card" if you can't think of a comment to make.)

Sunday, January 17, 1926

Sunday, January 17, 1926
Drizzle

Papa and Mama were here for dinner. Of course Papa had to hurry away after dinner. He never stays much longer than he has to. Mama stayed till after the dishes were done. Gilbert and the boys went to Sunday school but didn’t take their usual walk afterward on account of the rain. A good day to stay home and read. I am getting so I enjoy the Sundays at home so much more than trying to go any place. The children are better and I get lots more rest. We have so many good books that I haven’t read yet although I read every day while the baby nurses, it will take me a long time to catch up.

(Aunt Marjorie wrote, "Daddy used to take Ned and me to walk in the park on Sunday afternoons. And Mother spent many Sunday afternoons lying on her bed reading and then napping. She wasn't too happy if we wanted to talk to her during her rare moments of rest."

I think several of us inherited the desire to read, and I remember many long Sunday afternoons lying around reading a book. It seems that Sunday afternoons were twice as long when I was younger! Growing up, we often went on Sunday afternoons to visit Grandma. Sometimes, we brought along a small Hibachi grill and my Dad would grill a steak and Grandma would provide potatoes and salad. Other times, we stayed for dinner, which was usually spaghetti. And I remember that at times when we arrived at her house, Grandma would just be getting up from a nap!

Would any family members like to add to this recollection? Is your memory of visiting Grandma the same? Or do you remember something different?

I would like to get an idea if any relatives (or others) are reading this blog. If you don't know what to put in a comment, just comment and let me know you are reading this, relative or not. And if you don't want your comment to be published, just indicate that in the comment, and I won't publish it. (Comments are moderated so they aren't published until I've reviewed them, so I can 'reject' a comment if you want to remain known only to me.) My guess is there are about 30 people a day who read these diaries... who are you and what brings you back to read more?)

And just in case, Happy Birthday to my nephew Ty, 21 today, a great-grandson of Ruth Campbell Smith.

Now commence to commenting!

Saturday, January 16, 1926

Saturday, January 16, 1926

Cleaned all the white enamel in the bathroom today and felt when I had that and the kitchen scrubbed that the house was really clean. But the air is full of smoke in spite of the fact we burn coke everything soon gets a film of black on it and of course the children do too.

(Thankfully, the days of burning coke, or coal, are behind us! I can't imaging living in an environment where you get dirty just standing there. Unfortunately, while we have fairly clear air now, in some parts of the world, people are still living under these types of conditions, with even worse pollution than you get from this type of furnace.)

Friday, January 15, 1926

Friday, January 15, 1926

Not a very interesting day. Spent it cleaning windows and brushing walls and pictures, etc. Dale went with Vernon Hinchman on his new route then brought him in to play with his Erecter set. They played upstairs in the hall and had a good time. The baby has reached that stage where she lays and looks at her hands by the hour. She is so sweet, good natured, and well contented, getting as fat as a little butter ball.

(Aunt Marjorie sent me a another note with comments for the next several weeks. For this day she wrote: "Mother brushed the walls and ceilings with a special long-handled soft brush to keep the cobwebs off. It was used for nothing else."

I believe the "new route" is a newspaper route.)

Thursday, January 14, 1926

Thursday, January 14, 1926
Fair and warmer

A lovely winter day. Household affairs moved very smoothly today. I got my ironing all done and a lot of mending that has been stacking up for six weeks. The baby is so good or I wouldn’t ever be able to get my work done. She doesn’t sleep as much the last few days but she just lies in her bed and never cries. Ned is the little chatterbox. Right at my heels all the time talking. He says words (or tries to) and expect me to make them into sentences. And he keeps up till I do. When I don’t understand what he means he keeps repeating till I feel almost distracted at times. He just makes me tired talking so much.

(Wouldn't we all love to have a good day like this one was for Grandma, when we seem to get all of our work done!

My memories of Uncle Ned are that he was a fairly quiet man, so it is a bit surprising to read he was a "chatterbox".)

Wednesday, January 13, 1926

Wednesday, January 13, 1926
Clear and cold

Hurried to get my work done. Took care of the laundry then Mama came over and I didn’t know whether I would get to the Mothers’ meeting at school or not but she left early and I left the babies asleep and left them with the boys. Enjoyed the meeting and came home to find the boys has been so noisy they frightened the baby and she was so nervous and crying. I feel as if I can never leave her again. After supper we made fudge which turned out fine. Then I played the piano – the first time for a year at least and the boys sang some of the familiar school songs. They haven’t any voices and really can’t sing but I wouldn’t tell them that for the world. I’m glad they want to sing and will try.

(Aunt Marjorie wrote, "As adults, Dale, Albert, and Eleanor were fairly good singers, I could carry a tune, but it didn't sound like it was worth it. (I sang a lot to my babies!) In my recollection, Dick refused to sing at all, and Ned loved to sing & whistle and couldn't carry a tune, no way, no how!"

And I was astounded when I first read these diaries as I did not know that Grandma knew how to play the piano. There was never a piano in her house when we visited as kids, so I don't know what happened to it. Perhaps she sold it later in life when she might have needed the money.

Overall, sounds like a great evening.)

Tuesday, January 12, 1926

Tuesday, January 12, 1926
Clear and cold

Finished the little pants and put them on Ned and he looks so cute. He is proud of them, too. There never was a cuter prettier two year old. These pants are out of an old black dress skirt of mine with black straps over his shoulders. His little white top just shines. The boys were all feeling so joyous this evening. We could hardly get them settled down to go to bed. They are surely hard to manage when they all get on their high horses. Dick and Albert are usually that way but they are easy to quiet than Dale in his rarer sprees. I almost give up then.

(Aunt Marjorie wrote, "I guess Dale was pretty boisterous sometimes. I remember him when I was little as being more dignified, as being the oldest."

Indeed, as I commented yesterday, Grandma did use scraps of fabric and fabric from old garments to make clothes. Nothing was wasted.

Ned's "little white top" I think refers to him having very blond hair as a child. Marjorie said Dale used to call him "cotton top".

Monday, January 11, 1926

Monday, January 11, 1926

Planned to do a lot of things but didn’t get so very much done. Just wash and look after the kiddies. They are all about okay now. They had gotten so run down during the holidays and they are lots better now. I am making Ned a little pair of wool pants as he gets so cold these days and the paper predicts a cold wave tonight.

(Grandma seemed like she could sew up a pair of pants as quickly as we could buy a pair today! I believe she used a lot of remnant fabrics to make the younger ones their clothes. Nothing was thrown out or wasted.

And just like back then, doesn't it take awhile for people to get back to normal after the holiday season.)

Sunday, January 10, 1926

Sunday, January 10, 1926

A long quiet day at home. Too tired to wiggle when I first got up but took things easy and got to feeling better. Marjorie didn’t sleep all morning as she usually does so I probably couldn’t have gone to Sunday school very well anyway, even if I had my dishes washed. The three older ones went to Sunday school. After dinner we all read while the babies took naps.

(Sounds like Grandma stayed home and did dishes, while the boys went to Sunday School. And what is nicer on a Sunday than spending time reading? I spent a lot of time reading when I was younger, and would like to make more time for reading now.)

Saturday, January 9, 1926

Saturday, January 9, 1926

Worked hard all day to get the house cleaned and Sunday dinner ready so as I could go to Sunday school in the morning. Even put the meat in the cooker intending to warm it up tomorrow. Surely I would be free tomorrow I thought until evening. Boys bathing one by one while I was trying to get supper and I had to stop and help them. Ned cried for his bath and I bathed him, making supper late. By that time Marjorie was through her day time nap and not ready for her night and by time I got her settled I was so tired and sleepy. Washing dishes was out of the question so the object of the day was lost. I can’t go to Sunday school with the kitchen full of dirty dishes.

(Aunt Marjorie wrote, "I think by the time Ned and I were the ages that Dale & Dick were in 1926, we were washing dishes!" Perhaps she thinks Dale & Dick should have helped out with those dishes. And where was Gilbert?

I'll admit I've left my house with dirty dishes still in the sink, I'm sure others have, am I right about that?)

Friday, January 8, 1926

Friday, January 8, 1926
Snow

The most memorable thing about this day is the snow storm. It started in about seven and snowed as hard as it could till dark. A fine day for kids. I was crazy to get out in it abut I didn’t have any rubbers. I had planned on going to the Piggly Wiggly to get some Rye Krisps and the dry goods for some buttons. I wished I had some galoshes but I found some rubbers that were too small for Dale’s new shoes so I tried them on and they were a perfect fit so I went and Dale, too, leaving Dick with the babies. He is a loving little nurse. Found him wheeling Marjorie in her bed to keep her quiet as she had awakened while I was gone.

(Aunt Marjorie wrote, "Dick always loved babies till the time he died. Too bad he never had any of his own."

I did not know there were Piggly Wiggly stores in Indianapolis. There certainly aren't any today. In fact, if I hadn't seen the movie "Driving Miss Daisy", I would not know what such a place was. And when Grandma wrote she was "crazy to get out in it", I think she meant that she really did want to go outside in the snow, not that she shouldn't.)

Thursday, January 7, 1926

Thursday, January 7, 1926
Fair

A lovely winter day. I ironed all morning and when Albert came from kindergarten he begged me so hard to go to the Mothers’ meeting that I decided to get ready and go when the boys came from school. Ned and Marjorie both looked too peaked from their cold. Ned is real pale and thin and Marjorie has it in her eyes, so I left them both asleep and they got along all right. Dale knows how to fix the milk and barley. Got there late of course and found Miss Ida Connor speaking. She and I got to be friends when Dale was in kindergarten and she attended those Mothers’ meetings. I was glad to see her again. She remembered me. I had an enjoyable time.

(I don't know many five year olds today who would even be aware that there was a Mothers' meeting at their school, let alone beg their mother to attend it! Perhaps Albert's teacher talked a lot about it and told them all to have their mothers go to it.)

Wednesday, January 6, 1926

Wednesday, January 6, 1926
Mostly cloudy

Weighed Marjorie today, 12 lbs. She was three months old at one yesterday. That is doing very well I guess. There is a schedule on the barley box of average weights and she has been exactly right according to that. Gilbert worked this evening, but his Dad was out. Had come over to take treatment for his feet and came on over to find out how to fix the baby's milk. Nell’s twins are hungry and they don’t know how to feed them. Otherwise they are doing all ok I guess. I would love to see them. I am glad they asked me how to care take care of them. It shows confidence in me – satisfaction in the products I put out. I told Dad all I could of to help them out.

(Aunt Marjorie wrote "The babies Grandpa Smith (Dad) was talking about where the twins Aunt Nell had on Christmas Day. Aunt Nell was a large woman and I had been told she didn't realize she was pregnant until just a couple of weeks before they were born. (Remember, mine was a recollection of a child's memory of events!) I presume Nell had a doctor out in the country - who knows?"

Well, that is certainly interesting information from Aunt Marjorie!)

Tuesday, January 5, 1926

Tuesday, January 5, 1926
Cloudy

Albert went to kindergarten and Ned and I were alone for the first time for two weeks and I was surprised at his talking. Constant chatter, and he expects me to repeat his words filling in those he leaves out and often I don’t understand what he means. Then he doesn’t like it, so it is pretty trying. Got a good days work done. Thanks to our new alarm clock. Finally finished all the back ironing that has been accumulating for three weeks. Papa reports that Mable is there with Winifred while Mama is gone and says nothing of any plans to leave or work, so he is afraid he will have to ask her to go which will be very hard. I wonder how it will all turn out.

(Well, Grandma and Ned weren't exactly alone for the day, as baby Marjorie was also there. And, Grandma is ironing again. Everyday, she had something to iron.

You can read more about Mable, who is Grandma's brother Harry's wife in this previous post from July. I believe Grandma wrote back in November that Harry was going to Florida. Sounds like he left Mable and their daugher Winifred behind to stay with his parents, and they are wearing out their welcome.

Aunt Marjorie wrote and said that Grandma's mother "Mama", often took off on a whim to go and visit family in Gibson City, Illinois or Rennsalaer, Indiana and Papa would stay home.)

Monday, January 4, 1926

Monday, January 4, 1926
Cloudy

Well the boys went back to school again today and it was quite a relief to me. Of course I love to have them around, but a bunch of cowboys or bandits are noisy and do get on my nerves if they are around all day long. They need some real business anyway and they really like school. Albert was in all day and he and Ned played and painted very congenial. Albert is a constant chatterbox and having Ned to talk to lets me out of having to answer all his remarks. He is such an innocent babyish boy for his age. It is hard to believe he will go to school soon. Ned is trying hard to talk these days, says any word but does not put them together yet.

(So far, Grandma seems to be keeping to her resolution to write more about her children and not the work she did each day. How long has it been since she mentioned ironing?)

Sunday, January 3, 1926

Sunday, January 3, 1926
Rainy drizzle

A pleasant day at home. Reading Elbert Hubbard's “Little Journey” part of the time, playing checkers with the boys, eating Christmas nuts, etc. I read the journey to the artist Turner’s home and told the boys parts of it, so Dick assured “I’m going to be a great artist, don’t you worry.” Then they all got to making pictures, even Neddy, and showing me. Well they have plenty of room for improvement, I’ll say. Dale doesn’t do as well as he did at the age of five. Albert made an orange tree and black grass. They spent some time making resolutions before they went to bed.

(Aunt Marjorie wrote, "How wonderful the days when children talked and planned things instead of sitting and watching TV!"

Dick did not become a great artist, unless he left behind some paintings or sculptures that we don't know about. Instead he became a philosophy professor at the University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky. I provided information on him in this post from July of last year.

In fact, other than my mom (Eleanor) doing some painting when we were kids, I'm not sure any of the Smith children did anything artistic.)

I wonder what the boys came up with for their resolutions for 1926?)

Saturday, January 2, 1926

Saturday, January 2, 1926
Foggy

The boys show the effects of eating too much Christmas candy and nuts and staying in the house too much this past couple of weeks. They got so peevish I suggested a walk in the fresh air which did them lots of good. Gilbert came home about four and I got ready and made a hurried trip to town to get the gloves fitted that Guy gave me for Christmas. Mrs. Collins was here a little while before I left to see what we got for Christmas. I had to hurry home so Gilbert could go to the bank and the show. I was so tired every muscle ached and I felt could never get the boys to bed.

(I've never heard of having gloves fitted, but I suppose 'back then' when women wore gloves any time they went out, a good fitting pair of gloves was more of a necessity.

Aunt Marjorie sent me her comments for the 1st two weeks of January and wrote for January 2, "When I was a child, my friends and I visited to see what we all got for Christmas. I didn't know adults did that, too. I'm glad Daddy (Gilbert) had opportunities to have relaxation. What I remember most was his stiffness and apparent pain." (Gilbert suffered from Parkinson's Disease.)

Guy is Grandma's brother, Mrs. Collins lived across the street.)

Friday, January 1, 1926

Friday, January 1, 1926
Cloudy

Of course this is the day for resolutions so will try to make this diary less a chronicle of work done and more of the development of the children and also will try to keep it up to date and not let it slide a week or then fill in forgetting some of the most interesting things. But it really is a task, this keeping a diary. I have so many tasks that have to be done that if I am not in the mood for writing, or get too tired, it is so easy to let this slide as no one is going to make me keep it. However Gilbert gave me this little book for my birthday and I want to keep it to read over in my old age and recall these days when my family is young and so interesting and pesky! Then who knows, historians or biographers may seek this data relative to the boyhood of a great Smith.

(This entry is quite intriguing. What is going to be in this year's diary? We've had a few minor discussions about whether or not Grandma intended for others to read her diaries. In response to this entry, Aunt Marjorie wrote "So, Mother did intend for us to read her diairies!" No one knew she kept the diaries until they had to clean out her personnel belongings after she moved to a nursing home, shortly before she died. Those who read the diaries at that time wished she had let them read the diairies while she was still alive because there are entries that prompt some questions that we will probably never find the answers for.

And she certainly believed that her sons (and daughters) could go on to do great things!