More chickens

July 9, 1931 - I cleaned the upstairs this morning.  Early to bed tonite.
July 10, 1931 - Cleaned downstairs this morning.  I went to Wayne on the train this afternoon.  I went up to the Normal and got Mildred Andersen.  We came home on the train.  Talked this evening and went to bed rather early.
July 11, 1931 - We looked at snapshots, etc.  Went down town this afternoon.  Ray, Mildred, Ralph and I went to Carroll to the dance tonite.  We didn't have such a very good time, nobody there we knew.  Ray brought home three little chickens tonite.

So is Mildred Andersen someone other than Aunt Mildred?  Grandma always calls her Aunt Mildred, but then she changes what she calls Grandma Anna in her journals, so . . .

I haven't done a Sunday recipe in ages and today isn't Sunday, but for lack of anything better to put in here, here goes.  I do not recall Grandma making this recipe, but it is in her handwriting and it sounds good.  I like to experiment on my co-workers, maybe I will give it a try some time soon.

Coconut Pound Cake

1 1/2 c. Crisco
5 eggs
1/2 t. salt
1 c. milk
2 1/2 c. sugar
3 c. flour
1 t. baking powder
1 c. coconut

Cream Crisco and sugar 10 minutes.  Add eggs one at a time, beating 5 minutes after each addition.  Sift flour, salt and baking powder together -- add alternately with milk to creamed mixture.  Blend in coconut.  Turn into a well-greased and flour tube pan (Bundt or angel food). Place in cold oven.  Bake at 350 degrees for 90 minutes.

It sounds dandy.

Speaking of baking, one of the blogs I follow asked people to submit photos or stories of their favorite "hand me down" baking or cooking item.  I immediately thought of the flour sifter of Grandma Anna's that I am lucky enough to have.  I am pretty sure I have not used any other sifter unless I was baking at someone else's house.  Not only is it a fine sifter, I think of both Grandma Anna and Grandma whenever I use it.  Grandma Anna isn't baking in the photo, but she is holding a baked good.  She looks rather pleased to have it, too.  With her in the photo is Tanta Emma and someone I cannot name.

Lucky Lindy

 

July 6, 1931 - I felt pretty tired today.  Took a nap this afternoon and went to bed early.
July 7, 1931 - We picked and canned cherries today.  Tonite to Ralph Ruschman's birthday party with R.K.  Loretta was there.  It is the first time I have seen her or talked to her since school was out.
July 8, 1931 - We picked and canned more cherries today.  R.K. came up tonite and we went to Marie and Clifford's for their wedding anniversary.  We played "pig" and "Lindy".

I looked for, but did not find, any information on a game called "Lindy".  I did, however, discover there is an unincorporated village in Nebraska within the Santee Sioux Reservation with that name.  The current population is 13.  It has a restaurant and bar, a church, and a fire hall.  As you might expect, the town was named after Charles Lindbergh. 

Something else I didn't know

 

July 3, 1931 - Momma went out to help at Hoyt's today.  Ray, Willie, E.B., F.S., R.K. and I went to Wayne tonite.  Wayne is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding, yesterday, today and tomorrow.  We rode on the elephant and had a good time.
July 4, 1931 - It rained all day until about 4 o'clock.  Willie, Edwin, Florence and Ralph were here.  Tonite to Norfolk to the show, "Bad Sister" and out to King's a few minutes.
July 5, 1931 - Willie stayed last night.  We went to church this morning.  This afternoon we went to a ball game at Ted Foote's.  Ralph made two home runs, even though he was half asleep.  We went to Wayne tonite for the last day of the Golden Jubilee.  Yesterday was so bad that they extended the celebration for another day.

I definitely do not recall Grandma talking about riding on an elephant.  I can't believe I would have forgotten that.

Here is the plot summary of "Bad Sister": 

     Marianne (Sidney Fox) falls in love with con man Valentine (Humphrey Bogart) who uses their relation to get her father's endorsement on a money-raising scheme. He runs off with the money and Marianne, later dumping her. Her sister Laura (Bette Davis) loves Dr. Lindley (Conrad Nagel) although she knows he loves Marianne. Marianne returns and marries a wealthy young man, and Lindley turns his love toward Laura.

Good for Ralph on the home runs.

Something I didn't know

 

June 30, 1931 - We washed today.  I scrubbed all the rooms and did some ironing today.
July 1, 1931 - Baked bread and ironed today.  It rained this afternoon.  R.K., F.S., E.B. and Bill Frink and Hans came up tonite.  I came home tonite.  We were down town awhile.  Florence and I had a ride in Wallace Newman's new car.
July 2, 1931 - Mr. Baker brought me my money at 9:00.  We went out to Ola's and got their car.  I drove Ray's car out there, had to drive around the block and let Mom jump in as I couldn't stop the car without killing the engine.  Grussmother went along to Norfolk.  I got two new dresses, hose and a pair of white slippers.

Grandma Anna hopping into a moving car?!?  Neat!!  I wonder how Grandma knew she couldn't stop without killing the engine.  Did she have to shout at Grandma Anna as she went by to tell her to jump in?  Did it take a couple of tries for Grandma Anna to do it?  How agile was she exactly in 1931?  I am full of questions here that cannot be answered on this earthly plane.  I am guessing she and Grandma Anna could not start the car by themselves, or she would have just killed the engine, let Grandma Anna in, and then started it up.  I bet that is because it was a crank starter, but I do not know that for certain.

The photo is from 1924 and Grandma Anna is second from the left.  She looks perfectly capable of jumping into a moving car (and seriously, how fast must it have been moving?) at this time and seven years later.

I don't think this is a Chevy, but . . .

 

June 27, 1931 - I feel awful today.  The whole family went to Norfolk this afternoon.  R.K. was late coming tonite.  He was supposed to bring F.S. along and get E.B.  Edwin and Wendell came over about 9 o'clock and we went to meet them.  We met them at Slim Swergard's.  We all went to Winside in R.K.'s car.
June 28, 1931 - We all went to church this morning.  After dinner we went up to Uncle Hans' and cleaned R.K.'s car.  We took pictures and had a real good time.  This evening E.B., F.S., R.K. and I went to Randolph to the swimming pool in the Chevy.  Meta, Lyle, Hans, Ray and Willie were in Ralph's car.
June 29, 1931 - Awfully hot today.  I took a nap this afternoon.  To bed early tonite.

I never heard of a swimming pool in a Chevy before.

I wonder why Ralph's car needed cleaning out the day after a night running around with a bunch of friends.....

More than the eventual four

 

June 24, 1931 - I sewed doll dresses for Viola today.  Verne was here awhile and he took me up to Uncle Hans' for about an hour.  Mr. and Mrs. Baker and Viola went to Wayne this afternoon.  Linn's were here this evening and we had ice cream.
June 25, 1931 - Meta stopped here awhile this morning.  She was on her way to Carroll and her car wouldn't work.  Mrs. Baker's sister and family were over this evening.
June 26, 1931 - Oh!  It was hot today!  Mr. and Mrs. Baker and Mr. and Mrs. Dave Thomas went to Norfolk tonite.  I took care of six kids.  Ray and Ralph were up a little while.

I wonder if the six kids scared young Messrs. Andersen and Kahler away.

Also, I did not know that we were friends with the Wendy's guy and his family.  (Tee hee)  The main things I remember about Dave Thomas (the famous one) were that he seemed like a genuinely nice guy and that, being adopted, he was a big supporter of adoption.  Since our family was so wonderfully impacted by two adoptions, I would have to say I agree with him.

A life saver!

June 21, 1391 - It rained this morning but cleared up about 9:30.  Ed, Al, Lennis, Dallas and Mr. and Mrs. Schellenberg went to Wausau.  R.K., E.B. and H.B. were here for dinner.  We took pictures and played ball this afternoon.  I was at home a few minutes while R.K. did chores.  I was home in bed by 10 o'clock, before Baker's came home.
June 22, 1931 - I washed out some of my clothes this morning.  Sewed a doll's romper for Viola.  Over to Linn's tonite a few minutes with the family.
June 23, 1931 - Linn kids over awhile today.  I saved three lives today (chickens, they fell in the slop pail).

HA!  I love the chicken life-saving episode, mentioned so calmly like Grandma hadn't done a very great thing, says the Great Bird Fanatic (me).

If you will recall, I mentioned the opening of the Empire State Building a little while back.  I recently stumbled across this mind-numbing (for me anyway) photograph from that day.  Only look if you are not faint of heart.  Yikes!!

Uncle Who?

 

June 18, 1931 - My hip didn't bother me so much today.  Mopped the whole house today.  Early to bed this evening.
June 19, 1931 - Washed clothes today.  I went to Uncle Harry's birthday tonite with Hans and Edwin.  Stopped and got F.S. and R.K.  Clara, Alice, Bernie, Darlene, F.S. and I played "Jacks".  It looked as if it would rain tonite but it didn't.
June 20, 1931 - Cleaned up the house and ironed.  It rained this afternoon but cleared up at supper time.  R.K., F.S., E. and H.B. and I to Carroll tonite.  Florence and I visited Mrs. Smith and Ed Schraeder's.  I stayed at the farm with Florence tonite.

Does anyone know who Uncle Harry would be? 

I've tried twice now to come up with more to write, but I'm stymied.  A photo was difficult enough.  I am sure I've used the photo before, but I do not remember if I knew it was from 1930; probably a high school graduation photo?  I love the dress and wonder what color it was.

How many?

 

June 15, 1931 - The first day didn't go so bad.  Mrs. Baker is working in the field and they needed a cook.  There are three children, Delmar and Viola.  I wrote some letters this afternoon and went to bed early tonite.  My hip has bothered me today.  I think it's from that ride in the trunk yesterday.
June 16, 1931 - Mr. Linn and Harold Linn were here for supper.  I went with Mrs. Baker and the kids to Linn's to have corn ground for chickens.
June 17, 1931 - Mr. Linn was here for supper.  R.K. came tonite.  Went to Hoskins to Oliver Stamm's chivari dance.  Aunt Mildred, Uncle Chris and Mr. and Mrs. Dennis were there.  Aunt Mildred has been in Albion since Saturday.  Took Matt Holt and Ester Schultz home after the dance.  I didn't dance much because my hip hurt me too much.

The options here are that Grandma wrote three instead of two, she forgot to list one of the kids' names, she didn't know one of the kids' names, or they didn't name the third kid yet.

See, I said the trunk was not a typo. 

Here's a photo of 1931 fashion, since I skipped it previously for the dress clip photo.  Note the finger-waved hair in the middle.

Hurry up, go

 

June 12, 1931 - I ironed this morning.  R.K. and I went to Art Shelpepper's chivari dance in Hoskins.  Florence S., Ray and Esther Miller were along.  None of us had a very good time because we were too tired.  Mayme told me their school didn't have a teacher.  One of Ray's little chickens disappeared this evening.
June 13, 1931 - Mom and I took Ray's car out to Annie's to get their car.  We had Mayme go with us.  They hired Lucille Shannon last nite at 9:00.  Am I mad!  I stayed at Annie's this afternoon and helped them.  Nick Kahler's were there for dinner.  Ralph and Ray came out after supper and teased us like the dickens.  Mom followed them in Ray's Ford.  We went down town a few minutes and saw F.S. and E.B.
June 14, 1931 - Raymond, Alice, Ralph and I went to Osmond to Grandpa Kahler's birthday.  We came back to Ola and Annie's about 4:30.  Ate ice cream and then up to Uncle Hans' in the trunk to do chores.  When we got back we found out that Othel Baker's had come and wanted me to work for them.  I went home, packed my suitcase and went up there.

I wasn't able to find anything about Othel Baker in the Winside history book.  I went for a long shot and looked up Othel Baker on the internet.  I did not find him, but I did discover there is a Winside Drive in Baker, Louisiana.  I wonder how that ever came about.

And that is not a typo; Grandma rode in the trunk.

I can't express enough my distress at one of Uncle Ray's chickens being missing.

Who and who knew?

 

June 9, 1931 - I finished washing down the walls and woodwork in the kitchen.  I washed and ironed my blue polka dot and black georgette dresses.  Florence and Lennis were up here a few minutes this evening.
June 10, 1931 - We went out to Annie's tonite right after supper.  Ralph came out and I went back to town with him.  We saw Florence and Edwin and talked to them awhile.
June 11, 1931 - We washed today.  Nick Kahler's were here this afternoon and for supper.  We went to the party dance at Hoskins.  Ray and Florence Frink went along.  We all had a real good time.

Does anyone know of a person named Lennis?  I looked and looked at Grandma's handwriting and that is what it looks like.  I also have not heard mention of Nick Kahler.  Not that I remember anyway.

And it is just me, or does Uncle Ray seem to have a lot of dates, but no one steady girl? 

I was looking for a dress from the 30's to use for a photo and I ran across this photo of a dress clip (from the 30's).  I have one or more in my possession and I never knew what they were.  It looks like they were used as decoration at the bottom of a V-neck or in pairs, one on each side of a neckline.  Who knew?

Two movies in three days

June 6, 1931 - We cleaned up the house and I monkeyed around until 6 o'clock when Ray came after me and took me out to Annie and Ola's.  I went to the show with Lewis and Florence.  We saw George O'Brien in "The Sea Beneath."  I stayed at Ola's with Florence tonite.
June 7, 1931 - R.K. came out here at about 11:30.  We all went down to Minnie and Earl's for dinner.  The men played horseshoes and boxed.  Florence and I tried to take a nap.  Florence, Lewis, Ralph and I went to see Buster Keaton in "Parlor, Bedroom, and Bath."  It was awfully silly.
June 8, 1931 - I was tired today and didn't get much work accomplished.  I wrote letters to Jane and Mrs. Smith tonite.

I hate to correct Grandma here, but the one movie was Seas Beneath.  But no matter.  And no movie poster to use.

The other movie is a different story.  I have a synopsis and a poster, which interestingly, is Swedish.

Reginald Denny plays the role of Jeffrey Haywood, who wants to get married to Virginia Embrey (Sally Eilers). However, Virginia refused to marry unless her older sister, the hard-to-please Angelica (Dorothy Christy) gets married first. Angelica, in turn, finds every man she knows too dull and predictable, and for this reason prefers to stay single. Jeff then tries to make Angelica interested in the mild-mannered and timid Reggie Irving (played by Keaton) passing him off as a notorious playboy to intrigue her. He asks his friend Polly to teach Reggie "how to treat a woman right", but he turns out to be a disastrous learner.

The information I found also says the movie was filmed in Buster Keaton's house and that it is now in the public domain and can be downloaded for free.  I may have to take a look just for giggles.

Churning and the rain

 

June 3, 1931 - I got a letter from Aunt Nan, Mayme, and the invitation to the Alumni Banquet.  Mother cleaned half of the back porch and cellar today.  I churned down the cellar today because it was so warm.  It started raining about 7:00 so didn't get to go to the chivari dance at Hoskins.  Mom, Ray and I played Pinochle.  I wrote to Florence S., Martha and Mayme.
June 4, 1931 - I ironed this morning and Mother finished cleaning the cellar and porch. Dora, George and Ralph came up here this evening.  Ralph, Ray and I went down town and got Florence Schellenberg and then went out to Annie and Ola's.  Florence Frink is coming in tomorrow nite to go to the Alumni Banquet.
June 5, 1931 - I finished the ironing this morning.  It started raining this morning and kept it up all day.  Florence F. didn't come in for the banquet.  F.S. went with us and after the banquet we played pinochle rummy up here.  There was supposed to have been a chivari dance in Hoskins tonite.  We were going with R.K. but the rain spoiled our plans.

I wonder how good I would have been at churning.  I think boredom would overtake me, but perhaps it is possible to read and churn at the same time.  Of course, I would probably alter my pace depending on how exciting the book was. 

I wish I could go back in time and spend just one day in 1931.  How odd to think that the roads were such that rain would spoil plans.  That is certainly nothing I have had to worry about in my lifetime.  I've had to pull over when the rain was too crazy, but normal rains long or short do not interfere with our lives today.  I guess I should say that living out here where there is little gravel on the roads, that some of my drives into Lincoln have been a little exciting right after a good rain.

I think it is neat that Grandma was going to the Alumni Banquet as soon as the year after she graduated.  I wonder if she ever missed one -- I know she went in 2005 and that if she missed any in all those intervening years, it was not her choice.  The photo is from that 2005 banquet.  That dress is the one she wore at my wedding earlier that year.

I have no idea what happened

May 31, 1931 - The folks went to Osmond today.  We came into town this afternoon with Ed's.  Florence had their car, we picked up Bill F., Edwin and Ralph.  We drove around, took pictures, and watched the ball game awhile.  I had supper at Florence's.  After supper we walked up home.  The boys came up here and we went up to Uncle Hans' for the pictures Martha had finished for us.
June 1, 1931 - The whole family is tired.  We cleaned the cupboard in the dining room, took the base burner down and cleaned Grussmother's closet.  I got the pictures today that Mother took of Ray in cap and gown, those we took at Emerson and those Barbara, Jane and I took.  I wrote to Jane and Aunt Mildred.  Tonite Florence and I took a long walk east to where Art's used to live, south, west past Brune's into town.
June 2, 1931 - We washed today and I got my arms sunburned real good.  Tillie Eckert brought up a stocking for me to fix.  Ray and I went out to Annie's.  Florence Frink is there and we made plans for this Saturday and Sunday.

Some how I got May 28 - 30 out of order and only discovered it as I was typing the same stuff over again just now.  Boy it sounded familiar, but I wasn't sure if it was because I read ahead sometimes.  Then I got to the Abraham Lincoln movie and knew I goofed up.  I surely entertain myself sometimes.  Back on track for now.

Grandma sure took a lot of pictures, some of which have gone by the by.  I do not recall seeing any of Uncle Ray in cap and gown.  Given how many times photos of friends were taken, I know for sure some of those are definitely gone.  It would be fun, though, to know if photos I do have were taken at the times and places Grandma mentions.

Something just occurred to me.  Grandma Anna, Grandma and Uncle Ray did not seem to go to church during this time.  I would think Grandma would mention it occasionally if they did.  I guess I assumed Grandma always went to church, whether at this point it was her idea or not.

I know I've used it before, but I still love this photo.  It was taken in 1938, so it's in the same decade, at least, of where we are right now.

Spizz, really?

 

May 25, 1931 - Today is our last day for classes.  I got my "Spizz" this noon and had quite a few of the girls write in it.  I went up to Aunt Mildred's for supper.  We ate with Dennis'.  Tonite is the last time I'll get to eat supper with Aunt Mildred and Uncle Chris for some time I suppose.
May 26, 1931 - I checked in my books and got my $5 refund.  That felt good.  Had more girls write in my "Spizz".  Barbara took me home.  Annie and Mother came after me.  We went up to Carroll to see Mrs. Smith and also to Mrs. Geo. Linn to see about work.  She can't afford a girl just now because her husband has to have extra help.  Ray is working with Thorvald Jacobsen.
May 27, 1931 - I finished my box today and also lazied around.  It feels awfully good to be home.  Ray, Grussmother, Mother and I went out to Annie and Ola's after supper.  I drove out there but Ray wouldn't let me drive coming home.  After we were in bed, at about 11 o'clock, Edwin, Florence, Martha and Wendel came up here.  Martha's going out to Emelia and Art's tomorrow morning.  She came to say "Goodbye".

Grandma is writing the name of the school yearbook; I am not sure she is writing S-P-I-Z-Z but looking at both entries, that is certainly what it looks like.  Perhaps someone reading is familiar with the WSC yearbook.

I found this photo of Thorvald Jacobsen in the Winside history book.  He is listed with the other WWI veterans.  Good looking chap.

It's genetic

 

May 22, 1931 - I got up at 5 o'clock this morning and finished my nature Study notebook.  The Nature Study and Management tests weren't so bad.  I came home with Tillie Eckert.  This evening Ralph, Ray, Florence and I went up to Uncle Hans'.
May 23, 1931 - Ray's birthday.  I washed out a few of my clothes today and cleaned up the house.  Marie and Clifford, Annie and Ola, Uncle Max and family, Dora and George, Hans, Edwin, Martha, Willie, Lilly, Louise, Ralph, Florence and Bill Frink were here tonite for Ray's birthday.  We played cards.  Willy stayed all night with Ray.
May 24, 1931 - I cleaned up the house this morning.  Florence, Ralph and Edwin came about 11 o'clock and we went to Emerson.  We stopped in Wakefield to get a film and I saw "the Owl."  We had a picnic dinner, went down to the springs, took pictures, Ralph got "stuck in the mud", played baseball.  In other words a good time.  On way home saw the rest of the plane in which Guy Strickland and "Red" Putnam were burned to death.  We went to the movies and saw "Skippy".

It is comforting to know that both Dale and I came by our procrastination, especially when it comes to schoolwork, honestly.

I had never heard of a plane crash in our neck of the woods.  I found this in the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune for May 25, 1931:

     "Guy Strickland of Wayne and Wayne Putnam of Naper, Neb., were killed yesterday when a plane Strickland was piloting struck a down current of air and went into a tailspin, at Wayne, Neb."

     Here is some information about "Skippy":  Skippy is a film that was released in 1931. It was one of the first films nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. The screenplay was based on the comic strip Skippy by Percy Crosby. For his performance, Jackie Cooper, at the age of nine, became the youngest person to earn an Academy Award nomination for  Best Actor in a Leading Role.  The film also did well enough to inspire a sequel called Sooky.  The story involved Skippy's efforts to help his new friend Sooky. Sooky is played by Jackie Coogan's brother Robert. In the story Sooky lives in a shantytown, and both he and Skippy try desperately to save a dog. In one scene, director Norman Taurog needed to get his nephew, Jackie Cooper, to cry, so he told young Jackie that he was going to kill his dog. Jackie did the scene and proceeded to find out his dog would be unharmed. From this point on, Jackie Cooper had mixed feelings toward his uncle, almost to the point of hatred, and rarely spoke to him again. 

I would have to agree with young Mr. Cooper here.

It makes sense

 

May 19, 1931 - I fell awfully punk today.  Barbara took me home.  I'm sure glad my girl friends have cars.  It's save me many a long walk.
May 20, 1931 - Well, today is the last time for chapel this school year.  Our Algebra test wasn't so bad.  Francis brought me home this afternoon.  Aunt Mary, Uncle Charlie, Pearl and Wallace went to Norfolk this afternoon.
May 21, 1931 - I worked late at the Library this afternoon.  Opal Wingett and I walked down town together.  I got a green water pitcher set at Ahern's for Martha.  Stayed up until 11:30 tonite working on my Nature Study notebook.

So many secrets . . . I didn't know Grandma worked at the library, but how appropriate that is.

The photo makes me smile, even though -- obviously, I have no idea what was going on.

More trouble than they are worth?

 

May 16, 1931 - I worked like the dickens cleaning up the house today.  Washed and ironed my school clothes.  Ralph and I went to Hoskins to the dance tonite.  Some girls from Grand Island played and how they played!  There wasn't as big a crowd as I thought there would be, but I had a good time anyway.
May 17, 1931 - Momma and I walked down town this morning to get my slippers.  Ralph came up about 11:00 and we went out to Aunt Mary's with him.  Alice and I had a nice long walk, we picked violets and saw lots of new birds.  It rained a little bit around supper time.  Ralph took me back to Wayne tonite.
May 18, 1931 - It was trying to rain this morning but quit the middle of the forenoon.  Helen Hanson took me home this afternoon.  At supper tonite Uncle Chris said that after Ralph left last nite, a wheel came off of his car.  It happened about 2 blocks from Uncle Chris!  Ralph went up there and got him to help put it back on. The car wasn't hurt any.

I have had a few adventures with cars in my day, but I must admit I never had a wheel fall off.  Nice for Ralph that it happened not too far from someone who would help.

Has anyone ever wondered about the term "the dickens"?  I hadn't until just now.  This is what I found:

     This phrase has nothing to do with Charles Dickens. Dickens is a euphemism, specifically a minced-oath, for the word devil, possibly via devilkins. Shakespeare used it in 'the Merry Wives of Windsor, 1600:  I cannot tell what the dickens his name is my husband had him of.

 

I am glad the explanation is clear, because the Shakespeare quote leaves me scratching my head a bit.

 

I had to look up "minced oath", although after doing so, the actual definition seems a bit obvious.  Here for your reading pleasure is a long list of minced oaths so that you know what you are actually meaning when you say some of these phrases.  You are welcome.

 

    The English, being a restrained lot, have a long list of euphemistic phrases, many of which became part of the language before it spread to other parts of the world. The root cause of these is a wish to communicate without being explicit. This is something the English are particularly fond of, hence their long tradition of double-entendre comedy.

     Minced oaths are a sub-group of euphemisms used to avoid swearing when expressing surprise or annoyance. If you hit your thumb with a hammer when great aunt Edith is in the room what do you say? It's probably going to be a minced oath. Shakespeare might have resorted to 'gadzooks' (God's hooks - referring to the nails in the cross), we might try 'shoot' or 'freaking heck'.

     They are usually, although not exclusively, religious in nature and date from the days when it wasn't acceptable to use the name of God, Jesus or other religious notables in everyday speech. To mince your words, or mince matters, means to choose words so as not to offend anyone. Some example are 'Jiminy Cricket' (Jesus Christ), 'dagnamit' (God damn it'), 'for Pete's sake' (for St. Peter's sake).

     It's interesting that, while we continue to generate new euphemisms, new minced oaths are few and far between. Perhaps that's because, while there are still taboos about discussing death, disability, homosexuality etc, the restrictions on swearing out loud when surprised or annoyed have slackened somewhat.

There are many examples:

Begorrah --> By God
Bejabbers --> By Jesus
Bleeding heck --> Bloody Hell
Blimey --> Blind me
Blinking heck --> Bloody Hell
By George --> By God
By golly --> By God's body
By gosh --> By God
By gum --> By God
By Jove --> By God
Cheese and Rice --> Jesus Christ  (I haven't heard this one before)
Chrissakes --> For Christ's sake
Christmas --> Christ
Cor blimey --> God blind me
Crikey --> Christ
Criminy --> Christ
Cripes --> Christ
Crivvens --> Christ defend us
Dad gum --> God damn
Dagnabbit --> God damn it
Dagnammit --> God damn it
Dang --> Damn
Dangnabbit --> God damn it
Dangnation --> Damnation
Darn --> Damn
Darnation --> Damnation
Doggone --> God damn
Drat --> God rot it
Egad --> A God
For crying out loud --> For Christ's sake
For Pete's sake --> For St. Peter's sake
For the love of Mike --> For St. Michael's sake
Gadzooks --> God's hooks
Gat Dangit --> God damn it
Gee --> Jesus
Gee whizz --> Jesus
Gee willikers --> Jesus
Godfrey Daniel --> God
Golly Gee willikers --> Jesus
Good garden party --> Good God
Good grief --> Good God
Goodness gracious --> Good God
Gorblimey --> God blind me
Gosh --> God
Gosh darned --> God damned
Heck --> Hell
Holy spit --> Holy sh*t
Jason Crisp --> Jesus Christ
Jebus --> Jesus
Jeepers Creepers --> Jesus Christ (I wouldn't have guessed this one)
Jeez --> Jesus
Jeezy Creezy --> Jesus Christ
Jehosaphat --> Jesus
Jiminy Christmas --> Jesus Christ
Jiminy Cricket --> Jesus Christ
Judas Priest --> Jesus Christ
Land sakes --> For the Lord's sake
Lawks a mercy --> Lord have mercy
My goodness --> My God
My gosh --> My God
Odds-bodkins --> God's sweet body
Sacré bleu --> Sang de Dieu (God's blood)
Sam Hill --> Hell
Shoot --> sh*t
Shucks --> sh*t
Strewth --> God's Truth
Suffering succotash --> Suffering Saviour
Sugar --> sh*t
Tarnation --> Damnation
What in Sam Hill? --> What in damn Hell?
Wish to goodness --> Wish to God
Zounds --> God's wounds

Abe Lincoln

May 28, 1931 - I went down to Florence's this morning and she finger-waved my hair.  Also cleaned out the storeroom above the kitchen.  I churned this afternoon.  It was rainy early this morning, but Martha got started anyway.
May 29, 1931 - Mother and I papered the pantry and the ceiling of the kitchen today.  And we were tired tonite!  The kitchen is in an awful mess.  We took the shelves down in the pantry and can't put them up until tomorrow.
May 30, 1931 - Memorial Day.  Ray didn't work today.  We went out to the cemetery early this morning.  Ray helped us put the shelves back up.  Uncle Max's were here this afternoon.  Dora, George, Meta, Lyle, Aunt Lena, Uncle Hans and Louis were here for supper.  Hilda stayed here all nite.  We four kids went to Wayne tonite and saw "Abraham Lincoln."  I stayed out to the farm with Florence.

Here's a somewhat embarrassing question.  In 1931, did Grandma and Grandma Anna and Uncle Ray live in the house I am most familiar with?  I ask because I am not sure what Grandma would call the pantry.  That cubbyhole on the back porch is the best I can come up with and I don't know that it would be called a pantry.

I copied below some information about the movie "Abraham Lincoln".  There are some tidbits in here that I will have to research a bit, just to satisfy my own curiosity.

     Abraham Lincoln, also released under the title D. W. Griffith's 'Abraham Lincoln', is a (1930) biographical film about American president Abraham Lincoln directed by D. W. Griffith. It stars Walter Huston as Lincoln and Una Merkel, in her second speaking role, as Ann Rutledge.

     The script was co-written by Stephen Vincent Benet, author of the Civil War prose poem "John Brown's Body". This was the first of only two sound films made by Griffith. The film was not a hit at the time, but in recent years it has come to be regarded as one of the definitive films on Lincoln.

     The first act of the film covers Lincoln's early life as a storekeeper and rail-splitter in New Salem and his early romance with Ann Rutledge, and his early years as a lawyer and his courtship and marriage to Mary Todd in Springfield. The majority of the film deals with Lincoln's presidency during the Civil War and culminates with Lee's surrender and Lincoln's assassination at Ford's Theater.

     The film covers some little known aspects of Lincoln's early life, such as his romance with Ann Rutledge, his depression and feared suicidal tendencies after her death, and his unexplained breaking off of his engagement with Mary Todd (although the film surmises that this was due to unresolved feelings over Ann Rutledge and adds a dramatic scene where Lincoln stands Mary up on their scheduled wedding day, which never happened).

     While the early scenes of Lincoln's life are remarkably accurate, much of the later scenes contain historical inaccuracies. The famous Lincoln-Douglas debates, in addition to the historically accurate topic of the extension of slavery, have been turned into an argument about secession. Lincoln was famously an underdog for the Republican Presidential nomination in 1860; in the film it is suggested he is the sole nominee as a result of the Lincoln-Douglas debates. The outbreak of the War seems to be the North firing on Charleston from Fort Sumter, rather than the other way around. Also, early in hostilities, General Winfield Scott is depicted as being overconfident of a quick victory (and something of a buffoon), when in reality he was one of the voices in the minority claiming the war would be long, costly, and bloody. He would also have been taller than Lincoln at 6'5". Finally, in the climax of the film, Lincoln delivers a conflation of famous words from the Gettysburg Address and Second Inaugural Address at Ford's Theatre on April 14, 1865 - just moments before being assassinated. This was Griffith's second portrayal of Lincoln's assassination, the first being in  "The Birth of a Nation."

 

 

Graduation

May 13, 1931 - I went down town from school today and got Ray a belt and buckle set for his graduation present.  Aunt Mary, Pearl, Wallace and I went to Winside before supper tonite.  Ray got his wristwatch from Aunt Nan today.  We all went to the Commencement exercises.  Ralph took me back to Wayne.  We stopped in at Schellenberg's awhile.
May 14, 1931 - Uncle Charlie came home last nite.  I walked down to the Court House with Tillie after school this afternoon.  I surely enjoy the noon hour in Tillie and Wilma's room.  They have a lot of fun with the other girls.
May 15, 1931 - Ray and Momma came after me this afternoon.  Tillie went home with us.  Harold Jensen walked down the street with us and carried Tillie's suitcase.  That helped a lot because the suitcase was heavy and it was so warm.

I remember some of my high school commencement.  Mostly going from playing in the band to singing in the chorus to sitting on the stage and waiting to be officially graduated.  Our speaker was our janitor, Walt Hamm.  I think he may have been retiring that year.  Quite a number of teachers left or retired that same time, also.  We weren't sure if they just couldn't stand the thought of being there without us or if we wore them out so much they couldn't help but leave.

I haven't done a bit of history in a while, but I just checked and in May of 1931, the construction of The Empire State Building was finished.  My favorite building in Manhattan is still The Flatiron Building however.  It was completed in 1902 and at the time was one of the tallest buildings in NYC.  Here's a photo.

The promised silliness

 

May 10, 1931 - Rainy all day.  Florence and Ralph came up about 11 o'clock, we played pinochle and then had dinner.  It took about 2 hours to do the dishes, but during those 2 hours much happened including being locked in the pantry, crawling in and out the windows, taking handles from cars, tooting horns, running away, and making soft taffy.  We went to the baccalaureate services tonite.  After that Ray, Ralph and I started for Wayne in Ray's Ford.  The lights burnt out so we're going tomorrow morning at 5 bells.
May 11, 1931 - We got up at 4 o'clock this morning and left for Wayne at 4:30.  We got to Wayne at 6 o'clock.  Oh what a ride and what roads!!  We had a blowout 1 1/4 miles from Winside and went the rest of the way on the rim.  Uncle Charlie went to Grand Island to some kind of convention.  Aunt Mary and I looked through her old samples and started piecing a quilt tonite.
May 12, 1931 - Pearl and Wallace came to Wayne tonite.  Wallace lost his job, they told him they'd be through with him the end of this week and he quit right away.  We made candy this evening.  It tasted good but didn't get hard.

Goodness -- no wonder it took two hours to do the dishes with all those shenanigans going on!  I am trying, somewhat successfully I might add, to imagine Grandma 19 years old and climbing out of windows and running around laughing and carrying on.  Fun stuff.

In case anyone is wondering, the reason to get up so early to go to Wayne was because that day was Monday and Grandma had to get to her classes.  That's my best guess, anyway.

Help, please.  Who is/are Pearl and Wallace?

I do not know who is in the photo with Grandma, but I thought it fit somewhat the time period of Grandma's journal.

A normal few days

May 7, 1931 - The weather has improved, a lot warmer today.  Francis took me home this afternoon and then downtown.  I got some new slippers in at Ahern's.  I'm not sure if I'm going to like them or not.  We had 5 o'clock supper at Aunt Mildred's tonite.  Mrs. Trumbar was there, too.  Momma called up after supper.  She said Ray wouldn't be after me tomorrow.  The kids went on their Sneak Day today.
May 8, 1931 - I left my books in Lila's locker until Monday, because I didn't want to carry them home in the rain.  Barbara took me home.  Jane wasn't in school this afternoon.  She's got a bad cold.  I went to Winside with Mrs. Lewis, Tillie and Wilma this afternoon.  The roads weren't very slippery.  Momma and I went to bed at 7:30 this evening.
May 9, 1931 - We're having a slow drizzily rain all day.  I started covering my box today.  This afternoon I baked a cake and made some doughnuts.  Ray and Annie went to Wayne this afternoon.  Mr. and Mrs. Schellenberg, Dora and George came up this evening.  Florence, Ralph and I went up to Brogren's.  They were surprised to see us.  We played "Pig" and "I Doubt It".  Lots of fun.  I got to bed about 1:30.  Roads were pretty bad but we got there and back.

 I can't seem to think of commentary to add here, so I won't add any. 

I am not sure of anyone other than Grandma in the photos but I am guessing they are from her college days.  Regardless, I thought I would post them.  I really like the collar and cuffs on Grandma's coat.  Very stylish!!

Happy days

May 4, 1931 - I came home for dinner today.  This afternoon I took my spring coat to the cleaners.  It started raining this afternoon and I had to walk halfway home in the rain.  Gildersleeves gave me a lift the rest of the way.  Aunt Mary, Uncle Charlie and I played 500 Rummy tonite.
May 5, 1931 - I walked downtown after school tonite with Francis, Illa, and Evelyn Larson.  Evelyn has absolutely no use for boys and the girls have a lot of fun teasing her.  I went home on the train tonite and went to see "Tea Topper Tavern", the Senior Class Play.  It was real good.  The kids knew their parts real well.
May 6, 1931 - I came back on the train this morning.  I wore my winter coat so it would warm up.  Jane took me home this afternoon.  Barbara, Lila and Florence were along.  We went down to Jones' and saw the line of dresses they have.

I attempted to find out something about Tea Topper Tavern and its plot.  I located some archived newspaper articles saying this or that high school was putting on that particular play, but nothing past 1935.  So, as much as Grandma enjoyed it, it must not have possessed the agelessness to allow it to be popular very long.  But, so long as she had fun.

I have not retained the date in my mind since I have much happier days to remember, but yesterday was eight years since Grandma died.  Here is a photo from her last birthday party.  She very much looks like she had fun that day as well.  I like to think that for some of us, she does possess an agelessness.  As most of us know, Grandma was not big on smiling broadly for posed photos, so this little smile warms my heart a lot.

They're back!

May 1, 1931 - Went home to Aunt Mary's for dinner today.  We had sauerkraut and dumplings.  Francis took me home this noon and Uncle Charlie took me back.  Barbara brought me home this afternoon.  We stopped down town and I got my suit.  We saw Ishmael Hughes.  The kids came up tonite and we went to the show, Wheeler and Woolsey in "Cracked Nuts."  And was it funny!  I got a letter from Mrs. Smith today and she thinks she has a place in view for me this summer.
May 2, 1931 - We cleaned up the house this morning.  Ray and Mother went to Norfolk tonite with Annie and Ola.  Ray went to the Junior-Senior Banquet at Hotel Norfolk.  After the banquet they all went to the show.  Ralph and I went to the dance at Hoskins.  We had a pretty good time.
May 3, 1931 - We went to church this morning.  Ralph was here for dinner and went home right after dinner.  We went up to Uncle Hans' with Annie and Ola.  Florence Schellenberg was up there a while, too.  Mother and Ray took me back to Wayne tonite.

I couldn't find a summary of the movie plot, but it is something akin to The Marx Brothers' "Duck Soup", a classic that I have not yet seen.  The one guy looks a lot like George Burns on the poster.

Other than the movie, we have some pretty normal stuff going on.  I will say, however, that there is some real silliness coming a few posts in to the future.

Who now?

April 28, 1931 - We had another walk in Nature Study this morning. I ate at the café this noon with Tillie.  Aunt Mildred and Uncle Chris went to the Hard-Time dance tonite. Aunt Mary and Uncle Charlie went down a while, too.  Studied and read awhile and then went to bed.  I saw two Kentucky cardinals this morning.
April 29, 1931 - We had some vocal numbers in chapel this morning.  Ate at the café with Tillie.  Frances took me home as far as the court house.  I went in to see Miss Sewell about schools but she didn't give me a bit of encouragement.
April 30, 1931 - Helen Hanson gave me a lift home today.  I went up to the College tonite to the recital given by Miriam Bracken and Marie Carstensen. I enjoyed it a great deal.

I really, really need to sketch out a map.  But, this, I have.  Aunt Mary and Uncle Charlie, I discovered all by my lonesome, are Kiersten's daughter and her husband, Charles Reese or maybe Riese.  They are people I do not recall Grandma talking about, but perhaps Mom and Nancy do.

I do wish Miss Sewell had been encouraging.

That's all I have, but it's something at least after my somewhat long absence.  I will endeavor to do better.

The photo is Uncle Charlie and Aunt Mary with their daughter Pearl.  Even though Grandma calls them uncle and aunt, by my reckoning, Mary was a first cousin of William Andersen.