Barely back to 1932 and it's cherries, dresses and a baby already

June 28, 1932 - Hilda, Mom, and I picked a bushel of cherries from the three trees west of the house.  After dinner we took Hilda home and then went to Norfolk.  (Ray took us.)  Mom got a new voile dress.  I couldn't find one I liked, so bought some voile and Mom is going to make it for me.
June 29, 1932 - Mom cut out my dress this morning.  I canned 18 pints of pickled cherries.  Ray took Mom to Wayne this afternoon to get some hemstitching done on my dress.  Ray went out to Ola's again this evening.
June 30, 1932 - Ralph came after Mom this morning.  I washed a few clothes and did some ironing.  I went down town this afternoon and paid the telephone bill.  Got my watch back from Norfolk.  R.R. came in this evening and said they had an 8 lb. baby girl born about 6:30 p.m.

I know we've been away a while, but does anyone know who R.R. is?  It is not ringing a bell with me.

I had heard that Grandma Anna had some mad sewing skills.  This bears it out pretty well -- bought fabric one day and then cut it out and was to the point of needing hemstitching the next.  We don't know if she had a particular pattern here or not, but I understand she could look at a dress in a shop, take a few notes and make some little sketches, and then could go home and make a very similar dress.  Gotta like that kind of talent.

The photo isn't of Grandma or of Grandma Anna, but I liked it.  Well, heck this isn't the photo I wanted but it is nice, too.  I'll try to use the other one another day, it's kinda cute.

Next stop, 1932

February 4, 1966

Dear Mom,

Late again.  I don't know where the time goes.  Everything creeps up on me.  Especially birthdays.  I always forget to buy a card.
We got the package.  Thank you so much for everything.  Mary sure liked her presents.  You should have seen her in those high heels.  With the money you sent we got a new pair of shoes.

I had her birthday party Tuesday, February 1.  She had a real nice party.  There were 10 kids and 5 mothers.  I had it in the morning at 10 o'clock.  Dale was kind of mad at me because I had it while he was in school.

Connie Sue made it down.  That little girl of hers sure is a darling.

Dale got his first report card Wednesday.  He got all A's and B's.  But his teacher sent a note saying, "Dale does good work when he doesn't waste time talking to his neighbors."

February 8

I'll bet you are just about ready to disown me.  I guess I've been off schedule.  I usually write letters in the morning, but lately I've had to hurry up and get the house straightened up so I can go gadding.  Seems I've been doing an awful lot of that lately.  Every time we go some place Mary puts on some of her perfume and hand lotion.  And nobody else gets to use her pretty soap.  She sure has a lot of fun with the doll you sent.  The clothes from Heidi fit her, too.

Dale really enjoys the dart game.  So do I.  I like those nice, soft, safe darts.

I finally bought myself a pair of electric scissors.  They sure are fun.  I was almost afraid to use them though. Afraid I would mess something up.

Say, where did you get those little thread snippers or whatever you call them that you gave me a year ago for Christmas?  One of the gals in auxiliary thought they were really nice.

Has it warmed up back there?  We have been having some pretty nice weather.

I may be losing my babysitting job soon.  King and Arline are planning on moving to Canada.  They will run a lodge about 200 miles north of White Horse in The Yukon Territories.  Sure will miss them.

Here's how Dale's report card looked:

Subject / Achievement / Effort:

Reading / Primer / A
Language / A / A
Math / B / B
Science / B / A
History, etc. / B / B

Mary makes me think of Bill when she gets in front of a mirror.  You should see her making faces at herself.  Last night I thought she was in bed.  I got up from the TV to go to bathroom.  There she was in the bathroom in front of the mirror making faces.  Told me she was brushing her teeth.

One of these days soon I'll get your birthday present and Aunt Myrtle's mailed to you.  It will probably be the first part of next week.

We sure have received a lot of compliments on the lamp you gave us.  Thanks again.

Well, I guess I better sign off and get this out before the mailman comes by.

Love,
Gary, Greta, Dale and Mary

All I have today (since I have Holiday Brain at the moment) in the way of comment is that the average high temp in Whitehorse in December is 16.7F and the average low is 2.3F.  Compare that to July when the numbers are 69.1F and 46.4F.  On balance, I think I'll stay put.  The photo is of Whitehorse, as you may have guessed.

Scooter must not have lasted long

October 26, 1965

Dear Mom, Dad, Grandma, and Tom,

I'm going to cause a snowstorm or something by answering your letter right away.  Got Gary's card yesterday.  Thank you for his birthday present.  He hasn't decided what to use it for yet.

No, Bill never sent any snapshots.  As I told you on the phone, I haven't had a letter from him since last May before Memorial Day.

I'll bet you're really enjoying not having any night classes.

I never found a Perquacky game.  I look up at Raley's every time I go up there.  I thought sure they would have one now that they have all their Christmas stuff out -- but no such luck.

Was that Mrs. Jason Preston that substituted?

I got a card saying I would receive 12 issues of Redbook as a gift from you so maybe I'll get it this time.  Sure hope so.

Oh, this Mary.  The other day she had eaten her cereal but left the milk in the bowl.  I told her to drink it up.  She says, "The milk doesn't taste good.  It tastes like wet carrots."  Almost every morning she has some wild dream to tell about.  I'm sure she makes it all up as she goes along.  But she is so serious and her eyes get so big.

We have two dogs now.  A stray came around.  Gary thought he looked so funny he decided to keep him.  He is part poodle, I guess.  Any way he is gray with curly hair.  Some of it hangs over his eyes and you can hardly see them.  I think he's cute and he's so friendly.  Spotty is pretty jealous yet, though.  At first he wouldn't let Scooter eat.  I'd give them each a dish. Spotty would take a bite out of one, then run to the other and growl at Scooter if he so much as moved toward either dish.

I went on a sewing spree last week.  Made new pajamas for the kids and a nightgown for me.  Plus 5 hand puppets for the school carnival.

The kids have had quite a cough the last week or so.  But it is finally letting up.

I got myself elected treasurer of the auxiliary.  I sure was surprised.

October 27, 1965

Didn't get this finished yesterday.

Gary's Mom called last night.  Gary's Uncle Oscar passed away yesterday morning.  If you remember at the shower at Wynot, he was the one who acted as master of ceremonies.  He was sick about a week.  Mom wasn't even sure what the trouble was.

Since you don't have anything to do these days I thought you might enjoy this thing.

Guess I'll close and get this mailed.

Love, 
Gary, Greta, Dale and Mary

I do not recall hearing about a dog named Scooter.  Hope everything worked out for him.

A sad day for a little boy

September 13, 1965

Dear Mom, Dad, Tom, and Grandma,

Guess I better sit myself down and write you a letter.  Don't know what's the matter with me lately.  Seem to be so busy, but really can't think of anything I've done.  Guess it's a case of "the hurrieder I go, the behinder I get."

Well, Dale has started school.  After the first day he said he wanted to carry his lunch rather than eat in the lunch room.  Then the next day they sent home menus for the month.  When I read to him what they were going to have he decided he would eat the hot lunch.

I had ordered Dale's clothes from Sears.  They didn't get here til Wednesday after four.  So he had to wear his Sunday School pants to school for two days.  I had told him he would have to wear them to school.  So the first morning I went in to get him up he said he wasn't going to get up because he didn't want to wear his Sunday pants.  So I said okay, but then he got up anyway.

He catches the bus at 8:15 and gets home at 2:30.  School is from 8:45 to 2:00.  I get up at 7 every morning.  That's really something after being able to sleep as late as I wanted for nearly a year.

I have Pat's kids today (the one that looked like Leila).  She got sick during the night.  Her husband called me up at 6:30 this morning and asked if I'd go over and get the boys.  Then they put her in the hospital.  The doctor said he thought it was pancreas infection.  But he won't know for sure til the results of the blood tests are in.

Jim's mother is on her way up so I won't have these little live wires much longer.  Sure is a job taking care of them, when I'm not used to it.

We have a different TV now -- a console model.  Gary traded a gun for a pistol for the TV.

The only things you left here were your tablet, the crossword puzzle book, and a handkerchief.

When we got home that night after taking you to the train Dale said, "This sure is a sad day with Grandma and Grandpa leaving."

Shirlee and Bill spent one night with us.  They were on their way to Lake Tahoe.  Sure was a surprise when they drove up.

Dale rides his bicycle without the training wheels.  I sure was surprised when he told Gary he wanted them off.  I thought he would want those wheels on for a long time.  But it was just a month that he used them.

Now, I can't think of any more to write about.  Guess I'll close and get this thing mailed.

Love,
Gary, Greta, Dale and Mary

How sweet and intuitive of little six-year-old Dale to recognize a sad day.  I don't think the photo shows what Mom ordered for school clothes, but those are from the 60's.  Look at the prices!

Two more letters from the 60's and then we are back to Grandma and 1932.

Gemini 4

June 3, 1965

Dear Mom and Dad,

Well, if I'm lucky maybe this will get there in time for your anniversary.  I'm watching the Gemini flight on TV.  It's in the air now so I guess I can relax a little bit.

Gary and Dale are still asleep.  But Mary is up and around.  She was reading to her dolls a little bit ago.  But now she is coloring and singing to herself.  My lady-like daughter who is scared to death of worms just loves to play with snails.  She has two jars with about six in each one.

How was the Alumni banquet?  We had our fireman's ball that night.  There was a very disappointing turnout.  They sold lots of tickets, but hardly anyone showed up.  But we had a good time anyway.

I had a nice letter from Janice Jaeger last week.  Where is Janet Carson now?  Did they go to Rhode Island?

Did I tell you I had Mary's hair cut?  It sure looks nice and is so easy to take care of.

Our new address will be 8856 Timm Ave., Fair Oaks.  As it looks now we will be moving about the 18th.  Dale's last day of school is June 11.  I have to go to school tomorrow for a birthday party for the kids who have birthdays in the summer.

Mary went to the dentist Tuesday and I'm very happy to say that she doesn't need any work.

Did you get your reservations for August 4th?

Mary is telling me some wild story about a mouse that put dirt in her eye and she chased him into the jungle.

Dale and Mary have been going around here asking riddles.  They got a book of riddles from the book club so that's what we've been hearing.  Gary just about fell over when Mary asked him this one:  "Why does the elephant wear sunglasses?"  "So nobody will recognize him."

Say, if you ever happen to run across my notebook that I made in Public School Music, please sent it or bring it.  But don't look for it especially.  I may even have thrown it away.  I can't remember.

I can't think of anything else to write about.  So I guess I'll close and get this out in the mailbox.

Happy Anniversary.

Love,
Gary, Greta, Dale and Mary

Here is a little about the June 3, 1965 space flight (from wikipedia, of course).  And the fabulous photo is of Astronaut White during his space walk:

     Gemini 4 (officially Gemini IV) was the second manned space flight in NASA's Project Gemini, occurring in June 1965. It was the tenth manned American spaceflight (including two X-15 flights at altitudes exceeding 100 kilometers (54 nmi)). Astronauts James McDivitt and Edward H. White, II circled the Earth 66 times in four days, making it the first US flight to approach the five-day flight of the Soviet Vostok 5. The highlight of the mission was the first space walk by an American, during which White floated free outside the spacecraft, tethered to it, for approximately 20 minutes. Both of these accomplishments helped the United States overcome the Soviet Union's early lead in the Space Race.

     The flight also included the first attempt to make a space rendezvous as McDivitt attempted to maneuver his craft close to the Titan II upper stage which launched it into orbit, but this was not successful.

     The flight was the first American flight to perform many scientific experiments in space, including use of a sextant to investigate the use of celestial navigation for lunar flight in the Apollo program.

Absolutely a mean mama!

November 6, 1964

Dear Mom, Dad, Grandma, and Tom,

I guess I better get busy and write a letter or I'll be getting a collect phone call.

Thanks for sending the Wayne Heralds.  I really enjoyed them as usual.

We've had some rain over the weekend.  Really soaked things up good.

No, you hadn't written that Merle was coming.  Goodness, last time I saw them Willy was just a baby.  Or did we see them when Nancy was a baby?

How does Tom like college?  Do they work him pretty hard?

Is there any news about his hearing?

Well, Gary's folks won't be coming out.  Yesterday Gary's mother had her hip operated on.  I told you that she had been having lots of trouble with her leg.  Her doctor finally told her to go to a bone specialist.  The specialist told her that it was either surgery or soon she wouldn't be walking at all.  She couldn't see being an invalid so she had the operation.  Gary's dad called last night and said that she came through it real good.  What they did was cut off the ball of the hip joint and put in a steel ball.  Then they dug out the socket.  The doctors said that she had apparently had this trouble since birth - a shallow hip socket or something like that.  Anyway she'll be in a cast for three weeks.  Sure hope this takes care of her trouble.

Hope you enjoyed your visit in Fremont.  I've been meaning to write to her, but never get it done.  The way time is flying it will probably be Christmas before I get it written.

I'm so mad.  You know those place mats I was making for Aunt Ramona?  Well after I got them hemmed, corners mitered, etc. I find that they mean to have you work on the side with just one loop. I could just scream.  So now I'm making a border on the sides.  But it sure makes me mad.

I think Dale will enjoy the Lego bricks most. He's been wanting some of them.  We got a Christmas catalog from Sears.  I looked at it and put it out of sight.  I just couldn't see listening to "I want this and this, and this."  Am I a mean old mama?  I hear enough of that from what he sees on TV.  Mary isn't too bad yet.  Guess she doesn't see anything she wants.

Gary can use socks and T-shirts for Christmas.  He wears size 12 socks.  Or maybe a sport shirt.

Gary is done with his part time job at Monroe.  Now maybe he can finish up at our other house and get it sold.

We're all just fine.  The kids are just as ornery as ever.  Right at the moment I can't think of any clever things they've said.  They're always coming up with something though.

We found a Lutheran church a little over a mile from here.  It is pretty new.  Just six years old, about 200 members, and a LCA church.  I like them real well.  The people are real nice and friendly.

Guess I better get to work.  I've got some bread ready to put in the pans.  Also some of that inevitable ironing.

Love,
Gary, Greta, Dale and Mary

Thank you for Gary's birthday present.  He hasn't bought anything yet.

What size of shirt and socks does Bill wear?  Don't know what I'll get him for Xmas.  But would like to know his size.

I got a Candy Land game for Dale for Xmas.  Did a little early shopping last night.

I am guessing the letter Mom is needing to write is to Dora.  Also, yes it is very mean to hide catalogs from kids.  Actually, I used catalogs to keep mine quiet for a bit while they studied them.

The photo is of Grandpa and Grandma Bowder, shallow hip socket and all.  I think they made a very handsome couple.

Short and sweet and some big softies

June 28, 1964

Dear Mom and Dad, Tom and Grandma,

Just me and the dog are awake and the Sunday paper isn't here yet, so I guess I'll drop you a short note.

First of all will you send me right away, air mail, directions on how you can apples with aspirin.  Send every detail.  I'm afraid I have forgotten everything (which was very little) I knew about canning.  Also how to can applesauce.  I can't use my pressure cooker, it's too small for quart jars.  But Gary did buy me a "hot water bath canner".

We've had some very pleasant and welcome relief from the heat wave.  Friday it was only 84 degrees and yesterday was about the same.

This silly dog is playing with an old shoe.  Shaking it, laying it down, and growling at it.  I never thought I would care much for a dog, but I'm kind of attached to this little mutt.  Gary says he is going to build a dog house for him so he can sleep outside at night.  But I don't know.  We had to take the dog along to the drive-in movie the other night because Gary said he was too little to be left home alone.

The pup gets mad when I leave him alone to go to the store.  When we get home he looks at me with those big sorrowful eyes and then crawls away someplace to pout, usually under our bed.

Well, I better wake the kids up and get them fed.  I'm going to try and get start early enough this morning so there won't be that rush, rush, rush at the last minute.

Love, Gary, Greta, Dale and Mary

The other night Mary was playing in their room and I called her to come eat supper.  She sits in there and says, "I can't hear you."

Thank you for the birthday card, Grandma.

Canning with aspirin?  That is a totally new one on me.  And must the apples have been rotting before her very eyes that Mom needed directions sent air mail?  Goodness!

Who wouldn't have fallen in love with Spot?  Most of us remember Grandma saying when Spot stayed at their house that he knew his spot was on the rug behind the stuffed rocking chair, not in it.  When Grandma would come down in the mornings, Spot would greet her happily from the rug, but the chair still in motion gave him away that he had just jumped down in time.

The latest on Muggsy -- I taught her to "shake" and of course, she gets rewarded with a treat when she does it on my command.  Well, she is a big ol' chow hound and thinks she needs to eat a lot.  So, a couple of times now, when she must have been feeling deprived, she sat down and raised her paw unbidden, suggesting that she should have a treat.  As you might imagine, I easily gave in.

Gotta love dogs

 

June 25, 1964

Dear Mom and Dad,

Well Daddy, I sure am pokey about getting your Father's Day card sent.  Hope you had a happy day.
The kids got another book today.  They really get excited when a new one comes.  Everyday when Mary takes her nap I read one of them to her.  She has two favorite ones. Today I didn't have to read to her.  She went into the bathroom.  Later I didn't hear anything and when I went in there, there she was sitting on the toilet sound asleep.

We're really having some hot weather.  It hasn't even cooled off much at night the last couple of nights.  There hasn't been a bit of a breeze.  The house stays pretty cool in the morning, but along about this time (3 o'clock) it's getting pretty warm.  And about 5:30 on it really gets hot.

Dale is taking "swimming" lessons this week and next.  At one of the city pools they give free lessons to little kids.  They are supposed to learn to float and learn to stick their head underwater, etc.  He has always been so afraid about getting his face wet.  Hope he gets over his fear.  He has been going with one of the neighbors.  He's been pretty evasive about what they're doing.  I guess I'll have to go along one of these days and see if he has done what he is supposed to be doing.

Mary has been bad lately about biting Dale when she gets mad at him.  And we've been biting her back.  The other day they were in the dining room and she bit him again.  When he started yelling she ran out to the living room.  When Gary got up she laid down on the floor and started crying.  He went in to see Dale and then she ran into the bedroom and crawled under the covers.  When Gary came into the bedroom she covered up her head and said, "Go away."  She sure knew what was coming.  But Gary said he couldn't bite her, he got so tickled.

Last Friday night Gary brought home a puppy.  It is mostly cocker spaniel with some springer spaniel, too.  It sure is a cute little pup.  It is white and sort of a gold-tan.  The kids named him Spot.  Gary was suggesting some other names such as Elwood and Lyndon.  Dale said, "Well, Dad.  I can't remember names like that, but I can remember Spot."  

There have been a couple of new babies in the neighborhood.  Dale and another little boy were discussing the new brother and sister.  They decided that they didn't want any babies, but Dale said he would like a big brother or sister.

Mary is so disappointed that she can't go "wimmin."  Oh, do you know that Mary goes to "Dunny Scoot"?  That's what she calls Sunday School.

I got a birthday card from Bill.  He wrote on the card that he was going to Norway for a month.  Didn't say if he was on leave or if the Air Force was sending him.

Say when you come out, is there any way you could make room for my card table or is it too big?

Sure is something about Winside being on direct-dialing.  Thought it would be years before they got on that.

When I was at Aunt Helen's she said something about Jean taking care of three foster children.  Is she still doing that?

Thanks for the picture of Tom.  I still am amazed at how big my "little" brother is.  

Guess this is all for this time.

Love,
Gary, Greta, Dale and Mary

What a nice family I have.  This is the first I ever remember hearing that I was a biter.  I suppose the fact that I eventually outgrew it was probably to my benefit as far as future embarrassment.

I can't lay hands on a photo of Spot at the moment, so instead I will use a photo of our brand-new doggie, Muggsy.  She is a real sweetheart (so far) and a bit of a goof.  She snorts when she is awake and snores when she isn't.  Pretty much my canine equivalent.  This photo shows her "I know you have a treat" face.  Note the blurry tail.

All the bases covered

June 9, 1964

Dear Mom and Dad,

Well, here I am, late again.  Hope you had a happy anniversary.

We've been having winter weather.  It really rained yesterday.  But it was really needed.  Snowed up in the mountains.

Took Dale to the doctor yesterday for his physical.  They strongly recommend that all kids have a physical before starting school.  I'm very glad to say he is healthy in every way.  Mary was amazed by the whole process.  Dale had to strip to his shorts and she wanted to take her clothes off, too.  After
the nurse took his temperature she said, "My turn, my turn."  The doctor was real nice.  Talked to Dale all the while and put him at ease.  The kids both got the Sabin oral vaccine.

We had a nice letter from Aunt Ethel.  She said they had gone to the Alumni Banquet and saved Gabe from getting the flowers again.  Have they quit sending out cards about the banquet? I sure would like to get back to one of them some day.

Ever since we got back from Aunt Irene's I've been going in circles.  Seems like I'm busy all day, but I still don't get anything done.  I should be doing some real good cleaning of closets, shelves, drawers, etc.  But never seem to find the time.  Guess I'll just have to set a certain day to start and do it no matter what else needs doing.  Can't say I'm looking forward to it very much.

I'm getting an itch to do some sewing again.  I have a shirt for Dale and a dress for Mary (the same material) all done but.  But haven't felt like finishing them.  I haven't even done any work on my afghan lately.  I don't know what I do with a day.

Sure hope it clears up today.  The kids are just about out of underwear.  I can hang clothes in the basement, but it takes about 24 hours for things to dry.  Especially things like underpants.

I'm afraid my visit to L.A. sort of ruined my weight losing.  All that delicious food and easy living and I gained back nearly everything that I'd lost.  Not that I had lost much, but at least I had made a start.

We got a letter from Bill last week.  He didn't have too much to say, but he sounded in better spirits than he must have in your letter.

Nancy said Lloyd was home.  Is that for good or just a leave?

I didn't get to see Ramon while I was in L.A.  Just happened that he was out to sea at the time.  After all the weekends that he's been in and then he has to be gone just when I'm there.

Tom is coming along this summer isn't he?  Judy and Trina wanted to know.  They said they were going to try and save the bus fare and come up while you folks are here.  I sure got a bang out of those two.

Raymond said he was coming, too.  To see Dale.

Well, I really must get to work.

Love, Gary, Greta, Dale and Mary

Mom sure got a lot of things talked about in this letter.  From what she said (not my interpretation at all), she may have been avoiding things like cleaning by writing an extra long letter.  I know that is what I would be doing.

I am guessing the Raymond that was coming to see Dale was Raymond Jones since Mom would have probably referred to Uncle Raymond as . . . Uncle Raymond.

The photo was developed in 1964, obviously from a visit to Nebraska.  I'm using it for two reasons -- it is likely close in time to the letter and it is one of my absolute favorite photos of all time.

Tom's nickname?

December 16, 1963

Dear Daddy,

Well, I've done it again.  Fooled around until your birthday card will be late.  I'm sorry.  Maybe some year I'll be on time.  Hope you had a happy day.

Grandma is right about that east window in the dining room.  We aren't using the dining room as a dining room yet.  It's kind of a mess (paint peeling, bare plaster where some was repaired) so we eat in the living room.  Right now I have my ironing board and my sewing machine in there.  It is the loveliest room to sew in.  You'll never believe the color we're going to paint it -- yellow.  Somehow it just seems the only suitable color.

In our bedroom there are three doors.  One to the bathroom, one to the hall, and one to the living room.  Why they put in that one to the living room I'll never understand.  Anyway it is there but we don't use it and someday will close it up completely.

Daddy I agree with you -- these kids are both pretty smart.  There are some supermarkets in town called Stop 'n Shop.  The day I mailed your package (Dec. 7) we stopped in there to get some groceries.  That was the first time Mary had been there.  Today when we mailed a package to the Bowders we went past it and Mary says, "Stop 'n Shop."  Now I think she was pretty smart to recognize it.

How's the weather?  According to the TV you must be getting quite a bit of snow.  Hope the weather was okay so that the family could get together at Nancy's yesterday.  Thought about all of you all day yesterday.

Yes, Mama, I would very much like to have some oval soup spoons from Betty Crocker.

I like Tom's nickname.  I never knew that Krohn said that about Tom.  But you know -- when you stop to think about it . . . .

No, I never took physics in high school.  I don't think I would ever get through a physics course.  Well Mom, I suppose there are new things since you took it.  That was a long time ago.  Ha!  Ha!  Just teasing.

Doesn't the furnace heat the upstairs?  

Dale is excited about Christmas.  He's trying to be a good boy for Santa Claus.  Mary gets awfully excited when she sees a picture of Santa Claus.

Well, it's time to fix supper.

Love,
Gary, Greta, Dale and Mary

No comment needed re Mom's comment about me being smart.  But more importantly, does anyone know what Tom's nickname was in 1963?  Inquiring minds want to know.

Several little nuggets in here

July 19, 1963

Dear Tom,

Thank you so much for the beautiful birthday card.

Have you found out any more about that coin that might be worth $38?  Is it one of your pennies?  How many pennies do you have now?

We have been having some hot weather again. But last Saturday Gary bought a cooler so now the heat doesn't bother any more.  I really do like that cooler.

We are moving tomorrow.  We are moving closer to Sacramento.  Our new address will be:

Our name
Del Paso Trailer Park
4428 Auburn Boulevard
Sacramento 21, Calif.

I don't know the ZIP Code but will let you know as soon as I find out.  What is the ZIP Code in Winside by the way?

Have you and Daddy done much fishing this summer?  Or have you been too busy at the school house?

These kids are really characters.  Mary is trying to say a few more words.  She says "side" when she wants to go outside, "ba" for bath, "good" when she wants a drink of water, and "hi" but it sounds more like "ha".  When she has been sitting on the potty, the minute I take the tray off she hops up, looks in the pot and says "good girl".  She says that whether she has done anything in the pot or not.

Dale is outside all the time.  Really has fits when I make him take a nap or when it is time to go to bed.  When it is bed time he says, "I never have a chance to play."  Here he's been playing all day long and then says that.  Another of his favorite expressions is "One of these days."  "One of these days buy me this" or "One of these days I'm going to do this", etc.

Mary has learned to shake hands.  She comes up to me, holds out her hand, and says "do-do" (that's Mary for how do you do).  She gets so tickled when we shake hands with her.

Some softball team you have there.  Hope your record has improved a little.  Just one little win, huh?

Have a happy birthday.

Love,
Gary, Greta, Dale & Mary

Let's see . . . I didn't know Tom ever collected pennies, was not aware when zip codes came on the scene, am thinking the school house reference is Tom employed to work on the "new" school maybe, and definitive confirmation that Dale has always been a bit of a con artist (just kidding!).

I found some photos from this time and since the next letter I have skips to December, I'll post them both here.  (Of course, it doesn't hurt that they are both of me being adorable.)  Well, I take that back -- the first one says July 1963, but I have much shorter hair than the other photo which had 1963 written on the back.  So, given a delay in getting negatives developed, the box photo may have been from some time before.  Plus, I'm not really dressed for July weather in that photo.

Normal stuff, I'd say

June 25, 1963

Dear Grandma,

Thank you for the birthday card and my present, the Wayne Heralds.  I really do appreciate it when you send them on to me.

Please excuse this paper.  I am all out of typing paper and this is the only thing I have to write on.

Dale is doing the breakfast dishes.  He took a sudden notion to be Mama's helper.  I decided I better not discourage him now if I want any help later when he is big enough to do some good.  Needless to say, I wash them again after he goes outside.  He misses a lot of egg yolk.  But he is so proud of himself.

Mary is laying on the davenport reading.  She sure looks silly.  Oh now she has got up and is dancing.  She goes around and around until she gets dizzy and falls down. She sure can be a clown and a show-off.

I see on the news that they are having floods in eastern Nebraska.  Are they very bad?

Well I guess I better quit and get to work.  Yesterday I washed the quilts on the kids' beds and all the blankets.  Now today I have the regular wash to do.  And Dale is finished with the dishes and has gone outside.  So now I can do the dishes.  Ha!  Ha!

We sure do have fun.

I'm sending some pictures.  I want them back.  If you folks want any of them, indicate so on the back and I'll get some made for you.

Time to quit.

Love,
Gary, Greta, Dale & Mary

The photo is prior to June of 1963, but Dale looks cute and maybe a bit proud of himself, so it stays.

"She completely amazes me" . . .

June 20, 1963

Dear Dad and Mom, Tom and Grandma,

Well, I've done it again.  Father's Day has come and gone and I still have the card I bought.  Wonder if I'll ever change?  Probably not and I'm sure it would be too much of a shock for you folks if I ever got a card sent on time.  I think I may have got either Jim's birthday card or their anniversary card sent on time.  Don't know for sure how long it takes for a letter to get there.

Goodness I didn't know I had written three letters to you in a week.  Guess I'll have to quit that.  Ha!  Ha!  I just answered the letters you wrote me.

Your courses at summer school sound hard, but the teacher's sound interesting so that helps.  (Sorry about that apostrophe in the teachers.  I'll have to be real careful how I write to you with you in a comp course.) [This was a typed letter, so not so easy to just cross out the errant apostrophe.  MJS]

Is this advanced comp of some kind?  And how come another speech course?  Wasn't the other one enough or have they changed everything around?  Say, while I'm thinking about college courses -- does it cost a dollar to have a transcript sent?

We all had colds over the weekend.  Sure is a heck of a time of the year to have colds.  We're all pretty much done with sneezing and blowing noses.  You never heard so many sneezes as there were around here on Saturday and Sunday.  And to make matters even worse it was so hot over the weekend.  Yesterday it cooled off quite a bit and today seems to be starting out fairly cool.

I got a beautiful birthday card from Bill the same day we got your letter.  I was so mad because he owed us a letter and didn't write a word with the card.  But today I got a letter from him.  He said he had been working at the NCO Club at night as a waiter, so I suppose that keeps him pretty busy.  I guess I'll send Aunt Helen's letter on to him.  I'm sure he'll enjoy reading it.  I sure like it when you send letters from relatives on to me.

By Beverly Davis Hansen do you mean my old teacher?  It certainly is sad.  Carol Topp wrote to me and said that they thought Mrs. Lloyd Schneider might be all right, now.  She had been to Rochester for several operations and they thought they had all of the cancer out.

Did Betty Ann have the baby at home or did she at least make it to the hospital?  Needless to say I like the name Gary Richard.  You hadn't even told me that they were expecting.  Shame on you.

It really amazes me the way Mary likes to be read to.  I keep going on about it in all of the letters I write, but like I say, she completely amazes me.  Her favorite book is one about Woody Woodpecker.  Sometimes she sits on the davenport and "reads" to herself.  She sits there and jabbers and giggles and shakes her head.  The other day she as looking at a magazine.  She saw a picture of some cereal with bananas in it and she was trying to pick up the bananas.  She got so mad and squealed.  What a nut!

I think our bathtub is lower than yours.  Anyway Mary just hops in and out like it were nothing.

Yes, Gary wears a white shirt every day.  A clean white shirt every day.  Except Saturday and Sunday when he doesn't work.

Who are the Dedrickson's that you are going to share the garden with next year?

Say do you suppose you could call Daisy Janke some day?  I recently got a new copy of the towns that have Family Record Plan Studios.  There is a studio in Norfolk that takes pictures for them now.  Maybe Daisy knows it already, I don't know. The name of the studio is Christian Photo, 117 S. 4th.

Dale really likes Sunday School.  He goes around all week singing the songs they sing in Sunday School.  Sometimes the tunes are a little weird, but at least he is trying.  They sing a lot of the same songs that we sang in Winside.  Dale's favorite are Jesus Loves Me and Fishers of Men.

Well, it is real nice and windy and fairly cool so I think I will get some blankets and other bedding washed up.

Hope you had a happy Father's Day, Dad.

Gary got a new necktie and a minnow dipper.

Love, Gary, Greta, Dale and Mary

The photo is from earlier than June of 1963, but I think I look completely amazing here, so I'm using it.

More 1963

March 5, 1963

Dear Mom, Dad, Grandma, and Tom,

Well, I am answering both Grandma's and Mom's letter in one.

I guess I'll start out with some of Dale's latest "bright" remarks.  I may have told you this one already so bear with me.  The other morning he got up and told me that he couldn't breathe very well because he had sinus congestion.

Then day before yesterday Dale and two of his friends came running to the house.  They informed me that they were the Marines and hadn't had anything to eat for three months and that they just had to have some cookies.  Do you think they got some?  Ha!  Ha!

And then the other night -- Mary was pestering Dale.  She was tickling him and following him every place he went.  Finally Dale said, "Mary is such a nuisance and makes me so nervous."

One of the neighbors just had a baby.  Dale is so excited.  He always wants to go and see Philip's baby sister.  Mary got so excited when she saw the baby.

Did I tell you yet that Mary has started taking a few steps on her own?  The other morning Dale was sitting at the table coloring.  Mary was standing by the davenport and she wanted his crayons.  She stood there and yelled for awhile and finally took off on her own.  She took about three steps before she fell.  She really is proud of herself.

We're having some real crazy weather.  Yesterday it was up to 89 and this morning it was snowing.  But it is pretty warm again now.

I'm sure sorry to hear about Uncle Ray.  Is it still that phlebitis that is bothering him?  I think that's what you said he had.

Mary is also starting to climb.  A couple of times she has pushed the hassock over by the davenport.  Climbs up on the hassock and up onto the davenport.

Thank you for Mary's present.  I haven't decided yet as just how to spend it. I'm thinking of patent leather slippers and some of those socks with lace on the cuff.  Do you mind?  She really doesn't need a coat. It is getting pretty warm down here.  She has been wearing a coat and bonnet that Louise gave me when we were home.

Have they found out anything yet about who robbed the bank?

There aren't any special directions for putting that quilt of Dale's together.  But when it is finished please have it about 40 x 80 so it fits the bunk bed. If you want to why don't you just tie it rather than quilt it.

Thanks for sending those Snuffy Smith cartoons.  We used to get them in the paper in Fayetteville, but it isn't in the paper here.  Gary really gets a kick out of them.

I can hardly imagine Bill with a mustache.  We got a letter from him yesterday but he didn't mention any mustache.

I certainly was shocked to hear about Marvin Gunderson.  I feel so sorry for her and Lynn.  Do you know what was the matter with the Troutman baby?

Dale does exercises every day so that he will grow up and then be able to drive the car.  Goodness, I didn't think he would start that this soon.

Mary has gone and lost my hairbrush.  I let her play with it one day and haven't been able to find it since.  I'm afraid that she put it in the wastebasket and it got thrown out.

Well, I better stop and get some supper started.

Love, Gary, Greta, Dale and Mary

I didn't know the bank was robbed.  Now I am wondering if they found out who did it yet.

Switching gears . . . to 1963

Whilst looking in Grandma's trunk for something wholly unrelated, Mom discovered some letters she had written home to Nebraska from, so far as I've ready, Texas and California.  I think they are a bit of a hoot since she talks about Dale and I quite a bit.  Not everyone has timely reporting on their childhood antics.

So, I will leave Grandma be for a bit and do one of these letters per post until I run out.  I think there are a dozen or so.  Off we go . . .

February 15, 1963

Dear Mom, Dad, Grandma, and Tom,

Well yesterday was a lovely day for us -- got letters from you, Bill, and the Bowders.  And it was nice weather-wise, too.  We had snow on Monday.  It was a wet snow and so pretty.  There was snow on the ground until Wednesday noon.  Dale had a grand time playing in the snow until somebody threw a snowball at him.  Then he had had enough.

Glad to hear Geserich said something to Kant about her dirty floors.  Hope she remembers it.  Have you ever asked Geserich if he has a sister named Carol married to a fellow by the name of Neil Edmonds?  Don't know why I think I have to know.  Just curious I guess.

Oh, this Mary.  I think she deliberately torments Dale.  She takes things away from him and then laughs when he hollers.  The two of them are really having a battle right now.

We got a cuckoo clock from Bill, too.  He had written that he was getting a clock for you and one for Nancy and Jim.  I told Gary that if he didn't send us one too I would skin him alive.  I really like it.  Every time it cuckoos Mary's eyes got so big and then she laughs.  Dale thinks we have a pretty smart clock that can say cuckoo like that.  It comes in real handy when I'm putting him down for a nap.  I put him down at about one and tell him that when the clock cuckoos two times he can get up.  Well he lays there real still and listens for it and of course goes to sleep.

I'll bet Dennis Morris is happy about Bob's having a baby.  I remember Sophie saying he wanted to have a nephew or niece here.

I sure do like my pressure cooker.  I haven't cooked any rice in it yet but have used it for a couple of batches of beans.

I made some whole wheat bread last week.  Gosh, what a mess.  It just didn't behave like white bread.  I don't know what I did wrong, but it tasted good anyway.  Was awfully crumbly though.

We used the money from Aunt Nan for several tings.  We bought new plastic and a heavy stapler and recovered the kitchen chairs.  Then Gary made a cupboard in that space above the refrigerator.  (When Dale saw the cupboard he said, "Oh my, that's wonderful.")  We also bought a rubber mat to put in the bathtub.  The rest of the money I'm going to use for such things as a double boiler, rolling pin, flour sifter, etc. as long as the money lasts.

Aunt Addie sent Mary some money for her birthday.  We used it to buy her some new shoes.  The shoes have bells on them.  Dale really thought the bells were something.  The first couple of days he would go up to her and shake her to hear the bells.  Then the morning when it was snowing he grabbed her shoes (she didn't have them on) and went around here shaking the shoes and singing "Jingle Bells."

Gary has just 39 days left in the Army.  It doesn't seem possible that there is so little time left here in Killeen.  It really will be nice to get back to San Antonio.  Gary is going to take a few more days of leave in March shortly before he gets out to go to San Antonio and get a job settled.  When he was down before the didn't get to talk to anyone about the electricians union.  But did find out that he might be able to get into the carpenters' union as an apprentice.  He also looked into a job at Sears.  But nothing is settled by a long ways.

I guess that is all for now.

P.S.  I thought Grandma might enjoy the clipping; Dale started to cut it up.

Not sure what to add here.  I don't know who Geserich is.  Also didn't know that we ever went back to San Antonio after leaving there shortly after I was born.  I guess I never asked, or maybe it didn't happen that way after all.

The photo is obviously before February 1963 but it was the best I could do at the moment.  If ever I needed to quickly lay hands on the Infamous Sucker Fight photos, this is it.  Hopefully I can find them soon.

Everyone loves a good march

June 25, 1932 - Cleaned the downstairs.  Went up to Lautenbaugh's this afternoon and talked to Louise for about an hour.  Ray and I were going to a dance tonite, but we didn't.  It rained all evening so we stayed at home.
June 26, 1932 - To S.S. and church this morning.  Rev. Most asked me if Ray, one of the Brogrens and I would entertain at the next League social.  I guess we will.  Arnold was to come this afternoon, but he didn't stop up, wonder if the roads were too bad.  Myron Walker's birthday.
June 27, 1932 - Mom and I picked over a bushel of cherries from the two trees east of the house.  I slept this afternoon.  This evening we took the cherries up to Stahl's.  Stopped in at Uncle Hans' a few minutes.  Hilda came home with us to help pick the rest of the cherries.

Cherries are great to eat, but I am thinking they are a pain to pick.  But maybe not.  At least they are a different color than the leaves; not like picking peas or green beans (my personal un-favorite) from the garden.

Here is a bit of Winside history, plus some related trivia.  In 1897:

     March 23, Alfred Woodward and Tibbie Lound were married.
     April 8, the band under the direction of Wm. Olmstead is making steady progress.  The band received a new piece recently and the band spends most of its time playing it.  The piece is Sousa's Washington Post March.  Dorr Carroll sold his Tribune recently and is leaving for Gothenburg today.
     June 7, a band stand was ordered erected in the park as per plans and specifications.  The contract was let to W. M. Gue to furnish the lumber and labor for it but must not exceed $100.00 (Mr. Gue, it is claimed, lost quite a little money on this contract as the lumber alone was over $100.00).
     July 3, Saturday celebration went off with a bang at 4 o'clock.  President R. R. Smith was the master of ceremonies and everything went off nicely.  The speaker of the day did not show up so B. W. McKeen was called upon to read the Declaration of Independence.
     July 14, the editor stepped into the post office to get his morning mail and was handed out a cigar and on inquiring as to his willingness to treat, Mr. Mettlen said it was a boy and he would appoint him deputy postmaster later.
     September 11, was the 38th birthday of Charles Reed and his good wife planned and successfully carried out a surprise by inviting in the neighbors.  About 8 o'clock in the evening, the teams drove up in a body.  Those attending were:  Mr. and Mrs. Pickard, Mr. and Mrs. Pryor, Mr. and Mrs. Washburn, Mr. and Mrs. Stephens and their families.  Paul Heyer, J. J. Gildersleeve, G. Shirts, Mr. Rossman, W.R. Olmstead, E. Lindsay, G. H. Lewis and J. Shay.  Mrs. Reed presented her husband with a handsome rocker.
     December 23, Ordinance No. 43 was passed relative to the pound master and his duties.  All stock that is let run at large in the village of Winside will be taken by the pound master and the fees for caring for said stock shall be paid by the respective owners.

I looked up the Washington Post March and discovered it was written for the awards ceremony of a children's essay contest conducted by . . . The Washington Post.  (If you can't sing it in your head at the mention of the title, find it online and you will be humming it for a bit since you likely already know it quite well.)  It was written in 1889, so not only was it new to the band, it was a fairly new creation as well.  I see that the director was invited to the birthday party for Mr. Charles Reed.

That's a photo of the handsome Mr. Sousa above.

Suppose I have a timely photo?

June 22, 1932 - Washed today, and what a beautiful day to wash.  Also washed and finger-waved my hair.  Florence S. came up this evening and we went down town.  We went into the Drug Store to see the new fountain.  Mr. Paulk treated us to an ice cold drink.
June 23, 1932 - Mom is making mulberry jam today.  Arnold came after me about 10 a.m.  We went to their place and then to the grove at Mrs. Martha Jochens' place for the S.S. picnic.  A large crowd was there.  Had baseball games in the p.m.  Everybody, including myself, had a good time.
June 24, 1932 - Cleaned the upstairs.  Ola and family were in this noon.  I took some pictures of the kids and Grussmother and Grussfather.  Went to Rebekah Lodge meeting tonite.  After the business meeting six of us played Pinochle.

My notes say those children are Annabelle and LeeRoy; suppose this is one of the photos Grandma mentions?  She has called LeeRoy a baby previously in 1932, and that is certainly what he is here.  Ola and Dorothea would be around 80 years old each in 1932, so I am thinking I hit the mark with this one.  Who is to argue, right?

Still no mention of Grandpa, but we do have the Rebekah Lodge mentioned, so he is around in spirit at least.

The cold shoulder?

June 19, 1932 - Went to Harry Kahler's today for his birthday (all of us, including Grussmother and Grussfather).  Loretta, Martha, and Florence gave me the brr! shoulder.  Didn't bother me.  Wallace K. and his girl, Gertrude Lueber, and Art Green and Veronica Goeres were down from Osmond.  I stayed with them.  In the p.m. we drove to Winside and Wayne.  Helen Kilmer's birthday.
June 20, 1932 - Worked some more on my rug today.  Cloudy this a.m. so we didn't wash.  Cleared up in p.m.  Ray went out to Ola's.  We shook down two dishpans full of mulberries this evening.  Dora and George came from Butte Sat. and are going back tomorrow.  Louis Brogren birthday.
June 21, 1932 - We canned 13 quarts of mulberry sauce and 2 pints of mulberry jam today.  Clara was here this p.m.  Mom did some sewing for her.  Arnold came tonite.  We went for a little ride east of town and then came back and talked.

Here we have one of Grandma's few mentions of how she's feeling/thinking as opposed to just reporting on her comings and goings.  Spoiler alert - with my next post, we will see that at least Florence and Grandma made up pretty quickly.

Ah, mulberries!  I remember helping hold the sheet while the mulberry tree was shook.  I do not recall Grandma ever canning any mulberry sauce or jam.  I think I would have enjoyed both.

Who is Wallace Newmann?

June 16, 1932 - Rained this a.m. so they had to come in from the field.  They went out again this p.m.  Mom and Ray came out this evening.  They brought some ice and we made ice cream.  Today is Annie and Ola's wedding anniversary.  They've been married six years.  Mrs. Maud Smith's birthday.
June 17, 1932 - Rained last nite.  Edwin came here about 12 o'clock.  He's been in town and couldn't get home because of the rain.  He went home this a.m.  Took a nap with the kids this p.m.  Today Annabelle said to me, "Marian, can't you know nothing?"  Wrote to school kids, Jane, Aunt Nan and Mrs. Smith.
June 18, 1932 - Annie mixed bread this morning and I tended to it.  Also made a cake and pie.  Aunt Lena and Uncle Hans here this p.m.  Went to the dance at Hoskins tonite with Ray.  Had lunch and came home with Wallace Newmann!  Had a real good time at the dance.

Wallace Newmann is an entirely new name for this diary.  And he warranted an exclamation point.  I looked a few entries down the road and I didn't see his name again.  I find that humorous for some silly reason.

I haven't done any Winside history for a time, so here we go with where I left off, 1895:

     June 17, the board voted that Main street, between Weible's store and the Carter store be roped off for the 4th of July, and speakers stand and booths be allowed to be erected in the street and the village marshal be instructed to allow no teams on this street -- allow not to exceed six shades to be erected in the park -- the marshal to be further instructed to wrap all trees in the park to protect them from abrasions and breakage, and allow no other buildings in the park on the 4th of July.
     July 17, Estimate of expense for the ensuing year, $1631.99.  Mill levy was set at eight mills.

And because that wasn't much to read and also because the first item for 1896 made me snicker, I am including 1896 now instead of waiting for a future post:

     January 6, D. J. Cavanaugh was instructed to notify Louis Lorke to run a more orderly saloon or suffer the consequences.
     February 7, it appears by the tax list of the county of Wayne for the year of 1895, that the county clerk apportioned 3 18-100 miles of the C. St. P. M. & O. Railway Co., as subject to taxation in the village of Winside -- whereas in fact there is but 1 11-100 miles -- it is hereby resolved by the Board of County Commissioners, the County Clerk or the County Treasurer is hereby authorized to correct such error and correct the amount of village tax to be paid by the railway be in accordance with the actual amount of mileage there.
     May 4, a saloon license this year, $400.00.
     June 1, a side walk was laid on the north side of the park.
     June 5, Edwards and Bradford Lumber Co., was awarded the contract for dimension lumber for the town at $19.00 per thousand.
     July 6, Estimate of village expenses for the year $1070.00.  Levy for the year of 1896-1897 was made eight mills.
     October 6, the village attorney was instructed to notify the R. R. Co. to enlarge the culvert across the railroad ditch on Whitten street, enough to carry off the water without flooding the street and city park.
     December 7, by an agreement of the town, the town hall rents to the board for $2.00 per month and to the Justice of the Peace for $1.00 per month.

And there you have it.  The photo is of Ola and Annie since their anniversary was mentioned.

Only $50

June 13, 1932 - Too muddy for Ray to work today.  He and Mom went out to Ola's this a.m.  I ironed this a.m. and p.m.  Went down town a few minutes before supper.  Tonite Tillie, Harold J., Arlington, Donald, and Buckie came up and we got our stunt planned.  Mom and Ray came home about 10 o'clock.  Arthur Kahler birthday.
June 14, 1932 - Mom and I got Ola's car this morning and went to Hoskins.  Albert Behmer and Fred Jochens are the new board members.  I guess I get the school again but will only get $50.  Ray and I went to the Alumni tonite.  We had a pretty good time.  Anna Laura Cooper birthday. 
June 15, 1932 - Annie came after me this morning.  She went out and worked in the field.  The kids and I took a nap this p.m.  Tonite Ola went to a Farmer's Union meeting.  Annie, the kids, Louis and I stayed at Frinks.  Edna Wagner birthday.

Fifty dollars a month for teaching.  Seems crazy now.  We do have the benefit of Grandma's ledger that is in the back of this particular diary to see how she spent her vast wealth.  She didn't start anything until September and quit by early November -- bookkeeping apparently was not her thing back then.  Maybe the new school year gave her the short-lived motivation.

I find it rather fascinating that Grandma's handwriting didn't change much at all from age 20 until age 80 and beyond; it is easily recognizable.  I think my handwriting from my twenties is quite different from how I write now.

Half of Grandma's first paycheck in the new school year went to repay Grandma Anna and then one-quarter to room and board.  Thankfully it seems she had enough to stay afloat and increase her cash on hand by a good bit.

Handsome fellers

June 10, 1932 - Marked my design on a rug and painted part of it.  Annie and kids came in this noon and Mom and I went with her to the graduation exercises for the 8th graders at Wayne.  Saw Jane and stayed with her.  Went up to the park to the band concert this evening with Jane, Mabel Levi, Elizabeth Woods and Mae Beckenhauer.
June 11, 1932 - Went down town with Jane and a.m., saw Uncle Chris at the garage.  Went down to Aunt Mildred's this p.m.  I had supper there.  Tonite they took me to Carroll.  Mrs. Trumbaur, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis, Jane, Helen Kilmer and Sonny went along.  Stopped at Mrs. Smith's.  Ray met me there and we went to the dance, had a good time.
June 12, 1932 - To S.S. and church this a.m.  Ray went up to Uncle Hans' and Mom went out to Ola's.  Lydia, Evie and Mote came after me this p.m.  We went to Wittler's and watched the boys play baseball.  Went to church to the Children's Day Program tonite.  Arnold took me home.  Mrs. C.A. Andersen's and Grandma Andersen's birthdays.

What's this thing with painting rugs?  I don't recall hearing Grandma talk about that.  What was painted on exactly?  Inquiring minds.

And does anyone know how long Uncle Chris had the garage?  Obviously, he carried on after Grandpa Andersen died, but for how long?

It is Tom, right?

June 7, 1932 - Cleaned the front room and gave the floor a coat of varnish.  Mom went to the Juvenile R.N.A this p.m.  I went to League at C. Jochens tonite with Arnold. W e played outside and had a weiner roast.  Had a good time.  This is Rev. Baun's last meeting with the C.E.  He leaves tomorrow for Sutton, his new place.
June 8, 1932 - Mom worked in the garden this a.m. and went to Ladies' Aid this p.m.  I gave the front room floor a second coat of varnish.  I went down town tonite, saw F.S. and talked with her, talked to Miss Mettlen about the stunt, walked up and down the street with Alina L. and had a good time with her.
June 9, 1932 - We washed today.  It started raining about 10:30.  None of the clothes were dried.  Ray came home about 1:30.  Rained just about all p.m.  Ray and Mom worked on a small rug and I slept.  This evening I made a design for a rug.  Grandpa Henry Kahler's birthday.

Here is the photo that goes with the one from my last post, plus that one just to make the comparison easier.  I'm pretty sure that's Tom being picked on my Bill.  I have no date on the photos, so I do not know the occasion.  But, believe it or not, there was a bit of goofing off going on.  I don't know anything about the cars in the photos either.

I bet putting wash out on the line and have it start raining would be a major bummer.  Or maybe they didn't even get to the line and had to sit around wet for awhile.  Either way, it would definitely put a damper (no pun intended) on my enthusiasm for laundry.

Missing in 2014

June 4, 1932 - Finished cleaning upstairs and moved things back into the bedroom downstairs.  Mom and I went down town this evening.  Marjorie M. notified me that I'm supposed to see to a stunt for the Class of '30 at the Alumni Banquet June 14! Some job, I think.  Rachael Bracken birthday.
June 5, 1932 - To S.S. and Church this a.m.  Ray took us out to Pete & Clara's this p.m.  Annie, Ola, Raymond, Alice, Aunt Mary, Uncle Harry and Clara's folks were there.  Pete brought us home.  Read until 10:30 this evening.  Was raining a little then.
June 6, 1932 - Mom went out to Clara's today and helped put away meat.  I put up the curtains in my room.  Went down town this p.m. and talked to Miss Mettlen about a stunt.  Tonite Ray and I went out to Ola's, then up to Dora's place.  Ray and Ola hoed the garden.  Evelyn Walker's birthday.

Between general busy-ness and then being sick for over a week, I have been neglecting Grandma's antics in 1932.  Hopefully I can get back on track beginning today.

I suppose by a stunt, Grandma is meaning some kind of skit.  I will give you a spoiler alert -- she doesn't mention details in the future about the stunt/skit nor whether it went over well or not.  I would have been curious to know what they ended up with.

It isn't a skit happening in the photo of Bill and Tom, but there's something going on . . .

Wind v. barn

June 1, 1932 - Ironed and cleaned Grussmother's bedroom.  Varnished the floor in her room.  Went down town tonite and asked Anna Pete about her permanents.  Got home just before it started to rain.
June 2, 1932 - Cleaned the west room this morning.  Mom varnished the bedroom floor again.  This p.m. I went down to Anna Pete's and got a permanent.  Went to Frank Kurrlemeyer's chaivari dance at Hoskins tonite with Arnold.  Had a really good time.  (Walked out to Ola's this a.m. in the mud to tell him Nick Hansen wanted him to work today.)
June 3, 1932 - Quite tired today.  We got most of the cleaning finished in my room and the hall bedroom today.  Ray, Mom and Grussmother went out to Bill Koepke's tonite to see how the wind treated their barn.  I stayed home and went to bed.

I am guessing there was some wind damage to Bill Koepke's barn -- regardless I like Grandma's use of words.

I have been neglecting my Winside history, so here is 1894:

     May 4, yearly occupation tax of Winside saloons was set at $700.00.
     July 19, estimate of expenses for the ensuing year, $990.00.  The levy was set at 10 mills.
     December 7, the city clerk was ordered to notify property owners on the west side of block one, Original Town of Winside, to build a sidewalk 4 feet wide as per specification within 20 days.

Well, that was short and sweet.  I must say though it seems a bit nasty to require sidewalks to be built in the dead of winter.  And as if to bring home my point, I found the above photo during a very quick internet search.

Mayo Clinic

May 28, 1932 - Moved back into the dining room today.  Cleaned up the house.  Went to the dance at Carroll with Ray tonite.  Stopped in and talked to Mrs. Smith a few minutes.  A large crowd at the dance, had a pretty good time.
May 29, 1932 - To S.S. and church this a.m.  Read and slept this p.m.  Mom went with the RNA for their Memorial Services this p.m.  Went out to Ola's about 6 o'clock.  Had supper.  A.W. came out after me and we went to Norfolk.  Saw a gangster picture at a new theater on the south side of the street.  Uncle Hans and the rest came from Rochester this a.m. at 5:30.
May 30, 1932 - Went out to the cemetery this a.m.  To the park this p.m. for the services.  Saw Lydia and talked to her awhile.  After the services Annie, Ola and kids, Aunt Lena, Uncle Hans, Meta, Lyle and Martha were up here for lunch.  Aunt Lena is getting along fine, so the M.D.s say, that's why she didn't have to stay in Rochester for about a month as she thought she would have to do.  Raymond Wittler's birthday.

I was a little disappointed to not find any information on the Mayo Clinic that was especially interesting or particularly blog-worthy.  Which isn't to say they do not do marvelous work there.  I did think the statue of the Mayo brothers was a bit unusual but very nice.

Here is the first paragraph of the wikipedia article about the Mayo Clinic:

     Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit medical practice and medical research group based in Rochester, Minnesota. It is the first and largest integrated nonprofit medical group practice in the world, employing more than 3,800 physicians and scientists and 50,900 allied health staff.  The practice specializes in treating difficult cases through tertiary care. It spends over $500 million a year on research. In 2014, Mayo Clinic marks 150 years of continuous service to patients.

     Dr. William Worrall Mayo settled his family in Rochester, Minn., in 1864 and opened a medical practice that evolved under his sons into Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic ranked No. 1 on the 2014-2015 U.S. News & World Report List of "Best Hospitals", and has been near the top for more than 20 years, and it is widely regarded as one of the world's premier medical practices. The practice is distinguished by integrated care. It has been on the list of America's "100 Best Companies to Work For" published by Fortune magazine for eight years in a row.

Rain, rain, rain -- then and now

May 25, 1932 - Ray and I gave the dining room floor a coat of varnish this morning.  We ate on the back porch. Rained real hard tonite about 8 o'clock.  A strong wind also.  It just blew the water through the west windows upstairs and down.  Gave the outside edge a coat of varnish right after supper.
May 26, 1932 - Windy, cloudy and cold today.  I varnished the new congoleum rug, the downstairs closet, and the dining room cupboard.  Florence S. came up this p.m. and told us about some of the damage the storm did last nite.  Ray, Mom, F.S. and I went west of town to see how the railroad track were washed.  Went out to Ola's a few minutes.  Arthur Holt's birthday.
May 27, 1932 - Cloudy and cold today.  We canned 19 pints of rhubarb and pineapple.  Ray finished cutting out the small rugs for the dining room.  Maris, Orville, Meta and Martha were here this p.m.  Stayed for lunch.  I was taken into the Rebekah Lodge tonite.  I think I'll like it.  A.W. came tonite after I'd left.  Isn't that a heck of a note!  Wish I'd been home.

Since I am very late with this, I will let it stand pretty much as-is.  Except to note that the Winside history book says this regarding the rain on May 25:

     A heavy rain flooded the basements of many of the houses and business places -- about two feet of water rushed down Main Street.

Oh, and that it can quit raining at our place for a while.  'Tis a bit of a swamp.

Happy Birthday, Uncle Ray!

May 22, 1932 - Mom and I went to church this a.m.  After dinner Mom, Grussmother and Ray went to Stahl's.  I slept and read this p.m.  Arnold came after me about 6 p.m.  Was at Wittlers for supper.  Lydia, Arnold and I went to Norfolk to the Baccalaureate Services.  After that we tagged and were tagged by the Walker kids driving around Norfolk.
May 23, 1932 - Ray is 19 years old today.  Took the tablecloths back to Walkers, got my mail that had come there, got my checks from Mr. Strate and then on to Norfolk.  Grussmother went along.  Deposited my money in the Postal Savings.  We bought a congoleum rug for the dining room and paint for the kitchen floor.  Went out to Annie's tonite, it rained and we stayed all nite.
May 24, 1932 - Mom helped milk this morning and I did the dishes.  Came into town and took up the dining room linoleum.  Scrubbed the floors.  That was a hard job.  We got done at 4 p.m.  Ray went out to Ola's this noon.  After supper I helped Mom work in the garden.

I have nothing to add to this and need to get it posted, so I'll leave it 'as is'.  Hopefully I will be more inspired for the next post.

Here's little Ray since we are talking about his birthday.

Gotta love it

May 19, 1932 - Hot and windy today.  Finished straightening out my things today.  Made six hot pad holders.  We had some new radishes and onions from the garden for dinner today.
May 20, 1932 - Went down town this p.m. and talked to Irene W. for over an hour.  Got some groceries.  Ray, Annie, Ola and kids were in tonite.  I'm so glad they came.  I was getting lonesome.  These last 3 days have seemed like 3 weeks.  I'll be glad when Mom comes home.
May 21, 1932 - Cleaned upstairs and downstairs today.  Uncle Hans, Aunt Lena and Aunt Mary K. were here this p.m.  They were going to Emerson tonite and to Rochester tomorrow.  Went to the show at Norfolk with Arnold tonite.  Saw Joan Blondell in "The Crowd Roars" and the 4 Marx Brothers in "Animal Crackers."  Mom came home tonite and we talked until 4 a.m.  Opal Schneider Mann's birthday.

How neat is it that Grandma and Grandma Anna stayed up until 4 a.m. talking!?  I wonder what all they had to discuss for that long.

Here is some interesting stuff; more interesting than I thought I would find simply looking for a movie poster and plot summary for "The Crowd Roars" (from wikipedia):

     The Crowd Roars is a 1932 film directed by Howard Hawks starring James Cagney and featuring Joan Blondell, Ann Dvorak, Eric Linden, Guy Kibbee, and Frank McHugh.

     The driver in the film's auto racing sequences was Harry Hartz, a successful board track and Indianapolis 500 race professional.  It was remade in 1939 as Indianapolis Speedway, with Pat O'Brien in Cagney's role, Ann Sheridan in Blondell's role, and McHugh playing the same role he played in the original.

     Motor racing champion Joe Greer (James Cagney) returns home to compete in an exhibition race featuring his younger brother Eddie, who has aspirations of becoming a champion. Joe's misogynistic obsession with "protecting" Eddie from "women" causes Joe to interfere with Eddie's relationship with Anne (Joan Blondell), leading to estrangement between Joe and Eddie, and between Joe and his longtime girlfriend Lee (Ann Dvorak), who is made to feel "not good enough" to be around Eddie.

     During the race, a third driver, Spud Connors, wrecks and is burned alive. Driving lap after lap through the flames and the smell of burning flesh (and maybe past the burning body) while blaming himself for the accident, Joe loses his will to race. Eddie goes on to win. Afterward, Joe's career plummets as Eddie's rises. The power of love eventually triumphs and Joe's career and his relationships with Lee and Eddie are rehabilitated.

     Sentimentalism is downplayed in this "pre-Code" film. The lingering stench of Spud's burning body is implied strongly by the horrified expression on each driver's face as he passes through the smoke and tongue of burning gasoline that marks the wreck site, sometimes pushing his scarf against his nose.

The main thing that caught my attention in this article was "pre-Code", a term I had not heard before.  Here is what I found out about that:

     Films made in the Pre-Code era frequently presented people in sexually suggestive or provocative situations, and did not hesitate to display women in scanty attire. In this publicity photo, Dorothy Mackaill plays a secretary-turned-prostitute in Safe in Hell, a 1931 Warner Bros. film directed by William Wellman.  

     Pre-Code Hollywood refers to the era in the American film industry between the introduction of sound in the late 1920s and the enforcement of the Motion Picture Production Code (usually labeled, albeit inaccurately after 1934, as the "Hays Code") censorship guidelines. Although the Code was adopted in 1930, oversight was poor and it did not become rigorously enforced until July 1, 1934. Before that date, movie content was restricted more by local laws, negotiations between the Studio Relations Committee (SRC) and the major studios, and popular opinion, than strict adherence to the Hays Code, which was often ignored by Hollywood filmmakers.

     As a result, films in the late 1920s and early 1930s included sexual innuendo, miscegenation, profanity, illegal drug use, promiscuity, prostitution, infidelity, abortion, intense violence, and homosexuality. Strong women dominated films such as Female, Baby Face, and Red-Headed Woman. Gangsters in films like The Public Enemy, Little Caesar, and Scarface were seen by many as heroic rather than evil. Along with featuring stronger female characters, films examined female subject matters that would not be revisited until decades later in American films. Nefarious characters were seen to profit from their deeds, in some cases without significant repercussions, and drug use was a topic of several films. Many of Hollywood's biggest stars such as Clark Gable, Barbara Stanwyck, and Edward G. Robinson got their start in the era. Other stars who excelled during this period, however, like Ruth Chatterton (who decamped to England) and Warren William (the so-called "king of Pre-Code", who died in 1948), would wind up essentially forgotten by the general public within a generation.

     Beginning in late 1933 and escalating throughout the first half of 1934, American Roman Catholics launched a campaign against what they deemed the immorality of American cinema. This, plus a potential government takeover of film censorship and social research seeming to indicate that movies which were seen to be immoral could promote bad behavior, was enough pressure to force the studios to capitulate to greater oversight.

Here's the photo mentioned above....racy, to be sure!