Fun at the shower

Mon., June 1, 1936 - Washed oodles and oodles of clothes.  Went down town with Alma to get Lena Nieman Miller's shower present, went out to Iversens' to see about dishes.  Had my hair fixed at Anna Boyd's.  Came home in the rain.  (Grandma Anna's handwriting)
Tues., June 2, 1936 - . . . 

I only have something for June 1, followed in the next post by June 6, the day before the big day.

Grandma kept a few mementos of her shower and I am quite happy to have been entrusted with them.  If I recall, Grandma told me the guests were asked to write down some marital advice for her.  Whether the slips of paper were read during the shower, or were to be referred to later (maybe as needed!) I am not sure. There sure are a bunch of them, so it must have been a very well-attended event or else the guests submitted more than one tidbit each.  Most of the authors are unknown, but a few added their name or initials.  Here they are, misspellings included for interest:

+Never wash separator in soapy water.
+All way feed your old man good then he will all way be good.
+Try and always be pleasant about every thing.
+Don't forget to arise to get Howard's breakfast every morning.
+Alway yes Howard.
+Always have dinner ready when hubby come in.  Will keep him in good humor.
+When Howard gets cross take the broom and show him your boss.
+Always serve the breakfast with a smile so he won't mind the burned toast and strong coffee.
+Don't ever let the baby keep Howard awake at night.
+Make your husband get the breakfast and help wash the dishes.
+Greet your husband with a smile every morning.
+Your way will be the best.
+Baby him, but don't let him know he's being babied.
+Don't delay -- hurry and cook some good food -- many thanks
+If Howard says "black" is "white" always say, "Yes, Howard".
+Never leave Howard go to town alone after dark.
+Get up before breakfast every morning.
+Always keep your husband's clothes mended, and socks darned.
+Be careful and not forget to sew on buttons.
+Never let him know you can build the fires. - N.H.
+Be carefully how you use the Maggie.
+Never fail to say the last word, however small.
+Always sweep the floor once a day.
+Keep yourself happy and live long.
+Don't scold if he comes home late from work.
+Have meals on time.
+Train your husband the first year.
+Don't start building fires, unless Howard is sick.
+Remember -- never repeat your sad experience of washing the seperator with soap suds.
+Be shure to train him to hang up his clothes.
+To win a mans heart you must feed his stomach.
+Get up in the morning and build the fire and milk the cows. 
+Be sure to keep on hand a bottle of castoria.
+Catnip tea is always good for baby's colic.
+Begin at once -- and don't delay -- teach him to obey.
+The way to a man's heart is thru his stomach.
+Bake a pie every day to make your husband gay.
+Milk the cows for Howard.  Don't sing "Animal Crackers in My Soup" - Toots
+Darn his socks, mend his clothes, have hankie for his nose.
+Work and slave; never become discouraged but keep on smiling.
+Remember to feed the cats.
+Be sure you don't take too many extra winks in the morning.
+Beware burned potatoes, and flies in the soup.
+Always greet him with a big smile when he comes in from work.
+Serve his breakfast in bed.  Give him a kiss.
+Always have your meals on time.  Never keep your husband waiting.
+Always insist on your husband getting his own breakfast.
+Thou shalt mend thy husband's socks before Saturday night.
+Don't be afraid of spoiling you husband.
+When you go to bed take a drink water and then don't take another thing all night.
+Greet him with a grin.  Get the best of him.
+Don't do any unnesscary frolics with your rolling pin toward Howard.
+Feed him on sugar and make him mind.  - Anna Jordan
+Keep your husbands trousers pressed, and be sure the creases straight.
+Be sure and darn Howard's socks and give him a good breakfast before he goes to the field.
+Dear Marian, I hope you will get along with Howard.
+Raise lots chickens and serve us chicken pie.
+Always have your meals on time, and your husband will be please.
+Be a good cook, as a mans heart is close to his stomach.
+Never have but one let (?) be the limit.
+My advice is have your husband build the fire evry morning for you.
+Don't waste your time petting the kittens.
+Never burn the meat but always have it well done.
+Start training him right away to help you with the dishes.
+Beware!  You will soon be on your way to Reno.

That last one has me stumped, but I'm sure that is what was written.  One can see a common theme of good cooking and conflicting advice on building the fire.  But, all are fun in their own way and I still marvel that Grandma thought to keep them her entire life.

Getting closer

Fri., May 29, 1936 - We baked today.  I had to go down town this p.m.  I was to meet Alma to buy a shower gift for Lena Nieman Miller but she went to Norfolk.
Sat., May 30, 1936 - Decoration Day.  We went out to the cemetery at 6:30.  Came home, had breakfast and went out to "the place" and painted.  Came home at noon.  Aunt Emma, Hilda, Roland, and Seigfreid here in p.m.  Mom and I hemmed napkins.  I went after Ray tonite.
Sun., May 31, 1936 - Ray, Howard, Marian and I went out to the place and painted a while.  Sunday evening Ola brought Willie down.  Howard and Marian took Ray to Jones', Willie to Hamer's and Irene to Pete Christensen's.  It rained a very little bit around 11:30.

Any readers out there will immediately note the use of "Marian" in the May 31 entry.  There's nothing in Grandma's diary for that day, but there's a folded up piece of paper stuck in there with Grandma's handwritten notes for May 30, and Grandma Anna's notes for May 31.  Grandma Anna also comes to the rescue on June 1 and I'll post that next time.  I guess Marian had a lot on her plate coming down to the wire.

The newspaper clipping from the wedding (also stuck between the pages of the diary) reports Grandma's bouquet contained blue delphinium, and white sweet peas and roses.  I can't get much from the wedding photo regarding the delphinium, but here's a photo of some that may or may not resemble the type she had.  Photo from outsidepride.com.

Well, wasn't that nice?

Tues., May 26, 1936 - Alma came down this morning and said that she, Bess, and Dorotha were going to give me a shower next Tuesday evening.
Wed., May 27, 1936 - Washed the walls and woodwork in kitchen.  Blackened the little heating stove.  In p.m. we went out to "the place."  Washed the dirt off the woodwork so we could paint.  Painted some of the woodwork.  Howard was harrowing over there.  Bess, Dorotha and Alma here a few minutes in evening about shower.
Thurs., May 28, 1936 - Cleaned basement this morning.  We went out to "the place" and painted this p.m.  Howard was there -- he went to town for glass for a window and brought back some ice cream.

I definitely prefer ice cream to glass.  However, I do have very fond memories of cutting glass with Grandpa when he bought a new glass cutter.  Maybe I have already mentioned it here, but for some reason I was able to make swirly, curved cuts without breaking the glass.  Grandpa, not so much.  I was probably still in elementary school then, which likely confounded him even further.

Poor planning on my part

Sat., May 23, 1936 - Didn't do so much -- were tired and had to rest.  I took the car and went to Jones' for Ray.  We went to a dance at Uncle Hans'.  Howard, Helen & Clarence Davis came about 10:30 -- went home with them about 2:00.
Sun., May 24, 1936 - Ray and Willie came about noon.  They mowed the lawn.  About 5:30 we went out to the place and then over to Iversens.  Tonite Mom and I took Ray to Jones', stopped at Ola's on way home and Willie stayed there.
Mon., May 25, 1936 - Mom worked on Cora Brodd's dress.  I went to Norfolk on the train to get my slippers and other stuff.

Here it is, Grandma and Grandpa's anniversary in 2018 and I am not yet to the wedding day in 1936.  Would have been neat planning on my part to have both days converge on this blog.  But prior, proper planning is not my best suit.  I will save pics for the corresponding post on the actual day.

An old story

Wed., May 20, 1936 - I went to Wayne in Ray's car this a.m.  Told Uncle Chris and Gerald about June 7.  Took my fair work to Miss Sewell.  Had my books signed by Mr. Mann.  This p.m. Mom and I went out to "the house" again and tore off more paper.
Thurs., May 21, 1936 - Annie Miller went along out to "the house" today to paper.  Finished the bedroom -- papered the ceiling and part of walls in living room.  Howard came here tonite and gave Mom and me a ride in the new V-8 the girls got Tuesday.
Fri., May 22, 1936 - Rained this a.m. after we got out here.  Finished papering this p.m.  Howard was here this afternoon and fixed some things in the house.

This has nothing to do with anything at all Grandma wrote, but I thought I'd share a Mol (aka Molbo) story.  I thought I had created a label for way back when I shared some, but it appears I did not.  So, without looking back at all 900+ posts, I do not know if I have already shared this particular story.  Bear with me.

I was cruising eBay one day several years ago for things related to Denmark and ended up buying a little book printed in 1967, "Old Stories From Denmark".  From the back of said book:

"Every country has its stories about simple folk like the traditional yokel, bumpkin and gawby of England or the hayseeds and hicks of America.  Sometimes the stories are generalised and told about simple people in any part of the country; but they often come to be identified with some small town or country district.  In Denmark the people of Mols were singled out for this dubious honour some two centuries ago, and they have had the good sense, which goes with humor-loving people to be proud of the old stories and they are nowhere more popular than in Mols itself."

It goes on to say that the first printed collection of these stories appeared early in the 1770's.  Seems some humor is funny regardless of the century.  Here's one story in particular that made me chuckle:

"A Molbo, wearing his best clothes for a visit to the market town, took to his homeward way having done just a little more than quench his thirst.

The hot sun had a strange effect upon him and he sat down to rest awhile; but he quickly fell fast asleep at the side of the narrow road.

A poor craftsman, on his way to another town in search of work, noticed the Molbo's fine, new stockings and he could not resist an exchange for his own, which were very dirty and had many holes.  He carefully exchanged stockings and went happily on his way.

Shortly afterwards, along came a man driving a horse and trap.  He pulled up when he saw the sleeping Molbo with his legs stretched out on the road, "Pull your legs in or I'll go over them", he shouted.

The Molbo woke up.  He looked down at his legs, but as he did not see the spotless white stockings Mother had given him before he left home that morning, he did not move.  "Drive on, my friend," he called.  "They're not my legs".

Getting closer

Sun., May 17, 1936 - Ray was so late getting here, that we had Edwin take us out to the schoolhouse for the picnic.  The North and South schools had their picnic together.  Around 80 people there.  Howard was here this evening.
Mon., May 18, 1936 - We went out to the place this p.m. which he's letting us use this week.  We tore off old wallpaper and patched up cracks in the plaster with cloth.
Tues., May 19, 1936 - We washed and baked today.  This evening Mom and I went out to the schoolhouse and cleaned it.

Time sure flies when you comment on three days at a time.  The big day will be here very soon!

And speaking of big days, Jayme and Ashley's baby arrived last night somewhat earlier than expected, choosing to be born on his Grandma Jenny's birthday.  Tanner William Iversen and his mother are doing well at last report.  Dad and Grandpa are probably okay, too.

School's out for summer

Thurs., May 14, 1936 - Mrs. Nieman home in time to eat breakfast with us.  We finished fair work.  I cleaned out desk drawers after school.
Fri., May 15, 1936 - Packed books away this a.m.  Dismissed kids at 11:30.  Finished mounting fair work and cleaned the school house.  Mrs. Nieman took me into town about 5:00.
Sat., May 16, 1936 - Mom and I went to Norfolk in Edwin's car.  I got my wedding dress and hat.  We also got paint, the bedroom suite and cookstove ordered.  The wallpaper for "the house" came today.

She's using quotes, so maybe Grandma is still getting used to the idea of having her own house.

I do not know what Grandma's cookstove looked like, but here is one from the 1930's.  Pretty spiffy.