Haven’t made mom’s birthday cake yet. I’m a busy lady since she got sick. 2/18/32
Connie and Billie Thompson up all day yesterday. Jenny Tyler here too. 2/19/32
Made a birthday cake for mom. A little late but this way, we’ll have some for Sunday dinner. 2/20/32
“The moderation of fortunate people comes from the calm which good fortune gives to their tempers.” Rochefoucauld. 2/21/32
“Noble souls, through dust and heat, Rise disaster and defeat the stranger.” Longfellow. 2/22/32
“The best of thoughts which he hath known for lack of listeners are not said.” Jean Inglow. 2/23/32
“No action, whether foul or fair, is ever done, but it leaves somewhere a record.” Longfellow. 2/24/32
“Virtuous and vivacious every man must be; few in the extreme but all in the degree.” Pope. 2/25/32
“Every deed which shall outlast Time’s span must spur the soul to be exact and free.” Lowell. 2/26/32
“Great truths are portions of the soul of man; great souls are portions of eternity.” Lowell. 2/27/32
Mr. and Mrs. Harrison up to see us. Mary has seen and talked with Willa Cather; she herself is somewhat wonderful. 2/28/32
My valentine and my reading are the month’s lights. And of course, there is an extra day. 2/29/32
Met Shambaugh’s hired man. He is certainly not the least bit shy. Name is Ralph McKevitt from Detroit.
I wonder if Ralph tried to pick up on Grandma - is that what she’s trying to say here?
Tried to ride Bud Springer’s horse but couldn’t get him past the corner. Guess no one will ever steal that brute!
I wish I could find a photo of Grandma horseback riding.
Shopping at Superiors. Actually spent 12 cents. Gee, I’m getting pretty extravagant. Have to see about this!
Years later, when Grandma was married to Grandpa they were the classic great depression survivors who saved much (like found nails they collected in coffee cans) and spent little (like on updated clothes).
“Oh I’ve seen full many a quarrel
and here is the plaint of my song,
The one whose anger burns hottest
Is the one most like at not wrong!”
“Uncle Jeff”
I wish Grandma would write about what she’s angry about rather than quotations.
Have started Buddy Springer on the way of the “philatelist.” There’s two of them there things now. - October 4, 1931
Guide Rock is rather sleepy on Saturday nights, it seems. Isn’t a great deal of sparkle in the old burg. - October 3, 1931
Just about got in bad last night. Went riding with a bunch of kids and dad couldn’t find me when he got ready to go home.
I think we’ve all just about got in bad, no?
Mickie S. is the champion mixer. My most embarrassing minute “lately”. “No, can’t tomorrow, I’m ‘fraid.”
It’s hard to know what this is about, really. But I like to imagine that she was at a party, was asked out, and said no.
“Nothing is there to come and nothing past, But an eternal Now does always last.” Cowley
Living in the moment! Hard to do, but good for you.
Up to Velda’s last night. I have found one must never take brothers along when one goes to see girl chums oneself.
Girl chums! I like this expression.
Little misses Mary and Ella Dixon came over to dinner with “Bill.” My, they were proud to be grown-ups!
Who is this “Bill” and why is his legitimacy questioned with quotes? It he an imaginary person dreamed up by these two young misses? Is he their father who they only recently began calling by his first name for fun?
L’honneur est comme une ile escarpée et sans bords; On n’y peut plus rentrer dès qu’on en est dehors. - Boileau.
Honor is like an island, rugged and without a beach; once we have left it, we can never return. Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux, Satire 10, l. 167 (1716).
This is the first time Grandma has gone French on me. Again, I like to imagine that these pages reflect her contemplation some out-of-wedlock loving.
Glass, china and reputation are easily crack’d and never very well mended. Benjamin Franklin, “Poor Richard”.
This was before you could hire a professional image manager or spin doctor.
Less cynically, I like to imagine that Grandma was contemplating getting it on with someone. Not that I like this quote as condemnation or paternalistic guidance, since I don’t know why what BF says should determine what a lady does with her body.
I know this is likely my modern fantasy, but Grandma was a young woman about town, giving thought to life and love, so it seems possible sex was on her mind.
