I am working on an essay on Washington’s Farewell Address. Contest to close April 4. It is interesting. March 3, 1932

I am not going to give any editor the satisfaction of refusing my story. It is entirely too young for that.

Have written several poems this month and sent two to Frances Crosby Hamlet for criticism.

Party at Selma’s. Am really getting hard-boiled. Receiving illustrated lessons from various “friends”. - October 2, 1931

What does this mean, Grandma? I have a hard time imagining her as “hard-boiled” - which in this context means callous and unfeeling (I haven’t heard it used outside of eggs).

If she is receiving lessons I wonder if this is part of teacher preparation? It seems like she wanted to be a journalist and writer, not a teacher, so maybe she resents all this helpfulness coming her way. Perhaps she was cornered by the expectations of the time, that women be teachers or nurses?

Or am I reading into this way too much?