Four Pictures for 25 Cents - Sunday, February 28, 1960

I spent the afternoon on history and geometry. Tonight I worked on the school paper. I'll have to read physics and literature in the morning. Boy, I hope I don't have to help much with the paper this week. Now that we're late for the deadline, maybe there's no hurry! I got four pictures taken for 25 cents yesterday. So did Helen, Jerolyn and Colleen.

Des Moines Home and Flower Show - Saturday, February 27, 1960

I've spent seven hours on a bus and gone 100 miles two ways today. We had lots of fun in Des Moines - shopping (five of us got shirts alike) and at the Home and Flower Show. The model home was "it" but we waited in line a half hour for it! Then tonight at Olds we saw West Chester boys' basketball come to an end when we lost to Crawfordsville by five points. Our girls lost last night.

"Ezekiel Sees the Wheel" - Friday, February 26, 1960

This was Virginia's and my turn to go in to wash with Mom. Marilyn wrote me this week about staying with her this weekend but I can't since the FHA is going to Des Moines tomorrow. I sent her a postcard and tonight I spent 10 cents to call her, only to find out she was at the doctor's. I spent two periods on the school paper...grrr! I finally mailed my column. I read Ezekiel I for part of current events ("Ezekiel sees the wheel in the sky").

Early Dismissal Due to Snow - Thursday, February 25, 1960

We were dismissed from school because the roads were drifting. What weather. Both Ogden and Jim (I'm on the current events committee with them tomorrow) positively would not take the tape recorder downstairs for me, so I guess that's out. I wanted to tape record Ezekiel I (about the "space ship"). Our boys beat Wayland last night and now they're in the sectional finals.

A Good "General Summation" - Wednesday, February 24, 1960

Busy days! I just finished a day-late column. Now I'm working on the school paper. I didn't have to babysit after all since they called off the lodge event. My comments from Friday were pretty favorable for the writing part, not so good for the speaking. The man who gave me the I said, "this is one of the best general summations I've heard here today." I think I did a poor job on our English discussion.

Talking About More Snow - Tuesday, February 23, 1960

We went back to school today but they're talking about another storm keeping us from going back tomorrow. I'm supposed to babysit for Fudges tomorrow night. I wonder if I'm going to have to skip another column. I'd better try to get one written. Our English class discussion is tomorrow.

The Future of Democracy - Monday, February 22, 1960

The only thing I got out of our Washington's Birthday vacation which we don't usually have off was homework. I did history all afternoon and am far, far from done. It's almost a thankful thing I didn't get a I rating at the declam contest - I'd be too busy. I wonder if we will have to give our English discussion tomorrow on the future of democracy, Berlin and other issues.

Church is Called Off - Sunday, February 21, 1960

The snow that started yesterday afternoon has turned into enough to keep us home from school tomorrow. Hip hooray, here's hoping I can get plenty of studying done and a good excuse not to get the school paper out next Monday. I love these vacations (now)! We didn't have church today.

To District in Basketball - Saturday, February 20, 1960

We went down to Ainsworth to the girls' sectional finals and saw Richland beat us 43-42, and we could have won had either Shirley or Marge made their shots. Thank heavens, the runner-up goes to the district, too, this year. I had studying to do all day, but I just couldn't concentrate.

District Declam Contest Results - Friday, February 19, 1960

I got a II at the district declam contest today in Wilton Junction. I go one step further each year. Will I get to the State contest next year? But I'm satisfied enough with my two II's and a I. Whew, what a day. Phyllis Crone, Mary Lou Lampe, Lillian Hole and I went with Mrs. Kephart, who seemed very nice to me (and us) all day. We brought Shirley Bush (a future classmate) back to Wellman. Jane Mayer is a National Merit Scholarship finalist.

Three Speech Additions Forgotten - Thursday, February 18, 1960

Tonight we went to choir. Betty and Mary were the only ones there besides us three. I only hope they go through with the contest tomorrow; I haven't got a bit of tomorrow's homework done. When I gave my speech once more in class I "forgot" all three additions that I wrote yesterday. But it was my first time to say them. We had an FHA meeting and an entertainment committee meeting.

Family Night Entertainment - Wednesday, February 17, 1960

Tonight was family night at the church. Dirk and Laura Mae truly surprised me with some very good entertainment - something we haven't had for quite awhile. I made some changes in my speech for Friday (at Mrs.Kephart's suggestion). Now I need to retype it and do my geometry.

West Chester Wins Last Games - Tuesday, February 16, 1960

Well, we just saw the Trojans win the last scheduled basketball games West Chester will ever have. We beat Brighton 58-45. The reserves also won, 42-24. Oh joy! In history we had a movie about Ataturk. The home ec girls went to town this afternoon for a clothing clinic by a New York City fashion advisor for Advance Patterns. (Phyllis went.) I have finished my column.

Reading Mom's Diaries - Monday, February 15, 1960

I've been reading Mom's diaries again. Hers are so interesting. I don't think mine will be. Anyway, I love diaries. Mrs. Kephart says I'll really have to be good Saturday for the district declam contest - there are 1000 contestants. I'm finally getting another column written, and so early this week. They gave us a list of what we can take next year. I think I might take Seminar in American Government, English, Spanish I, and chemistry.

Hiking on the Creek - Sunday, February 14, 1960

Only about twice all day did I remember this was Valentine's Day. We came home without staying for church since Daddy had chores to finish. Peggy and Keith were there for Sunday School. We brought their kids home while they went to the Methodist Church. We had them and Cuddebacks come for dinner. Grandma and Grandpa were sick still. We kids hiked on the creek.

Grandpa Separates the Wash Water - Saturday, February 13, 1960

Eye strain. I'm going to need glasses yet. I shouldn't have moved my wall lamp from over my desk to over my bed. I can't see very well for writing. Tonight when we were doing chores we blew a fuse, so there was some running around and confusion. Grandpa poured the wash water instead of milk into the cream separator. I keep blowing my poor nose. Friday (district declam contest), here I come.

Reading North to the Orient - Friday, February 12, 1960

This morning after being stuck twice in the driveway and stopping to give Moores a potato to take to the hamster in Mom's Kindergarten room at school, we finally made it to town and did the wash. We girls got our hair cut. Then I phoned Marilyn for a friendly chat. I would like to go to Washington to school next year. I didn't get too much done. I'm reading Mom's North to the Orient by Anne Morrow Lindbergh.

Dug Out by Snowplow and Maintainer - Thursday, February 11, 1960

I guess I set my goals for what I wanted to accomplish today too high. I finished my "speech" on the First World War for history - now to "learn" it. I drew illustrations for it. But this afternoon I did hardly a thing. The snowplow and maintainer dug out Grandma's road and our road so we went out to do chores tonight. The Browns helped Grandpa yesterday and this morning.

A Bad Midwest Snow Storm - Wednesday, February 10, 1960

There was no school today and there won't be any the rest of the week. Our blizzard was called a "midwest storm that closed literally all southern Iowa schools and made roads impossible." Mr. Colliver said it is "the worst since I've been in Iowa." Chick said, "the worst since I've been farming." The weatherman said, "It is one of the worst the Midwest ever had." Yesterday and last night the barometric pressure was the lowest the U.S. Weather Bureau has on record.

Hit by a Blizzard - Tuesday, February 9, 1960

I went back to school but what a day. We have a real blizzard. I think we could have come home early if Mrs. Small, Mr. Fudge and the girls taking shorthand hadn't had a bus in Iowa City. Yesterday was such a beautiful day, too. Despite the weather, they probably played the last girls' basketball game West Chester will ever have tonight. By the way, we have to go to school in Wellman next year even though the new high school isn't built yet.

A Day Home From School - Monday, February 8, 1960

I stayed home from school today although now I don't think it was too necessary. By noon my temperature was normal again and my headache was about gone. Phyllis and Mom got all my assignments except physics. But heavens, I'm supposed to have a day to make up my classes. It was a lazy day.

To Bed Instead of Youth Fellowship - Sunday, February 7, 1960

I've had a headache about all day. I didn't go to youth fellowship tonight - bed instead. Daddy took the kids up. We went down to Cuddebacks for dinner. Neither Grandma and Grandpa nor Parcells were there since they're sick.

A Letter to Mrs. Cowan - Saturday, February 6, 1960

It is cold again. Daddy had to do chores alone this morning. Ann and Virginia helped him tonight. Grandma and Grandpa both have the flu. I got my geometry and "The Eighteen Cousins' Journal" done and a letter to Mrs. Cowan written.

Opened Boys' Dressing Room Door - Friday, February 5, 1960

We played two boys' games with Keota here tonight. We kids drove up for them again. The varsity won and the reserves lost. They had two junior high games this afternoon. I started to go in Mom's Kindergarten room only to find some boys dressing. (I didn't see anything unusual.) This was dress-up day.

"The Eighteen Cousins Journal" - Thursday, February 4, 1960

Today was Grandpa's birthday. Mom, Daddy and Ann went out there tonight while we had choir practice. After school Phyllis went to Betty's for a surprise party for Martha. I'm glad this week of school is about over. I am so tired. I have to get "The Eighteen Cousins' Journal" written, Mrs. Cowan's valentine sent, and (for tomorrow) a current event and geometry done.

That Terrible Egg Taste - Wednesday, February 3, 1960

All of us who had P. E. yesterday have been stiff all day. It even hurts to cross our legs. Now I've had that terrible egg taste again. It must have something to do with yeast and protein or protein and exercise, or something. I'll have to clear skip my column - just too much work to do.

Geometry and Physics to Finish - Tuesday, February 2, 1960

I don't think the sweet old groundhog saw his shadow today. I have a lot of homework to do. I will have to let my column go and get up in the morning to finish geometry and physics. Bernie had a little black puppy. I got two I's and a II on Saturday.

Daddy Buys a Milking Machine - Monday, February 1, 1960

For once there didn't seem to be too much school work, but it still took all evening even without helping with chores. Even history takes ages any more. Daddy bought a used milking machine. It ought to make milking faster. I haven't seen it and can't remember what one is like.