Pipeline Right-of-Way - Sunday, July 31, 1960

Since we didn't have church here we went to the United Presbyterian Church in Washington.They have a new minister, Rev. Elgin, who took the place of Dr. Haney. In the afternoon we walked along the pipeline right-of-way as far east as Duvalls. After chores Daddy, Phyllis and I drove over to where they're working by the creek.

Seven Loads of Straw - Saturday, July 30, 1960

We put seven loads of straw in the barn today and have a load and a half yet to unload. Mom and the kids (except Phyl) went out to take pictures of the pipe line out at Grandma's. It's the third one--just for storage now, but will eventually go from Oklahoma to Wisconsin. I mowed all of the grass. Daddy has all that out by the garden mowable now, which is so nice.

Band Lessons - Friday, July 29, 1960

I didn't babysit for Mrs. Kleinschmidt's sister's kids after all--she didn't bring them along. Rita is staying all night. We had our last band lessons today. "I'll be darned" if I take lessons during my senior year!?! We started baling straw--three loads in the barn here, so far. It rained this evening. I got a letter from Mrs. Cowan--it had been a long time since she last wrote.

Lodge for Vice President - Thursday, July 28, 1960

The convention has just adjourned. Henry Cabot Lodge is the vice presidential candidate. A salesman for the Americana Encyclopedia has been here. We don't know yet if we'll buy it. Virginia spent the afternoon at Kleinschmidts. They have funerals to go to tomorrow afternoon and Saturday, so I'm going to baby sit for their cousins. I sent for the math manual.

Nixon for President - Wednesday, July 27, 1960

Nixon has just been nominated as the Republican candidate for president . The speakers (such as Tom Dewey) have been so good. We went swimming this afternoon. Ann learned so much this summer that she jumped off the high board today. I was going to get more buttons for my dress but the stores were closed when we got uptown. We got library books.

Eisenhower's Very Nice Welcome - Tuesday, July 26, 1960

President Eisenhower has just received a very nice welcome at the Rebublican National Convention. It is a much more orderly convention than the Democratic one. I spent a long time this afternoon out on a blanket in the yard. The kids were lying down, too. Ann had her last swimming lesson this morning. They made up for the Fourth of July.

Lincoln 100th Anniversary Convention - Monday, July 25, 1960

I got up at 7:00 (early for me--in summer) to watch an introductory mathematics program on WMT. It's for prospective college science and math students. I don't know if I'll send for the $2.00 accompanying literature or not. Charles Ralston and a Mr. Eyestone looked at our house. They're going to take the front porch off, replace some windows, fix the chimney and roof. The Republican NationalConvention began in Chicago-- the 100th anniversary of the Lincoln convention.

"Play Your Hunch" - Sunday, July 24, 1960

This was Gary Reif's last Sunday of preaching here. He's been a good speaker and well listened to for still going to school. We aren't having church here next Sunday. We kids played "Play Your Hunch" this afternoon. Mrs. Morrow and the three little girls walked over. It's hot still. We've had our hottest days this summer in the last week.

Eyelets and Button Holes - Saturday, July 23, 1960

I got a post card from Marilyn. They're south of Daytona Beach. I don't suppose they'll bump in to the Holeceks (in the Everglades). I was going to send the belt I made to Aunt Patty to have her put the eyelets in, but Grandma has a kit. I'm ready for the button holes. Virginia and Ann went swimming with Denise. It rained as we were finishing chores. Daddy had to quit combining.

Dress Hemming - Friday, July 22, 1960

I hemmed up my dress and also put the hem up in a print dress Mom gave me. She never wore it because it's too near like another one she has. I finished writing the information about the colleges. I must decide where to go. I finally got a letter from Patty Holecek--she's in Florida. She sure wants to see me this summer!

Combining Oats - Thursday, July 21, 1960

It is still hot. They started combining oats. This afternoon Mom helped serve refreshments at social circle. Virginia and Ann went along. I began writing down the accreditations, enrollment and work programs of all the colleges. I've heard from all of them now. I have the zipper in my dress.

Chocolate Rabbit is Melting - Wednesday, July 20, 1960

For the first time, the chocolate rabbit that I've had on my desk since Easter has started to melt! And I'm not supposed to eat chocolate! We went swimming and Mom washed. I was going to have Marilyn stay all night, but according to the neighbor boy, they left for Florida Friday. I rode Duke again with Phyllis.

One of the Hottest Days - Tuesday, July 19, 1960

I got quite a little bit accomplished on my dress. This was one of the hottest days we've had. I had a band lesson, but Linda had to go play in a pep band to welcome the Mississippi 4-H'ers. He wants me to play my cornet in college--"It might even help you financially." What's he want me to do--charge for solos or something? Vince came for remedial reading again.

Riding Duke - Monday, July 18, 1960

Grandma and Grandpa surprised us tonight by bringing Uncle Ellis from Dalton over. He's here till tomorrow noon. I finished up the ironing except Daddy's three shirts which Mom did. I rode Duke and I think he nearly killed me! I sewed a little. It seems as if these summer days go too fast.

Hot Upstairs Again - Sunday, July 17, 1960

It's hot upstairs again. Maybe the floor of Viginia's room won't be too bad for sleeping. We went down to look at the Cuddebacks' farm that they got this spring. Then we drove around through Tallyrand and home. Virginia went swimming in Iowa City with Julie Hobbs. She said Carmen was up there. I started Thunderstruck that goes along with Green Grass of Wyoming.

The Hay is Finished - Saturday, July 16, 1960

We finished up the hay after dinner. I never got around to sewing. I'm going to have to so Mom and Virginia can get theirs done. I bought David a birthday card and mailed it--from "your Iowa nieces and nephews". I ironed some. Our new neighbor, Mrs. Morrow, was over twice. She gets lonesome, even with five kids five and under! I'm reading Let the Hurricane Roar by Rose Wilder Lane.

Raspberry Picking - Friday, July 15, 1960

Phyllis, Virginia and I went to the dentist this afternoon since we couldn't last week because of the hay. As it was, Daddy got Jimmy to help.Virginia and I didn't have anything done. Phyl had a baby tooth pulled. We went to the library. I finished mowing the lawn and picked some raspberries. I can't find my other pen. Summer starts on the downward path now. Just found the pen!

An Iowa City Outing - Thursday, July 14, 1960

This afternoon Phyllis and I went up to Iowa City with Mom so she would have someone to ride back with after she went to the Pi Lambda Theta iniation and banquet. She was one of fifteen new members--recommended by two professors. Phyl and I had pizza, visited Shirley Bush at Burge, went to the library and the student union. We put up hay here. I hoed the garden this morning.

Democratic National Convention - Wednesday, July 13, 1960

We've been watching all the goings on of the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles. Some of the most likely candidates are Johnson, Kennedy, Symington and Stevenson. Iowa had Loveless as a "favorite son" but he withdrew his name. Jimmy rode his bike up. He taught Phyl and me how to play poker and I won! I mowed some lawn. They found Mr. Janacek. The funeral is Friday morning.

The Scrapbook Grandma Gave Me - Tuesday, July 12, 1960

I finally got up in time to take Virginia up to her band lesson although I wondered if I was going to make it! Linda didn't get there for our lesson this time. It rained too much for them to make hay here. I finally used the scrapbook Grandma gave me a year ago at Christmas. It was exactly full with things from my first three years of high school. They haven't found Mr. Janacek yet.

Rules for Tractor Pulling Contest - Monday, July 11, 1960

We have found out that it was just Louie who drowned. No one knows just what happened. They haven't found him yet. Vince ran nearly a mile to a house when he got out and called his parents. Tracy was swept 1/4 mile further downstream. I went up to the school and typed the "Rules" for the Lions Club tractor pulling contest. I had to call Iowa City "information" to get Mr. Fudge on the downstairs phone. He came to run them off.

A Drowning in the Skunk River - Sunday, July 10, 1960

We were down at Bishops this afternoon. Don was the only one home. He had a phone call that Louie Janacek drowned in the Skunk River. Tracy Janecek and Vince Smith were along, and one of them must have drowned, too. Gary Sheetz told Marvin Yoder that it was the Janacek boy. Things sre still indefinite. We had Gary Reif for the church speaker. Ann had dinner with and spent the afternoon at Denise's. Miss United States won the Miss Universe contest.

Calves Did Okay - Saturday, July 9, 1960

It rained all day so that put a stop to our hay making here. I finally started sewing my blue dress. It will be pastel with sleeves, shirtwaist, and a band down the back. Mom spent a lot of the day cleaning the side porch.We sold some calves yesterday that did okay. (I guess we still live in a poor man's world!) I hate to see the summer slip away. The kids want me to stay up and watch the Miss Universe pageant.

Pen Pal Letters - Friday, July 8, 1960

I deserve a six-gun salute! For the first time in more than a year I don't owe a single pen pal letter. I wrote four tonight, including an answer to one I got today. And Sunday I answered one who last answered me 16 months ago. We finished the baling at Grandma's. Virginia and Ann went swimming to watch Denise. I had a horseback ride. Virginia got some guppies from Rita and a zebra fish in Iowa City.

More Hay Baling - Thursday, July 7, 1960

More hay baling--and the baler quit again, at the end of the afternoon. Mom and Ann went to the dentist and then did the washing and went to the library for us. We were all supposed to go to the dentist, but the hay conflicted. I'm glad to know that the kitties are safe over by the corn crib. The kids went along to Iowa City to shop.

Enjoying Making Hay More - Wednesday, July 6, 1960

We baled hay again this afternoon. It makes a long afternoon, but I think I am enjoying making hay more this year than I did last year. I can only find one kitten - haven't seen Coky all day. Phyl is proud of how much I like that kitten. I made apple crisp for dessert. I'm getting the noon meals this week.

Getting Dinner Ready - Tuesday, July 5, 1960

We were baling hay this afternoon so I didn't take my band lesson. Boy, this last week has gone fast! Today when the baler worked it rained just after the fourth load was baled. I drove the tractor to put the hay up in the barn. I spent most of the morning getting dinner ready so I could take Virginia in the Dodge for her lesson - lasted till 12:00. She's at Kleinschmidts tonight.

Fireworks From the Front Porch - Monday, July 4, 1960

We thought we'd be spending the Fourth of July making hay, but as it was the baler wouldn't work and they didn't get any made. We kids were out at Grandma's all afternoon since we were going to help. Phyl was down in the hay field. Grandma and I looked at road maps for a long time. Tonight we watched our annual fireworks from the front porch.

Homemade Ice Cream - Sunday, July 3, 1960

I recovered this diary with black and white tweed plastic adhesive. I don't know if I like it. Cuddebacks were here tonight. We made homemade ice cream, played softball, etc. Their kids take a lo out of me. Cute little Rikki, Sonja and Sheri have been out at Grandma's today. I answered three pen pal letters and now have only four to go.

An Approaching Thunderstorm - Saturday, July 2, 1960

It seems like I wake up later and later - 10:30 this morning, I think. I cut off and hemmed up the yellow curtains for the bathroom, ironed the kitchen curtains, and mowed most of the yard - Phyllis had mowed my part. I washed my hair. I think I hear a thunderstorm approaching. They have most of the cultivating done and have mowed some hay. They also replanted some beans and corn this week.

A Funny Day - Friday, July 1, 1960

Mom painted the bathroom walls. The paint looks like chocolate ice cream. This has seemed like a funny day. I have been reading On the Beach (almost all afternoon). The kids went swimming with Denise. I wasn't in the mood to start sewing my new dress.