Lunch is One Big Confusion - Wednesday, August 31, 1960

Phyllis thought today was better and I think yesterday was better! I do believe I gave the worst English talk of my life! It was to be on gadgets--I used our map measure. I feel a little more certain of my French. Lunch time over there is one big confusion, plus eating in other people's food mess--ugh! I just have to keep up in my studies!

A New and Different World - Tuesday, August 30, 1960

In spite of the confusion, my first day of school not spent at West Chester was fun. We are having the seminar in American government. It will be hard but interesting. Maybe I'll master French! There are just eight in the class. I'm glad they didn't drop it. I have Mrs. Kephart for English IV, college prep. It's a new and different world and I think I'm going to like it.

A Purebred Beagle Pup - Monday, August 29, 1960

Thus goes my last "school" vacation. I don't know where it went to! Daddy brought home a purebred beagle pup, "Tut," that Van Winkle's neighbors can't take with them when they move to Sioux City. He's so cute. Mom got us each a new dress. She was in town for county teachers' meetings. I helped Virginia finish the dress she has been making.

A "Funeral" for a Puppy - Sunday, August 28, 1960

Esteps left Grandma's this evening to go down to Parcells. They are going to leave from there in the morning. They will show their slides at their church tonight. They showed them at Sunday School. One of Bernard's puppies got laid on by a calf. It's a wonder that didn't happen sooner. They had a "funeral" out at Grandma's (kids did). We had dinner down at Cuddebacks. I still say there's nothing like the pen you're used to.

A Permanent for School - Saturday, August 27, 1960

Mom just got done giving me a permanent. It will be nice to have a new one for school. This morning we went to town. I got a blue cartridge pen to replace the one I lost. I'll try to put my name (and address) on this one. I tried on an $8.00 sweater at Wards. I'm glad I didn't just buy it--it didn't fit quite right. We baled hay here this afternoon. Lena Jane got my dinosaur's feet dirty in some soot from the stove pipe!

Summer Olympic Games - Friday, August 26, 1960

I babysat for Fudges this afternoon while they went to the tea for the teachers at Wellman. Mom went to it. Our beloved summer is about over. The Estep girls were here again. I re-sewed my skirt where I made it too tight. Grandma's road was closed tonight since they were putting the pipeline in. We watched the opening of the summer Olympic Games tonight and could hear Rome's church bells ringing.

A Day at the Lake - Thursday, August 25, 1960

Mom wasn't able to but the rest of us went to the lake for the day. We got there first (by ten minutes) although we thought we'd be last. We had a good picnic and swam before and afterwards. Merl, Jim, Phyl and I played keep away with the inner tube. Merl came back with us to ride the horse. Ruth and Bob are leaving from Parcells in the morning.

South America Slides - Wednesday, August 24, 1960

This morning the Estep girls were here to play. In the afternoon the kids and I went to town. I got my horn at Everetts, took books back to the county superintendent's office for Mom, and got my glasses fixed. Tonight Esteps were here for supper and everyone went down to Cuddebacks to see the slides of South America and to have ice cream and cake.

Relatives at Grandma's House - Tuesday, August 23, 1960

Both Esteps and Ruthie and Bob got to Grandma's tonight. It's good to see them. My souvenir from South America is a hat and two coins. I'm kind of glad the pipeline people are here, as everyone has to keep quiet. I babysat for Craig and Becky for five hours while Mrs. Fudge and Jeannie shopped in Iowa City. Ruthie and Bob have their big cat with them.

Ditch Dug for Pipeline - Monday, August 22, 1960

I started sewing my black slim skirt. Mom had a teachers' meeting at Kalona. Her "school" has begun again. I got dinner. They have the big deep ditch dug for the pipeline now. Each of those pipe sections weighs two tons. I shortened one of my skirts--I just don't wear skirts in the summer though. Denise and Norma had "circumstances" to believe someone was in their house last night!

For Mom and Daddy's Anniversary - Sunday, August 21, 1960

For their anniversary we girls gave Mom and Daddy four striped bath towels, each a different color. We went to town to eat. Wingas, where we wanted to eat, was full, so we went to the 92 Cafe. It wasn't the best food. I read Beany has a Secret Life. We saw Echo I again. Bernard has five pups. She and Puddles are so proud of them!

New Calves - Saturday, August 20, 1960

We went to town this afternoon. I took my cornet in for checking and repair. I was going to get an appointment at the eye doctor's, but he wasn't there. We girls went together for Mom and Daddy's anniversary present. Phyllis and I got library books. I talked to Marilyn, and Sue Kerres stopped me and we talked about the "new" Cedar Rapids school, etc. This morning Mom, Daddy, Norma and I looked at the nice new calves.

Mid-Prairie Territory - Friday, August 19, 1960

Tonight we drove over past Dwight Collivers over near Kalona, but they weren't home. It is real interesting country over there--all of it Washington County and Mid-Prairie territory. Mom trimmed my hair. Daddy went to the Washington sale and bought eight calves to go with the 21 he got yesterday at Kalona. I wrote lines of interest in my high school scrap book and put the dates on my columns.

Hoeing the Garden - Thursday, August 18, 1960

I just finished a letter to Patty Holecek. I started it Tuesday but haven' been in the mood since. My hair needs thinning. (Mom will do it tomorrow.) I have circles under my eyes and I need to get rid of some blackheads. (Senior pictures are creeping up and I can't break the camera.) I hoed the garden. I've spent the day recuperating from yesterday and Tuesday night.

Mom is Okay - Wednesday, August 17, 1960

This morning Mom went back to the doctor. He said she was okay. Phyllis had to stay and bale Kenneth's hay. Mom bought us underwear and socks and I bought black material to make a fall tight skirt. This afternoon we all baled and put up Kenneth's hay. I did most of the wash which was just sheets and towels this time.

Babysitting - Tuesday, August 16, 1960

I babysat for Fudges tonight--for practically as long as I did New Year's Eve. I guess I learned the art of seven-week-old baby care--crying "half" the time, getting her bottle too hot at first. Schwartzes left this morning for St. Louis to visit a friend of George. Phyllis and Daddy have been baling Kenneth's hay. Virginia and Ann went swimming at the Y tonight with Mrs. Fisher.

A Voice From Space - Monday, August 15, 1960

We washed in town this morning and Schwartzes did. Mom went back to the doctor. He had her go to the hospital for an X-ray (just a good idea). I think she feels a lot better. We saw Echo I again. An Iowan had the first voice to reach Earth from space. We played our horns tonight.

Mom Still Not Well - Sunday, August 14, 1960

All of our family except Mom went to church and Peggy went to Sunday School. I helped Mrs. Johnson teach Mom's class. Grandma and Grandpa and Cuddebacks were here tonight. This afternoon everyone but Mom and I drove around. I read A Lantern in Her Hand and Mom rested. I think she's getting better. Writing this on Virginia's trunk doesn't help handwriting!

Mom Might Have Pneumonia - Saturday, August 13, 1960

Mom still didn't feel good so she went to the doctor this afternoon and got some shots and medicine. She has been in bed since. It might be pneumonia. Tonight we saw the Echo I satellite go over. Launched yesterday or so, it has had the President's message bounced off it. Jane and I got supper. Phyllis and I mowed the grass. This morning we looked at my college catalogs and "talked college."

Pipeline Tubes - Friday, August 12, 1960

If I don't start catching up on some sleep soon I'll never make it through the coming school year. Mom hasn't felt too good today. Her summer school after-effects, probably. This morning we went out to look at the pipeline. The tubes are laid out now. Karen would go clear through them. We went over by Slemmons', too. We played some with George's golf clubs.

Schwartzes Are Here - Thursday, August 11, 1960

Schwartzes got here this afternoon about 1:30. Grandma didn't come along. Karen has grown and is so cute. I didn't accomplish much today. I don't think I'll watch the math program much more, at least not while they're here. Mom and Daddy have moved into my room.

Pipeline Roomers at Grandma's - Wednesday, August 10, 1960

This afternoon Phyllis and I went over to Wellman to register for high school. It went so fast, but we used up $22.80 for lunch and book rent. It will be different over there alright. Some pipeline roomers from Oklahoma moved into Grandma's today. There are sure a lot of out-of-state cars up by Millers Garage. Daddy helped the Lions Club freeze ice cream for their social tonight.

A Birthday Surprise - Tuesday, August 9, 1960

Tonight Cuddebacks and we went out to Grandma's with ice cream and cake to surprise her for her birthday. Schwartzes called us tonight to say they'd be here Thursday. Mom, Virginia and Ann talked to them and Grandma Kay. We went out to Grandma's this morning and got the baby crib. The kids cleaned house. I trimmed up the yard where Phyl missed. Mom got a "starch print" ready for art class tomorrow, their last day of classes.

Dead Tired, Legs Ache - Monday, August 8, 1960

We went to town this afternoon. Marilyn had driven out, so I rode in with her. I babysat for Fudges this morning while Mrs.Fudge took Becky to get her six-week's check up. At the library I got Pride and Prejudice, only to find out tonight that I got Volume II, starting with chapter 35. I'm dead tired and my legs ache.

"Harvest" Moon - Sunday, August 7, 1960

I was sitting on the front porch tonight when all of the sudden the big "harvest" moon rose. I finished Prairie Star.It was a good little book--I'm glad I kept on reading it. I've also read most of two books of Phyl's since yesterday. I wore my new dress to church. Peters' are back.

Or Something - Saturday, August 6, 1960

I have had a sore lump in my throat that feels like a cut or something all day. I got tired mowing the yard so came in and took my temperature--I had 4/10. Phyllis finished mowing. It has been a funny day--cloudy with high pressure or something and hard to breathe.

Two Loads of Hay - Friday, August 5, 1960

I went in to get Marilyn after dinner but she didn't come after all. She said they were having company. Phyllis went along on "business" so I guess it wasn't a total extra trip. We baled two loads of hay starting at 3:30. I came to bed at 8:00 tonight--hope no one comes. Smiths are visiting Norma.

Horse Show at the Fair - Thursday, August 4, 1960

At the time, that (an O and a tiny arrow drawn with blue ink) circles a pressed bug (a 1/4 inch long, small brown spot). I don't know if it'll be there a day from now or a hundred years from now! I shut him in last night. The kids went to the horse show at the fair this afternoon and Phyllis and Daddy went again tonight. I went to Marilyn's. She's coming out tomorrow to spend the night if we're not baling hay. Virginia is staying all night at Mary's.

Baling Straw - Wednesday, August 3, 1960

We spent the afternoon out at Grandma's baling straw. We also got a little done before dinner. It sure was hot. I got stung by a wasp that I put my arm down on when I went in the door. I don't think I'd been stung in at least two summers. I helped out some with chores even though it wasn't my night. I typed a letter at Grandma's.

Champion Pigs and Calves - Tuesday, August 2, 1960

We bought a big square fan yesterday at Penneys. It is hot enough today that we can really use it. It keeps the upstairs a lot cooler. They are sold out of the mathematics books for the time being. I'm still watching the program and taking in most of what he says. Gary Sheetz, Linda Timmins and Rusty Parcell had champion pigs and calves at the fair. I guess Jim's lamb got a red ribbon.

Washington County Fair - Monday, August 1, 1960

This was the first day of the county fair and we went in this afternoon. There wasn't too much going on yet. Jimmy has a lamb he's exhibiting and we saw some other kids we know's things. I helped Mom make a copy (typed) of her arithmetic term paper Dr. Spitzer wanted a copy of. The possible grades were 9, 10 and 11, and Mom got 11+!