A Roommate for Room 207 in Hawley Hall - Friday, June 30, 1961

Here June's gone and I haven't done a thing. Guess this just isn't my summer. I got my new curtains made and up today. I like the effect better at night, I think. They're blue-green and green on cream - "country scenes" print. I found out who my roommate at Park is going to be - Vivienne Lee Nix from Tahlequah, Oklahoma. I wrote to her tonight. We got Room 207 in Hawley Hall which is a new freshman women's dorm. Our room is aqua. Just had a drowning (moth) in my ink. Someone drowned Tuesday in Lake Darling - first in ten years. A much needed "million dollar"; "survival rations" 0.5 rain this morning. Some say driest May and June for Washington County in 25 years.

Typing Mom's M.A. Thesis - Thursday, June 29, 1961

Hot, Man. Like wow! I started typing Mom's thesis this afternoon. I got three pages down. I may do one over since I didn't have it clear over against the paper guide. I'm making three carbon copies. Phyllis and I went along to Iowa City with Mom this morning. She had to take a book up to Nancy Honahahn. I bought a pair of gold slacks in Wards. The Journal picture of the groundbreaking showed Mrs. Foster turning the spade rather than Grandpa [turning the first spade] but at least Grandpa showed up good.

Grandpa Turns First Spade for High School - Wednesday, June 28, 1961

This morning we went over to watch the groundbreaking ceremonies for the new high school and to see Grandpa turn the first spade. The other board members (but Grandpa resigned this spring) turned a shovelful, too. Mr. Driscoll and the [Washington (Iowa) Evening] Journal photographer were there. Virginia and I had piano lessons. That week sure goes fast. Mom shortened my hair some. It's hot again. Still no rain.

A Smith-Corona Typewriter for Graduation - Tuesday, June 27, 1961

I have just discovered that Virginia wrote at the bottom of this page. I used her rollers to set my hair after Mom gave me a permanent. I got my typewriter in Iowa City this morning. It's a Smith-Corona Star-Mist Blue Galaxie. It's sure nice. I bought a new lamp for my room, Magic Mascara, and mom got me some pants for college. I just put a film into my camera. I'm going to try one more film in spite of the dusty lens. It's been a long time since I loaded my camera. I talked with Jerolyn and Mrs. Kleinschmidt in Kresge's.

Movie is Civil War Centennial Edition - Monday, June 26, 1961

We went to see "Gone With the Wind" tonight. Now I've met another of my "life-time goals." They brought it out this year for the Civil War Centennial. It's a good show, but Scarlet O'Hara sure is spoiled. Mom and Dad saw it their first year at Berea. I almost saw it my first year of college. I drove for putting up some hay this morning, but Daddy let us go to town this afternoon. I swam for about an hour, then went uptown to get curtain material and white terry cloth for a house coat. Mary is staying all night with Virginia.

The United Presbyterian Mission Program - Sunday, June 25, 1961

We went to church tonight to hear two Iowa City men explain the United Presbyterian mission program. The U.P. colleges were mentioned some. We've just learned the exciting news that Grandpa gets to turn the first spade of dirt Wednesday in the ground breaking of the new high school. It just occurred to me that I never indent when I start writing in this diary. Great discovery, huh? Scott Calvin's name is no longer Scott Calvin but Shawn Calvin. They changed it before it was recorded.

Baling Hay Where the Pasture Used To Be - Saturday, June 24, 1961

On Monday morning I resolved that I'd clean my room and get three or more pairs of shorts ready for replaced zippers. I never saw a week go faster. I'm still on the last stages of my room cleaning. At least the general idea is neater. We baled hay in the "pasture" (it used to be a pasture but has been a field for quite a while now) field this afternoon. We had a brief shower at noon. They took Darlene home. She was here  48 hours. Phyllis drove to Chester this morning.

Highest Grade on Driver Training Written Test - Friday, June 23, 1961

Phyllis finished the classroom part of driver training today. She thinks she had the highest grade on the major written test - like I did. Van Winkles were here for a little while this afternoon. Marilyn sure has a tan. It was a good opportunity to get some talking done. I haven't seen her alone for a long time. Phyllis and I spent a long time going through my things and I decided what I'd throw away. Mom said I might as well keep some of the things I might like to keep a while longer in a grocery box. Scott Calvin Parcell is our newest cousin.

Mom is in Iowa City All Day - Thursday, June 22, 1961

It doesn't seem possible that it's Thursday again already. I just wrote to Mrs. Cowan but it seems like I'm forgetting something. Daddy and Phyllis skipped dinner and went out to bale. Dale and Grandpa were here. Daddy was afraid it was going to rain within an hour. No such luck. We need rain. I drove for unloading - here, this time. Mom spent the day in Iowa City, seeing Dr. Spitzer, her advisor, etc. I got dinner.

The First Real Day of Summer - Wednesday, June 21, 1961

This was the first real day of summer. This afternoon we went to the Methodist Church for the mother-daughter luncheon. We had creamed chicken, potato chips, salad, peas, apple rings and strawberry chiffon dessert. The wife of the McLellan manager was the speaker. She drew pictures to illustrate two stories. We had piano lessons. They are baling hay here and putting it up out at Grandma's.

Mom Does Research in Iowa City - June 20, 1961

I'm still cleaning my room. I just can't make myself do a very fast job. It won't take long now to do a little more dusting and put things back in my closet. My bookcase could stand a good going over. Mom spent the day in Iowa City at the library doing research. Ann had a band lesson this afternoon. I took her up and didn't do a thing but sit the half hour while I waited for her. Virginia's horn was broken so she went to Mary's instead, and they went swimming tonight at the Y with Oneita. 

101 Dalmatians and Gone With the Wind - Monday, June 19, 1961

Tonight we went to see 101 Dalmatians by Walt Disney. It was real cute, and I think I'll understand dogs better from now on. Mysteries of the Deep was also good, and then we saw the preview of Gone With the Wind, so it was a very good night at the theater. We went to town this afternoon. Wards and Hy-Vee were the only stores I was in. I started cleaning my room but haven't finished yet. Consequently my writing shows the effects of sitting on my haphazard hassock.

Driving Around Seeing Places - Sunday, June 18, 1961

We went to the root beer stand for dinner and afterwards drove around northeast of Washington clear over to Ainsworth and back. We discovered lots of places: Peggy's old country school (now a pig lot), where Don Bishop used to live, Dale Lance's house now, Bob Stout's brother, the people who used to own our Ford, the Janaceks that farm next to us. Tonight we took Grandpa's box of candy bars to him for Father's Day. Daddy got the same thing from us. Last evening Grandpa saw two deer in the woods. 

1,006 Bales of Hay, 95,000 Miles on Dodge - Saturday, June 17, 1961

We finished the hay for this go-around anyway. We had 1,006 bales with the new baler. On the way home in the Dodge tonight we watched it turn over to 95,000. In fact, it's sitting in the driveway now with 95,000.6. I was driving since Daddy was bringing the baler back. It's warming up some. Virginia and Ann went out to help Grandma clean house this morning.

Hay Making and Baby Sitting - Friday, June 16, 1961

We did more hay out at Grandma's this afternoon and baby sat for Sonja, Sheri and Rikki while Grandma went to a meeting. Rikki sure coughs bad when he's in bed. Ann didn't go out because she had another band lesson. He wanted them to come twice this week. I washed my hair tonight. It needed it. I have a permanent here at home but haven't gotten it in yet. I don't know why I'm tired in the summer time. Gee, it doesn't seem possible that I've been out of school almost a month. I haven't done a thing. 

Homemade Ice Cream and Strawberries - Thursday, June 15, 1961

This afternoon I took Mom's place serving at social circle with Retha and Stella. We had homemade ice cream and strawberries. Mom had to go to Iowa City for a meeting with those who are going to finish this summer. She took Doris Stout's sister along for an eye doctor's appointment. Phyllis and Ann were at Grandma's this afternoon to help with the hay. Virginia went with me to the church to see about Mary's money for camp.

Looking at the Washington Yearbook - Wednesday, June 14, 1961

I slept till almost time to go up and get Phyllis and the mail. This afternoon I drove her in to take her permit test. She got it this time. I got a quart of paint (pale candlelight yellow) that the kids needed to finish up their room, and a swimming cap. Then I went to the library. We looked at the Washington yearbook. It doesn't seem so outstanding to me, but Nancy Statler had thought it was so good. Virginia and I had piano lessons. I picked some strawberries out at Grandma's. 

Mom Registers for Graduate School - Monday, June 12, 1961

It rained so we didn't hav to help with the hay today. They finished up the little bit that was left themselves. Virginia, Ann and I rode along to Iowa City to the field house with Mom early this morning. She had to register for her graduate work. We shopped in Wellman for about half an hour and were still home by 10:00. This afternoon Ann and Virginia had horn lessons, Mom worked on her thesis, and I ironed. Ann is going to play a baritone.

Hay is Pretty - Monday, June 12, 1961

I babysat for Fudges from 8:30 to 2:00. She got me out of bed when she called. I had an hour and a half at home and then we went out to Grandma's to bale hay. We have a new baler. The hay is pretty. Dale got stuck, I went too far and pulled the pulley off the side of the barn, and I went when they weren't ready because Rikki had said "okay" - I asked and thought I heard them say "yes." Phyllis went to her first driver training class. 

Bible School Program - Sunday, June 11, 1961

Tonight was the Bible School program at the school. It seemed to be quite successful. This was another hot day. I've been so tired or hot or something the last few nights that I can't write decently. I spent the afternoon reading one of Phyl's library books. I didn't get any this time. I'm always so slow picking mine out that Mom was ready to go before I had any. Rikki, Sonja and Sheri presented quite a picturesque trio on the stage tonight. Virginia helpd their class and was up there with them.

Sunburns from Sunbathing - Saturday, June 10, 1961

Hot? Wow! We went swimming this afternoon and got sunburns so some of the heat is probably still in us, making it worse. I couldn't swim much though because my swimming cap ripped and they're required for swimming. I used Phyllis's for a few minutes but otherwise sunbathed. I got a letter from Helen Birkey and a duplicate driver's license. I could almost stand to replace that battered, rain-soaked original I had returned to me when they found my billfold.

A Mouth-to-Mouth Artificial Respiration Stencil - Friday, June 9, 1961

I'm sort  of glad the week of Bible School is over - except for the program. I typed another stencil for Isabelle, this one on mouth-to-mouth respiration for social circle. We practiced for the program this afternoon. I enjoyed helping with Bible School on the whole. I tried typing one of the nine letters I owe but couldn't quit making mistakes so I quit. I really didn't do another thing except practice, read a magazine and chew a piece of bubble gum. I'm chewing bubble gum to exercise my problem jaw.

An Iowa Favorite Farmer's Daughter Semi-Finalist - Thursday, June 8, 1961

The kids have moved into my room for when they paint their room, so I guess I'll have to bear with it for a few days. In crafts today I helped the kids make butterflies and tied bows for their baskets. Lois Slemmons was not one of the three finalists in the Iowa Favorite Farmer's Daughter contest, but she was one of the twelve semi-finalists out of 446 entrants. Rikki, Sonja and Shari are out at Grandma's. Peggy is supposed to have a baby sooner or later.

A Peek Inside Grandma's Plane - Wednesday, June 7, 1961

Grandma Kay is in Cleveland tonight. We got her on her plane at 2:30. Gee, they even let us kids take a quick peek inside the plane. It was just like I expected. It was a terminal flight. They turned around at Iowa City to go back to Chicago. We went shopping afterwards. There were severe weather and tornado warnings for southeast Iowa including part of Washington County. Today was Daddy's birthday. I helped pay for the shirts we got him.

Billfold is Found in Trash Pile - Tuesday, June 6, 1961

Today I spent another hour showing the kids how to make bracelets. They're always in such a hurry to get done. I won't be there tomorrow afternoon. Here's hoping they suffice without me. It doesn't seem like Grandma's been here two and a half weeks. They've sure gone fast. By the way, my billfold was found in a trash pile in Wellman and I got it last Wednesday night. I'm glad of that, but I wish I could have my new purse and good Fuller comb. Virginia and I had our piano lessons after Bible School.

I Dare You! is Stimulating - Monday, June 5, 1961

The first day of Bible School has come and gone. It's kind of a review for me rather than routine since I was at the journalism workshop the week of Bible School the last two years. In the afternoon I showed about 15 how to make bracelets. Mrs. Hahn, Mrs. Eckels and Phyllis were measuring plastic like crazy. I finished my skirt except for the snap. I don't think I'll put a button on this one. I found out as I read further in I Dare You! that Mr. Danforth would be afraid he had failed miserably if he wrote it for no greater purpose than to interest somebody. (See yesterday.) It is stimulating.

A Letter About our Meteorite - Sunday, June 4, 1961

Church was at 9:00 this morning followed by Sunday School at 10:00. Mr. Van der Voort was the guest speaker for church. I taught Ann's Sunday School class. I'm reading my I Dare You book by William Danforth. It's something different and really interesting. I finished my letter to Dr. Nagy about our meteorite. I'm sending it to the man who wrote the article and having him forward it. We watched Echo go over tonight.

A Typewriter as a Graduation Present - Saturday, June 3, 1961

This afternoon Grandma Kay, Mom, Ann and I went over to the Greene Center Book Store in Wellman to see about a typewriter for college as a graduation present. I think we'll probably get a Smith-Corona. I got my graduation pictures of me getting my diploma. It is pretty good considering the circumstances. We went in to town to get our meat at Richard's, too. I got the pajamas that Patty paid for as a graduation present. Virginia went home with Bonnie. I'm writing a letter about our meteorite to some scientists who are using them to find traces of life in outer space.

Making a Bracelet for Bible School - Friday, June 2, 1961

We went to town this morning. I spent most of my time helping with the wash. I exchanged the slip that Cuddebacks gave me for a smaller size and got some yellow buttons for my blouse. I finished that today and started on the skirt. This afternoon I made one of the bracelets they're going to make in Bible School. They're plastic lacing covered metal blanks. I thought they were going to be hard to do, but it wasn't too bad once I got going. Mine is red and white, and it's really kind of cute.

Surprise Breakfast and Bible School Crafts - Thursday, June 1, 1961

This morning I was supposed to take Mom, Grandma Kay, the kids, Jane Duvall, Oneita Fisher and Mrs. Brinning to Grandma's for a club surprise breakfast. As it turned out I couldn't go because of space, but at least Mom was able to go "surprised." Tonight I went with Isabelle and Mrs. Woodford to Cuddebacks to discuss Bible School crafts. I'm going to have to show the kids how to make bracelets. I sure didn't get much of anything done today. What a fast week this has been. We were going to go to town but couldn't because of the breakfast. Mom and Grandma Kay went to missionary meeting at Olive's. Virginia was at Mary's.