Still Hemming and Sewing - Thursday, August 31, 1961

Today in the way of sewing I finished hemming my quilted skirt, finished my blue dress, made a laundry bag, and started a skirt from the striped material I got from Grandma Kay for Christmas. I called Helen Birkey and she had been going to call me to ask Phyllis and me to a get-together at their place tomorrow night. I'd better start packing. It's only a week now. I think I lost a couple of weeks in here somewhere. I haven't done anything and yet I have.

Sewing, Mending and Hemming - Wednesday, August 30, 1961

More sewing today. In fact, I spent practically every spare moment at or near the machine. I just have the hem left on my dress. The belt started coming apart, too, so I'll have to fix that when I finish it. I'm shortening my red quilted skirt. It has over five yards around the hem. I'll have to hurry to get all my sewing, mending and hemming done before it's time to pack. I don't know where the time went all of the sudden. I wrote to Rae Goush.

We Go to See the Movie "Parrish" - Tuesday, August 29, 1961

Tonight Linda and Abbie, Phyllis, Virginia and I went to see the movie "Parrish." Linda drove. It was a very good show. It starred Troy Donahue of "Surfside Six" but I haven't watched TV enough to know him. I got dinner for Daddy again and sewed my dress collar on and made most of the belt. I finally got a letter from my original "Big Sister" after all this. She was in Phoenix so that is why I hadn't heard from her.

Mom and My Sisters Go Back to School - Monday, August 28, 1961

They went back to school today without me. I guess Virginia and Ann got along okay at junior high in Kalona. They didn't say a whole lot about it except for their studies. Virginia is taking as a ninth grader subjects we took as sophomores. Ann is in an advanced math class and will be ready for algebra in eighth grade. Mom only has 14 in Kindergarten. She is using the second grade room this year. I went to the eye doctor for my progress report. They're okay. I spent some time with Marilyn and another girl. I don't think Marilyn is looking forward to college as much as I am. 

Have Never Seen a Faster Summer Vacation - Sunday, August 27, 1961

In all my life I have never seen a faster summer vacation - and I'm not even going back tomorrow and had about a week before they did. Phyllis Crone and I were going to get together this weekend but something must have interfered. I wrote to my roommate and "Big Sister." My poor pen pals are really being neglected now with my college correspondence. Phyllis and Daddy rode the horses this afternoon. Gee, I can't snap my fingers yet! The kids all can. It will seem strange not to go back to school on the first day of school.

Still Working on the "Big Sister" Problem - Saturday, August 26, 1961

Today I got a letter from Sandy Mossiman - the one I wrote to about my big sister. As I already knew from Vivienne's letter, we do have both a "Big Sister" and a counselor, and since I haven't heard from Rae Goush, Sandy herself offered to be mine. This afternoon Mom, Virginia and Ann went to town and Phyllis and I helped with the hay. They brought me a pretty purple vase to give to Norma for Christmas. I was going to get a piece of "glass" for her in Kansas City but this way I won't have to worry about it getting broken.

A Total Eclipse of the Moon - Friday, August 25, 1961

We did more hay this afternoon. We certainly had our difficulties. The rope had to be fixed, Daddy cut his finger, and the tractor fan belt was broken and we had to shut off the tractor every time or two we put a load of hay in the barn. Bob Brown has been helping here this week. Tonight there was a total (except for one per cent) eclipse of the moon. It started about 7:30 and should finish in about an hour. We also saw the "added attraction" - Echo - go over. Mom, Virginia and Ann washed in Wellman this afternoon.

A Tour of the Iowa State Penitentiary - Thursday, August 24, 1961

Today the youth fellowship toured the state penitentiary at Fort Madison. We saw the dining room where there are row upon row of counter-like tables all facing the front and set with metal plates and cups and a cell in one of the maximum security buildings. The cells were four rows high. We saw the Protestant chapel, their recreation area, a glance at their industries, and their school. Some of them really have talent in things like art, electronics, and preparation of Braille books for the blind. You wonder why some of those ordinary looking men are there. Phyllis, Daddy and I took the Hole girls. I bought a black pleated skirt.

A Long Owed Visit is Paid to Norma - Wednesday, August 23, 1961

We put up the rest of the hay in one field this afternoon. I paid Norma a "long owed" visit and then took her some peaches. Now I don't feel so guilty. I sewed this morning and hemmed up another skirt and wrote a letter this evening. Mom went to a Seifferts style show that the Lodge is sponsoring at the school. She was on the refreshment committee. I can't find my January 1-6 diary text that I wrote on separate paper before I got this diary.

Mom Starts Teachers' Meetings - Tuesday, August 22, 1961

I spent a lot of the day sewing on my dress. I'm trying to be really careful with it so that it will be especially nice. Virginia had Julia and Mary here this afternoon. Mom had teachers' meetings today as she will all week. Part of the time she'll be working in her room though. I never saw a faster summer (seems like they just got out of school) or faster year. Those reddish-purple four cents stamps have finally come into style. Magenta is one of the fashion rages this fall. I wrote a letter to Carol Martin. Yesterday Mom painted my initials on some of my things and painted their old brown luggage blue.

A 20th Anniversary Cake for Mom and Dad - Monday, August 21, 1961

This is Mom and Dad's 20th wedding anniversary. Phyllis, Virginia and I went to the dentist this afternoon. I had two fillings and Phyllis one. I hadn't had any in quite a while. He has a new kind of drill that sprays water when he drills and hardly hurts at all. After we kids pooled our money for a cake mix and frosting for their anniversary cake we walked around town with only three cents to our name. We were able to use the services of the library though. I wrote to Phyllis Crone. She's at Paris Beauty Academy in Cedar Rapids.

Peggy and Keith's House and Property - Sunday, August 20, 1961

We went to the root beer stand for dinner, then came home and decided to go down to Peggy and Keith's. Keith had gone fishing, but Peggy showed us the way out to the house and property they are going to buy south of town. The house looks kind of run down, but it is big and can be fixed up nicely. I'm on my third cartridge pen. If this one gets taken I think I'll croak! I wrote to Merry Lee Dean and Sandy Mossiman (Big Sister co-chairman) hoping one of them can straighten out who's to be my "Big Sister."

Still Shopping for Things for College - Saturday, August 19, 1961

All the things Mom has bought me for college! Everything we got today were things I need and a lot of it we were lucky to get on sale: my iron, waste paper basket, summer and winter hats and gloves, two purses, fountain pen, key case, green belt for my dress (which I finished making tonight), alarm clock, slip, three bras, swim suit and cap, and car coat buttons. It's just like Christmas (and probably will be my Christmas!). Mom said the kids would be wearing dresses made from dish towels! I started cutting out my winter dress. I decided to do it on the back side of the material.

Grandpa Borrows "I Dare You" to Read - Friday, August 18, 1961

Not much did I really accomplish today. This morning I mowed some grass. This afternoon I rested and hemmed a skirt. It has been a hot day and we're all tired from all the company being here. Aunt Bertha is out at Grandma's. I took Grandpa my "I Dare Yo" book to read. He wanted to borrow it. Now a pair of intricately horned little moths are visiting me. They have dainty feather-like antennae. Mary is home with Virginia. Mom froze peaches. Daddy mowed weeds. Phyllis consented to "home typing lessons"!?!

A Letter From a Hawley Hall Floor Counselor - Thursday, August 17, 1961

I feel myself getting slower. I find it hard to hurry - even now, for instance, when the kids are yelling at me to hurry up and get in bed so the light won't be in their eyes! Help! I finished my dress except for the hem. I am starting to hem up some dresses and skirts. I got a letter from Merry Dean from New Mexico who is to be my Hawley Hall floor counselor this year. I'll have to find out if I'm still supposed to hear from my "Big Sister." Norma "gave me a talking to" about never going over to see her. I do feel guilty about it.

More Clothes for College - Wednesday, August 16, 1961

Today I put the soil samples I have in the containers. I had just 25 - more than I thought. A few are skimpy but that adds variety. I got another letter (form) from a Park girl about another of the five brother-sister clubs. Mom ordered me a magenta dress that I like, a longline bra, and a basket purse from Lana Lobell. I'll need hats and gloves for college. I think we had thought of everything I'll need, but some things we weren't sure about. We took our last piano lessons. I took the book, Iowa Outpost, all about Grace Hill, including Sheryl Vodicka's house, down to Sheryl. 

Park Will Have 153 New Freshmen - Tuesday, August 15, 1961

We had another potluck supper out at Grandma's - Cuddebacks, Esteps and us. I got a freshman handbook and a book with pictures and addresses of the 153 new freshmen at Park. It's too bad they had to use my old junior picture reprint close-up. I suppose it could have been worse. In town this morning I got brown flats, green corduroy tennis shoes, a mirror, soap dish, and 25 of the 50 bottles I'll need to put my different states' soil samples on display. I ironed some of my clothes this afternoon.

Phyllis Registers for Her Junior Year - Monday, August 14, 1961

Tonight we went to the club picnic in the park. Mom was in charge of it. Mom, Virginia, Ann, Edna and the Estep girls went in to reserve the pavilion this afternoon. The kids went swimming. Phyllis went over to register this afternoon with some of the kids. (I can remember how frightened and uncertain the two of us were on that day last year!) She is going to take English, chemistry, Spanish and history. I sorted out my clothes. Most of them are good enough to take to Park. I have about ten things to shorten! We did my suit this morning.

Esteps Are Here for Dinner - Sunday, August 13, 1961

Esteps were here for dinner and the girls are staying here tonight. Merl was in my Sunday School class today!?! Goodness, I don't believe I did much of anything today. I answered Bob Barnes' letter. I hope I hear from my "Big Sister" before much longer or I am going to have to write to the first girl to see if she can get me another one. I didn't get my room cleaned up. I wonder what the Estep girls think! I started reading the first of our Bible Stories series. It is interesting. We're planning to use the set for Sunday School opening exercises since Johnsons have the set, too.

Slides Show Ann Was a Cute Little Girl - Saturday, August 12, 1961

We finished up the hay baling out at Grandma's. We did 642 bales this week. I guessed 640! Tonight Mom showed a lot of our slides. I never realized Ann was such a cute little girl!?! I answered Vernice Varley's letter, but I don't know what the LLC Club is. I also wrote another letter to Vivienne. I should write to my pen pals, too. I'm afraid some of them will have almost become a thing of the past by the time I start writing college letters home and to friends around here.

Most of the Visiting Relatives Have Gone - Friday, August 11, 1961

Last night seemed like sort of a short night since I woke up at 4:30 when Ruth and Bob got up. I turned over and went back to sleep though after deciding I didn't need to see them again. Leets and Varners left, too. This morning we went out to Grandma's to put up one load of hay and we also helped Grandma with house work. I got quite a little done on my dress even with going to Cuddebacks for the afternoon.

A Family Dinner at Cuddebacks - Thursday, August 10, 1961

Today we all got together for dinner at Cuddebacks. It was fun while we were there but some of us had to leave to do hay. Phyllis and I didn't get to see most of the movies and Daddy not any but I guess we'd seen them before. Bob, Ruthie, Paul and Debbie, the girl they brought with them, are staying here tonight. Bob took a picture of us with his Polaroid Land camera. One of those would be nice to have. I got a letter from Bob Barnes who lives in Maple Heights, a suburb of Cleveland. His letter was more specific than the one I got yesterday. As we figured, they sent the names of the new students to the upperclassmen.

Mom Receives Her M.A. Degree - Wednesday, August 9, 1961

Mom got her M.A. degree tonight. We went up to watch and Grandma went along. Delbert helped with chores so that Daddy could go. There were about 700 getting degrees. The Ph.D.'s went up on stage to get theirs. Peters and Stouts went up for the graduation. The graduates really marched in fast. We had ice cream and cake at Grandma's for her birthday when we got back. Jimmy had the Grand Champion lamb at the fair and two reserve champions! We finished mowing the grass. Virginia and I had piano lessons. I got my Sylvania transistor radio. It's sort of a cocoa beige. I got a letter from an Iowa girl at Park.

All of the Visiting Relatives Are Here Now - Tuesday, August 8, 1961

Well, everyone is here now. Paul Robert is a cute little boy. He "hasn't any neck" and looks like a Gerber's Baby ad. Delbert drove us kids down to Cuddebacks to get Betty and Linda. Esteps got there just after we did. We all really gave them a rousing war-whooping welcome. Ruthie and Bob gave me a nice leather letter holder and a hose holder for graduation. We did the wash in Wellman this morning. Mom took Mrs. Fordyce's book back to her plus a gift (necklace) for the use of it. Mom froze 35 pints of corn this afternoon. I mowed a little grass and wrote my letter for the round robin Mary Ellen, Helen, Linda and I are having.

Russian (Titov) Circles the Earth 17 Times - Monday, August 7, 1961

Leets took my write-up to the Journal on their way to Richard's early this morning and it was in the paper tonight. It made a nice article; also Mom's name with the area SUI graduates. Virginia is staying all night with Mary Dunbar. The rest of us went to the first night of the fair. They've got a real nice county fair this year in all respects. The carnival is a lot bigger and pretty nice. We baled hay out at Grandma's this afternoon. Oakey about had a fit over my driving the Plymouth! The Russians sent a man around the world 17 times - Gherman Titov. We went to the City for Mom to get her cap and gown.  

71 Attend the Leet Family Reunion - Sunday, August 6, 1961

We went to the Leet family reunion today at Grandma's.There were 71 people there. It was nice being able to see everyone again, especially the Millers from New Mexico. They haven't been back here since they moved there when Martha and I were in eighth grade. The kids haven't changed and are still so nice and fun. There are so many of those Leets I don't know, although I'm finally beginning to get them all straightened out. They had me write up the article about the reunion for the Journal. It's fun to get back to news writing. All in all it was a very successful day. They toured their (and our) former home and farm.

We Help Grandma Clean for the Leet Reunion - Saturday, August 5, 1961

We girls spent the day at Grandma's helping her clean house for tomorrow's McDowell-Leet reunion tomorrow. We went out after Betty and Linda left and had planned to come home for dinner but ended up staying. We gave the house a pretty good going over. I haven't cleaned for so long in ______(?). A man who is attempting to make the first coast-to-coast glider flight has been in Washington since Thursday. He came over West Chester and "landed one mile north of Chester" (sounds like Grandma's) in Peiffer's field. Grandma heard him on the Hy-Vee phone! Another old corn crib out there blew down last night.

Three Families of Cousins Go Swimming - Friday, August 4, 1961

Leets were here for dinner and supper. Betty and Linda are staying all night. This afternoon Leets, Cuddebacks and we kids went swimming. It was quite a mob scene considering the fact that no grown-ups were along! The cousins have grown up! I didn't get anything done in the way of sewing. I did manage to practice my lesson for the first time. These summer days are going far too fast. I keep comparing this to last summer. I don't like to brag, but I do have a good memory for certain things! (I can remember what I wore on the first day of school for all but 7th grade and 10th - or do I remember that!?)

Will Buy Things for Our Dorm Room in K.C. - Thursday, August 3, 1961

I got another letter from Vivienne. An Oklahoma girl who's a junior at Park thinks it would be better to wait till we get there to buy things for our room. I had been going to suggest that in my last letter. K.C. is a fifteen minute bus ride away. We had figured it'd be about that. Sounds fun! I got a letter from Sandy Mosiman saying my "Big Sister" will be Rae Goush from North Kansas City. I drove to unload four loads of straw. I finished my house coat. Mom had Missionary Meeting here this afternoon. Kenneth and Janet were here tonight.

Phyllis Has Her Driver's License - Wednesday, August 2, 1961

Phyllis is now a licensed driver. It will be handy for her to be able to drive places without Mom along. It will be different having a sister driving. There are some of the cutest little moths that come to my light to visit me. This one is white with tiny black dots. We did the wash. Betty and Linda Sue went in with us. Harold got them at the laundromat at 10:00. I bought a pair of real light beige shoes for $2.00 at Atchisons and a pair of new shoe laces for my tan shoes. A small plane sprayed the crops (beans) around here for grasshoppers. I began my dress. Piano lessons.

Mom Passed Her Comps, Will Have Her M.A. - Tuesday, August 1, 1961

Mom found out in Iowa City this morning that she successfully passed her comps, so now she'll have her M.A. As if she had anything to worry about! When we were at the A&P grocery store I shut my right middle finger in the car door. It was swollen so I kept it on a cold box of French fries on the way home. It's still pretty stiff. I got some white buttons and was able to finish up my housecoat except for the hem. We saw Leets for a few minutes when they stopped here at noon. Jimmy is cute and little Alice looks like a little doll.