Twisting and Turning in Bed - Wednesday, May 31, 1961

It's rather warm. First we twist and turn in bed because of the cold and then because of the heat. Phyllis went with me tonight to a yearbook meeting. I went mainly to see the pictures they were getting back from Driscoll's. Well, the picture of Bob and me for the Danforth Awards wasn't returned and the one of me at the honor society initiation looked a mess. Virginia and I went down to Janeceks to take piano lessons. I ran Jerolyn's graduation present down to her. I finished mowing the grass.

Highway Safety Observance - Tuesday, May 30, 1961

This has seemed like Sunday. Yesterday didn't seem like Monday. It's hard to keep track in the summer. This afternoon we drove over to Sigourney. Daddy wanted to see about a bull. Most of the cars are driving with their lights on today and tomorrow in observance of highway safety. The proclamation was issued by the governor. Phyllis got up at 6:30 this morning to go to play in the band at Kalona, Richmond and Wellman, but I didn't get up till 10:00. Bishops were here and gave me $3.00 for graduation.

Away From Home All Day and Evening - Monday, May 29, 1961

Here I am 24 hours later and I've hardly seen a thing of home and nary a word to Grandma Kay or any of the family except Phyllis for that matter. I went over to work on the yearbook at 8:00 this morning. I did the Quill and Scroll page. Going back to school at noon we were playing follow-the-leader. I fell down and ruined a pair of hose and a shin. Mrs. Frazier and Doug, Shirley and Charlene Bush and Phyllis and I went to Iowa City and got Mr. Frazier, then went on to Cedar Rapids for a French supper at Gene Stromley's grandparents'. Crossetts and Helen were there, too. It was real nice. Besides Phyllis's birthday, it's also Kennedy's.

Band Plays for Memorial Day Service - Sunday, May 28, 1961

Cuddebacks came tonight and brought me a slip, and a few minutes later Stouts came and brought me a little sewing kit to use in college. Weermans gave me a pair of pretty print summer pajamas. I didn't have my class today since it was Missionary Sunday and Mrs. Weerman took it. Peters left today for the week. They can't be gone all of July as usual since Betty is taking driver training. Fudges went up, too. Virginia had to play with the junior high band at the Memorial Day service at the Methodist Church. It was the first year in years a band didn't go to the cemeteries.

More Graduation Presents - Saturday, May 27, 1961

We went to town this afternoon. I got a new pair of white tennis shoes, a chain for my editor charm, and Phyl's birthday present. Clara Ann gave me a cute white shirt as a graduation present from the church. Effie gave me a pendant and Uncle Ross and Aunt Alma a handkerchief and dollar. Mrs. Woodford wants me to teach her Sunday School class this summer. I mowed part of the grass this morning.

Sraight A's in High School English - Friday, May 26, 1961

We went over to Kalona tonight to a real nice restaurant for supper. Norma had told Daddy about it. We went back to get our report cards after dinner today. I got an A- in English - boy, was I ever holdiing my breath on that one. So that means straight A's in high school English (semester grades only count). I went down to an A- in French, A- in economics and sociology, and B in chemistry. I had a 95.75 average (A-) this year. Everyone on the honor roll got little plastic trophies. I finished washing the windows I started Wednesday and began sewing my blouse.

Daddy is Back at Work - Thursday, May 25, 1961

You'd never know Daddy just spent almost a week in the hospital. He was up and doing chores and everything like normal. We were all home today except Mom, and she had teachers' work day. I got dinner, but other than that I hardly did a thing. It's nice to just relax though, although I suppose I should be making myself useful. It has been a fast week. It was kind of cold and rainy. The senior pictures were in the Wellman Advance. Yesterday's Gold Feather was good. It was the first school paper I hadn't edited, assistant edited, or co-edited for at least 20 issues. 

Daddy is Home from the Hospitals - Wednesday, May 24, 1961

Daddy got to come home tonight. He's sleeping in my bed and I'm currently standing at Virginia and Ann's dresser writing this. Grandma McDowell and I went in to Washington's commencement tonight. It was real nice. Grandma Kay, Mom and Phyllis went up to see Daddy and brought him home. Virginia and Ann went to the junior high party. This afternoon Grandma Kay and I went to town. I got my driver's license replaced since my purse got stolen at commencement. I also bought talcum powder for Jerolyn and Mary Ellen and dark gingham. I ranked fourth in our class of 59, grade point average 94.3, Ross, 95.3, Linda 95.4, Shirley 96.2.

A Beautiful, Coveted Diploma - Tuesday, May 23, 1961

My beautiful diploma. "If....you will have earned that coveted diploma, and what is more, you'll have a well-trained mind." We had an "If" poem with that conclusion in the April school paper. I got dinner for Dale today. Grandma Kay did yesterday. It was fun using the new stove. I got a bracelet from Schwartzes to match the necklace from Grandma. I hope Grandma is enjoying her visit here after our many years (three, I guess) of coaxing her to come when she thought she wouldn't make any more trips out here. Mom took Daddy up to Iowa City to a specialist and now they have him in Mercy Hospital. 

A High School Graduate - Monday, May 22, 1961

Tonight I graduated from high school. We had a very nice outdoor commencement. The speaker, Dale Welsh of the First of Iowa banking company was very good. His topic was "Whither Bound - through learning, living and life." Mr. Driscoll took pictures of each of us getting our diploma. It was a little chilly out. From Grandma and Grandpa I got ten silver dollars, a $2.00 bill from Peters, and a little glass kitty from Jerolyn. Grandma Kay and I "kept house" today. We certainly had two beautiful nights after all our fears of rain.

Baccalaureate on the Football Field - Sunday, May 21, 1961

Tonight was baccalaureate. It didn't rain (we had all been holding our breaths and praying) and it was really nice outside on the football field. We had practice this afternoon. The whole affair shaped up real nicely. Mom didn't get any pictures over there tonight, but she took some of me in my cap and gown. I'm glad we were able to bring our honor society pendants home. The blue satin sure looks nice on the white robes. Grandma gave me a necklace that was made in Siam. Mary Ellen gave some of us little folders of stationery. Lorahs had a boy named Paul Robert.

Grandma Kay Is Here - Saturday, May 20, 1961

Grandma Kay is here now. We went to the Iowa City airport to get her. Grandma and Grandpa said they could do chores, so all of us kids went. Phyllis and I went over to the FHA mother-daughter tea. Phyl was in two things, the emblem service and a skit. Mom didn't go (she took us) but went back to the hospital to see Daddy. He will need more rest and they are still giving him shots to ease the pain. As nice as the weather has been, baccalaureate and commencement should have been last night and tonight. I know it will pour before it's all over. Daddy doesn't think he will feel like sitting up even Monday night.

Daddy Is In the Hospital - Friday, May 19, 1961

Daddy is in the hospital tonight and has been since he got home from chores this morning. He had a terrible side ache and said he'd have thought it was appendicitis if he hadn't already had his appendix out. Mom called Dr. Lloyd and he had her bring him in. They still don't know but what it's a kidney stone. Mom didn't teach and was in there all day. I got my hair fixed in town this morning--I went in the Dodge. Back home, I read magazines, spent half my time on the phone, and started cleaning house. We went back to town tonight to do the wash and Mom went back to see Daddy. That's how I spent senior skip day. We didn't go to the hobo party.  

A Danforth Award at Class Night - Thursday, May 18, 1961

Tonight was class night. Shirley Bush is valedictorian and Linda Scott salutatorian. Ross Rhodes missed salutatorian by .1 point. Bob Parcell and I got Danforth Awards. We were given copies of the book, I Dare You by William Danforth. I felt honored but Mrs. Fordyce had given me a hint that I was up for an award. I also got an editor pin and a miniature baritone pin for band. This was the last day of school and kind of sad since it was the last of everything. We had fried chicken for dinner.

A Very Nice Senior Year - Wednesday, May 17, 1961

Tomorrow is the last day of school, the last of all. I stayed after school again to lend my services to the newspaper and yearbook staffs. I didn't do a whole lot on either, but I was there. A lot of the kids were there after school tonight. I wrote the prophecy for the West Chester kids. Fred said he didn't know them well enough. I hemmed my class night dress and Virginia set my hair after I washed it. I could never have dreamed for a nicer senior year. And to think a year ago I was brooding over leaving West Chester.

Two Days of School Left - Tuesday, May 16, 1961

I can't believe that I have only two days of school left. The first two and the last two are the most "treasured" days of school. I spent all evening reading chemistry, and now I've got to "read" the last half of Of Human Bondage. I stayed after school till 5:00 to help work on the annual. That thing has a long way to go yet. I got a nice Fuller Brush comb and brush set from Leets. It will really be nice. I think I'll save it for college since Mom got me the new set last summer. Last two days, here I come.

National Honor Society Initiation - Monday, May 15, 1961

National Honor Society initiation was tonight. It was, thank heavens, very impressive. I gave out the certificates. Mr. Brown read off the new members' grade point averages, although we wish he wouldn't have. Phyllis was second highest with 95.8 and Linda Pence had 96.9. Daddy, Virginia and Ann went over, but Mom had a shower for Wanda Orr to go to. Mrs. Leary gave me a nice half slip for graduation. Today we started planning decorations for the hobo party, and I volunteered for the commencement decorations.    

Honor Society Initiation Practice - Sunday, May 14, 1961

This was Mother's Day. Ann gave Mom a box of stationery and the rest of us gave her a Betty Crocker cookbook. We had Honor Society initiation practice this afternoon. Mr. Brown wasn't even there. I'm afraid the new members weren' too favorably impressed. Some of these kids don't even give a hoot about National Honor Society. I bet they won't have any programs and my robe will no doubt drag. We sat and talked a long time at Pence's. I wish I didn't have that eezy-geezy mother-daughter tea--FHA kills me this year.

Senior Class History - Saturday, May 13, 1961

We went to town this afternoon. I bought a white purse for graduation and some gold-printed thank-you notes, although as yet I have only received my miniature cedar chest to write a thank-you for. We got a frame (finally) for my senior picture. I finished mowing what Phyllis and I didn't get done yesterday. Tonight I wrote out the senior class history for class night. Phyllis and I did some of the wash while Mom shopped. One of the washers started running water and never did stop. I wonder if it ran over. 

Graduation Dress Arrives - Friday, May 12, 1961

This is the beginning of the last weekend of my public school days--all of those wonderful weekends. My graduation dress came today. I'm so glad, because I had just gotten a card that said there'd be a slight delay. I mowed grass some and did some chemistry and French. I'm going to read awhile in Of Human Bondage. We "messed" around with carbon again in chemistry. Yesterday I blew the stopper out of a test tube--somehow--it wasn't being heated at the time. Patty Holecek took a notion to write just when I bet my letter got to her.

Mushrooms for Supper - Thursday, May 11, 1961

We started the day off by going out to Bady's timber to hunt mushrooms. Mom found three, Phyl two, and I one, and then Ann brought twenty home from Lampe's, so we had them for supper. I can't think of a satisfactory theme (one page limit) to write and apply transition appraisal to. I wrote one but don't like it very much. Everyone is giving away name cards. I never saw it done so much before. I still like mine (plain $1.35 ones) about the best of any I've seen.  

Vice President Nixon's Autograph - Wednesday, May 10, 1961

Mom, Phyllis and I went to town after school. I got a darling lavender dress at Duncan's for class night. Gretchyn Grady was in there. I went to the library to hunt up what issue of Coronet the Hobos' Code was in. Now to find the August '60 Coronet. Guess whose autograph I held this morning! Former Vice President Nixon's! That was thrilling just to look at it. Mrs. Blumenstein heard him speak in Des Moines at a $25.00 a plate dinner and got his autograph.

Student Council Campaign Speeches - Tuesday, May 9, 1961

We had a Thespians meeting tonight. We elected officers for next year and the seniors took part in installing them. Junean is the new president. They had student council campaign speeches seventh period. Dale Stout, Lois Slemmons and Ronnie Bombei are running. Ronnie has some cute pictures with funny sayings up, but so many kids seem to prefer Dale. After school I went down to Cuddebacks to call Robertsons for an appointment next Friday, our skip day.

Alan Shepard's Reception Was in Washington, DC - Monday, May 8, 1961

It just got cold again. We'd be having dress rehearsal tonight if we were still having the play. Peterses were here for a little while. We watched Alan Shepard and his reception in Washington, DC and his news conference tonight. I did some more of my chemistry. I'm on the decoration committee for the senior hobo party. I'm going to hunt up the Hobos' Code in an old issue of Coronet magazine and see if we could use that.

Corncrib Kills Our Best Cow - Sunday, May 7, 1961

I decided I had better do four pages in this unit of my chemistry workbook. Don't tell anybody, but there are 26 pages in the last unit I didn't do. But he said we didn't have to do those on sodium; then he said we should have them done. This afternoon I addressed 13 of my 20 announcements. Friday night the barnlot corncrib blew down and killed our best cow and hurt two others. I finished a letter to Patty Holecek that I started a week ago Friday.

Alan Shepard Has Made History - Saturday, May 6, 1961

Yesterday the United States made history by sending Alan Shephard into space for fifteen minutes. It was an "absolutely perfect" trip. My Decade of Man in Space original oratory speech has come true. This afternoon Phyllis and I took Jerolyn and the two Lindas to a very nice party for girls on the honor roll at Mrs. Foster's. We stopped downtown and got our miniature cedar chests that Powell furniture store is giving away to the girl graduates.  Junean got her dad's Advance office open and we were able to pick up our graduation announcements. We got a new stove (Maytag) Wednesday. 

Vieshea at Iowa State - Friday, May 5, 1961

This is being written on Saturday because by the time we got home from Ames at 2:30 this morning I was too tired to do anything but jump into bed. Vieshea was a ball! The Stars over Vieshea production was great. In the morning we toured the home economics buildings and several others. We had a special high school students Career Day "bar-b-que" at noon. In the afternoon we saw the Cyclone Review, more buildings, and Helen and I stopped to see Karen Crawford in Welsch Hall. Coming home a semi truck came so close to our bus it broke the side of the mirror and scattered glass all along the outside of the bus.

Mother-Daughter Dessert - Thursday, May 4, 1961

Tonight was the mother-daughter dessert. Mrs. Sherman talked about birds. For some reason a speaker never seems to be as effective as a program. We had to stay quite a while cleaning up. (I'll admit I was a despondent acting person - for one thing it makes me mad that Rev. Peters always takes down the attendance numbers.) I've got to get to bed in a hurry. Because of Vieshea tomorrow and no school for the FHA girls, I've got just nine days left of school.

Paste-up, Chalk and Felt Point Pen Drawings - Wednesday, May 3, 1961

The floor of my room looks like a tornado, and I skipped choir practice, but I did three more paste-up, chalk and felt point pen drawings for my project. It's much more fun than writing or reading at this time of year. I spent chore time rounding up lime, cement and sand for a chemistry experiment tomorrow. I figured I should get the stuff, as I've always been in charge at our table, but I wasn't there Monday when he assigned it. We had an FHA meeting this morning.

Sophomores Are in National Honor Society - Tuesday, May 2, 1961

Here I am with a cold in full swing again. It's maddening. Oh, by the way, Phyllis is one of the eight new sophomore members of the National Honor Society. The others are Linda Timmins, Linda Pence, Gary Swain, Gene Stromley, Dorothy Mast, Nancy Lewis and Sheila Maxwell. I worked on a picture for my project. I might try to do another one or two for a sries of scenes. I've got to put my cold to bed.

Seniors Go to Court Day - Monday, May 1, 1961

Jerolyn started my day by getting me up at 5:45. I didn't sleep very good last night--had to go to the bathroom twice. Anyway, our families told little white lies to [one of our classmates] for our sake so we wouldn't have to take her with us to Court Day. We felt awful, but we didn't want her trailing us all day. Court Day was interesting. Lee, Arthur, Jim Slockett and Fred got called for the jury. Lee and Jim were on it--also Linda Crile and a lot of kids I knew. I went to an Honor Society meeting tonight but just got there in time for adjournment.