We went Fishing in Cuddebacks' Second Farm Pond - Sunday, August 1, 1965

We went down to Cuddebacks' second  farm this evening to go fishing. I baited dozens of hooks with our liver bait for Ann and Peggy but didn't fish much myself. Except for a nice size one Daddy caught, most of them weren't very big at all. This afternoon I read the Sunday paper and played Snatch. I seem to be in a semi-depressed mood. When I write to Tex I guess I'll tell him I'll be very busy with meetings and getting ready to teach. I just don't think I'll have a lot of time to see him if he comes to Kansas City the last of August.  

Saw Amana Colonies with Jane, George and their Kids - Saturday, July 31, 1965

Like finally seeing the ocean when we did, we finally got to the nationally famous Amana Colonies in Johnson County, adjacent to our Washington County. We ate a picnic lunch at Lily Lake. At the woolens store I bought some red and green plaid wool for a sheath dress. Then we went to the furniture store, meat shop, winery, hearth oven bakery, kitchen and cooper's shop. It was so interesting to see all of their old implements and manner of occupation and the nice products they still make. We're glad Schwartzes wanted to go and invited us to go with them. We showed our New England slides tonight.

Schwartzes Came Here by way of Lake Michigan - Friday, July 30, 1965

Schwartzes got here this evening. They first went to Niagara Falls, into Canada, and back across Lake Michigan. We all went to Cuddebacks tonight for ice cream and cake for Grandma and Grandpa's wedding anniversary. I went to town with Phyllis this afternoon. She's still going in for contact lens appointments. I looked at clothes but didn't see much. I bought a pattern for the dress material I bought in May. I forgot to say yesterday that we traded our Ford in on a '62 blue with white roof Chevrolet.We have a fleet of three Chevrolets now.

Talked about Ron Fisher and National Geographic - Thursday, July 29, 1965

This evening I talked with Oneita Fisher. She's so much "fun" and thinks a lot like our family does. I found out some about their son Ron Fisher's work at National Geographic but will try to write to him to find out more. Mrs. Fisher said he hates to write letters so that I should have him call me - from Washington, DC. I think I'll try just sending him a questionnaire and self-addressed stamped envelope.

Have a Second Big Scrapbook of Park Momentos - Wednesday, July 28, 1965

We all combined our efforts and got the grass mowed this evening. We girls then went out to Grandma's for some ice cream made with the new electric ice cream freezer that Leets got for Grandma. I talked to Oneita about my Quill and Scroll article - I'll go to talk with her tomorrow evening about my "approach" and find out about Ron's work. I have most of my things glued in my scrapbook now. Two big ones covering four years of college will be nice to have. Mom and I went to town this morning but I didn't find a raincoat I went to look for at Duncans.

Can Write about West Chester for Quill and Scroll - Tuesday, July 27, 1965

I got a start toward the article on West Chester students doing things connected with journalism that the executive secretary gave me permission to write for Quill and Scroll magazine. Mrs. Fordyce was quite enthused when I called her about it, and we decided it would be okay to approach it from the West Chester standpoint rather than Mid-Prairie. After talking to their mothers and getting their addresses, I wrote to Jim Orr and Tom Bauer for "information." I did some more sorting and am to the place where I need to put things in my scrapbook and album (except for ordering some picture reprints).

Am Reading a Book on Teaching from Oakwood Manor - Monday, July 26, 1965

If I could just remember that one of my primary goals for this summer was simply to relax and rest up for fall, everything would be fine, because I am doing just that. The trouble is, I have a guilty feeling that has to do with not doing anything when I can think of a few things that I should do - such as reading and getting some of my things in order - photograph album and scrapbook up to date, sewing, etc. Oh well, I guess this is when I, too, "don't do anything that I don't want to do." I did sort a couple of boxes of stuff today and began reading the book on teaching that Mr. Fuller gave me. I got another letter from Ed (Tex) and wrote to him. I'm going to try to start calling him Ed.

Mom Showed Slides that Included Park's Commencement - Sunday, July 25, 1965

Since there wasn't any church at our church, we went to the Methodist Church this morning. It was nice - we enjoyed being there and I think they enjoyed having us. This afternoon the girls went swimming with Ron and Dan and I went with Mom and Dad on a Sunday drive through Wellman, Kalona, Hills, Riverside, Richmond and the surrounding country. The "kids" came back here for hamburgers. Later we showed the slides of our trip and Park's commencement. Then we showed some of the old ones from our "childhood."

Jim Took us to Jalopy Races in Columbus Junction - Saturday, July 24, 1965

Tonight, out of curiosity's sake, Phyllis and I went to the jalopy races at Columbus Junction with Jim. The night that we picked turned out to be one of the "roughest" nights they've ever had. In seven races, there were six wrecks, but each time the driver was apparently only shaken up. One car turned end over end, one went over an embankment, and one sailed over a dike. (Phyl and I were getting cotton candy and missed seeing that one!) This morning Virginia and I went in to town for an hour. My colored pictures are nice - they cost $12.00 to develop!

The Lions Club had Their Ice Cream Social Tonight - Friday, July 23, 1965

Mom got me up this morning to go with her and Phyllis over to the school to clean up the old "band mothers" shack. Daddy is president of the Lions Club now and they used the building for their ice cream social tonight. This afternoon Phyllis, Virginia and I sunbathed for a little while, although we were probably nuts to lie in the sun when it was so hot. It seemed as if Grandma Kay was the main topic of a "gripe session" this afternoon. Phyllis and I were riding our bikes on the back road tonight when Jim came along to ask us if we want to go to the car races tomorrow night.

2 Letters, 8 Postcards and a Phone Call in 11 Days - Thursday, July 22, 1965

It was hot again today. I mowed the rest of the back yard, but it was wet and the mower quit before I got the ditches mowed. Daddy worked on them some this evening. This afternoon I wrote a letter to Bonnie since I've owed her one since she left Park in June. I got another letter from Tex but I'll wait a while before writing to him again - Two letters and eight postcards in eleven days are good enough, plus a phone call between the postcards and second letter. I've received two letters about teachers' associations and insurance policies.

Hotter Today but This is Coolest July Since 1891 - Wednesday, July 21, 1965

Gradually it's getting cooler - from 95 to 84 to 79 - but it doesn't feel much different. I guess we're noticing today's heat since this has been the coolest July since 1891. I didn't do much today. I wrote an eight page letter about our trip and enclosed three postcards to Mrs. Cowan at a cost of 45 cents, cut out more oaktag letters to use for tracing construction paper letters for third grade bulletin boards, and did a little reading. This evening I rode my bike and looked at my three college yearbooks. Shirley is here now and Betty and Linda will be coming, too, to spend the night. Virginia has gone to a show with Bonnie. Mom and Dad are helping freeze Lions Club icecream.