About the diary writer
- Barbara McDowell Whitt
- Kansas City, Missouri, Alexandria, Virginia, United States
- ~ About: A 1961-65 Park College Diary ~ As a high school girl and then a college coed in the first half of the 1960s, I wrote nightly entries on the pages of one-year diaries. In January 2010 I began transcribing the entries into a blog and gave each one a title. I grew up on three farms within 30 miles of Iowa City and the University of Iowa with its Iowa Writers' Workshop. As the oldest of four daughters, in my diaries I sometimes referred to my sisters as "the kids" or "the girls." We helped our parents, but we also had good, wholesome fun - a characteristic I took with me to Park. Park is 300 miles southwest of West Chester, Iowa, in Parkville, Missouri, on the Missouri River 10 miles northwest of Kansas City, Missouri, and across the river from Kansas City, Kansas. In 2000 Park College became Park University. Today Park's flagship campus is in Parkville and there are an additional 41 campus centers across the nation. Park was one of the first educational institutions in the United States to offer online learning. My last post was on May 22, 2018. I may be followed on Twitter @BarbaraMcDWhitt.
An Approaching Thunderstorm - Saturday, July 2, 1960
It seems like I wake up later and later - 10:30 this morning, I think. I cut off and hemmed up the yellow curtains for the bathroom, ironed the kitchen curtains, and mowed most of the yard - Phyllis had mowed my part. I washed my hair. I think I hear a thunderstorm approaching. They have most of the cultivating done and have mowed some hay. They also replanted some beans and corn this week.
A Funny Day - Friday, July 1, 1960
Mom painted the bathroom walls. The paint looks like chocolate ice cream. This has seemed like a funny day. I have been reading On the Beach (almost all afternoon). The kids went swimming with Denise. I wasn't in the mood to start sewing my new dress.
Two Surprised Cats - Thursday, June 30, 1960
It has been rainy today. We girls tackled "Mom's" big stack of ironing. I ironed the whole time they were out at chores. Mom and Virginia painted the bathroom woodwork. I just now realized I wasn't outside all day. Virginia, carrying two cats, ran into Mom with the cream and coffee. Splash! And surprised cats! I wrote to Grinnell and Cornell and the College Entrance Examination Board.
Swimming in Town - Wednesday, June 29, 1960
Fudges have named their new baby girl (born Sunday) Becky Ann. We went in to the horse training again but there was no sign of much activity. We went to town this afternoon and went swimming. Mom washed. I bought some light blue material to make another summer dress. Iowa (especially Ottumwa) had up to 115 mph winds yesterday afternoon.
"Captain" of the Band Kids - Tuesday, June 28, 1960
I went to Linda Crile's farewell party for Sue tonight. Beth and I were the only other girls there. We had a weiner roast and then sat listening to comedian records. It was fun, but I didn't know the other girls would wear shorts. (I didn't know about the weiner roast.) At my band lesson Mr.Eddy gave me a test. I play at the B- level. He wants me to be "captain" of the West Chester band kids.
More College Letters - Monday, June 27, 1960
Mom painted the back porch a lighter gray this afternoon.We all helped paint the lawn chairs and two telephone cable spools (for picnic tables) white. We are going to paint the bathroom beige. I still have sore legs. I finished the "diary" part of The Works of Anne Frank and started on Kon-Tiki. I'm stilll getting my college letters.
Lake Odessa Boat Ride - Sunday, June 26, 1960
I feel as if I am going to lose my legs! They're really painful from the sunburn I got yesterday. We had planned to go see Bill Martins in Hedrick but found out that Gordons were going there. Daddy suggested that we go down to Lake Odessa near the Mississippi. It was really crowded with one or more of every kind of person. Lo and behold, Van Winkles were down there and we all rode in their new boat. It was fun.
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