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.
Calves Did Okay - Saturday, July 9, 1960
It rained all day so that put a stop to our hay making here. I finally started sewing my blue dress. It will be pastel with sleeves, shirtwaist, and a band down the back. Mom spent a lot of the day cleaning the side porch.We sold some calves yesterday that did okay. (I guess we still live in a poor man's world!) I hate to see the summer slip away. The kids want me to stay up and watch the Miss Universe pageant.
Pen Pal Letters - Friday, July 8, 1960
I deserve a six-gun salute! For the first time in more than a year I don't owe a single pen pal letter. I wrote four tonight, including an answer to one I got today. And Sunday I answered one who last answered me 16 months ago. We finished the baling at Grandma's. Virginia and Ann went swimming to watch Denise. I had a horseback ride. Virginia got some guppies from Rita and a zebra fish in Iowa City.
More Hay Baling - Thursday, July 7, 1960
More hay baling--and the baler quit again, at the end of the afternoon. Mom and Ann went to the dentist and then did the washing and went to the library for us. We were all supposed to go to the dentist, but the hay conflicted. I'm glad to know that the kitties are safe over by the corn crib. The kids went along to Iowa City to shop.
Enjoying Making Hay More - Wednesday, July 6, 1960
We baled hay again this afternoon. It makes a long afternoon, but I think I am enjoying making hay more this year than I did last year. I can only find one kitten - haven't seen Coky all day. Phyl is proud of how much I like that kitten. I made apple crisp for dessert. I'm getting the noon meals this week.
Getting Dinner Ready - Tuesday, July 5, 1960
We were baling hay this afternoon so I didn't take my band lesson. Boy, this last week has gone fast! Today when the baler worked it rained just after the fourth load was baled. I drove the tractor to put the hay up in the barn. I spent most of the morning getting dinner ready so I could take Virginia in the Dodge for her lesson - lasted till 12:00. She's at Kleinschmidts tonight.
Fireworks From the Front Porch - Monday, July 4, 1960
We thought we'd be spending the Fourth of July making hay, but as it was the baler wouldn't work and they didn't get any made. We kids were out at Grandma's all afternoon since we were going to help. Phyl was down in the hay field. Grandma and I looked at road maps for a long time. Tonight we watched our annual fireworks from the front porch.
Homemade Ice Cream - Sunday, July 3, 1960
I recovered this diary with black and white tweed plastic adhesive. I don't know if I like it. Cuddebacks were here tonight. We made homemade ice cream, played softball, etc. Their kids take a lo out of me. Cute little Rikki, Sonja and Sheri have been out at Grandma's today. I answered three pen pal letters and now have only four to go.
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