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.
Babysitting - Tuesday, August 16, 1960
I babysat for Fudges tonight--for practically as long as I did New Year's Eve. I guess I learned the art of seven-week-old baby care--crying "half" the time, getting her bottle too hot at first. Schwartzes left this morning for St. Louis to visit a friend of George. Phyllis and Daddy have been baling Kenneth's hay. Virginia and Ann went swimming at the Y tonight with Mrs. Fisher.
A Voice From Space - Monday, August 15, 1960
We washed in town this morning and Schwartzes did. Mom went back to the doctor. He had her go to the hospital for an X-ray (just a good idea). I think she feels a lot better. We saw Echo I again. An Iowan had the first voice to reach Earth from space. We played our horns tonight.
Mom Still Not Well - Sunday, August 14, 1960
All of our family except Mom went to church and Peggy went to Sunday School. I helped Mrs. Johnson teach Mom's class. Grandma and Grandpa and Cuddebacks were here tonight. This afternoon everyone but Mom and I drove around. I read A Lantern in Her Hand and Mom rested. I think she's getting better. Writing this on Virginia's trunk doesn't help handwriting!
Mom Might Have Pneumonia - Saturday, August 13, 1960
Mom still didn't feel good so she went to the doctor this afternoon and got some shots and medicine. She has been in bed since. It might be pneumonia. Tonight we saw the Echo I satellite go over. Launched yesterday or so, it has had the President's message bounced off it. Jane and I got supper. Phyllis and I mowed the grass. This morning we looked at my college catalogs and "talked college."
Pipeline Tubes - Friday, August 12, 1960
If I don't start catching up on some sleep soon I'll never make it through the coming school year. Mom hasn't felt too good today. Her summer school after-effects, probably. This morning we went out to look at the pipeline. The tubes are laid out now. Karen would go clear through them. We went over by Slemmons', too. We played some with George's golf clubs.
Schwartzes Are Here - Thursday, August 11, 1960
Schwartzes got here this afternoon about 1:30. Grandma didn't come along. Karen has grown and is so cute. I didn't accomplish much today. I don't think I'll watch the math program much more, at least not while they're here. Mom and Daddy have moved into my room.
Pipeline Roomers at Grandma's - Wednesday, August 10, 1960
This afternoon Phyllis and I went over to Wellman to register for high school. It went so fast, but we used up $22.80 for lunch and book rent. It will be different over there alright. Some pipeline roomers from Oklahoma moved into Grandma's today. There are sure a lot of out-of-state cars up by Millers Garage. Daddy helped the Lions Club freeze ice cream for their social tonight.
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