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.
New Calves - Saturday, August 20, 1960
We went to town this afternoon. I took my cornet in for checking and repair. I was going to get an appointment at the eye doctor's, but he wasn't there. We girls went together for Mom and Daddy's anniversary present. Phyllis and I got library books. I talked to Marilyn, and Sue Kerres stopped me and we talked about the "new" Cedar Rapids school, etc. This morning Mom, Daddy, Norma and I looked at the nice new calves.
Mid-Prairie Territory - Friday, August 19, 1960
Tonight we drove over past Dwight Collivers over near Kalona, but they weren't home. It is real interesting country over there--all of it Washington County and Mid-Prairie territory. Mom trimmed my hair. Daddy went to the Washington sale and bought eight calves to go with the 21 he got yesterday at Kalona. I wrote lines of interest in my high school scrap book and put the dates on my columns.
Hoeing the Garden - Thursday, August 18, 1960
I just finished a letter to Patty Holecek. I started it Tuesday but haven' been in the mood since. My hair needs thinning. (Mom will do it tomorrow.) I have circles under my eyes and I need to get rid of some blackheads. (Senior pictures are creeping up and I can't break the camera.) I hoed the garden. I've spent the day recuperating from yesterday and Tuesday night.
Mom is Okay - Wednesday, August 17, 1960
This morning Mom went back to the doctor. He said she was okay. Phyllis had to stay and bale Kenneth's hay. Mom bought us underwear and socks and I bought black material to make a fall tight skirt. This afternoon we all baled and put up Kenneth's hay. I did most of the wash which was just sheets and towels this time.
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!
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