The Decade of Man in Space - Saturday, December 31, 1960

It's New Year's Eve, and I'm not babysitting, traveling or anything. But I think I'm too tired to stay up. I got a seven page typewritten start on my research paper. I worked on my Sunday School report all morning and took it up to Mr. Peters in the Dodge. It started rolling down the street when I got out. They had the Ford in town. Taking a trip always takes a hunk out of vacation, but who cares! Thus ends 1960, the first year of  "The Decade of Man in Space".

Science Project - Friday, December 30, 1960

I hardly did a thing all day. I forgot that the annual reports should probably be ready for Sunday's meeting, so I'm trying to get mine finished up. I tried doing a little on my science project but with no luck. However, I decided I'm not going to attempt an Otswald color solid. It would take ten years and then be almost meaningless, I think.

Mom and Berea - Thursday, December 29, 1960

We got home about 8:30 tonight. Dale had the lights on, the house just like home, and the mail on the table. I drove some on the turnpike again, this time in Indiana. I started writing my original oratory speech. We stopped at Mom's cousin Ira's in Oberlin, Ohio this morning. He's the one who's responsible for Mom going to Berea. It's good to see things--Christmas tree, room, etc.--just like we left them, as though I thought they'd change!

Short Wave Radio - Wednesday, December 28, 1960

Ruthie and Bob and Mr. Lorah (and the cat--which stayed in the car) stopped to visit at Grandma's at noon time. In the morning Phyllis and I walked to the shopping center. I got post cards and have written several, including one in French to Shirley Bush. We went ice skating again. Rene, next door, gave us a pair of majorette boots. I think I'll be a majorette at Park! Tonight we listened to George's short wave radio. Something about a "female dragged away from phone"!

Mom's High School - Tuesday, December 27, 1960

Tonight I went with my pen pal Patty Holecek to a basketball game at Mom's old high school. Lakewood played West Tech and they were both undefeated in six games. Lakewood led the whole way and then West Tech won by four points. It was sure fun. Phyllis and I walked over to Holeceks this afternoon to take Patty a pillow, but she was working. We visited with Mrs. Holecek. All of us visited with Aunt Nell and Mrs. Clause this morning, and in the afternooon went ice skating on a pond in Westgate. The rest of them drove downtown to see the city Christmas lights, but I was at the game.

Turnpike Driving - Monday, December 26, 1960

We got a fairly good start for Ohio this morning and got here in thirteen hours. It snowed until we got into Illinois. We went right near to the place where those three ladies were murdered in Starved Rock State Park last spring. They let me drive some on the Ohio turnpike for about an hour. Daddy slept in the back seat! Karen is quite a little girl. In Illinois we also saw the various canals--I'd never noticed them before. We'll have quite a little ways to go to Edington, Illinois to play basketball.

To Leave for Ohio - Sunday, December 25, 1960

Christmas 1960, and we're getting ready to leave for Ohio. We went out to Grandma's tonight to have supper with them and Pat and Delbert and Jeff. I got a letter holder with the Ten Commandments on it from Grandma and Grandpa. This afternoon I worked on extra credit themes for English. Christmas seems different without presents in the morning, but I think I "used" last night better not just thinking about what I would get. I liked this "Sunday" Christmas better than I recall liking them.