Mom and My Sisters Go Back to School - Monday, August 28, 1961

They went back to school today without me. I guess Virginia and Ann got along okay at junior high in Kalona. They didn't say a whole lot about it except for their studies. Virginia is taking as a ninth grader subjects we took as sophomores. Ann is in an advanced math class and will be ready for algebra in eighth grade. Mom only has 14 in Kindergarten. She is using the second grade room this year. I went to the eye doctor for my progress report. They're okay. I spent some time with Marilyn and another girl. I don't think Marilyn is looking forward to college as much as I am. 

Have Never Seen a Faster Summer Vacation - Sunday, August 27, 1961

In all my life I have never seen a faster summer vacation - and I'm not even going back tomorrow and had about a week before they did. Phyllis Crone and I were going to get together this weekend but something must have interfered. I wrote to my roommate and "Big Sister." My poor pen pals are really being neglected now with my college correspondence. Phyllis and Daddy rode the horses this afternoon. Gee, I can't snap my fingers yet! The kids all can. It will seem strange not to go back to school on the first day of school.

Still Working on the "Big Sister" Problem - Saturday, August 26, 1961

Today I got a letter from Sandy Mossiman - the one I wrote to about my big sister. As I already knew from Vivienne's letter, we do have both a "Big Sister" and a counselor, and since I haven't heard from Rae Goush, Sandy herself offered to be mine. This afternoon Mom, Virginia and Ann went to town and Phyllis and I helped with the hay. They brought me a pretty purple vase to give to Norma for Christmas. I was going to get a piece of "glass" for her in Kansas City but this way I won't have to worry about it getting broken.

A Total Eclipse of the Moon - Friday, August 25, 1961

We did more hay this afternoon. We certainly had our difficulties. The rope had to be fixed, Daddy cut his finger, and the tractor fan belt was broken and we had to shut off the tractor every time or two we put a load of hay in the barn. Bob Brown has been helping here this week. Tonight there was a total (except for one per cent) eclipse of the moon. It started about 7:30 and should finish in about an hour. We also saw the "added attraction" - Echo - go over. Mom, Virginia and Ann washed in Wellman this afternoon.

A Tour of the Iowa State Penitentiary - Thursday, August 24, 1961

Today the youth fellowship toured the state penitentiary at Fort Madison. We saw the dining room where there are row upon row of counter-like tables all facing the front and set with metal plates and cups and a cell in one of the maximum security buildings. The cells were four rows high. We saw the Protestant chapel, their recreation area, a glance at their industries, and their school. Some of them really have talent in things like art, electronics, and preparation of Braille books for the blind. You wonder why some of those ordinary looking men are there. Phyllis, Daddy and I took the Hole girls. I bought a black pleated skirt.

A Long Owed Visit is Paid to Norma - Wednesday, August 23, 1961

We put up the rest of the hay in one field this afternoon. I paid Norma a "long owed" visit and then took her some peaches. Now I don't feel so guilty. I sewed this morning and hemmed up another skirt and wrote a letter this evening. Mom went to a Seifferts style show that the Lodge is sponsoring at the school. She was on the refreshment committee. I can't find my January 1-6 diary text that I wrote on separate paper before I got this diary.

Mom Starts Teachers' Meetings - Tuesday, August 22, 1961

I spent a lot of the day sewing on my dress. I'm trying to be really careful with it so that it will be especially nice. Virginia had Julia and Mary here this afternoon. Mom had teachers' meetings today as she will all week. Part of the time she'll be working in her room though. I never saw a faster summer (seems like they just got out of school) or faster year. Those reddish-purple four cents stamps have finally come into style. Magenta is one of the fashion rages this fall. I wrote a letter to Carol Martin. Yesterday Mom painted my initials on some of my things and painted their old brown luggage blue.