Parkville's Christmas Decorations Are Up - Monday, November 27, 1961

Barb Page and Kathy Olson have both been in about French and I've spent two hours on it myself. What if I flunked out of college? Currently I'm on a happy-go-lucky "don't sweat it" splurge but it will probably end. I don't like to worry about my grades if I can possibly help it. I got "yelled at" in gym - "Young lady, don't lift your back foot when you lunge!" and she lifts hers head high in "imitating." I wrote a letter to the youth fellowship. I went down to Parkville with Vivien. Christmas decorations are up. A house meeting has just been called.

Exploring Mackay's Clockworks - Sunday, November 26, 1961

This afternoon Flo and I walked down to the Missouri River and sat on a log by the edge of the water. It's just a short distance out a mud road through a corn field from the edge of Parkville. The people who keep the Parkville city dump live out that way and they have some cute Beagle pups and chickens running around. Then Flo and I explored the clockworks of Mackay. We found our way up a rickety old ladder and found old pictures (including the class of 1902) up there among old broken boards and chairs. We got up there by going through a door in the back of a third floor room. Tonight some of us went to youth fellowship. Midway through we were handed a note that said "Salvation Army try outs, be quiet!" We had a good sermon today by Dr. R.M. Trelease of St. Paul's Episcopal.

About 40 Girls Are Gone - Saturday, November 25, 1961

Sunny weather in the mid 60's is sure wonderful. Flo, Barb, Teresa and I played tennis in our sweat shirts and slacks this afternoon. Tonight Marge, John Blair, Ken Knarr, Nancy Ayers, Fred Kieslar and I played cards in the lounge. Lora Lee popped  us some corn and came to join us. Quite a few of the girls (about 40, Mom said) are gone this weekend. I had a long sleep this morning without speech class and Viv worked the breakfast crew so she wasn't around to get up about 8:00 or 9:00. I'm reading the Cyclops chapter of the Odyssey. I remember that story - I wonder if we had it in grade school?

Went to See Movie, "Cimarron" - Friday, November 24, 1961

I only had two classes today since world lit didn't meet due to the slides we had Tuesday night. I came back at 10:00 and did my washing and my French. I'm afraid I turned my housecoat sort of a sweat shirt blue. This afternoon I managed to read two chapters of the Odyssey - I've eleven to go to get caught up with where I should be. Tonight Lora Lee and I went to see "Cimarron" about the settling of Osage, Oklahoma, based on Edna Ferber's novel. Peggy and Keith sent me a $2.00 bill - for graduation. This was another nice day. Yesterday we didn't have to wear coats - but I fear I should have to Alfalfa Point. My throat's a little raw.

An Enjoyable Thanksgiving at Park - Thursday, November 23, 1961

My first Thanksgiving away from home was nice. I didn't get up till 10:30 - it was good to sleep for a change. Vivien's and my breakfast was sweet rolls and tea. The Thanksgiving dinner was served family style and it truly tasted just like a good old home Thanksgiving dinner. I guess the taste and style of Thanksgiving food is a national tradition for sure. Vivien and I walked up to Alfalfa Point this afternoon. It was really inspiring and relaxing to look out over the Missouri. When we got back Mom had food left over from dinner in the lounge - again just like Thanksgiving supper at home. Now I must get busy and read the Odyssey. I intended to write four letters today but only got the round robin answered.

Staying on Campus for Thanksgiving - Wednesday, November 22, 1961

Well, we've gotten a lot of the kids who are going home for Thanksgiving off. There will be more tomorrow - the excitement of those leaving mixed with the "woe" (ha!) of those staying for an air of general vacation excitement. It will be interesting to see what I would have missed if I'd gone to Varners. We didn't have French this morning because Dr. Hampl had a migraine headache. There was a Thanksgiving party in Mackay tonight but Vivien and I decided we'd rather take it easy here. I ran my tuition check over to the business office when it came today and then went to Parkville to buy some toothpicks.

100 Extra Points for Genetics Problem - Tuesday, November 21, 1961

I was feeling great till I took the art test and then the sky sort of fell in. I don't know, maybe I did okay but he grades so tough. I think I had best go to bed now even though there's the Odyssey and always more art to read. We didn't give speeches again today and since he called off Saturday speech class I won't have to give mine till next Tuesday. Gosh, I got the extra- credit genetics problem we did last Thursday right for 100 extra points. I can use that! Lab took a long time today but it was interesting - stripes on sunflower seeds. We had slides in Alumni for world literature tonight.