Planning to Get a Brown Horse - Monday, July 23, 1962

Tonight we went up to a place near Sigourney to look at a horse they had. I guess we're going to get it. He's brown and alright except sort of a fat stomach. (That, by the way, is one of my problems!) Then, too, like me, his hair (mane) sort of sticks up! Ann is at Darlene's. Merl and Jim stopped after they finished up their detasseling - for good, they hope. Merl has to leave tomorrow. Roberta Hess stopped with Jerolyn's present to me that I never got for helping with the gifts - a pretty bracelet.

We Had Steaks on Our New Barbecue Grill - Sunday, July 22, 1962

Daddy had a touch of flu or something this morning so didn't go to church. We used our new barbecue grill for steaks for dinner. This afternoon I didn't do much though I made attempts at letter writing and reading Gone With the Wind. We filled out my financial agreement for next year at Park and sent them the 10 cents (at first I thought it was $10) we owe them. Maybe the trimester program won't be too bad. Daddy had a church board meeting tonight.

Helping Merl and Jim Detassel Corn - Saturday, July 21. 1962

This morning Phyllis and I went along with Merl and Jim to help them detassel corn in Cuddebacks' field out past Duvals. They've been doing it for several weeks, but this was the first time we've helped. Merl has to be home for a job Thursday. We've barely seen him. I finished mowing grass this afternoon (although that that I did Monday could stand cutting again). I also started my suit  jacket. Duke got caught in the fence in the grove this afternoon. Lying down, he had us scared for a minute. Tonight I helped Mom pick cucumbers and read my Sunday School lesson.

Phyllis Talked To the Governor - Friday, July 20, 1962

Phyllis got home from the Young Republicans State Convention this evening. She had a real good time and got to talk to the governor and everything. I put the waistband on my skirt. It's finished except for the hemming. I mowed grass. Mom made some dishes and a vase from some little plastic beads melted and shaped. I wrote a letter to Marge.

Phyllis Went to the Republican State Convention - Thursday, July 19, 1962

First I was gone and now Phyllis. She left this afternoon at 1:00 for the Republican State Convention. Mom came up to Iowa City and got me this morning about 9:30. I went to Mary Ellen's German class with her. Familiar 8:00 language classes! I didn't do one good constructive thing all day again - nuts! Maybe I could get so I stop thinking about how fast time is going and think more for the present but without neglecting the future entirely. We were going to play miniature golf tonight since Bonnie was here. The green was closed because of the rain so we went to "Swingin' Along." Funny show, again.

Seeing Mary Ellen's Snail Research - Wednesday, July 18, 1962

This morning Helen walked me across the river and I met Mary Ellen and went to her lit class with her. They were discussing "Oedipus Rex." Their class seemed a lot like ours at Park. This afternoon we went to the Baptist Church with a friend of hers to practice the organ. Then I went to work with her and got to see some of the research for a disease caused by snails in humans in China rice paddies. Walking back to Helen's place I ran into Karen Baker Speas for the first time since her wedding. We went to Helen's hospital ward and met some of the patients. Show and pizza tonight and now I'm in Mary Ellen's room on the other side of the river.

Went with Helen to Barbecue Day in Kalona - Tuesday, July 17, 1962

This morning Mom and the kids dropped me off at Barbecue Day in Kalona on their way to Iowa City. Mom went up to have a mole removed from her face. I met Helen and we spent several hours in Kalona. We took the Schroeder kids on the ferris wheel. We went to Birkey's house for supper, then back to Kalona for a little while before coming to Iowa City where I'm spending the night with her at her rooming house.