Monotone Voice - Tuesday, January 24, 1961

Here I am, still alive and well, but cold. The school over there was sure cold today. We got the honor society order taken care of, but it looks more like special education than honor society--the order blank! Then they can't find our charter number either. I was surprised that I gave my declam speech "satisfactorily", but I have too monotonous a voice. I wish I could concentrate more on chemistry when I get the chance to read it. 

Shook Up - Monday, January 23, 1961

We had an Honor Society meeting tonight. I resigned my post as treasurer "worrying" about Mr. Brown's command to get the order for jewelry and other things sent off tomorrow. I'll have to see him home room period but have declam, etc., and so forth. But why do I get so shook up--speaking to me roughly in front of the group, maybe? Bravo, I was nominated for president. Our water pipes and faucets were frozen this morning and they burst in three places during the day. We might have been swimming if Daddy hadn't been here.

Dennis's Scratch - Sunday, January 22, 1961

This cold weather is not to my liking. I did manage to get ahead and finish most of the chemistry unit we're on now--which amounted just to the review. My "Greetings Extra-terrestrials" takes just either side of ten minutes. Yi! Dennis scratched me yesterday morning on the hand when I pushed him out of bed. I enjoy looking at it! I slept to within fifteen minutes of church time this morning. Wish I could start going to bed at 6:00. This week should be goodly average. Here's hoping I get myself off the chemistry failing list!!

Ann's Birthday - Saturday, January 21, 1961

Today just seemed to go too fast. It was Ann's birthday. Mom went to Iowa City to her class. I slept till 10:30, then the kids talked me into burning trash. This afternoon I washed my hair, but it took me till 2:30 to get anything accomplished. I was reading about and discussing the "changing of the guard" from the oldest president to the youngest president in history. I did my chemistry. I should get ahead on it for once, as this will be another busy week. We had Ann's birthday supper tonight.

President Kennedy - Friday, January 20, 1961

John Fitzgerald Kennedy is now the President of the United States. I am going to miss Eisenhower. Imagine going through college under Democratic rule! I was going to go to town after school but ended up babysitting. I made enough finances to to give Ann a dollar bill wrapped around a cartridge for her birthday. I was going to get a Farm Bureau scholarship blank in town, and Mom didn' have time, but it can wait. Mom served concessions at the girls' game tonight.

Thespian Society -Thursday, January 19, 1961

I'm now a member of the National Thespian Society. The three Kalona members (Mary Ellen Miller, Sally Skola and and Curt Cox) and Mrs. Kephart plus Mr. Evans gave a very nice initiation program for the new members. We got pins, certificates, and membership cards. Mom and Phyllis went with me. Darlene Lampe is staying all night with Ann. Mr. Statler wasn't there today so I had study hall all morning long. I still didn't get a whole lot accomplished. I'll never be able to wear my beloved blue suit again--I cut it off too short! I didn't know I liked it so much!

Bridge of No Return - Wednesday, January 18, 1961

It is snowing--or at least it was--tonight. Leave it to Family Night or Ann's birthday to bring a (big) snow. Believe you me, this has been an unusual winter. This is only our second snow. At Family Night Dave Livingston, Jr. showed slides of Korea. They are missionaries there. One impressive picture was the Bridge of No Return looking over into Northern Korea from South. We got our report cards. For the semester I had: English, A-, chemistry, B+, government and French, A. I'm thrilled!!