Daddy is Home from the Hospitals - Wednesday, May 24, 1961

Daddy got to come home tonight. He's sleeping in my bed and I'm currently standing at Virginia and Ann's dresser writing this. Grandma McDowell and I went in to Washington's commencement tonight. It was real nice. Grandma Kay, Mom and Phyllis went up to see Daddy and brought him home. Virginia and Ann went to the junior high party. This afternoon Grandma Kay and I went to town. I got my driver's license replaced since my purse got stolen at commencement. I also bought talcum powder for Jerolyn and Mary Ellen and dark gingham. I ranked fourth in our class of 59, grade point average 94.3, Ross, 95.3, Linda 95.4, Shirley 96.2.

A Beautiful, Coveted Diploma - Tuesday, May 23, 1961

My beautiful diploma. "If....you will have earned that coveted diploma, and what is more, you'll have a well-trained mind." We had an "If" poem with that conclusion in the April school paper. I got dinner for Dale today. Grandma Kay did yesterday. It was fun using the new stove. I got a bracelet from Schwartzes to match the necklace from Grandma. I hope Grandma is enjoying her visit here after our many years (three, I guess) of coaxing her to come when she thought she wouldn't make any more trips out here. Mom took Daddy up to Iowa City to a specialist and now they have him in Mercy Hospital. 

A High School Graduate - Monday, May 22, 1961

Tonight I graduated from high school. We had a very nice outdoor commencement. The speaker, Dale Welsh of the First of Iowa banking company was very good. His topic was "Whither Bound - through learning, living and life." Mr. Driscoll took pictures of each of us getting our diploma. It was a little chilly out. From Grandma and Grandpa I got ten silver dollars, a $2.00 bill from Peters, and a little glass kitty from Jerolyn. Grandma Kay and I "kept house" today. We certainly had two beautiful nights after all our fears of rain.

Baccalaureate on the Football Field - Sunday, May 21, 1961

Tonight was baccalaureate. It didn't rain (we had all been holding our breaths and praying) and it was really nice outside on the football field. We had practice this afternoon. The whole affair shaped up real nicely. Mom didn't get any pictures over there tonight, but she took some of me in my cap and gown. I'm glad we were able to bring our honor society pendants home. The blue satin sure looks nice on the white robes. Grandma gave me a necklace that was made in Siam. Mary Ellen gave some of us little folders of stationery. Lorahs had a boy named Paul Robert.

Grandma Kay Is Here - Saturday, May 20, 1961

Grandma Kay is here now. We went to the Iowa City airport to get her. Grandma and Grandpa said they could do chores, so all of us kids went. Phyllis and I went over to the FHA mother-daughter tea. Phyl was in two things, the emblem service and a skit. Mom didn't go (she took us) but went back to the hospital to see Daddy. He will need more rest and they are still giving him shots to ease the pain. As nice as the weather has been, baccalaureate and commencement should have been last night and tonight. I know it will pour before it's all over. Daddy doesn't think he will feel like sitting up even Monday night.

Daddy Is In the Hospital - Friday, May 19, 1961

Daddy is in the hospital tonight and has been since he got home from chores this morning. He had a terrible side ache and said he'd have thought it was appendicitis if he hadn't already had his appendix out. Mom called Dr. Lloyd and he had her bring him in. They still don't know but what it's a kidney stone. Mom didn't teach and was in there all day. I got my hair fixed in town this morning--I went in the Dodge. Back home, I read magazines, spent half my time on the phone, and started cleaning house. We went back to town tonight to do the wash and Mom went back to see Daddy. That's how I spent senior skip day. We didn't go to the hobo party.  

A Danforth Award at Class Night - Thursday, May 18, 1961

Tonight was class night. Shirley Bush is valedictorian and Linda Scott salutatorian. Ross Rhodes missed salutatorian by .1 point. Bob Parcell and I got Danforth Awards. We were given copies of the book, I Dare You by William Danforth. I felt honored but Mrs. Fordyce had given me a hint that I was up for an award. I also got an editor pin and a miniature baritone pin for band. This was the last day of school and kind of sad since it was the last of everything. We had fried chicken for dinner.