About the diary writer
- Barbara McDowell Whitt
- Kansas City, Missouri, Alexandria, Virginia, United States
- ~ About: A 1961-65 Park College Diary ~ As a high school girl and then a college coed in the first half of the 1960s, I wrote nightly entries on the pages of one-year diaries. In January 2010 I began transcribing the entries into a blog and gave each one a title. I grew up on three farms within 30 miles of Iowa City and the University of Iowa with its Iowa Writers' Workshop. As the oldest of four daughters, in my diaries I sometimes referred to my sisters as "the kids" or "the girls." We helped our parents, but we also had good, wholesome fun - a characteristic I took with me to Park. Park is 300 miles southwest of West Chester, Iowa, in Parkville, Missouri, on the Missouri River 10 miles northwest of Kansas City, Missouri, and across the river from Kansas City, Kansas. In 2000 Park College became Park University. Today Park's flagship campus is in Parkville and there are an additional 41 campus centers across the nation. Park was one of the first educational institutions in the United States to offer online learning. My last post was on May 22, 2018. I may be followed on Twitter @BarbaraMcDWhitt.
Thus Ends The Best Year of My Life So Far - December 31, 1961
This is something - I'm not going to stay up till 12:00 and the New Year. To think how many 12:00s I've seen in the last three months and it probably won't be long till I'll be seeing more. Jerolyn called me after dinner. She got an engagement ring from Charles for Christmas. He goes to school in Kansas City. It would be nice if Jerolyn and I could get together some time when she's down there. My permanent turned out well. It will need some good brushing and care. I went out to the pasture for a little while with Phyllis and Ann to snow boat. Thus ends the best year of my life so far - 1961.
Listened to French Records Today - Saturday, December 30, 1961
These days are going fast. Today I finished "Oedipus King" and "Antigone," the two Theban plays that we had to read, and started my French booklet, Audubon. Mom gave me a permanent this morning. I listened to my French records. Mom went to Olive Munro's funeral and then went up to Linda McKinstry's wedding. I was going to be in bed and asleep before Phyllis finished her bath, but she's done already. I consider this her room now after it was mine for so long.
Helen Hosts a Tea That Five of Us Attend - Friday, December 29, 1961
I went to a tea at Helen Birkey's this afternoon. It was fun hearing the various college tales. Mary Ellen, Karen Plecker, Linda Scott and Judy Johnson were there. I took Karen from Wellman to Helen's. I found out one thing - I'm not going with [the Washington boy] tomorrow night. The girls said they knew him - that was enough. That's what I figured most likely. Phyllis went to the game at Keota tonight. I was going to but decided not to since I saw most of them today. We went out to Grandma's for supper with Varners. I guess several college kids were at the game - as if my presence would have made a difference.
Spent the Day with Marilyn - Thursday, December 28, 1961
Today I spent the day with Marilyn. I got there about 11:00. Of course, we didn't get a whole lot accomplished but we had a good visit. We went to two of her friends' houses this afternoon. We went to Dorothy Nelson's, and then Dorothy took us over to Barb Miller's. Barb was Washington's salutatorian last year. The youth fellowship had a skating party tonight. I was talking to [a Washington boy]. I'm probably awful for stalling - "I don't know." - when he asked if I was busy Saturday night. He said he'd call Saturday - I do have to study - he seems okay, but - oh, I don't know.
Sliding in the Pasture on Snow Boat - Wednesday, December 27, 1961
Well, I have about seven pages of art left to do. Today was cold, Daddy had the flu, the Dodge wouldn't start when we were going out to do chores, and I got shocked twice on the separator. Oh well, there's always tomorrow! The kids have been going sliding in the pasture on the new snow boat we got. Cuddebacks got one for Christmas. Guess I'll have to try it. I'd like to take it down to try to use it on Mackay hill. Mary came out for the afternoon. Mom had Lodge tonight. She helped serve.
Found Benjamin Fairless's Book - Tuesday, December 26, 1961
We went to town this afternoon. I got Benjamin Fairless's book at the library on Phyllis's card. I got three pairs of mesh hose for $1.65 at Wards. They're not supposed to run much, and I'm always snagging hose. I ran into Van Winkles so I finally had a chance to talk to Marilyn. I'm going in Thursday to spend the day. I spent quite a bit of time doing my art note taking. I can see I should have used last week to better advantage. Only a few more good flings at pleasure will be all I have time for this vacation. It will soon be gone anyway.
It Has Been a Beautiful Christmas Day - Monday, December 25, 1961
It has been a beautiful Christmas Day. I just love Christmas. There's something about it that's always the same. This one was really white.You know though, in a way Christmas doesn't seem like Christmas - you wait for it and then when it's here (and then it's as good as gone) it seems as if something's "missing." I got a nice pair of slacks, orange blouse, blue striped sweater, diary, two ears of corn (biology - I'd said I'd seen enough of it - purple and white kernels), cute red robe, snow boots, gloves, socks, jewelry, big paper clip, paper fastener, "hatch-a-cactus," photo album, year book (will use for "thoughts"), hand lotion, sachet and a bath powder mitt. We went to Grandma's for a nice big Christmas dinner. Our tree is so pretty this year. Christmas Day always goes so fast.
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