Marilyn Monroe Committed Suicide - Monday, August 6, 1962

Time rushes on. This was a hot day. Marilyn Monroe committed suicide early Sunday morning with sleeping pills. I've been reading "On the Shores of Silver Lake." It's so interesting to read about the girls and Ma and Pa out on the prairie right where we were. They took down one of our landmarks today - the big elm tree in the far south fence row. It almost looked human when it fell, as if it were writhing in pain. I wrote a long letter to my "little sister." I got one from Marilyn where they live now in Florida and one from Mrs. Cowan.

Shopping in Washington - Wednesday, August 8, 1962

We went swimming this afternoon while Mom washed. I went uptown then and bought a pair of red slacks to replace my worn out red shorts. I'm getting too fat for some of my clothes. I hope I can still get into those blue slacks I got from Donna Marshall. Mom got me a new girdle, slip and panti-slip (one of the new fads). I mowed the front side yard tonight so it would look nice for missionary meeting tomorrow. Mom had a committee meeting at Ralston's this morning so I helped get dinner started.

Rev. Clark Was at Our Church Today - Sunday, August 5, 1962

The Clarks from near Iowa City were here for church today since Peterses are in Minnesota now. Grandma had them and us for dinner. Mrs. Clark was born in the old parsonage in West Chester fifty years ago. And she's also taught at Frenchburg. Yes, it still is a yet small world. Virginia played the organ for church and did an excellent job. She and several other girls have been taking lessons from Mrs. Helcher at the church this summer. It was a rainy day. It just doesn't seem as if the big Leet reunion at Grandma's was a year ago today.

Hearing About Deaths of Five Near Volga - Saturday, August 4, 1962

We went in to town for a short while tonight on a few items of business. I didn't get out of the car. I finished my suit. This afternoon on the Ft. Dodge radio station news I heard "Volga" (they head each news item with the name of the place). At first I thought they meant Russia, then heard something about the murder of five "in this small northeastern South Dakota farming community." Sounded exciting (!) and I heard a little more at 3:00 and 5:00. Since it's where Jim and Dick Peeke are from, it's a small world.

Determining Who Will Bring What to Our Room - Friday, August 3, 1962

Friday again already. I've almost decided to give up trying to do anything this summer except in the clothes line. Marge wrote and said in none too considerate words she didn't think we needed the pole lamp room-divider, then proceeded to say she was bringing a 4x4 stuffed donkey some guy had given her. I wrote back about the same to her, only softening to my old self in the last paragraph. We have two new cousins, Martin Andrew Estep and Calvin Ray Varner, born August 1st and 2nd. Cuddebacks leave tomorrow on their trip to Virginia.

Saw Horse Shows This Afternoon and Tonight - Thursday, August 2, 1962

We (Mom, Dad and I) went in to the horse show as the climax of the county fair tonight. Ann went in with Denise and Virginia and Phyllis went with Timmonses. We girls were also at the one this afternoon while Mom washed, but that was all that was left of the fair. They really had some nice horses. I sewed a little more on my suit and Phyllis and I got most of the grass mowed. I've never locked a diary. Maybe I should write down my loves and hates and do so.

We Followed the Sac-Fox Indian Trail - Wednesday, August 1, 1962

We got home from a wonderful trip about 3:00 this afternoon. We drove past Buena Vista College at Storm Lake and then came on home through Boone, Ames and Tama. We followed the Sac-Fox Indian Trail, several miles of gravel road, and saw some Iowa Indians. Everything is as usual here. I had a letter from Mary Ellen and one from Vivien. I guess Park got her minister as the new college pastor. Right now I feel like going to bed and starting to re-read some of the "Little House"  books. Phyllis went to the fair with Pences. Peggy McKinstry, representing West Chester, is Miss Washington County. Diana Reiff and Deanna Statler had the champion 4-H demonstration, Larry the champ lamb.