At Grandma Kay's for the Start of a New England Trip - Saturday, July 10, 1965

We got to Grandma Kay's about 6:00 our time, after having left at 6:00 this morning. There was quite a lot of traffic - the most we've seen on the turnpike - but we took our time and had a good trip. I hope not all of those cars were going to New England! I drove for a while from near the Indiana - Ohio border to 30 miles from Cleveland. After supper we walked over to look at the new swimming pool that has been built in the park in back of Grandma's house. We've been looking at family history and New England brochures.

Clyde Johnson's Wife and Kids Stopped to See Us - Friday, July 9, 1965

I got a nice letter from Tex this morning and used up some leisurely morning hours answering it at the picnic table in the back yard. I was more or less waiting for him to write first, since he mentioned that he would, so that our letters wouldn't "cross." This afternoon Mrs. Clyde Johnson and her four kids from Indiana stopped on their way home from Hannibal. Mr. Johnson used to play with Mom on Arthur Avenue. He is a Great Lakes steamship captain. I did some ironing - some things twice, after I got them messed up in my suitcase. Ann showed me a preferred way to pack clothes so they won't wrinkle as much.  

Helped Daddy with Typing in His High School Office - Thursday, July 8, 1965

Mom had the club ice cream social here tonight. There was a nice group for it, and for once it didn't get too cold. Daddy had a school board meeting so couldn't be here. This morning I went over to the high school with Daddy and acted as his "private secretary" by helping him with some typing. Other than the fact that I sometimes had a little trouble reading his handwriting (his "Wyse" looked like "Wipe") and starting the salaries in the wrong blanks of a page, I got along fine. I went to town with Phyl this afternoon to take my Park check to the bank, and we washed the car. She had to go back to the eye doctor.

Saw Mrs. Leary Teach First Graders in Reading - Wednesday, July 7, 1965

This afternoon I drove over to Wellman to watch Mrs. Leary teach twelve first graders in remedial reading. I wanted to see how someone else's approach compared with mine. She was doing okay but is kind of "set in her ways." I'm pleased with some of my own ideas. (That about sounds like a direct contradiction.) I really am being lazy this week, except for some reading. I haven't even written any letters. I think I won't do much until after we get back from our New England trip, and I wonder how much I'll do then.

Rode Bikes with Mom on the Back Road This Evening - Tuesday, July 6, 1965

We went in to town this afternoon about 3:00. Phyllis had another appointment to see about the contact lenses she has now. I took my two water damaged dresses, some winter clothes and my commencement hood to the cleaners. They don't know if they can do anything with the dresses, but they will see. I took out three books from the library. Now I'm reading Papa's Wife which Mom and Phyl recommended. I can't decide if the minister's family in it is Episcopalian or not. Mom and I both rode bikes on the back road this evening.

Didn't get Named with Sisters to Help Make Hay - Monday, July 5, 1965

I worked on getting Mom's trunk that got wet in the Parkville basement "flood" back in decent shape. Using turpentine and soap and water, as suggested by Tex and following that with a coat of floor wax, it came out looking quite good. I rode my bike on the back road again - I've missed being able to do that. I put away my clothes, making Virginia's closet crowded once again. Daddy had the other three girls go out to help make hay but didn't name me as having to go. Maybe he thinks "teachers" shouldn't have to help with hay making.

Ruthie, Boys Came to Iowa While House is Remodeled - Sunday, July 4, 1965

We had a "Glorious Fourth" although I think the fact that it was on Sunday made it a little more quiet. Tex called me as planned at 9:30 so we would know the other got home okay. They drove back to Texas last night rather than today. We had several sparklers that we did tonight, plus a little tin cartwheel that never took off. Earlier this evening we went out to Grandma's. They rode the horses and we visited with Ruthie. She and the three boys came back with Grandma and Grandpa Tuesday and will be here while their house is being remodeled.