1970 Diary

(Transcribed by Kathy Desterhaft)

Previous month - March

WEDNESDAY, April 1, 1970 - I got up fairly early and got started right away at my washing. So I got it done early & dried & mending done. I felt better today. I got the polka dot dress finished sewing in the hem tonight. Out electricity went off from around 5:30 to 7:00 P.M. Very snowy and bad outside tonight. Snowed pretty hard this P.M.

THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 1970 - Around 3 to 4 inches of snow. Gene was over very early and graded the snow out of the lanes. I got up in good time & got started to work. Got my ironing done and finished fixing my polka dot dress. Made covered buttons for the jacket. Made a good dinner and did u my work. Gene's got the groceries for me. Pat & Joann called today. Made Holy Hour. Sort of lonesome tonight.

FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 1970 - I got up at usual time, so I got my breakfast & did various jobs around here & also watered all the house plants and then sorted a lot of old letters & threw them away. I read my prayers. Gene took down check for 1st half of my taxes. Joann, Wilma & Pat called me and I called Betty. We had a good talk. A good letter from Sister M.

SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 1970 - I got up early & took my bath and got started in good time at my work. Dave visited me. Read my prayers in the forenoon but I got along real good with my work & got done before noon. In the P.M. I read my prayers and go ready to go with Gene to Confession & to Mass. Leonard's came out afterwards & got their eggs. Dave & Rita brought out our supper. It was very good. Then we played Yahtzee until way late.

SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 1970 - I got up and got my breakfast over in time to see & hear most of the Shut Ins Mass. Then I got all my work done up & Paul & Lillian came. Also Louise. We all had a nice visit and enjoyed it. Got my dinner then no company all P.M. or eve. It got along O.K. Felt some better today. Made my late Holy Hour.

MONDAY, April 6, 1970 - I got up fairly early. Have a scratchy throat today & cold in my head, so don't' feel too good. I wrote out checks to pay bills this morning & also wrote a letter & sent a card to Sister Leona. This P.M. I got a little rest. This evening I finished another quilt block and laid out my last one to sew up for this quilt.

TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 1970 - Ben's planted peas today. I got up early as I had my sleep out. Still bothered with my cold but it got better as the day went by & it was very nice today but windy. Men, Mike & Benny planted peas. Joann & Barbie also came out & I started on planning out Wilma's red apron. It will take quite a while. Louise & I went to our card party tonight. I enjoyed it a lot. Wrote to Sister after I got home.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1970 - Joann called to tell me that Joe was engaged. A fairly good day today. I got up real early & got my washing started & wrote a letter to Bro. John & card to Edna Draker. I got along real good, even done my little dab of ironing before noon & afternoon worked some on Wilma's red apron and also quilt blocks. Gene fixed the bobbin winder for me on my sewing machine tonight. Leonard & 3 children came for a little while.

THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 1970 - I got u rather early and got my breakfast & started to baste on Wilma's apron. Cooked rhubarb. Cooked parsnips & made a pretty good dinner. Gene & Betty got my groceries. Benny came out to visit me before he leaves for Vietnam. I really enjoyed it & we had a nice visit. Wilma & Pat called & I called Libb & Betty. I sewed some this eve & watched TV as usual.

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 1970 - It was a real nice day. The farmers are busy sewing oats. I wrote to John Frantz. Mailed water rent, telephone bill & ordered the Sick Call Sets. Benny left for Vietnam today. I watered plants & made rolls to take to Gene's for supper tonight. They turned out real good. I got all my prayers done before I went.

SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 1970 - I got up and took my bath & got my day started. Marilyn came out early & washed my hair & put it up. Got Bless her. I just worked around today; cleaned floors, sewed a little. It rained off & on this P.M. But we went to Mass & it was O.K. I sewed a little on a quilt block & played solitaire.

SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 1970 - A fairly nice morning. I got my breakfast over & bed made before the Mass for Shut Ins was on. I enjoyed it as usual. Then Louise came down and visited for a while. I got me a good dinner. Fried chicken TV dinner from Ron & Pat. Apple custard pie from Wilma & apple salad made from apples that Louise brought me. Wilma called then called her back later. Rained hard this eve. Mary called from Eldon's - said Alan is getting married May 9. I called Betty to tell her. Then Pat called me.

MONDAY, APRIL 13, 1970 - I got up early & went to 7:00 Mass with Louise for a Mass for Dad on the anniversary of his death. So thankful that I could go. I didn't really get much done today. Tried to work some on Wilma's red apron. Sewed a little on quilt block. Wilma, Libb & Joann called. Also a lady about the Legion of Mary. I called Betty then go an appt. for a permanent April 23 at 2:00 P.M. then called over to tell Betty. Gene answered. Wrote letter to Sister tonight.

TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 1970 - I got up pretty early. I was anxious to hear about the astronauts. They are coming back after having trouble. I sewed some today and more encouraged with Wilma's apron. I wrote to Bro. John & Sgt. Joe, watered plants. Bessie called & said Chris got awful sick & had to have an operation about 1:00 A.M. today. Ben stopped in a little while. Mrs. Bro came over to tell me that they were moving.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 1970 - I got up fairly early and got my washing done & dried. Washed 2 rugs. I just about finished Wilma's red apron. Went to the mail box once again and walked around some in the yard. I talked to Co. Engineer. Found out the numbers I should have on Bro's & Pet's houses. Pat's family came & brought a good supper. Gertrude & Nick came out. Also Leonard & 3 children. Glenn & Nick took the children to Catechism & L took Deb.

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 1970 - I got up early, as I couldn't sleep. So I got my ironing done & Wilma's apron finished and a holder made to match apron. Gene's got my groceries and he also got me the house no for Bro's & Pete's & put Pete's on the house. Wilma came late this P.M. Then Lillian visited me & after she left I got my supper. Then Libb, Lyle & Rita came. Libb helped me with some dresses.

FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 1970 - I got around in pretty good time and I was pretty busy all forenoon watering plants. Put up my hair & also ironed some. Read my prayers and got my dinner in good time and watched the astronauts land. They had a very successful landing. Betty took me down to get my eyes tested. Dr. said he could give me some help to see a little better.

SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 1970 - Marilyn & Bill Kruse's baby girl born today. It got up and took my bath & took my time. Ben's were out here to plant their potatoes way early, as it looked like rain and was sprinkling, so they got it done. Also radishes & lettuce planted. I made 4 eggs into noodles. They turned out pretty good. Betty came over & vacuumed my floors. God Bless her. Gene & I went to Mass at 5:10. Windy, cold & rainy tonight.

SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 1970 - I got up around 6:30 A.M. so I could have my breakfast over & work done so I could watch the Mass for Shut Ins at 8:00 A.M. Then I got my prayers said & got ready to go out to Pat's with Gene's. We had a very nice time there today with Leonard's family & had a big dinner & supper. Got home around 6:30 & then around 7:30 or a little later went with Louise & Carl to Gene's & played cards & had a very nice time.

MONDAY, APRIL 20, 1970 - It was a fairly good day, but chilly. I mailed a card to Bill & Marilyn for the baby, then I made the 2nd trip to the mailbox as the Sick Call sets came & I wanted to bring them in. I made some good bean soup & also 4 eggs into noodles. They turned out good. Betty got my gift for the showers - Dorothy's baby & Alan's Linda. Joann, Libb, Wilma, Pat & Margaret all called today. I called Betty.

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 1970 - Another chilly windy day. I got the mail in but still didn't get invitation to the shower or Bro. J's letter. I made noodles again today & put them in the freezer and watered plants, etc. etc. & kept busy. Louise visited me this P.M. I rested a little and I wrote to John Milder, Sister M. & Bro. John. Betty & Pat each called this evening. Gene & Ron Rohret over here & overhauling the Roto Tiller.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 1970 - I got up fairly early and got my washing started & finished early. I mailed letters to Sister M. Bro. J & John milder. I got the mail & rec'd Bro. John's letter & the invite to shower for Linda Thomas. I also got my ironing done today. Gene & Ron worked more on the Roto Tiller engine. Pat & Glenn, Nancy *+& Jerry came this eve. Pat wrapped a baby shower & wedding gift for me. Leonard & 3 children here also this eve.

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 1970 - I got up early again and got my breakfast and got the mail in & Betty took my glasses down to have the new lenses put in. After dinner Jim Nicholas came out & got 2 card tables & 8 chairs for Nick's party tomorrow night. Then Betty took me down for my permanent appt & also got my glasses. Betty got me before 5:00 PM then later after I got home, the Watts' from New York visited the Krall's & then me. I was very happy to see them.

FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 1970 - I couldn't sleep so I got up and got going with my work & getting partly dressed for going with Libb to shower for Linda. I watered the plants, got the mail & did various other jobs. Pauline came with her gift. Also Linda came around noon hour with her gift. Libb came after me early and then I was there for the supper & after that went to the party & took Wilma & Ann along. Came home with Paul's. Really had a nice time.

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 1970 - I got up and took my bath. Just took my time and got my breakfast. No mail today. I cooked rhubarb and worked all forenoon and also read my prayers. Talked to Betty, Joann & Libb. Louise called this P.M. then all of Gene's family & I went to Mass at 5:10 & Confession first. Then we went to Sandy's for hamburgers, French fries & root beer. Gene turned my clocks up.

SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 1970 - I got up in time to get my breakfast over & to hear the Mass for Shut Ins. Then I got things ready to go to Libb's & got all my prayers over & they came for me a little after 11:00 & we had a big dinner at Lassie's Red Barn. Then they got ready for the shower for Dorothy. A nice crowd & nice gifts. Lee & Rose Ann & family & Dave & Rita stayed for supper & we played some cards in the evening. Dave & Rita brought me home about 11:00.

MONDAY, APRIL 27, 1970 - I got u a little late but was getting around pretty good and Pauline called & wanted me to come over for the day. So she came right over after me and I had a very nice to & enjoyed it a lot. Late in the P.M. she took me over to see their new farm. Gerald plowed some after supper & then they brought me home.

TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 1970 - I got around in fairly good time. Send a card to Ed & Mary and watered the plants. Joann called & she had heard from Bennie & Joe again. Got Bennie's address. Bessie called & she plans to come out Thursday & stay overnight. Sort of tired today. Gene came over & put some of the screens down. Its so awful hot in the house. Wrote to Bennie & John Frantz tonight.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1970 - I got up fairly early, put a batch of clothes into the wash, got my breakfast & wrote letters to Sister M., Bro J. & a card to Sister Leona. Did a second batch of clothes, bedding, etc. Got a good letter from Bro. John. Gene turned on my air conditioner for me. So got it cooled off in here. Had a little rain - also lightening & thunder tonight.

THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 1970 - I got around in good time today. Wrote a letter to Sgt. Joe Milder & confirmation card to Danny M. Then got things done up around here, looking for Bessie to come after noon, which she did. We had a nice afternoon and a big supper and nice evening. Had a little rain and it cooled off quite a lot. Played some Yahtze this evening.

Next month - May