1970 Diary

(Transcribed by Kathy Desterhaft)

Previous month - July

SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 1970 - Bro. John called after he got to the Abbey around 12:15 our time. I got up & took my bath, mailed Bro. John's letter, got washing started. Betty came over & did my floors & put up my hair for me after I washed it. Louise & Carl came up to check the big house to see what was needed. Mrs. Bro mailed the keys to me. Betty went down. Also Paul & Gene to help check over the house. Then Louise & Carl went to Wicks & got the floor tile, stool etc, etc. This PM they got the paint so all ready to start on Monday AM.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 1970 - I got up in good time to get ready to go with Gene's to 7:30 Mass. Then I got my breakfast. Gene's were in & out planning the work over at the house. Leonard's family came out and looked around down at the house for antiques. Pat & Wilma called this eve. I went with Gene's to Libb's for the eve. We had a nice time.

MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 1970 - I got up early as I was expecting Gene to come early to start on the house. He did. Also Louise & Carl. Then Lyle came. In the PM Lillian came, also Libb & Lyle for a couple of hours. Betty also came & did a lot and they got all the walls painted upstairs. Leonard's came this eve & put the tile down in the utility room. I went over and watched. In all my dreams I never could imagine that the house was so run down & dirty. Virgil also came this eve and started work on the wiring. I am awful tired but not sleepy and its very late.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1970 - I had a fairly good night & got around fairly early. Gene was over around 8:00 PM to start work. It was a rainy day & evening. We got quite a lot of help down at the house. It was wonderful. Gene & Betty, Libb & Lyle, Pat & Glenn, Louise & Carl, Lillian & Wilma. Mary Lou came & helped all and played with Phil & Brenda. They really worked hard & got a lot done this eve. Leonard, Marilyn & Doug came to put more tiles down in the bathroom. Virgil came & worked late at the wiring & finished so they say.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1970 - I got up and got my washing started & my breakfast & then Gene & Betty came over & started to work. Ronnie came out. Then Louise & Carl. They all worked hard & found plenty to do. I made dinner for all and was pretty tired on my feet & ankles. I do thank God for giving me such very good children. It rained about 1 ½ inches but stopped then this AM. Philip and Brenda were so good today playing back & forth. Mailed letter to Benny. Also ins., Jesuits, Mary Knoll.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 1970 - It got warmer today, but I didn't put on the air conditioner. I had quite a lot of ironing but finished before I had my dinner and then I could hardly walk, my legs & knees were so bad. Gene came over & fixed the porch & put up new house number & mowed weeds. Leonard's came tonight & finished laying tile. So things are about done at the big house, thanks to my good children who done it, also Ronny.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 1970 - I didn't get up too early but got along pretty good today. My ankles are better too. Gene's got my aspirin & BP pills. Louise brought the bills. So I am all paid up now, fir fixing up the house, but for Virgil's bill. I worked at my account book tonight to get it all correct. Bessie called this eve. Still rained off & on today.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 1970 - I got up in good time and took my bath and kept quite busy all day working, and getting cleaned up for Sister M. to come. Then got my prayers mostly read & got ready to go to confession & 5:10 Mass with Gene's. Then I went to Paul's for supper for John's birthday supper. Gene's came after supper to play cards & for ice cream and cake.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, 1970 - I got up in time to hear & see Mass for the Shut Ins and I was very happy that I could. The day went quite fast. I got my work done & then I got my dinner. After that I wrote to John Frantz & Benny & also to get some leaflets about Father Lukas. Got my rosary said & prayers read. Then Sister Margaretta & the girls came at 3:30 PM. I got supper & we had good talks. Pat & Glenn & family came in & got a good look at the old house. We had a good visit.

MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 1970 - We got up in pretty good time & got our breakfast and got ready to go to Ed's. They came after us around 9:30 and we spent the day & there for both dinner & supper. Dick's & Dean's came in the eve to see Sister. Then Gertrude & Nick came after us and spent a while there. I did some hand sewing this PM. We enjoyed the day very much. Got home a little after 9:00

TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1970 - We got up fairly early & got a good breakfast again. Then dishes & then started husking corn. Then Wilma came & helped us & we got 18 cups for freezer. Got a good dinner & after that Wilma & Sister started defrosting the big freezer. I was so happy to have it done. Sister & Wilma went down to look at the house & Gene did some work & drained the tank later. Sister & Gene worked on the tiles. Sister cut out aprons this eve. I wrote to Bro. John & made out the telephone bill.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 1970 - I got up fairly early & started my washing. Had good luck with our work today. Sister baked and set out the violets Mary gave her. I got my ironing done this PM. Sister M. & Betty went downtown. Then we went to Howard Johnson's for a fish supper. Mr. Nehre came out & measured for curtains. Lillian visited us this eve.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 1970 - Pat & Glenn & family started for Colo. and had car trouble & came back home. Another real good day. We didn't get up too early. Sister worked outside about all forenoon, weeding my flowerbed. This PM she took it a little easier. I got the dinner then we watched the TV & then did dishes. I made my Holy Hour. Mike stopped in for a little while & talked with us. About 5:15 we went with Gene's to Louise & Carl's for supper & the evening. We each wrote a letter & card to Bro John this eve.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1970 - Dean & Anita boy born today. We got up in good time & I started washing my bedding & a few other things. We kept real busy all forenoon, getting most of our work done. Also washed the bedding from Sister's bed & she made them both up fresh this PM. I got my Friday prayers said & Sister cut out a skirt & blouse. Pat & Glenn & family started for Colorado again this PM. Gene's & I took Sister to her new place at Houghton. She will have things very handy.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 1970 - I got up and got a good breakfast & then got ready to go with Betty and the children to the 9:00 o'clock Mass. There was a wedding, which was very nice. I read my prayers, talked to Joann, then made my dinner, then went downtown with Betty before 1:00 PM, looking for a veil. Then read papers, rested a little & read prayers & the day was about done. Gene talked to me on the phone.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 1970 - I got up early to go with Betty to 7:30 Mass & then home & had a good breakfast. Got my work done up & prayers said & got ready to go to Wilma's as she & Ann came after me. Had a very good dinner & supper. Watched ball game on TV & dozed a little. We played some cards before & after supper. Then Clarence & Wilma brought me home.

MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 1970 - I didn't get up too early. Had a fairly good nights rest. Got letter & BD card from Rose & cards from Pauline, Mary & Pat. I read Mass prayers & got flowers in & fixed bouquet. Got garbage ready for Betty to take out. This afternoon & eve I wrote to Msgr., Joe & Tina, Myrtle & Rose. Wilma called & also Margaret Richey called this eve. Watched TV, read the prayers and played solitaire.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1970 - Pretty good day today. It rained a little this AM morning, but I got my mail out. The new renters came early and got moved in & he paid the rent. Mail from Bro. John, Sister M., & Benny. Betty got my veil hat. I fixed my dress. Louise came out & she took my dress patter & went down & bought my material for a new dress. Pat called from the Lodge in Colorado to say that Bro John got along fine with his operation. I wrote letters to Bro. J & Sister M.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1970 - I got around in fairly good time and got my washing started and one fairly early. Louise called this AM. She was starting to cut out my dress. Then she came this PM to fit it. She also wrapped my wedding gift for Phyllis. Ben's Steve got started digging across the street then he got rained out. I hemmed up my good slip this eve & watched TV.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 1970 - I didn't get up too early but kept busy most of the day. Got my ironing done & new dress pressed. Also mended stockings & marked some. Steve & Larry worked more at the cellar & blocks this AM & this PM & Mike, Steve, Larry & Jim & Ben helped some. Got 500 lbs. Potatoes from 15 lbs seed. I wrote to Benny this eve. Real nice day today. Louise brought my dress out.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 1970 - I didn't get up too early but got around pretty good. Went to Mailbox to mail Bennie's letter & the water bill. Watered plants. Libb called. They got back last night at 11:00. Wilma called to say that Tony was at Fort Leonardwood. Leonard came to get Sister's trunk to take it down to her. Then I called her and asked her to ride back with them so she could go to the wedding and she did. We had a nice visit tonight. Got my permanent today.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 1970 - I got up fairly early. Took my bath & started my washing. Se we got along real good this forenoon and had early dinner & then got ready to go to Phyllis & Marv's wedding which was at 2:30 PM. It was very nice & at the reception they had my picture taken with them. Came home, got out clothes changed. Sister went with Gene's over to Woodburn's. After supper we went to Paul's to see all the wedding gifts.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 1970 - We got up about 6:30, got a quick breakfast & then got ready to go to Mass in Hills & then spent the day at Lyle's. Had a very nice day. Sort of tired & sleepy. It was a cool day. We had dinner & supper & then took Sister back to Houghton. They were glad she got back. Then Libb & Lyle looked around & the Sisters came out & talked to me as I sat in the car. Got home at 10:00 PM.

MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 1970 - I didn't get up very early, but I got around pretty good. Called Betty about the tomatoes, so she brought me a bushel and canned 14 pts. For me already & will can a few more in the morning. She also took my interest check to the bank. God bless her. I washed the jars & got them ready and I wrote a pretty big letter to Bro. John & also a letter to Sister M. Ben & Steve got the forms in for the new wall across the street.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1970 - Mailed Sister M's. & Bro. John's letter today. I got u in fairly good time. Trimmed the roses & dusted them and watered plants. Betty brought over 14 pts tomatoes she has done & Gene brought 7 more pts tonight. I made 2 batches of tomato jam; took me quite a while & was in the kitchen most of the afternoon. It got quite warm but I didn't turn on the air conditioner. I feel like I got a good days work done today.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1970 - I got up around 6:30 and got my washing started & my breakfast & mailed John F. letter & then got ready to go to Libb's with Louise. We helped her with her work. I did quite a bit of ripping & also got the hem of my new dress pinned up. Louise went home & I stayed for supper & they brought me home. Rita went to a show. Ben got the new cement walk & porch put on.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1970 - I got around in pretty good time but before I had my breakfast, Joann called & told me all about Joe's misfortune, injuries etc. So I had something to think about & pray for all day. Betty got groceries for me. I called the Cr to order my capsules but he must have forgotten, as they were not ordered at the drugstore. Ben, Joann & Barb were here a little while. Ben left sweet corm for Gene & me. I made my Holy Hour & played solitaire.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 1970 - I got up in pretty good time. I washed my navy blue & white dress & also stretch suit. I watered plants & canned 4 pts of tomatoes and then had company, Lillian & Sister Catherine. Then I did my ironing of my dresses. Betty got my capsules today and she also brought me some vegetable soup for my supper. It was very good. Bessie called tonight.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 1970 - I got up & took my bath, not too early. I kept busy all day and finally finished up my work that I had planned to do. Joann & Ben were out for a little while & gave me & Gene's some sweet corn. Joann left some things for Rose Ann's Sharon, so Rose Ann came for them. We didn't get to Mass this eve so plan to go at 7:30 in the morning.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 1970 - Ron & Pat's baby born around 2:00 AM. I overslept but Betty waited and I got ready in a hurry & we got to Mass in good time. I got my breakfast, read my prayers & got ready, then Robby came after me & I went to their place for dinner. After noon we went for a ride out past where we used to live, then back to their place for tea & then home. Then Pat's family came & brought supper. Then Lyle's & Louise's also came & we had a nice evening.

MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 1970 - I got around in fairly good time, got my breakfast, etc. Joann called & had a long talk. Ken had called yesterday & they had a long visit with him. I got a good letter from Benny today. I sewed on quilt blocks and on my stretch skirt, trying to make it longer. Talked to Gene, Libb, Louise & Pat & Joann on phone. Joann called tonight & said she had a call form Joe & he was back to work. I rested a little, late this PM.

Next month - September