Saturday, September 27, 2014

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - September 27, 1939



75 Years Ago Today
Eileen's Diary
September 27, 1939


This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Wednesday, September 27:

Nice out. Did up usual work. Ate, did dishes & then LVene came to have her hair cut & set. Ate & Pete took me in town & he went to look at cribs. Mom & Bill & I went to the fair. Had a keen time. A lot saw Billy. Home & chored & ate, bathed & went to Hal Stewart dance.

My comments:

I found this fun photo image of some girls at a county fair in 1939:


Note: Taking a 3 day hiatus, back on October 1.

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Friday, September 26, 2014

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - September 26, 1939



75 Years Ago Today
Eileen's Diary
September 26, 1939


This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Tuesday, September 26:

Birthday note: Karen Kay Kinnick [1st birthday]

Up at 6:00. Really cold. Did dishes, separator. Pete over at Buds' shelling. Home to dinner. Cleaned up & went in to town to Fair. Mom kept Billy. Home at 5:30.
Chored, ate, & went to bed.

My comments:

They would have gotten this certificate last Sunday, most likely! ;-)

[Click to see larger version]


NOTE: Another interesting article in yesterday's hometown paper, about the Bakery fire:
Coon Rapids Enterprise - Thursday, September 25, 1014 - Page 5

"Even as abroad, gas masks were in use in Coon Rapids early Wednesday morning. The firemen found it necessary to use them in fighting the $2,000 blaze which smoldered in the basement of the Graves Bakery, sending out clouds of dense black smoke. Ed Zavitz, nightwatch, discovered smoke coming through the sidewalk ventilators in front of the bakery about 2 a.m. and turned in the alarm. Firemen and a large crowd of spectators promptly appeared on the scene. Since the fire was in the basement directly under the huge three ton oven, firemen were handicapped in getting at it, fearing the thing might cave in on them at any time. The building, owned by Lela Mountain, and the bakery equipment, owned by Paul Graves, were both covered by insurance and will be put in condition immediately. The floor
will have to be replaced in the back half of the building, glass replaced and the entire building repainted according to Wm. Mountain, who estimates damage at about $325.
Bakery equipment, damaged by smoke, water and chemical will have to be completely reconditioned before business can be resumed, which will be at least 30 days, according to Mr. Graves.
Smoke also seeped through the basement walls filling the Bowman grocery and Textors cafe on either side of the Bakery, but very little damage was done at either place. The fire was supposedly started by defective wiring igniting waste in the basement." 


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Thursday, September 25, 2014

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - September 25, 1939



75 Years Ago Today
Eileen's Diary
September 25, 1939


This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Monday, September 25:


Real cold. Went in to wash. Stayed for dinner. Ironed in pm. Karen there. Down town awhile. Pete, Bud, Don & Fat putting up hay in pm. Home at 6:00. Fed Billy, chores, ate & went to bed early.

My comments:

Putting up hay in September 25th still has me shaking my head… ????

Washing and ironing a pretty big part of their week. ;-)

I could not pass this one up...


NOTE: An interesting article in today's hometown paper, about handpicking corn:
Coon Rapids Enterprise - Thursday, September 25, 1014 - Page 5

75 Years Ago
September 15, 1939


"By this afternoon 1,000 men from Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma will have moved into Coon Rapids to make their home for the next five or six weeks. Garst and Thomas Hybrid Corn Company began this week picking their enormous 1939 corn crop over some 44,000 acres around the country and trucking it to their sorting and drying plants here. They started with about 300 sorters the first week and gradually increased the number until today when they expect to have the full 1,000 men going at full speed on shifts to keep the corn going continuously. Sacking crews will start work the middle of next week increasing the payroll to about $20,000 weekly. It is the intention of the company to pick all of their corn by hand this year and sort it green before it is dried, thus avoiding much shattered corn. The sorters capacity is estimated at about 6,000 bushels daily."


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - September 24, 1939


75 Years Ago Today
Eileen's Diary
September 24, 1939


This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Sunday, September 24:


Didn't get up until 8:00. Ready for church. Got there about 10:15. Billy cried so we left early. In town to dinner. Did dishes & went down to Rasmuses. Leo & Ida came later. Home at 7:00. Choring late. Took washing in town. Home at 10:30.

My comments:

"Cried just enough… we're going home… I can quit crying…"   ;-)



Families are Forever!  ;-)

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - September 23, 1939


75 Years Ago Today
Eileen's Diary
September 23, 1939


This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Saturday, September 23:

Cold all day. Cleaned chicken. Fred George, Fat, Bud here for dinner. Making bean hay. Cold in pm. Pete chores & we went in town. Clarabelle saw Billy. Got groceries & a new cap for Billy. Home at 11:30.

My comments:

Bean hay, huh?! They had been "mowing bean fields." Now making the hay. Interesting. ;-)

Clarabelle Clayburg. Saw Billy. How special!! ;-)

Thanks, Mom, for a hat to keep my head warm. Suppose it looked like this one?? ;-)



Families are Forever!  ;-)

Monday, September 22, 2014

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - September 22, 1939


75 Years Ago Today
Eileen's Diary
September 22, 1939


This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Friday, September 22:

Pete took me in to wash. Car broke so I came out & pulled him in. Took folks car home. Bud, Fat & Pete haying in pm. I made a cake and ice cream in pm. Chored & then went to ice cream social at the church. Home at 10:30.

My comments:

I'd like a video of "I came out & pulled him in." ;-)

Two church related activities on consecutive days!! ;-)

Yummy homemade ice cream…  ;-)



Families are Forever!  ;-)

Sunday, September 21, 2014

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - September 21, 1939


75 Years Ago Today
Eileen's Diary
September 21, 1939


This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Thursday, September 21:

Pete up home putting up hay. Home alone. [Bertha T. told about trip.][Arrow indicates this was at club, the day before!]
Over home after Pete. Home & chores & went to S.S. Party at Margaret's. Left Billy at Mrs. Moylan's. Home at 11:30.

My comments:

Well! She was "home alone." Guess I didn't count, this day. Then! "Left Billy at Mrs. Moylans."
What a difference a day makes…  ;-)

First mention of church related activity in a couple of months. Interesting.

This is Dad in 1939 with a load of hay... [image likely from earlier in the year... but, it reminds us of how things actually looked then... in black and white, anyway!]



Families are Forever!  ;-)

Saturday, September 20, 2014

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - September 20, 1939



75 Years Ago Today
Eileen's Diary
September 20, 1939 
 

This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Wednesday, September 20:

Pete up home all day making hay. Max, LVene, Julia here in morning to get their hair fixed. Lillian & Dennis came after dinner & went to club with me a Pruiett's. Billy good. Home, chores. In town. Pete got a hair cut. Up to folks' awhile. Home late.

My comments:

"Billy good." Still makes me feel good to have my mother's approval!! ;-)

Dennis was about 21 months old, at this time. Here is a photo of him, just a little later, perhaps.



Families are Forever!  ;-)

Friday, September 19, 2014

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - September 19, 1939



75 Years Ago Today
Eileen's Diary
September 19, 1939 

This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Tuesday, September 19:

 Up at 6:00. Helped Pete get the pigs in the barn. Did dishes, ate, did separator, bathed Billy.
Cleaned up & went to Carroll. Looked for fixtures, got Billy a sleeping bag. Fed him at Clayburgs'. Home at 5:00. Pete up home fixing the hay loader. Late with the chores. Pancakes for supper.

My comments:

An early start on the farm, with pigs out where they should not be…

Pancakes for supper! ;-) Yum! ;-)


Everything seemed so normal...


Note:
Mom had only mentioned war related stuff a couple of times, the President's Fireside chat and the rising price of sugar. But, here is what actually going on. Quite different from our 24 hour news coverage we get, today...

The following was in the current Coon Rapids Enterprise, Thursday, September 18, 2014, page 5:

75 Years Ago
September 8, 1939


"We’re off again in another world war. Last Friday we were informed by the radio and press
that Hitler had demanded the return of Danzig and other portions of Poland to Germany. The
British and French were trying to negotiate peace with Hitler but at the same time were evacuating non-combants from their large cities and were making feverish preparations. They told Hitler if he invaded Poland he would also have England and France to fight. And then, on September 1, 1939 word flashed over the radio that Hitler’s army had invaded Poland and the war was on. Saturday Hitler’s forces bombed many Polish cities and started invasion of Poland from the south, west and north. Fighting desperately, the Poles were forced to fall back.
Sunday, after every diplomatic gesture was exhausted, England and France declared war on Germany and that night the whole world was electrified and horrified by news that a German submarine had torpedoed and sunk the British passenger ship Athenia loaded with some 1,500 passengers bound for America. The torpedoing was without warning and no offer of help was given the helpless victims by the German submarine.
Tuesday President Franklin Roosevelt proclaimed America’s neutrality under which the United States placed an embargo on exports of arms, ammunition and implements of war
to the combatant nations.
Today, Thursday, we hear Germany has conquered about one-third of Poland after bitter fighting.
All prominent Polish cities have been subject to merciless bombing with many civilians killed and much property destroyed. British airmen have bombed a German North Sea naval base damaging German battle ships. British flyers have dumped tons of literature over Germany telling the German people the war is directed against Hitler and his aids and not against the German people. The French army is trying to break through the German fortifications on the border. Paris and London are having many air raid alarms but German raiders have failed as yet to bomb those cities. Many German merchantmen have been captured or sunk by British warships. All British colonies have rallied to the assistance of England. Italy is remaining neutral as are the Balkan states and Russia. Turkey has declared herself an ally of Great Britain.
Meanwhile in the United State a war boom is on. Prices are advancing rapidly. Local stores are sold out of sugar and other staples as alarmed housewives, remembering the food restrictions of World War I, started buying in wholesale amounts. Merchants, however, say there are more than ample supplies in this country but there is a decided price advance.
Local stores sold out on sugar and flour Friday and Saturday and have had difficulty replenishing supplies. Sugar has sharply advanced from about $5 per sack to $8. Flour is up about 50 percent. Beans are up from $1 to $2 per bag. All wheat products are up and canned goods have registered an advance of from 10 to 15 percent.
Many towns are sold out on some of the above staples but local merchants, alert to the situation, are still able to supply customers. They say, however, that foodstuffs have been too cheap and when prices level off they will no doubt be on a higher level. Corn, hogs, wheat and all farm produce have registered sharp advance since war was declared in Europe."


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Monday, September 15, 2014

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - September 15, 1939



75 Years Ago Today
Eileen's Diary
September 15, 1939

This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Friday, September 15:

Real hot & windy again. in town & washed in morning/ Brought Pete home from the 80 for dinner. Ate, folded clothes, looked at catalogs. Cloudy at nite but it all cleared off. Ate, bathed & went to bed. Listened to Galento beat Nova.
Gave Merle check for $65.00.

My comments:

Electric wiring paid well, even then! ;-)

Galento beat Nova:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Nova
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Galento


From Galento article:
"The Nova fight is reputed to be one of the dirtiest and bloodiest fights ever fought. Nova was knocked down five times. Both fighters kneed, gouged, hit below the belt, and on at least two knockdowns, Galento "fell" with his 230 lb (104 kg) on Nova, knees first. Galento finally knocked Nova out in the 14th round.The Nova fight is reputed to be one of the dirtiest and bloodiest fights ever fought. Nova was knocked down five times. Both fighters kneed, gouged, hit below the belt, and on at least two knockdowns, Galento "fell" with his 230 lb (104 kg) on Nova, knees first. Galento finally knocked Nova out in the 14th round."

From Nova article:
"Nova was injured badly in a fight with Tony Galento and was treated in hospital, almost losing an eye."

From YouTube: http://youtu.be/QghwSqAlKSQ




Now, imagine listening to the fight on the radio - have you done it? I have! Comments welcomed! ;-)
Hear is what it sounded like: http://www.boxingforum24.com/showthread.php?t=487071
[Click on the first image...]

Note: A three day hiatus follows this post - back on the 19th. ;-)

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Sunday, September 14, 2014

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - September 14, 1939



75 Years Ago Today
Eileen's Diary
September 14, 1939 
 

This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Thursday, September 14:

Real hot & windy again. Took Pete to work on 80. Washed my things out. Pop here awhile. Took Pete a lunch at noon & ate there with him. Cleaned up & went to club in pm. at Mary McLaulins's.(sic) Keen time & lunch. In to town awhile & then over to Aunt Gertrudes & visited until 7:00. Virginia C. came when I got home. She stayed until 8:30. Bathed & went to bed.

My comments:

What?? Do you suppose Pete is still working over on the 80? Or, did he get home and do the chores, while she was at Gertrudes? Where was Billy all this time? Did he go to club, in to town, over to Gertrudes, and back home, as well? Suppose so… Virginia C. there at 7:00 ???

Sharing a "miscellaneous" clipping, today. Came on it looking for something else.
Dad worked so hard, from day one… this shows some of how it paid off!! ;-)

[Click to see enlarged image]


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Saturday, September 13, 2014

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - September 13, 1939


75 Years Ago Today
Eileen's Diary
September 13, 1939


This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Wednesday, September 13:


Up late. Did dishes, separator. Max came after tomatoes, took cream to town. Bakery burned last night. Over after Pete. Home to dinner. Took him back. Got soft water at Mos. Moylan's. Home, fed Billy, washed my hair Pete chores, we ate, bathed.

Hot!

My comments:

Guess it was hot, again! ;-) Assume Bakery burning will be in Enterprise next week…

Max came after tomatoes...



Families are Forever!  ;-)

Friday, September 12, 2014

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - September 12, 1939




75 Years Ago Today
Eileen's Diary
September 12, 1939 
 

This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Tuesday, September 12:

Pete & Paul mowing beans on 80. Merle finishing wiring. All here for fried chicken dinner. Ate, took boys back, up home a minute. Home, did up dishes. Polly, Betty here till 6:00. Curled Polly's hair. Took Billy outdoors in his buggy. Pete came at 6:00. Chored, ate, took baths & went to bed.

My comments:

Wish there were a photo of Billy in his buggy!! ;-)

Fried Chicken Dinner will have to do, I suppose! ;-)



Families are Forever!  ;-)

Thursday, September 11, 2014

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - September 11, 1939


75 Years Ago Today
Eileen's Diary
September 11, 1939


This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Monday, September 11:

Cloudy & cool in morning. Pete took me in town to wash & he went up home. Mowed his beans. Got the ironing done too. Pete chored & then we ate in town. Bussy went to the show with us "Its a Wonderful World." Really was good. Home to bed at 10:30.

My comments:


I enjoy seeing the sequence of farm field work would be doing, through Mom's eyes; what he told her he was doing. Fun! ;-)

Movie starred Claudette Colbert and James Stewart - had to be good!! ;-)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It%27s_a_Wonderful_World_%281939_film%29



Families are Forever!  ;-)

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - September 10, 1939



75 Years Ago Today
Eileen's Diary
September 10, 1939 
 

This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Sunday, September 10:

I didn't get up until 9:15. Bathed & fed Billy. Mom, Dad & Bussy came out. Had beefsteak. Mom made a chocolate cake. Ate, doing dishes when Polly, Merle, Betty, Irene came down. Irene fitted my skirts again. Looked at fixture pictures. They stayed until 5:00. Ate some muskmelon. Chored. Fed Billy. Had pancakes for supper. Folks left at 9:00.

My comments:

Billy fed well, again, today. ;-)

Beefsteak for dinner.



Families are Forever!  ;-)

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - September 9, 1939



75 Years Ago Today
Eileen's Diary
September 9, 1939 
 

This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Saturday, September 9:

Birthday note: Norma Williams

Up in fair time. Ate, did dishes & separator. Cleaning the house. Got dinner. Scrubbed the whole house. Waxed some of the rooms. Chored, ate. Bill & Elsie Herron here selling musk melons. Pop here awhile. Bathed & went in town. Parked in front of Barbers. Quite a few people looking at Billy. home at 12:00. Finished wiring all except the fixtures.

My comments:

Nice to see I was still an "attraction!" ;-)

Here are Don and Norma Williams, at their place, in Arizona, with Pete, perhaps 1960ish…



Families are Forever!  ;-)

Monday, September 8, 2014

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - September 8, 1939



75 Years Ago Today
Eileen's Diary
September 8, 1939 
 

This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Friday, September 8:


Birthday note: LVene Thomas

Not nearly so hot. Did separator & went in to town & washed. Merle still wiring. Ate, got ready to go to Carroll.
Mom, Billy & I in folks' car. Had to wait quite awhile. Had to go to the park to feed Billy because of my dress.
Looking for shoes but didn't find any. Got some electric supplies.
Home at 7:00. Chored, ate supper & went to bed.

My comments:

Very interesting entry on several facets…  ;-)

LVene in 1974, 35 years later...



Families are Forever!  ;-)

Sunday, September 7, 2014

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - September 7, 1939


75 Years Ago Today
Eileen's Diary
September 7, 1939


This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Thursday, September 7:

Up at 5:30. Fed Billy & went back to bed. Up at 7:00. Did separator. Merle & Pete wiring again. In to town till 10:30. Got 100# of sugar & sack of floor. Really going up. Home, fed Billy, ate dinner. Did dishes. Canned 4 pts. tomato preserves & 3 pts.  apple butter. Gave Billy bath, fed him, ate supper. Took baths.

Big letters, under: 102 degrees

My comments:

Another very hot day. I cannot today imagine being without air conditioning. As I write this, it is about 95, and I did not enjoy my walk to the trash/recycling, about a block away… But, I'm spoiled, for sure!! If I didn't know any better, I guess I could handle it.  …  Just make a special note in the diary!! ;-)

Too modern, but you get the idea… electricity was coming…



Families are Forever!  ;-)

Saturday, September 6, 2014

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - September 6, 1939


75 Years Ago Today
Eileen's Diary
September 6, 1939


This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Wednesday, September 6:

Up in good time. Made a choc. cake before breakfast. Did separator & went in town after Mom. Had meatloaf for dinner. Did dishes. Peeled apples for juice & butter. Bathed & fed Billy. Dad & Buss came out for supper. Ate & the folks left early. Too hot to sleep

Big letters, under: 101 degrees

My comments:

A hot day, first week of September - surprise - NOT!
Meatloaf and apple butter sound good!

Haven't shared a meatloaf image for a while... YUM! ;-)



Families are Forever!  ;-)

Friday, September 5, 2014

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - September 5, 1939



75 Years Ago Today
Eileen's Diary
September 5, 1939


This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Tuesday, September 5:

Up at 6:00. Fed Billy. Ate, did separator, put on tomatoes for catsup. Gave Billy bath & fed him. Made choc. pie. Pete finished burrs on 80. Ate did dishes. Pete playing with Billy. In town & ironed. Pete shopping. Home, chored & then he came in, we ate supper in home. Finished ironing & came home at 10:00.

My comments:

"Pete playing with Billy." What fun!

She stayed in town, he came home and chores, and went back in, where the ate supper with her folks. Sometimes gets a little confusing… guess that is part of the fun: Seeing how she is thinking and seeing life, from her perspective!! ;-)

Chocolate pie! ;-)



Families are Forever!  ;-)

Thursday, September 4, 2014

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - September 4, 1939


75 Years Ago Today
Eileen's Diary
September 4, 1939


This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Monday, September 4:

Up early. Cleaned a chicken, made pumpkin pie. Folks here for dinner. Paul, Marion, Larry here in a new Buick. Ate, did dishes. Drove in to see Leo's. Home at 3:30 & they went to town again. Made ice cream. Folks stayed to supper. Helped Bussy with his lesson. Read awhile after folks left & went to bed.

My comments:

Labor Day, of course, though not mentioned. Looks like a Sunday, based on activities! ;-)

A 1939 Buick Special:


Special Bonus Photo:

A few days ago, I published here a photo of 4 of us (Jim and I, 2 neighbor kids) on the bicycles. It got much attention on Facebook. Here is a better photo of the bicycle a few years later, in 1953 - I was 14 years old. (from left, Jim, Tom, Barry, Bill!)



Families are Forever!  ;-)

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - September 3, 1939


75 Years Ago Today
Eileen's Diary
September 3, 1939


This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Sunday, September 3:

Didn't get up until 8:00. Cleaned to two bedrooms. Bathed & fed Billy & then got beefsteak dinner. Pete went in to town after kerosene. Ate, did dishes, cleaned up to go riding when Irene & Betty came so we went to Scranton with them. Home at 5:30. Irene took my skirts to shorn. Fed Billy, got supper. Folks came. Ready to eat when Vic, Ger. & kids came. Listened to Roosevelt speech. They all left early.

My comments:

Busy Sunday, good dinner, nice ride, visitors. Listened to the President's Fireside Chat.

Fireside Chat 14: On the European War (September 3, 1939) - see the whole thing:
http://millercenter.org/president/speeches/speech-3315


Roosevelt shortly after giving one of his famous fireside chats.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fireside_chats



Families are Forever!  ;-)

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - September 2, 1939


 75 Years Ago Today
Eileen's Diary
September 2, 1939


This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Saturday, September 2:

Pete up to Hufferd's shelling corn. Bussy fixing his airplane. I cleaned the house. LVene came & had her hair fixed just before noon & Polly came just after dinner. Waxed kitchen & dining room rugs. (sic) Pete home at 3:30 & finished plowing so. field. Chored, ate, bathed & went in town. Bussy to show. Took Billy down on street with us. Home at 12:00.

My comments:

Did the corn sheller look at all like this?


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Monday, September 1, 2014

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - September 1, 1939


75 Years Ago Today
Eileen's Diary
September 1, 1939


This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Friday, September 1:

Didn't get up until 8:30. Bussy rode his bike out & woke us up. He & Pete plowing. I went in to wash and didn't get home until 4:00. Over to Hufferd's after Pete. Over to Orrin's & did their chores. Home & did ours, ate, read papers & went to bed. Bussy here all nite.

My comments:

Short night, in any case… Buzzy rode his bike out.

I think this is the same bike, in this picture, about 9-10 years later, that I'm riding.
Also in photo, Pat and Wilson Thomas, and my little brother, Jim. Note the pickup and barn in the background, among other things…


Families are Forever!  ;-)