[Provenance & Notes: This diary was loaned to me (William J. Curry, III) for transcription by my cousin, Brenda Moody Wales, during my visit to her home in Corvallis on 14 Jan 2008. It was passed down to her from her Aunts, the four Moody sisters who received it from their mother, the diarist Mame Curry Moody. The diary was written in pencil and often difficult to decipher, esp. name of friends--corrections and edits are solicited!
The first part, describing her early life in East Liverpool, Ohio, being courted by future husband Elmer Moody, their early married life in ELO, migration by train with young Bert and Grandpa Moody to California and settling in Santa Barbara was the most interesting for me. It drove home the hard life, sorrows and sacrifices made by our forebears in search of a better life--once Mame left Ohio, she was never able to return, even for the untimely death of her sister Hattie at age 29 in 1896 or the passing of her parents.
After bringing her life up to date, the second half of the diary covers the prosaic aspects of life in Santa Barbara, and later at The Peppers in Montecito including the many comings and goings of family and friends, Mame's low opinion of FDR and CA politics, and her love of gardening. It brought back treasured memories of my family's visits with the girls at The Peppers in 1954 and 1960 which are depicted below].
Diary of Mary Agnes (Mame) Curry Moody
This story of my life was started July 1, 1935. Elmer [husband, Elmer James Moody, 1861-1937] died April 13, 1937--if he had lived one more year we would have celebrated our 50th anniversary. We were hoping it would prolong his life to get out here to the Peppers [580 Hot Springs Road, Montecito, Santa Barbara, CA] in a lovely quiet peaceful place but he had to go too soon.
Some of the “High Lights” in my life--
My motto has always been: “Then give to the world the best you have and the best will come back to you”*.
*Mame pulled the quote from the poem, "Life's Mirror", ca 1900I was born April 23, 1865 on my father’s [William Ezekiel Curry, 1827-1898] farm near Finleyville on the Brownsville Road about 15 miles from Pittsburgh. My grandfather [Dr. Joseph Curry 1778-1861] left each of his sons a 50 acre farm and my father’s name was William E. Curry. He married Letitia B. Jack and they had a family of eight children all born on the farm except my sister Harriet. I was the last one born on the farm and was two years old when we moved to Allegheny, Pa. My sister Harriett was born there and then we moved to the farm of 100 acres ½ mile from Darlington, Beaver Co., Pa. We lived there until I was nine (9) years old and then moved to East Liverpool, Ohio--where my father bought a furniture store and undertaking establishment. He bought a home in the suburbs of E.L.O.--the Harry Gaston estate.
There are loyal hearts, there are spirits brave,
There are souls that are pure and true;
Then give to the world the best you have,
And the best will come back to you.
Give love, and love to your life will flow,
A strength in your utmost need;
Have faith, and a score of hearts will show
Their faith in your word and deed.
Give truth, and your gift will be paid in kind,
And honor will honor meet;
And a smile that is sweet will surely find
A smile that is just as sweet.
Give sorrow and pity to those who mourn;
You will gather in flowers again
The scattered seeds of your thought outborne,
Though the sowing seemed but vain.
For life is the mirror of king and slave -
'Tis just what we are and do;
Then give to the world the best you have,
And the best will come back to you.
"Madeline Bridges" (poet Mary Ainge de Vere, 1844-1920)
We had a long walk to school. I entered in the third grade and we went down to my father’s store and had lunch with him--usually took a bunch of kids with us and had a fine time playing house with the nice furniture and the man who lined and trimmed the coffins gave us scraps of satin for doll clothes.
[Dear, gentle Mame leaves out a number of family tragedies that no doubt had traumatic impact on her early years. She was 7th of eight children, of whom four died young: Jennie, a babe died at age two in 1854; Letitia passed at age 16 in 1872, Harry died at age 19 in 1873 and Harriet died in 1896 at 29 years of age.Some cousins who lived across the Ohio river (Newell [WV]) stored their apples in our cellar and always left some barrels open so we were popular with the other kids. I went to school there for nine years through all the rooms & different teachers. My high school teacher’s name was Euphema Huston. There were eight girls in my class & one big negro boy. We were so much afraid that he would stay & graduate with us but he dropped out. I graduated in June 1884 and took the teacher exam, received a good certificate but did not have the luck to get a school. I was determined to get one so I could help Father & Mother out. We had lost a great deal of our money and my sister Anne’s husband was drowned in a steamboat disaster & we had to take care of her & her four children. So I went over to Fairview West Virginia to a teachers institute & was going to take the exam but I got word from home that I had been appointed to a school 2nd grade.
Sister Letitia, while cooking, caught her dress on fire. She was severely burned and died. Harry, the older brother, was sent to run into Darlington to get a doctor. He reportedly strained himself to the point where he contracted pneumonia and died a while later in 1873. The overwhelming impact of this tragedy is reflected in the fact that William Ezekial and Letitia moved from the farm shortly thereafter to East Liverpool, OH in 1873 or 1874. Tragedy would strike again when Mame's baby sister Harriet, a librarian at the Carnegie Library in ELO, succumbed to typhoid fever in 1896. (Noted by W. J. Curry, III)]
Mame Walper gave up her school to marry John Puritan. Well, I surely was happy to hear it & decided to stay & have a good time. Met some nice people & one boy Clem (I’ve forgotten his other name) took me for several buggy rides. Then I saw a man across the room & and I said to my friend Emma M, why but that’s a handsome fellow over there. I would like to meet him and just when he started over in our direction with a girl I knew & she came up & said, Mame this gentleman wants to meet you. It was Elmer Moody. I had never seen or heard of him before. Guess it was love at first sight. We had a lovely time during the rest of the institute, had lots of buggy rides. Elmer had a horse & buggy too. I remember the horse’s name was Dolly.
Elmer got a school at New Cumberland with the handsome salary of $60.00 a mo. & I went back to E.L.O. and taught my 2nd grade school at $30.00 a month.
[Joe Wales’ excellent diary of Mildred Moody’s 1983 genealogical expedition spoke of visiting Washington & Jefferson College at Washington, PA where Elmer J. Moody graduated in 1886. The trip journal states that Mame went there as well but her diary doesn’t support that point. (WJC3)]Elmer came up to see me quite frequently and in less than a year we were engaged. So started to save up to get married some day. I wanted to buy a piano and gave Mother $10.00 a mo. Elmer had to help his folks & would no more than get a little ahead when taxes or something had t be paid so we struggled along for three years & then got married on June 6th 1888. Elmer had enough to buy a little furniture & we got an upstairs apartment for $6.00 a mo.
In the meantime Elmer had gone to work for the Connecticut Mutual Life Ins. Co. So we were married at home June 6th 1888. I invited my high school class & the relatives about 50 guests. The folks gave us a bedroom set and the class a nice chair & we got lots of other things.
Our apt. looked fine. The carpet was blue and the piano and chairs were a big help. The little kitchenette had a cute little stove & a cupboard for dishes. Our apt. was next door to his fathers home which was a big house. His mother died about two years before we were married. His father & sisters, Cora & Lucy lived there. Ed was married and Frank Moody was out in California for his health.
We lived in the apt. for a year & just before Bert was born we moved to his fathers house--Had a big room and a kitchen & by ourselves. We lived there for short time then our folks gave us a lot down near my home & we borrowed money in the B&L [Building & Loan] and built our first real home. [pencil drawing of house] four rooms, living & kitchen down stairs, two bed rms up stairs.
It was very cosy & we were so pleased to have our own home. Were only there for about a year & a half--When Frank was writing from California for some of us to come out. He was not so well. The Doctor advised Elmer to go so we sold our furniture to a Mr. Bock--piano and all-- & the folks took over the house & paid the B&L. We had very little money after our tickets were bought but the Ins. Co. gave him a place in Cal. so we packed up & at the last minute Grandpa Moody [Robert E. Moody, 1827-] decided to come too. He had a little money & would stay with Frank. Bert had the Whooping cough & I wasn’t feeling very well but kept it dark from Mother & we started on our way to Los Angeles, Cal. We came in a tourist sleeping car. Brought a bit basket of lunch. It was snow covered & icy pavement when we left E.L.O. and when we arrived it was like summer weather. We had to discard heavy coats & wool underwear in a hurry--and poor little Bert was so glad to get onto the ground we could hardly get him to move--he wanted to sit down & play in the street. Well, dear old Frank was so glad to see us! It was worth everything we had gone through.
Grandpa went to his boarding house with him and we started out to hunt a place. We were at the Natick House. We stayed in Los 6 weeks. The Conn. Mutual gave us the choice of San Diego, Riverside or Santa Barbara. I do not remember why we chose Santa B.
We arrived here during a rain storm & State St. looked pretty dreary. We stopped at the Morris House on lower State St but we could not stand it there. We started out to find furnished rooms. Every place we liked would not take us because Bert had Whooping Cough. We finally found Mr. Knightly’s place--he was an old man with white whiskers & Bert thought it was his Grandpa Curry [William Ezekiel Curry]. He called him Grandpa & that pleased the old man & he had a nice old wife so they took us in & were so good to us. We stayed there till we found a house on lower [Daypala?] -- all furnished. We were so pleased and paid $15.00 a mo. Harriett was born there.
When I wrote Mother about it, she was so surprised: she would never have let me start out if she had known. It was pretty hard to be among perfect strangers--we found a good practical nurse and Dr. Knox was the Ins. Co. doctor & was so nice to Elmer. He was so good and kind to us when Harriett was born and I got through all right.
Grandpa Moody was with us & he took care of Bert & helped in every way. Do not know what we would have done without him. He found a little old cradle in the shed and Harriett loved to be rocked in it. He would sit and rock it with his foot and read the papers.
We moved up town (When H ws about one year old) to the Dr. Mansfield house on Anacapa St. Paid $15.00 a mo--Frank came up & we all lived there. It was a lovely old place with lots of trees & an apple orchard & big barn. We lived in part of the house and Harrison Gray & his wife Editor Los A. Times lived in the other half. We enjoyed that place a lot. Then Frank & Granpa went to Los A again. The folks (Elmer’s folks) in E. Liverpool sold the home and came out & they all lived in Los Angeles.
Just before Brenda was born we moved again to get lower rent--$11.00 a month. But we had to get furniture for it & did it on the installment plan so we did have very much & it was in January and a very disagreeable winter. We moved to East Victoria St. Brenda was born there and my sister Harriett came out for a short visit a short time before Brenda was born. She was teaching school in E. L. and could not stay long, but it was great to have her with us. The Willis Knowles came out that year to Cal. & finally settled in Montecito & were always our good friends. We moved again down town this time to be near the beach so the children could play there. But it did not agree with me and just before Mildred was born we moved up to Figueroa St. Mildred was born there. McDuffies lived next door & the kids had good times together. Edna & Millie took them to school and we liked that home very much but we were so tired of rented houses.
We wanted a home of our own if it only could be a board shack. We finally got a 50 ft. lot at 520 E. Victoria St from Mr. C. C. Hunt and when we got it paid for we borrowed money in the B&L to build our first little house. It was not much of a mansion but we were so happy to get settled in our own home & it was the first time we felt really settled. Wilma was born there. We still had our same old doctor dear old Dr. Knox. He was so good to us through all those years. We had joined the Presbyterian Church when we came to Santa Barbara. Dr. Carrier was the minister. He was so good and kind to us. We could not be much help then in the church but he told me not to worry that I had job enough in taking care of my children. He came to the house and baptized them.
Wilma was born the day my father died and they did not tell me about it for a week. My mother died just a year after my father. I felt so lost without them and I never got back home to see them. I was so sorry not to get back. We lived in our little home and added rooms to it as we could.
The children all went to school and Elmer gave up the insurance business & took up contracting & building homes. He had learned the carpenter trade when a boy working in summer vacations with his uncle. We lived in the same house till they were through High School.
Took the girls camping in the summer time with a bunch of the High School girls. Camp was called “Camp Giggles” by one of the Y.M.C.A. officers who helped me fix up the camp & the name stuck to us through all the years. Went every year to Franklin Canyon, Carpenteria years from 1906 to 1914. The years of the War ’14 to ’18 were like a nightmare--I cannot talk about them yet. And all we can do is try to forget that awful time.
Elmer was so miserable--he was afflicted with that terrible Tic del Ru an irritation of the nerve in his face & he suffered so much it us all heartsick.
[Wikopedia: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) or tic doloureux (also known as prosopalgia) is a neuropathic disorder of the trigenminal nerve that causes episodes of intense pain in the eyes, lips, nose, scalp, forehead, and jaw. TN usually develops after the age of 50, more commonly in females. The condition can bring about stabbing, mind-numbing, electric shock-like pain from just a finger's glance of the cheek.]The Doctors said there had never been found a cure for it & he tried every kind of treatment, electricity, etc. but could not find much relief. We finally heard of Dr. Isieman [??] who had a sanitarium near Altadena and we took him down to him--his treatment gave him a great deal of relief. He would stay about a month at a time. It began about 1915 and he made several trips down. He helped him a great deal but he was not able to do much work any more.
Bert was graduated from the Santa Barbara Teachers College in 1913 & got a teaching [unreadable] at the Palo Alto High School & helped us out all he could but his salary was only $100.00 per month. He was married in 1916 to Grace Shearer of San Jose. We were still living in our first little home but we had built some rooms on to it and were more comfortable. Brenda had a promotion as a stenographer in Will Porter’s office & Harriett was Assistant City Engineer to George Morrison. Mildred graduated from S. B. College & got a school at Marysville. The War upset them all & as I said it was just an awful nightmare.
We had a lot up on the hill & wanted to build a home up there so Elmer spent most of his time digging out rocks & making a foundation for our new home. It seemed to help him more than anything else so we borrowed money from the B&L. We had the lot clear and he started to build a house to suit the family.
In the meantime, a man who lived next door to our place came over to him and asked him to move into his big place and take care of it for them and they wanted go back east to live. So he come home and asked us how we would like to live up in the Martin’s house. It was all furnished & all we had to do was to pack up our clothes & go. Of course we were all delighted. I went up to see it first and was thrilled. So the Martins left that afternoon and we all slept up there that night. Each one had a bed room & there were three bath rooms & everything lovely. It was as grand as a circus to see us going around and exclaiming & I think dear old Dad was happier than anyone else.
 |
| Mame and Elmer Moody at their 719 Michetorena St. Home in Santa Barbara |
But the old War was still hanging on & Wilma wanted to go up to Oakland Hospital & be a nurse & Brenda went up there, Harriett went to Palo Alto, Mildred to Marysville & Dad & I were left there alone. I went down to the Red Cross Hospital & took in a night nurse from there but when the Armistice was signed they all came home & the boys home from the War & didn’t we have a celebration. It was a fine place for parties and dancing and they kept it up every evening.
In the meantime Dad was getting along fine with our new home and finished it in 1919. Harriett made the plans & we thought it was a regular mansion. It had a great big front porch and two bathrooms. We bought furniture from the Martin house (we had sold the Martin house to the Fallons). So we had plenty of furniture to fill our new house. Each had a room and now all settled down to stay the rest of our days. Brenda got a place at the Commercial Bank, Harriett still Asst. City Engineer, Mildred at Barker Bros. in Los Angeles, Wilma at Statinery store.
Dad had to give up work and go down to the Sanitarium again. Things went along pretty smoothly. Mildred came up quite often over the weekends. Bert and his family, Brenda and Bruce came down nearly every summer. Brenda L. was deputy City Recorder & when Mr. Bradley resigned was made Recorder. Wilma worked for her. Dad & I took a trip up to Yosemite. He was sick, had a high fever all the time we were there & I was terribly worried but got him home all right and the next day after we returned the terrible Earthquake of 1925 occurred. Bert & Grace and Brenda were with us. No use. I cannot write about that yet. It was too awful. Later Brenda got a position as escrow officer at the Security Title Co. and Wilma one at the Loan & Bldg. with Mr. Abbott.
Mildred took a trip to China & Japan & had a fine experience that will help her all through life. She came home to S. B. & fixed up a studio on Perdido St. & later moved to the La Arcade Building. Brenda had bought a lot on the Highway and in 1925 they decided to build a Studio & Shop. So they built The English Cottage at 899 Coast Highway. Harriett designed the building and Mr. McQuidley [??] built it for them. The borrowed the money from Mr. C. Hunt [??] and Harriett & Mildred were in charge of it. They rented part for a tea room for a while but that was not a success so they just had a shop & studio.
Then the depression came along and Brenda had a nervous breakdown & had to give up her job. Harriett had lost her job as Asst. Engineer after the Earthquake. Wilma was the only one left with steady job. Then they took in antiques at the shop & sold goods for people on commission and did interior decorating and anything that turned up. Brenda helped in the Cottage too and I stayed home and took care of Dad & the house. We just got along some way & everybody worked & worked & worked & old Roosevelt was elected and started ruining the Country & poor old Dad was sick and getting worse all the time. The folks came down for the summers and I cannot remember much about that awfully discouraging time. We were so unhappy about Roosevelt getting in for a second term in 1936. Poor old Dad never could get over it. Right after Christmas day 1937 we had to take him over to the hospital. He was there for three weeks. Dr. Burkard pulled him through but he never got much better. The girls wanted to find an old place out in Montecito where he could get out and walk around on the ground. We took him for a ride out through Montecito just two Sundays before he left us. We looked at every old house & Mildred said “ There’s a nice old place” & I glanced around & saw the house and said that would be fine. It was the Peppers.
Well the next day--The Peppers was advertized for sale for $15,000. Five acres with big house and ball room. The Ryords [?] were crazy about it and talked to the girls & they finally decided to buy it together & they (Ryords) take part of the land and the Ball room & move it to another part of the grounds.
They brought me out to see the next Sunday but Dad said he would not come because they might not get it and he will just be disappointed. I went with the girls and we rushed through the place. It seemed wonderful to me and I was so thrilled over it but when we got home Dad seemed to be worse. He was down on the porch. Had not been confined to his bed at all. I sent for Dr. Burkard and he was better the next day. Was in bed all day.
We got a night nurse Monday night. When the night-nurse came we fixed his bed and she changed his clothing & gave him a sponge bath. I went to bed & he looked up & said, "I want Mame, MAME. I said, "Well here she is". He looked up & smiled and I kissed him goodnight--those were his last words--and the next morning at 12:30 noon he passed away without a struggle. He was always so much afraid he would suffer. That was a blessed release for him.
We all felt terribly sorry he would not have lived long enough to enjoy the Peppers with us. We came out here to the Peppers on May 1st 1937. It was a big job to break away from our home at 719 E. Micheltorena but we got here all right and it just seemed too good to be true to get away from all that noise and confusion to this quiet and peaceful place among all these pepper trees and spruce trees & every other kind & our lovely rooms & bath rooms and plenty of them.
We have been here just a year & I have been in town only three times. We rented the home at 719 E. Mich and hope to sell it soon. I never get lonely here--have my garden to work in and plenty to keep me busy in the house too. And the nicest thing yet has happened--the Ryords [sp?] could not work out a way to keep their part--so we get the Ball room and all the land--Had to refinance & I do not know how we will come out--but we are on our way and having the time of our lives.
The Ball room or our studio is now full of lovely antiques and overflow from the shop & it is a wonderful setting for them. So this is July 12th 1938. The folks (Berts) did not come down summer. They spent last summer here and Bert went to college and finished there & got his degree AB. It has been a long hard pull for him but he stuck it out and strutted in his Cap & Gown (borrowed it from Rufus Bond). The Bonds visited them here last summer & Brenda R. brought a school friend with her. Bruce went to summer school and Grace did the cooking for all the big family. She had some job & we all enjoyed the good eats.
Our grand old dog "Bozo" is enjoying his new home here as much as the rest of us. the first thing we did was to have a big yard under the pepper tree enclosed for him. We sure think a lot of him. He is one of the family . Have had him since he was six months old.
We have a bunch of bantam chickens & our old cat "Molly" & two of her first batch of kittens, Skanky and Corky.
We have had a busy year, lots of company. Gladys and her family stopped one Sunday on their way home from San Francisco and Josephine & her boy friend & the Edwards family & Mark & Mr. Reynolds & his wife & boy. And Harriet McQuilken & Lettie’s boy, Ted Plant and Jean Chambers my old school chum came in January and stayed two weeks --and Blanche Carey & her man and Mr. Fryer last summer and again this summer. And Helen and George Stanley.
We buried dear old Dad’s ashes under the orange tree in the Terrace Garden and my tree is just across from it. We want to bring the shade back as it used to be. It will all take time and money--we’re hoping the oil well will come in big and then we will all do things.
Later--oil news not so good again.
July 16.1938. This is Sunday again. Have been out in the garden using the hose and the geraniums are blooming and lots of flowers and shrubs. It is surely a dream place. Have always wanted an old place like this surrounded by trees.
It is only about 15 minutes from the hustle and bustle of town but it’s so quiet and peaceful you would think we were out in the wilds. I often wonder what I have done to deserve all that I am privileged to enjoy in my old age. I hope the girls can always have this place to live the rest of their days—they are so good to me and are having to work hard but I know they just love to come home in the evening and enjoy this lovely quiet place. We have not been in to church either. Sunday is the only day they have at home it seems we can worship God here better than anyplace else in the world—we have so much to thank God for.
We miss dear old Dad and know he would have loved this old dream place too. But we also believe he has gone on to a far, far better place with all the dear loved ones gone on before him. His sister Lucy died only a few months after he left us and now there are only my brother Jack [William Jack Curry, 1860-1945] and I left in our family and only Cora left in his family--Bert’s boy is the last Moody in the line and Jack’s boys Bill and Matthew are the last Curry boys in our line.
We’ve not had much company today so far. Blanche Roof is here visiting Mildred. She is going to the college summer school. She stayed for tea. Mildred had made some good sandwiches & we had strawberries and whipped cream on the terrace. She is Mrs. Root’s niece Anna Newell [sp?] & very sweet girl.
The girls are drawing a lot of interior decorating this summer. Mrs. Louise Wood is with them in the studio and they all are working together on anything they can find to do. Mrs. Wood is in Reno now on a job for a San Francisco woman who has a house up there. Wilma got a croquet set yesterday and we all have a good time playing. Have all been working in the garden every evening. Hard work too. The girls have been taking out weed & irrigating the orange and lemon tree, etc. We have quite a ranch here and it will take some time to get the jungle cleared out, etc. But we all enjoy working around the garden. Have a lovely rose garden. This surely is my dream come true.
Sunday July 2nd. Went down to the Eng. Cottage studio with the girls & then for a big ride through Montecito way up to the mountains and down through Summerland. Everywhere so lovely, enjoyed the trip so much.
Tuesday. Well at last we had a letter from Bert and Grace, the first since she arrived at their camp at Boulder Creek. So glad to hear that they were all well and having such a happy time. It will do them all a world of good to be out among those lovely old redwoods all summer.
Now I have nothing particularly to worry about except the Country and it certainly is in the worse mess in my life. How we are ever going to get it back to the good old Constitution is more than anyone could guess these days. Roosevelt off fishing again on a big warship, spending all the money he wants millions of people living on charity.
Sunday, July 31st, 4 pm. H ad a good time puttering around the garden. We have a nice big green lath house and are filling it with plants. The two pear trees just loaded with pears. Mildred & I were putting props under the branches to hold them from breaking. Brenda has been clipping the shrubbery and raking paths through. Harriett is planting vegetables & flowers & all take turns irrigating the trees. Wilma mowing the lawn and giving Bozo a bath. It takes Wilma & Mildred both to do that job.
We are looking for Gladys and her family today but they have not yet arrived.
Later they arrived all right and we had a lovely time. The children, Lois and Georgeanne, have grown a lot since last summer & are awfully nice little children. Gladys & Charles, just the same old good friends. Josephine is working and could not be with them this time. She graduated from USC. She surely is a lovely girl, we were sorry to miss her. Later Mrs. Fallon came with three girls & they made a tour of the place & thought everything so wonderful. Everyone says that this is a REAL home.
Wednesday, August 3rd 1938. Well, we had a nice surprise last night. Had a card from Brenda R. that they might come Wed. but they came last night. We were so delighted to see them. It was so good to hear about all the folks direct. They certainly have had a busy time. I surely would have been worried, had I known they all had been sick. Brenda R. has a cough yet. I surely hope we can get it cleared up. She is to start college August 18th and does not have much time. So glad she came down. Do wish she had longer to stay. They have brought us a big box of pears and apples. We will enjoy those. Lu has gone out to Dr. Sansome's & Brenda went down to the shop & will come home with the girls.
Well old Mollie cat celebrated her blessed event last night--she has four kittens--look just like that gray Manx cat I have been chasing off the place. Mrs. Fallon has spoken for two kittens. I wish she would take Mollie all of the kittens. I surely do not want any more animals to feed and look after. I think a lot of the two boys [cats} Corky and Skanky but do not want any more. I do no want any but Skanky and Corky, they are such cute, affectionate little fellows.
Sunday August 6th. Last week has been a busy one. Brenda R. and Lu got off Friday morning. Wish they could have stayed longer. Glad we had a little visit and hope all the folks will get down before school begins.
Mr. Conner brought Wilma home from the office Saturday & I gave them a “pickup” lunch. Mildred was home Saturday afternoon. Harriet and Brenda went to Ojai to Mrs. Augur’s ranch, had lunch there. Mrs. Augur is head of the Bolsa Chica oil company--they are still going to try for oil at Coal Oil Point. She wants Brenda to sell her big ranch for $200,000. That would be a big commission if she could. Here’s hoping.
Sunday was a busy day. Mr. Conner brought his three children out to call and they had a grand time scampering all over the place. They are awfully sweet little kids--Phillip, 9 & Desiree, 5 & Fain, 3. He surely had his hands full taking care of them with no mother to help but he seems to be equal to the task and has them well in hand.
Blanche and two friends came & went all over the place & stayed almost until 7 o’clock so we were all pretty tired and went to bed early.
Sunday, August 13th. The Fiesta Week has come and gone.The papers say 100,000 people were here to enjoy it. The girls went to the parade and say it was the best one yet. I did not want to get in the crowd and confusion, so stayed at home and enjoyed a lovely quiet time.
Wilma got a Spanish costume and looked lovely in it. Went out in the evening and took in the sights with Mr. Conner. The rest of us stayed home. Had a lovely day in the garden Sunday. Got my lath house all cleaned up & a lot of pots planted. Monday evening Mrs. Warf from Carpenteria brought a party of friends up to see the Studio. They had a good time wandering all over the place. Everyone love the old dream place.
Tuesday August 16th 1938. Several people here today to look at the antiques & admire the place. Mildred brought four women and they bought some of the antiques.
Wednesday August 17th. Made a bouquet this morning for my old friend Mrs. Ray. I can still do that much for anyone in need of cheer--have certainly made a lot of them. So glad there is something I can do to give a little cheer and comfort when it is so sorely needed.
Saturday August 19th. The girls have had a busy week with their interior decorating and real estate house plans, etc. Brenda had a little sick spell and was home for two days. Mildred fell off the ladder while picking pears. Pretty badly bruised but no broken bones. Gave us all the “jitters” and she is pretty sore. Suppose Brenda R. is up in college at Berkeley by this time.
Sunday August 26th 1938. This has been a busy day. Everyone working around all morning and in the afternoon Mr. Conner came with the children, stayed a little while and then took Wilma with them to the beach. Then Al Buss and his wife and little boy Rex came. Harriet and Brenda took them all over the place. Even up to the gardener’s cottage to see Mollie and her Manx kittens. Then Wilma and Mr. Conner and the kids came back and had scrambled eggs & toast & ice cream. They are good little kids and we had a good time with them.
Wednesday August 31st. Busy time the past week. Mrs. Root called up to know if we had company and said Newell was coming up this way with his family on a camping trip. So she came Thurs. stayed till Sunday & Mr. Root, Cary and his wife came up and spent Sunday & took her home with them. She enjoyed her visit and I think it did her good. The rest of the family were enthusiastic over the place. Mr. Conner and the kids came to take Wilma to the beach while they were here and they got quite a kick out of that.
Kenny said even the Prince of Wales wouldn’t have a chance around here. Well, it looks as though McAdoo was beaten in the election--hurrah. We will show old Roosevelt that he is not going to run California.
Sunday, September 3rd. Quiet day at home. We had a fine rest. I worked in my lath house & the garden a while--no one came all day--
Monday, September 4th, Labor Day. Wilma went out on a picnic to the beach with Mr. Conner and his family. They had a fine time. Mr. Green from Santa Anna brought some friends up to call and look over the place.
Monday, September 19th. Well did not time to write in my book. Bert and Grace and Bruce came for a very short visit. Came on a Tuesday and left for home on a Friday morning--we were so delighted to see them and had a happy visit with them although it was all too short. They told us all about Brenda getting settled into college and how well she liked it up there at Berkeley.
Bruce wanted a gun so bad and Wilma got it for him. Hope he will be very careful but it seems boys are not happy until they get a BB gun. Bert’s school began last Monday and they are all settled in again.
October 2nd. A lot of things have happened in the world since I last wrote. We all have been so deadly afraid of another war in Europe--but hope & pray that the four powers come to an understanding and that things can be settled without war. We are all so sorry some of the people will have to sacrifice but how much worse it would be for them if war had come. Anyway, the dear children will not be frightened and sacrificed. We are all breathing easier now and hope that all will get back to normal & we can all be happy & at peace.
Wilma’s vacation ends today. She has been at home two weeks and I hope had a good rest from the office. She is at the beach with the Conners family today. She and Harriett went to Los A. & had a nice trip & got some clothes & hats & candy, etc.
Brenda has been sick in bed. The dentist bruised her mouth when fitting in a bridge. I do not think she was ever so mad about anything. I wouldn’t have had it happen for anything in the world. The poor girl has had such a hard time but it is better now. We had Dr. Burkard come. The dentist felt awful bad but I’m glad I did not say anything to him especially as he has since died suddenly. Suppose he was sick when it happened and should not have been at work.
Harriett is very busy these days with several house plans. They are all busy all the time. Wish they all could have more time to rest.
October 21st. It has been a long time since I felt the urge to write anything. We’re always busy with something else--never have time to get lonesome or have nothing to do.
November 3rd. Well things have been going on as usual. Mildred had a birthday celebration. A cake & fried chicken with mashed potatoes, etc. Mildred fried the chicken and it surely tasted good. We had the dinner Saturday (Sunday her birthday). They had chicken to take on their picnic party. Sent off a box of candy and scarf to Brenda R. for her birthday (18th Saturday) hope she will have a happy one. We gave two of Mollie’s kittens to Mrs. Fallon. They will have a good home. It will soon be time for the election & I hope we can show Roosevelt that he cannot run California. He is trying to get in his licks in every direction and ought to be ashamed of himself. He knows better; but he cares only for his own interests. I hope and pray we can elect Governor Merriam and Mr. Franklin. If we can do that, we can feel that California will be almost back to normal now that we are rid of McAdoo. Even Louise Stark ? is disquieted with Roosevelt trying to put in that gang.
November 10th. Well the election is over and we did not get Merriam and Franklin elected but Olson and Patterson and the single tax was beaten and the pension plan so that will be left out of the way for a while and the Republicans got in in several states. So it looks as if Roosevelt will not have all his own way much longer and business will soon be better.
Had a nice letter from Brenda Ruth. She is having a grand time at college and was pleased with her birthday presents, etc. Tomorrow is Armistice Day and the girls will be home. Have some trees to plant that Mrs. Streeter gave us. I sent her some herbs and plants. The Edwards were here last Sunday. They were having a bad desert wind storm in Long Beach so they got in their car and came up here to get out of it. It was a lovely day here. Governor Merriam approved ? Stark Senator to take McAdoo’s place. We are all invited to Millicent Comfort’s wedding Saturday at 4 pm at the Episcopal Church and to the reception at the house afterwards. She is marrying Mr. Douglas a fine young man and we gave them a table decorated by Mildred. I sent a letter of congratulations by “Special”. Wilma & Brenda did not go either so H & M represented the family. They said it was a lovely wedding and Millicent a very beautiful bride. I think she and Pat are fine and I hope they are happy ever after. Must send Brenda R. some wedding cake to dream on.
Friday November 25th. Well Thanksgiving Day is over. We had a special delivery letter from Bert. Glad to hear they were all well and were going to have a nice time Thanksgiving with their YMCA friends and 18 pound turkey. I sent letters to Brenda and Bruce & all of the family--I would have liked to have had them here with us. We had a fine big turkey and all the fixings & certainly enjoyed our dinner.
Carl S. brought us a big hot pumpkin pie and we had some good cider. In the evening Mrs. Wood, Ross and his wife and Mrs. Kelly came in for a while.
December 7th. Haven’t written anything for some time. Nothing out of the ordinary. Have had some callers, Albert and Helen and little Jerry were here one Sunday while Fran C. & their children were here. They had a fine time playing together. Last Sunday evening Fain C. entertained us with moving pictures he had taken of the children--they certainly were cute little things.
January 5th. Haven’t had time to write anything. Too busy getting ready for Christmas. We had a lovely day Christmas. We had a lovely big Christmas tree in the big ball room--Fain Conner and Phillip put it up and decorated for us. On Christmas night Wilma had the Conner family out. A lot of packages under the tree for the children to open & they certainly had a fine time. It was a real pleasure to watch them and gave us all a nice Christmas. The yule log burned brightly and the tree looked lovely in the big room.
I got a new book diary from Wilma so will continue my story in that diary.
In the meantime Dad was getting along fine with our new home and finished it in 1919. Harriett made the plans & we thought it was a regular mansion. It had a great big front porch and two bathrooms. We bought furniture from the Martin house (we had sold the Martin house to the Fallons). So we had plenty of furniture to fill our new house. Each had a room and now all settled down to stay the rest of our days. Brenda got a place at the Commercial Bank, Harriett still Asst. City Engineer, Mildred at Barker Bros. in Los Angeles, Wilma at Statinery store.
Dad had to give up work and go down to the Sanitarium again. Things went along pretty smoothly. Mildred came up quite often over the weekends. Bert and his family, Brenda and Bruce came down nearly every summer. Brenda L. was deputy City Recorder & when Mr. Bradley resigned was made Recorder. Wilma worked for her. Dad & I took a trip up to Yosemite. He was sick, had a high fever all the time we were there & I was terribly worried but got him home all right and the next day after we returned the terrible Earthquake of 1925 occurred. Bert & Grace and Brenda were with us. No use. I cannot write about that yet. It was too awful. Later Brenda got a position as escrow officer at the Security Title Co. and Wilma one at the Loan & Bldg. with Mr. Abbott.
Mildred took a trip to China & Japan & had a fine experience that will help her all through life. She came home to S. B. & fixed up a studio on Perdido St. & later moved to the La Arcade Building. Brenda had bought a lot on the Highway and in 1925 they decided to build a Studio & Shop. So they built The English Cottage at 899 Coast Highway. Harriett designed the building and Mr. McQuidley [??] built it for them. The borrowed the money from Mr. C. Hunt [??] and Harriett & Mildred were in charge of it. They rented part for a tea room for a while but that was not a success so they just had a shop & studio.
Then the depression came along and Brenda had a nervous breakdown & had to give up her job. Harriett had lost her job as Asst. Engineer after the Earthquake. Wilma was the only one left with steady job. Then they took in antiques at the shop & sold goods for people on commission and did interior decorating and anything that turned up. Brenda helped in the Cottage too and I stayed home and took care of Dad & the house. We just got along some way & everybody worked & worked & worked & old Roosevelt was elected and started ruining the Country & poor old Dad was sick and getting worse all the time. The folks came down for the summers and I cannot remember much about that awfully discouraging time. We were so unhappy about Roosevelt getting in for a second term in 1936. Poor old Dad never could get over it. Right after Christmas day 1937 we had to take him over to the hospital. He was there for three weeks. Dr. Burkard pulled him through but he never got much better. The girls wanted to find an old place out in Montecito where he could get out and walk around on the ground. We took him for a ride out through Montecito just two Sundays before he left us. We looked at every old house & Mildred said “ There’s a nice old place” & I glanced around & saw the house and said that would be fine. It was the Peppers.
Well the next day--The Peppers was advertized for sale for $15,000. Five acres with big house and ball room. The Ryords [?] were crazy about it and talked to the girls & they finally decided to buy it together & they (Ryords) take part of the land and the Ball room & move it to another part of the grounds.
They brought me out to see the next Sunday but Dad said he would not come because they might not get it and he will just be disappointed. I went with the girls and we rushed through the place. It seemed wonderful to me and I was so thrilled over it but when we got home Dad seemed to be worse. He was down on the porch. Had not been confined to his bed at all. I sent for Dr. Burkard and he was better the next day. Was in bed all day.
We got a night nurse Monday night. When the night-nurse came we fixed his bed and she changed his clothing & gave him a sponge bath. I went to bed & he looked up & said, "I want Mame, MAME. I said, "Well here she is". He looked up & smiled and I kissed him goodnight--those were his last words--and the next morning at 12:30 noon he passed away without a struggle. He was always so much afraid he would suffer. That was a blessed release for him.
We all felt terribly sorry he would not have lived long enough to enjoy the Peppers with us. We came out here to the Peppers on May 1st 1937. It was a big job to break away from our home at 719 E. Micheltorena but we got here all right and it just seemed too good to be true to get away from all that noise and confusion to this quiet and peaceful place among all these pepper trees and spruce trees & every other kind & our lovely rooms & bath rooms and plenty of them.
We have been here just a year & I have been in town only three times. We rented the home at 719 E. Mich and hope to sell it soon. I never get lonely here--have my garden to work in and plenty to keep me busy in the house too. And the nicest thing yet has happened--the Ryords [sp?] could not work out a way to keep their part--so we get the Ball room and all the land--Had to refinance & I do not know how we will come out--but we are on our way and having the time of our lives.
The Ball room or our studio is now full of lovely antiques and overflow from the shop & it is a wonderful setting for them. So this is July 12th 1938. The folks (Berts) did not come down summer. They spent last summer here and Bert went to college and finished there & got his degree AB. It has been a long hard pull for him but he stuck it out and strutted in his Cap & Gown (borrowed it from Rufus Bond). The Bonds visited them here last summer & Brenda R. brought a school friend with her. Bruce went to summer school and Grace did the cooking for all the big family. She had some job & we all enjoyed the good eats.
Our grand old dog "Bozo" is enjoying his new home here as much as the rest of us. the first thing we did was to have a big yard under the pepper tree enclosed for him. We sure think a lot of him. He is one of the family . Have had him since he was six months old.
We have a bunch of bantam chickens & our old cat "Molly" & two of her first batch of kittens, Skanky and Corky.
We have had a busy year, lots of company. Gladys and her family stopped one Sunday on their way home from San Francisco and Josephine & her boy friend & the Edwards family & Mark & Mr. Reynolds & his wife & boy. And Harriet McQuilken & Lettie’s boy, Ted Plant and Jean Chambers my old school chum came in January and stayed two weeks --and Blanche Carey & her man and Mr. Fryer last summer and again this summer. And Helen and George Stanley.
We buried dear old Dad’s ashes under the orange tree in the Terrace Garden and my tree is just across from it. We want to bring the shade back as it used to be. It will all take time and money--we’re hoping the oil well will come in big and then we will all do things.
Later--oil news not so good again.
July 16.1938. This is Sunday again. Have been out in the garden using the hose and the geraniums are blooming and lots of flowers and shrubs. It is surely a dream place. Have always wanted an old place like this surrounded by trees.
It is only about 15 minutes from the hustle and bustle of town but it’s so quiet and peaceful you would think we were out in the wilds. I often wonder what I have done to deserve all that I am privileged to enjoy in my old age. I hope the girls can always have this place to live the rest of their days—they are so good to me and are having to work hard but I know they just love to come home in the evening and enjoy this lovely quiet place. We have not been in to church either. Sunday is the only day they have at home it seems we can worship God here better than anyplace else in the world—we have so much to thank God for.
We miss dear old Dad and know he would have loved this old dream place too. But we also believe he has gone on to a far, far better place with all the dear loved ones gone on before him. His sister Lucy died only a few months after he left us and now there are only my brother Jack [William Jack Curry, 1860-1945] and I left in our family and only Cora left in his family--Bert’s boy is the last Moody in the line and Jack’s boys Bill and Matthew are the last Curry boys in our line.
We’ve not had much company today so far. Blanche Roof is here visiting Mildred. She is going to the college summer school. She stayed for tea. Mildred had made some good sandwiches & we had strawberries and whipped cream on the terrace. She is Mrs. Root’s niece Anna Newell [sp?] & very sweet girl.
The girls are drawing a lot of interior decorating this summer. Mrs. Louise Wood is with them in the studio and they all are working together on anything they can find to do. Mrs. Wood is in Reno now on a job for a San Francisco woman who has a house up there. Wilma got a croquet set yesterday and we all have a good time playing. Have all been working in the garden every evening. Hard work too. The girls have been taking out weed & irrigating the orange and lemon tree, etc. We have quite a ranch here and it will take some time to get the jungle cleared out, etc. But we all enjoy working around the garden. Have a lovely rose garden. This surely is my dream come true.
Sunday July 2nd. Went down to the Eng. Cottage studio with the girls & then for a big ride through Montecito way up to the mountains and down through Summerland. Everywhere so lovely, enjoyed the trip so much.
Tuesday. Well at last we had a letter from Bert and Grace, the first since she arrived at their camp at Boulder Creek. So glad to hear that they were all well and having such a happy time. It will do them all a world of good to be out among those lovely old redwoods all summer.
Now I have nothing particularly to worry about except the Country and it certainly is in the worse mess in my life. How we are ever going to get it back to the good old Constitution is more than anyone could guess these days. Roosevelt off fishing again on a big warship, spending all the money he wants millions of people living on charity.
Sunday, July 31st, 4 pm. H ad a good time puttering around the garden. We have a nice big green lath house and are filling it with plants. The two pear trees just loaded with pears. Mildred & I were putting props under the branches to hold them from breaking. Brenda has been clipping the shrubbery and raking paths through. Harriett is planting vegetables & flowers & all take turns irrigating the trees. Wilma mowing the lawn and giving Bozo a bath. It takes Wilma & Mildred both to do that job.
We are looking for Gladys and her family today but they have not yet arrived.
Later they arrived all right and we had a lovely time. The children, Lois and Georgeanne, have grown a lot since last summer & are awfully nice little children. Gladys & Charles, just the same old good friends. Josephine is working and could not be with them this time. She graduated from USC. She surely is a lovely girl, we were sorry to miss her. Later Mrs. Fallon came with three girls & they made a tour of the place & thought everything so wonderful. Everyone says that this is a REAL home.
Wednesday, August 3rd 1938. Well, we had a nice surprise last night. Had a card from Brenda R. that they might come Wed. but they came last night. We were so delighted to see them. It was so good to hear about all the folks direct. They certainly have had a busy time. I surely would have been worried, had I known they all had been sick. Brenda R. has a cough yet. I surely hope we can get it cleared up. She is to start college August 18th and does not have much time. So glad she came down. Do wish she had longer to stay. They have brought us a big box of pears and apples. We will enjoy those. Lu has gone out to Dr. Sansome's & Brenda went down to the shop & will come home with the girls.
Well old Mollie cat celebrated her blessed event last night--she has four kittens--look just like that gray Manx cat I have been chasing off the place. Mrs. Fallon has spoken for two kittens. I wish she would take Mollie all of the kittens. I surely do not want any more animals to feed and look after. I think a lot of the two boys [cats} Corky and Skanky but do not want any more. I do no want any but Skanky and Corky, they are such cute, affectionate little fellows.
Sunday August 6th. Last week has been a busy one. Brenda R. and Lu got off Friday morning. Wish they could have stayed longer. Glad we had a little visit and hope all the folks will get down before school begins.
Mr. Conner brought Wilma home from the office Saturday & I gave them a “pickup” lunch. Mildred was home Saturday afternoon. Harriet and Brenda went to Ojai to Mrs. Augur’s ranch, had lunch there. Mrs. Augur is head of the Bolsa Chica oil company--they are still going to try for oil at Coal Oil Point. She wants Brenda to sell her big ranch for $200,000. That would be a big commission if she could. Here’s hoping.
Sunday was a busy day. Mr. Conner brought his three children out to call and they had a grand time scampering all over the place. They are awfully sweet little kids--Phillip, 9 & Desiree, 5 & Fain, 3. He surely had his hands full taking care of them with no mother to help but he seems to be equal to the task and has them well in hand.
Blanche and two friends came & went all over the place & stayed almost until 7 o’clock so we were all pretty tired and went to bed early.
Sunday, August 13th. The Fiesta Week has come and gone.The papers say 100,000 people were here to enjoy it. The girls went to the parade and say it was the best one yet. I did not want to get in the crowd and confusion, so stayed at home and enjoyed a lovely quiet time.
Wilma got a Spanish costume and looked lovely in it. Went out in the evening and took in the sights with Mr. Conner. The rest of us stayed home. Had a lovely day in the garden Sunday. Got my lath house all cleaned up & a lot of pots planted. Monday evening Mrs. Warf from Carpenteria brought a party of friends up to see the Studio. They had a good time wandering all over the place. Everyone love the old dream place.
Tuesday August 16th 1938. Several people here today to look at the antiques & admire the place. Mildred brought four women and they bought some of the antiques.
Wednesday August 17th. Made a bouquet this morning for my old friend Mrs. Ray. I can still do that much for anyone in need of cheer--have certainly made a lot of them. So glad there is something I can do to give a little cheer and comfort when it is so sorely needed.
Saturday August 19th. The girls have had a busy week with their interior decorating and real estate house plans, etc. Brenda had a little sick spell and was home for two days. Mildred fell off the ladder while picking pears. Pretty badly bruised but no broken bones. Gave us all the “jitters” and she is pretty sore. Suppose Brenda R. is up in college at Berkeley by this time.
Sunday August 26th 1938. This has been a busy day. Everyone working around all morning and in the afternoon Mr. Conner came with the children, stayed a little while and then took Wilma with them to the beach. Then Al Buss and his wife and little boy Rex came. Harriet and Brenda took them all over the place. Even up to the gardener’s cottage to see Mollie and her Manx kittens. Then Wilma and Mr. Conner and the kids came back and had scrambled eggs & toast & ice cream. They are good little kids and we had a good time with them.
Wednesday August 31st. Busy time the past week. Mrs. Root called up to know if we had company and said Newell was coming up this way with his family on a camping trip. So she came Thurs. stayed till Sunday & Mr. Root, Cary and his wife came up and spent Sunday & took her home with them. She enjoyed her visit and I think it did her good. The rest of the family were enthusiastic over the place. Mr. Conner and the kids came to take Wilma to the beach while they were here and they got quite a kick out of that.
Kenny said even the Prince of Wales wouldn’t have a chance around here. Well, it looks as though McAdoo was beaten in the election--hurrah. We will show old Roosevelt that he is not going to run California.
Sunday, September 3rd. Quiet day at home. We had a fine rest. I worked in my lath house & the garden a while--no one came all day--
Monday, September 4th, Labor Day. Wilma went out on a picnic to the beach with Mr. Conner and his family. They had a fine time. Mr. Green from Santa Anna brought some friends up to call and look over the place.
Monday, September 19th. Well did not time to write in my book. Bert and Grace and Bruce came for a very short visit. Came on a Tuesday and left for home on a Friday morning--we were so delighted to see them and had a happy visit with them although it was all too short. They told us all about Brenda getting settled into college and how well she liked it up there at Berkeley.
Bruce wanted a gun so bad and Wilma got it for him. Hope he will be very careful but it seems boys are not happy until they get a BB gun. Bert’s school began last Monday and they are all settled in again.
October 2nd. A lot of things have happened in the world since I last wrote. We all have been so deadly afraid of another war in Europe--but hope & pray that the four powers come to an understanding and that things can be settled without war. We are all so sorry some of the people will have to sacrifice but how much worse it would be for them if war had come. Anyway, the dear children will not be frightened and sacrificed. We are all breathing easier now and hope that all will get back to normal & we can all be happy & at peace.
Wilma’s vacation ends today. She has been at home two weeks and I hope had a good rest from the office. She is at the beach with the Conners family today. She and Harriett went to Los A. & had a nice trip & got some clothes & hats & candy, etc.
Brenda has been sick in bed. The dentist bruised her mouth when fitting in a bridge. I do not think she was ever so mad about anything. I wouldn’t have had it happen for anything in the world. The poor girl has had such a hard time but it is better now. We had Dr. Burkard come. The dentist felt awful bad but I’m glad I did not say anything to him especially as he has since died suddenly. Suppose he was sick when it happened and should not have been at work.
Harriett is very busy these days with several house plans. They are all busy all the time. Wish they all could have more time to rest.
October 21st. It has been a long time since I felt the urge to write anything. We’re always busy with something else--never have time to get lonesome or have nothing to do.
November 3rd. Well things have been going on as usual. Mildred had a birthday celebration. A cake & fried chicken with mashed potatoes, etc. Mildred fried the chicken and it surely tasted good. We had the dinner Saturday (Sunday her birthday). They had chicken to take on their picnic party. Sent off a box of candy and scarf to Brenda R. for her birthday (18th Saturday) hope she will have a happy one. We gave two of Mollie’s kittens to Mrs. Fallon. They will have a good home. It will soon be time for the election & I hope we can show Roosevelt that he cannot run California. He is trying to get in his licks in every direction and ought to be ashamed of himself. He knows better; but he cares only for his own interests. I hope and pray we can elect Governor Merriam and Mr. Franklin. If we can do that, we can feel that California will be almost back to normal now that we are rid of McAdoo. Even Louise Stark ? is disquieted with Roosevelt trying to put in that gang.
November 10th. Well the election is over and we did not get Merriam and Franklin elected but Olson and Patterson and the single tax was beaten and the pension plan so that will be left out of the way for a while and the Republicans got in in several states. So it looks as if Roosevelt will not have all his own way much longer and business will soon be better.
Had a nice letter from Brenda Ruth. She is having a grand time at college and was pleased with her birthday presents, etc. Tomorrow is Armistice Day and the girls will be home. Have some trees to plant that Mrs. Streeter gave us. I sent her some herbs and plants. The Edwards were here last Sunday. They were having a bad desert wind storm in Long Beach so they got in their car and came up here to get out of it. It was a lovely day here. Governor Merriam approved ? Stark Senator to take McAdoo’s place. We are all invited to Millicent Comfort’s wedding Saturday at 4 pm at the Episcopal Church and to the reception at the house afterwards. She is marrying Mr. Douglas a fine young man and we gave them a table decorated by Mildred. I sent a letter of congratulations by “Special”. Wilma & Brenda did not go either so H & M represented the family. They said it was a lovely wedding and Millicent a very beautiful bride. I think she and Pat are fine and I hope they are happy ever after. Must send Brenda R. some wedding cake to dream on.
Friday November 25th. Well Thanksgiving Day is over. We had a special delivery letter from Bert. Glad to hear they were all well and were going to have a nice time Thanksgiving with their YMCA friends and 18 pound turkey. I sent letters to Brenda and Bruce & all of the family--I would have liked to have had them here with us. We had a fine big turkey and all the fixings & certainly enjoyed our dinner.
Carl S. brought us a big hot pumpkin pie and we had some good cider. In the evening Mrs. Wood, Ross and his wife and Mrs. Kelly came in for a while.
December 7th. Haven’t written anything for some time. Nothing out of the ordinary. Have had some callers, Albert and Helen and little Jerry were here one Sunday while Fran C. & their children were here. They had a fine time playing together. Last Sunday evening Fain C. entertained us with moving pictures he had taken of the children--they certainly were cute little things.
January 5th. Haven’t had time to write anything. Too busy getting ready for Christmas. We had a lovely day Christmas. We had a lovely big Christmas tree in the big ball room--Fain Conner and Phillip put it up and decorated for us. On Christmas night Wilma had the Conner family out. A lot of packages under the tree for the children to open & they certainly had a fine time. It was a real pleasure to watch them and gave us all a nice Christmas. The yule log burned brightly and the tree looked lovely in the big room.
I got a new book diary from Wilma so will continue my story in that diary.
[Note: Inside back flyleaf was written “Little Brenda’s college address: 2347 Prospect, Berkeley, Cal]
[Post note: On my 2008 visit to Brenda Ruth's home in Corvallis, Marcia and I didn’t find the second diary. If it appears I’d be happy to transcribe and append it here. WJC3 1/1/2009]/
No comments:
Post a Comment