Bea Bryan Denham Diary – 1941

Louisiana State Archives, N1998- 5                                                                                             

Jo Ann Thurman Collection, 17793 – 2 – P

(transcribed by Melinda Holloway and Ally Holloway)

This diary is  one of many written by Bea Bryan Denham of Sicily Island, Louisiana, first cousin to my grandfather.  We called her Aunt Bea. She lived during a pivotal time in our nation’s history through its transition from being in a poverty-stricken depression to  the brink of entering another world war already raging in Europe.  You will sense the monotony of day to day living,  the necessity of having friends and writing letters, and also the bright spots of entertainment that were theirs —  reading serial story’s in Time and Post magazines, listening to radio programs, and going to the local cinema.  She records every “picture show” they went to see during that year. (I have links to as many films as possible to give you a feel for the time.) 

But most of all this diary is valuable in that it helps us see the growing anticipation and the fear of war as it plays out over the year. It is in this same year when we see the United States finally enter World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. 

On a personal note this diary also contains the entry about the untimely death of my grandfather, C. L. Guice, on Sept 22, 1941 at the age of just thirty-six.

 

References to Melinda Holloway’s family are in green

References to passages about World War II are in red

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January 1, Wednesday                Warm, fit fully sunny.
Nelson and Faye [Earl’s sister and brother-in-law] left at noon today. I stayed at the shop while Earl [Bea’s husband] hunted this morning, but they had no luck. Went to Mamma’s in the afternoon. She is getting no better of her cold than I of mine. Cecil came by, said we should come to work, it was worth all it was supposed to be. Herbert Sorey came by late in the afternoon and I got to thinking of what a rascal Uncle Ural is. What a thought to begin the New Year with!

January 2, Thursday               Warm, sunny
Old man Squyres died today. I got up at one last night. I couldn’t sleep for this cold, and thinking about Uncle Ural, and coughing, and wrote the story of Aunt Minnie’s Life. I lived again all those deadening, heart-breaking months when she slowly died, and he callously forgot her. I’ve wondered ever since if it is right to ask God for favors. It was wrong in that case. When He spared her a quick death then, while she was fairly happy, we watched her have to spread dying over 2 ½ years, live through Prenties’ ignominous death, killed by a train while drunk; Pauline’s elopement; constant and heartless neglect by Uncle Ural; lack of funds for necessities; and most pitiful,- a desire to make a decent disposal of her property, and not being able to talk or write, or, for the last six months, to see, and being utterly helpless. I try to allow myself such thoughts, it’s all past and gone, and can’t be helped. Wrote Minnie Lea. Letters from Minnie Lea and Florelle. Mailed Sears $10.36.

January 3, Friday           Sunny, rained in night
Spent morning at shop. Earl was pretty busy. Went to Mamma’s. Jo Anne and I went to Margaret’s awhile. Saw good show “A Dispatch from Reuter’s”. England is having some success in Africa, but Germany is massing troops in Romania so it seems the poor valiant Greeks are doomed.

January 4, Saturday               Partly sunny
I think I keep taking fresh cold. I just cough my head off, and Mamma’s just as bad. Earl has been busy. Jo Anne spent the day at Mamma’s. We found a good many Irish potatoes in the ground. So many people are sick with colds. Earl worked a little on his airplane. England claims to have taken Bardia, and to have made a wreck of Breman. If only Petain could find some way to throw France into England’s cause, and out of the German grip! It’s a shame for France to die, as it surely will if England loses this war. Goodness knows what will happen to us.

January 5, Sunday                 Ugly, cold and rainy.
I didn’t go to Sunday School, I cough so much. Jo Anne didn’t want to go alone, so we went to Mamma’s and brought them back for dinner. Eula May came too, of course. Kidd came, too, about 12; Edward had already gone hunting. Earl went after dinner, down on Anchor. We rode around a little, took Mamma and Eula May home about 4:30, and went down to see Katherine’s new baby. I wouldn’t go in with such a cold. After supper we went to see “Knute Rockne” which was pretty good.

January 6, Monday               Dreary

I stayed at the shop most of the day except for awhile I went to Missionary Society, where we discussed plans from the “Picayune” yesterday and I think I’ll send “Henry” there. To Virginia Quarterly Review, Charlottesville, VA. Probably wasting effort and stamp money. This money business is serious indeed [because of the Great Depression]. I am studying short hand again, wish I could write fast enough to take Civil Service in February.

January 7, Tuesday                 Dreary

Studied shorthand all day, except for a little, while when I went to Mamma’s. Kidd and Edward came by for a little while, on their way to a ball game. The news is scary, looks as if there will be a development in the Balkans soon. The English are making good in Libya. Margaret taught yesterday and today for Rosemary, her kids are sick. I didn’t see Margaret, though.

January 8, Wednesday         Beautiful, sunny, and warm.

I’m afraid Daddy is taking the flu, he is surely taking a bad cold. I’ve studied all day except for awhile I went to Mamma’s. We got two cords of wood for the fireplace today. Cecil was here a few minutes this morning.

January 9, Thursday                 Beautiful                                                                                          I went to Willie’s and got the TB Seal sale money, intended going to Mrs. Peck’s but she came by before I left, so I gave it to her and put off making the report for a day or so, because she’s trying to get Barbara Jane off to Newcomb. She told me about a girl in the Welfare Office and suggested that she and I go see Nomack about it. I went to H’burg [Harrisonburg], but old man Conn is real sick and Jimmy wasn’t in the office. Daddy has the flu, an awful cold, and Mamma and I both have as much cold and cough as ever. Kidd and Edward came and we went to see “Down Argentine Way”, filmed in Argentina, and in technicolor.

January 10, Friday                     Beautiful

Earl never seems to have any time anymore, he’s constantly busy. Couldn’t go with us to see the show last night; because he had to work. Jo Anne ate dinner with Patsy today. Letter from Faye [Earl’s sister]. I’m still studying but progress is awfully slow. Joe took a big dose of oil [castor oil] last night, he wanted to go to the Tournament today, and did. Mamma says he’s lots better, and the day has been sunny and warm. He couldn’t bear to miss seeing the games if he could possibly get there.

January 11, Saturday               Beautiful, sunny and warm.

I hope three beautiful days will stretch all over January. Jo Anne didn’t go to the tournament today. I studied. I’m writing 60 words per minute, which is a long way from 80, but better than 30. Daddy went to the tournament again today. I took Mamma to the camp to get her pillows. Mary sent a check for the Sheriff’s office bill, but we will have to buy gasoline with it. I wish it could go for life insurance. I paid Mamma her $10.00. Letter from Minnie Lea.

January 12, Sunday              Sunny and warm
It’s not too warm, just right for lying in the sun. I had no hose, so Jo Anne and I didn’t go to Sunday School, but to Mamma’s, and brought them to dinner. Joe’s cold is worse, he’s in bed again, so we took him some dinner. Earl, Jo Anne and I went to Doniphan’s, he went hunting but his dogs wouldn’t mind him, and he didn’t enjoy the hunt that much. Jo Anne went with him, but she didn’t stay out very long. We went with Kidd and Edward to see “The Howards of Virginia” which was pretty good.

January 13, Monday
Daddy is better, Pattison said the Welfare office had filled the vacancy, but he thought there was to be another. I’m taking all Earl’s spare time trying to improve my speed. Letter from Bessie.

January 14, Tuesday         Beautiful
Mrs. Peck came by this morning and said Pattison had sent us a list of people to see about jobs at Camp Claiborne. I went down there this afternoon and we made out the t. b. report and the checks for the Parish Association. Daddy had fever today. Love didn’t come, but I got through very well. Wrote Florelle, Minnie Lea, Marcia, and Aunt Leona. I posted. Earl has been awfully busy.

January 15, Wednesday       Beautiful
Mr. John Conn was buried today. Mamma is uneasy about Daddy, and I went after Dr. Gordon for him. He said Daddy has that slow type of pneumonia, and we must be very careful with him. Margaret was here this afternoon, and Earl brought Walling, Edward and Max, for coffee. I’m slaving all the time I have, and all Earl has to spare, with this short hand.

January 16, Thursday       Beautiful
Kidd and Edward and our family were at Mamma’s til 9:30 last night, Joe seemed to be doing very well. We moved his bed so there could be no draft, and made the table small to give plenty of room in the dining room. That’s where they moved to when cold weather came, and since Joe is sick, I’m glad of it, it’s nice and warm and close to the kitchen.

January 17, Friday         Cold, but fair.
Daddy isn’t doing well. Dr. Gordon started giving sulphur pyridine this afternoon. Earl brought Jo Anne’s heater over and put it up tonight, so they could have better heat, through the night. I’m awfully uneasy about him.
Earl sold the old Saltzberry car today for $45.00, paid Welsh $12.50 to get a title. He’s been so busy without any decent help. I feel sorry for him. We had a hard wind tonight, but the stars are beautiful.

January 18, Saturday          Raw and cold; wind and no sun
Joe was awfully sick this morning, Dr. Gordon examined his heart and decided he’d better give digitalis. But this afternoon he got better and smoked a little. I’ve been there all day. Willie came and stayed a good while. I’ve been writing Minnie Lea cards every day.

January 19, Sunday               Beautiful
Joe is better, and feeling better. Kidd and Edward came this morning, said Boatner Swayze’s wife burned to death last night. She was so young and pretty, it’s such a shame. Mrs. Peck came after Sunday School and stayed awhile and Mrs. Whitlock came this afternoon. We have been staying at Mamma’s constantly except for meals and sleeping.

January 20, Monday          Beautiful
Inauguration Day. I didn’t get to hear Roosevelt. C.L. and Marcia heard Joe was so sick, so they came up to see how he was. I went with them to Lil’s for about two hours. They went back this afternoon. Redfield and Uncle Ernest came to see Daddy while we were at Lil’s. I didn’t get to Missionary Society.

January 21, Tuesday        Beautiful
Joe’s fever was below normal this morning and he seemed to be doing nicely. Red, Uncle Ernest and Aunt Florence all came to see him. This afternoon his fever went up again, and Dr. Gordon gave him more sulphur pyridine. It surely has us all worried. I write Minnie Lea every day. Kidd and Edward were here tonight. John Dosher died today, so they were going out there to sit up tonight.

January 22, Wednesday        Cloudy all morning, afternoon sunny
Jo Anne is sick with a sore throat today. Joe’s fever was 100 degrees this morning, so Dr. gave more tablets. Tonight it is 101. I’m so worried about him but Dr. Gordon says he doing all right, it will take time and lots of nourishment. I’m going to take a urine specimen to him in the morning for Jo Anne, her eyes are swelled. Kidd and Edward were here today. Tobrak [Libya] fell to the British today, and Churchill made a speech to Parliament. Civil War seems raging in Rumania. Letter from Velma, and I wrote her, Minnie Lea, Red, Aunt Florence, C.L., Lil and Edward cards to let them hear from Daddy.

January 23, Thursday          Beautiful
Daddy’s fever stayed off longer and didn’t go quite as high today, so we feel he’s getting better. Kidd had a wreck with a school truck this morning didn’t hurt her at all, but damaged the car pretty much. Edward came after Earl, and we went down and got it at noon. We went to Ferriday to see “The Ramparts We Watch,” news reels from 1914 through 1940. It was most interesting. We took Wed Ogden with us. Redfield and Uncle Ernest came back by for a while this evening.

January 24, Friday         Beautiful, sunny and warm, but rained last night
Joe is doing nicely, highest point of fever today 100 degrees, and he didn’t have it very long. Oh, I’m so thankful, he surely had me scared. Earl has so much to do. I wish he had some decent help. I wrote Minnie Lea, had a letter from her, too, and she was awfully worried about Daddy. I’ve written her every day, so I guess she is easier now. Had a letter from Velma. I answered a letter I’ve owed Faye for a good while.

January 25, Saturday       Warm and sunny, Regular spring day
Joe had a pretty bad day today, fever 101 3/5 degrees all afternoon. I was terribly worried til I talked to Dr. Gordon, he said quit worrying, it was just going to take time and care. Minnie Lea sent a telegram, said let her know about Joe at once, she planned to leave Akron tomorrow night. We wired her he is better, no need for her coming unless she just wanted to, but I’ve been wondering if it wouldn’t have been kinder to let her come on home. Curtis’ drug store robbed last night. Cecil and Margaret were here for supper tonight, left about ten.

January 26, Sunday
Joe was better today than he’s been since he was first sick. Kidd and Edward spent the day, Earl and Edward went hunting. We bathed Tuffy. They got 10 quail. Lil and Aunt Florence came for awhile. We had a heard rain in the night, everything was soaked. Somebody robbed Dewitt’s store last night, they arrested Gertrude Week’s boys.

January 27, Monday
I’m so happy tonight I can hardly write. We had a phone call from Western Union. Minnie Lea was in Chicago wired us to meet her at 6 p.m. tomorrow night in Delhi. I went and told Mamma. Daddy had no fever today, had night sweats last night, and I had to go to Wisner and Ferriday before I finally got the medicine Dr. Gordon wanted. Edward and Kidd were here this afternoon. Earl is terribly busy, and Jo Anne has an awful cough, as well as Mamma. I wrote Velma, and mailed a letter to Minnie Lea before her wire came.

January 28, Tuesday         Beautiful
Joe has had no fever. I got Edward to go with me to Delhi for Minnie Lea. Oh, my, I was glad to see her! And Mary Ellen’s first words were “Where is Earl?” Her suitcase didn’t come, guess we will get it tomorrow. Kidd was at the house when we got home, and Earl had just come, too. Oh, it’s grand to all be together again, and have Daddy getting well!

January 29, Wednesday        Cool, but sunny
Mary came home with me when I left Mamma’s this morning, and played with Tuffy. Joe has had a pain in his side and is worried about it. Margaret was here this evening while Minnie Lea was, and we all went back to Mamma’s.

January 30, Thursday      Warm, pleasant and sunny
Joe is still suffering a good bit with his side, but Dr. Gordon says it is a neuralogic pain and not serious. Jo Anne coughed all night. Minnie Lea and Kidd at dinner here, Minnie Lea’s suit case came. Kidd and Edward are moving into Boatner’s house, renting theirs. Old man Ed Dayton died last night. Minnie Lea and I took the kids to Natchez this afternoon, got shoes for her, Earl and me. We stopped by to see Lucille Levy, found her in the hospital. Joe feels better tonight.

January 31, Friday       Warm and sunny
I’m so glad we’re having nice weather while Minnie Lea is here. I wish it would last until Joe can get up and get some sun. Mr. York came to see him today. I had to go to Wisner for Earl this morning. Mrs. Peck came to see Minnie Lea. There was no school today, Minnie Lea and I and the kids, went to Kidd’s It’s a nice house but I’d hate to move out of mine into someone else’s – Helen, Hazel, and Bec Glasgow came to see Minnie Lea tonight. I made out and mailed all the bills, – $1400.00 worth. And we can’t even collect $100 of it. We went to see a “Lum and Abner” picture last night, but only they made it worth seeing. 

February 1, Saturday       Damp, dreary, ugly
I took Minnie Lea and Mary to Wisner, and came home to doctor Jo Anne. She has an awful cold and cough, and neither mine nor Mamma’s is greatly improved. I’ve been to see about Joe several times today, he’s doing nicely. Letters from Florelle and Velma. Mrs Willy Woodward sent Joe a chicken today and wrote a note, said her aunt died today. Mrs. Peck and Mr. Woodward are going over there in the morning, but Miss Thilly is sick.

February 2, Sunday        Misty, dark and cold.
Joe is still improving. I went to Wisner for Minnie Lea, but she decided not to come. I had a letter from Inez today, first in a long time. We went to Mamma’s, Carter is there sick. We took Minnie Lea letters and a package from Bruce. He sent me a 1941 World Almanac which I was awfully glad to get. Margaret and Cecil were here awhile, she is going to Leesville but is coming back Tuesday and wants us all to come for supper Thursday night. Melvin and May(g?) Usher were here awhile. We went to see “Escape,” which we had read in the Post. Jo Anne’s cold is little if any better. The ground hog didn‘t see his shadow here today.

February 3, Monday       Dreary and cheerless
Jo Anne’s cold is awfully bad. She went to school this morning, but I kept her at home this afternoon. Earl is so busy. I stayed down there this morning, but I had to stay with Jo Anne this afternoon.

February 4, Tuesday        Cold and sunny
We collected a good bit today, if only we didn’t have two insurance premiums and a roofing payment to make. Oh, well, somehow we always manage. I kept Jo Anne at home but I worked at the shop, there were so many salesmen and bills to pay. Jo Anne is some better, but she coughs all night long.

February 5, Wednesday        Sunny and warm
Minnie Lea and Mary came back yesterday, we went to Mrs. Peck’s awhile this morning. Mary broke out with the chicken pox this afternoon. Mamma got Curtis’ bill $8.20 altogether. And Gordon’s is $14.00 – quite a cheap siege of pneumonia. I want to help her pay it. Margaret came home, and we took her and Minnie Lea to see “Lil Abner,” – which was quite punk. Mamma kept Mary.

February 6, Thursday        Slow cold rain
Bobbie Conn died last night. Some man from Monroe hit that pavement where those dirt trucks have dropped dirt, skidded, turned over, hurt is wife, did a lot of damage to his car. That’s three or four cars that have skidded there, he ought to sue either the company or the highway, maybe they’d put up some signs. Daddy sat up a good while yesterday.

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February 10, Monday      Beautiful
Minnie Lea, Earl and I went to Monroe today, got the door and cowl straightened on Kidd’s and Edward’s car. We went to see “Kitty Foyle” which was good then spent the afternoon and had supper with Edith and Alton. I got a pair of satin pajamas for Jo Anne. It was a pretty day, and we enjoyed it, we window shopped a little.

February 11, Tuesday       Beautiful
Edward hunted Spot and Bip this afternoon, didn’t kill anything. Minne Lea cut Mrs. Peck’s coat while I patched and cleaned out drawers, tables, etc. Daddy got out in the sunshine today. Miss Willy came to see Minnie Lea and Hazel, Helen and Mrs. Rabb also came. We got the strawberries set out.

February 12, Wednesday        Beautiful
Minnie Lea and I went to Kidd’s and brought back her machine so Minnie Lea could make Mrs. Peck’s coat. She sewed on it all afternoon. Sophia Lea came to see her awhile. I had a letter from Velma, Mrs. Anderson has been pretty sick but is better. They came to Natchez Sunday but had such a short time they decided not to come on over.

February 13, Thursday         Cold, but sunny
Jo Anne assorted her Valentine’s. I read “Time.” Mrs. Peck was here this morning a good while, and Minnie Lea finished the coat before she left to go back to Mamma’s tonight. It’s real pretty. Kidd and Edward were here for supper. Daddy has taken cold and doesn’t feel so well.

February 14, Friday          Cold, sunny
Jo Anne gave us Valentine’s today, they were pretty, and sweet. She got a good many. Minnie Lea and Mary went to Houston with Hazel, Helen and Doris Chambers. We took Edward’s car to them tonight, all finished up and went to see a gang play basket ball at the school house in H’burg. Daddy sat up about half the day.

February 15, Saturday         Beautiful, sunny and warm
Rose woke me this morning to tell me Love had gone to Leesville with Snow. I surely do hate it, I’m going to have a time keeping house without her. I hate cooking worst of all. I hope they make some money out of it, and she gets a good job. I washed Jo Anne’s hair, bathed Tuffy, pressed all the clothes Love had washed, and washed underclothes, besides house cleaning. Jo Anne washed dishes. My! I’m going to hate cooking again!

February 16, Sunday      Sunny but cold
Jo Anne and I went to Mamma’s, I thought I’d fix dinner when we got back. Earl came in to say Edward and Max were at the house for dinner, and to go hunting. When I got here they had made coffee, fixed all they could find and while I was dressing to go hunting they ate. Jo Anne caught the bus and went to Kidd’s. We got 5 quail, quit hunting about 4:30. I was completely worn out. Mrs. Laura Kincaid was visiting Daddy when we got home, Lil and Mamma had gone to Kidd’s but came in a few minutes, and we made coffee.

February 17, Monday      Cold, but sunny
Minnie Lea said they had a nice trip, saw Ted and all the others she wanted to see. We went to Lil’s and spent the day, Minnie Lea, Mamma, Mary, Jo Anne and I. We went to Kidd’s for a bird supper, Herbert that Jessie stopped by a few minutes and saw Minnie Lea.

February 18, Tuesday        Sunny and warmer
Minnie Lea packed and went to Glasgows awhile. We all ate supper at Mamma’s, – Kidd and Edward came, too, in the afternoon. I’m having a time with this cooking business!

February 19, Wednesday      Rain and gray
Mamma and I took Minnie Lea to Delhi to catch the I.C. into Jackson. Went to see Aunt Airle a few minutes. I surely hated to see them leave, Mary wanted to stay in Louisiana, but said she was going after her Daddy. We got home about one. Earl got the finance company’s check on Edward’s car. We read the Post serials “Sundown” and “Thirty Days Hath September.”

February 20 Thursday       Rain and colder
When Earl came home, he said Kidd had called, wanted us to come down there. I hated to get out, it was so bad, but Earl thought she had a job for me, so we went. There is a vacancy in the Triple A offices and Edward had talked to the man, he wanted me to come see him. Their new furniture has come, and is real pretty.

February 21, Friday       Dreary and cold, but cleared at noon
I went to Harrisonburg but Shelwick and come to Sicily Island. Mr. Seal stopped me, told me to just mail Shelwick the application, said he was on the board. Earl was awfully busy. I started cleaning out the pantry, it’s in an awful mess. Earl had taken a sore throat, I’m afraid he’s in for a cold like we’ve had. I read an “Earthworm Tractor” story to them, and Jo Anne got her homework done.

February 22, Saturday       Rainy and disagreeable
I finished the pantry and kinder lined up tomorrow’s food problem. Went to Mamma’s two or three times. Jo Ann had Maxine to dinner.

February 23, Sunday       Dull and dreary.
Earl never has a day off any more, and he has been so busy he needs them badly for rest. Jo Anne and I took Mamma and Joe to Kidd’s and Edward’s for the afternoon. Then Earl, Jo Anne and I want to see “Comrade X” in Ferriday. We are seriously debating going to Leesville. [The U.S. Army is building new training camps around the state. It will provide needed jobs as well.]  We have got our affairs in pretty good shape, by the first of the month all our bills will be paid except the $200 we owe Gulf.

February 24, Monday     Raining
Minnie Lea wrote that she got home to zero weather – not quite, -16 – And of course Bruce was awfully glad to see them. Earl’s throat is some better. Mamma is working on Mrs. Peck’s quilt, and Joe is staying out of the weather.

February 25, Tuesday        Dark and dreary
I stayed at the shop all day. Most of the salesmen came on Monday and Tuesday, so that’s Earls heaviest days. I washed underclothes and got dinner. I have got to mend and try to get our clothes in shape to go to Leesville, if we go. Tonight we finished “Sundown.” Ursula was here today with a scheme to pay out the picture machine with slot machine per cents, but I don’t believe people will allow it.

February 26, Wednesday        Rained in the night, Dull and gray.
Jo Anne said some kid told her that Margaret was at home sick. The war news is mostly blistering, but when Spring comes, I’m afraid to think what it may mean. Wonder how long we can stay out? The “Lend-Lease” Bill is sure to pass. “The World Today” broadcast from Manila, tonight.

February 27, Thursday       Sunny again
Helped Mamma quilt a while, and Joe waked down to the shop for the first time. Martin told me about an instructor’s job in a training school that he thought Earl might get and we went to Jonesville to see about it, but it wouldn’t pay. Margaret went with us. When we got back we went down to Dobb’s and offered him the shop, but he didn’t want it, we aren’t getting along very well with getting away.

February 28, Friday       Sunny again
I mailed bills, went to Mamma’s to Mrs. Peck’s, cooked dinner, and got a list made of our debts. Kidd and Edward were here awhile. We can pay all the current shop bills, but will still owe Gulf and for our roofing. Oh, I hope we go, it will be awful leaving Jo Anne, and home the pups, everything, but we need to make some money if there’s any to be made, and if we could both work, we could accumulate something pretty quickly.

March 1, Saturday        Cold, sunny and windy
Jo Anne and I went to Harrisonburg, I saw Shelwick, and he said it would be six weeks before they filled the place. I’m packing up our clothes and Jo Anne’s as if we were certain to go, but we don’t know a thing. This indecision is terribly painful. Kidd paid us what they owed, I got Marr’s check and all Edward’s clothes he didn’t need. Earl put rings in Cecil’s car, and our s needs them badly. Later Cecil told Earl he was almost sure he could get on, so he decided to go. It’s 11:30, but I have things to where we can be ready tomorrow afternoon.

March 2, Sunday      Sunny and warm
We packed. I moved Jo Anne to Mamma’s and fixed up her room. We straightened and marked everything at the shop. As Earl said when we were leaving town, it’s a turning point in our lives – whether for good or evil remains to be seen. We left Bep and Jack at Pop’s – took Bob to Mr. Coles – Jo Anne took Tuffy to Mamma’s – Jo Ann was so brave and sweet, she was determined not to cry, and she didn’t, only she couldn’t squeeze back the few tears at the last. We followed Cecil to Leesville, John Crawford rode with us. We got here about 7, and are going to sleep in the trailer with Cecile and Margaret.

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March 13, Thursday          Dreary and cold
I’ve been wishing Earl and Cecil would come in, it’s so bad. Earl is so near sick already. I’ve read Readers’ Digest, the Post, and tried to entertain myself in every way I know, but the days are endless. I also made cigarettes for Earl.

March 14, Friday     Sunny, but turned ugly before noon
Mrs. Boyett brought me a letter from Jo Anne, and one from Velma this morning, and drank coffee with me. I’ve read “Reader’s Digests” from Sept. to February. There is practically nothing to do here. I wrote one story, but it isn’t long enough. I wish Fortuny could sell what I’ve got, and we could get enough ahead to come out of the hole.

March 15, Saturday      Rainy, cold, and cheerless
Letter from Jo Anne. I spent the morning cleaning up, bathing, and going to see Mrs. Boyett. We got a late start this evening and it was 11:30 when we got home. The road was wet and slick saw about six wrecks on the road, one was terrible. Cecil got off the road in Alexandria, and we lost about 45 minutes there. I was worn out when we finally got in Jo Anne had gone to sleep, but Mamma waked her up. Earl’s check was $41.46. I wish we didn’t have to spend it.

March 16, Sunday        Cold, raw, sleeting
Mrs. Boyett came and sat awhile with me this morning. I read “Time.” We got supper, and are ready for bed, Earl’s face is cooked from the raw wind, and he has an awful cold that just won’t break up. He thinks he has fever. Oh, I hope he doesn’t get sick.

March 17, Monday                                                                                                                                  We had breakfast, talked to Mamma and Joe awhile, and went to the shop. I posted, we went to Julia’s and I bathed Jo Anne and washed her head. Kidd and Edward came, we ate dinner at Mamma’s and Cecil and Margaret came. We went to our house and packed up. I tried to think of everything, but forgot honey and coffee. Mamma had made pies and angel food cake. Kidd and Edward gave us a shoulder, already baked, and we stole a qt. of milk. Left at 4:30, Leesville 8:15, but it was 10 before we could get to bed. Letter from Faye.

March 18, Tuesday       Cold and raw
Earl and Cecil got off to work, and I cleaned up, but by nine o’clock they were back, off for the day. I hope Earl will feel better. He took Mrs. Boyett and me to town, I fixed dinner, then he stopped some air holes in our cabin, and rearranged the lights. We went to Carter’s, and to the Reservation. It’s a sight, acres and acres of buildings, big ones, and more in sight all the time. I saw where they work, they shop, etc. Carter has a nice tent, 16′ square. He brought Eula May down Sunday. Earl and Cecil helped him hook up our little red light plant (generator).

March 19, Wednesday         Warmer but cloudy, and cheerless raining
I have read and slept all day. There is nothing to do. I hope Jo Anne can come with Margaret tomorrow, she will be heartbroken if she doesn’t get to. Earl feels terribly, that cold really has him down. Jo Anne sent a test paper on which she made 100.

March 20, Thursday
Jo Anne and Margaret got here around 4:30. Jo Anne was tickled to death to be here, and wanted to see everything. And I was just as tickled to see her. Minnie Lea is sick, doctors say she will have to have an operation, and Mamma is worried sick. Margaret brought her last letter, said she’d go to the hospital this week. Jo Anne has a good time exploring everything. Poor Earl, I hope he feels better soon.

March 21, Friday         Cloudy and cool
We went to Lake Charles today, – Margaret, Mrs. Nesom, Jo Anne and I. Had a nice day and I got Jo Anne a dress, shoes and “Swiss Family Robinson”, Earl some coveralls, and 2 pairs nylon hose for myself. $15.00 altogether. The azaleas were so pretty, we drove around the Lake drive. Jo Anne was sick all night, vomiting, stomach upset, and I was afraid to take her but she needed shoes so terribly badly, and she got along very well. She was awfully tired, though. I wish I could hear from Minnie Lea! Earl’s check was $86.62.

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March 23, Sunday        Beautiful
We had a nice trip home, John was with us, and Jo Anne slept most of the way. Mamma had heard from Minnie Lea, she said the doctors said she had been pregnant three months, and would have to stay in bed a good while yet. We slept late, went to the shop, posted, went to Papa’s – Kidd and Edward came, she baked us a ham, gave us milk and butter. Mamma gave us an angel food cake. I told her if she didn’t stop it we were going home on Saturday night, but she said we weren’t, we didn’t have any water, gas or light. The country is beautiful with pears, peaches, plums, mayhaws, yellow jasmine, and red buds blooming. It made me sick to see our trees putting out, and we were not there to see them unfold.

March 24, Monday
Earl said he has felt better today than at any time since he’s been here. His cold is getting a little better. I deposited his check, left his watch to be fixed. Went to the Williams office but they aren’t hiring. We had coffee at Mrs. Boyett’s. Letters from Jo Anne and Velma. I paid life insurance and finished paying Fortuny as literary agent, which was $4.50 thrown away. I’m afraid.

March 25, Tuesday       Cloudy and cold
Earl is worried tonight, he left his pocketbook in his coveralls, and it’s got all his papers, passes, etc. in it. I had a letter from Jo Anne, bless her little heart. I hope she will always be as good and sweet as she is now, she’s a regular little lady. I’ve catalog-shopped today, didn’t buy, just looked. I bought a pattern up town.

March 26, Wednesday       Rainy
Earl found his pocketbook, everything intact, in his coveralls out on the job. Had a letter from Jo Anne, and one from Mrs. Peck. She said she had found where Rebecca had lived, and we could go over there anytime I wanted to, and the lady would be glad to show us over the place. I surely do want to go, but must have some clothes first.

March 27, Thursday       Clear but cold and windy
Same old routine, get up and clean up, went back to bed, get up and eat, read and go to town. Write Jo Anne. I had a shower, have read about all there is available. I finished embroidering the scarf. Think I’ll buy something to sew on.

March 28, Friday        Sunny but cold
We went to town today and I bought material for a dress, came home and cut it out. Sounds easy, but it took all day. I started sewing on it, but didn’t even finish the basting. Had coffee with Mrs. Boyett. Letter from Jo Anne. Oh, how glad I’ll be to see her! Earl comes in tired down at night, I am anxious for him to get over this cold, he’s had it more than a month.

March 29, Saturday        Sunny, warm, but windy
I sewed all day today, and even then didn’t finish my dress. Margaret, Mrs. Nesom and I went to town and I hunted buttons, but didn’t find them. We rode a little on the Shreveport highway, the wild plums, yellow jasmines and red buds are beautiful. So are most of the trees, either with swelling buds, or tiny green leaves.
We had an uneventful trip home, got there around 10:30. Tuffy’s ear is much better. Mamma’s feet are sore, but otherwise everybody seems all right. They say Oliver has the car ready for us.

March 30, Sunday       Beautiful and warm
Today when we got up, Jo Anne’s throat was sore so Earl and I took her to Dr. Gordon and he mopped it and gave me this book. I’m proud of it, it’s such a nice one, and I will fill the front by copying my other scratch book into it. Mamma, Joe and Jo Anne had spent Saturday at Kidd’s, and Kidd washed Jo Anne’s hair and put it up. Mamma had made us another cake. Carter and family were there too. It makes me feel so homesick to go home, but I won’t let it bother me, we have got to get ahead and this is my only way. We left about four, got here at 8:20. Mamma’s leg is bothering her considerably, I wish something could be done. Letters from Minnie Lea and Florelle.

March 31, Monday          Warm and sunny
I believe this past week has witnessed England’s first diplomatic victory of importance since war began. Even then it wasn’t’ due to her efforts, but to popular uprising in Yogo Slavia. The general opinion seems to be that this war will be a long time yet ending. Goodness knows what will come after.
I started on the last lap of the four courses in American literature today, and am enjoying it greatly. Almost finished two lessons. We went to the bank and tonight to the show, which wasn’t much, “Footsteps in the Dark.” I had a letter from Minnie Lea. We drank coffee with Mrs. Boyette. Earl’s watch stem came out. I’ll have to take it back to the jeweler. Oh, how I miss Jo Anne. I will be so glad when school is out!

April 1, Tuesday       Warm and sunny
I wrote Jo Anne and Florella, typed the first two lessons and sent them to Kidd, and worked out two more. That sounds like very little to fill a day, but it just about did. We went to town and I left Earl’s watch and had the brake fixed in the car, then last night Earl and I went to the barber shop so he could get a haircut.
It seems that American convoys are being considered for English supplies which will surely make us enter into a declared war instead of an undeclared one. What is it all coming to???

April 2, Wednesday      Cool, cloudy, sun out late in afternoon
I got up the last two lesson I have nos. 5 and 6, and that took nearly all day, after I wrote Jo Anne and Mrs. Peck. I got Earl’s watch and cloth for a skirt and cape for Jo Anne. I never have finished my dress yet. Margaret is going home tomorrow, so I’ll sew the rest of the week, we won’t have to go to town every day. I read “Sing for a Penny” to Earl, it has rained pretty hard tonight. How I wish I could get a job!

April 3, Thursday       Warm and sunny
Margaret was supposed to go home at one today, and Cecil came in about 11 and told her not to go, said they were having trouble at the camp, the mechanical division was out on strike. Strike, — when they are getting all and more than they are worth. In a little while Earl and Cecil came home, and Dave Clark came, now we are all worried to death. Looks like we were just getting to where we could hope to get a little ahead. I surely do hope it doesn’t last too long. I wrote Jo Anne, and a note to Mamma. Earl had a good long nap, and looks like he feels better, he’s been sick ever since we’ve been here.

April 4, Friday       Sunny but strong wind is rather cold.
Earl and Cecil went to the Union office this morning didn’t learn anything, so went back after dinner. Margaret went home before they got back. John and Frank Clay came back with them about 4:30 saying they could go to work tomorrow morning. It was a big relief to them all. They had no grievances and could do nothing but what they were told to, they didn’t even get a vote on it. Letter from Jo Anne today, also one from H. Williams saying they weren’t hiring anyone, and only substitutes would be hired from now on. I just can’t seem to get a job anywhere of any kind.

April 5, Saturday      Sunny
Earl and Cecil left at 5:40 this morning and were surely glad to be going back to work. I wrote all day long, copying into the front of this book. I’m not sure it was worth it, but I have determined to keep a diary, and it only takes a few minutes a day. I had Mrs. Boyett for coffee, and had supper ready when Earl and Cecil came. We left at 7, got home at 11:00 – Jo Anne was so sleepy she could hardly wake up, but finally got up and sat in Earl’s lap for awhile. Oh, I’ll be glad when she comes over here!

April 6,  Sunday
We got up about seven, ate breakfast, I paid Jo Anne and Rose, and we went to the shop around 9:30. I posted, took Jo Anne to Julia’s and she bathed and washed her head. Mrs. Peck came by to see me when Sunday School was over. We had a letter from Velma, and Margaret and Cecil came by, and Kidd and Edward came before we got back to Mamma’s. I got up the question I needed a book for, we ate dinner, went to our house awhile, and then came back to Mama’s for coffee. Aunt Florence came, said Bill married yesterday. We left at 4, got here at eight.

April 7, Monday       Sunny
The news is mostly concerned with Germany’s attack on Yugo Slavia. And they are openly saying now that our country is practically in the War, – which we have been ever since the destroyer deal. Oh, what a dreadful thing to happen! And yet my ideas are completely changed as to the justifiability of any war. I suppose that’s the result of propaganda, but we can’t survive in Hitler’s world. Nor am I so foolish as to think that if he were done away with all would be well again. I remember the Kaiser. And he is impotently chopping wood, but here we are again.

April 8, Tuesday      Fair and warm.
I bought cloth for a blouse for Jo Anne yesterday and made it today except for a few finishing touches. We saw the cutest little live baby chicks dyed green, red and purple. I want to take about six to Jo Anne if they still have them Saturday. I had a letter from her today. We went to see “Northwest Mounted Police,” but we’re going to have to give up shows. Earl slept through the most of it, he was too tired. Germany seems to be going right through Yugo-Slavia and the Grecian lines. Looks like nothing can stop her.

April 9, Wednesday
England is losing everywhere. Things never looked blacker to me. Oh, war is too horrible! Nobody can foresee where all this will end, but there can’t be any easy solution and settlement for us.
I bought a piece of shanting (?) and am making Jo Anne a dress. If nothing prevents, I can take her three new dresses and two pairs of pajamas Saturday when we go.
Earl wants me to have the car fixed and go to Natchez next week. I hope I can do both. And clean up our house and yard while I’m at home.

April 10, Thursday     Warm and sunny – Full moon, beautiful
Letter from Jo Anne, bless her heart. I finished her dress except putting in the hem. James Peters said he heard all the camp was to be laid off for Good Friday and Saturday, so Margaret and I packed our suitcases to go home, but when Earl and Cecil came, they decided we were crazy, they weren’t laid off. I was surely glad. That means they will make a full week this week. They went to a Union meeting tonight, and it was 10:45 when they got in, I had got worried about them. Earl said not many were there, and they asked a lot of questions, and learned a lot. I hunted a dress, but couldn’t find one.

April 11, Friday       Cloudy and cooler
Wrote Minnie Lea and Jo Anne, had letter from Jo Anne. Went to town and hemmed Jo Anne’s dress, put the buttons on it. I slept some in the afternoon, and read some on the English lessons. The news from Europe is simply awful, I’m afraid England is in a bad way. Only in south east Africa does she seem to be winning at all. Poor world, — what passes (crises) humanity does come to sometime!
Earl and Cecil got in fairly early, we read more on “Sing for a Penny,” this is the last issue. We’ve had to read it in such little pieces it wasn’t as interesting as it could have been.

April 12, Saturday        Warm and sunny
Margaret and I left Leesville at 8, and the roadside was beautiful with flowers. We stopped and got dogwood and wild honeysuckle. We stopped in Alexandria and I got a hat and dress. At Kidd’s we found Jo Anne, and ate dinner. I got some dyed chickens for her, too. At Mamma’s I unpacked, then went home and cleaned up some. Julia came over and helped me a little. Earl came about 10:45, before I expected him to get here. I pressed our clothes, and we went to bed early, but I just napped til Earl came. I saw Love this evening.

April 13, Sunday        Windy, warm, sunny
Jo Anne bought us a box of candy each for Easter, and she seemed to like the things we got for her. We ate dinner at Mamma’s, went to our house and hunted Easter eggs. I took pictures of Earl and Jo Anne, and Luther and Mabel came. Earl left at four and I’m to see to the car getting fixed and bring it when it’s ready. Mrs. Peck said we would go to Natchez Tuesday. Kidd and Edward were here for dinner, but left soon after. Mamma and Daddy, Jo Anne and I went to see “Four Mothers.” The war news is worse than ever. It seems all the world is against democratic government. We are bound to go to war soon, it seems to me. Horrible thought.

April 14, Monday      Warm, windy and sunny
I mopped our house and waxed all the floors except the porch, went through all the drawers and closets, put away all the winter clothes, and pruned the roses today. Wrote Earl a note, and Dabbs came to see about the car, he’s working on it now, and I guess will keep working til he gets it finished. I had a boy to hoe the grass out of the roses, too. Jo Anne and I took a bath at Julia’s and came home to listen at the Lux program with Mamma and Joe. There’s so much I would like to get done, but I’m afraid I won’t finish it in the short time I’ve got.

April 15, Tuesday      Cloudy and cool
Mrs. Peck came by at 8, and we went right to the Bank. A Mrs. Thomas lives there, but I am sure Rebecca and Father’s ghosts were near. I had such a queer feeling to be sitting in Rebecca’s parlor, peeping into her bedroom. We thoroughly looked over the house and grounds, then went to the Cemetery where we found the Mandevilles’ graves. Next we went to the Catholic church, and from there to Mrs. Peale’s, who wasn’t at home. Then we went to Devereux, where Mrs. Smith showed us all about the house. It is a beautiful place, but has too much furniture, though every piece is beautiful. Mrs. Smith was interesting, very friendly altogether a most likeable person. We then went to Mrs. Peale’s and talked a long time with her. She was nice, too and offered to tell us anything we wanted to know. I saw Jose’s, Petitie’s and Beppin’s [Beggin’s] pictures and Rebecca’s sofa, Father’s clock and chair. Oh, it has been a wonderful day, I have done something I’ve wanted to do for years and years, and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.

April 16, Wednesday       Cloudy, but warm. Sun part of the afternoon.
I finished mopping and waxing all the floors, and worked in the yard all day. Got the roses finished up and mowed, raked etc., it needed a second mowing, but I could not make it. Had to leave the hedge, too. I’m surely tired tonight. I wrote Earl a long letter about my trip yesterday, and told him we saw Mrs. Peale, too. I also planned to go back on Friday and wrote Lora to be here at two. Dabbs has the car about ready, but I’m dreading tomorrow, for I’ve got to go to the dentist. Joe has our garden looking awfully nice. If I can, I want to spray our roses and japonicas, they need it badly.

April 17, Thursday      Cool, partly cloudy.
This page of teeth (She wrote her diary in a medical journal and the opposite page was a diagram of teeth) was a fitting coincidence. I’ve been in the dentist’s office all day, and feel perfectly awful tonight. Six cavities and two extractions, and I’m afraid it’s just a beginning. How I dreaded it and with due cause! I guess if I don’t hear from Earl I’ll go back tomorrow afternoon. Love and Snow want to go back, and I guess Lora will. I hope we will stay there this weekend, I don’t feel like it’s justifiable to rush back the next day. Yugo-Slavia’s resistance collapsed today, and the Greek-British line broke in the middle. It certainly seems hopeless. London suffered her worst attack last night.

April 18, Friday       Threatening but no rain.
I posted at the shop, gathered flowers to bring from home, hemmed some of Jo Anne’s too-short dresses. Lora cam, and I picked up Love and Snow, and paid the car bill then left. We had a good trip, three hours from Harrisonburg, where I paid taxes. Forgot Kidd’s lessons and the radio. I was awfully glad to see Earl, they are all discussing an hour cut, which will take about $25.00 from our check. And we did want to get rich so fast. Letter from Faye when I got here.

April 19, Saturday         Cloudy, rain in late afternoon.
Wrote Jo Anne, Minnie Lea, Velma and Faye. That just about consumed a day. We bought groceries this morning. Mrs. Talbot lost three trailers today. When Earl and Cecil came in we had supper and went to town, they deposited their checks, and that left us with about enough money to run the coming week, without checking out any. Earl paid his Union dues, – $ 4.00, and that is finished with. I wish we had some idea about how long this job will last, so we could judge how to wisely spend our money. This car is worse than it ever was, I guess we are going to have to buy a motor.

April 20, Sunday       Sunny but cool
We slept late this morning, got up at nine, and Earl helped Cecil level his trailer. I read “Time” and we went to dinner uptown. Cecil went to a Union meeting and Earl and I went over to see Mrs. Bell about this garage we are living in. They seemed very nice, we paid them $5.00 for it until the 15th of May, and after that we have to deal with Jake Dampf. Perhaps we will be able to see further by then. Mrs. Dewitt and Sprague came about 2 pm and we rode around the Reservation. After supper we went to see “Flight Command.” I wrote Jo Anne.

April 21, Monday       Cloudy raw and windy
I should have accomplished a lot today, but I did very little, read some and cut my chambray dress. We went to town, but only to buy groceries. Earl was almost frozen when he got home, he didn’t have on enough clothes. After supper we went out to the Union office, but it was closed, and we came back to La. Tire Co., found Mayo there, Earl talked around his giving me a job, but got nowhere. We read “Murder of the Fifth Columnist” for a while. I wrote Jo Anne, Mrs. Peck, and Florelle and Inez.

April 22, Tuesday         Cloudy, warmer rainy.
Kidd sent the book, so I got up three lessons today. And that took practically all day. I wrote Jo Anne and a note to Kidd. We went to town, Earl got his check for last week, because they terminated him to change his button. He scared me to death when he gave me his termination papers, I thought he was fired for good. This makes $266.79 we have in the bank, but it will take $16.79 for us to live on the rest of this week and next. And there aren’t any more $95 pay days. It will stack up a lot more slowly. We have got to have a few more clothes, too. I want to send Minnie Lea a box.

April 23, Wednesday          Cloudy and cold, rain
I finish all the lessons I had but have done little else. Wrote Jo Anne, and sent Kidd the first two I got up. I cleaned up good, but that only takes fifteen minutes altogether. Sometimes Earl and Cecil say this job will only last about a month longer. I don’t suppose Jo Anne will get to come and stay at all, but she won’t care as long as we are together, whether to home or here. She says Bob left Mr. Coles and she’s worried about him. So am I. I hope nothing has happened to him. He’s so pretty.

April 24, Thursday         Dreary and dull, but no rain.
Margaret went home again this morning. I had a lonesome letter from Jo Anne, bless her heart! How glad I’ll be when we can keep her with us. The days are so long. I sewed on my dress, and fixed hers with the chickens on it. Went to Mrs. Boyett’s and did the stitching. After supper we went to town and got groceries, mailed a letter to Jo Anne, and we went to see “Honeymoon for Three,” but where it got its name was a mystery to me. We got to bed about ten. I wanted to finish reading the Post story, but Earl is shaving so we will read it tomorrow night.

April 25, Friday        Sunny and warm, a welcome change
Letter from Jo Anne. I finished my dress, sewed all day over to Mrs. Boyett’s. Ate dinner with them. I haven’t got the fastenings on the blouse. Cecil got some of his teeth filled, and Earl got initiated into the Union, and paid dues through May, but they told him he’d have to pay 2% on all he’s made since he started work. Such graft! We got groceries and came on home, saw Albert Earl on the street. I wrote Minnie Lea. The English are evacuating Greece, there is no good news anywhere anymore, — they just don’t seem able to beat the Germans. Undoubtedly they haven’t the necessary supplies to fight.

April 26, Saturday         Dreary morning, sunny and warm afternoon
I washed and ironed the things I had dirty, and made buttonholes and sewed on buttons for my blouses. Mrs. Boyett came over and said they were going home, too. I sat with her awhile hemmed her dress for her. Letter from Jo Anne. I had supper ready when Earl and Cecil came, and we left at 5:30, had all the dishes put away. Got home about 10:00. Earl stopped and got a hair cut, so we had a pretty nice visit with Jo Anne, Mamma and Joe before going to bed.

April 27, Sunday        Cloudy, and cool. Light sprinkle.
Carter and Eula May were at home when we got here, we all had breakfast, and went to the shop. After coffee we went to our house for awhile. Looked at the yard and garden, and I swept the dust off the porch. I made out bills and posted, and after dinner Earl went back to the shop to check up on the car, and Edward, Kidd, Mamma, Jo Anne and I rode down in the swamp hunting Hannah. Jo Anne cried when we left. I felt terribly like it myself, but somebody has to keep a level head. Virginia Quarterly Review returned “Henry,” too. We got to Leesville about 8, but it was after nine before we got supper and straightened up.

April 28, Monday        Sunny and cool. Rain late in the afternoon.
I scrubbed the stove and cabinet top in the trailer today, and had my bath early. We went to town at nine o’clock. I mailed my letter to Jo Anne, and when we got back I went to see Mrs. Ball, and found they are moving tomorrow. We got a ticket for parking wrong, got to go to court at 1:30 tomorrow.
John came home with Earl and Cecil, and we went out to a place to look for a tent. Found one, but I don’t know whether we will buy it or not. It’s twenty-five dollars. We may all move out near the Reservation, if we do buy it. Oh, there isn’t a thing good in war news. I believe England is going under.

April 29, Tuesday       Dull and cool, rain in the afternoon.
Letters from Jo Anne and Florelle. I went to court with my ticket and the man cancelled it, without asking even a question. We went out to the other trailer camp, and decided on a place to put the tent then came back and bought it. It is really too small, but we had to have something we could move about. I’ve to make out lists of groceries and other things we must have, and get settled about it all. And to go out there we are going to have to take typhoid shots or I’d be scared to live there. It’s a regular “Grapes of Wrath” place and I’m not sure I like it at all.

April 30, Wednesday        Cloudy and cool, no rain
No letters today, wrote Jo Anne and Florelle. Went to the camp and saw to the setting up of the tent and came back, bought groceries, and went to ask the health department if Peterson’s camp was clean, etc. They said it was a good clean camp so I guess we will move Saturday if we don’t go home, or Monday if we do.
Earl says a 40 hour week is here, they won’t get to work even this Saturday. If we can, we want to get straight on his day off. Poor England, to me it looks like certain defeat. Germany seems preparing for invasion by demolishing all the ports. We heard Roosevelt tonight, opening the sale of Defense stamps and bonds.

May 1, Thursday
Letter from Jo Anne. I wrote her, then got cleaned up and went to Mrs. Boyett’s and we crocheted all afternoon, she wanted to copy the pattern I have. We had supper and Eula May and Carter came. We all, with Margaret and Cecil, too, went to the camp and scrubbed the tent, fooled around looking a deciding what to do, and finally went in at Dave Clark’s and played dominoes until nine. Earl had to shave after we got home, so we were late getting to bed.

Friday, May 2        Sunny and warm
We went to town, and in the afternoon I read on the lessons. When Earl came we ate supper and went home. Picked up John and stopped at Kidd’s. She had the rest of the lessons, so I’ll have plenty to do next week. They were all surprised to see us come in. The war news is worse each day that passes. The English are having trouble in Iraq now. It is generally predicted that very few more months of peace are left to us.

Saturday, May 3       Cloudy and cool
After breakfast we went home, took Jack with us. Earl helped Joe stretch wire for the butter beans, and then Earl mowed the lawn. I swept the house and got out the things we need to move with. After noon we went to Lil ‘s, got nine gallons of mayhaws, and when we came home, we went to the camp and got Mamma’s folding springs. Mamma baked Earl a cake.

[missing May 4-5]

Tuesday, May 6        Rain in morning, sunny in the afternoon.
Jo Anne and I cleaned up everything, and got to town at ten o’clock. We took Margaret, Mrs. Boyett, Lora, and Mrs. Martin to town to shop, and got a few odds and ends ourselves, came back and packed everything we left yesterday, and drank coffee with Mrs. Boyett. We came down and tried to put the rest in the tent, but there’s a limit to what can be put in a 10 x 12 space. I was terribly sick with a headache and stomach disturbance, all afternoon, but managed to get supper. Vondell has been over several times today.

Wednesday, May 7          Sunny and warm
The tent got so hot that we had to get our baths and take the cot outside and stay. I washed all the clothes we had dirty and ironed them, which took practically all afternoon. We listened to Wendell Willkie tonight, urging the government to convoy ships to Britain. It makes war right on our doorsteps and while I have felt it is inevitable for a long time, I kept hoping it wouldn’t happen. I don’t believe England can hold out very much longer. I did two lessons for Kidd, but there are three more I wish I had finished. No mail.

Thursday, May 8         Sunny and hot.
Jo Anne and I got bathed, dressed and cleaned up, and went to town. I wanted to find something to send Mamma for Mother’s Day, couldn’t find much, so I got her three combs, a small leather coin purse, a box of candy, and put $2 in the purse so she could get something she wanted. I mailed it, and we went out to Margaret’s, then she and Mrs. Nesom came out here and spent the afternoon. Then after supper we went to Carter’s and got some chairs. Earl got the lumber to fix our tent, expects to do it Saturday. Margaret got the heater to take it home for us. It is a help, gives a little more space in this tent.

Friday, May 9        Sunny and hot.
We cleaned up and I washed what clothes we had dirty. Then I got up Kidd’s last three lessons. It sounds easy, but it took me all day long. Earl was late getting in, and we heard before he got here that they were going to work tomorrow. I hope so, it will make ninety-one dollars for next week’s pay day, since they’ve worked ten hours every day except Monday. Earl got only $55 for this week’s drawing. But we ought to have enough to live on already drawn, so we should be able to deposit all of it. Jo Anne is finding it hard to find something to do, she reads, jumps rope, and wanders about. She doesn’t have much to read.

Saturday, May 10         Cloudy and sunny, too                                                                                                             Earl went to work but came home at 9:30. We went to town and got things to fix the tent with, – screen, etc. When we got home, Dave was waiting for Earl to go to work, Mr. Tucker had sent for him. So Jo Anne and I cleaned up, and I started a letter to Minnie Lea. I had a letter from Velma at Mrs. Boyett’s. They are going to Natchez for Mother’s Day, she said Rowland might go on to Sicily Island, but they wouldn’t. When Earl got home he had orders to work tomorrow, too. He worked till ten o’clock raising the tent, and said I’d better try not to get the boards around it, in case it rains again, it will blow under and wet all our things.

Sunday, May 11       Mother’s Day.  Sunny and warm.
Earl left and I started carpentering, got the planks around the back and sides, then made two of my shelves. About eleven o’clock, when everything was in an awful mess, who should come in but Mamma, Joe, Kidd and Edward. I was so glad to see them. Joe and Edward finished my job and screened the tent, they brought ham, eggs, butter, and milk, too. I was sorry that Earl didn’t get to see them, and so was he. Carter and Eula May came, and Mr. and Mrs. Nesom. We finally had supper and went to a tacky show but I was tired out, and glad to get in bed. I bet Cecil and John will be sick when they find Earl got to make both Saturday and Sunday, and they could have if they’d been here.

May 12, Monday
Finished Minnie Lea’s letter and one to Velma, washed mine and Jo Anne’s clothes. Earl came in with a headache, and after we had supper we asked the Davis’s to go to town with us, but he insisted on using his car, so we went in it. Got groceries and materials for a screen door. Rudolph Hess flew to Scotland Saturday news made public today, nobody seems to know what it means. The war news is full of bombings, and England seems to be getting nowhere. Letter from Mamma, and a notice of rejection from Fortuny for one of my stories to Farm Journal. Never heard of it.

May 13, Tuesday      Sunny and cool
Jo Anne and I went after a refrigerator, got one for $3.50. We put up the last shelf and got everything straight. I ordered from Sears some things to send Minnie Lea for her birthday and some material to make curtains for this tent. I don’t know what Earl will say when he sees it, but it will add to the looks of it and to the livability, because it will shut out all the prying eyes. I had supper ready, but Earl didn’t feel so well, his cold has him feeling bum. He weighed 139, I 143 and Jo Anne 60 last night in town.

May 14, Wednesday       Partly cloudy and cool
Jo Anne and I cleaned up and got our bath then slept some. I read “Time” and fixed supper. Earl and John cut pieces and staked down the tent. Cecil, Margaret and Mrs. Boyett came and stayed awhile tonight. I wrote Mamma. There is very little to do here. Jo Ann is restless.

May 15, Thursday
We got another cold shower today and washed our heads. The days drag so. I thought of going to town, but decided not to. Earl was sick with a cold when he got home, so Mr. and Mrs. Davis were going to town and brought us back some Magnesia and nose drops, and I doctored him. He feels terribly badly though. Dave drank coffee with Earl and John, Carl, and Mr. Davis visited a while before bedtime, and listened to the news, which is anything but cheerful.

May 16, Friday       Sunny but cool
Jo Anne, Vondell and I went to town. I made arrangements to get our mattress made over, and bought vegetables. We went to the trailer camp at Talbot’s and saw Mrs. Boyett, Nesom, and Margaret. Letter from Kidd to Earl. France is cooperating with Germany in all her undertakings it seems. And Germany is driving in the near East. Oh, there’s no telling what is in store for us all, death and destruction for some certainly.

May 17, Saturday        Sunny
Today Mrs. Davis went to town with us, we took the mattress, and went out the camp, took Mrs. Boyett, Nesom and Margaret to town, got groceries and after taking them back brought Margaret out there for the day. When we went back late we got the mattress and took Margaret home. Earl went to get a shave and haircut. Letter from Velma.

May 18, Sunday     Sunny beautiful day with fleecy white clouds.
This morning Earl, Mr. Davis and M.L. fixed our screen door, we fixed dinner together, and went down in the woods. There we found a lot of huckleberries and a few mayhaws. We had a nice time. We also found bay blossoms, and they are so pretty, like a tiny magnolia.
We went to the show “The Road to Zanzibar,” which wasn’t much. We came back and all ate supper together. Altogether it was a very enjoyable day.

May 19, Monday     Sunny and warm.
We spent the whole day cleaning up and washing and ironing our dirty things. I had supper ready when Earl came, so we ate and he took our starter off, but found something broken, so he put Dave’s starter on. John, Dave and his wife came over and played dominoes. We heard today that Vondell and Bill had a terrible wreck near Memphis, killed a negro, and Bill is very likely to die. Oh, I hope he doesn’t, I don’t know what Vondell would do. She was pretty badly hurt, too, but the kids were not. I got the things I was going to send Minnie Lea.

May 20, Tuesday        Sunny morning, cloudy afternoon, cool.
Jo Anne and I cleaned up, and I started making the curtains. I worked on them until about two o’clock, when Jo Anne went and got the mail, and brought the final examination so I took it, typed it, and mailed it back to her. Mrs. Clark, and Mr. & Mrs. Davis came over. Earl was pretty tired.

May 21, Wednesday         Sunny and warm.
Today is Minnie Lea’s birthday. I fixed up the package to mail to her, and the books to go to the Library, but don’t see any chance to mail them. Mr. Davis and Earl went to a union meeting and Mrs. Clark and I went to town and got groceries. Went by Margaret’s a few minutes, but it was late, so we didn’t go in. I wish I had something for Jo Anne to do. I wrote to Inez today, and Jo Anne wrote Pop and Julia. Earl is feeling badly with his cold.

May 22, Thursday       Sunny, hot.
We had a letter from Mamma, and she enclosed one from Minnie Lea. Mrs. Davis asked us to go to town, so we got to mail the packages. I wish I could find something nice for Earl’s birthday. We put up the curtains, and it certainly looks like a different place. Mr. and Mrs. Davis and Cecil and Margaret came about dark, we all played Chinese checkers. Earl is feeling better than he did yesterday. A man who knew Rowland, Weir came to see him today, we are all planning to go home Saturday, but Earl said they may all have to work. I hope we can go home.

May 23, Friday       Sunny and hot.
I got everything cleaned up, and everything washed and ironed by 10:30. Earl worked on Dave’s car til 10:30 p.m., they stopped long enough to listen to the fight. The days are beginning to drag. I’ve read about all there is, and what little housekeeping there is doesn’t take long in a 10×12 space. We listen to all the radio serials and newscasts, but even then time hangs heavily. Mrs. Clark brought me a letter from Minnie Lea, my first in a long time.

May 24, Saturday         Morning sunny, rain in the afternoon.
Today is Earl’s birthday, but we didn’t have anything to give him so we didn’t say anything to him, but went to town and got some little thing, deposited his check. Now we’ve got 400 cash dollars! When we came back had a letter from Mamma in which she said Uncle Fuqua [Cecil’s brother] died Wednesday and was buried at home. We got Jo Anne’s report and a letter from Mrs. Meyers. Davises were going home with us, but decided to go to Miss. instead at the last minute. We went with Cecil, got home at 10:30. Daddy was so tired he didn’t wake up at all. Jo Anne’s cow has a beautiful calf.

May 25, Sunday       Sunny morning, rain in afternoon.
We had another hectic day, posted at the shop, went home for a few minutes, but it wasn’t like being at home. Had baths at Julia’s, and Kidd and Edward came. They had cooked us a ham. Mamma made Earl an angel food cake to bring back, and cakes and pies for dinner. We had a very enjoyable day. Bill Hall stopped by for a little while. Miss Rosalie Ford died just before we left town. We were in the rain a good bit. John ate supper with us both Saturday night and tonight. Margaret didn’t come back.

May 26, Monday       Sunny, no rain.
Jo Anne slept til eight. I read one “Time” and part of the other, and wrote to Mamma and Minnie Lea. I was too lazy, didn’t wash the things we had dirty, only cleaned up the tent. They all seem to think this job will soon be over, maybe this week or next. Kidd said she’d bring us a trailer to move in if it came before she goes to school. I brought Jo Anne’s paint and paper doll books. I hope she won’t get so tired of doing nothing. But she’s been very game about it, she hasn’t complained. We are going to bed early after yesterday’s trip. Mary Cloy has an infected foot, so I went over to see her a little while.

May 27, Tuesday     Showers.
Mrs. Davis came over and wanted us to take her and Mrs. Bailey to town to the show. I washed all our dirty things, and cleaned up. Just got through and dressed in time to leave at 12:30. Jo Anne and I went to Mrs. Boyett’s and stayed til three, when we all came home. We listened to Roosevelt, and I could only feel that war is ever so much nearer. This little endangered peace we are enjoying now will be our last, I’m afraid. Our world after war won’t be the same. We are watching the dying of an age, and only God knows what will come out of it. We will never see the end, or know carefree happy days again. There have been very few for our generation anyway.

May 28, Wednesday     Rain – all day.
Confined in a 10×12 space, rain spattering on the tent. No wonder I’m blue and depressed. All the news this morning high-lights Roosevelt’s speech. My thirty-five years have certainly seen revolution. I remember the slow, easy days when we had country people in to church who came home with us on Sunday and spent the day: horse and buggy days, first car days, roadless days, flood days, the other world war days when, bug-eyed, I hid behind the chairs and kept still as a mouse to be allowed to listen to discussion of the war; when my childish fingers learned to knit for the Red Cross; that day we heard the war was over, and the church bell rang and rang; young girlhood when there was never enough of anything – time, money, fun, education – just that burning desire for something better than we had. And Earl, who was just right for me, from the first time I ever saw him, and who has always understood me better than I understood myself. Later, marriage, business, the hard struggle to get ourselves out of debt. Then depression, lightened by the coming of Jo Anne. Years filled with joy, but always that dread and uneasiness of insecurity. Now that things look a little brighter momentarily, I can’t let myself go and enjoy them because the shadows ahead are so thick and heavy, with certain suffering and heartache, bitter want for the whole world after this orgy of bloodshed and waste.

May 29, Thursday       Rain – all day long.
We just lay around and read all day. A lot of people were laid off, but so far Earl is more than lucky. God must have intended that we do this work, we have had every possible encouragement. Had a letter from Velma. No letters from home this week.
Earl worked on Mrs. Davis’ stove tonight, they were both over here. We are planning to go home this week, so I can make bills.

May 30, Friday       Cloudy and damp, but no rain.
I’ve felt so miserably badly today I’ve done nothing. Jo Anne washed and dried the dishes for me, and she’s waited on me all day. Bless her heart, she’s painted and worked Studebaker cards and tried to amuse herself, but a tiny tent is a poor place to spend such rainy days. Earl says Cecil got his questionnaire. Guess I will go to town tomorrow, if I feel any better; Earl will get his check today.

May 31, Saturday     Cloudy, no rain.
Carl came in yesterday afternoon, said Earl and all of them were laid off til Monday and we were going home. We got here around 11. Carter and Eula May got in just before we did. I made out bills, and cleaned up our house. Earl got a few jobs done. Mamma went to Winnsboro with Carter, we ate dinner at Julia’s. We started to Ben Hinton’s to see Bep, met C.L. and Marcia, so we turned around and came back. They came for several days, have been up in North Carolina in the mountains on their vacation.

 

June 1, Sunday      Beautiful day
After we cleaned up, we went down in the swamp to see Bep, found her terribly poor, but she was glad to see us. Kidd and Edward came for dinner, Mamma had twelve or fifteen altogether. We sat around and talked until time to come back to Leesville. On the way over here Earl and Jo Anne were both sick at the stomach, Earl especially so. I gave them magnesia as soon as we got here. I had a letter from Fortuny wanting $15 to revise my stories. I wish they’d send them back to me, I’m about disgusted. I’ll never write anything at all.

June 2, Monday       Cloudy
I had a lot of pressing to do. I’ve been busy all day with poor results, except that I got it all done. It’s to be done again every day, though so I can’t see that it’s much accomplished.
Earl felt terribly badly today, weak, but he’s over the sickness. I tried to get him not to go to work, but he went anyway. Jo Anne is all right, though, she never was as sick as Earl.

June 3, Tuesday      Sunny
We went to town today, put Earl’s money in the bank, and mailed a letter to Minne, Minne Lea, Velma, that canning company and then went out to Talbot’s trailer camp and spent the day. Mrs. Nesom, Lora, Margaret and we all ate dinner at Mrs. Boyetts. I crocheted some, but we enjoyed the day. I bought groceries, paid the rent, etc. altogether nearly spent $10. It surely does slip away from me. Had a letter from Minnie Lea. She isn’t doing so well, it doesn’t seem to me, she still can’t go about any. I’m awfully worried about her. Margaret seems to be doing very nicely.

June 4, Wednesday         Sunny
Had a card from Inez, telling us to be sure and come Sunday and Earl said we could so I guess that’s what we will do. I sent Minne Lea’s letter to Mamma, and wrote Inez and Montgomery Ward. Washed and pressed all we had dirty and since I’ve had this stomach upset I haven’t eaten, so I have been pretty weak. I stayed on the cot under the [ ] nearly all day and read. We went to see “Angels With Dirty Faces” with Davises. Margaret said they might go to Inez’s with us. But I don’t know whether they will or not. The Kaiser died today.

June 5, Thursday       Sunny and hot
Letter from Florelle. Jo Anne and I crocheted and read, washed and ironed, finally got supper. The shop foreman, Whitten, and Sonny Smith moved up here, and Maragaret and Cecil came out for awhile. Life is surely a round of doing the simple things. We neither go any where, nor see anyone, and are almost without anything to read.

June 6, Friday      Cloudy and cool
Letter from Mamma. She got sick, too, last Sunday. Al and Lil came down after we left. Mary heard that weddings galore were to take place in Sicily Island, – W.M. Crawford and Calahan’s nurse, Victor and an Italian from Natchez, Mildred Seal and Prescott, Charles Seal and Mary Lucille Matthews, Calahan and Shirley Wren.

June 7, Saturday     Rain all morning, clear in the afternoon
We had to stay in the tent until after noon so I wrote to Florelle, and cleaned up pretty well. Then the sun came out, so we read awhile, and were ready to go to town when Earl came and we finished supper. Doc Singleton came to the camp, and Earl took us over and introduced us. We got groceries, and went to a show, “Gantry”[the Great, aka Pride of the Bluegrass 1939] – story of a blind horse. It was late before we were ready for bed. A storm at DeQuincy was dangerously near us, killed three people.

June 8, Sunday    Beautiful day
We left here around 7:30, drove through Deridder, Kinder, Eunice and Crowley, but it was 10:45 before we got to Scott, where Inez was to meet us. She had given us out, and gone on home, but left instructions at the drug store as to how to find them, so we got out there with no trouble. I was awfully glad to see her, and we met all her people, they were as nice to us as could be. We enjoyed the day very much, went to see her Grandmother, who wove and spun cloth, saw all the instruments, and several pieces of nice furniture. Inez seems to have achieved peace of a sort, but certainly she isn’t happy at all. Marilyn is the same self-sufficient child, and looks just as she always did, except that she’s 2 ½ years bigger.

June 9, Monday       Cloudy
We washed all we had dirty, and went to town with Mary. I got a letter mailed to Mamma, and went to the Bank, where I deposited $70 of Earl’s check. This makes $520 we have. It’s unbelievable. We slept a little after we got home, Cecil is to move out here tonight, and I want to have supper done when Earl gets home if I can, he will want to help Cecil get located. Margaret didn’t come back, is due Thursday. The British have at last taken the initiative and moved into Syria, which is late, even at that. It does look like they could accomplish more than they are.

June 10, Tuesday       Cloudy, rain
I washed, mopped, and thoroughly cleaned the tent, so it’s shining and nice. We read and slept. I crocheted a little then fixed supper. Cecil ate with us both last night and tonight. It really poured down tonight. Earl, Jo Anne and I went to see “Philadelphia Story,” which was disappointing. [I actually love Philadelphia Story!]

June 11, Wednesday       Cloudy, sun in the afternoon
These days are so much the same, — rise at 5 and get Earl’s lunch and breakfast. He leaves at 6:15. I wash the things we got dirty the day before, and clean up the tent. Jo Anne and I get a shower and the mail, and we sleep. I get up and press the things I’ve washed in the morning, and fix supper. Earl eats with us, we wander about outside, talking to the neighbors, or playing Casino, and got to bed at 9. One day is just like the others except with it rains we are all short-tempered from too close confinement.

June 12, Thursday       Cloudy, Rain in the afternoon
Today Jo Anne and I rushed through our work, got our bath and after the mail man came, went to Mrs. Boyett’s until noon. We ate dinner at Dodge’s and met Margaret. It simply poured in Leesville, but hadn’t rained here at all when we got home. Letter from Kidd, — she has met Mr. Bradsher, which must have been embarrassing on her part, she not know just what he might say to her. He told her she had a striking mind, and that she wrote answers like wording a telegram. We played dominoes out under the trees til too dark to see, and went to bed early.

June 13, Friday       Sunny, cool breeze
Today I had a letter from Velma saying they were coming to Sicily Island Sunday so I’m sure we wil go home. We went to town and got groceries, and slept. We went to see Bette Davis and George Brent in “The Great Lie” – It was fair. Earl didn’t feel well, and was so sleepy he was miserable. We will just have to quit trying to go to shows, he never feels well enough to enjoy it.

June 14, Saturday       Sunny, hot, but a fair breeze
I made jelly today, just about half of it. Oh it was hot! I filled the box with jars, and decided to wait til next week to finish. Letter from Mamma, she didn’t say much. Carter was over yesterday hunting a place to move. I hate to say it, but I hope he doesn’t move over here, I surely don’t want to live anywhere near Eula May.
We left for Sicily Island about 6:30, with a new route, — through Claiborne. John was with us. Got in about 11, stopped at Pop’s til 12, to see Rowland and Velma. Didn’t even wake Mamma and Joe up when we got in.

June 15, Sunday
We spent the day at Pop’s [Cecil’s], had a right nice visit with Roland [Earl’s brother] and Velma. Went to Miss Minnie’s for a short time, and to Mamma’s after they left. Had a very good day, I posted, too. The trip back was rough, the roads full of soldiers on maneuvers. We got in about 8:30. Rowland asked Earl if there was much chance of his getting on. Earl said he seemed serious about it, Elaine is nearly through business school. Velma has something wrong with her hip, can hardly walk.

June 16, Monday       Cloudy, no rain
We cleaned up and washed all the dirty clothes, went to town about 10, to Mrs. Boyett’s too. Got groceries, and visited awhile. We slept too long after we got back, we were all groggy for a long time. I had supper ready when Earl came, and after we had eaten, Mr. and Mrs. Davis and Whitten came in — we played Chinese checkers. Margaret, too. I read “The Body in the Library” to Earl and Jo Anne, and we got to bed early. Letter from Bessie.

June 17, Tuesday       Cloudy, no rain
Davis says we will be here til July 1st. I don’t know whether he knows or not. He says we will all go to Centerville. By July 1, we ought to have $700.00 saved. Oh, I’m so glad we came. No worrying about making ends meet in the time since we’ve been here, and enough saved to pay up the $254.00 we owe Gulf and Sears which will clean up all our debts. Earl is talking of either fixing our car or getting another. I don’t care much which, it looks like a new one is more sensible, but oh I hate to put that much in an automobile! I’ve been reading “Time” all day. We all ate supper together. Margaret had a chicken, and afterward went through Camp Polk.

June 18, Wednesday       Sunny and hot
Margaret went to town today, but we decided not to go. We read, cleaned, etc., and mostly rested in bed. Letter from Velma in which she said Elaine had a wreck. Nobody hurt, but about $200 damage to both cars.
Turkey signed a treaty with Germany today. It seems the British just can’t win anything. We listened to the Louis-Conn fight  This is a very monotonous sort of life we lead, but if it gets us where we want to go, that’s the important thing. Earl paid Union dues through June.

June 19, Thursday         Sunny and hot in forenoon; Rain in the afternoon
The days pass as a dream that is faintly remembered: Up at 5, fix lunch and breakfast, tell Earl goodbye. Wash the clothes we wore yesterday and the dishes. Read, sew, or crochet and sleep until four; Press the things we rinsed out this morning. Go get shower and have dinner ready when Earl gets in at 5:40. Clean up, and sit outside or play casino until bed time. We can’t go anywhere at night because Earl needs the rest. Letter from Florelle and Jo Anne had one from Julia. I’m enjoying Jo Anne so much, I hate to think about fall and school. Carter and family were here awhile tonight. They aren’t going to move over here, thank Goodness.

June 20, Friday       Sunny and hot, cool shower late
Nothing to even comment on. I wrote to Mamma and Florelle. Earl got his check and cashed it. We had supper and sat around and talked, went to bed early.

June 21, Saturday     Sunny in the morning, rain in the afternoon
I thought I’d get a letter from Mamma, but I didn’t. We went to town, put $80 in the bank, and bought the week’s supply of groceries. Ate dinner up town, went out to Mrs. Boyett’s. Earl wanted to buy shoes, so we all went to town again, sat on the street and watched the soldiers.
It was nearly eleven when we got home, and the radio was full of the news that Germany has just tackled Russia, news which had just broken. Hitler must either be mad, or have as little respect for Russian fighting ability as I have. This war seems destined to envelope the globe. Germany seems to have Turkey won over, to a bloodless conquest. It is impossible to think through all the intricacies of this new move at once. Japan? U.S. sentiment? Finnish relations?

June 22, Sunday
We got cleaned up, bathed, and Cecil [Earl’s father] and Margaret [Earl’s step-mother] went with us to De Ridder, where we ate dinner and went to see William Powell and Myrna Loy in “Love Crazy.” It was a crazy picture, but amusing. We went to see the coons and squirrels and Earl and Cecil shot some at a shooting gallery. We came back to the camp, M.L. Davis’ mother had come, so I made coffee for them all. We lay on the cot and watched the stars until the mosquitoes drove us in. The news was only what we heard last night. I wish we could see Mamma and Joe a little while. I hate being separated from them.

June 23, Monday       Sunny and hot
I’ve worked pretty well all day washing and ironing. I’m really tired tonight. Thought we’d hear from Mamma, but didn’t. I thought perhaps Earl and the rest would know where we go from here, but it seems there’s nothing given out yet. We are supposed to go to Columbus, Mississippi, which is quite a long way from home, and aside from that, looks as if it might be an interesting place to spend three or four months. I guess we will know by the end of this week, if not before, just what we will do, and where we will go.

June 24, Tuesday       Showers
Same old grind, nothing new at all. Letter from Mamma, and I wrote to the company for potatoes for Joe, and to Aunt Leona. I also wrote Velma. There has been constant news of German successes in Russia, but little new of England’s conditions except that they seem to be taking the initiative at last. Mamma said Carter brought Eula May there and left her again.

June 25, Wednesday       Sunny and hot
Well, Mr. Tucker told Earl he would be terminated Saturday, so I guess we will be going home Monday or Tuesday, since it isn’t likely he will be able to get all his dealings closed with Union, etc. I don’t know how we will get this tent and lumber home, but somehow I guess we can work it out. We don’t know yet how long it will be until we go to work again, but I suppose it will be in Columbus, Mississippi. Had a letter from Florelle, wanting us to come over there, but with everything so uncertain, I don’t suppose we will go. I hope Tucker tells Earl something definite about this new job, and that we won’t lose any time more than it takes to get straight.

June 26, Thursday       Rain in the afternoon
We expected Mrs. Boyett but she didn’t come. Earl told me not to wash anything else since we were going home Liza could do it, so I had very little to do today. We went to the Union office, Earl paid the man the last 2%, $13.33, so he’d be straight for another job.

June 27, Friday      Rain in the morning
Letter from Florelle wanting us to come out there. It’s been hot today in spite of so much rain. I finished Kidd’s buffet set and crocheted on the new pattern Mamma had. Earl and Cecil came in around four for coffee, left again, though, they were just passing by. I don’t know yet what we’re going to do about moving. And the certainty of work on another job is not too sure.

June 28, Saturday       Shower in the afternoon
Margaret, Jo Anne and I went to town. I drew out $608.82 and with Earl’s last two checks and what we have on hand, we will have money enough to get home on and $800 cash. Not bad for one week less than four months. Letter from Velma. I wrote Rowland a card about a car. Crocheted some, and showed Margaret how to go by directions. Packed up all our things. Earl got home at six, and we were in Sicily Island at 12:30, after a tire had blown out, and we had a flat extra. The Lord was with us, though, it was right in front of a station. Mama and Joe didn’t even hear us come in.

June 29, Sunday       Our hottest day yet.
This was Sunday, but we worked like Trojans unloading and straightening up everything. Ate dinner at Mamma’s, and Lil and Al spent the afternoon. Earl gave Gravelle a hundred dollars, so that pain is half over, and the $54 on the roof will clear us out completely. Oh, it will be grand to be out of the hole! But I hate that Earl has to pay it out of his wages, it should come out of the shop. Mamma and Daddy came over here a little while, too. Bob died of distemper about two weeks ago. It makes me sick at heart. If we’d had him he’d still be alive.

June 30, Monday       Still hotter.
I cleaned up the house. Dr. Gordon came for Earl before he got up, so his idea of taking it easy just won’t work at home. He’s been busy all day long, and didn’t get to work at Mamma’s but very little. We ate dinner at Julia’s, I made out the monthly bills and mailed them. Mr. and Mrs. Davis came by a little while, they had been to Columbus. I hope Earl gets Mamma’s water system in and finished tomorrow. I don’t want him to have to work the whole time he’s off. I haven’t got to read a bit of the two “Times” we’ve got ahead of us.

July 1, Tuesday     Sunny and hot.
Jo Anne went to Vacation Bible School, and as soon as I finished cleaning up I went to Mamma’s. Earl had already gone. He and Carter worked all day, got the cold water lines run, but no hot ones yet. Oh, I’m so glad it’s being done, I’ve surely wanted them to have water in their house long enough. I wish we could fix the commode, but I guess we will have to be satisfied with this awhile.

July 2, Wednesday
Earl worked all day on the water system at Mamma’s, and I tagged about after him. They got the hot water almost finished, but it will take a little while in the morning to finish it up.

July 3, Thursday       Showers.
Rowland called Earl this morning about a car, so Earl and Carter finished the water system about 11, and we began getting ready to go to Thibodaux. Dave Clark and his family came by, but we got off at 2 after eating dinner with Mamma. Visited May Usher a few minutes, and also Nelson and Faye. The car was considerably more than we wanted to spend, but Earl said it was a good buy, and if we can sell ours it won’t be so bad. It was $650, we paid $300 down, and want to pay the rest before 60 days to eliminate the carrying charges. It was after 12 when we got here, in Thibodaux. We are going to Grand Isle tomorrow. Saw Kidd on the road.

July 4, Friday
We left about nine and drove down to Grand Isle, got two rooms in a private home, and went sight seeing. It was too hot to swim, so we went to the docks and hired a boat which took us out beyond Grand Terre, where we looked at the old Fort Livingston, built during the war of 1812, and now partly in the sea. We saw porpoises swimming about, and surely did enjoy the ride. Later we went swimming, but Jo Anne enjoyed it most of all. She really learned to take the waves as they came. It’s a nice place to stay awhile, we met the Easterlys down on the beach.

July 5, Saturday       Showers.
We swam early, stayed in a long time since there was no sun. Jo Anne and I were sick in the night, but seem to be all right today. We also went back in this afternoon, with the Easterlys and got a pretty bad scare when we found ourselves too deep. It’s lots of fun swimming where the waves break. We have had a real nice time all the trip, I’m so glad we came. I think both Jo Anne and Earl enjoyed it immensely, and I always love to see them do things they enjoy. We will swim early, and leave early in the morning. The sunset was beautiful today.

Sunday, July 6
Sunny
They all went swimming this morning but Velma and I stayed and packed up, got ready to leave. Easterlys left, too, Earl and Rowland helped them get the trailer out and going. We left Grand Isle around eleven, got to Thibodeaux about two, but ate dinner in Golden Meadow, wasted a lot of time. Brought Elaine and Lily Belle up to Baton Rouge, came on out to Quitman’s, where we’re going to spend the night. The car seems to be all right, we will conclude the bargain tomorrow. We hated to leave Grand Isle, we all enjoyed it, but Jo Anne especially did.

July 7, Monday
Sunny and hot.
We came into town and fixed up the papers on the car, notes of $175 for Aug. 7 and Sept. 7, and left it to be gone over. We visited Aunt Leona a good while in the afternoon, Anna, Anna Bess, Anna May, Dollie, and Tom came in while we were there. We also went to Jewel’s, and found them living in a negro cabin, just about so bad as they’ve ever been. Came back by Quitman’s and decided to spend the night with C.L.  When we got out there, Kidd had been calling us, so we went to the University, she had letters from Margaret and Florelle for us. I am going to be glad to get in bed, I’m tired tonight.

July 8, Tuesday     Sunny and quite hot.
I thought we were going home early this morning, but Earl got to fooling with C.L’s garden tractor, so Marcia and I decided to go see a table Beverly [Kate’s husband] had made Kate [Marcia’s sister], and on to town for a pair of shoes for me. We got the play board for the bridge table, and went to see Sis. Fooled around at C.L.’s the rest of the day, left them at 6:00. Had to drive both cars, Earl said Jo Anne should have been twins, so we’d each have a daughter to ride with. Jo Anne said it was my fault she wasn’t, that I could have borned two as easy as one. We stopped at May Usher’s, got home at 10:45. Ate supper in Natchez. Trip cost $25.00.

July 9, Wednesday     Sunny and hot.
I’ve cleaned and put away all day, and the house still looks like a wreck. Went to Mamma’s and Julia’s, and fixed dinner, washed underclothes, took clothes to Liza, and have been busy the whole day with no results. Well, I guess that’s a cross section of life. Wrote Minnie Lea, Velma, Florelle, Marcia, and asked Fortuny for the ninety eleventh time to send my manuscripts back to me. We went to see Edward awhile tonight, took Mamma and Daddy. Burk is getting better but is still in the hospital. The pipe for Mamma was $16.26.

July 10, Thursday     Rain
Margaret came this afternoon and asked me to go to Monroe tomorrow. I guess I’ll go, I want to get Sprague a wedding present. We spent a good while at Mamma’s, I wrote Easie and Aunt Leona. Seems as if I’ll never get all the letters written.
The Battle of Britain is rather quiet, but the Battle of Russia is raging. Russia is bound to lose, but at least they’re putting up a fight. England is bombing German and French cities pretty briskly, seems as if she is just beginning to take the offensive.

July 11, Friday     Rain
Went to Monroe, got a beautiful pair of pillow cases for Sprague. Mr. Dewitt got a suit to wear to the wedding. We stayed till about 1, but I didn’t buy anything except a belt for Earl and some ribbons for Jo Anne. We were in a terrible rain coming back. I left my dress and Earl’s suit in Wisner, guess I’ll have to go after them tomorrow.

July 12, Saturday     Cloudy, no rain
We cleaned up good for Sunday, I got everything ready for our early departure tomorrow. Kidd and Edward came in this afternoon, we went to Mamma’s and stayed most of the time. Kidd and Mamma went to Wisner with me after the clothes. Daddy spent the day, and is to stay the night, in Winnsboro, visiting friends and Aunt Florelle, who has been sick. We tried to get Mamma to go to Harrisonburg but she wouldn’t, decided we’d take Pop and Julia. We stayed til about ten, at Kidd’s, came back by the Holy Roller church and watched them awhile. Today was Aunt Minnie’s birthday.

July 13, Sunday     Rain
We got up early; Cecil, Margaret and Mr. Dewitt went with us to see Sprague and Hazel married. It was a beautiful home wedding, Hazel looked awfully pretty. Cecil said all the bosses were terminated Saturday, and it undoubtedly won’t be long until the other job will begin. Nelson and family came this afternoon, we went to Wisner to see “Ziegfield Girl” – fair. Edward took our old car, said he’d try to sell it if he could. We need to get rid of it as soon as possible. Everything is going up, especially groceries.

July 14, Monday     Rain
Earl went to Leesville after the tent lumber today, got in at 12:30 tonight. Said they had a nice trip. Nelson went with him and Carter. He said it seemed the job will open this coming Monday. I washed and ironed, and spent a while at Mamma’s. I wrote Florelle, and must try to do the posting at the shop tomorrow. Faye was here a little while. Mr. Dewitt was out here with no way to get home, so Jo Anne and I took him out there.

July 15, Tuesday     More rain
I’m afraid the cotton will ruin, it’s raining so much during the blooming season. I posted at the shop, got everything straight so far as I know. Jo Anne, Patsy and I went to Harrisonburg to get tires for a trailer, Earl has been working on one all day long, so far it’s cost us $12. I do hope we get orders to go to work Monday, it’s awful waiting and nothing coming in, but all you’ve saved going out. Wish we could sell our old car, that would make us certainty of the payments on this new one. Went to Mamma’s, but didn’t stay very long.

July 16, Wednesday     Clear, hot
Earl said the paper said the job at Columbus wouldn’t open for another month. It surely does worry me, we need the money. Earl is making the trailer. We went to Ferriday and got some things we needed for it, took Pop. Met Luther and went around to his house a few minutes, they have moved back to town, Bookie had a wreck and broke his leg again. We bought watermelons and ate them at Julia’s with Nelson and Faye. Miss Willy came to see me a little while, she wanted news of the wedding to send to the paper.

July 17, Thursday     Clear and hot
Nelson and family left today, Earl finished the trailer and painted it. It looks really nice, and I’m so glad he made it. I varnished the table top one coat, and painted some on the dog house roof, it was Jo Anne’s job. It’s a horrible color, but Earl said we’d keep it from rusting and paint it again later, when we fix the house. I went to Mamma’s a few minutes, Joe and Pop drank coffee with us. Jo Anne helps me so much, she doesn’t seem to mind washing dishes nor helping in any way. She’s a sweet kid. We have had no mail in several days.

July 18, Friday     Sunny and hot
We started to build the tent today. It has gone very slowly. We got the floor figured out in sections, and put together. Kidd and Edward came pretty late and went to Mamma’s, also to the corn patch for roasting ears. We read “Silver Spoon” before going to bed. The war news seems about the same. The Russians are fighting, but slowly giving ground, it looks like soon Hitler will have full control. We are waiting to be picked off like Holland, Belgium, and France.

July 19, Saturday     Very hot.
As soon as I could clean up, I went to the shop this morning. We got the tent completed by working all day long, with Joe helping us, too. It was a big job, but I hope now we can assemble it easily. We went to Kidd’s after dark, she said she’d had fever. I wrote a paper for her. Mamma went with us. Carter and Eula May came back. Poor Mamma, I wonder how long, she’s going to have to put up with that. Goodness knows it’s surely not right. I’d as soon die right now as think I had to live a month with Eula May, and she’s been there a month this time.

July 20, Sunday      Rain in the afternoon
Earl decided to work today and give Pop and Oliver the day off. I cooked dinner early, then Julia asked us to eat with them, so we did. We stayed at the shop for a long time, read “Silver Spoon”, and Earl fixed the light on the clock and glove compartment. Then we decided to go get Bep [dog], and did. She’s terribly poor, and ate like a starved thing when she got home. She was glad to get here, too. Julia let Jack [dog] out, so I guess we will keep them both. Earl had a letter from Cecil saying it didn’t look like the Columbus job would open in less than 90 days.

July 21, Monday      Rain
We ate dinner at Mamma’s, and Earl worked on Alvin’s tractor all morning. Pop and Julia were here for coffee. Jo Anne found the termites had eaten holes in her baby book. She made candy. I had a letter from Florelle, she wants us to come out there, but I’m afraid we can’t go. I wrote to her, Minnie Lea, Velma, and Fortuny. Earl called Edward and told him to come go to see “Arizona” with us, which he did. Miss Mollie fell and broke her leg today, and her blood pressure is 280.

July 22, Tuesday      Rain
Today the news that greeted me when I got to the shop was that Dee Wade had committed suicide. Nobody seems to know why, but the idea is that he and his wife were having trouble. It’s such a pity, he was one of the most pleasant men I’ve ever known, always smiling or joking. You can never tell what troubles are gnawing away at the heart, regardless of what sort of courage one faces the world with. And I can never find it in my heart to condemn a person whose trouble is so great that life no longer has a meaning nor a value to him. I don’t believe it’s the right solution, though.

July 23, Wednesday      Hard rain before we got up, clear afterwards
Earl loaded the trailer with the tent etc., and cleaned out the blacksmith shop to put it in. It’s been terribly hot today. And Earl and Edward went fox hunting tonight. Got in about 3. Mamma, Jo Anne and I rode out and listened to the dogs awhile, but the mosquitos were bad so we came in. I’ve read everything in the house, waiting. My, it’s hot all day and all night, too. Saw Bunk [Walter Bullard Taliaferro] this morning, he and Augusta [Krause Taliaferro] had just come from Hot Springs. He said Mary [Taliaferro Huff] is better, but this is a hard time for her, the anniversary of Roy’s [Huff] death.

July 24, Thursday   Sunny and hot.
We cleaned up and went to Mamma’s awhile. It’s too hot to do very much. Mamma and Joe are thinking of going to Baton Rouge, I do hope they will. We read “Silver Spoon”, and started “Aloha Means Goodbye”, in the Post. I read “Time” all day.
Japan is moving in on French Indo, China, and I am afraid the war is nearer to us than we think. The U.S. began the freezing of Japanese credits this morning, so that means Japan is definitely off the fence she has tried to straddle so long and is in the German camp.

July 25, Friday      Hot
Letter from Velma this morning, she thinks they will go to Grand Isle for two weeks. They want us to come down Sunday, but I don’t know that we will even think of it. If Earl would, and hunt a job Monday – but it isn’t going to be easy to know what’s right to do. Kidd came today, we went to see “The People vs. Dr. Kildare” tonight, which was pretty good. Eula May and Carter went to Olla, which they should have done long ago, or down to the camp, one. Now it’s doubtful if they will be gone long enough to miss them. Margaret came by, just got in from Leesville.

July 26, Saturday      Hot and sunny.
Jo Anne and I cleaned up, and when we went to the shop Earl had decided to clean and polish the car, so we went to Mamma’s and got soft rags and worked on it all day long. I’m afraid I won’t be able to sleep tonight, we’ve worked so hard. War seems very near, to me. I know there are lots of things that must come first, before the people will be ready, before public opinion has been molded, but a right good incident, manufactured or otherwise, would turn the trick in 3 days.

July 27, Sunday       One of the hottest; cloudy late, but no rain
Earl spent the morning talking to Cecil and John; we all spent the afternoon at Miss Mamie’s. Earl wanted that little tiny organ they used to have, and she wouldn’t let him have it. I’m sorry, it’s pretty, and quite an old relic, Earl has a right to it, but no more than she, of course, so if she wants it, he’ll have to do without it.
We went to Mamma’s awhile tonight. Came home and read “Aloha Means Goodbye”. I curled Jo Anne’s hair, but it simply won’t stay curled long at the time. Poor kid, she wants it to curl so badly, it’s a shame. I wish she could have mine.

July 28, Monday      Hot, no rain, cloudy in the afternoon
Earl was to go to John’s and get the truck to make a trailer, but started to work on Steele’s pump, and has been there all day. Jo Anne and I cooked dinner and stayed at Mamma’s all morning and all afternoon. Earl came just before dark, and he and Jo Anne got the figs off the tree. We read “Aloha Means Goodbye”, finished it and read all but the last issue of “Silver Spoon”.

July 29, Tuesday     Hot, no rain
Earl is still working on Steele’s [Dick’s father, Isham Alfonso “Al” Steele] pump. They had to pull it, and put down another one. We stayed at Mamma’s all morning, came home and read “Me Calls’” and went back to Mamma’s. Old man and Lady Rodriquez came by in the afternoon, also went to Miss Mamie’s. I went to Dick’s [Clara Lucille “Dick” Ogden Steele] a little while, til Earl finished up, and we came home, had early supper, and read the last of “Silver Spoon”.

July 30, Wednesday      Hot.
They finished the pump today. I spent a good while at Mamma’s, crocheted some on that buffet set. Jo Anne spent the day with Patsy, who has an abscessed tooth. Mr. Chamblers came up and talked awhile, and while he was here, Earl got a long distance call from Rowland, said Earl had been recommended for a job to the Equipment branch of the Minden project by Drexler to a Mr. Grosjean, in charge, and he ought to go to Minden and see about it [In 1941, the Federal Government acquired 15,868 acres of farms, farmland and private lands for construction of The Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant (LAAP]). I’m too excited to sleep, I hope Earl gets it, Rowland said it might be better than the job he had at Camp Polk.

July 31, Thursday      The hottest yet
Mamma’s pump broke down today, Earl worked on it awhile, we ate dinner there. Earl had to go to Furr’s and Seal’s, has been busy all day, got too hot and has an awful headache. I read a new Post story to them for awhile, “Rendevous,” but he soon got too sleepy to listen. We are thinking of buying Sonny Smith’s trailer, he wants $60 for it, but we could probably get it for $50. Kidd came home, she’s supposed to graduate next Wednesday, I guess she will go back for that. I made out bills today and mailed them, cleaned up the desk, etc.

August 1, Friday      Terribly hot
I’ve been crocheting. Went to Mamma’s twice. Earl decided we’d go to Baton Rouge Sunday, asked Pop and Julia if they wanted to go. He’s been awfully busy all week. I think he will go to Minden Monday. Mamma had a letter from Minnie Lea, Lorraine is going to stay with Bruce and Mary while she is in the hospital. I do hope she will be all right after it’s over, and not have to have any operation. Ted and Hazel are having another baby, too. Miss Mollie came home from the hospital today.

August 2, Saturday      Hot but cloudy
We got things lined up to go to Baton Rouge, Julia cooked two chickens, and I got cheese & pimento, cakes and tomatoes. Rowland called Earl, told him the man he wanted to see would be in Minden Monday, so Earl is going up there. We also told Rowland we were coming down tomorrow. I had just sent a wire when he called. We washed the car and fixed up everything to leave. Oh, how I hope Earl gets the job! It seems like a dream for us to be hunting a job, and to get on that may lead to somewhere seems even more fanciful.

August 3, Sunday       Rain all morning, sunny afternoon.
We left here at 5:15, got to Rowland’s at 8:05. Had the very nicest day imaginable, because Velma decided she’d call Nelson and ask them out in the afternoon, and they came, also Quitman and Essie, and Jewel and her kids. But to have the feud end between the R.C.’s and the N.O.’s was more than worth the trip. Rowland was so glad, and I’m sure they all were, I do hope nothing will come up again to keep them from being at least on speaking terms, it’s such a terrible way to live like they’ve been doing. We got home around ten, Jo Anne and I both have taken bad colds.

August 4, Monday      Hot
Earl and Carter left for Minden at five, took Joe as far as Ruston to see Mrs. Kiper. I went to Mamma’s to canvas the living room, but felt so badly, and it was so uncertain about how long we’d be here we decided not to do it. Edward came after Mamma and she went home with him. Earl came about 9:30, saw the man, but couldn’t get any satisfaction out of him, he told him, he was too early yet. Earl is afraid the job won’t pay very much. He was awfully tired, and discouraged, too, I guess. Said he left a message for the man to call him at Sicily Island, he couldn’t get any satisfaction out of him, and didn’t think it worthwhile to stay in Minden. I hope he will go back Wednesday, when Drexler is there.

August 5, Tuesday      Hot
We slept late, Earl worked at the shop and late in the afternoon he put creosote and black oil on the blocks of the house, hoping to get rid of these termites. We went down to Kidd’s and stayed til about ten o’clock.

August 6, Wednesday
I mailed the check to Commercial Security for $175 on the car, which only leaves that same amount left to be paid. I wrote to Minnie Lea and Velma, and didn’t nothing much the rest of the day except crochet a little. Earl had to go to Peck’s, so Jo Anne and I went with him. Mrs. Peck loaned Jo Anne seven more books, so she won’t be a problem any longer. We read “Let the Gun Talk” by Lucian Cary. Kidd and Edward were here for a little while, she looks terribly badly.

August 7, Thursday     Hot
Undoubtedly this must be our age of Distemper, (foot line). Mamma is sick today, stomach upset. Earl is worried and unhappy over this job business. I do wish he’d go to Minden tomorrow, but he won’t. Jo Anne and I went to Mrs Peniston’s, we hunted a negro for Kidd, but failed to find one. I had a letter from Velma today that Earl said was a since as any Bippie ever wrote. I made two crochet medallions. I’m so anxious to get settled on what we’re to do, this suspense is nerve racking to Earl as well as to me.

August 8, Friday       Hot. 90 degrees at dark
It’s so hot I haven’t done a thing today except what I just had to. Earl worked at the shop, Jo Anne played with Patsy, and we went to Mamma’s after coffee. Wrote to Aunt Leona, and crocheted three more medallions. Mamma feels better. Mussolini’s oldest son was killed in a plane crash yesterday. But his son is no dearer to him than all these others father’s sons, whom he has helped to bring to death. We took Mamma to Kidd’s for a while, she looks better.

August 9, Saturday
Jo Anne and I cleaned up the house for Sunday, I ironed all we had that needed it. Had just got my bath and clothes on when Mrs. Kiper, Bob, and Theodore came. I made coffee, but they didn’t stay very long. Read Edgar Allen Poe and crocheted awhile. Mamma was ironing when I went over there, so I helped her, and crocheted afterwards. Earl is getting things together to go to Minden.

August 10, Sunday      Hottest day yet
Earl has spent nearly all day at the shop. Velma wrote that they are going to be at Decimal until Wednesday. We read awhile in the afternoon, went after Mamma and Joe and went to Kid’s awhile. They came back to Mamma’s and we all ate supper there.

August 11, Monday      Hot, cool shower in the afternoon,
I woke up at 1:45 and never could go back to sleep, so I got up at 4:00, and Earl left at 5:00 for Minden. He took clothes, bed, etc., said he was going to stay until he got something worth having. Poor pig! He hated to go without us and believe me, we hated it, too. I wrote Velma and Florelle while Jo Anne went back to sleep. Mamma, Joe and I almost canvassed the living room at Mamma’s today, Kidd and Edward brought dinner, but they didn’t stay, both were sick, they said. Thank goodness Eula May and Carter left today, supposedly for good.

August 12, Tuesday      A little cooler.
Letter from Earl today. He had good luck in finding his men Monday, but he’s to see another one and he was out of town. My! how I hope he lands something soon. And how I do miss him!
We went to Mamma’s about nine, and worked like pups all day long, but we finished the room. Mamma and Joe were tired, too. The parlor looks really nice though. Jo Anne and I came back by Pop’s to tell him that we heard from Earl. I read the Post awhile, but I’m so tired bed is the only place for me.

August 13, Wednesday      Hot
No letter today. Oh, I do hope Earl was too busy to write, had too much to do getting lined up. This job business is serious. Jo Anne and I went to Mamma’s, we cleaned up the living room and it looks awfully nice, there’s not a wrinkle. Kidd and Edward came by, were astonished that we were through. After dinner we went back home and rested, then to Mamma’s again and clean up her room, figured on papering it, but we haven’t decided definitely. Kidd is going to buy Mamma a linoleum rug to put in the parlor.

August 14, Thursday      Hot
I began mopping the house this morning when Annie didn’t show up, swept down all the walls and gave everything a pretty thorough cleaning, but Kidd and Edward came after I had begun mopping, brought paint and wanted me to come on to Mamma’s so we did, painted all the woodwork in the parlor and Mamma’s room. Mamma is going to order canvas and paper for her room and if we can, we will do it. Jo Anne and I had gone to bed, I with “Time,” and she with a book, when someone knocked and Earl was at the door. And were we glad to see him! Seems like about half of myself is dead when he’s away.

August 15, Friday      Hot
Today has been a real scorcher. Earl went to work, and when Jo Anne and I finished cleaning up we went by the shop, picked up Earl and Pop, and took them to Mamma’s to show them our work. It really does look nice. Had a letter from Bessie, and also wrote her, I thought it might be possible for Anna Bess to get a place here. Read “Time.” Buck and Mildred came by, we went to the camp, they are expecting Mr. Tucker and the rest of the gang for a fish fry tomorrow and asked us to go. We went to the show, “Wagons Roll At Night.”

August 16, Saturday        Hot
Today is Jo Anne’s birthday, and the picnic just suits her. Tucker and Julia, Lillian and Sidney, Annie and Edward, a Mr. & Mrs. Vance White, Mr. and Mrs. Major, Mr. and Mrs. Orrey, Mildred and Buck, Sonny and Mickey, Cora and Ibo, Alice and Pluto, and the rest of their families were al here. We went to Ibo’s, had a nice day altogether. Letter from Florelle, and Velma, and Velma sent Jo Anne a birthday card and a dollar. She had a nice birthday and a good many presents. We ate supper at Momma’s, and came home to read “Let the Gun Talk.”

August 17, Sunday         Hot
I cleaned up, even put wax on the floors, because I couldn’t seem to get to I before, and Earl had to work anyway. Lil and family came in the afternoon, so did Kidd and Edward, and we all went to the Lake and swimming, then had supper on the bank. We had a nice time, Mamma and Joe also went with us. Poor Earl, it was two o’clock tonight when he got through with that tractor. The papers are full of discussions on the meeting last week of Roosevelt and Churchill. This war situation continues to look worse and worse, as Russia gives ground. Poor people!

August 18, Monday        Hot
Kidd and Edward came this morning as I was dressing after having cleaned up. We went uptown and Kidd got Mamma a pretty blue rug for the parlor, after we ate dinner here we went over there and put it down. I helped Joe paint some on the ceiling, and we straightened up the parlor. Mamma made out the order for the canvass and paper for her room Earl, Jo Anne and I went swimming just before sundown, and read “Attack Alarm” in the Post just after we had supper. It’s a scorching night. I wish we’d hear from Minnie Lea, I’m worried about her.

August 19, Tuesday         Cloudy
Jo Anne got Patsy to spend the day with her, and we went to Mamma’s early. I finished painting the ceiling at noon. We read the new Post issue of “Let the Gun Talk,” at noon, and I felt so bum I stayed in bed until five o’clock. When Earl came we decided to go on down to Kidd’s, pick them up, and go to D.T. The people out there seem to be a better class than we have head for tenants yet. They have a right good crop. We came back to Kidd’s, ate supper, and Edward and Earl went fox hunting, got home at two.

August 20, Wednesday       Cooler
I’m awfully worried about Jack. He seems to have something wrong with his back and won’t eat, can hardly get up. He’s so pretty. I do hope he’s not going to die. The new Montgomery Ward Catalog came today, so Jo Anne and I have been looking at it all day, everything is advancing in price. Oh how I wish one of those jobs would open up! We are going to have so much piled up we will never get out from under if it doesn’t break soon. Mr. Chambless came down and talked awhile tonight, he’s interesting. We read “Attack Alarm.” Kidd and Edward didn’t come today.

August 21, Thursday
We took Jack to the Vetinary, he didn’t know what was the matter unless Jack had had a tick. He wouldn’t give him anything. “Time” came, and I was reading it this afternoon when Ruth came. Rowland and Velma were at Pop’s. We went over there and later all went swimming except Velma and I, we fixed a supper to take to them after a swim. We went down to Kidd’s a little while, and by Mamma’s too. The paper and canvass for her room has come. Guess we will get to it Monday.

August 22, Friday       Getting warmer
We all slept late this morning, fixed dinner, etc., — I’m so blooming awkward about cooking. We just sat around mostly and talked all day. Rode around awhile after it got cool, took Julia, went to Catherine’s, and after supper Kidd and Edward came. The men went fox hunting, and the women all went to see “Here Comes the Navy” – Then we came by where they were hunting, and all got in about twelve. Letter, long awaited from Minnie Lea, — she said she was feeling pretty useless, especially since they aren’t through with the house.

August 23, Saturday      Hot again
Julia asked us all to dinner so we spent most of the day there, I crocheted a little bit. Margaret came on the bus, and we took her home, then went to H’burg, visited Laura McLaughlin and found Edith there. Came home, went to DeLita’s and Mrs. Coan’s, then after supper to Miss Mamie’s and to Holy Roller Church, then rode about Wisner. Rowland and Velma hadn’t been there in a long time and enjoyed seeing the changes that had taken place. We also went by Kidd’s a few minutes.

August 24, Sunday     Hot
Velma and I fixed dinner, asked Pop and Julia. We picked a bucket, the first, of scuppernongs [muscadines] for Mrs. Anderson. Delita came and asked us all for coffee so before Rowland and Velma left we all went up there, had a right nice visit. After they left we went to Mamma’s, Emma had been there. We went to John’s, but he wasn’t at home When Kidd and Edward came they brought Mamma and Daddy, May Usher and Meloin came by, too. Mamma and all ate supper here. We want to go to bed early so Earl can get off early in the morning. Shut Bep up.

August 25, Monday       Hot. Light shower
Earl got off at five, I went back to bed when I should have been cleaning up, and finished last weeks Time. Then when I did get up it was so late I dint’ get to half clean up, so I hurried over teo Mamma’s and we worked like Turks getting room papered, but it does look awfully pretty. Kidd came late in the afternoon and helped us finish, then Jo Anne and I went home with her, to spend the night, I’m going to help Edward with an abstract he’s making for D.T. My how I miss Earl!

August 26, Tuesday       Mostly hot, light shower in afternoon
I went to the office with Edward, stayed an hour, then took Kidd to Ferriday to the doctor. Mrs. Peck came in while I was there. We got back a little before twelve, and I looked through records all afternoon with no luck. We had just got home when Earl came, he had no luck either. Man told him it would be two weeks more. We stayed til after supper and came back to Mamma’s so Earl could see the room. It looks awfully nice, Mamma had cleaned it up and Daddy is going to put baseboards around it tomorrow.

August 27, Wednesday       Hot
Jo Anne and I spent the whole morning cleaning up, got our bath and dinner, and had just lain down when C.L. And Marcia came by on their way to Lil’s. I heard yesterday that Oswald Henry died Sunday, and was certainly sorry. Oswald had one of the most pleasing personalities I’ve ever known. Goodness knows why he went berserk these last two years and ruined himself with drink. Nelson and Faye came with C.L. and Marcia so they went with us to Kidd’s, and we had supper there, Earl, Jo Anne and I read Attack Alarm when we got home.

August 28, Thursday     Hot
Faye was here this morning. I helped her pick scuppernongs. C.L. came and ate dinner with us. We went to Mamma’s too. I read Time, and Kidd and Edward came, Edward to go fox hunting, so when Cader and Mrs. Aplin got here, we let the men go to the fox chase and we all went to see “Power Dive,” a very good light show. Earl thinks maybe William Peck will buy our car, the old one. I do hope so, I’m so anxious to get rid of that last note. Then I guess we can manage the rest somehow til Earl gets work.

August 29, Friday      Plenty hot.
Jo Anne and I went to Harrisonburg about ten o’clock, which was a s soon as I could make it, with cleaning up to be done first. We worked on the abstract for D.T., and finished it up, but still could not find about 25 years between 1819 and 1846. I wish I could work in the Clerk’s office, it’s very interesting work and I could find out so much I’d like to know. Letter from Velma. Jo Anne and I went to Margaret’s and she surely looks as if she is going to have twins, she’s huge, with three months yet to go.

August 30, Saturday      Cooler morning and evening, Hot midday
Worked at the shop all morning making bills and posting, in fact it was 4:45 when I finished and came home to wax the floors. Card from Lillian inviting us to another picnic with Mr. Tucker and crowd. Letter from Florelle. She’d been to Leesville and didn’t come on to see us. Kidd and Edward were here for dinner, she’s better. We went swimming close to dark. Card from Lil asking us to supper Sunday night, but I wrote her we couldn’t make it, I don’t’ feel like it. Went to Mamma’s too.

August 31, Sunday       Cooler, Cloudy
Jo Anne and I cleaned up and hung the curtains this morning. Cecil and Margaret came and stayed awhile. Earl worked nearly all day. Roy Strickland came with Carter, bought our old Ford, or bargained to, with $25 down. That certainly does relieve us, because it clears our car completely, and we’ve nothing left to pay except $45 on this roof and life insurance. Oh, I wish Earl could go to work right away. If he were working, we could go on and pay these bills, but as long as he’s only making expenses, we are afraid to spend all we have. Saw “A Woman’s Face” to night.

September 1, Monday     Rain
We got up at 4 this morning, got ready by five, and went to Mildred’s. There were fifty six at the picnic, and we had a very nice time. Mr. Tucker didn’t know any more about a job than he had known though, and we are no closer to work than before. Thank goodness the car is paid for though, which makes everything much easier than it was. So many people were at the picnic – Tuckers, Sid and Buck Smiths, Demaggios, Ed Smith and Ed Guss, Sonny Smiths, Sumners, John Crawford, Yelvie Bondurant, Joe Enright, Leo Hardin, Carter, Red Francis, Owens and Irma’s and Ethel’s families, Coney’s, Orrey’s, another of Tucker’s sisters, Albritton.

September 2, Tuesday
I cleaned the house, Jo Anne did the dishes and we had just finished bathing when Mrs. Peck came. She brought me a book to read and I sent Barbara Jane four, she’s sprained her ankle. We went to Mamma’s, and stayed awhile. Jo Anne had a crying spell because she wants to be grown, and she is still a child. We had a long talk, but I don’t feel like I did her much good. She feels like I can’t understand and that discounts anything I might say. Hubert Garner was here for coffee. We read all the continued stories in the Post and Country Gentlemen.

September 3, Wednesday       Rain, much cooler
Patsy spent the day with Jo Anne. I finished the Post, and went to Mamma’s. Two years ago today the war began; it has now completely enveloped Europe, parts of Africa and Asia. And with the passage of the new tax bill, there will be left no American who does not feel its scourge. What foods, medical care, even luxuries to make life more pleasant, could have been furnished the world’s millions with the billions which have been squandered on this awful denizen of War!

September 4, Thursday       Hot, clear
Kidd came before we finished cleaning up, asked us to supper tomorrow night for Edward’s and Mamma’s birthdays. Also said Nita is coming Saturday, and asked us to go to Alexandria with her to meet Nita.
Earl worked on Mamma’s pump, but didn’t do it any good. Joe is turning corn, and was completely exhausted when he came in. I read Time today, and it must be simply awful in France, where there is no unity, and even one’s own family may be in favor of Vichyfrance, or outright German collaboration.

September 5, Friday      Hot and clear
Joe had cramps all night, didn’t get up til noon, but he felt well enough to go with us to Kidd’s, for Mamma’s and Edward’s birthday supper. We enjoyed it, and it was grand to celebrate it. We got the car note back from Roland, have to change some of it and go to Monroe, and then to Shreveport, I guess. Earl is talking of going on to Texarkana, Monday. Oh, how I wish he could get something else good to do. We are going with Kidd to Alex tomorrow to Meet Anita, and Mrs. Aplin is to go, too. I wish Love would come back, and would help Mamma with Jo Anne when we leave but there’s no telling how long she will stay in Leesville.

September 6, Saturday      Hot
Letter from Florelle. Earl took us to Harrisonburg and we left to go to Alex about 9:30. After dinner we window shopped, and we got Edward and Earl a letter opener, one a sword, the other a rifle with bayonet. Also got two patterns, a book “Bambi,” and pair of shoes for Jo Anne, and a piece of punt for Mamma. Anita has grown awfully tall, and is very thin. Myrtle didn’t meet her at all, didn’t see her. I don’t understand how a mother can so neglect her own child, the kid has not clothes, their shoes are too little, and she looks really badly, but Myrtle hasn’t seen her since March, not even written to them.

September 7, Sunday       Hot
Earl worked all day, Alvin made him mad this morning, and he said he was going to straighten up. This water question once and for all, so Alvin came over and we finally threshed it out, he paid his interest in it for the eleven years’ water bill he owed. Kidd, Nita and Edward were at Mamma’s for dinner, and Jo Anne and I went over there and we stayed until nearly dark, then I came home and pressed what clothes we had that needed it, so we could go to Shreveport with Earl tomorrow. We took Bep and Tuffy to Mamma’s and ate supper there, came home about nine and I packed our suit cases, but Earl and Jo Anne both went to sleep before I could get through.

September 8, Monday       Hot
We left home around six, had to wait about an hour to see Mrs. Woods, get our papers straightened up, and Earl decided it would be better to have our speedometer fixed here in Monroe, because we’d have to wait somewhere anyhow. Met Ernest Kiper and talked to him awhile. We ate dinner in Ruston, went on to Shreveport, and back to Roy’s, where we spent the night. The army was passing right in front of the house, and we sat up til one o’clock watching them. There were jeeps, armored trucks, a sort of cross between a truck and a tank, and several sizes of tanks, motorcycles, ambulances, wreckers, all types of armored equipment, moving south for a battle with the Blues: we saw soldiers constantly, it was all most interesting. My greatest consolation was that so far, it’s all sham except the training.

September 9, Tuesday       Cool, shower
We came to Carter’s for breakfast, Earl went in at the plant and saw all the Camp Polk bunch, then we went back to the Union office and spent the day. Clark never did come in. Earl feels terribly badly because they haven‘t given him work, it’s awfully discouraging. It’s depressing to go to the Union office, see all those men sitting helplessly around, waiting and wishing to go to work, and can’t even see the man to get “no,” much less “yes.” We brought a little boy (man) home from the office who is broke, says he’s been there six weeks, and he’s more despondent than Earl. We will stay at the Mason’s tonight.

September 10, Wednesday
We sat all day at the Union office waiting for Clark, I read the two continued Post stories to Earl and Jo Ann, crocheted, and we killed time every way we knew and were so very discouraged after talking to Clark late in the afternoon, but we were so persistent that he finally have him an order out as a mill wright. Jack Hale told Clark so many nice things about Earl, Clark couldn’t very well not send him out. He got his August union stamp, too, and we brought the little Martin boy back out with us, I’m sure he’s broke, and still not on. I hope he gets on soon, there’s nothing any more wearing than this waiting.

September 11, Thursday      Cooler
I wrote Mamma and Pop this morning, it’s so cool it’s uncomfortable. Earl left at seven. When he came in about 4:45, he said he’s got along nicely, made 5 hours today. I think it’s decided that Jo Anne and I go home in the morning and move, be back Sunday morning. We listened to Roosevelt’s speech tonight, and we are undoubtedly quite as near to war as I expected that we were. We went to town and bought groceries, something to fix lunch with, took Lawson Mason and the two little girls. The day wasn’t as long as I expected it to be, I’ve read, slept and crocheted some more.

September 12, Friday       Warm, clear
Jo Anne and I left at 7:15, after Earl had gone to work, and made pretty good time. Looked at the trailer camp we expect to move into and got mixed up in army maneuvers, too. Stopped at Lil’s about an hour, and got home at 12:05. Found we’d just missed Flossie, Herbert, and Mrs. Hobgood. Ate dinner at Mamma’s and came home to pack up. I got a lot done, but I’m so tired. Delita and Kidd came by for awhile. I got all our dirty clothes washed, and worked til after nine marking off the wool comfort Mamma is making for us. She gave it to us Christmas, and it is surely pretty.

September 13, Saturday       Hot
I pressed all we had washed yesterday, went to Mamma’s and packed all day. Kidd and Edward came right after dinner, and Edward and Joe loaded the trailer. Pop and Julia brought us coffee, Margaret came for a little while. Cecil and John got terminated Monday, rehired Thursday, after they had moved home. We decided to leave about seven tonight, and came by Jena, Winnfield and Ringgold. It was a real trip, trailer driving was new to me, but we made it all right. I don’t know what I’d have done without Edward. We got to Mason’s about one o’clock, to find Earl has to work tomorrow.

September 14, Sunday       Cloudy and warm
Edward and Mr. Mason have certainly worked today. They got the tent up and the top on by noon, screen and all. Then Edward hung the door, and put up two of my shelves, we hung the curtains, and moved everything in. It’s still pretty well messed up, but I guess I’ll be several days straightening up. Earl put the wire in as we could get lights. We ate supper after Mrs. Walter Whitton left, up town, and hunted something to fix lunch with. I am certainly ready for bed this night, and awfully glad to get settled once more with Earl making some money.

September 15, Monday       Cool and cloudy, shower at night
I’ve felt so tired today I’ve accomplished very little, but did get the things put out of sight, and the clothes washed. I mopped the floor, and cooked supper, too, besides writing to Mamma, Pop, Minnie Lea, Velma, Faye and the Commercial Security Company. There is a fair little store with meat counter and milk across the street, which is a good thing, since Earl has to take the car. We went to town and got a few little things we needed, and came home too late to do anything. Sat in front of Whitton’s trailer and talked a little while, but I’m glad to get to bed, I’m so worn out.

September 16, Tuesday       Hot
Wrote Marcia and Florelle, read “Time” all morning. I wish we had a way to get to town, everything is closed by the time we get there in the evening, and I can’t even mail my letters. Earl screened the front of the tent this evening and put up my other shelf. He tried to fix the iron, but the element wasn’t right. In a few more days we ought to be fairly well straightened out. We have got to buy chairs, a rug, some paint, and a folding outfit in which to hang our clothes. I think I can make the tent pretty nice if I could go to Shreveport for two or three hours some day.

September 17, Wednesday       Hot
This has been a terrible day for me. I’ve felt awful all day long. I stayed in bed most of it, but when Earl came I had fixed supper and we went to Minden, swapped irons, and decided to see Clark Gable in ”They Met In Bombay.” It was nothing, hardly light entertainment. Jo Anne has been pretty lonesome today, there are no children her age, and she doesn’t care much for spoiled ones, anyway, so she doesn’t have much association with them.

September 18, Thursday      Hot
Today we washed everything that was dirty, and when I started to iron the iron wouldn’t heat. Mrs. Gorey was over here, and offered hers, so I got the clothes all finished. Read an old cheap novel “Jungle Captive” by E.M. Hull, in the afternoon, simply because I had nothing else to read. It wasn’t diverting in the least. After supper we went to town and swapped for a new iron, then drove down to Roy’s a few minutes. Earl fixed the funnel in the floor for me when we came in, after we had watched the stars awhile.

September 19, Friday      Hot
Today was pay-day, Earl got $30.94 for 2 ½ days last week. We went to town and cashed his check, bought groceries. School will begin Monday, I guess Jo Anne will go.

September 20, Saturday
We fixed up a place to iron and I crocheted the last medallion for the set, washed and put away everything. When Earl came we played dominoes awhile, read the Post stories and went to the store.

September 21, Sunday       Hot
We only fooled around today. Mrs. Whitton and I took Glenn and Jo Anne to the park and let them play, also to the school house to see it. We drank coffee with the Whitton’s (Charlie) when Earl came in. I got a nice letter from Mamma, Mrs. Culbertson brought it down, We read the rest of the Post stories.

September 22, Monday
Jo Anne went to school today, so did I and stayed until 12, when they let them all come home. Around three Mr. Culbertson came, said I had a long distance call. It was Edward, Nelson had called him and told him C.L. died today. Earl hasn’t come in yet, and I don’t know what to do. Poor boy, he had just got ready to live, it is terrible. And his poor kids will never know what a Daddy means. Marcia must be completely bewildered. Edward is taking Mamma and Joe down.

September 23, Tuesday
Clear, hot
(Nothing else is written for this day)

September 24, Wednesday      Rain, Gulf storm
The last days have been a kind of nightmare of long grey roads stretching toward something I didn’t want to reach, yet which I found myself frantically trying to get to. The pity of young death, of young families torn and the aching hurt is always more than I can bear if I’m not personally concerned, and C.L. is the nearest to a brother I ever had. Poor Marcia, she loved him to the exclusion of any other interest, and the little girls are too young to realize what is it means to them. Though children suffer far more keenly than grown-ups realize, as Anna Claire [my mother], “Why couldn’t god let my Daddy live to be an old man like Uncle Joe?” Their hearts will ache many a time for him.

September 25, Thursday
Cool
Jo Anne went to school today, I wrote Marcia, Faye, Mamma and Velma. Then washed all our soiled clothes and pressed them. When Earl came we went to Roy’s and got other references.

September 26, Friday     Cold
Jo Anne started to school, decided she was sick and didn’t go. I was terribly angry with her when I found that she wasn’t actually sick, and disappointed, that she’d pretend to be something she wasn’t. I know it’s hard to change schools when she knows not a single soul, but she needs some adjustments like that, she hangs too closely to grown-ups, and it will be good for her to learn to rely on herself, and make her own way among strangers for a little while.

September 27, Saturday      Warmer
I did nothing today except read “Time,” rinse out the clothes Earl wore yesterday, and sit around talking. I bought $6.64 groceries and had a band put on Earl’s watch. After supper we talked to the Whittons awhile, and read the Post story –

September 28, Sunday     Hot
The big Red and Blue battle ended today, and there has been a constant sound of guns, planes, and of equipment being moved all day. We did nothing all morning, sat and talked to the Whittons all afternoon, and when Earl came home and got his supper and bath, we went to Church with the Walter Whittons. It was right enjoyable. I had a letter from Velma, but nothing from Mamma.

September 29, Monday       Hot
Paid the rent, $2.50, and washed, ironed and cleaned. I had supper ready when Jo Anne came, helped her with her lessons, and after Earl came we rushed and left at 6 o’clock to go to Shreveport to the circus [Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey}. The traffic was awfully heavy, but we made it fine, and I think Jo Anne thoroughly enjoyed it all, but most especially the horses, The crowd was immense, and Lt. Gen. Ben Lear was there, but we didn’t see him. We saw the famed apes, Gargantua and M’Toto , and very good tight-rope, acrobatic and animal acts. It was after twelve when we finally got home.

September 30, Tuesday      Hot
The days are so much alike. Only mail helps. Mamma and Kidd both wrote today. Lil said Marcia had her mother with her, which is good for a little while. I wrote Mamma, Kidd, Minnie Lea and Marcia. There is nothing to change the monotony of the days, I guess I should try to make Jo Anne’s dress, but I dread making it on my fingers. We read “District Attorney,” and sat out on the grass talking to the neighbors until around nine o’clock. Jo Anne got her lessons. She seems a little better about school.

October 1, Wednesday      Hot
This has been a long hot day, but I’ve been right busy. I did the usual housekeeping chores, cut Jo Anne’s dress, and started sewing it by hand. It will be quite a job, but I guess I can make it. Went to town with the Mrs. Whittons, and helped Glyn and Jo Anne get their home work. Roy and Floris came just as we finished supper, but didn’t stay so long. We started “Botany Bay”, and read the rest of “District Attorney” – No mail. Everybody’s forgotten us.

October 2, Thursday       Hot, but cloudy partly
I was sick this morning, stomach upset and feeling pretty badly, but a little girl brought me a letter from Mamma saying Minnie Lea’s baby has come, a boy, on Sept. 26, and that made me feel well again. A letter from Velma, too – I’m so glad about the baby. I wrote Lil, Florelle, Pop, Mrs. Peck and Commercial Securities.

October 3, Friday       Hot
Well, one day is so like another that there is practically nothing to say. Get up in the morning, make coffee, fix lunch while the water boils. Fix breakfast while Earl dresses. Get Jo Anne off to the bath house, and clean up the beds, make room to eat. Wash, iron, fix supper and wait for Earl and Jo Anne. Roy was here tonight, said he was going to send Commercial Securities a check for the balance he owed them. We went to town, deposited $40.00 and went to see and Andy Hardy picture. Took Mr. Luther with us, somebody ran over a soldier, Roy’s car was parked there, but we didn’t stop. An ambulance went out after him.

October 4, Saturday       Hot, shower in afternoon
We went to town with Whittons this afternoon, fooled around about three hours. When we got back we had a letter from Mamma, and one from Margaret. The doctor told her she wasn’t going to have twins. Cecil is still working at Camp Polk. I had hoped Kidd and Edward would come and bring Mamma and Joe, but I guess they aren’t. Earl had a fever when he came home tonight, felt awful, didn’t eat a bite of supper and I had cooked chicken, too. We can’t get a Post for this week, got one for next , but that leaves us wondering about our stories.

October 5, Sunday       Cloudy and cool, slight shower
Jo Anne and I both had an attack of dysentery today, she was worse than I. Earl went to work, but I know he didn’t feel very well. They didn’t pay him all of his check, missed last Sunday. He complained to the proper authorities so I’m hoping he will get it straight. We didn’t even have a story to read tonight, decided to go to town and get a coke. Earl met a man he knows and he had another man with him who turned out to be from Jonesville, named Richards. We took them riding a while, they were lonely and had no car.

October 6, Monday       Hot, shower in the afternoon
Jo Anne still was upset today, and since she said she wasn’t able to go to school, I didn’t make her go, not being about to tell just how badly she felt, but she could have very easily gone. We went to town in the afternoon, saw a doctor about those shots for diphtheria again and about typhoid shots. Also complained to the Health Unit about these toilets out here. When Earl came we went to town again, and to see “Blossoms in the Dust.” It was a good show had some of the cutest babies imaginable in it, but we’ve had too sad an experience to be completely sympathetic to it.

October 7, Tuesday       Hot
I got Jo Anne off to school today in spite of her objections, washed the dirty clothes and tried to work on our family tree, with very little accomplished. Went out and talked to the Whittons and while I was out there, saw a trailer that looked much like Mrs. Boyett’s come in. Finally saw her, and went over and spoke to her. I am so glad they’re here, it’s awfully lonesome with as few people you know, and more that you know intimately.

October 8, Wednesday       Hot
Passed the morning in the usual manner. Went to town with the Whittons, and when we got back had a letter from Kidd. She said Mamma had sent my comforter by Carter, so as soon as Earl came and we could eat supper we went to Doyline and got it. It’s the prettiest one I ever did see. Everybody raves over it. Now I’ve got to get Mamma to fix the other one for Jo Anne. I hope I can keep it from getting dirty in this tent, but that’s going to be a problem.

October 9, Thursday       Rainy and threatening
Letter from Florelle
Charlie Whitton was sick today, so he and his wife left, and Edna came over here and spent the morning. I enjoyed talking to her, she’s had a hard life in a way, in the worst way, the way it hurts her pride. I hope all that is over for her. We went to school, and Jo Anne’s teacher said Jo Anne was an excellent pupil ( I knew that!) and she enjoyed teaching her. A class of Jo Annes would be a teacher’s heavenly dream, only she’d better not be lazy, they’d work her to death. We played dominoes with Walter Whitton and Mr. Luther til nine.

October 10, Friday       Rain in the night, considerable wind; cooler.
I wrote Mamma and Florelle today, and went to visit Mrs. Boyett a little while. Crocheted some, and did the regular work. I am planning to go to Shreveport tomorrow. We went to town when Earl came, his check was $10 short this week, and they paid him the $15 he was short last. We went to see “Shepherd of the Hills,” it was only fair. I got a “time,” too. I’m afraid it’s only a matter of days until Germany will have Moscow in her hands. It’s dreadful.

October 11, Saturday       Cold
We left as soon as we could get ready, went to Mrs. Boyett’s aunt in Shreveport, then finally found Belle’s house, but nobody was at home, so we came on to town and did our shopping, which was quite unsatisfactory. Our chairs are to be delivered sometime next week, and that’s about the only purchase I made of any consequence. Our radio has gone hay-wire, I suppose we will have to send it to Dabb’s. We took it to town, but the man was out of reason about it.

October 12, Sunday
I read Time today. Mrs. Boyett came over for a while, and I had a nice long letter from Mamma. Wrote to her, Minnie Lea and Kidd. I’ve felt wretched all day long, this last day business is quite as bad as the first. Jo Anne has been playing with Barbara June back of the camp on some sand hills, seem to have been having a good time. The Whittons have been gone all day. We all went to church tonight.

October 13, Monday       Cooler, sunny
I had a lot of clothes to clean this morning, and it took a good part of the day to wash and iron them. Mrs. Boyett and I went to town, mailed letters and bought groceries. I had a letter from Kidd, Velma,, and a card from Julia today, which helps a lot when you’re homesick. When Earl came he wasn’t to go to a Union meeting, — rather he thought it would be good policy to go, so then he and the Whittons went, and the women wet to the show, “Bad Men of Missouri.”

October 14, Tuesday       Warmer
This morning we found that Belle and Sidney had come last night while we were gone. Earl seems to be feeling better, but Jo Anne doesn’t. She is too edgy and nervous. I had letters from Kidd and Fay toda. Kidd said Miss Lula Garner died Saturday. Faye said Marcia was going to make an apartment in part of the house and rent it so she wouldn’t have to be alone. Poor Marcia. Without Earl I’d be completely useless. As it is I’m only useful to him, seems like I can never accomplish anything on my own merits. I wish I was some good, but I’m not – nothing whatever can I accomplish.

October 15, Wednesday       Rain in the afternoon
Mrs. Boyett sent us some fried apple pies, and they were surely good. Didn’t get any mail. I was busy most of the day, but goodness knows what I did besides write letters. I mailed seven tonight. Earl, Jo Anne and I went to town and got a Post, and Outdoor Life, and Agatha Christie mystery, and a Mickey Mouse for Jo Anne. We read “Botany Bay.”

October 16, Thursday       Rain and cloudy all day.
Today I cleaned up until twelve o’clock, washed, cleaned everything except the floor. Daisy and Edna were going to town and asked me to go, so I did. Daisy and I decided to fix an anniversary supper on the 30th for Edna and her husband. Had a letter from Mamma, she enclosed one from Minnie Lea. Mamma wrote us a nice long one. I hope they are all right, but I can’t help feeling uneasy and wishing I could see them. They’re so good and so very dear to me.

October 17, Friday       Raw and rainy, better in the afternoon.
Had a long letter from Margaret, said Cecil was still at Camp Polk. She is getting along nicely. I do hope she has twins. I had a horrible dream last night, all mixed up with Earl and C.L. I bought tar paper to fix up the tent with, and, I hope, enough groceries to last a week.
It doesn’t seem possible we could spend as much as we do with as little to show for it. This is the 4th time we have put $40 in the bank, and we’ve spent $40 every week. No clothes, very little besides actual expenses. Went to town, the Whittons were all over tonight for a little while, playing dominoes. Germany torpedoed a U.S. destroyer today. We are in.

October 18, Saturday
Today we cleaned most of the day, trying to get everything ship shape in case Kidd and Edward come. I hope they will bring Mamma and Joe. We scrubbed the floor and fixed up everything. Charlie drinks coffee with Earl most every evening, and after he left and we had supper Earl decided to put the roofing around to stop leaks and cold. Walter and Edna came and helped us, and Walter came back and played dominoes.

October 19, Sunday       Hot – cool at night.
I’ve taken a bad cold and after we cleaned up I went back to bed and read Time. Jo Anne has been at a loss all day for something to do, she is tired of reading, and there isn’t anyone to play with. It worries me. I guess I should have taken her to Sunday School, but I really felt badly all day. Earl felt badly, too, and we didn’t go to church. Mrs. Boyett brought Jo Anne some sugar cane and peanuts.

October 20, Monday    Hot.
Same old round and no mail. Went to town with the Mrs. Whittons. Mrs. Boyett dressed a chicken for me. I was awfully glad to get it but ashamed for her to fix it for me. I made an appointment with the dentist for Earl, he’s been feeling so bum, and thinks it might be his teeth. The dentist pulled one, told him to come back next week. After he got through there we went to see “Underground”, a picture based supposedly on revolt in Germany. If true, it must be awful to live there.

October 22, Wednesday       Hot
Earl hasn’t felt very well since he came over here, I’m worried about him. I wish he would see a doctor. His face is swelled today, and has hurt a good bit. Mrs. Boyett and I went to town, and I washed and ironed as usual. Letters from Mamma, Kidd, Julia and a card from Minnie Lea. I wrote Mamma, Kidd, and Dabbs. Earl wants Jo Anne and me to go home Saturday morning, so I guess we will, and get what things we need from there. We read the new Post, until Earl was sleepy and wanted to go to bed. I wish he would get to feeling right again.

October 23, Thursday       Hot
Letter from Velma, she is awfully worried about Fery, who is to have an operation this week. She said they might come home this Sunday, guess we will see them if we go home. I’ve been trying to get all the things out to take home, making a list of things to bring back. And trying to leave enough here so Earl will have plenty. I’ve washed all the clothes and ironed them, but I have to get the things from the laundry. They went in our car today, but the Whittons asked me to go to town. I didn’t go, though, didn’t need anything.

Groceries 10/17 – 10/24 $14.85

October 24, Friday       Hot
Letters from Inez, Kidd, Minnie Lea and Velma. Inez said she was coming to see me, and I’m so anxious to see her! Guess we will leave early in the morning. Went to town, and got most everything done. Mrs. Boyett came over for a while. When Earl came we took Walter and Edna after their car, and Daisy and Charlie came and talked a while. We put our money in the bank and went to see “Manpower”. Earl made a list he wants me to get at home for him. I’m tired tonight. Bought a Time but never did get to read any of it.

October 25, Saturday       Cooler.
Jo Anne and I left at 7:25, after we got everything cleaned up. At 10:45 we were in Sicily Island, 144 miles. We stopped at Lil’s, but only lost about 10 minutes, she wasn’t there. Inez hasn’t been here, I’m so disappointed. We ate dinner at Mamma’s and I went to the shop, cleaned up and posted. Kidd and Edward came, and we all came back to Mamma’s. Westbrook came by, too, and after supper we went to Margaret’s, but she wasn’t at home, so we stopped and talked to Mrs. Dewitt awhile. Mamma has practically made Jo Anne a dress this afternoon. I made out bills tonight. I surely do miss Earl. I know he wanted to come home, too.

October 26, Sunday       Cooler, rain in the afternoon.
Mamma spent the morning making Earl a cake, and doing the rest of the machine stitching on Jo Anne’s dress, because she said the ox was in the ditch. We went to the shop and visited with Margaret and Cecil, went to our house, but it looks so lonesome and neglected it makes me sick. We ate dinner at Mamma’s, packed up, and left at 1:45, stopped 30 minutes at Lil’s and got back to Minden at 5:45. Earl had eaten supper with the Whittons, Edna was sick. We went over there and talked awhile, got everything put away enough to put down the beds. I’ll have a job with it all tomorrow.

October 27, Monday       Turning much cooler.
I washed but didn’t get to iron, and Mrs. Boyett and the two Mrs. Whittons went to town with me. I paid the rent, and made arrangements for gas to be installed. We went to see “Our Wife”, which was rather entertaining, hurried home to hear Pres. Roosevelt. It certainly does bring us face to face with facts to hear him talk and to realize that we are certainly going to be fighting very soon. Moscow is bound to fall, and it looks like Hitler will acquire world domination much sooner than anybody could have expected unless we decide to go all out for his defeat, and quit this everlasting stalling.

October 28, Tuesday   Cold, about 50.
It has been so uncomfortable in this tent today. I have done little except try to stay warm. I read Time and cleaned and cooked, went over and drank coffee with Mrs. Boyett, put the sleeves in Jo Anne’s dress. The gas man came and brought the meter, but so far we haven’t got it hooked up. Earl got his boots tonight, and we read “Prescription for Murder.” No mail. I wrote Mamma, Velma, and ordered the things from Montgomery Ward, some velveteen for a jacket for Jo Anne, cloth for that comfort, and some for Mamma’s living room curtains.

October 29, Wednesday       Cold but warmer.
We have about completed plans for the supper tomorrow night, have our place cards, napkins, table decorations, the menu about worked about worked out. I wrote to Kidd, Minnie Lea, Inez, and Marcia today, and have been studying Montgomery Ward for some winter wearing apparel. The man still didn’t hook up our gas today, and Walter came over, wants us to use the same meter because they don’t know when they will be able to get one. Earl went to the dentist and got three fillings, now he’s got his teeth all in good shape. Wish I was sure mine were as good. We finished the “Prescription for Murder” story in the Post.

October 30, Thursday       Raining and much warmer.
The Whittons didn’t work, so we postponed our supper. Its been an awfully nasty day. I suppose this is intended to be written in diaries, but this morning we were drinking our coffee together, Earl still in bed, when he said, “Sugar, I’m thinking you are going to be a pretty old lady, too.” Now what nicer compliment could a seventeen-year-married wife ask from her husband? Letter from Velma. I’m still pouring over the catalogs. Went to see “That Hamilton Woman,” and two cops stopped us, told Earl he was drunk, that he was staggering. I guess his boots being new and it raining and muddy he must have slipped. We had a time convincing them, and then got a very poor apology.

October 31, Friday       Cold and rainy
I went to town with Mr. Boyett and her husband, we got groceries and clothes for Marie. Edna and Daisy got back, so we all had supper together, not all we had planned, but we had the cake and at any rate it did very well. Earl, Jo Anne and I went to the Bank, barber shop, etc. I’ve been trying to decide on what to buy to keep us all warm, I guess I’ll order it, seems to be a pretty good selection, and I can’t find anything in Shreveport when I go. Besides, it’s easier to buy like this if you can get what you want. I wrote to Mamma but haven’t mailed the letter yet. I wish we’d get a little mail, did get a letter from Velma yesterday, she’s still worried about Fery.

November 1, Saturday       First frost of the season. Cold and clear
Letters from Lil and Edward. The men came and hooked up the heater, but made a mess of the hot plate. Earl came in, said “Let’s go home,” – he wasn’t allowed to work Sunday, so home we went right away. We got to singing “Old Black Joe” and I thought of C.L., and how he loved to sing the old songs and it ended my happy mood. The dead would not like casting such shadows, but somehow sadness comes easily to me lately, happy moments are always followed by sad thoughts. It was so good to get home again and find everybody all right.

November 2, Sunday       Sunny and warmer
Earl and Edward went hunting, Kidd came up pretty early. We ate dinner at Mamma’s went home and to Julia’s, got off at 4:15. The woods are still green and pretty, there’s been no frost at home. We got turnips mustard and radishes out of Joe’s garden pecans, etc. and Mamma fixed us milk and butter. I was awfully glad Earl got to go home, it’s his first visit in nearly two months. John Crawford said he was coming near the end of the week. We got back to Minden at 7:45, and to bed we go, but everything is surely messed up for tomorrow.

November 3, Monday     Sunny, pleasant
Today has been a busy day with me, I moved things around to get the heater a safe place, washed, ironed, mopped and worked hard generally. I’m tired right now, but Earl is shaving, so I guess we will get to bed soon. Velma wrote Fery had her operation and is doing very well. Letter from Momma, too. Earl played dominoes with Walter til I was too sleepy to think. I helped him, and he beat Walter two games straight. Edna parched peanuts, so we ate during the game, too. Mrs. Boyett was here awhile.

November 4, Tuesday       Threatening rain, not cold.
I suppose this has been a day just like my days usually are. Earl went back to the dentist and Charlie and Daisy came over and stayed awhile. Germany has torpedoed another boat, the day before the sinking of the Reuben James. This must be about 12 so far. I think they got 22 in the last war before we went in. Just anything can happen now, and it seems to me we are going to have to fight in the Atlantic and Pacific simultaneously. This war keeps one’s spirits at the lowest ebb constantly. I wrote Mamma, Velma and Lil.

November 5, Wednesday       Cold and rainy
We got no mail today, but the package came, and I think we are all “heeled” for winter. Earl has everything he will need now, and Jo Anne has all but a nice dress. I didn’t get anything except a slack suit, it hasn’t come yet, and some ski boots. If we don’t go anywhere I’m all right, but Earl really needs a suit and I an outfit. It probably would be good policy to buy now, by next winter we are sure to be at war, and probably can’t buy good things any more. We read the Post, –“The Phantom Filly, and will go to bed early.

November 6, Thursday       Clear, windy and cold.
Today has been a Jonah to Jo Anne, — I put two sweet sandwiches in her lunch and two meat ones in her Daddy’s; she forgot to take her gym shoes; she lost a tassel off her new boots; worst of all, got and F in physical education on an otherwise grand report. I tried to tell her it didn’t matter in the least but she can’t bear to have it there. Earl has felt badly all day – ear ache. Jo Anne forgot her homework, and when we went to get it the building was locked. We finished reading “The Phantom Filly.” My slacks came. I spent most of the day at Mrs. Boyett’s taking up Earl’s new pants in the waist and letting down Jo Anne’s in the legs.

November 7, Friday       Cold, but beautifully sunny
Today is my birthday but nobody knew it until Earl happened to ask what date this was after supper, and of course I had to grin and give myself away. We went to the bank and he and Jo Anne decided we’d have to celebrate, so we went to see “Dive Bomber” and they bought me a box of candy. We didn’t get any mail, but I started trying to write something to try for Harper’s prize. “My Great Aunt Jessica,” – a story of Jose’s life I intend it to be. O how I wish I could do something worthwhile. It is so discouraging to be always turned down, and to wish so much to accomplish something. I got the new issue of “Time,” but haven’t had a chance to read it.

November 8, Saturday        Cold, but sunny.
Jo Anne, Mrs. Boyett and I went to town this morning, I bought groceries for the week, I hope. It took almost all morning to get them and put them away. Mrs. Boyett fixed a chicken for me, so I cooked it for supper, and read to Jo Anne and Earl. We didn’t get a bit of mail. I worked some more on my story, but I’m afraid it will be like all the other things I’ve worked so much on. It sounds easy but it is most difficult. Earl and Jo Anne tickled each other til I was afraid our home wouldn’t stand it any longer.

November 9, Sunday       Still cold
We were lazy today, didn’t get up til about ten, after I had got Earl to work. Then we went to take a bath, and the water got really cold after we had soaped our heads. There was nothing to do but finish, but it wasn’t pleasant. We took Jo Anne’s bicycle and had the tires aired, and she rode a good while. I felt so badly I just lay down in front of the fire and read. When Earl came we had supper and read some more. This surely isn’t a very stirring life. We will be regular old clods soon.

November 10, Monday       Cold but sunny
All of today I’ve tried to write, tried to complete Chapter One. What a fake I am! I can’t write it. I’m only good for nothing. I had a letter from Minnie Lea today, haven’t heard from home since we left. When Earl came he wanted to go to Shreveport to a union meeting, asked us if we wanted to go, so we didn’t and spent the evening at Belle’s and Sidney’s. Had an enjoyable evening. They have a pretty house, and are expecting a new baby. Aunt Florence is going to live with them. The baby is not any time soon. They promised to come see us soon, she has been sick ever since she became pregnant. Bed 10:45.

November 11, Tuesday       Warmer and sunny
Mrs. Boyett came over and made me wash my clothes at her place, but it took most of the morning. I stopped to hear Roosevelt. We went to town and found all the stores closed, no mail delivery. I have read over Chapter One, with intense dissatisfaction of course. I can’t do it. We went over and looked at some new trailers that are beauties, but of course our tent is quite good enough for us. When Earl came Charlie drank coffee with him and they said “When Ladies Meet” was a good show, so we went. It was full of laughs, but Joan Crawford is so vulgar and cheap looking I don’t like her shows.

November 12, Wednesday       Beautiful, but cold, cold
I fixed the clothes to iron, and cleaned up pretty well, but we decided to go to town so Mrs. Boyett and I went and got back to get the mail. We had letters from Mamma and Love. I was so glad to get the letters. Love said she was going to send me a cake. I am awfully afraid I’ve lost Love, in spite of the fact that she said she’s still my Love. But the jobs they have are most likely permanent since they’re working for C & M. Charlie came over and showed us the plan for his new shop. I hope he can make it work out as he hopes.

November 13, Thursday       Cold, but beautiful
Edna came over and wanted to go to town, so I wrote to Mamma and Margaret, and mailed them when we went. After we got back we waited for the mail, and got letters from Velma and Margaret. Margaret said they had kept Cecil on, he still likely be there until March. I guess they won’t come on over her now because it’s so ear time for the baby to come. Mrs. Summers is coming to stay with her. When Earl came we decided to go to the show, and asked Daisy and Charlie. It was “Hold Back the Dawn,” and was pretty good. I didn’t touch the book today. I’m afraid I can’t do anything about it.

November 14, Friday       Perfect Day
I bought next week’s groceries, put Earl’s check in the bank, and mailed letters to Minnie Lea, Velma and Julia. Kidd and Edward sent my fountain pen, and Love sent me a birthday cake. And was it good! Jo Anne said what we needed now was ice cream. It was sweet of Love to do that for me. I cut it and made coffee, Daisy, Edna and Mrs. Boyett came over and ate some with me. Then I gave Earl and Charlie some when they drank coffee. We played dominoes with Charlie and Walter, and Daisy and Edna parched peanuts and made candy, so we had a right enjoyable evening.

November 15, Saturday       Sunny and warm
We cleaned up and Jo Anne read most of the day, we had good baths and washed our heads. I sewed some. Mrs. Boyett and Daisy were here for a while. I wish there was something to do that is worthwhile. Instead I wash and iron, cook and clean up, and never feel as if I‘ve done anything at all. I read “Time” today, too. Letter from Kidd, but not much in it. Earl had his bath and I read to them the Post continued stories. We are turning in early tonight since there’s nothing else to do.

November 16, Sunday       Sunny and warm
We decided to go back to bed after Earl left, and I read “Luck of Scotland.” About ten we got up, dressed, and I had made the beds when Lil and Al came. I was glad to see them, Sundays are so long. We fixed sandwiches for dinner and went to Belle’s spent an hour or so then drove about town and out to Barksdale Field too late to go in. Earl had already got home and washed the dishes when we finally got home. They stayed a little while. I made coffee and sandwiches again for them. We sat around and talked til after Walter Winchell, now we’re ready to turn in.

November 17, Monday       Warm and sunny
Mrs. Boyett and I washed clothes this morning, then she spent the day with me. We didn’t get any mail. Daisy asked us to go to town, but I didn’t need anything so we didn’t go. When Earl came he suggested our going to Carter’s, so we did. We didn’t stay very long though. Didn’t have anything to read either, so we decided to go to bed early. Jo Anne says they are going to have Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving.

November 18, Tuesday       Sunshine and cloud, much warmer
Mrs. Boyett and I went to town early, came back and made coffee. I cleaned up everything, and read awhile. Went to the house for the mail and had to wait nearly an hour and a half, but got a letter from Mamma and one from Mrs. Peck. I started looking for Christmas things, but haven’t had much luck. After supper we went to Mrs. Boyett’s a little while. Seems from the news that Germany is about settled in the Crimea, Japan is blustering, and will probably do more than that before it’s all over. This world certainly seems to be in a mess.

November 19, Wednesday       Cloudy, intermittent showers.
John came today, brought us turnips, potatoes, radishes, milk, and butter from Mamma and Joe and coffee and letters from Pop. John went on to Shreveport, and came back about the same time Earl got home. We had supper, and went over to Charlie’s to talk awhile, borrowed their cot, and John is going to sleep over here tonight. I’ve tried to figure on Christmas, but I didn’t get very far with it. I wrote to Motor Supply about our refrigerator which has gone bad; to Sears, completing the roof payments; to Wes  sending Earl’s Masonic dues and to Prudential paying this 4th quarter premium.

November 20, Thursday       Cooler, threatening
John went to Shreveport again, but didn’t get anything definite, though Owens was encouraging. Earl said he was really tired, had a headache, too. John ate supper with Charlie and Daisy so Earl lay down and rested for an hour. Then we all went to see “Nothing But the Truth”, which was quite good. I sewed a little on Jo Anne’s dress, we went over to Edna’s for awhile, but didn’t celebrate Thanksgiving in any special way. But there are plenty of things I’m truly thankful for — parents, sisters, good in-laws, America, all the many things we take for granted. And for freedom from debt, for a good job, even if it does mean living in a tent. And for Jo Ann, bless her dear little old heart.

November 21, Friday       Warmer and still cloudy
Jo Anne and I went to town with Daisy, Edna and Glen went, too. We got a permanent of r Jo Anne, but I don’t like the way it looks. I bought grocers for the week, sent $3 to Mamma, she bought more wool for Jo Anne’s comfort. John came in a bout 3:30, got his orders to go out tonight a t 12 o’clock. Daisy and Charlie knew of a trailer at Dozline, so Jo Anne and I went with Earl, John, and Charlie to look at it. That one wasn’t so good, but they told us of one at Sibley, so we went over there and John bought it. I had a card from Minnie Lea, but that’s all the mail.

November 22, Saturday       Rain all night and all day
Earl went to work in our car today, he was afraid Walter and Charlie wouldn’t work and sure enough they both came in about ten. Charlie and daisy went to Baton Rouge and the other to Nacadoches. Jo Anne and I read, and about three Eunice Garrison and Cora and her husband came, wanting to know how to go about getting him a job. They stayed til around five, and when Earl came they had told him to take Sunday off, so of course we wanted to go home. We got to Sicily Island about nine, wnet tot Pop’s awhile, then to Mamma’s. They are all alright. The dogs and Tuffy both look pretty and fat. It is nearly eleven so we’re off to bed.

November 23, Sunday    Gloomy and cold.
We cleaned up in the house and went down to the Gillis place to hunt Jo Anne’s cow, didn’t find her. Came back to the shop and found May Usher and Melvin. They had three of Dot’s puppies, one for
Edward, one for Cecil and they kept a female. They are beauties. We went on to Margaret’s Mrs. Summers had just come spent about an hour. Margaret expects to go to the hospital any day. Came home and ate diner, Kidd and Edward were with us, and after dinner Marcia and the children came. Cecil, Mr. Dewitt and Sprague came, and Cecil rode part of the way back with us it was the first time Earl had seen Cecil since we came to Minden.

November 24, Monday       Beautiful, but cold
Letter from Florelle. Mrs. Boyett came over before I got this messy place clean and I also washed all the under clothes. It was a job. Mrs. B Edna and I went to town and when we got back we found that Daisy and Charlie were back and fixing to move to Baton Rouge. Charlie has a good job with Tucker a shore job but they have hopes of a longer one. I hate to see them go, but if they can do better I don’t blame them. They ate supper with us, and we went to the show to see “Wild Geese Calling.” There was very little of the book’s charm it was sordid and cheap and the book was pretty good. It’s awfully cold tonight.

November 25, Tuesday       Cold, but the sun is beautiful
Daisy and Charlie got off at 1:15 today. They drank coffee over here and Charlie shaved with Earl’s electric razor. I was awfully sorry to see them go. No mail came. John came over for a little while and so did Mrs. Boyett. After supper Walter and Edna came and played dominoes.
The English seem at last to have taken the initiative in Africa but they’re having a pretty tough time. Germany seems to have renewed her attempt to take Moscow before settling down for the winter. I’m writing Minnie Lea, but I’m still worrying over what to get for Christmas for the family.

November 26, Wednesday      Warmer, but still cold.
I decided to make a coffee table doily for that crochet I’ve got, so I sewed them and made the picot part. Mrs. Boyett wanted me to come over there, and I stayed nearly all day. We took Walter to town after Earl came, came back and read “Bright Danger.” Earl peeled and broke sugar cane and pecans, so we ate until it’s time to go to bed. We had a letter from Motor Supply saying they’d exchange the unit in our refrigerator for $5.00. Its lonesome since Daisy left, it’s awfully lonely up here, anyway, but I guess we’ve no kick if we can save anything. Buggs Doniphan has a 2 1/2 # daughter I hear.

November 27, Thursday
No mail, we went to the bank when Earl came home, and Walter came over so we played dominoes until its bedtime. I’ve done almost nothing today, worked on that piece of crochet. I washed all the clothes this morning, and as a result have a backache.

November 28, Friday       Warm and sunny.
We went to town early and I bought all the groceries for next week. Looked for the Christmas things, but didn’t find anything. It was pretty late when we got back, so I ironed all the clothes I had washed yesterday. Read to Earl and Jo Anne tonight, put olive oil in her hair, so I could wash it early in the morning.

November 29, Saturday       Warm and sunny.
I asked John if Jo Anne and I could go home with him in the morning so I could make bills. Then I decided to go to town and get some things for Mamma, so did, and it was pretty late when we got back. I got letters from Mamma and Velma, and when Earl came he had been laid off til Monday, so we decided to go home. We got home about nine, went to Mamma’s awhile, and on to Kidd’s spend the night, and Earl and Edward are going hunting. It’s nearly twelve, and time to go to bed. Wrote to Velma.

November 30, Sunday       Warm, beautiful
Jo Anne and I got up early and went back home, got the books, and Mamma and Daddy. Earl and Edward went hunting, got back about noon. I finished the bills about one, we had a nice enjoyable day, left and came back to Sicily Island where we visited Pap and Julia awhile, and spent about an hour at home. It’s very little pleasure to go over there, I feel awful. I’m going home and clean it up Christmas week, yard and all. We got back to Minden about 7:30, and we’re all worn out.

December 1, Monday       Cloudy and cooler.
Mrs. Boyett and I washed all our clothes toady, and I’m about all in. She made squirrel gumbo for me, and I worked on that coffee table mat, so its completed. We played dominoes with Walter. Had a letter from Kidd. Earl got the paraphanelia for the urine test from the life insurance company. Today for the first time it seems Russia has the Germans retreating, while England same fine luck in Lybia. This war has got to be routine to us, since we are not yet experiencing the awfulness nor the heartbreak of it.

December 2, Tuesday       Warm, partly cloudy
Had a letter from Fayer and wrote to Mamma and Marcia. John, Mrs. Boyett and Edna have all been here today, also Mrs. Brown, but I ironed all the things I had, and we went to town, I had several little things to do. We read “The D. A. Cooks a Goose” tonight. Earl got in a little earlier. England isn’t doing so well in Africa today, but the Russians are running the Germans in Russia a little. The days drag so, I am embroidering some trying to line up a few things for Christmas. I wrote to Faye, too. Mrs. Boyett sent Jo Anne candy, and a bowl of chili, which she enjoyed.

December 3, Wednesday       Cloudy , warm
I had to go to town for a few things, and that takes the most important part of the day. I started a new piece to embroider, when I’ve got magazines just crying to read. Earl went to get a haircut, and we saw “Sun Valley Serenade.” It was fair. Sonja Henie is so innocent and fresh looking and skates so well the show would be bound to enhance its value on her account, but the plot was more than thin. It’s a rush to get to bed early enough to get eight hours sleep. We got our Bank statement, — have saved $320.00.

December 4, Thursday       Warm and sunny
I have felt simply awful all day, embroidered over to Mrs. Boyett’s nearly all day. I didn’t feel like going to the Bank with Earl and Jo Anne, so they went, and Walter came and played dominoes. We got a card from Cecil saying the baby came Tuesday, the 2nd, a boy, named Dewitt Lee, weighed 8 ¾ pounds. I’m so glad it’s over, and I do hope they get along nicely. I surely would like to go home and see them, but guess we will have to wait til Sunday after next. Oh, I do hope they have good luck with this baby.

December 5, Friday       Colder
I ordered Christmas things $41.12 today, which is almost everything except Jo Anne’s – I wrote Margaret, Mamma, and Aunt Leona. We bought the weeks supply of groceries, and I went to see about Daddy’s hat. Also got Time and read the most of it. We read the new Post, and Earl came in with a headache, so we are turning in early.

December 6, Saturday
I washed all the things we had dirty this morning, and after I got cleaned up, started to work on that embroidery. I don’t believe I’ll ever get it all done by Christmas but I’ll try. I’ll be glad when the things come so I can tell what I have, and still have to get. Rosemary came last night, so she’s been over several times, and after supper she and John both came, we went to town and to the show, “Buy Me That town,” – not much. We enjoyed it though, but its surely put us into bed late, nearly eleven now.

December 7, Sunday       Cool and sunny.
Today I cleaned up early and Mr. and Mrs. Boyett, Jo Anne and I rode up to Haynesville, — the country was so pretty,, — dark green pines and the flaming red of gum and sumac, then all the varying shades from bright yellow to deep brown, it was such a peaceful happy looking country that I felt happier than for a long time, then when I came home I thought of the beautiful music we often have on Sunday afternoon, and turned on the radio to hear, “Japan has bombed the Philippines and Hawaiian Islands,” – such a rude awakening to cold reality. Its WAR now, to the death. This is no longer an oasis in a world of war, its total, and there’s no telling where it will end. I could cry my eyes out.

December 8, Monday       Cold, but sunny
Today Mrs. Boyett came over and we listened the whole day to the radio. To Roosevelt, when he asked for a declaration of War against Japan. I wanted Earl and Jo Anne to hear it so badly, and when they came home, the school had had a radio, so Jo Anne heard it, and the company put the speech on the public address system, so Earl got to hear it, too. Somehow I only feel numb, and as if I were having a nightmare, and will soon awake. We are entering on very dark days and perhaps years. We were born too early or too late, — war in our childhood, wildness and shifting sand in our youth, depression and war in our fruitful years. What a life of varied emotions and experiences we will have! Letters from Mamma, Margaret and Velma.

December 9, Tuesday       Cold, sunny
I worked on the Christmas presents, then went to town and mailed letters to Mamma, Margaret, Velma, Mrs. Peck, Kidd and Love. Ate sandwiches with Mrs. Boyett, then when I went for the mail my package with the Christmas presents in it had come, so she came over and we opened it. Most other things I ordered came. I guess I’ll try to wrap them right away. Mr. and Mrs. Boyett came over and waited to hear Roosevelt talk. It’s so depressing and unreal. Had a letter from Florelle today, El (?) is out of the army but of course he will have to go right back. She seemed awfully blue and discouraged.

December 10, Wednesday       Cold, sunny
I spent the day at Mrs. Boyett’s working on Christmas presents. Had letters from Love and Julia. Poor Love, she is worried sick over the war, and thinking her boy may have to go. Julia didn’t have much to say. Jo Anne came home with a sore throat, so we went to town to get something to mop it with. Earl read the new “Trouble is My Master” in the Post to us. The war news is not encouraging. The Japs have landed troops on Luzon. Oh, what will all this war turn out to be! It’s so discouraging. They are going to register from 17 to 44 for military service, to 65 for Civilian Defense.

December 11, Thursday       Cold and raining
Jo Anne wasn’t able to go to school, so I’ve embroidered and she’s read, most of the day. Germany and Italy declared war on us today, which is a good thing, there will be no more hedging. Letter from Marcia, they have had another death in her family. And a letter from Daisey, also one from Mamma. I wrote to Florelle, Minnie Lee and Daisy. Earl was tired when he came in, but he went to the Bank. I ordered Jo Anne’s Christmas things. We made candy for the lunches.

December 12, Friday       Cold and raining
I went to town and bought groceries and Christmas wrappings, then spent the rest of the day getting my packages wrapped. Everything I ordered came except Jo Anne’s dress. Still I have nothing for her. Mamma said Earl’s “Audubon’s Bird Book” came. I think I’ll go home Sunday. Mrs Boyett went today. I’m still working on those presents I must make, but it’s so very slow.

December 13, Saturday       Cold, but no rain.
The war news is getting a little more encouraging. I took Mrs. Boyett and Edna to town, and I bought Jo Anne’s teacher and two friends presents. We finished wrapping them all today, and I got together the thing I wanted to take home. I guess Jo Anne and I will go home. I read “Trouble is My Master” to Earl and Jo Anne.

December 14, Sunday       Cold, but sunny
Jo Anne, Mrs. Boyett and I left at 7:30 this morning. We stopped in Monroe for her to see her sister, then stopped a few minutes at Lil’s. When we got home, Mamma went to Kidd’s with us. Joe said he’d rather stay by the fire and read. We had dinner there, Jo Anne rode the horse, and we went to Margaret’s – The baby is pretty – she looks well, too. We went to Julia’s and to our house a few minutes, and got a away at 4:15. Stopped at Lora’s a few minutes, got here at 7:45. Gee I’m tired, but I was awfully glad to get back, it may be a tent, but ”home is where the heart is.”
December 15th, Monday       Cold, but sunny
Washed, ironed, mopped, cleaned generally. Letters from Velma and Faye — I started fixing Christmas cards. Tonight Mr. and Mrs. Boyett came over, and so did Edna and Walter, to listen to Roosevelt talk. It was so late before he came on, — 10 to 10, that they all left but we stayed up to hear him, he was part of a program on the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Bill of rights. Earl Walter and I played dominoes after the others left. The time is getting awfully short, I’m afraid I won’t get it all done for Christmas.

December 16th, Tuesday       Cold, sunny
No mail. I’ve been working on the Christmas things, and they are very slowly being finished. Earl wanted to go to the show, so we asked Whittons and they went, — “Navy Blues” – Nothing extra, and even worse since Martha Ray was in it. I addressed 67 Christmas cards, guess I’ll mail them Friday. Jo Anne’s cold is not much better, but she’s taking cod liver and vitamin tablets.

December 17th, Wednesday       Cold, sunny
I spent today at Mrs. Boyett’s working on the presents. Edna got a letter from Daisy, they have gone to Collins, Miss. Said Davis was on the police force in Hattiesburg. Earl was late this afternoon, and will be later tomorrow because it’s payday. We ought to have $400.60 in the Bank with this pay day. We have quit getting any mail at all. I am writing letters today, — Velma, Faye, Mamma, Love, Kidd, Margaret and Marcia.

December 18, Thursday       Warmer, looks like rain.
Washed what things we had dirty. Mrs. Boyett came and stayed awhile, we are still embroidering. We went to the show to see “ A Yank in the R.A.F.” I am kind of worried about Earl, he isn’t sleeping as well as he should, and he’s awfully tired when he gets in. It was late tonight though, after five. A Christmas Card from Florelle, and a card from Daisy at Collins, Miss.

December 19, Friday       Fairly warm, sunny.
Jo Anne took her presents this morning and we went to town to buy groceries. I got $7.45, and a $6.50 pr. of Red Cross shoes, a $3.98 velvet dress for Jo Anne, present for Anita, enough stuff to finish wrapping my Christmas presents. The bus left Jo Anne and I had to go get her. Talked to the principal, but he was anything else but nice, Cathcart was his name. I crocheted some, but looks like I’ll never get through with the Christmas things. Mrs. Boyett and I registered for Civilian defense. Letter from Daisey, and cards from Bell and Aunt Florence.

December 20, Saturday       Warm and Sunny
Today is our 17th anniversary. Earl and Jo Anne were determined to celebrate so we went to the show, “Parachute Battalion” and they got me a box of candy. I had washed and ironed all day long, took down the curtains, besides the regular lot of clothes and was hanging them when John and Rosemary came. But the tent looks so nice and clean now. Earl is so good to me, and I’m so scared. They passed Selective Service – 20 to 45 – this week, and what would I do if Earl had to leave me? We heard today that Clare Chenault is head of the American Volunteer’s Group action in China.

December 21, Sunday
My intention was a good rest today, and leisure to digest this week’s Time, but after our baths I had to set Jo Anne’s hair which took me til nearly 10:30, then Mrs. Boyett came and I set hers, and before she left Rosemary and her kids came, and stayed till after supper. We had just straightened up after that storm when Mr. and Mrs. Boyett came and stayed til after Walter Winchell. At last, to Jo Anne’s Ill – concealed displeasure, I got to my magazine, and read til ten, but Earl didn’t feel so well, so I had to doctor him a little. Bed will feel really good.

December 22, Monday
Raining
The year is almost done. Life is like the year, never ending in its beginning, running oh so swiftly towards the close. It seems that Christmas is rushing into me, and I’ve so much to do. Jo Anne is trying to finish Mamma’s present – her first handwork. We went to see “Citizen Kane,” which was a most unusual picture, unusual in photography and in presentation, as well as in morals. I enjoyed it. Cards from Mrs. Reeves and Miss Willy. The news tonight was a scoop – Winston Churchill is at the white House to confer with Pres. Roosevelt.

December 23, Tuesday       Cloudy
It has turned considerably cooler, and we went to town, bought Glyn a Christmas present, also one for Barbara June. I’ve worked all day trying to finish up so I’d have tomorrow to straighten up in, but I couldn’t make it. We played dominoes at Walter’s and I read to Earl and Jo Anne while he shaved. We had a letter from Kidd they took Jack to the negro to train. I do hope nothing happens to him. Jo Anne is about to finish working a dish towel for Mamma. Oh, I’m so tired.

December 24, Wednesday       Beautiful
I’ve finished the hand work, and washed all our dirty clothes, ironed, mopped, wrapped, bathed, cooked, — I’ve been really industrious today, trying to impress Santa, I guess. Earl came and we left at 5:45, got to Pop’s at 9:00 and spent an hour talking to them, then went to Kidd’s. Mamma and Joe were there, so we talked a long time, and are ready for bed, at 12:00. I’m dog tired.

December 25, Thursday       Beautiful sunny afternoon
But for the dread that hangs over us all about the future, this has been a perfect day –. We had the Christmas tree, and so many nice things, and Mrs. Trichel, Hazel and Ernest came for dinner, so we had Kidd, Edward, Mamma, Joe, Jo Anne, Earl and me for a tableful. Velma and Rowland came when we went to Pop’s, and Love, too. So did Cecil and Sprague. We went to Margaret’s and May Usher, Melvin, and Miss Mamie and Uncle Bud came out there. So we pretty well saw everybody, but didn’t leave until nearly 7. Got here at 10. So sleepy –

December 26, Friday       Cold but sunny
It took all day today to straighten up, get everything put in a place where we could find it, and clear out the middle of the floor. Mrs. Boyett, Edna and I went to town, I bought groceries and put the usual $40 in the bank. Jo Anne wanted to buy a bond, but they didn’t have any yesterday. Walter had a generator trouble so when they came home Earl fixed two for him, and they came over and played dominoes. I’m so tired and sleepy I can hardly see straight tonight. Mrs. Tarver died Monday or Tuesday, Monday, I think.

December 27, Saturday       Sunny and cold
Mrs. Boyett said Mr. Boyett’s foreman fired him last night, she is awfully uneasy, and will be until he gets something else. We washed all the clothes we had dirty, and Mrs. Boyett came in, had got a job in Area E. I’m so glad, I don’t know what I’d do here without her. I went to bed about 10:30 and slept til 12, I was too tired to move. Wrote to Mamma, Kidd, Minnie Lea, Faye, Dobb’s and Motor Supply, and mailed them.

Sunday, December 28       Cold and Sunny
I worked on a jigsaw puzzle. John came over and stayed awhile, said Ray Randall got killed in a car wreck Christmas Eve. [James Ray Randall was in Arizona in training to be a pilot.] John got me a Time and I spent most of the day reading. JoAnne was lonesome. There isn’t much for her to do. When Earl came we finished working the jigsaw puzzle, and I read to them. “Trouble is My Master.”

Monday, December 29       Sunny and cold.
I’ve felt so rotten today, but had to go get a ham for lunch and some bread and milk. I mailed letters to Marcia and Velma, and wrote to Daisy. Edna had a letter from Daisy, she seemed to think Tucker had gone to New Orleans and all his men would be called in about a month. We went to Shreveport and Earl and Walter went to a meeting, it was nearly 11:30 when we got in, and both Jo Anne and Earl are going to hate getting up in the morning. I put fastenings on Jo Anne’s new dress today, and I must do some patching as soon as I feel better.

Tuesday, December 30       Gloomy.
Only one more day in old 1941. And what a year! We just listened to Columbia’s round up of the twelve months, and saw how we have each month come closer and closer to war, until in December we find ourselves all in, where we should probably have been before if we had been better prepared. And what changes have come to us! In January we were living normal lives, as we had for sixteen years, home and work settled about us. Today the house is empty and desolate, and we have been living in a tent for nine months, more or less. But for the first time in our married lives we’ve paid off our debts and have a little money in the bank.

Wednesday, December 31       Raining.
What a way to spend the last day of the year! Crocheted a little, read a little. Letter from Kidd. Eula May has come to Mamma’s to have another baby, and we’re all furious. She hasn’t the consideration of a goose. I wish we had never seen her, she’s been nothing but a misery and expense since the day we laid eyes on her. Earl and Walter went to Shreveport. I worked the other jig-saw puzzle. We aren’t going to watch the old year out, Earl will be tired when he comes in.