1929
'California...'or bust'
Journal of trip from Bingham to Berkeley, CA by Coleman family, 1929
written by Marian S. Coleman
Sun Jun 9, 1929
The great adventure has begun! At last we are on our way to California - land of our dreams. May they all come true! The past week was quite a strenuous one. The workmen came and began working in the upstairs rooms and as fast as I would clear out a room, they would take possessions and begin whitening the ceiling and tearing off the paper. A gorgeous mess they made believe it or not. Mr. Baker told me not to clean and after I saw what a mess they made, I decided to take him at his word and consequently I left a dirty kitchen. Tuesday evening they gave H & I a farewell dinner at Dick Hall's camps at Emden Lake. Bena came up Sunday and said she and Fred wanted us to go somewhere with them and have a feed. She said she had planned to have us down to the house but as she was going to be working as Town Clerk that week she couldn't do it. Also that she would leave it to Fred to pick out the place as he went around more and consequently knew the places better. Harold was rather suspicious but I rather poo-pooed him. However, when we arrived at the Lake there was a goodly number of Binghamites there to greet us. We had a delicious dinner and afterwards played bridge until after twelve. The camps were very nice and the evening fine. Wednesday eve Lucille's classmates gave her a party and gave her a lovely mesh bag. Phyllis's class gave her a pretty white gold ring set with an electric ruby. Saturday morning quite a number came to see us off, consequently it was nearly 9:30 Daylight Time before we left. Some were rather tearful which made it rather hard. A big lump was in my throat as we crossed the Kennebec Bridge probably for the last time, yet I am glad to go. Dury sputtered once in awhile. I believe there is a wandering bit of dirt or part of a screw lodged in one of the spark plugs and I'll bet there is still something else. However, we came along fine and found the house and the people. This morning is fine and dandy. H. is doing a little wiring. They have been in town and bought supplies. I have phoned Lottie Taylor and they are coming over late this afternoon.
Boston, Mass...Monday, June 10, 1929
The second days journey is over, Sunday afternoon we all went over to the Cape Cottage Hotel to dinner. Most of us had a shore dinner that was truly delicious. I thing I am keeping well within the bounds of conservatism when I say I; think the steamed and fried clams were the best I have ever eaten. In the evening Lottie & Norris Taylor, Methyl & a Miss Perkins came over for awhile. They said they had been 'tout Freeport way' to see a sand dune that was burying a farm. The top of some cherry trees just show above the sand. It is not on the shore but inland and the dune apparently was formed by a glacier. This morning we packed and left. Harold felt bad to leave his Grandmother, I could see that. And why not? Probably he will never see her again. Coming along Beacon Street in Boston we heard a funny hoarse horn blat two or three times back of us, but as we were surrounded by cars of all sorts and ages, we gave it little thought. Cars went by us, beside and behind, however a few seconds later a rather antique Ford Two-door sedan clattered by and the driver growled out something about 'you aren't driving in Maine, now!' He had a perfect scream of a face anyway and with it all snarled up like a caricature it was just two much. We all burst into gales of laughter. After we had caught our breath we dubbed him the Goldfish from the shape of his face. There is only one other party here on the Boston Campground. It is early for the Camping Fraternity to be out. Many schools haven't closed yet. This other party is from West Palm Beach, Florida. Harold has taken the boys for a ride on the El. A cool night with quite a breeze blowing across this hilltop at Washington Hghts. Three airplanes flew over here this afternoon, in formation. Then later they stunted, looping the loop, rolling, fake falls and ever'thin'.
IdleDell Mass.... Wednesday June 12, 1929
Haven't had much time to write, we have been so busy with farewells. We went over to Mother's to luncheon Tuesday and then all hands (including Mother & Dot) went over to Needham, to Stanley's for the afternoon, dinner and evening, then all streamed back to the campground where last farewells were said. This morning we packed and left at about 9:30 Daylight Time and our first stop was in Worcester at Derbe Powers'. She insisted on our staying to lunch and we lunched sumptuously on Egg & Spinach & lettuce salad, cold boiled ham, cottage cheese, jelly, piccalili, bread & butter, peaches, wafers & punch. Dury is getting old. H took her to the service station and had a new valve put in the Vacuum tank and the speedometer fixed. But she sputters & balks just the same at the most inauspicious moments. Another garageman blew out her tubes and for quite a while we thought she was cured, but soon she had the worst attack of all. Something happens once in awhile to choke off her nourishment and without gas she cannot run. Poor thing! She hauls a terrific load anyway. I am trying to cut down on everything. Each time we make camp I try to discard something. Nothing yet of any great weight, but perhaps all told they will eventually help. An old extra pair of knickers of mine that I thot I would keep for an emergency. May the emergency never come! A nearly worn out pair of shoes of Cedric's, etc, etc.
Thurs. June 13th..... Richfields Springs NY
We left IdleDell which I believe is in the town of Cummington, Mass. at a bit after 9:30 this morning. We overslept. I left behind for the people who run the wayside stand my egg eater and mixing spoon. Cooking of fancy things is not in this camping schedule, and I wonder why I brought the things. Dury protested on some of the hills, but considering the length of them I am not surprised, altho they were mostly concrete roads. Bought some bananas, milk and cinnamon buns for luncheon which we ate some distance this side of Pittsfield, across the line in N.Y.somewhere. This is a fine campground, but rather near the street. Harold & Bruce went to the Sulphur Springs after supper and brought home a quart of the water. It smells exactly like a stale egg that has been boiled about a week previous to being opened. I took one swallow and have been belching brimstone ever since. No baths for me except as a last resort.
Friday June 14 .... Lake Canandaigua, N.Y.
Another beautiful day. We ran into one smart shower of a very short duration. The scenery thru the Catskills, Adirondacks or whatever it was, is beautiful. I think it is ahead of Maine. And the roads are mostly concrete thru widths. Today we are in the Finger Lakes region. We planned to camp on Lake Seneca but the camp ground was in a marsh, and on inquiring, heard there was no water, watchman or anything, so as the day was still comparatively young, we kept on a rollin' until we came to Canandaigua. We are camped in an orchard behind a roadside stand. A delightful breeze blew from the lake before sunset taking away the heat. There is a small amusement place with a merry-go-round, bathing beach, etc. H. has been to C for Flit and says it is about as large as Skowhegan. I am going bird hunting. I thought I saw an Orchard Oriole.
Sunday June 16, 1929 .... Niagara Falls, Canada
I find it as hard to keep up my writing when on the trail as when at home. We left Canandaguia, N.Y. fairly early as they are on Standard Time and we had our watches on Daylight Time. But we lost considerable time getting thru the city of Rochester. I detest going thru cities when camping. Then we stopped in Lockport quite awhile. Bot a cot for Cecric as we think it lighter than the spring. Also the boys can use their cots until e are permanently located. When we reached Niagara Falls, N.Y. we found an Elks Convention on Big Parade an' everthin'. The A.A.A. said the best auto camp was on the Canadian side so thru customs we came and after considerable chasing around we finally located the right one, Falls View Camp. We look out on the Horseshoe Falls and rapids. To cap it all it was their annual celebration. This year it was the Golden jubilee of Lights. The colored lights were thrown on the Falls from the big flood lights on this side. Also, a big display of fireworks. Thousands of cars lined the banks and any place they could see. I think there must have been 600 cars on this campground alone. They must turn out well for anything here, for it was nothing very unusual, not to my mind. And they said it would take a car two hours to get back across the bridge! Today I washed. We remained in camp most of the day, except for a drive thru Victoria Park which was beautifully cool due to the spray from the Falls. Watched the little steamer battle her way up stream nearly to the foot of the American Falls. I suppose it is perfectly safe, but I much preferred being where I was. The wind is off the river tonight so that the roar of the falls is louder than last night. Think we may have rain tomorrow.
Windsor, Ont .... Tues June 18, 1929
We got in early. Only 2:30 E.S.T. A very hot day. Yesterday morning we broke camp at Niagara Falls, Ont and went to London, Ont. At Niagara, aeroplanes were circling over the falls most of the time. On the way to London, we crossed the Welland Ship Canal, the new one that isn't finished and the one they are using. There is also an old one, which as far as I know, we didn't cross and I don't know whether it is used or not. It was our good luck to get to the canal in time to see one freighter come out of the lock and go thru the bridge and to watch them put another freighter, going up, into the lock and fill it. Northern N.Y. and Ontario (I suppose the land around the lakes) have big fruit farms. Acres & acres, thousands of them...cherry, peach, apple, grape, etc. All the trees are carefully pruned & sprayed, and the ground beneath carefully cultivated, Crops are raised between the rows of trees in many instances, especially in the young orchards. The campground at London is out of the city proper. About 3 mi. In a grove. A lovely place, with splendid drinking water, a rare article so far. Plenty of hot & cold water, shower baths, & laundry tubs. We got away early this morning. Today we saw our first oil well. Funny things at the Bothwell Oil Field, been producing over 60 yrs. We had quite a chat with a man there who was obliging enough to explain at length. Said that at first they dug the wells and timbered up the sides. The wells are hitched up together, those belonging to one man or concern and are pumped from one station. They pump very slowly, produce only a barrel or so apiece in 24 hours. The campground here is nothing to shriek over. The tracks where the freights are made up are just back of us (fun for the boys: the 'hump' is right here) and the water is hardly drinkable. Apparently we have camped too near a red winged blackbird's nest. He has been perched on a pole near us ever since we came, alternately scolding & singing. There is a bird here which I haven't seen to my knowledge, but he sounds exactly like a boy whistling to his dog. Our friend at the oil wells says they are a new bird to him. Never saw them until this year. That they are a dark bird, not quite as large as a robin.
Near Clear Lake, Iowa .... Mon June 24, 1929
Quite a gap to fill. After Windsor, we crossed the river into the U.S.A. again at Detroit. Came thru easily. At Detroit we went to an Electric Service station to get a new ignition cup for "Dury" and who should be the foreman there but a young Durgin from the Forks. It was lucky for us, because he put us ahead of other cars. that night we camped at Mishawaka, and the R.R. & the electric went by the grove. But there was no "hump", so we were all O.K. Bogle's Auto Camp. A nice place. The next day we hit Chicago. The campground is on a bluff outside the city in the Forest Preserve. A good place except it lacks shade. We remained 2 nites and I caught up on laundry and H. took the children to Field Museum. Left Chicago Sat morning and made Galena, Ill that night. Galena, Ill is an old old town. Quaint. One of the homes of U.S.Grant. We drove around by it but the house had been closed for the night. A fine brick house. The river used to be navigable and Galena was a busy thriving city with parking houses and a big river trade. But Chicago got ahead of them after the Civil War and Galena trade fell off: the old packing house man (Ryn) died & his children were spenders, not earners, so the river was allowed to fill in and the quays fell into decay. Today the river is a small stream in a big sandy bed. Galena is built in tiers on the sandstone hillsides and back of many of the houses are caves built into the limestone or sandstone (I know not which cliff). After Galena, Ill our next stopping place was Waterloo, Iowa. We crossed the Mississippi into Dubuque, IA from East Dubuque, Ill. It was Sunday morning and hardly any traffic. Some diff from the east! We plan to lay over Sundays but our campground at Galena, while nice & clean, had no showers or laundry facilities, so we decided to push on and lay over later. Waterloo camp is in the City Park and they had had a wind of cyclonic velocity two weeks before and it had split, and uprooted & torn branches from many of their trees. This debris hadn't been cleared away and there was a break in the water main & we had to use a pump (very common in this country) so we pushed on again, this morning. Today we tried to find a campground at the other end of the lake where there is good bathing but one campground was overrun with chickens of all kinds & mixtures and the other had a small flock of sheep pastured on it! We were rather discouraged but at this upperend of the lake we found this little spot, by a roadside inn. We have no facilities but lights, toilet, a table and a pump, but we are in a pleasant, quiet spot. Good fishing, but we have no license. They have boats & fishing tackle & bait to rent here. We found several interesting stones here. One pretty agate, I think it is. Gulls are plentiful here, but they are smaller and darker than the ones we have on the N. Eng. coast.
Spencer, Iowa .... Wed. June 26, 1929
We are laying over a day to rest & clean up. It has showered some which hinders my laundering facilities. But I have hopes of it clearing soon. It hasn't the appearance of much rain. This town has about 5000 inhabitants, is very much up-to-date with chain stores, Vitaphone theater and traffic lights. Great many Swedes. It is on the Little Sioux River, a stream about the width of the Austin Stream, but much deeper. the streams dig deep channels thru this gumbo instead of spreading out. But I daresay it is some stream in the spring. Phyllis found a flint arrow head at Clear Lake, the morning we left. The man at the campground said that ClearLake used to be a favorite camping spot for the Indians because of the water and the fishing. The water is clear, a rarity hereabouts. We took the tail feathers out of a hen pheasant yesterday. She was strolling very deliberately across the road and H. swerved to the left to avoid her. She walked right in front of the car, he swung to the right again and cleared all but her tail feathers. They were left in the road and she flew off into the fields. After wards, we saw several pair. The male is handsome of course. We also have seen what we think must be a prairie dog or perhaps a ground squirrel. Can tell later when we have our National Geographic again. A nice little campground with small out door fire places scattered thru the park. Clean and level, with young trees big enough to give some shade.
Mitchell, S.D. .... June 29, 1929
A splendid camp. There is a community House with Gas plates and sink, reading room, toilets, H&C showers, laundry tubs, ironing board & iron with a gas plate to heat it on. Everything is clean. 3 cars with the houses built on them in here last night. Mourning Doves are common through this country. Pheasants are quite often seen and yesterday we saw our first Jack rabbit, a dead one in the road. Night before last we camped at Sioux Falls. I didn't particularly care for the campground but the city I liked very much. Went to the park after supper & listened to a band concert. A pretty park with the band shell in the center of a small natural amphitheater. Going back to the camp after the concert we saw a car with Maine plates & a young man and a woman on it eating ice cream cones. We shouted "Hello, Maine!" They answered & then I saw them look at our rear plate. When we reached the entrance to the camp, we had to stop and lo!, they pulled up beside us! They had chased us out to the camp for we were the first Maine car they had seen for 2 months. Came from Auburn out to Sioux Falls because the woman's husband was in poor health. The young man was their son.
Rapid City, S.D. .... July 2, 1929
Leaving Mitchell we found the country soon changed. That is as soon as we passed the Missouri river which we crossed at Chamberlain. We came out on high bluffs overlooking the 'big Muddy', well named she is too. As soon as we crossed we found ourselves in a treeless country. Of course, trees grew along the Missouri on the west side, but we soon left the banks & climbed up the bluffs and then - lo! Not a tree, not even a bush large enough to hide a Jack rabbit. Our gaze could 'sweep' the horizon. A vast rolling country, with ranches replacing farms and a tiny cluster of tiny houses huddled together like lost sheep under the blazing sun being the towns. So bare & desolate they look, for water is scarce. They haul their drinking water in on the RR in some of these towns. I am afraid I haven't any pioneer spirit. We reached Kadoka that night, going farther than we intended, because the barren campgrounds fully exposed to the sun looked so unattractive, we preferred to keep on going. Part of the country was beautiful just the same. We would top a rise and the world was spread out before us practically all in grazing land with more vivid parts (the fields were immense that were cultivated) being the flax, alfalfa, corn, wheat, etc. Kadoka is a young town. Just settling down from the wild days of her youth when she had 7 saloons. (Townsends) from Minneapolis, born in Maine, she in Wisconsin. We saw branded cattle, Indians, cactus, and cowboys in their everyday clothes, and set our watches back another hour. Leaving Kadoka we came thru the Badlands of South Dakota. A wonderful, wonderful sight! There we encountered our first sheepherder and his dog. A very pleasant, well spoken man who has lost his left arm just below the elbow. We were watching our first prairie dogs at the time. His camp is a covered wagon. We reached Rapid City that night and how lovely to be up in the hills once again! A stream from the hills runs by the camp and we are in a grove of Cottonwoods. They are messy things just now with their cottony pods opening up and sending out their parachutes of cotton with its tiny seed. We rode up into the hills yesterday. The trees are all Norway Pine and this isn't the underbrush we have in Maine. Looking onto the hills the grass is seen growing between the trees, giving it a park-like appearance to the very top. The mountain parks are lovely grassy places uncluttered by brush. We saw the Am. Magpie, a handsome chap. Forded our first stream...a brook runs across one of the roads leading to the City and they didn't bother to bridge it. So away thru it we go, western fashion. Today we go to Spearfish. There is plenty here to see but we haven't the time. Afternoon made Spearfish before dinner. A wonderful campground. Laundry, Hot & cold water, free gas plates, showers 25 cents, a store and a running stream. Came through Whitewood and we had to climb a hill a mile long that rose us 1000 feet into the air & then down again. Lucille & Bruce are slightly under the weather. Guess the minerals in the water has been too much for them. A lot of people are made sick by it. We bought spring water at Kadoka, but we have spring water here. May have to rest here. A big affair drove into the grounds this noon shortly after we came. A big house built over an International truck chassis, like a big bus, with an observation platform, luggage rack on top. They have a big sedan also and 2 chauffeurs and a monkey. The big house-bus is named Miss Omaha (Pullman style) and the plates are Nebraska. We have seen 2 different cactus that are pretty. One is small with round fat spiney leaves and the most delicate pale yellow blossoms with petals as diaphanous as a butterfly's wing. The blossom comes out on the edge of the fat leaf and is slightly cup-shaped like a half opened single rose. The other cactus has great long needle-like leaves growing out in a clump, one blossom stalk rearing 2 ft above the leaves with very pale creamy white lanterns hung on the stalks thicker than I have drawn them. There must be 70 cars or more here today, and still coming.
Sheridan, Wyo. .... July 7, 1929
There were 200 cars in the Spearfish camp that night and 300 the next night. The water also got me, but we were able to go to Belle Fouriche the 4th. A man in Spearfish called it the Black Hills Holdup and we are of the same opinion after seeing it. A dollar apiece admission to the grounds and then 75 cents for the bleachers and $1 for the grandstand. We used our car, but all the rodeo was played to the grandstand which could never accommodate even half the crowd anyway. The announcer would tell that so-and-so was coming out of chute #3 on a wild steer and lo! and behold out would come a rider on a Hereford heifer! There was some wonderful riding, of course, and some of horses really were wild, but some would stop bucking the instant they heard the pistol shot (the signal that the rider had remained on the required length of time)! It was so funny, it tickled the crowd & the announcer informed us they were high school horses! An Indian young man did some great riding. The next morning we left Spearfish and started for Gillette, but a thunder shower came up and the road was Gumbo and we had some time, and camped in a man's door yard. While there, Bruce found a part of an Indian Spearhead & a partly finished one as well as a place in the bank where by digging in one little spot they found chips and black earth and two or three blackened stones, evidently where some brave camped and made some heads. The next morning was clear & we packed up and moved on to Sheridan. We had a wonderful view of the BigHorn mountains. Early this morning it began to rain and it has rained! So here at Sheridan we have been all day and cold & rain it has been. It looks clearing tonight & I hope the rain has stopped. If we had gravel roads we would be all right, but Gumbo roads mean hang up when it rains. A car came over the mountain pass today & had several inches of snow on it when it reached here. Imagine! We are 3800 ft up here.
Yellowstone Park .... July 12, 1929
It stopped raining that nite, so the next morning we ventured forth for Billings, Mont. And by the way, the pass over the Big Horn mountains leading from Sheridan was blocked with snow that morning! At Ranchester we lost our gravel road and struck wet and slippery gumbo, necessitating chains for about 15 miles. Then more gravel then rough gumbo, but dry and gravel of sorts to Billings. We stopped at Harding, Mont. for some things, a typical cow town. Cowboy ponies standing around, Indians & Mexicans, a present day frontier town. Went thru some very desolate ranch country. Sage brush, cactus and adobi mud being all there was to see most of the time with an occasional colony of ground squirrels or prairie dogs or a bunch of cattle or horses to liven an otherwise dull tiresome ride. A few miles out of Billings, however the contour of a ridge was interesting. A strata of rock on a high ridge with the slopes of erosion below it and apparently springs coming out of under the rock strata making the long slope green with grass. Two herds of cattle and one of horses dotting the far foreground made a picture. Irrigation is the rule thru that country. Billings is a nice little city with a splendid campground. A large kitchen with free gas plate (natural gas) and one end equipped with tables & benches for eating. Nice showers & toilets & clean ground, one of the best, yes, the best we have stopped at. We remained two nights and made the acquaintance of a real cowboy and his wife. We took to them both. H. bought the boys a lariat rope in Hardin and Spaulding (the Cowboys' name) fixed the loop for them and showed them how to throw the different throws. He is rather a quiet, slow of speech, (says "plumb" and "he sure was" a great deal). A cowboy of the stories, with white teeth, smoothe deeply tanned skin, deep lashed level cool eyes, high heel boots, wide brimmed hat, but dungarees without chaps, of course. It really was quite exciting to meet up with one like him, and not an ignorant, loud-mouthed imitation. They were looking for a job around B and were even half of a mind to take up a homestead. Leaving Billings we traveled over devilish roads to Livingston. It rained and we had to put on chains again, altho the mud wasn't as absolutely unmanageable as the others. We struggled thru however and camped at Livingston one night. A fair campground. Yesterday, we entered the Park at Gardiner and made camp at 1 o'clock at Mammoth Hot Springs. The ground is just dirt, no grass, a strong wind was blowing across the camp ground and wow! but the dirt got into everything ... our food, our clothes, hair, eyes, lungs! Miserable? Well, I guess we managed to eat a lunch, after a fashion, then went to see the numerous hot springs & formations. Glad I saw them of course, yet to me they are not so much. Wouldn't swap a stick of taffy for another glimpse of them. A mule deer doe came out for our benefit at the place called the Devil's kitchen - a hole underground - probably an old spring. She drank water out of a dish that Cedric held. Back at camp the ground squirrels were very numerous. One, who lives under a store, was tame enough to eat peanuts from C's hand. We saw the bears that night at their 'salad bowl', and fancied we could hear them prowling around the camp in the night - but only fancy, I guess. We visited the museum at the Springs, small but interesting. The next morning we packed and came to Lake -- Fishing Bridge. A nice camp among the pines on the shores of Yellowstone Lake. Lacks shower, bathes & laundry facilities, but is lovely. Bears are very numerous & tame, wandering around the campground at all hours of the day & night. Black, brown, and mixed, large & small. We have seen mud volcanoes, frying pan springs, The Dragon Mouth, boiling hot springs, The Dragons Mouth, boiling hot springs & cool oasis, and the gorgeous canyon & falls of the Yellowstone which are the best thing I have seen here. It is impossible to describe it.
Sunday July 14, 1929
A thundery day, and we have just had a smart hailstorm, with hailstones nearly as large as moth balls! Went for a swim this morning. My first on the trip. The bear have been very much in evidence today. They tip over the garbage cans, pry off the covers, then sit in front of it and fish in with their fore paws. They look for all the world like pictures of small boys stealing jam. They roll their eyes comically at the crowd that gathers to take their pictures and watch them. If people crowd too close they get up, bestow all & sundry a dirty look of disgust & lumber off. They toe in & are bow legged. Funny fellows.
Sat. July 20, 1929
A week slipped by unnoticed. We had one gorgeous day fishing to our hearts content. Hired a boat for the day and it happened to be a good biting day. We fished for awhile by trolling with a spoon, but that proved too easy so at the last we used flies. The first time I ever 'cast' a fly and I soon had a strike and a lively one, too. I had to 'play' it quite a bit. When at last I got it up to the boat 'it' proved to be 2 two-pound trout - one on each fly! I called it a day as I had no real right to those two, having caught my five before. But as Phyllis & Cedric didn't fish it made it theoretically O.K. And as that was the only day I fished in the days I was there, to catch anything I felt all right. Made the acquaintance of a man & his son. Ralph Norris & Ralph, Jr. They were very nice. Jr. plays the tenor banjo & father the guitar so we had a jamboree around the campfire Wed night. I noticed quite an audience back in the shadows. Thursday we had another heavy shower but no hail. Friday we left and came out by West Yellowstone. Camped at Idaho Falls last night. We are at Burley, Idaho tonight. Getting tired of camping. Ready to settle down. Called for mail at Pocotello, Idaho. Letter from Mrs. Goodrich & Mrs. Hastings. Lucille heard from Seward & the girls. Still working on our old place. Mrs. G. Says a can of red paint they were painting the kitchen chimney with came down leaving a red trail over roof and gutters. This is all irrigated country. Where there is no irrigation, it is desert.
Flick Orchards, Ore ... Wed July 24, 1929
From Burley we went to Boise, Idaho. Found a nice camp so remained over Monday to wash clothes. Set tubs with plenty of hot water from the hot springs. Air mail field was nearby. Also, a wonderful Natatorium or swimming pool, warmed by water from the hot springs. A large building with showers, baths, steam rooms. The pool is a hundred & then some feet long and the water is wonderfully clear. A stone grotto is at the further end with diving platforms at various heights up to 45 ft with water up to 16 ft depth. Tuesday morn we left intending to stop at Baker, Ore, but the campground was not especially attractive, it was early, so after eating lunch & resting a while, we continued on to the Pine Cone camp - west of La Grande. Another swimming pool - outdoor one this time, but not heated, gave the children a short swim while I prepared supper. It was too late for H & I, however. This camp is in the mountains with a small mountain stream and pine trees making it quite homelike to us. Between Boise & Baker we saw quite a number of Pelican in the Snake River. The hills here look as if they were covered with tan upholstery plush. The grass is brown and with the gullies made by erosion (diff than the east) and no trees, it makes them look very soft and plushy. I feel that I could punch them and shake them up as I would a pillow. A rugged drive today along the Columbia River, altho H. says the most scenic part comes tomorrow. Surprising how many campers are migrating to pastures new. The wind is blowing hard tonight. There is a row of Lombardy Poplars and the wind howling thru them makes talking quite a feat - unless talking to oneself. There is one of these children's push merry go round things here and some people from N.Y. have been giving their fat hound dog a ride on it. He will stand on the rod all alone for about two turns, then 'nothing-more-now-thank-you', he seems to say as he hops off.
Portland Ore ... July 25, 1929
Portland, Maine to Portland, Oregon with only one flat tire! How's that? We picked up a nail in Yellowstone Park right by the Devils' Slide, of all appropriate places, which accounts very neatly for our 'flat'. It seems wonderful to reach a fruit belt! Small oranges, 5 doz for 25 cts. Cherries 2 lbs for a quarter! Great big luscious ones! Royal Annes & Bings. Grapefruit 55 cts a doz! Of course, the cost of living averages up somewhere - and it always does of course. We parked in front of a filling station in P. to ask the way to the campground. Two small boys about 12 yrs old were passing. One exclaimed "Maine!" And came over asking "What part of Maine are you from?" I grinned back and answered with a question. "I bet you are from Maine yourself, are you not?" "Yes." So we found out he was from Bangor and has been out here about a year and a half, likes it, but misses the snow at times. Said we were the first Maine car he had seen. We came over a wonderful drive today. More loops and curves than I ever saw in one road before. Thru four tunnels, one patterned after a Swiss tunnel, with windows cut thru. Saw Horsetail Falls, Multonah Falls, and other smaller ones. This side (? ? ? )
1929 ... Berkeley, Calif
The Graf Zeppelin just passed over San Fransisco. At least 40 planes circles around her reminding us of a swarm of hornets around an eagle. The Graf has just come from Tokyo on an around the world tour. She was wonderful, floating so majestically in the sky, now in shadow and then again flashing in the sunset rays, with the myriad of little planes buzzing around so importantly.
* Tues. Nov 5, 1929
Nine planes, flying in a V, like geese, just past (sic) over the house traveling approximately N.E. Probably it is the squadron from Los Angeles that is out on tour.
We have been terribly homesick and declare we will go East as soon as school closes next spring. But now that it is Nov. and beautiful weather here and cold snowy weather back home, Harold and I feel a bit more content. However, I still prefer the East for many things that more than balance the advantage of California in the matter of climate.
* Monday Nov 11, 1929
A most gorgeous day. Out in the sun it is hot.
No school for the children today or for us tonight. But Harold had to work.
Today is the big Army - Navy football game up at the Stadium. We are getting it via Radio. A very close, enthusiastic game.
Harold and I are going to Evening High School. Harold is taking short story writing while I am more prosaic and am taking typing, filing, and General Office Practice, also Show Card Writing. I am trying to learn to use my right hand as I get in my own way when doing lettering with my left.
* Tues. Dec 24, 1929
A very heavy fog this morning, also yesterday. It doesn't seem at all like Xmas time, for we have had some good rain and the new green grass is springing up every where, carpeting the bare brown sun baked earth in a new garment. The songbirds have arrived, also, from the snowy country I suppose, so that it seems more like April or May to us. But the flowers are still without fragrance and tho the air smells cleaner since the rain, there is no delightful peppy tang to it, and tho living with in sight of the waters of the Pacific Ocean we never smell the salt laden air as we can right in the heart of the city of Portland, Maine when a 'sea turn' comes.
* Thurs. Dec 26, 1929
We had the very nicest Xmas present, Harold is to have his old job back with the Shank mill. They are about decided to locate in Savannah, Ga. and as some of the machine men won't be going, I imagine they will need him. So we will hit the trail again if all goes well, as soon as school closes, which is about the 23rd of May. We will be glad to live east of the Mississippi River, even if the place is as 'hot as the hinges of Hell', as H. expresses it.
Lucille has been working at J.F.Hinks Dept Store during this month but she thot that today would be the last day. Took some pictures of ourselves and the bungalow yesterday to send back.
* Sun. Dec 29, 1929
Almost the last of '29. A lovely day. Had the windows open for more than an hour during the middle of the day.
Lucille still working. Guess she could stay on permanently, but she told Mrs. Nelson she wanted to go back to school after the New Year. Mrs. N. told her she could give her work some Saturdays and after she finished her course, if she didn't find a position right away, to come and see her and she would see what she could give her. So it looks as if L. was 'sitting pretty', as they say, for the rest of our time here. If P. & I could get something as good it would be just fine.
Had to go to the Police Station again the other night to see if I could identify the fellow I had trouble with, but only saw one, who certainly wasn't 'it'. Quite a group of us were there. Looked like a club meeting. The Police know me so well now, I'll have to walk the 'straight and narrow' for sure while here.
Walking down Acton St. from Dwight Way the other noon I discovered smoke coming out of the ventilating window in the peak of the roof. Rushing around to the back I saw smoke pouring out from around the kitchen windows and could hear the flames crackling in glee inside. All windows closed & locked & curtains drawn. Went next door & they phoned the fire Dept. They had gone away & left an electric iron 'on'. Some expensive ironing she did that morning. Two Love Birds lost their lives.
* Jan 1, 1930
The New Year was ushered in with much noise, confetti, serpentine, considerable booze, and what have you, here in the East Bay. L. and H. went over to Oakland and mingled with the street crowds for awhile. Home about 1:30 this morn. Said the confetti etc. was inches deep in the streets and gutters like drifted leaves. A glorious day. Transplanted some badly root bound iris this morning. Probably it isn't the right time to do it, but the ground is moist and soft and I may not be here when the right time does come. Besides such a lovely morning I felt in the mood for it.
* Jan 11, 1930 .. Sat
It has been very cold this month, with heavy frosts nearly every morning. Yesterday morning the faucet in the back yard was frozen and my geraniums quite badly nipped. The ends are killed. Ice has formed quite thick on puddles and any dishes of water left out. I call it a very cold place. Only three really nice warm days since we came, the last of July! Sunny California indeed. To advertise a whole great big state because of a small southern portion. Why not boost Boston's climate because St. Petersburg, Fla has a mild winter climate? 'T would be as sensible. Harold has been having such a time getting our Auto plates! First he was told he must have a bill of sale sworn to before a Notary. He got it and went back on New Years day. It was a holiday, but if he had been a Californian it could be done they said. Back again only to be told he must have his headlights tested & O.K'd.! Can you beat that for dumbness on their part? Today he went back with the O.K. and a short while ago called me up for the No. of the Non-Resident permit we received when entering the state! If we had had no phone it would have meant another trip! Perhaps they will think up something else even now. And that is just a sample of what we have been up against ever since we came here. We can't get out any too soon to suit me, and if I ever learn to be an author, California will hear from me and no mistake!
Journal (1931-35)
20 Oakland Ave
Brockton, Mass
Dec. 16, 1931
Nearly Christmas again and nothing done. In this year of depression guess there isn't as much of a Christmasy feeling as other years. Perhaps we will go back and find the true Spirit of Christmas and give up the ostentation and mockery. I could get a great thrill out of the right kind of Christmas.
Lucille is working in an Insurance and real Estate office.. 'Hunts' The younger Hunts' wife did work there until last June. Now they have a young son. Whether she will be back in or not of course we don't know.
Several weeks ago we splurged and bought a mahogany Gov. Winthrop full size desk. Probably we were reckless but at least we have a piece of furniture to be proud of. Harold turned a mahogany lamp base to go with it, so our living room looks better, though it is shrieking for a large rug, curtains and a big chair or two to say nothing of another lamp and ad infinitum.
Still going to night school and getting a lot of enjoyment out of it. Doing charcoal drawing now. Best of all, I can see that I am improving.
Sat. Eve. Dec. 26, 1931
Well, our first Christmas in Massachusetts has gone by. Now I think we should feel more at home.
Mother, Dorothy and Wendell were out last evening. The day was so very warm it was hard to think of it as Christmas. Ground not frozen, not a bit of frost or snow, in fact Christmas Eve we had to let our furnace fire go out as it made the house so uncomfortably warm!
Usual number of presents I think. Electric popper (corn), also combination sandwich toaster and waffle iron, Torridaire hot pad, I guess it would be called, beads, atomizer, accordion household file, stationary, rubber overshoes.
Saw in the home paper where the snowplow had been thru to the boundary (Maine) so there is some snow in some places along the Kennebec.
Friday Jan 1, 1932
Cloudy. Looks like a storm.
Spent yesterday in Newton Center with Mother and Dot. Talked our heads off. Wendell brought me home in the evening.
Not a speck of snow. But youngsters are running around in heavy skiing costumes such as they effect now.
We didn't watch the old year out yet, we slept until 10 o'clock this forenoon and it was nearly 11 am before the children crawled out.
Cedric is at the movies this afternoon. Lucille riding with the Baldwin's and Bruce & Harold are at the YMCA. Phyllis and I are keeping the homefires burning.
Sun Jan 3, 1932
We had a heavy rain all day yesterday. Sometime in the night it changed to snow and when we awoke this morning the world was white. Not more than three inches and perhaps not that. The children in this neighborhood had a 'grand and glorious' time with their sleds until the snow melted from the roads and drives.
Wrote a letter to Bina.
Bruce and Cedric went to Sunday School, but the rest of us have stuck like bark to a tree to the house all day.
Thurs. Jan 14, 1932
That last snow vanished and last Sunday we had another storm, more this time. I really thought perhaps it would stay awhile, but it has gone like the other. Not only that, but it is so warm we had to let the furnace fire go out again, yesterday! It is 68 in the living room this morning! I love it, I wish this as cold as we should expect.
Tues. Jan 19, 1932
A bit cloudy
Our warm weather lasted three days, then it grew a bit cooler, but water out of doors didn't freeze over until last night. So you can how 'unusual' the weather has been.
Letter from MacDougal, also one for Harold from Arlie. Mac's was for us all.
Vowed I never would bother to make window curtains or drapes again, but I am doing so nevertheless. It seems to be the only thing to do when one's pocketbook is slim, unless one is satisfied with the same thing that every other low salaried person hangs up. Found a 'bargain'. Only 12 1/2 cents a yard and washes. Regularly 25 c material at least, possibly .35.
Sun. Mar 6, 1932
No matter how many resolutions I make to write everyday, if only one line, I fail every time.
Charles. Lindbergh's baby was kidnapped last Tuesday evening (I think) from its bed and so far it hasn't been found. Everyone, naturally, is at boiling heat, and the Sino-Jap war has dropped out of our minds and talk 'like nobody's business' as one writer put it. I think there is work for the K.K.K. and they had better revive it. Not so sure now but the Lynch Law of the south is a darned good thing!
Harold very busy wiring the new factory at Whitman. Even works Sundays which we don't really appreciate, but nowadays, if a person just has work the other little things do not matter.
Evening High closes this week, as a measure of economy, instead of two weeks later.
Sunday, March 27, 1932
Easter Sunday. Warm, that is about 60 degrees F. Had a call from Cousin Robert the other day. I was coming across Pleasant St., heard a horn honk to or three quick staccato honks, but didn't think it referred to me, except that the man at the wheel of the parked car was impatient for me to get across so he could start. I thought 'Wait a minute you ninny, I'll be across before you can possible start! But I gained the sidewalk and started up Oakland Ave and some more quick honks. 'Oh well, his wife is taking too long saying goodbye. He's trying to hustle her up. It wasn't me at all' Just about that time, the car swung up beside me and a voice called in an amused tone, 'So you don't know your own relatives?' It was Robert and after words I thought that he did well to recognize me. It must be two or three years since he saw me. Well he came into the house and we gabbed. He promised to bring Aunt Emma over soon.
Mother , Dot and Wendell were down last Sunday.
Yesterday morning I had the last of my upper teeth out. Dr. Foster, with Dr. Tuholski giving chloroform. Probably the last time I'll take chloroform for evidently the old ticker ain't what she was. They thought I was slipping out on them. No pulse, no perceptible breathing. A hypo turned the trick. I could hear them, heard Tuholski fly around. Felt him use the stethoscope and give the hypo, but I felt so awfully tired. My one wish was that he wouldn't bother. After the hypo tho, I felt my circulation start and I realized I must do my part, so I managed to breathe deep now and then. Well, I'm all O.K. and Harold doesn't know how near he came to being a gay widower.
Tues. Mar 29, 1932
Fair & windy
New England was treated to a severe Nor'easter yesterday and Brockton received her share. North & west of Boston they had snow and plenty of it. We, luckily, were deluged with torrents of water. This morning tho, the ground had a thin coating of snow laid down as a farewell by ;the uproarious storm. It is rapidly evaporating tho. I can't say melting as there isn't enuff to make a puddle - only a damp spot.
Ha a ice letter from Mary Patch yesterday. They have their ranch going good now. It is at Fowler, Calif. not far from Fresno in the 'big valley'.
Thurs. Mar 31, 1932
Yesterday was a beautiful spring day. Today is even warmer but it is clouding in apparently for some more rain by evening.
Edith Dinsmore called me on the phone last evening. Naturally I was surprised and pleased. She was in Boston with her sisters. Going home to Bingham today. If it hadn't stormed Monday, she had planned to come out. Forgot to mention that the 'no-school' signal blew Monday for the first time in seven years for all grades.
Bruce is playing basketball on the First Parish Senior team now. Started on the Junior team. Last week they went into Boston and played at Trinity Church in Copley Square. Said the Parish house, where they played is way up at the top of Trinity.
Friday Apr 1, 1932
Cloudy
March went out like a whole menagerie last night. Such a wind! With rain!! I couldn't sleep the first of the night. I never like it when the wind is whooping it up.
April 29, 1932
A gorgeous day. We have had several lovely days, then yesterday morning we had a freeze. It didn't seem to do any damage I our neighborhood.
Forsythias have been in bloom for about a week. Jonquils and hyacinths are going by, lawns will soon be needing a haircut - that is the cared for lawns. Violets are blossoming on our lawn.
Sat June 18, 1932
Twenty-two years ago Harold and I were married. On a Sat., too.
Lucille is in Buck Hill Falls, Pennsylvania doing waitress work in a large resort Hotel. A lovely place by her description, although she grumbles about the food, and gets lonely at times.
Cedric graduated from Brockton High last evening in a class of 518. Class day was Wednesday. Exercises in the high School Auditorium in the forenoon and on the Eldon Keith Athletic Field in the afternoon. At the field, all classes marched and it was a wonderful sight to see the thousands of young people marching in, banners and flags, crowds, blue sky, green foliage and turf. The boys all wore white duck pants, white shirts, and little bow ties in their class colors. The girls word white with Colonial hats in black, military capes of a thin blue material lined with the same material in red hanging from their shoulders. The News Reel Camera man was there as well a private ones. O, I nearly forgot- the School band was a snappy accent note - (in more ways than one) with their brilliant scarlet uniforms and snappy marches and drum major.
Friday Aug. 12, 1932
Clear & cool
We have bought a house! Deedy we have - perhaps to our sorrow, but we hope to our satisfaction. It is nothing wonderful - simply a white story and half cottage with a one story ell addition containing kitchen, bath, and back room - seven rooms and bath. Three bedrooms upstairs. The lot is 65 X 130 - not very large. But we can raise quite a bit at that - once we conquer the witch grass.
Of course, Harold may be sent somewhere else at anytime, but that is part of the gamble. At any rate, I am out of a city flat and can fuss over borers, aphis, and cutworms. More later.
In June sometime, Mr. Owens picked up a very young bluejay that had fallen from its nest in a tree in front of the rectory. The little chap was right in the road but unhurt. We rigged up a pasteboard cradle in a lilac bush at the edge of the lot - near Hamel's kitchen - for him but he was too lively for that. The parent birds came and bunted him out of the tree to make him fly, but he simply wasn't old enough. So the only thing I could do was to put him in our laundry that night for cats were numerous and keen hunters. We fed him bread softened in milk. The next day was Sunday and we wanted to go to the beach, so we put him out in the tree again in hopes his parents would feed him. Then we went away leaving his fate in the lap of the Gods! The gods must have been on the job for when we came home we found that one of the Hamel boys had picked him off the ground just before a black cat reached him. They kept him a week and he became as tame as a chicken, sitting out on the steps in the sun with the boys, hopping around after Mr. Hamel yelling to be fed. It was this yelling to be fed that got on Mrs. Hamel's nerves. She is a semi-invalid. So the following Sat. Bruce brought him over home. We have had him ever since I began adding raw egg to his bread and milk and his yells became infrequent. It was apparent that plain bread and mild was not sufficient.
Sunday Aug. 14, 1932
Fair - warm. A beautiful day!
A cat caught Ziggy last evening, but luckily Mrs. Lapham saw the cat spring and let out a terrific yell, which evidently startled the cat so that Ziggy got away. They came after me, Bruce climbed the tree and brought him down to me. He lost a tail feather or two - he has one heck of a time
with that long tail - one eye is hurt ( not seriously I hope and think) and the cats claws drew blood on his side. He was one badly frightened little bird and sore. But he seems quite well considering to-day but he will not go out! He can fly because he does around the house. But the world is a cruel place, he is bruised & wounded in body and spirit, so he insists on staying in the house where there are no cruel cats and he is pampered, petted and fed.
Cedric went down on the Cape with the Nye's again yesterday.
Harold and I drove down to Nantasket. The schooner Nancy of Philadelphia,- a five master that was thrown up on shore a few years ago is looking pretty seedy. She was thrown way, way up so that her bowsprit is nearly over the road and she sits way up there on the very evenest of keels! A fire burned part of her quite badly not long ago.
Ziggy loves to go down in the basement when H or someone of the family is working down there. Then he has a most wonderful time hiding nuts, nails, even small tools! But ch-r-r-r what a perfectly ter-r-ible place it is if he has to stay there five minutes alone!
I have been leaving the rear kitchen window open for him to come in and go out of. There is a large shade tree beside the house there where he spends considerable time. When he gets hungry he glides down onto the sill and with a series of screeches he announces his desire to be fed. Sometimes he gets into the dining room looking for me if I happen to be upstairs. He loves the living room but for certain reasons we don't appreciate his staying in either Dining or Living room. But today I have spread newspapers wherever he has wanted to stay.
Thurs. Sept. 1, 1932
Another spasm of trying to write with the right hand!
Yesterday we had an eclipse of the sun. It was 99% here and total down on the Cape, center passing thru Provincetown. The birds and fowl prepared for bed. The roosters had a grand crow. It was partly cloudy, but not enough to prevent a good view except just at the darkest moment. Hope at the places where they were making scientific observations that cloud was somewhere else!
A fellow on Dewey Ave gave Bruce an old model T Ford touring car. He worked hard all day yesterday tearing it to pieces. The body and mud guards he dumped, the rest is in the basement. Heavens know what he can do with it, I don't, but he will probably have a grand time planning.
Thurs. Sept. 8, 1932
We took a flying trip up to Bingham Sunday. No planning at all. Just decided at supper time that we would start early the next morning. We did. 4:15 AM and reached B at a bit before 2 that afternoon. Poor B. Absolutely flat except for the tourist trade which has been good in spite of the depression. Seemed good to see old friends again, tho we didn't see all. Left at 7 Mon. morn and reached home at 7 that evening. Stayed at Mont Beans cabins.
This morning I fixed my dish of cornflakes then went into the other room for a paper. When I came back, Ziggy was very busily eating them! He looked cute. Terrific wind today so he is spending most of his time indoors. Suppose he plans to stay in all winter?
Sat Oct. 1, 1932
Regular fall weather. Heavy cold, streaky clouds, pale watery sunshine dribbling thru now and then. Yellow leaves, red apples, flock of birds.
Ziggy still here- at times. A big boy now, he has many things to do. Apparently he is all over Whitman as reports come in from here and there. His favorite sport is plopping down on clotheslines when women are hanging out the family wash.
Both girls are home. Lucille starts in as a hostess at the Toll House, Monday.
Went into mothers last Sunday. Dot and Dele start for New York tomorrow to look for work. Maybe Philadelphia before they return. Business is picking up but slow.
Sun Oct. 30, 1932
Ziggy died two weeks ago today. Another cat. Ethel Gassett and another girl rescued him but it was too much for the poor bird. Really think the shock killed him.
Lucille still at Toll House. Likes it very much and hopes that business keeps up so she can stay. As the Wakefields leave for an extended trip to the Pacific Coast and Honolulu and S. America, I imagine she will be there all winter barring accidents.
Planted a few Crocuses yesterday.
We went up to Stanley's three weeks ago. Brought home some 'Mums'...a small yellow one and a bronze pompon one. In spite of rain, winds, and freezes there are still few blooms. I cut all the good blooms when I set them out. Also planted three Madonna Lilies.
We're painting the girls' room...the trim a pale cream. We also have taken off the old paper and have a green stippled effect paper to hang. Harold has built a bookcase in the small room off the Living room so I have that to paint white to match the rest of the woodwork.
Nov. 9, 1932
The G.O.P. was washed under for fair in yesterday's election. The weather was very wet, as wet as the victorious Democrats. Of course I voted for Hoover, but not being a betting person I have lost nothing. We had to go over to Brockton to vote. Ward 7 Precinct B . We went Republican around this part of the state even tho the state as a whole went Democratic.
Guess there will be quite a celebration here Armistice Day. The Rockland High School Band, the Whitman High and Whitman Bugle and Drum Corps. Both boys play.
The bedroom is about finished. If and when we have some clear weather so I can have the window open I have a bit more to paint on the sash. We papered Sunday! I have painted the floor Tan, goes very well with the woodwork. Lucille has purchases a three piece Maple set...four poster bed, low-boy dressing table and Salem Chest. That will be brought over the last of the week. Get the new drapes made, the rabbit eared chair fixed and a ruffled seat made for it and a few other little things and we'll have one room looking quite fit.
Friday Nov. 25, 1932
Thanksgiving has gone once more. Lucille had to work. The boys had to play for the High School game in the forenoon. Harold went to the game in the afternoon so we had dinner at night. Had a 15 lb. turkey from next door. One I watched grow up.
Wed Dec. 7
Dot and Wendell out the Sunday after Thanksgiving. So used to including Mother with them, I wrote her name without thinking. It was such a cold day I didn't expect any of them out.
Lucille bought us a maple wing chair and Ò2-passengerÓ seat for a Christmas present. She thought we wouldn't mind having them ahead of time and indeed we didn't! As I have finished the built in bookshelves the little room looks quite swanky. Now for an embroidered map for the wall, a reading lamp (floor) and a maple cricket!
Went down to Assinippi (Snapit) yesterday afternoon with Mrs. Lapham; Phyllis going also. Went down to her mother's. The house is literally bursting with braided rugs, braided silk mats, quilts and embroidered pieces of all descriptions. She did have 75 pair of lace edged embroidered pillowcases! She does the crocheting too! She is lame and spends hours every day. Her eyesight must be very god for a woman 73.
Sun Dec. 11, 1932
Had our first snowstorm yesterday and today. About two inches of snow. Our street has been alive with coasters all day. wouldn't have supposed that such a small amount of snow could give such a good time. Our street runs down a small hill from Washington Street. Such an easy hill that at home only the small ones would use it, but as any steeper hills are very rare around here, every age is coasting on it.
Dorothy and Wendell were here for a few minutes. Phyl is going in town to pose for him tomorrow.
Jan 23, 1933
How far apart my writing are! We have had a wonderful winter. Today we have had windows open all day and I wore no wraps when hanging out the wash. The ground has been frozen only by spells. The snowstorm mentioned in the last entry only remained a few days and we have had none worth recording since. Pussywillows and mayflowers are reported in many places and only a few weeks ago I found a dandelion bloom in our back yard. California on the other hand has been having a tough winter. A real snowstorm on the coast! Had a letter from Mrs. Ormond in Berkeley.
Dorothy, Wendell, Mother, Stanley and Lillian were here Christmas and so we had a wonderful day. And Dorothy, Wendall, & Mother gave us an oil painting of Wendall's called Rockport Harbor, which by the way will soon come out on a Jig Saw Puzzle.
Sat Jan 28, 1933
Our be-eau-tiful weather! Alas poor Yorrick! The last three days we have had an old rip snorter of a Nor'easter. And How! Not much precipitation - only a thin coating of snow, rain and sleet - a slippery concoction. The heavy surf is doing great damage all up and down the Atlantic coast. But it is not cold. Just barely freezing here.
Who should drop in this afternoon but Harry Haskell. Were surprised! Harold reached home just after he had gone. Harry promised Garm (Garm is Harold's mother) that he would come out and look us up if he finished his business in time. He leaves for Portland tonight so we couldn't persuade him to stay to tea.
Still puttering away at painting the inside of the house. Have put one coat on the outside of the bathtub and the wooden top rim. Both were a mustard color with wavy lines supposed to represent graining but which is only possible to describe by saying it looked more like a stiffly marcelled head of hair. Most chawming effect I assure you.
Now while waiting till I get regular bathtub enamel I have started on the boys room and have the radiator dolled up.
Sun Feb. 12, 1933
We had a real snowstorm yesterday. Only about six or possibly 8 inches - more in other places, but the papers have made the most of it. It wasn't windy nor even very cold so they had to admit that all it did was to slow up automobile traffic after the shouting was over. The day or so before the storm was cold enough to suit anyone tho above zero.
Put in a coil around one of the burners in the kitchen range that is supposed to heat water quickly and efficiently. But so far it is a disappointment...not as satisfactory as the old regular range coil.
Sat March 4, 1933
Franklin D. Roosevelt was sworn in as President of this U.S.A. today. Of course we tuned in and heard the most important part - the oath and speech of acceptance - no, I guess that should be Inaugural speech.
Banks all declared a holiday today for two banking days - Sat. and Monday. Puts rather a crimp in things. Well, we can only wait and see what happens now,
My coil works splendidly now, All a matter of drafts.
Aunt Emma Stoddard died a week ago last Thursday - of cancer. Went to her funeral last Sunday at Assinippi. Saw Aunt Lottie and Uncle Charles for the first time since we left North Hanover. Recognized 'em, too, by Joe!
Two weeks ago today, Harold and I went into Boston right after dinner. Harold bought a spring topcoat of tweed. Then we did window shopping and wandered thru Jordans, went up to Wendells studio and said 'hello-goodbye' to Wendell and Dot who was posing for him, back and had a bite at one of the Waldorf places - 'the Sign of the Red Apple' you know. Saw a picture 'The Match King' a take off on Kruger, then out to our main objective - the Commonwealth Armory where we saw two Polo games and exhibition riding by the Cavalry troop. These games are not advertised, but Harold heard about it at a Masonic meeting. Who should be there but Seward Mariner and his mother! Heard with great regret of the passing of Mr. M - very suddenly last spring.
Mother and Dot are planning on going to New York soon - although I presume their plans may be changed owing to the banking situation. I expect them out a week from tomorrow and perhaps the much talked of 'New Deal' will be perking by then.
Wed April 12, 1933
Mother and Dot are in New York. Have a tiny apartment at Cooper Union.
Very rainy spring. No chance to plant the things that should be planted early.
Bruce fixed up and stripped down an old Model T Ford! All the boys in the neighborhood had a great time with it. About ten days ago he gave it away to some of them and yesterday they wrecked it. We nicknamed it 'The Tarantula' because it was all legs when viewed scampering down the street.
Robins, bluebirds, tree swallows are here. Song and Tree sparrows have been and gone, also the juncos, although there is occasionally one or two out here. Mr. Ford's crocuses are about done blooming, but mine being in a shadier place are just budding.
Phyllis, Lucille and myself spent Monday in town. Lucille bought one of the new three piece suits - a skirt, jacket, and long swagger coat. It is a nice suit in gray. R.H.Whites. I bought a hat at Jordan Marsh's and a pair of pigskin gloves in white at Filenes. I also bought Cedric some Pajamas at White's and a blue checked breakfast cloth of Belgian linen at T.D.Whitney's. Were we tired!!!
Am painting the bathroom walls a light cream.
Thurs. Morn Apr 13, 1933
A terrible storm. Rained terrifically yesterday afternoon and the first half of the night...then in the wee small hours of the morning it snowed! There is at least an inch of snow and goodness knows how much slush! The wind is howling and it is trying to snow rain and sleet all at the same time. I am worried about the birds and flowers. It has been a devilish spring all along. Our backyard is a sea of slush and our cellar has 2 or 3 inches of water!
Sat May 27, 1933
Of course, spring came along all O.K. after several false starts and setbacks. We are really having summer now. Just this present time however, it is kicking up a fuss. A cold raw sea fog blew in after dinner on a Nor'east wind and now thunder is muttering and grumbling real peevishly somewhere over on the western horizon. Now it begins to send a few mean slashes of rain against the windows and the wind is moaning around the crevices. A blues singer.
We have a Ford V8 Town Sedan. A second hand last year's model but we enjoy it just as much. A week ago last Wednesday I went over to Brockton and took my examination and road test and now I have added Massachusetts to my list of driving licenses. I find it very handy.
Wendell here a few minutes.
We went up to Methuen last Sun. to see Stan and Lillian. They have some lovely flowers.
Sat Dec. 16, 1933
My chronicles will be noted for their stretches of silence.
Bruce is going to Quincy Trade school taking up Auto Mechanics and Cedric is going to Northeastern University in Boston in the Engineering Division. Both travel by train on scholars tickets which are very reasonable. Cedric's hours are long. It is hard to commute, but he is on the honor roll and seems in better physical condition than at the beginning.
Mother and Dot are back from New York and have an apartment in Brookline. A lovely little place, one that makes me wish that we could live in an apartment, too.
Cousin Robert Stoddard has rented his house at Assinippi and gone to Florida for the winter. He is in St. Petersburg at present. He said...before he went!...that he was going to look the place over with an eye to locating there the year around.
Very icy out today, but above freezing and looks like more rain, so we hope it will be better traveling before night.
* Tuesday Jan 9, 1934
Lucille, Bee Philbrick and Marian Lewis sail this afternoon from New York on the 'Queen of Bermuda' for a week's cruise to Bermuda and Nassau. They left here yesterday. They all wanted to go but fussed a bit over spending so much, but we all urged them to go while young, single and able. So with oodles of borrowed clothes away they went. Of course, they bought things, too! Lucille has a tomato red dinner gown with lots of steel bead work. Very becoming.
Plenty of winter. Not long ago, it broke the record here...18 degrees below zero in the morning and 5 degrees below was the highest it was able to climb that day at all! In Maine we would not have wondered at that at all, but here, that is another story as they say.
Dot and Wendell have washed up their romance and put it away.
* Sat Jan 13, 1934
Warm and threatening rain. Radio says rain
Went in town Thursday morning and bought me a new coat and 'bunnit'. Black coat with a kit Fox Collar Ñ a nice full furred one. A dinky little black glistening hat that perches side wise a la mode. Not covering one eye as formerly because Dame Fashion says now 'hats off the face'. La! La! and Pooh!
Went into Liggets Drug Store in downtown Washington St and someone exclaimed, 'Why Mrs. Coleman, where did you come from?' I replied in the same manner and even more so because the speaker was Gertrude Givens Batchelder Emery of Bingham.
After lunch that consisted of a Chocolate Ice Cream Soda at Jordans Basement Lunch Counter, I went out to Mothers in Brookline and Phyllis came over and we wore out our tongues. Back to the Lunch Counter a Swedish woman was beside me, and we chatted away - I always manage that -- and she informed me she had eaten there for 40 yrs when in town. Said that when she first came there it consisted of a big sideboard with a mirror and a counter. I understood her to say that the rest of the space was the 'cashiering place' and very noisy. I wondered how the place could be any noisier than at the present time but didn't ask. She said 'yust' for 'just' etc. I love poking around and talking to people Ñ one of the advantages of middle age.
Harold just phoned that the Boston Post has an account of a coasting accident in Bingham - on the Mayfield road hill I believe. Anyway, Louis Cassidy was killed. He was Bruce's age. Bingham has sure had hard times the last few years. Bank closing - shank mill leaving - four suicides; Milford Baker's and the other chap whose name eludes me just this minute, double drowning last spring and now a coasting fatality - the only one I ever knew them to have. there have been broken bones, but no deaths.
* Sat. Jan 20, 1934
Clear, coldish
The girls came back Tuesday. Had a grand time. Lucille was seasick some. Quite rough going out. L-brought back some sunburned back and shoulders from laying on the beach at Nassau.
Evening school has been started here for the unemployed. As long as housework is not considered any thing when working in your own home, I barged in. English and Bookkeeping.
* Monday Jan 29, 1934
Nearly zero at noontime and one whale of a cold gale blowing! Bad fire in Fall River raging this forenoon. Help called from Brockton. Gale 60 miles an hour so imagine they are having a hard time.
Phyllis left yesterday for Ormond Beach, Florida. Waitress work in a hotel..special bus from New York City. Margaret went also.
Lucille flew the coop also. For a week in Bingham. Home Saturday at the latest.
* Wednesday Jan 31, 1934
Still cold, but not as cold as it has been. Letter from Phyllis mailed at Fredericksburg, Va - their first stop. Quite an adventure.
Bruce has been laid up for a week and a half with a badly wrenched knee. It still looks mean, but he strenuously objects to having the doctor again. Says all he does is jot notes in a little black book and tells me to do things I am already doing. I'm afraid he is partly right, tho' I don't admit it out loud.
We have a pencil portrait of Bruce that Phyllis just made a short time ago. A wonderful likeness.
* Sat Feb 10, 1934
Still cold, but I think the spell is broken...15 to 30 degrees below zero is some cold for this section. No school here yesterday, nor in many places.
Bruce not only had the Dr. once again, but many times. Last Sunday, Dr. Moore of Brockton opened up an immense abscess on his knee.
Phyllis arrived at Ormond Beach safely after a very cold ride. She writes that it is a beautiful place and the most wonderful beach she has ever seen.
Lucille also arrived home safely with tales of deep snow and long spells of sub-zero weather.
* Monday June 4, 1934
What a journal!
Bruce eventually recovered and returned to school.
Cedric finished his Freshman year at Northeastern April 7th. I believe. He snared a job as Assistant Radioman on the Training Ship Nantucket - hence the clippings. He ought to have a great summer while earning some money for school next year.
Phyllis left Ormond Beach April 28 and reached home three or four days later. In time to see Cedric and bid him bon voyage. The Nantucket was scheduled to sail the 12th but they held a big celebration and parade to welcome the Constitution home, and they staid over to participate. We went over Old Ironsides once again and stood on the dock and gazed admiringly at the German Cruise and Training ship, the Karlsruhe. Because of the Anti-Nazi demonstrations, no one was allowed on board without a card from the German Consul.
Phyllis left this morning for Granliden Hotel at Lake Sunapee, N.H. where she has worked the past two summers. She hopes to get into the Mass School of Art this fall.
* Oct. 18, 1934
Oct 13th we had snow! Enough so the roofs were white and patches of white on the ground.
Cedric returned from his trip abroad. Phyllis from Granliden, and Bruce from Brant Rock. All with a bit of cash for winter. Cedric is back at Northeastern, Bruce at Trade and Phyllis at Mass Art. Lucille had a tilt with Mrs. Wakefield and dramatically walked out of the Toll House.
* January 1, 1935
Snow
This year will try and write in Diary form.
Lucille is working in Boston at Cafe Silhouette and starts Evening School next week. The rest of the family doing as usual - Phyllis at Mass art, Cedric at Northeastern, Bruce - Quincy Trade.
Expected the folks down today - but not in this storm. Cedric was talking (by dots and dashes) with a chap in Baltimore, MD. last evening and he reported two inches of snow and still falling. I decided then that no family party would be just ourselves.
Bruce and other boys in this neighborhood went to Brockton to a Midnight Show. I heard him come in in the wee small hours, but as he is, at this writing, still pounding his ear, I have received no report.
* Wed Jan 2
Fair. Cold. Windy
Our storm changed to rain and later it cleared and froze, so everyone is navigating very circumspectly this morning.
Lucille not able to return to her work this morning because of her cold.
Sally - (E.C.Ford's Guernsey calf) gave birth to a son yesterday, so now she is a full-fledged cow. We'll probably continue to speak of her as Ford's Calf for some time to come for such is the force of habit.
The past few weeks I have been obsessed (perhaps that is too strong a word but 'twill do) with the idea that this coming year is going to bring big changes to us as a family. I am recording this idea so as to find out if there is anything in it. I hope it will be all-good!
* Thurs. Jan 3
Fair warmer
Lucille went back this morning. She starts Evening School tonite if she feels able. Review of her business subjects.
Very icy here. Guess Northern N.E. got a humdinger of a snow storm on New Years.
We all went into Mother's on the afternoon of Christmas day. Had a lot of fun. Stan and Lillian weren't there, tho. They went to some of her people.
Bruce played Basketball at High School last evening. Rest of us home. So was he at a bit after nine.
* Tues. Jan 8, 1935
Warm & foggy.
So warm we have had to let the furnace fire go out.
Things have already begun to happen in the family. Who scoffs at intuition? Aunt Ada called me up from her home in Assinippi yesterday forenoon, and said they were going to take Maude (Cora's sister) away for observation and that the Selectmen wanted Mother's address because they were getting the consent of the family. She was rather incoherent or perhaps vague about details and 'fussed' up. So I decided to go down after lunch. Just as I was getting ready she called up again, but didn't bother to talk when I told her that I was coming down. I went and talked with her and I think I succeeded in at least partially reconciling her. Then she told me where the Selectman lived who came to see her and I found him. He was cautious in his replies at first...poor man!...but when he discovered that I was on his side, he told me that they had already taken her. They had to break down the door to get in but she behaved very well on the trip.
This morning I had a note from Mother and I'll say she is sizzling! So if we don't have our hands full and one grand row for the next few weeks I miss my guess. There is Jennie still to be heard from! It would do them all good to go to the psychopathic I'm thinking.
* Thursday, Jan 10, 1935
Warm & rainy
The fog has kept shipping and planes almost at a complete standstill. As the paper put it this morning - paraphrasing Buick's slogan - 'When bigger and better fogs are made, let London have them'.
Sally is giving about 14 quarts of milk a day! I expect to see milk seeping out under the doors over there before long. Sally made very little fuss when they took away her calf.
Bruce drove the school truck home last night, to bring his big cabinet he had the school tin shop make.
Have written in regard to State Civil Service exams for Clerical Workers to be given in March.
* Wed. Jan 16, 1935
Fair, cold & windy.
We've been having a few days of shivers after our thawing out.
Maude has been committed to Foxboro, thank goodness. Jennie (sister of Cora & Maude) & Mother act as if they had been insulted! Mad as mad. I give up trying to understand such a bunch. They are so wroth with the ones who did it! Phyllis says they are plain selfish and thinking only of themselves. Would rather Maude should live in misery and squalor, unfit to look after her needs, than to have to think that they had a sister in an Insane Hospital. I think she has diagnosed the case correctly. There certainly seems no other possible explanation outside Insanity on their part!
Bruce sprained his ankle last Thursday evening playing basketball. As Lucille remarked when she saw him on crutches, 'It wouldn't be winter and it wouldn't be Bruce if he didn't have something the matter.
* Friday Jan 25, 1935
Fair & Cold
It was 6 to 8 below zero this morning. The coldest this winter so far. We have had two snow storms since I wrote last, the one on Wednesday being a humdinger of a Nor'easter, tying everything up in knots.
I went into Boston that morning. The weather man said we might have a light snow that afternoon. Luckily for my comfort of mind I came home on the 1:06 out of Boston.
Went to State House and left my Civil Service application, then hunted up Lucille's room. Ash barrels, garbage and dirty snow all over Beacon Hill. If they didn't pick it up that afternoon it must be there yet! Lucille said the barrels were put out Mon. night or early Tuesday. If a few inches of snow ties the city up what about this last one?
* Wed March 20, 1935
A nice springlike day. A fat Robin hopping around in the Meadow looking for eats. A songs sparrow trying to fill the whole world with melody -'Ain't it a grand and glorious feeling?'
Bruce is working at the Whitman Ford Garage. Lucille comes home this week and starts in the Office of the Carver Cotton Gin Co. on next Monday.
* Monday April 22, 1935
Garm (* this would be Harold's grandmother Carney ) died March 22 on Bruce's 21st birthday. We went to Portland on Saturday Ñ Harold, Cedric and myself. We stayed with Bessie that night and Sunday we (Bessie also) went to Bingham. Harry went with the body to Waterville by train. There are no trains nowadays beyond there, so Arlie met us there with the hearse. We drove back to Whitman that night. Lillie (* this would be Harold's mother ) had a second stroke a short time before Garm died so couldn't go.
On Thursday, March 28, Dorothy was married at Trinity Church by Dr. Kinsolving. The man in the case is Frederick Stebbins. Can't tell much about him as I only met him 2 days before the ceremony.
Last Friday, Apr 19, Harold and I drove to Portland and back. His mother is steadily failing and it is just a question of time. She is absolutely helpless.
Lucille and Billy are house hunting! They want to be married soon. Now what about hunches? The worst of it is I feel there is more to come. Hope it is just an overdose creating echoes in my mind and being confused with the real thing.
* Wed. Aug. 14, 1935
Lillie passed away on April 23rd, I think. She was taken with pneumonia on Sunday. That meant another trip to Portland and Bingham for Harold and me. Cedric didn't go and Bessie was in Washington D.C.
Lucille & Billie were married at Rev. Edwin Gibson's on the evening of May 29th and left immediately for Bingham. They have a little Bungalow in W. Bridgewater and Lucille is still working at the Carver Cotton Gin. They are furnishing their place entirely in maple. Heavy stuff to move, but as durable as oak and will stand as much punishment, I believe.
Bruce enlisted in the Army Air Corps for service in Panama and left here sometime the latter part of May. Sailed from Fort Slocum, N.Y. on June 6th. He seems to find things bearable and seems to be standing the climate well. In his last letter he wrote that he thought his blood was thinning out as he wasn't perspiring quite as much.
Cedric sailed on the Nantucket again, on May 11th, I think. But after visiting Gloucester, Norfolk and Wash. D.C. they came back to Newport R.I. to pick up a new Executive - no a Navigating Officer. Cedric called up from there, he obtained 24 hr. leave and I drove down and brought him up and took him back the next day. He sailed from Newport the same day as Bruce from New York.
Phyllis is back at Granliden, so Harold and I have been alone all summer.
Lucille took her Maple bedroom set of course, so when the August Sales commenced, I went in town and bought one to replace it. Not as nice a one, but solid Vermont Maple - with twin beds.
Stanley has been transferred back to Worcester. I believe he goes Sept. 1st. Haven't seen them so lack details.
1951
October 15, 1951: 1059 Beacon Street, Brookline, Mass
Lucille's birthday. Was out over week-end. Gave her a pair of nylons.
Back working at 681 Beacon St. again. Korea and rest of world unrest good for their business. They have enlarged greatly since I left in '49. Now have contracts for Army & Air Force as well as Navy. Most of my crowd are back.
Washed my hair and made pin curls this evening. Also wrote to Boston Globe for two tickets to a travel lecture they are giving on Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands on Oct 30. Quite exciting!
At present testing components. Calibration occasionally - plenty later.
Tues, Oct 16, 1951
Another clear fine day. Walked up to Georgia's after dinner. As usual she was drained dry by her job. Couldn't arouse much enthusiasm for an Antique Show in Cambridge next week. Left there and took car for Copley and went to the Library and browsed a bit. Picked up the pamphlet on the Library doings this month.
One of the roomers here made the tabloids by trying to end it all by jumping from one of the bridges. But didn't make it as a cab driver grabbed him before he could do so. He is in some hospital tonight. I was told he was at Pearl Harbor when the Japs attacked. He is lame and I understand it was then that he acquired the limp. I thought he probably had an accident or perhaps polio.
Sun, Oct 21, 1951
Beautiful Oct day. Went no where special this weekend. Planned to go to N.H. house hunting, but put off writing to Real Estate dealer in Milford so hadn't heard from him.
Bought two corduroy skirts and one blouse at Sears yesterday. One skirt is a deep rust - a ruddy rust - not an orangey tint- and the other gold. The blouse matches the gold-maybe I should call them a tawmy yellow.
This morning I attended services at the Second Church of Boston Unitarian. Sermon good but service more formal C of E than the Unitarian Church at Sanford, Maine or West Bridgewater. After dinner had a nap then walked up to Coolidge Corner, down Pleasant Street and after another right turn, found myself on St. Paul St. I followed that out to Commonwealth - turned right there, then right onto Mountfort (I believe) right again onto Carleton and presto, one more right and I was back to 1059 Beacon. I couldn't help but think of how lost one would be if the place was bombed as some of the cities of Europe have been. For here buildings and street signs are our only landmarks in this man made maze, destroy them and there is nothing left.
My radio went dead tonight just as I wanted a program. There has been something wrong with it for a long, long time as tubes do not last.
The giggly males are back from their weekend home. They have the room next to me and are a noisy pair. No one would mind if they quit at a reasonable hour, but until after midnight is not reasonable, especially for working people, Mrs. K. scolds and threatens but it does no permanent good.
November 8, 1951
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