May 1960
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 1, 1960
Picked Carrie up and told her we wouldn’t be at home. Going to cabin. Earlier Geo stopped and took us no. of Hebron and back before 8:00. Fast times I’d say. Cleaned cupboards etc. Couldn’t clean stove but will later. Cleaned fireplace, Lo vacuumed living room. I shook rugs.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 2, 1960
Decided to start washing until Edna picked me up to go to church to cleans refrigs. Were there about an hour. Not difficult. Clothes drying fine as it was so windy. Finished and so tired lied down for a while. Later Ole came, was still here when Loie came. She took him home as he was pretty tired. Then she mowed, looks fine. Cooked here while she mowed as we were late. Cats hungry. Later the ponies were turned out and did they ever have fun running.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 3, 1960
Mrs. B. came over for coffee and to have a little read. Did ironing after she left. Was going to have a rest when Bess arrived for the P.M. Later the [?] dropped in. Lo late coming home so took Bess home and went to cabin alone. I had dishes to do and eat a little supper, then Mrs. B. came. Edna called for us to pick Carrie up for service class. A good attendance.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 4, 1960
Went to Mrs. B.’s for coffee. Made a little cake before noon and decided to go to WSCS. Out with Loie broiled steak. Stayed for Perry’s show and This is your life.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 5, 1960
Rained in the nite and early this A.M. Finally cleared off. Mrs. B. here. Later out to clean up alley and around. In P.M. became cloudy and rained. Lo late again coming home. Went out in the rain. Fire in fire place felt good so damp.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 6, 1960
Had worked all day. At noon Lo went for eggs. Pink called at noon. Said K.J. wanted to come down and did at 7:30. We hurried in to meet train. Stayed up late to watch TV.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 7, 1960
K.J. in bed until 12:30. Lo came and took us to cabin at 1:30. Cooney had kittens (dead). Miserable day had to broil steak inside. Had green beans, corn, browned potatoes, blueberry pie and coffee. Men didn’t stay long.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 8, 1960
Up early. Ate. Lo and Geo. to cabin everything O.K. A miserable A.M. Later Geo. came and took us to Hebron and north to show us the house. Home for coffee and a bite. K.J. needed something. Left here about 12:30. Didn’t eat until 2:30. Left for home at 6:00 rained most of the way.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 9, 1960
Another miserable day. Rained off and on. Mrs. B. came over had coffee and toast. Fixed meat loaf and sc. pot. Mooney had 2 kittens (big) (didn’t live!). Lo shopped at noon also eve. at Piggley Wiggley. Went to see Carrie. Her cold bad.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 10, 1960
Went to attic, took down curtains and washed them. Later ironed them. Washed windows. Got them up again. Picked up everything and mopped floor and stairs. Mighty chilly up there. Glad to get downstairs. Glad we found no colts that eve. too cold for them. Went to see Carrie that is Loie did, took her some chicken we had left.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 11, 1960
Washed and hung on porch no rain predicted. Dried before I went to bed. Called for hair appt. for Thursday. Washed car as it looked awful and did some baking. Also made rubarb [sic] sauce.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 12, 1960
Up and cleaned up everything. Nice and bright but chilly. Lo picked me up at 10:20 for hair appt. Walked over to office at noon. Lo had car there. Had lunch and she to have her hair done. We planned to go to Elgin. Heard from Auntie Uncle W bad. Had an easy eve. meal. — Started out for once in day lite. As Lo stopped at Big [?] Rd. a woman driving made a left hand turn and ran into us. Ruined Lo’s car on her side. Could drive O.K. so continued after cops checked. Uncle W not good but knew us.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 13, 1960
Slept pretty good last nite, Lo to work early. Drove her car down for Russel to see etc. Mrs. B. wanted me to come for coffee so did. Cleaned out some windows and sills. A little shaky so didn’t do too much. Later in P.M. Mrs. B. came over and sat in back yard.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 14, 1960
Mrs. B. going to Ruth’s. Washed the screens, a nice day, warmer. Cooked meal for eve. Doc stopped to look at car. Ole came in P.M. so glad Loie wasn’t hurt. Stayed until 9:30 at cabin. Doc wanted to see gun smoke. Misty had a colt (male). Guess “Anthony Armstrong Jones.”
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 15, 1960
Up early. Got Carrie as usual. She hadn’t seen the article in the paper concerning accident. She came after church and stayed until 4:00. Later we picked Bess up and rode to Rawson and Foreman farms. Bess thrilled of course. The ride was so beautiful and so warm. Came back and had coffee then rode around town and took her home. Sat and talked till Hoddy came from ‘ballgame.’
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 16, 1960
No wash day but washed. Hung porch full. Some dried so hung more. Rained before we left cabin, stopped pretty much when we got in so Lo went to Piggley and to bed early. Rained hard in nite.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 17, 1960
70 years ago started for USA. Another cloudy day and has showered some. Screen men didn’t come as it rained. Mrs. B. came over, she not a bit good. Ironed after she went home and fixed cat food.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 18, 1960
Washed rugs from back room and Loie’s. In the midst when Loie called to say men were coming. So stopped washing and brot screens out. She came home of course took about half hour. Insurance adjuster came. He hadn’t realized it was so bad. It will take about two weeks all told. Later washed porch rug and porch, such a good drying day. We came in early Lo mowed front.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 19, 1960
Rained in nite so Loie glad to have mowed. Didn’t get porch windows washed but rug looks clean. It is raining off and on. I had a good nap this P.M. It is so dark. Straightened up stairs this A.M. Put down clean rugs. Went over to Mrs. B. She going out this P.M. Might do her good.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 20, 1960
Geo had men cut the oak tree down near garage. Had been struck by lightning two years ago. Looks much better. K.J. called about 10:00. They were going to Iowa to see about K.J. entering colleges. Left early Sat. A.M. Went to Cornell first then Grinnell. Decided on last. Came home 1:30 Sun. A.M.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 21, 1960
Worked all day. Cooks ate with us in eve, also Jim. Honey had a colt, the ground so wet. Small gate into the yard left open and ponies had trampled the whole yard. All cut up and messed all over too. Surely looks bad. Everyone upset.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 22, 1960
Picked Carrie up as usual. Rode around a little. At 11:00 Lo took Lily out to Meyer’s home to feed fish. Carrie had come when she returned. We ate. In forenoon had picked up clothing for the drive. Took Carrie home about 3:30. Loie mowed back yard then we ate and took a ride to Foreman farm.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 23, 1960
Did a big washing. Mrs. B. called for me to come over. Hung line full and was thru washing and went over. Not too good drying early but all did later. Mrs. B. came in P.M. to sit in sun. Lo to market and A&P at noon. Eve. went to Piggley’s.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 24, 1960
Washed a blanket, Lo’s coat dresses etc. Later had Mrs. B. over for coffee, also fixed soup for us. Had quite a mess when Lo came at noon. She wanted to go to florist about ordering plants so did that. When she reached office Stephany called to have her bring her car down, they would start working on it. Surely miss having it. Lo and G.B. got the plastic off porch. I swept up a little in garage. Never enough time to do much.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 25, 1960
Mrs. B. had her hair done. I couldn’t get appt. so will struggle along. Didn’t get into too much as Circle met this P.M. at Mrs. Peterson’s. Charlotte showed pictures, very nice, Mrs. P. narrated. Last meeting women presented officers with gifts. Came home about 4:00. Had to ride out with gas. In early. Pres. spoke. Good. K.J. called, coming down Friday nite bringing friend and folks may come Sunday.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 26, 1960
Went to Mrs. B.’s she called me but didn’t stay too long. Had lots of things to do. She came into yard late P.M. so we visited. Later Lo went to store had to make 2 trips (no car). Then she mowed front yard. I swept walks. Then we put up swing. Too chilly and damp to sit.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 27, 1960
K.J. and Jeanne came at 7:45. Got Geo’s car to go to Carrie’s and meet the train. Didn’t get to bed too early. Mrs. B. came over. Her sister coming Saturday.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 28, 1960
Happy day. Lo got her car before noon. K.J. left word wanted to get up at 7:30 but had set alarm and were up and down to eat before Lo left. Geo picked them up, they were back after stopping down town. Lo took us out at noon. Girls fussed with ponies. Jeannie spent all P.M. with them. Cooks came to eat with us. Home early. Girls had baths and to bed reasonably early.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 29, 1960
Up at 6:00, had breakfast. Doc had coffee and a cookie. Geo. ate and went. We up to cemetery with boxes. Came back. Lo made sandwiches and I coffee. Went to Carrie’s and took her to cemetery to see graves. Then the girls and we went to the sale. Were gone all day. The rain ruined the sale to some extent. Got home at six. Lo to office, later we went to cabin and stayed all nite.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 30, 1960
Came in at 10:00 thinking Jean was to go to Milwaukee on 11:00. Called Beloit and found out she wasn’t to go. They came down around 3:00. Lo and I had a little rest. The girls glad they could stay awhile and worked on the ponies. Jean seemed happy to do it loved the ponies. Came in, loaded books and left for Beloit at 9:00 and we to bathe and go to bed.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 31, 1960
Washed, hung out all I had room for, then to have my hair done, a mess. Home to hang out rest. Dried nicely. Met, Hap visited, walked up street. Bertha in the car. Lo didn’t shop until eve. except for meat.