October 1960
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
October 1, 1960
Lo went to work, later I went over to see how things were and clean her part of porch and steps where men tracked. Lo went out to get kittens. Had found a home for them. Jim took care of Cooney’s kittens. Right now down to 4 but will be more soon. Did washing.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
October 2, 1960
Carrie didn’t feel like going to S.S. nor church. Pretty well tired out but not complaining, unpacking. We went over in P.M. and got everything for store room down in basement. Lo had to go to office a little work there.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
October 3, 1960
Cleaned part of kitchen back of stove etc. Lo shopped so took some things to Carrie. Baked our cake for Tues. eve. plus many other things such as a little ironing and scrubbed front porch.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
October 4, 1960
Baked another cake and it was ruined. As oven seemed so hot. Lo went at noon to get another package. That went O.K. Cleaned up every where and raked a little. Lo brot Carrie at 5:00 and Mrs. B. came before seven then Low came. 21 with the preacher. Decided not to go to C.L. in Nor. for meeting. Really tired got to bed after 1:00.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
October 5, 1960
Warmer today and sunny most of the time. Went to Carrie’s. Mrs. B.’s for coffee. No mail for C. so called Stones. They had gotten the mail so had Carrie’s check. Lo went down at noon to pick it up. Had a little rest but then back to work in the garage but was interrupted twice so gave it up.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
October 6, 1960
Started to wash as it was a good day. Went to Carrie’s for her sheets and cases. Talked with Mrs. B. as I couldn’t get thru in time to have her for coffee. Had ironed Carrie’s sheets and cases when Ole came. We had cake and coffee and enjoyed it. Thot he might go to Carrie’s but didn’t. We went to veg. stand and Bess’s she not home. Russo Reimer brot grapes for jelly.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
October 7, 1960
Did all ironing except 2 of Lo’s dresses that had to be dampened. Went to Carrie’s then called Mrs. B. to come over for coffee and did. Made custard and fixed macaroni for eve. Had taken grapes to Carrie as she wanted to make jelly. Out to cabin and listened to and watched debate of Nixon and Kennedy.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
October 8, 1960
Went over to Carries with papers etc. Baked and got ready for eve. Lo cooking steaks. Went to Mrs. B.’s in morning. About noon she went with Russel for weekend. Just as Lo was about to cook steaks Pink and Marian came. We sat up until after midnite.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
October 9, 1960
Up early as usual. Took Carrie to S.S. Pink and Marian up later. Went to see Carrie’s apt. Pink straightened fence in alley, then he and Marian did kitchen windows and put up Lo’s new thermometer. They didn’t stay to eat went to Elmhurst. Lo and I did storm windows then took Carrie home. Went and fed cats then Lo mowed back yard and we got things ready for dump.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
October 10, 1960
Jim picked up rubbish at noon. I forgot the mess outside. Cleaned window sills and windows men coming Wednesday. Really tired today. Lo shopped at noon. Mrs. B. came for coffee. I had been at Carrie’s she was doing grapes. I didn’t go over again had left over meat etc.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
October 11, 1960
Did some washing as it was such a good day. Jim had sawed up a lot of wood. G.B. had him pile it in garage. Cooked meat patties. Cooney wasn’t there to eat with the other 3 cats. Doesn’t seem possible we are down to 4 cats. Lo went to C.L. to take the train for city. Got back at 5:00. G.B. picked me up.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
October 12, 1960
Men came at 10 sharp to do windows. Took them less than one hour. Went to Carries 2 or 3 times. Lo picked her up at 12:30 to go to the church luncheon. I went over later. Mrs. Elfin went to Marges, Mrs. B. came in, also Mrs. McB. On way home had long chat with Katherine Renich.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
October 14, 1960
Mrs. B. planned on going home with Ruth’s men folks as they came over to bowl. Guess she waited until 11:00. Washed car in spite of rain as it was so dirty. Rain rinsed it thoroly didn’t try to dry. Salvation Army men came for papers etc. Glad to get rid of that.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
October 15, 1960
Baked pie and prepared things for eve. Cooks to eat with us. Jim very owly, mad at Helen. Lo asked him to stay and eat with us but he was too ornery. Late getting home Sat. nite.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
October 16, 1960
Up early as usual on Sun. A.M. After taking Carrie to S.S. Lo went over to try to get window opened but didn’t succeed. Think now the paint on the outside is interfering. She also cleaned unbeknown to C. [?] went to cabin and didn’t get home until after six. Lo did a lot of painting beside cleaning.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
October 17, 1960
Did get started early to wash but not enough room to hang half. Was at it most of the day. Mrs. B. came so rested while we drank coffee and ate cookies. Washed two spreads and my 3 rugs plus all the rest. Rugs and one spread not dry.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
October 18, 1960
Thot at first it wasn’t going to be such a good day but turned out fine. Had my hair done early. Came back and went to Carries and to Mrs. B.’s but didn’t stay.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
October 19, 1960
It rained in the nite and it was a most miserable day dark and gloomy until later when it turned cold. Snowed quite a bit and melted. Salvation Army came to Mrs. B.’s while I was there. Carrie not feeling a bit good. Her arm ached and she was real sick for a while in the PM. Did seem to get over it but looked badly. Finished my ironing.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
October 20, 1960
Woke up real early pitch dark. Phone rang right after six. Alice Joslyn called to say Doc Cook had heart attack and died at Boscobel early 1:30 or 2:00. Loie had a wild day here and there, errands etc. Carrie seemed some better but looks so thin. Mrs. B. came over then I made cookies for Loie to take to Helen’s. Later cooked ham for them. In eve. went up to see Helen. Looks awful but felt better talking with us.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
October 22, 1960
Hurried to do as much as possible, expecting Pink and Marian by noon to go to funeral. Jim came to go with us too so alone. Up to Helen’s after service stayed so long there. To cabin and back. Folks went to see Burt and Ray. Stayed until 4:00 AM. I cooked prunes and bake of cookies I had in refrig.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
October 23, 1960
Such a windy cold day. Up quite early. Waited for Geo but late coming. Lo hurriedly made trip to cabin and back before taking Carrie to S.S. G and B came later had eaten with boys and Alb. and Jim. Then the 3 took the 8 o’clock for City. Milwaukee folks came about 11:00. We left soon for cabin didn’t get home until nearly 10:00.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
October 24, 1960
Bright day but cold and windy. Went to Carrie’s she doesn’t look very good. Mrs. B came over didn’t stay too long.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
October 25, 1960
Baked brownies for K.J.’s box. Loie sent it at noon. Went to Carrie’s to get sheets, cases and towels to wash. As usual had to do some herself, just can’t cooperate. Gripeing of course. Not warm enough but will not turn on other radiator. Mrs. B. came over in P.M. Had taken everything in even clothes line. We had cake, ice cream — coffee. Then the rain came. All went in our car to cabin.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
October 27, 1960
Still cloudy. Fixed back porch and while in the kitchen, woman came to front door — wanted me to go to breakfast. Woman’s club. Didn’t go. Too many things to do outside and in. Raked and picked up but no place for anything. Hope Jim will be available before too long. Washed small storms and windows on porch
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
October 28, 1960
Raked so much in back yard. Did some cleaning in hall and other parts of house no end to anything. Took papers over to Carrie. Mrs. B. over. She is going with Mertie later today.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
October 29, 1960
Too tired to do much. Did too much yesterday. Helen dropped in about noon. She is going with us to cabin. Having pan cakes and sausage. Came home quite early as Helen going to Heddie’s for coffee, following a dinner she had for her sister. Set our clocks back and gained an hour.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
October 30, 1960
Up early. GB came for a little breakfast. Went out to Anderson’s to look over what was left in house. Picked over some things. GB plans to have sale soon on what’s left. Came home and they went to ponies. Gone so long, afraid she wouldn’t get back to get Dwight. He had called from City coming 11:17. She made it. Carrie came after church. Ate and stayed until 3:30. Dwight went to bed slept until 10:30. Helen came at 8:30.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
October 31, 1960
Such a gloomy day and rained on porch. Jim and G.B. came for breakfast. D. up too as well as Lo. All ate. Later went to Carries. Took Dwight to Cary to catch train for city.