Monday, April 20th, 1935

Spring rains, mushroom hunting

Spring rains are reported these next few days. The item that she mentions that resonates the most with me is the line about Lloyd and Harry going mushroom hunting. This is because as a little boy I remember doing just that with my dad and grandpa Lloyd.

He was showing us one of his favorite places to hunt. These mushroom, actually morels, only appear for a few weeks each year, just about at this time. Growing up I learned that you don't tell others about where you find these delicacies. I remember the place as a seldom used farm lane through a wooded area. The lane itself was grassy.

Oddly enough, two friends provided Mary with canes to help her get about. Once the need was known, we see she had at least two friends rush to her aid.

Thursday, April 25th, 1935

Mary and grandma not well

Mary reports not being well at all on Thursday. You may recall that after arriving home from an extended visit to her mother's that word was received that grandma Slane was not well. Friday she took a bus over to visit grandma.

Other visitors come and go. The weather has improved and they spend some time porch sitting.

Mrs. Stone is mentioned, and it is presumed that this is the mother-in-law of Nellie Benson who married Henry Stone. Nellie you may recall is Lloyd's daughter from his previous marriage to Daisy Weaver. Who is Florence? Who is Mrs. Parks? Is Hazel connected to the Stone family?

Sunday, April 21st, 1935 - Easter

Back to washing, starching, ironing, baking and gardening

The visit to mother's is over and the family returns to Marion. A message has been left about "grandma," who is Jennie Slane, who lives over on Uncapher Street. She's not doing well but is no worse either.

Mary mentions Chester and Billie for the first time here. Who are they?

Wednesday, April 17th, 1935

A fish story

The family is enjoying their time away from Marion. They are staying at Mary's mother's place on Chambers Road, Porter Township, Delaware County. Her mother, Lenora Hemminger, lived in a home next to the covered bridge which stands there to this day.

Mary tried fishing and was disappointed to tears, but made up for it the next day. These days sound like a refreshing break from life in Marion. Included in this post is a picture that survived Mary's house fire of the old home on Chambers Road.

Saturday, April 13, 1935

Adventure in the country

Preparations were made all day Saturday, and the kids had Mary yelling at them most of the day. First thing Sunday morning, Lloyd and Mary's family were driven down to her mother's place. Is it spring break? The kids are out of school and having a ball.

Is Matt Mattie (Benson) Weaver, Lloyd's sister? And who is Maxine, mentioned here for the first time.

Tuesday, April 9th, 1935

No phone, no car

Two things that stand out in these pages are the simplicity of life. They have no phone; no car. Mary goes over to Bosh's to make a call; they get with Albert about driving them "home," meaning over through Morrow County and down to her mother's place, presumedly still on Chambers Road, Porter Township, Delaware County.

And there are simple pleasures of this era; simple things like the joy of beating her husband at cards, and eating new tomatoes for dinner and planning for a drive out to the country, far away from the bustling city of Marion with its steam engines, factories, busy streets and close neighbors.

Friday, April 5th, 1935

Scarlet Fever strikes

Adversity comes. Sickness. Bad weather beating up the garden. Mary reports that Dorothy (DJ) comes down with Scarlet fever.

But amid this there are new clothes and "stepping out with the preacher." But who is Bresler? Is that the nurse's name, or is this the name of the preacher? Or both?

Well, hot dog, we know she was looking forward to getting out.

(Interesting historical footnote printed in the diary for April 6th.)

Monday, April 1st, 1935

All fools day

There's a good bit of content in these first four days of April. Mary tells fortunes again and gets fooled.

Bertine is mentioned for the first time. Who is this?

Lloyd almost forgot to go for his surplus. What is this? Is it like the surplus cheese the government was passing out in the 80's? Was there surplus food or clothing available during the depression?

Did you ever miss school because of a wardrobe malfunction? Leo did on April 4th. I guess baggy pants were not in style in 1935.

Also on the 4th, Albert "got the machine" and took her and D.J. somewhere. Does that mean he got his car? Lloyd and Mary do not have a car.

(Don't forget. You can click on the image to enlarge it. Also, leave comments. Your thoughts and reflections are welcomed! And that's no April fool.)