Friday, October 26th, 1935

Radio and recovery

Lloyd heads out early to go to the big city in hopes of finding a new car, but instead comes home with a big surprise for Mary-- a new radio!

The next day she manages to get to the dinner table on her own for the first time since delivering lil baby David on the 14th. Paul, who had been gravely ill, finally goes back to school on Monday after being out for weeks and weeks.

Something different happens here in the diary, too. 1935 pages that were left blank become the pages that she records some 1944 happenings.

Flash forward 9 years. Paul is now a young man. He is getting ready to leave in the US Army. His marriage to Patsy is also recorded.

Thursday, June 20th, 1935

Get the things we need

Somehow, the family is getting by. Lloyd is watching the sales. Word is that he might get called back to the shop. Work means money. Money means they will be able to get the things they need.

Still, little pleasures still exist, like carnivals and ice cream.

Who is Ollie?

Tuesday, June 4th, 1935

School is out

Leo advances to the 4th grade and Paul to the third. Mary's toe sure is sore.

Saturday, February 16th, 1935

Fortune Teller

On Sunday we read yet another reference to fortune telling. This time Ruth A. and her friend came over to have their fortune told. Who is Ruth?

I now know who the fortune teller is. My dad told me that his mother, who's diary this is, told fortunes using cards.

On Tuesday Mrs. Beacon comes over to report that grandma isn't doing well. This would be her Grandma Jennie Slane. Her grandma lived at 421 Uncapher St., Marion and was 73 years old at this time. Pictured here is her grandma's house as seen in February, 2010.

Friday, February 8th, 1935

Keeping hours and being a neighbor

Life seems to be rather ordinary in these pages. Storms. Cleaning. Family visits.

Mentioned here is Richie, who is Harry's wife Richardine. Harry, like his brother Lloyd, had a previous marriage, and earlier this year, on January 19, married a younger woman. From this marriage would come three children, Violet, Kenneth and Leonard.

On Monday Mary writes that she thinks she will call on a lady on the corner who says she doesn't have a neighbors. Isn't that a kind thought?