Carolyn's Diary: Monday, October 5, 1964

About Carolyn's Diary

My mother kept diaries from January 6 1962 until the morning she died in October 1998. Her diaries were written for practical purposes, and provide a chronicle of the events of her days. Few feelings are expressed, if any, and you have to read between the lines to discern her emotions. She would often refer back to her diaries to confirm that the roof was replaced on this date, the taxes were paid on that date, the weather was sunny and warm or snowy and windy.

My mother stopped working when I was born in 1959, and my father was a US Navy diver. My mother's first diary was presented to her on January 6, 1962, when her parents arrived from Iowa for an extended stay as my dad prepared to leave the country with the Navy. My grandmother kept a daily diary until her death also, and I guess she encouraged my mother to do the same.

My mother seems unsure of what to write initially, but gradually gets into the rhythm of writing each day. It is simply a record of the day-to-day life of an average American housewife.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Monday, October 5, 1964

Rained all day - real dreary
Up at 6:45 - Hank had duty today. I ironed all day off & on - made a pot of chili soup this P.M. - Hank came home for awhile this afternoon - done some sewing today also - wrote a letter to Louis Olive this A.M. -
Hank came home about 7:00 & ate some soup - done dishes after he left - watched tv until 11:00 - knitted for awhile. Bed 11:00.

No Mail -

3 comments:

Barbara said...: What a cool thing to do! I am fascinated by this blog!
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Barbara
http://ifididnthaveasenseofhumor.blogspot.com; January 20, 2010 at 12:44 PM
Barbara McDowell Whitt said...: I am so glad that you are doing this. On Jaunary 1, 2010, I began transcribing my personal diaries, 50 years to the day after I was writing about my life in rural Iowa with the title, Mid-Prairie HS and Park College, 1960-1965. I am impressed that you have included the aerial (yes, I checked the spelling and the definition, as in "of, for or by aircraft) photograph of your family farm that was used on a Christmas card. Both brought back memories.; January 25, 2010 at 1:29 PM
Mimi said...: Thanks for stopping by my retro WW blog and leaving a comment. I cherish every visitor, and hope you'll be back.

This is such a charming and beautiful blog you have here! What a gift. Reading the entries makes me long for simpler times. Very cool indeed.; April 22, 2010 at 4:46 PM