Carolyn's Diary: Thursday, June 11, 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.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Thursday, June 11, 1964

Ø
Hot - 104° - Ironed this A.M. - Langworthy & Feldt both came by & Hank came home a couple times - he got off at noon - after dinner Ruby - Jimmy - Billy & I went to Va. Beach - I exchanged the shoes Tina gave me for a beige pr. & got a slip on style in a sunburst pattern - Stopped at Rose's & got a new bra (Fabracadabra) - also 2 knit shirts for Billy $1.00 - Ruby came over for coffee after supper - Hank & Billy went to Gladys's - I washed & set my hair - took a shower - Wrote a note to Mom & Dad.

Letter from Mom & one from Dad -

4 comments:

Anonymous said...: Interesting blog, thank you for sharing this; January 7, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Relax Max said...: Although you probably are not getting many comment on this, I just wanted to tell you how fascinating it is. It really brings that time period to life. So... although it is hard to actually comment on the individual entries, you are almost surely being well-read. Thank you Bill.; January 29, 2009 at 5:19 PM
~~louise~~ said...: Hi Bill,
Just popped in via Kitchen Retro. I am delighted! I had forgotten all about your mother's lovely diary. I've been here before and must have lost the link. It's a keeper! and thank you. I think it needs to be in my blogroll so it doesn't happen again:); February 4, 2009 at 2:20 PM
50sgal said...: This is so interesting to me as I am currently living a year as a 1955 housewife (although I am using my computer). I love that these were actual things important to that day in the past. Good job!I totally understand the 'washed and set my hair' I know all about that now!; February 17, 2009 at 9:57 PM