Mary, new puppy have grown fond of each other

Sam is still in California and Mary keeps herself busy. The weather is getting nicer and she works out in their yard picking up, raking and burning branches from winter storms. When she leaves her new pup is extremely happy upon her return. Mary speaks of her new pup several times this week. One day she was gone most of the day and into the evening and when she arrived home there was no pup. After exploring, she discovered him on the neighbor's porch. Poor little guy got lonely.

Saturday, Feb. 26, 1949

Today I wrote 2 letters and took them to be mailed at 11 a.m. Then when I came home I cleaned house, the refrigerator, got out all the linen thread so Edith can weave it into mats. Fed the pheasants and then picked up limbs for over 2 hours. It was a lovely warm day, so I was glad to be outside. The pup followed me all over and seemed happy. Mary Ruth and her boys came down and we had a nice visit. We ate cake and milk out in the sun by the bulkhead and it was very pleasant. She combed out my hair and it looks so nice. The Tildens and Bud Bickle were down and graveled my road. It looks good. Then Will Watson was in and got his check for surveying the watershed. To the Belfair Ladies Club Carnival and saw most of Belfair there. I think it was the best turnout they ever had so they should do very well. Mary Ruth won a ham at the very last bingo game and it surely was a happy surprise. Saw a lot of folks I knew and had a good time. Ate with Mrs. Laura White and again with Mary Ruth and Jack. Home late. Very cold out.

Sunday, Feb. 27, 1949

Another beautiful day but there was more wind. Washed clothes and cleaned a lot. Then picked up all the fallen limbs over by the driveway and in the maple grove. It took me about four hours to get it all done but it surely looks good now. Burned a big pile of rubbish so it is all clean. Raked by the outside kitchen and some near the house but there is a lot to do there yet. Maybe I can get some more done tomorrow. The bulbs are all coming up so I'm glad. I have the cleaning all done so it won't disturb them. The pup had a great time today. He tried to cross the creek, got down in the water and couldn't get up the other bank. My, how he did howl! The frogs are croaking, so I guess spring is really here. Wrote letters and to bed. Very weary and my cold is not too good.

Monday, Feb. 28, 1949

Today I went to Bremerton and got my 3 quilts at Mr. Swan Canfield at 1513 8th St. They are lovely and I'm glad I got them made as the work is very well done. To Marie's and got the silhouettes for Social Club Bazaar and visited awhile. Then got my silver at Jorgen Nelson and left my slippers to be fixed. Then my evening slippers will be in good shape. Got the balance of my silver at Jorgen Nelson's and then home. Put away all my stuff. The red quilt looks wonderful on the bed. Worked outside until after 6, about 4 hours. Most of the raking is done and it looks very nice. Tomorrow if it's a good day, will finish it all. Very warm again today but toward evening a cold wind came up. To Eastern Star Social Club at Yelm's and there were 28 there. We had a good time and quite a lot made for the Bazaar. Showed the girls the decorations and they thought it would look very nice. Alice Pope rode down with me. The roads are in very bad condition.

Tuesday, March 1, 1949

Today ironed all the clothes and put them away. Then picked salal for Alma Nelson's idea in decoration for White Shrine. Cleaned up the balance of limbs and did some more raking. It really looks good now. Everything is so clean. To Belfair and got mail and groceries. Then over to Skene's to find Graham down with the flu, but got up to get us dinner. We had a lovely evening, and I went home early. So, I could get a good night's rest. Alma Nelson called up. She will have a work party Thursday afternoon so Blanche and I will go in to make favors. Saw Blanche at Belfair so found out she could go. Had no other date. Warm out but turning damp and cold. Rained a little while I was at Skene's.

Wednesday, March 2, 1949

Arose late but my cold is much better. Pressed all cleaning and cleaned up my desk. Windy out and may rain so this afternoon I shall wash windows. Wrote a letter to Babe Michaels. Dry out and the pup is having a good time on the lawn. Raked some more on the lawn and now windows are all clean. Took the ship clock up to Mae Housen's and she combed my hair out nicely for tonight. Saw Billy Hyde and talked. The Fischler's picked me up at 7:30 and we went to Belfair Chapter U.D. They had initiations. The surprise of the evening was when Sam's petition was read. Was I surprised! And everyone was so happy to think he wanted to join. I found out Eddie Fischler got him on the dotted line the evening we went there to a ham dinner. There were about 90 there, so many visitors. Georgia Moos of Port Orchard, Andersons from Union and some from Shelton.

Thursday, March 3, 1949

Rose early. A mouse came in the house, so I set a trap and got it in about an hour. I still have 2 traps set, just in case. A bright sunny day but cold. Then about 11, I drove down the Tahuya Road. I called on Alma Bard and then on Blanche Hackett. The latter and I went to town and worked on favors for White Shrine from 1:15 until 3:30. We took home 25 each so they will all be done this week. There was Helen Pistove and 2 others there, so we had a nice time. Alma served coffee and dessert at 4. Very good. Then I took Blanche home and went to Eddie Fischler's to dinner. Had a very nice evening there. Mary Wing came over and we had a lovely time. Eddie came home from Lodge before I left. Very cold out and frogs are croaking. To bed late.

Friday, March 4, 1949

Today I arose early as I couldn't sleep so cleaned everything before I left. Edith Skene came at 7:55 so we caught the 8:30 ferry. Erma Perry was on same boat. Said Patton got the north. Everyone is happy, I guess. To Conductresses Instruction Group and it was very interesting. Florence Waggoner was our guest for lunch. After lunch I tried on my dress and it will be lovely. Fits so well. One of the girls saw it and wanted one like it. Found a pair of gold slippers at Nordstrom so I'm all ready for Chapter next year. Bought cards and some goblets and ordered some to go with my dishes. Met Edith at five and we ate at Acres of Clams. Very good. A wonderful sunset. Home and could find no pup so went over to Nichols who found him on Layman's door step. Got lonesome and went next door. Very hot out today. Cool and clear tonight. To bed early.

■ Clydene Hostetler was a longtime Belfair resident and historian. She now resides on a classic wooden boat on the Columbia River. She has been researching Mary Theler's life for the past 17 years. She can be emailed at [email protected].