Mary gets the chance to visit in Sam's absence

Sounds like Mary is totally comfortable being alone with Sam out of town. She is quite social. Having her shoes repaired, ironing and mending clothes shows what life was like at the time. When I was a kid and we lived on a farm in Oregon, we butchered a cow and a pig each year. My folks rented a meat locker in Sandy, Oregon. I got to go once and see what it looked like. The containers that held the meat were big metal baskets with a number on them and a padlock that was my parents'. It was very cold too! Not a lot of those around anymore. Everyone gets their own freezers and puts them in their garages.

Saturday, March 5, 1949

Today was a sunny but a cold wind blew so it was not as warm in the sun as usual. To Gorst and had my hair combed out, then to town and got my shoes that were repaired. Out to see Helen Hanberg about an addendum for Lovey. We had a nice visit and agreed that the addendum should be short. To Belfair, voted and home. The sun came out brightly, so I sat outside awhile to get some of it. Nichols was over to see how to vote. A letter from June Hively, says my baskets are ready. Drove my car to the dance and took Rasmussens. The Bards and Suhrs met us there. There was a marvelous crowd and everyone I knew was there. I had a lovely time and had a chance to visit as I was not dancing all the time owing to Sam not being there. Cleora, Maimee G., Eunice D., Norma W., Florence T. and many others there. The decorations were colored paper tulips and window boxes in front of the window and blue birds on the walls. Crepe paper in star colors covered the center. The 4 "robins" from Port Orchard presented red roses from relatives in the East and red tulips from the Chapter to the Worthy Matron.

Sunday, March 6, 1949

Arose late and while I had my washing going went after Squires who told me what to do for my primroses. Press them into the ground would not hurt a thing. Then I finished washing, ate breakfast and cleaned the house good. Cleaned desk also. Put fishnet out in front to stop the pup galloping on my bulbs. Also fixed primroses. Clear out but cool. Finished all the favors for White Shrine and studied in my ritual for about an hour. After dinner the Sundstroms came in and we had quite a nice visit. They were over to look at the floats for the port commission. Then I finished all but 3 of my Easter cards. Out them all away so they can be mailed any time. Read awhile and to bed. Cool out. Frogs are croaking.

Monday, March 7, 1949

Today I finished the ironing the first thing, mended and cleaned the house. Then I washed windows inside the cabin so all looks very good. Cleora called up and decided to come out so we had a nice chat. I served tea and strawberries. She left at 4. Wanted me to come to dinner so I said I would. Then to Mae Housen's with a skirt and she thought we should wash it before it was shortened. Got my mail. Newkirk said someone had broken into post office, guess it was kids. Anyway, the lobby should be locked at night. To Cleora's and she thought it OK so now she will look for something for Jess. She had a cold. Home at 10 and to bed. Very cold out but clear.

Tuesday, March 8, 1949

Arose early and saw the pup on the lawn so my fence does not do much good. Today Ruth Small, Wilma Rasmussen and Alice Pope went to Line Officers. We had a splendid turnout of 28 and Florence gave us plenty of instruction, so it was all very nice. Decorations were pussy willows tied with colored crepe paper bows. Cleora and I decided to go to Trinity Chapter in Olympia as Florence was making an official visit there. So as soon as I got home called Alma Bard. Found a note from Marvin's who had stopped by to take me to Olympia also. So nice of them. Just before 6, Alma Bard and Wilma Rasmussen came and then at 6 promptly came Cleora so I drove as I've been over the road so often. We arrived a few seconds after 7 and got a good seat. Saw the Marvins, Florence Morris, Signa Larson, Nellie Lutra, Alice Haskins, the Hagens and Margie Hammergrin of Philathea, some from Shelton too. The meeting was slow getting started and so many introductions it was nearly 9:30 before initiation began. The White Shrine drill team put on a part of their work. Then we ate and home. Everyone had a good time, but so late. However, the driving was easy. To bed at 2 a.m.

Wednesday, March 9, 1949

Arose late. The day is sunny but cool, but oh so lovely. The pup got all tangled up, so I had to untie him. Caught a mouse in the trap in the attic. Sent cards to Dolly Pond and Lavina W. Finished White Shrine favors also. Picked up my mail from post office and on to Bremerton. Took Mrs. Carl Robertson and Bear Cat Thompson as riders. To Reliance Social Club who entertained Olympic and Philathea. There was a potluck luncheon and a fine program. Erma Perry played the piano and Hazel Jones gave a reading. There were many there I knew so I really had a nice time. Home and put away my parcels. A letter from Doris Kurth and packages from Seattle I ordered. A very lovely day. Bea Grant went in the North at Elinor Chapter. That is fine too.

Thursday, March 10, 1949

Today I cleaned the house good before I went to the beauty shop. A nice sunny day but chilly out. Got the goose out of the locker and berries for Sunday. Got 3 more Easter cards and Easter gift for Mother. When I came home, I found Sam there with my California holly. Untied the pup and he immediately went next door. We ate an early dinner, and I went to Bremerton at 6:30. Stopped at Lovey's and she had an ulcerated tooth so could not go. Everything seems to happen to her. It's a shame. At election Eunice DeLong went in as associate conductress. The rest just moved up. Mayme is still our secretary. Everyone seemed very happy over the results, so I guess it's OK. We shall have 2 good workers on our group I know. We had coffee and donuts upstairs and the tables were especially lovely. Home late and to bed. Sam still up when I came home.

Friday, March 11, 1949

Today is warm and nice. We arose late and I made the dressing for the goose. Cleaned house and desk. Sam walked up to the dam and it is OK. Blanche Hackett called up and said she feels better and can go Saturday to White Shrine. Quite a few of my crocus are in bloom. They look nice too. Called Lovey. She feels better. Went to work meeting at the Masonic Temple. It was certainly a poor turnout, only five. I stayed about 2 hours and took home 3 table clothes to make. Then I weeded in the end of the garden. Cleaned it up as best I could. Not much up yet so you can't do much hoeing. I hope to get someone to help me weed part of the garden later. Sam came home with his hand all bandaged as infection had set in from the cut he got when he looked over the pipeline. The Eddie Fischer's came in and discovered the druggist gave Sam the wrong prescription, so I went in and got it changed. Then to hospital and saw Carl Robertson and Lavina Williams. Stopped at Duffield's but no one was there so left message with Bud.

■ Clydene Hostetler was a longtime Belfair resident and historian. She now resides on a classic wooden boat on the Columbia River. She can be emailed at [email protected].