MARY'S MEMOIRS

Mary is still picking flowers. Henry and Louie are Mary's brothers. Henry had big equipment to carry out the work of the Canadian Timber. I have 16 mm home movies of them doing this job. The big bulldozer sits up on his son's property in Bellingham. And it still runs!

Sunday, Sept. 18, 1949

Arose early and took 2 huge bouquets of flowers to Lovey. Betty met me at the door, so I told her what to do with them. We drove to Tacoma and ate breakfast in Seattle. Very nice. To the Driftwood Show and enjoyed it. Then drove to Mother's and took her and John to Bellingham to see Louie. We found him well and in good spirits. Everyone looks good. We stopped at Henry's at Sedro-Woolley on our way home. He got the Canadian Timber and showed us the aerial photos of the country. It looks like a big job for him, but I hope he can handle it. Home at 1:30. We ate at the Pit as we were hungry. To bed late, very weary, a long, exciting day.

Monday, Sept. 19, 1949

Arose late and made breakfast. Sam left at 9:15 a.m. and did not get back to eat until noon. They looked at the Allyn dock as it needed repairs. Then cleaned house and ironed. At 2:15 was all done but the mending so I took it outside in the sun. It is very warm out and so pleasant. Sent for a Christmas decoration book. It should be a

beauty. Called Dr. Lee's office so Evelyn Hyde and I can go in next Monday to see him. Maimee Gould called up. They have changed the names again. Called on Mary Ruth and took her some magazines. Then stopped at Belfair and met Russell Mack. Eddie and Sam came home late. Said Ed could go to Shelton to hear Mack speak if I would go to Betty's. So, I did. Spent a pleasant evening. The baby is sure cute and good as gold. Got corn at the ranch, very good too.

Tuesday, Sept. 20, 1949

Alarm went off at 8 but oh could I have slept as I woke in the night and could not sleep. It's always that way. Very foggy out. Made a hot dish of scalloped potatoes and little pig sausages which I took to Social Club Potluck Picnic at Hannah Belleau's. We had a nice time although only 23 were out. Eunice D. did not go as her daughter was here. To Miles Howell's in p.m. and saw their new home. It is a beauty and we enjoyed seeing our friends in such a lovely setting. They are going to Delores reception also so we shall see them there. Met a friend of theirs from Elkhart, Oregon. To bed early. Very, cold out.

Wednesday, Sept. 21, 1949

Today had a permanent and my hair looks very nice, although a little short. A wonderful day and beautiful out. Put an extra blanket on the bed as we were cold last night. Slept until late so I dusted the house when I came home. Baked apples. Oil was delivered today, 500 gallons. The Skenes and Bob Errion of Salem (he is buying a place from Skenes) came just as I had dinner started. Gave them flowers as Edith had guests coming. Then just as I was ready for the White Shrine came Eleanor Orcutt and Helen Mitchell who gave me a pair of pillowcases I'd won as a prize at their Past Matrons raffle. To White Shrine where we had 46 members out. We meet in the small room at the Main Masonic Temple from now on and oh are we thrilled! The fourth Monday so I can go to Belfair on third Wednesday. Ruby was there. We were through early. Sam got pipe covering in Tacoma.

Thursday, Sept. 22, 1949

Arose very late. Doug W. got Sam out to talk about the boat. He will use it Saturday. He had coffee with us. In came Emmett, so he had coffee too. Cleaned cabin and desk. Put clothes out for Chapter. Sam is hauling some manure from the barn at the Ranch for the flowers. Alma Nelson called up. We are going to Twisp, Sept. 30. Betty Fischler said the flowers were lovely at Belfair #241 and that Ruth and Alma did beautiful work. I certainly am glad. To Gorst where Wilma combed out my hair and then to Chapter. We had about 140 out and everything went off very well. Lovey did the best work yet. Lovely dahlias and good refreshments upstairs. The choir was certainly good, and we enjoyed them. Took Lovey home. Poor Madeline cried when the choir sand "Aloha" as it was her last night with us. We elected Ethel Anderson in her place and Howard Chapin will be sentinel.

Friday, Sept. 23, 1949

Tried to sleep late but no go, so I got up. Cleaned house and put in fresh flowers. Cleaned up desk work. Sam went to Edmiston's and Fischler's on errands. The sun is out but it is very foggy. Got my clothes ready for the wedding. Sam went to Shelton to get his radio. To Gertrude Reynolds when she showed me a grand lamp she has and alterations on her house. Then to church where we saw Maimee Gould, Eunice de Long, Duffield's, Georgia and many we knew. It was a lovely wedding and Betty was a beautiful bride. The church was decorated with chrysanthemums. Then Maimee Gould, Gertrude and I went to the reception together. Got there first so we found a parking place. They served champagne and then cake and coffee. It was nicely done. A terrible jam but we knew all of them. To bed early for once. Walter Miller with a glass of champagne in his hand was an eyeful!

Saturday, Sept. 24, 1949

Arose late after a good night's sleep. Very damp out. Think it will rain. Today got my hair combed out at Gorst and then went to Bremerton. Saw Alma Nelson and we planned our trip to Twisp. Ran into Eddie Walker on the street and saw Dottie at Payless where she works. Then home to Belfair. Cleaned house and picked a few flowers. Doug White caught no fish in the Navy Yard Derby at Miami Beach so we will use our boat again at Bald Point Sunday. We went to reception on Dolores Moore with the Morrisons. We saw Alma Nelson, Duffield's, Florence Lindberg, Ruby and Earl and many others there. The reception was well attended, and the addenda were many and all good. Even the one the Assoc. Matrons put on about Dolores new glasses was clever. The decorations were colored pampas grass. Served open faced sandwiches. Miles Howells was there too. We all had a good time.

■ 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]