January 1959 - A New Year

1959

We left my grandmother in Van Buren helping take care of Grandma Comstock.  She skipped several days of writing in her diary this month.

January 1

Thurs.  Spent New Years Day with Ira and Minnie

January 2

Friday.  Lunch with Nora

January 3

Sat  Turned very cold.  Getting things ready for Sunday.

January  5

Mon.  I came home.

January 10

Sat.  Staying at JoEllen’s while Jo and Joe attend butane convention in Little Rock

L-P Gas Association - Dad was president one year, so was Don Haden.

January 11

Sun.  Minnie, Ira, Paul and Neva came.  Had dinner with me at JoEllen’s

January 12

Mon.  Our anniversary at JoEllen’s.

Now that I am widowed I understand this - you still have an anniversary date even though there is no one to celebrate with you.

January 15

Thurs.  Went to V.B. with K.M.  We stopped at cemetery.  Spent night with Ira & Minnie.

January 18

Sun.  Mine & Nora’s birthday party at Ira and Minnie’s.  Letty and Cy brought me home.

January 20

Tues.  CWF luncheon and program.  I have worship service & taking Mrs. Elmore as guest.

January 24

Sat.  Wash Day

January 26

Mon.  My birthday.  Got city & driver’s license.

Mammaw learned to drive after my granddad had his stroke.  Scary.  Eventually we wouldn't let her drive outside of town, then we wouldn't let her cross the highways.  She would come to my house - I would load up three kids and drive her car across the highway to get her prescriptions, then come home and unload and she would continue home.

January 28

Wed.  At JoEllen’s

January 31

Sat.  Becky & Ike painted furniture.  I cooked dinner for 14.

Becky & Ike always found projects  

December 1958

December 1

Mon.  Came home from Tahlequah

She had been visiting her sister Mattie King.  There must have been a lot to catch up on, probably getting ready for Christmas - because there's nothing for almost a week.

December 7

Sunday.  Sang in Choir and prayer at Women’s Day service.  Mrs. Rainwater speaker.

December 10

Wed.  Went to Mary Jane’s birthday party.  Gave her manicure set.

Mary Jane was only seven this year - maybe she was still sucking her thumb...

December 11

Thurs.  Went to Club Meeting at Bruce Crider home in Greenland.  Mrs. Dritt hostess.  Became a member again and we drew names for secret friends.

I'm sure this would have the CWF - Christian Women's Fellowship at the Christian Chruch.

December 12

Friday.  Went to JoEllen's and worked on drapes.  Not feeling so good.  Ordered bladder medicine.

December 13

Sat.  Got shampoo and set.  P.M. practiced on Christmas Cantata.

December 14

Sunday.  Gave Cantata at A.M. service.

Mom would have been directing.  I likely had a solo.  Other members of the family - K.M. & LaVonne, if possible, would have been recruited.  I wonder how many of these cantatas we did - one every Christmas and one every Easter.

December 15

Kept Laurie and worked on drapes.

December 16

Tues.  Went to CWF Meeting & luncheon and Christmas program

December 17

Wed.  Went on holiday tour.  Choir practice at JoEllen’s at night.

December 18

Thurs.  Rode bus to Van Buren.  Had chicken dinner with Minnie at Café.  Also spent night with her.

December 19

Friday.  Went to dentist and town – lunch with Nora.  Spent night with Grandma and Maude.

December 20

Sat.    Got food for Party.  Scalloped potatoes and biscuits.

December 21.  Grandma’s Christmas party at Nora’s.  What a feed!  Back home with Letty and Cy.

December 24

Wed.  Supper & Christmas tree at K.M.’s.  To JoEllen’s for their tree and to spend the night.  Christmas Eve.

December 25

Christmas dinner at McKims.  Ira and Minnie were there.

December 26

Friday.  Went to Tulsa with McKims.  Spent day with Clare & children.  Home that night.

December 27

Sat.  Dinner at my home for Graydon’s folk & McKims.  Graydon & Don spent night with me.

December 28

Sun. 28^th.  Took Don and Graydon to Fayetteville.  Then I drove on to Van Buren to spend a week with Grandma while Maude visits with her family.  Had good night.

December 29

Mon.  With Grandma thro week.

Mammaw seldom had much time for her diary when staying with Grandma.  Grandma had eight living children, but only Aunt Maude had the responsibility for staying with her and caring for her.  Everyone contributed $10 per month toward Grandma's upkeep.  I'm sure that didn't go far - I wonder if they also received some Social Security.  Grandma was my grandmother's mother-in-law, not her mother - but after my Granddad died she continued to not only give her share in money, but she was the only one who would go and stay with Grandma and let Aunt Maude visit her daughter and grandchildren.  This always seemed a bit unfair to me.  I knew that there was much disparity in the financial situation of Grandma's children - that there were some of them that could have contributed so much more.  I can only hope that they did indeed provide needed items that I knew nothing about.

November 1958

November 1

Sat.  Kept JoEllen’s kids and got ready for party.

November 2

Sunday.  Had Minnie’s and Paul’s birthday party here.  10 of us.

Aunt Minnie was born 4 Nov 1889 - she was 69; Paul Comstock's birthday was the same day - he was born in 1906 and was 52.

November 3

Mon.  Mr. Best started work back room foundation.

She added a room on the back of her house.

November 4

Tues.  Lots of paper work and pay utilities.

November 5

Wed.  Graydon’s birthday.  Stayed with Laurie – she was real sick.

Graydon was born 1908 - so he was 50 this year.

November 6

Thurs.  Visited with Hattie, Bessie, and Mrs. Nix.  Shopped at green stamp place.  About finished Christmas shopping.

November 7

Friday – at JoEllen’s

November 8

Sat.  JoEllen & Joe took me to Tulsa.

To Graydon & Clare's

November 9

Sun.  Clare and I cooked dinner while the rest of the family went to church.

November 10

Mon.  Cook & Eat

November 11

Tues.  Went with Clare to group meeting – luncheon.  Rest of week with Clare

November 15

Sat.  Graydon brought me home.  P.M.  Listened to ball game.  Sick with cold.

November 16

Sun. 16^th.  In bed most of rainy day – terrific cold. 

November 17

Mon.  Able to go to JoEllen’s

November 19

Wed.  My first choir practice.

At First Christian Church, Springdale

November 23

Sunday.  Sang in JoEllen’s choir.

Many Sundays I sat in the choir next to my grandmother while my mother directed.

November 27

Thursday.  Thanksgiving.  Went to Kansas City with K.M.’s family and McKims.

Several years we all went to Kansas City to Ikey & Becky's for Thanksgiving - we'd sleep on all the beds, couches, and pallets on the floor. Probably had driven up on Wednesday.

November 28

Friday.  Came home thro snow and ice.

More than we once we had bad weather there on Thanksgiving.  We often stayed over Friday night to see the Christmas lights turned on at the Plaza.  I wonder if they left early because of the weather - or Mom & Dad just needed to be home.

November 29

Sat.  Went to Tahlequah.

To visit her sister Mattie King

November 30

Sun.  Mattie and I went to Muskogee.  Had good visit with Arthur and Grace.

And on to see their brother, Arthur.

October 1958

October 1

Wed.   Got our feet wet in the ocean.  Drove to Knotts Berry Farm lunch.  Then on to Sefari Motel.  Lovely place.  $16.00.

Note:  Mammaw was still in California.  My parents and sisters were there seeing all the sights and she went right along with them.

October 2

Thurs.  Breakfast in the Apt.  Then spent the day at DisneyLand.  Most amazing place I ever saw.  Tickets were $16.00.

October 3

Friday  Back to Knotts berry Farm to have pictures painted.  JoEllen, JoAnn and Laurie.  Noon back to DisneyLand for lunch and to finish rides.  On to Driftwood motel at Redondo Beach.  $23.00  No good.

October 4

Sat.   Car in Garage all morning.  Rode taxi to Marine Land.  Got car at Redondo Beach and drove to Barstow & El Rancho Motel.  $13.00

I believe it bothered her to spend money to sleep....

October 5

Sun. Started out 6 A.M.  Had breakfast at road side table.   Lunch at Highway house in Albuquerque.  Night at Hotel El Rancho – hotel Gallup N. Mex.  Joe was real sick.

She didn't have to fly home this time, but rode home with the McKims.

October 6

Mon.  Left Gallup nine A.M. and drove to Amarillo.  Farrel Manor Motel.  Nicest place yet.

October 7

Tues.   Arrived in Tulsa 5 P.M.  Spent 2 hrs at Graydon's and drove on home.  Arrived 9:30 P.M.  I stayed at K.M.’s that night.

October 8

Wednesday 8^th.  Thurs & Fri spent the time unpacking and getting things organized again.

October 11

Sat.  Grocery shopped and baked.  Getting ready for company.  Saw Razorbacks lose game to Rice.  Graydon and Dave spent night with me.  Then brought Clare and Mary up Sun. A.M.

October 12

Sun.  All of us went to church.  16 ate dinner here.  JoEllen & LaVonne brought food.

October 13

Mon.   Baby sat and cooked dinner at JoEllen’s

October 14

Tuesday.  Left for Van Buren. at 8:30.  Went to CWF luncheon.  Then spent night with Minnie & Ira.

October 15

Wed.  Stayed with Maude and Grandma.

October 16

Thurs.  Nora, Maude and I went shopping in Ft. Smith.  Had lunch at Crains Cafeteria.  Christmas shopped.  P.M.  Visited with Grace.  Then we took flowers to cemetery.

October 17

Friday.  Came home A.M.  had lunch with JoEllen.  Spent my first night alone.

In all the busyness, she had not stayed at night by herself since I had moved out of her house before starting to the University.

October 18

Saturday.  Ate supper at JoEllen’s.

October 19

Sunday.  Went to S.S. & Church.  Fixed chicken dinner at JoEllen’s.  Went to Huntsville with them afternoon.  Went antiquing and bought flower stand.

October 20

Monday.  Stayed at JoEllen’s

October 21

Tues.  Went to CWF luncheon at church.

October 22

Wed.  Mattie came for the day.  Kept Laurie.

October 23

Thurs.  Helped bake pies at church for bazaar.  Had car checked and washed.

October 24

Cooked dinner at JoEllen’s.  P.M.  we went grocery shopping.  Evening Becky and Ike came.

October 25

We drove to Fayetteville.  Went antiquing.  Lunch at A.Q. Chicken house.

October 26

Sunday.  Finished floor in summer house.  Rearranged furniture.

October 28

Tuesday.  Got permanent and flu shot.  Good report on specimen.

October 29

Wed.  At JoEllen’s.  Kept K.M. & LaVonne’s kids over night.

October 30

Thurs.  Kept children again while K.M. & LaVonne attended her aunt’s funeral.

October 31

Friday.  Halloween.  Went to school carnival.  The little girls stayed with me to help trick or treat.

September 1958

My grandmother spent the entire month of September in San Francisco with son Jay.

September 1

Mon. Sept 1^st.  Labor Day.  We drove to Palo Alto.  Back by way of Alameda Air show.

September 2

Tues. Sept. 2  Mended robe and sox

September 3

Wed. 3^rd.  K.M.’s birthday.   Made strawberry short cake for dinner.

K.M. was 44 that year. 

September 4

Sep. 4^th  Ironed 6 shirts for boys.  Letter from Clare.  Wrote Jay check for $1000.00.

Jay and Scotty were "boys" to her.  She gave each of her children $1000 from my granddad's estate.

September 5

Friday

Some days she was just too busy to write, I think.

September 6

Sat.   Dinner at Franciscan Café at Fisherman’s Wharf.

September 7

Sunday.  Saw 49ers beat New York Giants.

That would have been in Candlestick Park - which is no longer used.

September 8

Monday

September 9

Tuesday 9^th.  Scotty took me to lunch at Starlight Roof on top Sir Francis Drake Hotel.

September 10

Wed.  Ira & Neva’s birthday.  Mr. & Mrs. Borges took me to lunch at the Poodle Dog Café.  Saw Bill Banks.

Bill Banks and the Borgeses were friends of Jay's.  Uncle Ira was 66, Neva was 53.

September 11

Thurs. 11^th

September 12

Friday 12^th.  Made fresh peach cobbler for dinner.  Took some to Joe & Ruth.

September 13

Sat. 13^th.  Drove to Rayes Point.  Ate picnic lunch at Tamales Bay State Park

September 14

Sunday 14^th.  Lazy.  Didn’t go to church.  Jay didn’t sleep all night.  Evening – watched fire works from mountain overlooking the Marino  “I Am an American Day”

Actually "I Am an American Day" was on September 17th - it was a holiday, renamed as Citizenship Day and then became Constitution Day.  Other than groups such as DAR or SAR, I don't anybody celebrates this day much anymore.  I don't remember ever celebrating this day....

September 15

Mon.  Usual dinner at home.  Night went shopping at GETS

September 16

Tues. 16^th.  Mr. & Mrs. Borges took me to Stonestown for lunch at Blums

September 17

Wed. 17^th   Went shopping at Sears

September 18

Thurs. 18^th.  Had the Borges’s up for lunch.

September 19

Friday 19^th.  Went shopping at Stonestown.  Bought dress and sweater.

September 20

Sat. 20^th.  The boys took Borgeses to dinner at Alta Mira Hotel in Sausilita.

September 21

Sunday.  Another ball game.  Lunch at a drive in.  Philadelphia beat 49ers 31 to 28.

September 22

Mon. 22.  Bill Banks and family spent eve with us.

September 23

Tuesday. 23.  Jay had dinner with employees.  Scotty and I had salmon.  He brought me a brown purse.

September 24

Wed. 24^th.  Borgeses took me for a drive and grocery Shopping.

September 25

Thurs 25^th.  Jo and Joe came in time for dinner.

This was the first vacation Mom and Dad had taken with my sisters when I did not go.  I had started to the University.

September 26

Fri.  Went to Zoo and Sutro

September 27

Sat 27^th.  Shopped in China town all A.M.  Scotty took us to dinner at Alto Mira Hotel in Sausilito – then to Fisherman’s Wharf

September 28

Sun. 28^th.  Jo & Joe’s Anniversary.  Went to Golden Gate park.  I baby sat while they saw 49ers beat Pittsburg.  Anniversary dinner at apartment.

Mom & Dad had been married twelve years.  I suspect Mammaw had seen enough football and was perfectly happy to stay home with the little girls.  Jay and Scotty had season tickets - didn't miss a game.

September 29

Mon. 29^th.  Jay & Scotty took off from work.  Went to Muir Wood, Belvedere Island and bridge tour.

September 30

Tues 30.  Left S.F. at 8:30 AM.  Made 17 Mile drive between Monterey and Carmel.  Drove on to Santa Barbara and Ocean Palms Lodge  $16.00.

Can you imagine staying in a motel for $16 a night?

August 1958

August 1

Friday.  I rode to Tulsa with George Caudle and spent a week at Graydon’s.  K.M. called that Letty had thrombosis behind her right eye and had gone to Barnes hospital.

August 2

Saturday.  Evening we visited with Kathryn and saw their new home.

The only Kathryn I can think of would be Kathryn Carney Coatney, Aunt Let's daughter - but I don't recall that she ever lived in Tulsa.

August 3

Sunday.  Went with Graydon’s family to Sunday School and church.  Back again that night and heard Graydon sing “The Lord’s Prayer”.

August 4

Monday

August 5

Tuesday.  My Dad’s birthday.  Clare and Don took me to see live TV.

Wish she's said what show....

August 6

Wednesday.  Graydon on car trade.

My uncle Graydon traded cars a lot, but then many people of this era traded every two years.  Graydon was one of the worst drivers I ever rode with - speed up, slow down, speed up, slow down.  Always made me ill.

August 9  [I believe two pages stuck together because Thursday was August7^th and the dates/days are off from here on.]

Thursday.  Clare and I went shopping at Sears.

August 10  [8^th]

Friday.  Clare and the children went to Fayetteville and took me to Tahlequah.  Mattie’s family get together.

Aunt Mattie had a Reunion every summer.

August 11  [9^th]

Saturday.  Rainy.  Eva took me to their cabin at Ten Killer.  Beautiful spot.

Eva (King) Fulcher - Aunt Mattie's oldest daughter.

August 12  [10^th]

Sunday.  The big day.  30 people at Mattie’s for dinner.  Minnie and Ira brought me home and we stopped at hospital in Fayetteville to see Letty.

August 13  [11^th]

Paid bills.  Caught up on book work and I bought bushel of peaches and started canning them.

August 14  [12^th]

Tuesday.  More record keeping and yard work.  Trying to take a nap now.  Two P.M.

August 15  [13^th]

Wednesday.  Yard work and canning peaches.

August 16 [14^th]

Thursday.  Sunned bedding and sprayed closets.  Spent the night with K.M.’s children while he and LaVonne were at Lake Texoma.

August 17  [15^th]

Friday.  Lonesome day.  Putting Kenney’s clothes away.  Went picnicking with JoEllen’s folk on War Eagle River.  Nice drive.  Helped to get my mind off of everything.

August 18  [16^th]

Saturday.  Did some cleaning and baked a cake.  Mattie called that she will be here late today.

August 19  [17^th]

I went to church.  Then JoEllen had Mattie, Frances Ann and me there for dinner.  We attended open house at the parsonage.  Also dedication.  Kay sang “Bless This House”  5 P.M. we left for Van Buren.  I took beautiful flowers to Kenney from our own home.

Frances Ann was Aunt Mattie's granddaughter - daughter of her deceased daughter Frances.  I don't know her surname now - if I ever did.  I think one of the aunt's raised her but she spent a lot of time with Mattie.

August 20  [18^th]

Monday.  I spent last night with Grandma and Maude.  Went back to Minnie’s for dinner.

August 21  [19^th]

Tuesday.  A.M.  We drove back home.  Stopped to see Letty and also saw Dr. Fischer and had my feet worked on.  Afternoon Mattie and Frances went home.

Mammaw had very painful bunions and other problems with her feet - she looked forward to her visits to her podiatrist almost as much as to the hairdresser.

August 22  [20^th]

Wednesday.  Did a washing and canned peaches.  Bobb Reed helped me put our iris from Minnie’s.  Donny and Kay ate supper with me.

Some of that iris went with me to every house I lived in until we moved back to Wetumpka in 1990 - never bloomed again there, bulbs just worn out I guess.

August 23  [21^st]

Thursday.  Talked with A. W. & Grace.  He is better – they say go on to California.  Had my hair done.  Pick up curls.  Looks like a new permanent.  Went to Kansas City by bus.

Her brother, Authur and his wife Grace.

August 24

Sunday  [The date and day now in agreement.]   At Ikeys.  Talked with Jay.  Made reservations to fly to San Francisco.

August 25

Monday   Spent day with Lindy.

Lindy was Ikey & Becky's dog - there was actually more than one named Lindy, but this one was probably the first.  A cocker spaniel treated much more like a baby; they always brought her when they visited her.  I think my sisters and young cousins thought of Lindy as another cousin.  My grandmother was raised in another era and didn't think much of animals kept as pets - especially in the house.

August 26

Tuesday.  Flew to San Francisco.

August 27

Wed.  Scotty cooked dinner & showed pictures.

August 28

Thurs 28^th.

August 29

Friday 29^th.  My day to cook dinner.  Had beef strogonoff.  (her spelling)

August 30

Sat. 30^th.  Went to Cliff House.  Then a long drive and grocery shopping.

The Cliff House is a restaurant in San Francisco with a very long history - amazing that it's still there!

July 1958

July 1

Tuesday

At the end of June she had gone to Van Buren to visit.

July 2

Wednesday.  Drove home alone for 1^st time.  No trouble.  Imagined Kenney sitting by my side.

July 3

Thursday.

Went to Rodeo at night with McKims.  Kenney would have enjoyed so much.

Rodeo of the Ozarks, July 1-4.  Really big deal in Springdale - it was fun growing up and being part of the parades, sitting in Mom & Dad's seats over the bucking shoots.  Dad was on the Rodeo Board for many years and the Rodeo was a very important part of the lives of both my sisters.  I have a very clear memory of my green-broke horse, Flaxy, running away with me in the middle of the Grand Entry - right through the middle of the pattern and out the gate.

July 4

Friday.  Becky and Ike came.  Worked on summer house.

On the back of her lot was a small building - partially screened.  She used it somewhat as a potting shed and garden storage.  In the summer we would eat in the "summer house".

July 5

Saturday.  Ikey did carpenter work.  Becky and I painted.  K.M. was a good helper.

July 6

Sunday.  Ike finished building cabinet and put in frame work for screen.  P.M.  They left for home.

July 7-10

Wrote in only the days of the week - long days, I suspect.

July 11

Friday.  Dave’s birthday – sent him pajamas.

Cousin Dave was 11.

July 12

Saturday.  Having good visit with Mattie.  JoEllen called and invited us for Sunday dinner.

Her sister Mattie King had come to visit.

July 13

Sunday.  Kenney’s birthday.  Had glads at church here & at V.B. in His Memory from the family by Jay.  Made pictures at night.

My granddad died just before his 71st birthday.  To an 18-year-old it seemed to me he had a full life - now that I am older than he ever lived to be, I realize life is never long enough....

July 14

Monday.  Made more pictures.  Painted on summer house – also chairs.

July 15

Tuesday.  Went to CWF luncheon and program.  Enjoyed it very much.  My first here.

Always positive - but I'm sure she missed all the ladies in Van Buren.

July 16

Wednesday.  K.M. and Lavonne's children had spent night and were with me till noon.

July 17

Thursday.  Jay’s birthday.  He will be lonely.  Dad and I were with him this time last year.  They celebrated together.  Sorry I am not with you, son – I’m praying for you.

Jay was 39.

July 18

Friday

July 19

Saturday.  Helped JoEllen with canning.  Stayed over night.

July 20

Sunday.  Went to church with K.M.’s folk.  Rev. B. O. Davis first sermon.  After church picnic lunch at JoEllen’s – Preacher’s family, Littrells, Tanseys, McKims & myself.  7:30 P.M. Installation and Reception.

Rev. O. B. Davis married us.  He was a tiny little man with a big message.  His wife Margery, a lovely lady. After he left Springdale he served churches in Oklahoma.  Mom kept to contact with them, until everyone was too old.

July 21

Monday

July 22

Tuesday.  Champ’s birthday.

Champ Rainwater was Mammaw's nephew.  He was the eldest son of Aunt Nora (Comstock) Rainwater.  He would have been 50 on this date.

July 23

Wednesday.  I went to V.B. with K.M. to be there for the July birthday party.  Spent the night with Ira & Minnie.

The July birthday party would have included my granddad.

July 24

Thursday.  Nora and I went to Grandma’s – I spent the night there.

Aunt Nora (Comstock) Rainwater.  Always been a bit of a curiosity that my granddad had a sister and a wife named Nora.

  

July 25

Friday.  The gang had dinner at Nora’s.

July 26

Saturday.  Minnie and I froze and canned peaches.  I spent the night with Nora R.

July 27

Sunday.  Went to S.S. and church with ira & M.   Then birthday dinner at Paul’s.  Had treasure hunt for Letty & Joyce.  We missed our Kenney.  He would have had so much fun.  His party too.

Aunt Let was 57.  Joyce was Aunt's Maude's granddaughter - a year or two younger than I, so maybe about 16.  I'm not sure why she was there so often with Aunt Maude.

July 28

Monday.  Ira, Minnie and I went to Muskogee to see Arthur.  They brought me home and spent the night with me.

Minnie and Mammaw's brother, Arthur Hays.

July 29

Tuesday.  Froze and canned peaches.

July 30

Wednesday.

  

July 31

Thursday.  Little Kenney’s birthday.

Kenney was 10.