OCTOBER 3

1939 and here it is “tomorrow” – I’ve been to hell + back again. – For a while, I really thought I was going to be Queen – Then when I brought my little envelope home and opened it up to an apparently blank sheet of paper! – but it wasn’t blank – Marie is Queen

1940 GA, BUT I’M WOOZY, CAN HARDLY HOLD UP THE HEAD… FINISHED THEM DAMN OLE THEMES (REACTION TO CORRECTING GRAMMAR ERRORS) WISH I COULD HAVE HAD MY WALK AGAIN TONIGHT… 2ND PERIOD ASSEMBLY WAS BAD…. I MUST CLAMP DOWN. BUT GEE, I DON’T BLAME ANY OF THEM FOR WHAT THEY DO… I’M A LUCKY TEACHER!

1941 – GEE, THE “U” GAME – WHAT A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT! – I WAS W/ MARIE + CLARA – FELT HORRIBLE ALL DAY. DIDN’T GET AROUND TO CASHING CHECK. I’M A MESS.

1942 SAT. HA! – WE BEAT THEM! … VERY satisfactory EVENING WE WERE ALL TOGETHER: SHIRLEE + BILL [AFTER SOME DIFFICULTY, I GUESS]… D.J. + BOB [LeonardGOT DONNA FOR BOB] … AND Leonard + ME… WE LINGERED LOVINGLY AT THE PALACE FOR AGES… SAT OUT IN FRONT FOR A TIME, too…

1943 SUN CALLED ON LOIS + SULLY. MET ROG – A SOLID CITIZEN… I TOOK VIC TO DINNER IT WAS NICE. HE’S CERTAINLY DIFFERENT. THAN WHAT HE WAS…

JULY 27

1939 10:30 Thurs I pulled a wood tick out of Rex’s eyelid. – He’s a very sweet dog. Went to a tea for Jean Perry – Saw Marsha V. B – Honestly more people are either married or engaged!!

1940 9:30 Sat And me without a date – (I actually would have turned Bill down – if he had called) I hope Hunk didn’t misunderstand me the other night – I want to go to the dance Monday! – I utterly loathed myself all day today – Diddled around all day with housework – Ate alla time.

1941 Sun Well I guess it really happened – I just re-read the letter (for the 20^th time) I’m sure I’ll have to go to New York now – maybe with Mina… We rehearsed + rehearsed for Too Many Girls (I feel fat – damn it!)

1942 MON LEONARD’S NAME WAS IN THE paper TO GO TOMORROW.. BUT CASE TOOK 5 of THE FELLAS UP TO VERMILION AND THEY WERE SWORN INTO THE ARMY ENLISTED RESERVE – Thank HEAVEN. THE DOPE DIDN’T LET ME KNOW UNTIL 10:30… BOB WAS HERE WHEN HE CAME… HE WAS ACTING UTTERLY IRRATIONALLY… I TRIED TO STAY ANNOYED; COULDN’T –

1943 TUES Heard Johnny Mercer… wrote Leonard. Hated Mrs. Stote today. LEONARD WRITES MORE RATIONALLY. HE IS CALMER NOW. THANK HEAVEN. HE HAS LEARNED MUCH. I FEEL AWFUL. SKETCHED PEARL + LOIS + SULLY + ME. 

JULY 24

1939 Who knows? Maybe I’ll end up a newspaper cartoonist (horrors!) I’ve got the opportunity to try it any how – I can’t get very enthusiastic. It seems like one more “have to”

1940 Wed I was absolutely prostrate Didn’t do a thing all day… except relax – Too warm to sleep, then went over to Sterns – beer, culture

1941 Now that it’s practically too late, I’m getting to know people. Beth Perry + I read verses together this aft. (Up at Hill top we had wanted to go swimming + a storm came up) Louise Woodruff revealed amazing insight + sensitivity coming back from Woods

1942 FRI Leonard’s BACK – AS ARROGANT AS EVER… HE WOULD HAVE KISSED ME IN BROAD DAYLIGHT ON THE FRONT PORCH – IN FRONT of THE neighbors + EVERYBODY. IF I HADN’T STOPPED HIM… IT MADE ME MAD WE HAD TO BE WITH A WHOLE PASSEL of FOLKS… WOULD LIKE TO HAVE BEEN ALONE. WE WENT OUT TO school, THEN OVER TO EIDES’ – TO SEE THE CRUCIFIX –

1943 SAT OH AGONY, I WISH I COULD REPLACE THIS TOO TOO SOLID FLESH WITH A NEW SKIN. MY ANKLES ARE SWOLLEN AND PURPLE… MY LUNCHEON WAS A SUCCESS. I DID QUITE WELL (BETTER THAN I THOUGHT I COULD) I VERY MUCH LIKED SKIN of OUR TEETH; WE ATE AT A French RESTAURANT… I DIED… SULLY + PEARL went out.

JULY 7

1939 Fri 12:45 Virginia had a shower for Jeanne Perry tonight. Lovely We saw Cathrine Craig at Pay’s. I felt like shaking hands w/ her

1940 11:15 Beginning to get decently (indecently acc. to Mother) tan… Did absolutely nothing constructive – Went over to Janie’s – V. Faragher’s leaving for Washington + and F.B.I. job Thursday

1941 Mon Gee, now my name’s down for Wed + I don’t know the Waltz – yet. tsk, tsk. very typical. Slept this aft. Letter from Mother, thank goodness

1942 TUES Leonard’s GETTING PRETTY POSSESSIVE, again. HE + BILL PICKED US UP (Shirley + me) AFTER WE (+ D.J.) SAW “REAP THE WILD WIND’' [LOUSY] IT WAS HOT. WE LAY OUT IN BACK ON BLANKETS… Leonard WANTED TO STAY. QUITE BADLY. I WOULDN’T LET HIM… HA.

1943 WED (I wish I had now)

Sully went to Connecticut. I fixed scalloped potatoes! – A success. Mr. Krikorian hasn’t called!

 

JULY 6

1939 This morning Pal awakened me for the last time… He was hit by a car about 7:00 – It was better that he should not have to go through recuperating from a broken paw – he was so old… a part of my life for 15 years – I’m getting pretty bored w/ merely books for company.

1940 2:00 Did some catching up with a phase of my career that I missed when I was young Gee, I had fun… I seem to have made an impression on Hunk… He wants to take me to Lawrence Welk the 8^th – L?) And  - I had fun dancing with Don Forney – attractive brat.

1941 SUN BEACH… BURNED.. BATH; DINNER… REHEARSAL… TALKED WITH DON BUCK… SAID G’B TO MR. WALDRON… MIKE + I WENT WALKING… SANG… CHILLY

1942 11:15 MON LAST WEEK of TEACHING Summer school – (NOW I’LL HAVE TO START THINKING about WHAT I’M GOING TO DO… ) PLAYED 2 SETS of TENNIS w/ WILBER. (HE BEAT ME, of COURSE!) – SHIRLEY HANSON had A PICNIC… NATURALLY, Leonard WOULD WANT TO TAKE ME TO DINNER TONIGHT.

1943 TUES Mrs. Stote, pink + grey, had her purse snatched… I didn’t do much today. No short stories, thank goodness… We couldn’t find Sully’s bag! I was dead + expired on the davenport

 

JUNE 29

1939 Thursday 10:00 Eleanor is home! I’m so very glad she didn’t stay in Chicago. I worked out at school most of the day. E + Mother + I went to a show.

1940 1:30 Saturday.. For an ecstatic moment I was really happy this morning – Folks had a party for anniversary – Clara upset me completely again… I no sooner get Leonard off my mind than something happens again! He told her he was going to the Hospital Monday - + not to tell me… I know I must quit worrying!

1941 MIKE + I SLEPT UNTIL 11 THIS MORNING BEST PART OF THE DAY WAS TURKEY FOR DINNER… (THE REHEARSAL OF SORORITY HOUSE HAD AN ORDER VERY SIMILAR) WROTE LETTERS – SAW HENRY! – DAMN.

1942 MON WOULD LIKE TO HAVE KISSED WILBER g’bye. HE’S SO DARN SWEET… I NEVER WANT TO SEE HIM, IF THE ARMY TAKES ANY of THAT away. LEONARD DIDN’T go TO RAPID CITY… THANK GOD. I ACTED LIKE A NIT-WIT ALL DAY TODAY… WENT AROUND ASKING FOOLISH QUESTIONS.

1943 TUES By some mechanism that takes care of those things, I’m adapting myself to the thought of not seeing Leonard – for a while, anyhow. Herman came over + went to the show with Sully + me. It rained, thank God as we came back.

 

 

JUNE 27

1939 10:45 Went out to school today to get started. I’m rather floored by the size of the job. Peggy, Nessa, Marguerite + I went on a steak fry. The park was full of 100’s of lightening bugs

1940 1:00 I am so very stupid. If only I had had this damn m – out beforehand… It would have been no trick at all… As it was I didn’t start until nearly 11 this morning – consequently didn’t finish until 12 tonight… (Now I won’t feel I have a right to ask $15) – I have a swollen Jaw – I am a mess and I think about Leonard entirely too much.

1941 – TSK – TSK – BROKE A RULE! NOT QUITE AS MUCH FUN AS I HAD EXPECTED – HENRY IS A NIZE BOY – BUT YOUNG – WENT SWIMMING TODAY – FUN – GOT A BANG OUT OF THE BOYS IN WHATALIFE

1942 SAT Was reasonably energetic… met Donna for lunch… Looked for a bathing skirt. No luck  * DJ + I went over to Shirley’s. Just as we were discussing the “boy” (Leonard specifically) in they walked

1943 SUN AFT – WE ARE DRAPED AROUND THE APT., MELTING… I’M VAGUELY NERVOUS… BUT NOT BADLY… I’M GOING TO TRY + BE more ORGANIZED… * WE HAD DINNER at HAMBURGER HEAVEN. I ENJOYED IT + (fore-got dessert). Sully + I went to Devil + Miss Jones.

 

JUNE 20

1939 9:50 – I laughed to myself intermittently all day. – However, I am wondering just who has the last laugh as my ear caught no faint ring of the telephone this evening. – I wrote Eleanor + told her all about it – She got a bang out of it – I wonder what Ray thought!

1940 1:30 Sketched all afternoon… This evening I introduced Peg + Jo – Egad, those two are absolutely irrepressible! Saw Leonard for a couple moments today – electric as ever. I hope I dream of him

1941 Got home about 8:00 – Hellish ride – Been getting ready all day. Can’t believe I’m going – Leonard called from Brookings – (It would have been horrible if I hadn’t even heard from him) – Butterflies in my stomach

1942 Sat Del’s staying w/ me tonight + I enameled wood-work this morning. I enjoy working like that. We sat out on the porch + talked

1943 SUN Felt restless, vaguely resentful. Wrote home + Leonard as usual. Walked over to Central Park + saw the Bache exhibit. Lois + Sully had company (+ my chocolate cake!) – We had a very swell dinner, w/ a nice roast. 

JUNE 14

1939 (13th) Monday I guess it must have been a little farewell party I attended Friday – but I didn’t know it! – This is the 3rd day I haven’t even heard from Ray. It’s certainly a good thing I’m not crazy about him, or I’d go wild (not just mad!)

1940 11:15 – Well I guess I’m letting myself in for it but I’ve got a swimming date with Bill Sunday! – He probably just wants to tell me off… what the hell – I’m tired of sitting around waiting for Leonard to do something

1941 You had to wait awhile, kid, but this is what you were asking for, wasn’t it? – It’s terrible to stay out so late (3:45? Anyhow, its getting light!) – But gee, maybe I won’t see him for a coupla months – oh hell –

1942 11:15 Sun “Lonely Evening” personified. Is it that I’m crazy about Leonard or is it I can’t take being by myself? I’m sun-burned. Out in back all morning. Went bike-riding w/ D.J.

1943 MON WE HAD A NICE DINNER; SULLY + I WENT TO Air Force… GEE, I’D LIKE TO BE OVER-SEAS. MAKES ME WANT TO BE in this! WE DID EXERCISES…LA… FEEL FAT… BUT I WAS QUITE happy + extroverted TODAY… BUT A HORRIBLE MAN LEERED AT ME IN THE BUS – FOLLOWED I got groceries, etc. letter from Leonard. 

JUNE 13

1939 (11th) Sunday 11:30 I hope I never see another piece of cake or pie, etc. – for a long, long time – I ate all day – girls had a buffet supper at Margeurite’s – Margaret leaves for the hills Saturday. Wants me to come out

1940 12:30 Well, I hope Leonard had a good time at the dance tonight! – (Like hell) He doesn’t seem to realize I’m hooman and enjoy prosaic things like dates + dances and being kissed – I’m going to push him out of my mind. He’s evidently had no trouble [doing] the same with me –

1941 As Tracy Land said last night “I’m such an unholy mess of a girl” – Gee, I spend all my time getting myself into things I have to get out of.

1942 Sat Woke up + felt awful this morning. Not improved enough to be ambitious, got a few things done. Del came! – had her over for dinner. We talked until now.

1943 SUN of course, I had to wake up early. Wrote a long letter to Mother. (To Leonard, too)… We had a big fat breakfast… ate + ate… And dinner at a little French restaurant. Sully + I did exercises. That’s all – 

MAY 23

1939 10:00 I am really tired - Did about 5 of the big cartoons today. - Tonight some of the gals went on a picnic - I didn't get home in time to go to the show with Ray, darn it - 

1940 Thurs Planned to attend my last classes in College today, and they didn't meet! - Cleaned out my two art desks + got started studying for Teaching of Eng. Exam tonight.

1941 11:30 It's a matter of living through " the rest of it now - Wish I didn't worry about this deal so much. Thank God, I've taught my last class.

1942 Sat 3:00 (Oh Darling, I've got it bad -) Mister Payne called me for lunch, but I was meeting D.J. + Marie - We went to the dance tonight... Silly fun. Saw Auggie kids all over.

1943 SUN NO chance TO RELAX - I'M IN A helluva MOOD - ME Marie FOR breakfast (SHE TALKED AN ARM OFF ME) - WASHED MY HAIR, READ THE Times ON THE ROOF; NEARLY died OF FRUSTRATION WHEN 5 buses PASSED ME OOP... LOIS + SULLY + I SAW THE APT. (Gee, I HOPE IT WORKS OUT!) (I FORGOT my money, couldn't eat with em) Couldn't get to see Ballet

MAY 22

1939 Mon 11:40 - Everything is swell - The frogs are croaking outside - It is cool and breezy... I accomplished nothing except a new pair of shoes today - Ray + I read Ogden Nash on the lawn this aft. - tonight I was already for bed + he came after me his sister was going to ship a little collie to Nebraska. We went out of town + picked it up. It was so small.

1940 Wed All school picnic - ha! - Clara + I spent the day giving out on The Girls. We barely finished in time to read the raw product in class. It went over. Mr. K was quite overcome after class at our leaving (Clara + Me) - 

1941 11:30 Hold your breath, kid - I think we're on the last stretch! - Finally got all the place cards printed - Under pressure - Senior Class play tomorrow

1942 Friday At least I got a whole slew of clothes washed today... Emil enlisted in the navy... Wilber got his notice for a physical. Peggy got a job... Chuck Harris was on Make Island! D.J. + I went for a ride

1943 SAT We went to a Party thrown by the American Newspaper Guild... People were singularly unimpressive! - H danced with me! - not badly, either. - Carmen Amaya + a hypnotist - floor-showed. The apt. is beautiful. Lois + Sully are to see it tomorrow, I hope. Lunch w/ Donna

MAY 18

1939 Thurs. 10:35 All this sleep is just too much for me. I am getting a habit. It's beautiful out doors tonight. You can see the lilacs + the dark garden 

1940 Sat. I was really hurt to think that I didn't rate well enough with the Webs to get asked to the society banquet... But I guess I can take it - there's nothing else to do! - helped D.J. pick out a coat - wrote with Clara tonight... Mr. Spitznagel called for a "date" Mon.

1941 12 - Sunday - For a change, I took Reeves' to dinner. - It was hot + windy - Didn't go to church worked on exam went over to school - Blanche, Dorothy + D rumbah-ed + conga-ed - I thought about Leonard. Wrote to Jo. Tom called

1942 Gee, what a wild picnic. Haven't had my hair pulled, my ears bitten so violently for a long time. WWW surprised me. Went to Alumnae Banquet w/ Clara

1943 TUES 11:30 Hell, both Donna + Mickey are deserting me. Donna's going home (as I thought)... Would Lois + Sully consider going in w/ me? today was fairly productive... H. School Boys badgered me; lifted my ego this morning. Luncheon this noon. Started Look Homeward Angel