SEPTEMBER 1

1939 10:00 To-day there were air-raids over Polish cities. – Hitler seems to be determined to carry out his plans. – Thank God I live in America! – It doesn’t seem like anything can prevent a general European war now- I hope we can stay out of it!

1940 10:35 I hope I live through tomorrow – I feel so ignorant. But I’ve got to build up the ego + grit the teeth and live till the weekend

1941 Mon It was good to be with Marie + Chils – More than ever I want to be clean and wholesome + vital… It is certainly their greatest asset. I am much too self-centered and melancholy. There is no sense to it.

1942 TUES DAVID STOPPED BY TONIGHT TO APOLOGIZE FOR LAST NIGHT… I TOLD him IT WAS QUITE UNNECESSARY… HE WANTED TO FIND OUT IF I REALLY MEANT WHAT I SAID… and WAS SURPRISED WHEN HE FOUND I DID.

1943 WED

AUGUST 31

1939 11:30 Worked on Molly to-day – very slow stuff. – Marguerite + Sara + I went to “On Borrowed Time” – I wrote a follow up ad for Sylvia’s –

1940 10:45 It’s real and yet it isn’t… Here I am a School Teacher – I felt so very young in faculty meeting… Like I was one of the kids that got in by mistake… If anyone had said “boo” – I would have burst into tears… Silly, adolescent. But they are all very nice to me.

1941 Sun I sewed on my dirndl all day. It isn’t done yet… I shouldn’t do things quite so intensely I guess. Marie + Chils + I went to a marvelous Melwyn Douglas movie – Out to the airport + had hamburgers. They are swell. They can’t quite figure me out, I’m sure!

1942 MON FOR THE LAST TIME FROM YOU, MR. L! WE REALLY HAD A PRETTY NICE EVENING; BUT I DON’T LIKE THE WAS YOU’RE ALWAYS RAGGING ME… WHEN I SAID I WOULDN’T GO OUT WITH HIM AGAIN IF HE DIDN’T TELL ME WHAT HE STARTED to, I really MEANT IT!

1943 TUES.

AUGUST 30

1939 Wed. 10:00 I guess I’ll live – I don’t know about my feet, however – Wow - $1 day. Clerking at Fantle’s – I could have worked at the new “Sylvia’s”, too. For the opening – I wrote a news story for to-night’s Argus – I am to do another “ad” for Friday –

1940 2:30 – Dull Blue Haze – Trying to get ready – Not being able to concentrate… Grey tweed jacket… dark eyes brown, strong hands, sweet mouth… I saw him for a moment tonight - … He must care a little –

1941 12:15 Sat (Wonder what happened to the plane – And there she flies – Somehow it symbolizes something exciting + beautiful to me. Hope I’ll be able to come in on one of ‘em someday…) Well, I have a bit more self-respect. Cleaned house, played tennis, went down town + started sewing a blue dirndl.

1942 SUN WAS FRUSTRATED acutely… LAY OUT IN B. YARD AND READ CHENEY A WHILE… DREW SOME MORE FIGURES FOR REC. ROOM and READ LOUSEE MAG. STORIES. *

1943 MON

AUGUST 29

1939 Tues. 11:30 Started on the clay model this aft. – Wasted most of the morning getting started + talking to people down in the “Huddle” – Carlson is working on me for an oration – he’s flattering me outrageously – He says he wants to be my manager when I take the boards!!!

1940 At long last – Leonard. I’ve waited so long for this… It’s almost worth going away for – I adore him. I doubt if anything serious will come of it – But we both meant every bit of what happened + I can’t let him down, I mustn’t + won’t!

1941 Well, chum, you’re a year older + should be a year wiser. I find I can still feel – finished For Whom the Bell Tolls. I am a woman

1942 SAT LEONARD took ME TO THE DANCE. WE WERE BOTH too TIRED TO GO, I guess. BILL WAS THERE WITH SOME Babe FROM MADISON. NUTS, SHIRLEE WILL NAIL ME ON IT, too. I WAS HALFWAY MAD AT LEONARD all EVENING…

1943 SUN

AUGUST 28

1939 Monday 2:00 Everything turned out marvelously After talking with Jean I was convinced everything was swell and convinced Eleanor of same – He was about 6 ft – around 200 pounds. – I felt very “protected” – And I enjoyed dancing with him a great deal – His name is “Fritz” It was very warm – I wore my pinkish flannel –

1940 Wed Clara + I went up to LeMars today + I have my room at Dr. Reeves’ – It is really quite nice. I hope I’ll get along with them. I’m really terrified about my job. I’m so slow at catching on + stuff. And there is so much I don’t know about.

1941 – Charleen Farnsworth came over this afternoon to discuss dress design. I was probably as narrow minded as she. It is sad.

1942 FRI THE WANDERING souls CAME BACK FROM Big Stone… I CUT BOB’S HAIR FOR HIM… I ENLARGED SOME SKETCHES, BILL, BOB, LEONARD AND Betty Boe TOOK ME OVER TO HANSONS… WE ALL TOOK HER DOWN TO THE Bus… ha.. BOB DANCED WITH ME this AFT.

1943 SAT

AUGUST 27

1939 Sunday – Should I go, or shouldn’t I – tomorrow will tell! – I think I will (if he’s under 32!) – Worked (?) on Mannekin design – played a little desultory bridge at Marguerite’s – she asked me what I wanted out of life – “Everything” is about as confining as I can get –

1940 Tues Well, he didn’t let me down. Propositioned me right up to the end. Suggested we take apt. in Le Mars. I laughed at him, told him I hoped he wasn’t serious (I know he was). Went to Dentist, cut my hair (I hated to) + went out to Fosters turned my job over to Bob. I’d like to h

1941 Wed Mother + I went down town this A.M. – ate lunch at Shrivers’ + saw Bette Davis flicker. Was over at Eide’s. bought Pete a red crew shirt

1942 THURS 10:30 I’M GETTING FED UP with THIS UNEVENTFUL existence! [THERE’S A PERFECT moon] … WISH Stan OR SOMEONE HAD CALLED… DAVE WAS OUT AT SCHOOL THIS AFTERNOON; GUESS I WAS A little TOO PREOCCUPIED… HAD TO redo BLUE WALLS… PAINTED ART ROOM with SHIRLEY and BOB

1943 FRI

AUGUST 26

1939 Sat 11:45 Wore my new checked dress – down town (I wish the material were better!) – Jean V. called me up to see if I’d go to Ted Evum with the Minneapolis paint salesman! – I said I would, but the family seems inclined towards the negative!

1940 Mon Je suis fatigue – I bought a dress, hat, shoes + a million other things. It was hard work. Did well, I think, though. Got my contract + stuff + sent off –

1941 Tues We finished (Peter was left home). Mr. Eide gave me $5 – We all had such fun. – mostly because we were tired + silly

1942 WED BETTY JOHNSON CAME over THIS AFTERNOON and I GAVE HER WHAT HELP I COULD… ALMOST ENVY HER THIS YR…. I THINK SHE’LL BE SWELL… DREW THIS MORNING + GOT one ENLARGER READY TO GO… Bob + Leonard ARE UP AT Big Stone

1943 THURS.

AUGUST 25

1939 10:00 I’ve been hoping that Ray would call (he is supposed to be in town for a few days – pretty soon) – doubt very much that he will (Things are getting worse between Poland + Germany- It really looks like War)

1940 Sun Bill + I really had a nice date for a change (Eleanor called this morning. She has a $5 a wk raise – We’ll be earning same amt except for her bonuses + overtime) It seems awfully funny. Sari + I went for a walk –

1941 Mon We walked down to Vermillion. I enjoyed being useful, for a change. Mr. Eide mixed colors, we painted. – I was on a scaffold

1942 TUES WENT to THE DENTIST… MUST HAVE THOUGHT HE WAS DRILLING FOR OIL… FINALLY got BLUE DOWN TO WHERE I WANTED it… JEAN CAME AFTER ME tonight AND I WATCHED HER BLOCK… funny HOW SHE ISN’T ON Leonard’s SIDE ANYMORE…

1943 WED.

AUGUST 24

1939 12:30 – Cleaned the house up + helped mother with a chocolate cake. – Had Nessa, Marguerite + Sara over for “bridge” – We sat + listened to war bulletin most of the time –

1940 2:30 One of life’s minor tragedies – lost my Elgin – Something always jinxes when I go out with Hunk – I suppose I’ve had my share of luck for a while – I hope losing my watch was all the bad luck I’ll have for a little while

1941 Sun Mr. Spitznagel + Betty + I went up to Okiboji… It saved the day for me – We saw some very lovely homes. I called Leonard, he wasn’t home.

1942 MON MAYBE I’M “JUSTIFYING MY EXISTENCE” a LITTLE MORE PAINTED today. [TOOK ALL MORNING TO MIX PAINTS] AND TONIGHT, AFTER TAKING A BAWTH, + GETTING READY for BED, I WROTE TO Del AND Emil…

1943 TUES 

AUGUST 23

1939 Wasted a whole day – Shame on me – Some times all I want to do is nothing!

1940 Oh God, I wish I had never met Bill! – I had several methods devised for telling him off, and of course, didn’t use any of them. Well, the contract came – I can’t quite believe it –

1941 Sat I didn’t sleep last night for thinking about Leonard. Felt tired + dopey all day. D.J. + I went for a ride..

1942 SUN NUTS… I ALMOST WISH I HADN’T ASKED THOSE SOLDIERS out – ARTISTS, or NOT… I’M GETTING CYNICAL BOUT they’re BEING ANY good ONES… 10:30 OH, THEY weren’t BAD AT ALL. VEDDY INTELLIGENT. BOB RIEF IS EVIDENTLY NO DOPE… SHIRLEY FOUND OUT from BILL THAT Harold TOLD Leonard I WAS AT THE DANCE with STAN! – BUT I DON’T CARE BECAUSE HE’S BEEN DATING, too.

1943 MON

AUGUST 22

1939 10:30 – Worked on lay-outs – It’s cool as October – Was over to Bailin’s to cut “ad”. I’m eating too much!

1940 Managed to “escape” myself a little today – Went to a show w/ Blossom this aft the Fair w/ Donna + Hunk (Bill called + wanted to go to the FAIR!- ha)

1941 Fri Gee, to have Leonard come, and I should meet him with inadequacy. If only I could just forget myself – I felt I had not helped him at all. Bought a coat, went to a picnic up to Feeneys

1942 SAT DARLING, YOU WERE SO TERRIBLY TIRED; WE CERTAINLY DIDN’T GETanything SAID TO EACH OTHER… I WAS A LITTLE strained, I’M AFRAID… AND sorry FOR THE WAY I ACTED yesterday… I’M IN NEED of REASSURANCE

1943 SUN

AUGUST 21

1939 Mon 11:55 Swell day – Perfect – talked to Mr. Eide about everything - + Marie is staying with me to-night. Mick called – he has been in Pittsburgh

1940 Migosh, maybe 2 weeks from today I will be teaching school. Went down to LeMars – Perfect set up I don’t crave to teach, but I think it is worth $1050! – Mr. K. was swell. Husk, Jeff + Clyde picked us up after the show tonight.

1941 Thurs Jo got a $1125 job at Phillip – Gee, I’m so darn glad! Was ambitious this morning, accomplished a little. – Went out to school… Brandon to the movies tonight

1942 FRI GEE WHAT AN AWFUL AFTERNOON… Everyone WAS owly… I WAS QUITE UPSET over LEONARD’S OBVIOUSLY BEING UPSET… I WANTED TO TELL HIM THAT MY DATE WITH Stan LAST NIGHT DIDN’T MEAN A THING BUT I COULDN’T … HE SAID HE’S “sick of love” I offered TO comfort him w/ APPLES

1943 SAT

AUGUST 20

1939 11:30 I feel marvlous – I have for about 4 days – It’s crisp, cool practically fall. After “Wizard of Oz” Sari +  I caught up with each other – She certainly thinks a great deal of Tony I hope they get married – getting so I’m 1/2 way fond of the idea of putting out a year-book

1940 11:30 Well, maybe things have started “breaking” I got a phone call from LeMars today. Going up for a personal tomorrow. The money would be swell, but maybe it would be a rut. Wrote letters tonight – Felt awful.

1941 Well – at least I was busy all day! – Got sketches done up + sent. Met Eleanor + Mother for lunch, washed my hair, went on a picnic and over to Dot’s tonight –

1942 THURS WENT TO THE DANCE with STAN… WE TALKED some MORE… HE’S SUCH A solid CITIZEN… DAD came HOME. I  THOUGHT I BETTER SPEAK TO HIM… I CAN’T BEAR A GRUDGE, I guess. MR. SPITZNAGEL APPROVES of HANSON COLOR scheme

1943 FRI

AUGUST 19

1939 Sat Very disgusting – I planned to spend my money this aft. + the pink sweater had been sold – the corduroy slacks are still $5.95. I fixed over my red sw. into a cardigan tonight. I’m so tired of being a bachelor!

1940 1:00 Marg, Sara + I went to Our Town. – it affected us – It makes you realize the importance of appreciating every moment. Makes me realize I’ll remember days like today – Bob asked Leonard + me over to lunch – They are so swell to me. Maybe I’m going to Minneapolis.

1941 Tues Feel slut-ish – Thank God, for tomorrow. Drew all day again. Mom + E. + I ate lunch at the Milk Bar + we had a steak fry. Virginia + I went on a picnic –

1942 WED. WORKED our FOOL PLACECARDS FOR A MRS. Ray ALL AFTERNOON (Well, I did spend some time with Bob H. + Leonard… bought them ice cream cones! Leonard has no inhibitions about kissing me in the ART DEPARTMENT)

1943 THURS.

AUGUST 18

1939 1:30 The folks came home in time for dinner… I took the ad over + sold it - $3.50 ! (I’ll buy the pink sweater!) Marguerite + I have been talking – I found out some things I’m not sure I want to know.

1940 10:30 I ate outrageously today + did little else but that. Finished the Brothers Karamazov. Did not get my letters written. Marg + Sara came over. Mr. C. did not call!

1941 Mon 9:00 And I’m going to bed feel vaguely awful. Drew. Hunk didn’t call again about the dance (thank goodness) Neither did anyone else.

1942 TUES I HAD A DATE WITH Stan MCCORMICK… WE CERTAINLY TALK EASILY TOGETHER… HE always GETS SO CONFIDENTIAL! – I’M sorry “AS MUCH” HAPPENED AS DID… damn. I GUESS I’D BETTER join  A CONVENT…

1943 WED

AUGUST 17

1939 Ah, the irony of it all! Eleanor + I have supposedly “reducing” all wk. – Every day we eat excessively for some reason or other – to-night Ed was over for dinner – Steak + potatoes – Egad!

1940 2:00 Hunk is so sweet; but so inept at times – broke the key off in the door of the Packard out to the dance – We came home with Hank + Betty and got the Ford which is I love for such a gallant creature. Had fun.

1941 Sun (Still no Leonard!) Saw Virginia tonight… she is amazingly thin. Didn’t get any sketching done, again. It rained. I tried to sleep this aft.

1942 MON LEONARD TOOK ME TO dinner… WE DIDN’T TALK… HE WAS TO MEET Harold + BILL OUT AT SCHOOL. BOB BERG CAME HOME WITH ME AND WE TALKED. I’M PRACTICALLY unconscious I’M SO TIRED…

1943 TUES.

AUGUST 16

1939 12:00 Lazy day – wrote about 3 words of my “ad” – (God, - I’ve got to finish that!) Went with Eleanor to Grace’s for a handkerchief shower for J.C.  We had onion soup this noon!

1940 I am just furious – I thought I had a date with Bill tonight… He did not call.. And I could have gone to the circus w/ Hunk – Wilmer got me up at 5:30 to watch it unload I cooked dinner tonight!

1941 Sat Eleanor + I smoothed up the house, started to play badminton with D.J., but we listed to records onaccounta rain. E + I were alone

1942 SUN [THANK God, I DIDN’T RELENT AND LET THAT soldier KISS ME]… I WAS NUMBED ALL DAY.. I COULDN’T SPEAK TO DAD. I’M SURE IT’S BEST if WE NEVER discuss IT… I WALKED OUT TO SCHOOL and STARTED TO WRITE A LETTER; MR. EIDE came OUT, SO WE TALKED… HE’S SWELL… VIRGINIA ASKED ME OVER TO HELP ENTERTAIN THE army.

1943 MON

AUGUST 15

1939 Worked on ad all day – no go – Eleanor + I had started on a diet – But tonight we went on a picnic – T bone steaks – Georgia came over to talk “yearbooks” and talked “Glenn” instead I’m afraid she’s skirting a loss

1940 Mrs. Foster likes the drawings okay – Gee, I’d like to get started out there… Howard took me to a show tonight – We talked Francais afterward La vie est brave (I can’t stand the way he kisses me!)

1941 Fri Went out to Doris Iverson’s tonight… 12 of us… ate too much, again… Good seeing people. I was rather quiet

1942 SAT A NIGHT I DON’T WANT TO REMBER, BUT WILL NEVER FORGET; I CRIED UNTIL 4:00… I DIDN’T THINK DAD could BE SO STUPID and INSENSITIVE – HE WAS LIKE A CHARACTER out OF A SECOND RATE NOVEL… I WAS SO ASHAMED + HUMILIATED… I WOULDN’T HAVE MINDED IF HE HAD BLAMED me; BUT HE DIDN’T say  WORD TO ME… Leonard WAS PERFECT. I’LL NEVER forgive DAD if THIS HAS BROKEN US UP.

1943 SUN

AUGUST 14

1939 10:30 The folks went to the lake for the week – I was a Lady – I wanted to go too – tried to get started on my “advertising” career this aft. no go – Sari + I went to “Daughters Courageous” – John Garfield is practically as good as a date (L.P.) Aren’t movies marvelous?

1940 I wish I liked Bill more… Maybe my actions would be more justified… I’m a fool; but what is there to save myself for? – A will 'o the wisp?

1941 Thurs Got a pair of red shoes – a long desire, finally fulfilled… Talked with Ren + Hugo out at school. – Saw Clara, Carp… Was over at Marg’s tonight w/ Sara + Marguerite – dull.

1942 FRI hm, GUESS I MUST HAVE STAYED home TONIGHT. Whaddya KNOW…

1943 SAT

AUGUST 13

1939 Sun Went swimming this morning cold! – perfect! – But I was tired the rest of the day. Marg + I had planned a picnic for Virg. And Minnie. It was rather successful – I feel quite awful –

1940 11:15 I feel like I had a ruptured appendix – however I’m sure its because I ate too much for dinner. Bob + Leonard + I lay out on the campus this morning.

1941 Wed My throat is sore… Started on some sketches, finally. Takes me too long… trotted downtown after a paint brush. – saw Donna

1942 THURS I had a wisdom tooth pulled; didn’t phase me as I expected it to… Went out to school… Leonard was verbally demonstrative… Went to the dance w/ David… Was bored and stupid…

1943 FRI