Lester's handwriting
was always difficult to read, but started to really get bad in 1966 and now
continues to deteriorate. Suspect his failing eyesight due to cataracts and
other aging issues like arthritis and/or strokes are making it difficult for him to write.
January 1967
1 – Low 70,
high 82. Went to pot luck. Purdue won [Rose
Bowl].
2 – Virgene
went home.
3 – Picked
up ½ bushel grapefruit 75¢. Split with Glen.
4 – Cooling
down again. Rained. Filed additional claim with Medicare, $15.00 bills.
5 – Low 50,
high 58. Harry went to hospital.
6 – Nothing
happened. Warm.
7 – Normal
day & warm.
8 – Low 60º,
high 70º. R.J. came over. Had 3 families for dinner here. 1st time.
9 – Low 68º,
high 70s. Rained slight. Sent Harry's fruit.
10 – Low
56º, high 60. Getting cooler.
11 – Low
50º, high 74º. Mary & Jack came.
12 – Low
46º, high 60º. Went to see Thacker.
13 – Thacker
got offer of settlement. Total $10,000. Agreed on it – 1 year _____.
15 – To
Church & Katie's to eat.
16 – Weather
good here.
17 – Signed
releases on insurance settlement. Tola $7250, Us $2250. Net $4712.50 & $1787.60
after attorney fees. Cold & zero hit North.
18 – Got
word that Leland passed away Jan. 9th.
19 – Got
prescriptions filled at SuperX.
20 – Got
grapefruit & oranges. Weaver's dropped in.
21 – Men had
pancake supper. Over 100.
22 – To
Church & Katie's to eat. Warm.
23 – Devoy
helped put up banister. Cost $4.00. Temp high up North 55º.
24 – Warm
here & sunny.
25 – Still
warm. Having bowel troubles. Can't figure it out.
26 – Big
snow hit Chicago area all day. John Henry called today. Had long visit.
27 – Snow
continues, a record breaker 25 inches & drifts. Called Wayne tonight. He
couldn't get out. Snowed 26 hours, 6-10-ft. drifts.
 |
| Laura on snowdrift |
 |
| Wayne clearing snow |
28 – Hammond
snowbound too. Everyone got home safe.
29 – All
went to Tola's for dinner.
30 – Temp
dropped here below 40. No frost. Warm daytime.
31 – Still
40 in a.m.
February 1967
1 – Low 45º,
high 70º. Got letter from Nancy all about record breaking snow. Never heard
anything like it.
2 – Ate at Hester's.
Good dinner.
3 – Warm,
loafed around.
4 – Got
Social Security check from Blue Cross & Wayne. More snow up North over 356
inches over 10 days. Record.
5 – To
Church & Katie's. Hot.
6 – Dinner
at Chastain's. 72 years old today. Lots of cards.
7 – Low 71,
warm all night. Rain & thunder. Check from Holtz. Pot luck.
9 – Rained
all night & part of day 2½ inches.
10 – Bob
& Florence Bielby dropped in tonight. First time in Florida.
11 – Folks
came back today. Took them to Marge's. Left about 4 p.m.
12 – Went to
Church & to Mary P. for dinner. Good meal. Warm 75º & more rain, 1
inch.
13 – Got
more grapefruit at Partner's, also temples.
14 – Mary's
came.
15 – Another
storm up North. Took photos to Orlando & returned to L.A. for reprinting.
16 – Grand
weather here.
17 – Warm in
70s today. Tola came back.
18 – Carol's
wedding day to Bill Bolster. Wed in Base Chapel. Reception at home. Carol
postponed wedding 'til March 4th. Hottest day so far 85º.
19 – Went to
Church & to Scoty's to eat. Warm.
20 – Met
Walter Harbert at 3 a.m. Train late.
21 – Tola
went to dentist at Arcadia. Rain over 1 inch.
22 - 55º.
Raining. Eva hairdresser.
23 – More
snow up north.
24 – Went to
Rodeo, cool. Not as good.
25 – Cool
& windy. Light frost went below 30º.
26 – Went to
Sunday School & Church. Ate at Tola's.
27 – Took
Walter to Lakeland to see Helen's cousins.
28 – Tola
went to Arcadia again. Sent Wayne bushel of grapefruit C.O.D.
March 1967
1 – Put
Walter on train for Clearwater.
3 – Warm.
White boys came this p.m.
4 – Low 60s.
Walter came back from Clearwater. Carol Isenagle married today at Sacramento.
Warm 86º.
5 – Warm in
80s. To Sunday School & Church. Tola's for dinner.
 |
L-R: Julius, Hester, Walter Harbert, Devoy Kesler, Eva, and
Tola
|
6 – Low near
70º. Walter left for Lauderdale. Called Marg.
7 – Went to Margaret's
at Sarasota. Went to feed lot with Toots. Babe's there. Stayed all night.
8 – All went
to Sale at Arcadia. To ranch in p.m. & John's for dinner & all night.
9 – Left for
home at 12:30, here at 4. Warm. Had good time with all.
10 – Real
hot, 86 – no breeze.
11 – Low
70º.
12 – Ate at
Mr. Mac's alone. Good. $1.35.
14 – Cooler.
15 – Called
Wayne. No fruit yet, but snowing.
16 – Cooler,
but nice.
17 – Went to
Church wedding – Eunice.
18 – Got Bu.
W. – TV [no idea . . . ]
19 – Low 52º
- 70. Ate at Mr. Mac's.
20 – Low
54º, high 70s. Got ½ bu. Fruit – 50 cents.
21 – Low 58.
Spring. Saw Fulmer's slides on Birch Lake – real nice.
23 – Went to
Good Friday service at Methodist Church. First time in it.
25 – Warm.
Got new 404 Instamatic camera, traded Signet for $20.00, net $40.00.
26 – Went to
Sunrise Service at Lake & to Church. To Tola's for dinner. Pot Luck.
27 – Had
Hester for dinner today. Big rain storm ½ inch.
28 – Warm.
29 – Warmer.
30 – Got
letter from Nancy. No fruit. Parrishes stopped on way home. Like Florida.
April 1967
1 – Filed
claim for fruit, $5.00.
2 – Went to
Church, ate at Tola's. 81º.
3 – Low 58.
4 – Last Pot
Luck. Mark Kane's stopped to see us. Are at Tavares.
5 – Surprise
for Gilbert's 60th anniversary.
6 – Paid
license tag $33.05. Still warm.
7 – Was at
Mary's for dinner & visit.
8 – 68º low.
Cake & ice cream at Hester's.
9 – To
Church & dinner at our house. Wayne's opened up at Lake. All thawed.
10 – Took
Eva to Orlando. Got 2 dresses $4.00 & $5.99 & 2 pair shoes.
12 – Got 2
bushels grapefruit at St. Cloud $2.00. Leave 2 weeks from today.
13 – Good
rain this a.m. Cooler.
14 – Hot
& high humidity 87º.
15 – Hot
most of April. 88º. Ran air conditioning.
16 – Went to
Church, to Walgreens to eat. Hot 89º. Had air conditioner on.
17 – Hot.
High 92º. Hottest since September 19. Put car top on. Ran air conditoner. More
this year than ever.
18 – Still
hot. Humidity high, 90º. Ate fish at Mary's.
19 – Low
72º, high 92º. Hot & humid.
20 – Some
cooler in 80s. Getting things in order gradually.
21 – Low
59º. Cool.
22 – Still
warm, hot & humid.
23 – Didn't
got to Church. Glen & I loaded T.V.
24 –
Everyone about leaving. Haines debating.
25 – All
loaded & decided to take off after lunch to break trip to Atlanta. Got to
Lake City, 165 miles. Tola along.
26 – Got to
Atlanta about 2 p.m. Elinor came to meet us. Had good visit & dinner. Met
Lynn's friend Larry.
27 – Left
Elinor's at day break, drove to Jeff City, Indiana about 540 miles. Stayed at
Bel Air.
28 – Left at
day break, got to Milly's at 11:45 – 1170 miles. Stayed all night, got
groceries. Temp 55º.
29 – All
came to Birch Lake, 52º. Wayne's all up. The whole gang started pump, furnace
& cleaned everything. Ate supper at Nancy's.
30 – Got hit
coming from Vandalia. Slight damage. Kids all left. Bake & Nora dropped in.
May 1967
1 – Temp
near 80 – warm.
2 – Temp
dropped again to near freezing.
3 – Low 40º,
high 50. Went to Cass. Lots of jobs to do.
4 – Went to
Milly's, stayed alnight.
5 – Kids'
anniversary. Went to Dowagiac. In 40s.
6 – Still
below normal. Up to 50.
7 – A little
warmer, high 58. People driving out. Rained in night.
8 – Low 45º,
high 56. Sunny.
9 – Warm in
50s.
10 – Low
35º, high 62º. Wind ___. Rain in night.
11 – Low
52º, high 62. Still raining.
12 –
Switched tires, 31,350 miles. My blood pressure 165/85, weight 161. Mom's
normal weight 140. Had __________. Temp 50-65º. Nice.
13 – Warm 65
all p.m. Eva got hair set.
14 – Kids
all came up & Walter, Milly's & Tola. Around 62º. Donna called.
15 – Tilled
7 rows. Warm, near 60º.
16 –
Retilled & planted 4 rows corn, 1 row beans. Warm.
17 – High
65º. Went to Elkhart.
18 – Low
64º, high 80º. Windy & sunny. Tilled ground.
19 – Low
62º, high 74. Planted row beets, peas, row potatoes.
20 – Low 50,
high 65º. Milly's brought Tola out with our supper.
21 – Low 40,
high 70º. Clear. Kids up.
22 – Low
45º, high 56º. Tilled east garden.
23 – Rained
all day.
24 –
Glorious day, 88º. Washed & hung. Planted 2 rows squash, cukes &
melons, short row potatoes.
25 – Went
grocery shopping.
26 – High
84. Hot in Hammond.
27 – Wayne
& Tola came. Getting cooler.
28 – Grace
& Walter brought Nancy & kids. Wayne sailed at Diamond Lake. Nice day.
71º, 4 rows up.
29 – Tola's
& us went to Milly's. Getting warm.
30 – In 60s
& nice day. At Milly's.
31 – Low 55,
high 70º. Came home from Milly's.
June 1967
1 – To
Elkhart, 75º. Ordered bird pole.
2 – High
80º. Set out 24 tomatoes, 75¢. Diane & John came up.
3 – Got word
Mrs. Snepp & Vainia died. Planted 2 rows corn.
4 – Beautiful
day in 70s. Went to Milly's this evening.
5 – Nice
80s. Went to Judson.
6 – In 80s.
Funeral of Mrs. Snepp.
7 – First
good rain.
8 - 84º.
More rain. Total 1½ inch.
9 – Getting
hot. Diane & John came.
10 – Every
one here. Getting hot.
 |
So many volleyball games and Grandma Eva loved to play!
From left: Eva, Amy, Diane, Laura, Dana, Annetta, and John
|
11 – Milly's
brought Tola. Nice day, but warm.
12 – Nice
here now.
13 – Had to
get Eva a wash & set.
14 – Went to
Gilbert's. Took Tola. Pretty warm, high 90s. 120 miles. Nice country.
15 – Left
Gilbert's at 8 a.m., got to Milly's at 12. Getting pretty hot. Came home &
jumped in lake.
16 – Big
wind & rain, total for 24 hours 2½ inches. Break in heat wave. Tilled
garden that's up.
17 – Temp
dropped in 70s. Wayne's came.
18 – Low 65,
high 72. John & Diane here. Races started. Sowed grass on lot.
19 – Wayne's
left for Expo 67.
20 – Went to
dentist. Got 3 fillings, Mom's inlay.
21 – Cooler.
22 – Went to
Elkhart.
23 – Got ¾
inch rain.
24 – Went to
Cora Lake Reunion. Over 30 in all. Good food. Tola flew to California.
25 – Stayed
all night at Marg. Wayne's got home.
26 – Kids
went to Hammond. Got inlay & 2 fillings. Mom inlay.
27 – Kids
got back. No car yet. Tilled garden. Got bird pole. Made steps.
28 – Cool.
Rained ¾ inch. Went to Kellogg's at Battle Creek. Ate at Dowagiac.
29 – Cool in
70s. Planted last 2 rows corn & some beans. Picked last 3 quarts
strawberries. Went to Cass with Wayne. Planted 2 rows corn.
30 – Cool in
70s. John & Diane came.
July 1967
1 – 2 races
today.
2 – Went to
Jones for paper. Cool. Saw Piphe about Dean's sewer.
3 – Got
check & went to bank & got groceries. Fireworks tonight. Nice. Coolest
ever, low 58º.
4 – Coolest
4th. Low 58, high 65º
5 – Cool
week.
6 – Went for
groceries at Elkhart.
7 – Everyone
came out tonight.
8 – Races at
Diamond Lake. Ate at Wayne's.
9 – Walter
came & stayed 'til Tuesday. In 80s.
10 – Rained
off & on. In 70s.
11 – Got
hair cut. Nice.
12 – Mom got
hair set. Looked up Sugar.
13 – Milly's
came for supper.
14 – Kids
came, also Diane & John.
15 – All
went to see ponies. Sugar a good rider.
16 –
Dedelows & Rodleys came. Took them to Toll Road.
18 – Put
tile in at Dean's. Dry well. More rain, ½ inch.
19 – Lovely
weather. Tola came home Monday.
20 – Kids
came up to go to Torch Lake.
21 – Diane
& John came later.
22 – Fooled
around. Lovely weather.
23 – Kids
got back about 8 & left. Had first mess of beans.
24 - 70º
& lovely. Put straw on tomatoes.
25 – Ideal
summer weather in low 80s.
27 – Went to
town, got groceries & Mom's prescription.
28 – Kids
came, also Dave's.
29 –
Beautiful day. My kind of weather.
30 – High
80º. Gorgeous. Regatta at Grand Rapids.
August 1967
2 – Went to
Elkhart. Beautiful weather.
3 – Went to
bank. Clarks came at 3 p.m. & brought chicken, tomatoes & pie. We had
corn. Stayed all night. Rained & blew.
4 – A.W.s
left at 9:30 for Detroit. Had good visit. Milly's & Glen's came for supper.
5 – Rain
today & tomorrow.
6 – The
usual Sunday & kids.
7 – Got hair
cut & to bank. Also County Fair.
8 – Nice
weather. A little rain.
9 – Nice.
Finished painting. Bathed in Lake
Had to include this
photo for the memory of our embarrassment when Grandpa would head to the lake
in his swim trunks with a bar of soap. He'd lather up all over and then plunge
under to rinse. This evokes another
memory that has to be included: We had a raft out in deep water that was
brought in each year at the end of the season. Dad & Grandpa went out one
year to bring it in but had trouble unearthing the anchor from the muck at the
bottom of the lake. They pulled and pulled, then finally SNAP the anchor gave
and Grandpa lost his balance and did a backwards flip off the raft into the
lake. When he emerged, he was covered in muck and trying frantically to get
back to the raft. He was sputtering mad because his son was laughing too hard
to give him a hand.
10 – Stayed
at Milly's. Cool. Got razor at Tepe's $29.75 & hibachi $5.97.
11 – Came
home, cool Wayne's came.
12 – Cooler,
low in 50s, high 60s. Dean's on vacation. Had first tomatoes. Lots of corn.
13 – Low 55,
high 75º. Milly's & all here & Walter. Had corn & tomatoes.
14 – Walter
left this a.m.
15 – Went to
Sears about softener.
16 – Temp.
in 70s.
17 – Weather
ideal. Dry.
18 – Rained
.2 inch. First in 2 weeks. Wayne's came.
19 – Went to
Jones Dinner. Rained ½ inch.
20 – 15 here
for dinner. Collet's & Diane & John. Temp mild.
21 –
Tomatoes coming good now.
22 – Carol
had baby girl, Lori Lynn, 6½ pounds.
25 – Got
eyes checked. Cut down left & corrected right. Mom had 1 lens changed.
Carol's baby born, Lori Lynn. [Probably
just got baby announcement in mail as he has August 22 as the birthdate.]
27 – Had ½
inch. Rain. Finished races. Parrishes here.
28 – Got to
Bill's about 4:30. We slept there. Wayne's camped & brought trailer next
day.
29 – All day
at Bill's. Jim's & Thelma all together in evening.
30 – Went to
Ev's at Standish & met Det, Art & all (38) at Township Hall [I remember it was surrounded by corn fields].
Great dinner (1/2 inch rain).
31 – Left
Ev's 10 a.m. Home 240 miles at 2:30. Nice day. Had a most enjoyable trip.
September 1967
1 – All came
tonight.
2 – Social
Security came today. Whole family here, also Walter.
3 – Amy's 5th
birthday.
4 – Labor
Day. Cool. Races over. Wayne got 3rd for season.
6 – Got word
Frank Neterer died. Sent flowers & got large collection.
7 – Went to
funeral home.
8 – Frank
buried today. Doris & _____ went with.
9 – Kids
came this a.m.
10 – Kids
all here except Dave's.
12 – Dr. appt.
at Billings. Blood pressure 148/100, weight 162½. Mom's normal.
13 – Otto
& Genevieve took us to eat at Eby's.
15 – Took
money to Neterers, had lunch & went to Milly's for week end.
16 – Nice
day. Eldon took us to see Isabel's.
17 – Lovely
Sunday. Warm. Went to Bill Miller's.
18 – Came
home this morning. Over 70º.
19 – Another
nice day in 80s. Dry.
20 – Rained
all morning, 1 inch.
21 – Started
to rain in night & all morning, 1½ inch.
22 – Got
groceries in Elkhart. Getting cooler.
23 – Dean's
came last ngiht. Kids didn't come out.
24 – Home
all day. Ate fish at Dean's in evening.
25 – Eva
washed 4 loads clothes & hung out.
26 – Another
load of clothes. Cooler.
27 – Rained
.6 inch. Temp dropped.
28 – Got gas
& milk at Carter's. Coldest day of summer, 50º about all day.
29 – To
Elkhart. Got Mom 2 dresses & girdle $36.24 at Drakes. Rained slowly most of
day, .6 inch.
30 – Low
45º, high 65. Cloudy. Sox out of race.
October 1967
1 – Kids all
here & Parrishes. Got boats & pier in & picked up apples. High in
80s. George & Doris here & Milly's.
4 – Shopped
Elkhart. Got 2 dresses & girdle at Drakes.
5 – Mom got
perm & I a hair cut.
6 – Got to
Wayne's at 12:30. Went to see Biekers, old home on Drackert, & Olcott,
stopped at Hayes & Mrs. Marcus.
7 – Met
James at Steger. All went to Dean's to Cousins Party of 31. Marge & Fred
came too.
 |
Caption: At Dean & Leana's home in
Western Springs.
Front row: Ernie Donovan, Dean DeCoudres, Al
Baker.
2nd row: Ron. Howard Cochran, Harry Stafford, Leana
DeCoudres, Violet Milne, Florence Bielby, Verda Donovan.
3rd row: Fred & Marge Rea,
Nancy Milne, Florence Stafford, Bob Bielby, Margaret & Toots Casper, Eva
Milne, Nora Baker,
Olive Cochran, Florence Bielby, Wayne Milne.
|
8 – Went to
Church with Wayne's, James, David. All kids there for dinner. Had last of corn.
9 – Went to
Bob B. [Bielby's?]. Arrived 10 a.m.
They took us to see Etta & Gertie Haines in Lockport.
10 – Went to
Dean's at 11 a.m. Colder, near 35º.
11 – Drove
home from Dean's. Left 1:50, arrived 4:20, 130 miles, 2½ hours. Gayle &
Barry came along.
12 – Rained
an inch last 4 days.
13 – Home
all day. Mild weather.
14 – Dean's
went to Michigan State v. Michigan game. Michigan State, Purdue & S. Cal.
won over Notre Dame.
15 – Kids
all came out, ate there, also Milly's.
16 – Went to
Cass. Couldn't get license. Went to Lansing for clearance.
17 – Went to
Milly's. Got car appt. Raining.
18 – Got oil
changed & greased 34,600 miles. Filter, wheels greased. Radiator flushed.
19 – Came
home early. Mom & Milly washed clothes. Had 3 inches rain since Sunday a.m.
Put on top carrier.
20 – Temp 40
at 6 a.m. Mom ironing. Packing things.
21 – Kids
all up today.
22 – Kids
here, drained pump. Had big pot luck. Cool but nice.
23 – Loaded
up in earnest.
24 –
Finished loading. Warm.
25 – Drained
system & left at 10:30.
26 – Left at
6:00 a.m. Stayed at Bowling Green $8.00 Cardinal.
27 – Left
about 6:15. Landed at Macon, Georgia. Stayed at Ambassador. Cool driving.
28 – Left
Macon about 6, landed in Kissimmee at 1:30. Hot near 80. Tola cleaned trailer
inside & out.
29 – Went to
Church & to Scotys to eat. Warm all day.
30 – Ordered
our T.V. Got faucet & plumber to install & fix leak. Ordered phone, set
& hair cut, ordered gas. Warm. Called Elvira.
31 – Warm.
November 1967
1 –
Installed phone, called Wayne.
2 – T.V.
came & was installed. Good.
3 – Went to
Fish Fry with Devoy at Reb. Hall.
4 – Getting
cooler.
5 – Cooler.
Got peat & garden seed.
6 – Planted
petunias & snap dragons.
7 – Election
Day. Republicans gained as did Negros. Big snow in Ohio 2 & 3 feet. Led
singing.
8 – Got a
Dr. appt. for eye Dr. Wall.
9 – Planted
petunias & snap dragons.
11 –
Russell's Golden Wedding Day. Sent card & check $10.00. Glen's came today.
12 – Went to
Church & ate out.
13 –
Everything growing good.
14 – Sang
again. John Henry called.
15 – Fullers
came today.
16 – No rain
yet. Dry.
18 – No
change in weather.
19 – Ate at
Margie's after church. Harry's birthday. Kids called here.
20 – Sowed
north side to grass.
21 – Still
singing. Got package from Nancy.
22 – Got
chicken for pot luck.
23 –
Thanksgiving dinner at Club. Wayne called at 11 a.m.
24 – Real
warm, over 80.
26 – To
Church. Ate at Tola's.
27 – R.J.
Milne called. To contact us after Holidays.
28 – Led
singing. Throat tightens up.
30 – More normal.
Need rain. October had .03 inches. None in November.
December 1967
1 – Cut rye
grass about __ inch higher. Best grass since we're here, all around trailer.
2 – 12 ft.
trailer epidemic about over, now have 12.
3 – Ate at
Mr. Mac's, Mom & I. Cooler.
4 – Started
on Christmas cards. Our blood pressure up. Eva's 220, mine 180.
5 – Mailed
about 20 cards. Cloudy & cool. Eva's dropped to 180.
8 – Picked
up 4½ bushels fruit, 3 grapefruit 1½
navels $2.25 & $1.00. Baskets .70 each. Drought broke with .3 inch rain.
10 – To
Church, ate at Tola's. Eva & I. Finished Christmas cards – about 100.
11 – Had a
downpour all p.m. & evening, total 2 inches, a real soaker.
12 – Eva had
a good birthday. Kids both called.
13 – Warm
still.
17 – All went
to St. Cloud Hotel. Good.
18 – Got
hair cut & was first $10.00.
20 – Got
word fruit arrived today.
21 – Lots of
cards.
22 – Warm in
80s. Wayne called from office at 5 p.m.
23 –
Christmas came to Milne's from Hammond. Temp dropped to low 40s, high 50s.
Furnace came on, first in 3 weeks.
24 –
Christmas Party at Club.
25 –
Christmas Dinner at Club. Temp 50-66. Bake called.
26 – Had a
good Christmas. Warm.
29 – Wayne
called on phone about 5 p.m.
30 – Warm.
31 – Old
year bowed out in Glory.
No comments:
Post a Comment