Dorothy's Diary

Monday, March 5, 1917:
Drifts of snow 2' deep this morning. Only 8 scholars today. Two Epley boys did not arrive.
Did not go to teachers meeting but crotcheted on pillowslips.
Went to bed early.

Tues., March 6, 1917:
Cold - not feeling well this morning & got horribly sick by noon.
Gladys came over & stayed 2 hours & I asked her to come to club on Thursday. Have not eaten anything today.
Paul called & said he had not better come tonight, so went to bed about 7 o'clock.

Wed., March 7, 1917:
Still cold and windy, feel a little better than yesterday.
Grace came to school to observe. Raining hard so bought new overshoes.
Paul came without calling - brought me flowers. Delightful evening.

Thurs., March 8, 1917:
Club meets today at our house. Gladys came home from school with me.
Served ham sandwiches, pickles, fruit salad with whipped cream & cake & coffee.
Feel horribly tired now it is over but things went off alright.

Fri., March 9, 1917:
Feel tired. Gladys did not sleep well last night.
Paul called up but would not come down to meet me so went to teachers meeting alone.
Felt horribly tired.

Sat., March 10, 1917:
Down at store, bought goods for Paul's pillow. Worked on it all afternoon.
Paul came down this evening. Played rook with Jack.
Planning to go to Meryl youngs tomorrow.

Sunday, March 11, 1917:
No trip to country today - raining so stayed home.
Paul called & I asked him to come down. Came about 3 o'clock - delightful evening.
Went to our church - Should Christians go th Theatre

Monday, March 12, 1917:
Nothing special - did not go to teachers meeting but went down to store to write letters.
Paul did not call as he said, but I suppose he forgot.

Tuesday, March 13, 1917:
Test in Physilogy(can't read her writing)
Ferd 88
Ivor 75
Rob 86
Will 70
Nona 90
Morr 86
Elsie 73
Helen 85

Paul called and said he would be up tomorrow.

Wed., March 14, 1917:
Ferdinands Composition - 95
Paul & I went to see Miss Jackie of the Navy. Never laughed so hard before. Enjoyed evening immensely.
Decided to go to dance tomorrow. Pulled my hair down. Said good night through the window.

And later that week........

Friday, February 16, 1917:
Stopped at Ishanens & bought card & valentine book & sent to Paul. Worried all day. He called at night to thank me & said he was coming tomorrow night.
Stayed at home this evening sewing pillow slips.

Saturday, February 17, 1917:
A happy day looking forward to his coming.
Sewing this morning. Had hair washed this afternoon.
Made some fudge for Paul. He did not feel well & so things were not quite so harmonious as they might be.

Sunday, February 18, 1917:
Went to church this morning. Took flowers to Mr. Welch this afternoon. Mamma went over to Aunties. After supper Paul & I went to see her. Had an ideal evening - he telling me of the book I gave him.

Monday, Feb. 19, 1917:
Rainy day - feel tired. O this program is driving me crazy. Teachers meeting tonight - debate on advantages & disadvantages of farm life.

Tuesday, Feb. 20, 1917:
Most strenuous day at achool - don't know whether those girls are going to show up or not.
Finished reading "When a man's a man"
Paul did not call tonight. O why must I worry so?

Wed., Feb 21, 1917:
Woke early this morning - could not sleep for worrying over program.
Saw Paul & rest going to Verna's wedding. I hope they will be happy.
Paul came down tonight but I was horribly blue & cried over my worries.

Thurs. Feb 22, 1917:
At school decorating for Washington's Birthday.
Paul came over to bring magazine.
At Ellen Duths for dinner & her aunts for supper.
Feel tired & worn.

Friday, Feb. 23, 1917:
Ready for program but girls backed out. Mr. Spencer & Lippencolt spoke & everything went off
well.
Paul took me home but did not stay long.

Sat., Feb. 24, 1917:
Feel tired & lazy. Crotcheted and sewed.
Went down town this afternoon. Paul called this evening. Gladys invited me to dinner for tomorrow.

Sunday, Feb. 25, 1917:
Went to Sunday School with Gladys.
Dale had to ask Mildred too but I wish she had not been there. Stayed for dinner & then Paul & I came home. Did not feel well.

Monday, Feb. 26, 1917:
Warm day like spring. Felt horribly tired. 2 new scholars at school.
Did not go to teachers meeting. Paul called. Also Mildred to ask about what I had told Gladys on sunday. Such gossip - makes me feel disgusted at times.

Tues., Feb. 27, 1917:
Fairly good day at school. At Mrs. Snyders for supper & took spoon to new baby.
Paul called & then came after me. Spent quiet evening at home.

It's Winter in Plum Creek!

Sunday, Feb. 4, 1917:
Blizzard - snow, wind. Stayed in all day. Read nearly all day. Mildred called this evening to know if Paul was coming - it was such an awful night. He came in his big fur coat, cap and gloves. Boys would not go to bed.

Monday, Feb. 5, 1917:
Terribly cold & no gas so stayed at home all day.
Turned hem in silk dress. Crocheted edge on nightgown. Went down to store this evening.
Paul called about 6-30.

Tuesday, Feb. 6, 1917:
School this morning but horribly cold. Tank froze and then leaking. My milk bottle burst on stove. Plenty of gas gas this evening. Gladhart girls and Miss McKinstry came over. Paul came too. Played and sang - had nice evening.

Wednesday, Feb. 7, 1917:
Warmer, tiring day. Gave several tests at school.
Bought game of checkers and rook. I hope Paul will teach me to play. He did not call tonight. I sat crocheting all evening till my eyes are tired.

Thursday, Feb.8, 1917:
Dull day - late for school this morning.
Gave test in agriculture. Snowing again.
O I wish Paul would take me to a dance tonight. I am dying to see him again. We have a club meeting tonight. Had good time at club but late getting home.

Friday, Feb. 9, 1917:
Feeling tired but worked hard. Paul called this evening. Went to teachers meeting.
Paul met me coming out. Delightful quiet evening.

Saturday, Feb. 10, 1917:
Went to store, shopping, sewing all afternoon. Went to take supper. Bought bath rug. Made curtain and sewed fringe on carpet.
Called Paul and asked him to go to church in the morning.

Sunday, Feb. 11, 1917:
Up early cooking. I took bath. Met Paul at church. Sermon was "1417 R Please" The line is busy. Went to dinner. Learned to play checkers & rook. Paul stayed, supper and then O-wonderful, we talked over the topic nearest to our hearts - - I named the month.

Monday, Feb. 12, 1917:
Cold - 1 below zero. No gas hardly. Went straight home. Went to teachers meeting & almost froze to death. Thank heaven I don't have to go to summer school but I suppose Pregel will expect me to. Horribly tired & sleepy.

Tuesday, Feb. 13, 1917:
Still cold. Getting ready for night program & I wish it was over. Paul came down tonight & played checkers with Jack. Then we went to Marion to see "Civilization" - - a war picture.
He told me to call at store tomorrow evening. I wonder what for?

Wednesday, Feb. 14, 1917:
Valentines Day and I am very curious. Children had Valentine box. Paul gave me his picture and a card & also sent a bouquet of violets and roses. O Paul but you are wonderful. The picture is where I can see him on awaking & going to sleep - - on my dresser.

Thursday, Feb. 15, 1917:
Feeling happy in Paul's love. Took children to see Health exhibit in Oddfellows Temple. Paul called and asked to come down. Went to show & then came home. Paul awfully sad because I had not sent him a message. I feel convicted but I gave him a rose with my heart.

Dorothy's Diary: Jan. 17 - 21, 1917

Wed. January 17, 1917:
Edna Mitchell married Monday - astounding everybody. Nothing special today just the usual round of lessons. Had hair wash at Letts. Ironed white dress and skirts ready for dance tomorrow. Mr. Thomas came after supper and fixed bathroom stove. Snowing again tonight but not as cold.
Father is sick and ought to be in bed.

Thurs. January 18, 1917:
Windy and snowy again. Rather strenuous day. Preparing for exams. Paul came in sleigh went to R.P.dance. Enjoyed every minute and I think he did too. He asked me if I wanted to go to a wedding - Verna's. I don't know yet if I will go.

Friday, January 19, 1917:
No exams at school. Herstand told me I missed teachers meeting last night. Well, I wouldn't have missed the dance anyhow.
Paul gone to Ednas belling tonight but he did not ask me to go. Going to bed real early to make up for loss of last night.

Saturday, January 20, 1917:
Bright sunny day but thawing. Varnished moulding this morning. Went to town and bought some cambrie for nightgown.
Paul left robe in store and I waited till 5:30 but he had not come. He did not call so I feel horribly disappointed. Such is life - full of pleasures and disappointments.
Minister called this afternoon.

Sunday, January 21, 1917:
Snow rain - hail & again rain.
Took good splash but did not get to church. Helped dad cut up 1/4 beef.
Did nothing hardly all day
Paul came about 6-30
Went over exam questions. Quiet evening at home.

Dorothy's Diary: Jan. 15 & 16

Monday, January 15, 1917:
Still cold and snowy everywhere. Good day at school. Willie got his engine so eagerly looked for.
Auntie called dad up at store. I suspect she is lonely without us. I wish weather would get warm. It is such a long drill to school this kind of weather. Saw death of Stair's little girl in paper.

Tuesday, January 16, 1917:
Cold but bright. Saw Paul go by school house about 1 o'clock. He went to funeral. Late getting home and wonder of wonders Paul sat in the house. He had been asking mother for me. He & I had supper together - such as it was for we had nothing on hand. Went to see "Miss G. Washington" at Columbia. A happy evening although I cried over mothers doubting my fitness for Paul.

Thursday, January 4, 1917

Drove to school with Marion and U.G. Blue day for me
Gladys and Vivian over after school this evening.
Gladys and Mildred say that L's disapprove of our going to G's party.
Paul called when I had gone to bed. I am longing for a quiet evening with him.
Boys took load to new house.

Friday, January 5, 1917:
Dary rainy morning.
Gave Willie subscription to "Youth's Companion."
Teacher meeting.
Paul met me. Had to stay in dining room because our stove disconnected. Asked me if I wanted to teach next year after telling him of exam tomorrow.

Saturday, January 6, 1917:
Teachers Exam Business College
Mrs. Saiters for organizing guild.
Did not go to either of above. But went to house to varnish floors and cleaned up.
Drew check and paid debts. Ordered Paddocks van for Monday.
Grace promised to teach for me on Monday.

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I am so intrigued by this diary. I love getting a glimse into life so many years ago. I really think she would be glad that we (my sisters & I) want to know her better. My mother was ornery when she was little and very beautiful and I know that she always missed her mother and missed having a relationship with her. I think that is why she was always close with us and I wonder what parts of mom were from her mother. Mom said that they always told her that her mother had beautiful hair. It was very long and thick and she wore it up on top of her head all the time and suffered from alot of headaches. Mom always thought that the headaches were from the hair? Interesting fact: my daughter has very very thick hair and she has said that it gets very heavy when it's long.

Now -- on to my "Ta-Dah" list. I usually start out with a To-Do list but this year I'm making it my Ta-Dah list. Paster P. preached in his sermons all through Christmas that we :
1. Forgivable
2. Loveable
3. Valuable
4. Acceptable and
5. Capable

Sometimes I forget that I am capable of:
1.Being organized (Getting started 30 minutes earlier in the morning would help alot!)
2.Sticking to my exercise programs and diets. ( I love going to Curves and I love going to the Y for the swimming classes - so DO IT!)
3.Remembering to be thoughtful of others (getting cards set, remembering birthdays, helping out, volunteering)
4. Being a disciple - which means being disciplined!!!

I think those 4 catagories are pretty much it. Now to break those down into what I want to do.
That's the next blog and the next.....