Mary stays home while Sam goes to California

Sam takes off for San Francisco to a convention for 10 days so Mary has her time to herself. She keeps very busy with Chapter and goes to Seattle with Lovey. You've got to love that name. Her new rugs arrive and they go in the bedroom and she likes them.

Friday, Jan. 16, 1948

Today I did all the weekend cleaning. I cleaned the collars on silk dresses and hung them in the garage to air out. Went to Walkers where I tried on a black dress and we decided how to make a Chapter dress. Then home and put on soup for lunch for Sam and Dad. It looked good but I was not hungry. Sam left in afternoon to be gone 10 days to a convention in San Francisco. Then I called up Mrs. Thompson and found out only she and Mrs. Jones were working on the quilt so said I would help. Went to Thompsons at 1 and worked until 5 on quilt and now it is done save for edging, which I'll get in Seattle. I am all ready to go to Seattle. Clothes all ready and work all caught up at last. Wrote a few cards and a letter to Babe Michael. The papers Alma Nelson sent me came today from Santa Monica so now I'll read them. Guess the news will be pretty old. Joe Heath Sr. buried today.

Saturday, Jan. 17, 1948

Today I was up early and was at Lovey's at 8:15 a.m. We caught the 8:25 boat to Seattle and were uptown before 10 a.m. I met Mrs. Miles Howell and she said someone broke in and stole most of the things out of her house. We stood in the Bon talking for over an hour. Then I met Lovey at 1 o'clock and we ate Fredericks. Then up to the Card Shop and got some valentines. I found three rugs, a white slip and clips for my black dress. I was lucky to find everything I needed. Very cold out all day and we were glad to get home early, 5:45. Ate dinner over here and then read. It may snow tonight as it's too cold to rain out but I surely do not want it. Took Lovey home with me and we had a nice evening, just talking. To bed early.

Sunday, Jan. 18, 1948

We slept until late. Went up to Thompsons and got the quilt. Sewed it around the edge then returned it. Now it will be ready for Wednesday. Went over to see Edith Skene who was up. Very glad of that. Then for a ride down to Tahuya road and home. Ate dinner at 5:30 and then went to call on Elva Olsen. We found her getting along very well. Jean and her husband were there. Over to Marie Bares and called on her. She was getting over pneumonia. Was glad to see us. Then took Lovey home and returned to Belfair. To bed early as it was a big day. The sun was out all afternoon and there was a grand sunset. Very cold out again. I saw Squires had lots of collars on rose bushes when I went by. Glad he is busy.

Monday, Jan. 19, 1948

Rose early and cleaned up all work. Went to Wychoff's at 10 a.m. to get new permanent. Was thru at 2 so I stopped at Eddie Walker's to get a shirt she shortened in the sleeves. To Belfair where I saw Betty at P.O. We had quite a visit. Called Bremerton Sun about our meeting Thursday evening. Very cold out and I made an early dinner so I could go to town early. The rugs came today and I put them in the bedroom. They look very nice. Went to Philathea's to Chapter with Lovey, Marie and Cleora and it was a fine evening. A lovely crowd and a very splendid initiation. The decorations were figures and flowers all sprinkled with snow and were to remind Laura Douglas of her snow-covered home in Wenatchee. They served little open-faced sandwiches and homemade cookies for dessert. Home late and to bed.

Tuesday, Jan. 20, 1948

Today I went to Social Club and took Eunice Duffield in with me. They had a nice luncheon and we played "Cootie" afterward as there was very little business to attend to. The naval crowd was there and we had a very good time. Cleora asked me "who" I had in mind for sentinel for next year but I guess I'll have to do a little thinking as I can't figure who to ask, I know so few men in Chapter. The gift I ordered for Cleora came from Seattle and they forgot to gift wrap it so I'll do it. Very cold out again and I've started taking vitamin tablets again as I think I need them. To bed early as I was tired. Went to Skene's but only little girl was home so I'll have to return Wednesday.

Wednesday, Jan. 21, 1948

Today I pressed the balance of cleaning and washed clothes. Finished house cleaning at 2 so went to Belfair and got supplies. Left parcel at Thompson's for Western Star Social Club Shower so even if I don't go my stuff will be all in. Then over to Skenes and we decided to go to Tacoma on Monday next at 11. Then asked her to come to dinner at 5 p.m. Went home and canned 6 pints of cranberries and put some on the table for dinner. They were very good. A glorious sunset tonight and the whole sky was red. Skenes came at 5:10 so we ate. I had a tongue of which they are very fond. Dinner was good and I think they enjoyed it. We sat and talked awhile and when Edith began to get sleepy they went home. She is still not too strong and gets very tired toward evening. To bed early. Windy out.

Thursday, Jan. 22, 1948

This day it began to rain about 10:30 a.m. Went to Wychoff's for a hair comb. Also we all had a nice visit. Then put away all the washing as it was dry. Went to town early and Robert Marvin helped me set up Chapter and was even started when I got there. He gave me some wicker baskets for the new Chapter out here and some old ones they were going to throw out but if I clean and paint them white they will be lovely. We had a fine meeting and initiated eight members. The program was very good, a skit by Wayne Dunlap "Oklahoma." The decorations were lovely and so were the refreshments. To bed at 10 to 1.

■ Clydene Hostetler is a longtime Belfair resident, local historian, media archivist and documentary filmmaker of "Hidden in Plain Sight." She has been researching Mary Theler's life for the past 13 years. She can be emailed at [email protected]