Mary unpacks from Columbia trip; a sudden death

What is considered “tame” blackberries? They go crazy! I just learned this week the person who does Mary’s hair is a man. Unusual for that time. Remember when cleaning your shoes and mending your clothes were a common thing? I used to use white shoe polish to put on my tennis shoes to keep them looking good. I did not iron my hair though.

Friday, Sept. 10, 1948

Slept until late and then cleaned house. Put away my bag that has been unpacked since Tuesday. A wonderful day and lovely out. To the store and got groceries, then to Skene’s and picked some tame blackberries. Then they gave me some beans, cucumbers and tomatoes. We had tea and cakes, then I went home. We had just finished dinner when Sam came home from Megler where he had been fishing. The fishing had been wonderful, so he had caught seven or eight since I left. Oh, was he excited! Emmett came down and saw them and Bill Cady’s were down too. The fish from Port Orchard were out and we plan on going to the Shrine Dinner Dance at Vancouver Nov. 5. To bed early. Very cold out.

Saturday, Sept. 11, 1948

This was a dark day. The sun never came out until 4. Washed clothes for nearly four hours. There was two and half weeks wash from Columbia River trip. Sam took two salmon to Seattle to be smoked and canned. Had my hair recombed at Wychoff’s. Last time he will do it until he returns from his trip east. Unpacked quite a lot of the boat. Not so much to do now. Sam can finish up. We heard that Jim Morgan’s wife died suddenly, pregnancy complications. It was a shock. We went to the dance at I.O.O.F. Hall and had a most wonderful time. There was a good crowd and quite a few new members like us were there. They served angel food cake with whipped cream with pineapple in it. Very good. Home at 12:45 and to bed. Saw so many I knew at the dance, seems like going to Eastern Star. Most are members.

Sunday, Sept. 12, 1948

Today we finished unloading the trailer and boat. Sam has his food all packed for Pendleton from those boxes. Then I cooked the three chickens I got from Emmett this a.m. Also washed last of soiled clothes from Columbia trip. Have my desk all cleaned up so now I can get to my letter writing. Plenty of that. There are some lovely pink roses out. By Fair week they will be gone. A very warm, sunny day. Sam worked on his paperwork, and I took a good sun bath. We won’t have the sun so warm too much longer. Sam brought home corn at 6:20 for dinner when we were about thru eating. He simply cannot be depended on to be on time. Gets mad if we don’t wait. Papa sits there and wonders why he can’t eat. The nuts! Wrote 16 letters so my desk is all clear again. Took fish to Housens. Got my flower vase back. Sam took fish to Bard and Nichols. Dolores Moore called. Said she would send Mable Clark in her place Tuesday. Sprinkled clothes to iron Monday.

Monday, Sept. 13, 1948

Sam got Squires at 9 and he worked till 1. Then I took him home and I got some money orders and letters out in the mail. Got my work all done early and ironed and mangled all the clothes. Everything is mended and put away for this week. Cleaned Chapter dress, suit, two dresses and hung out to dry. Sam took Mrs. Callow to Shelton and so papers are being drawn up so we can get water from her well. Very cool and windy out today but I did not mind as it was good for ironing. Rec’d balance of pictures of Alaska trip. They are very clean too. Sam mowed the lawn. It looks fine. To Officers Club at Cleora’s. A good turnout and we had a good time save that Lovey had a sick spell and frightened us out of our wits. Finally, I took her home. She was shaking all over and had a terrible nosebleed. Told her daughter to take care of her, however it does not seem to bother her a particle. Can’t understand the girl. To bed later. Sam brought home candy, so I ate some.

Tuesday, Sept. 14, 1948

Today I woke up at 6:45 so started breakfast. Ate early and Sam left for Pendleton but voted first. Then I went to Bremerton, picked up roses at Squires and voted on my way in. I stopped at Lovey’s. She had fractured her arm in her fall last night. Was so bitter at Cleora. It is terrible to hate someone like that. Finds fault with all she does. She is going to Seattle for a week to rest. Went to The Betty Morgan funeral. It was very sad. Felt so sorry for the family and two small children she left. Only about 30 people attended. First Catholic funeral I’d attended in years. Afterward went to Cleora’s where she and Mamie Gould were busy getting lunch for Line Officers. The tables were all set. It was so lovely and when I placed the rose buds on each napkin, it was perfect! The girls did so enjoy themselves. We had the instructions as Dolores Moore could not come and Mable Clark who was to substitute had a board meeting at the last minute. After the group left, we did the dishes and chatted. We served chicken salad, ice cream and cookies. Very good. Cleora and I are very much worried about Lovey’s condition. Lovey told Mamie she was going to Seattle to decide whether she would go on. Whatever she decides, I shall still have plenty to do. Her condition is such that going on would be great hardship, but she most likely will attempt it. Home and ate. Called Eleanor Orcutt and we attended Chapter at Helen Anderson’s invitation. We had a nice evening although half of the officers were substitutes. The Andersons, Mrs. Grant, Mrs. Bernsen, Eleanor and I plan on going to Port Gamble on Friendship Night, go early to dinner at the hotel and have a general good time. A pouring down rain, could hardly see to drive. Home late. Pinky Williams took Eleanor home from my road.

Wednesday, Sept. 15, 1948

Arose late and cleaned up all my desk work. Rainy and windy out. The flowers are all beaten down. Cleaned all shoes. My clothes are all finished now. Then I rode up to the store and shopped. Stopped to visit the Gordon Ericksons and their new baby. Then to Blanch Hackett’s and took her home with me. We looked at the flowers and then I got dinner. It was good too. We went to Belfair Eastern Star Social Club and there was a big turnout. Afterward they practiced and they did very well! Then we went down to eat and had a good time. Hazel Mosher was there from Philathea and Hazel Weeks and others from Reliance. I gave them the cup and they were very happy about it. To bed late.

Thursday, Sept. 16, 1948

Called Betty Fischer early and we left for Bremerton before 9 to see chairs at Kaufman-Lebo. Then got there to find it’s not open till 10. We had coffee at the Elks Club. Saw chairs and then drove to Shelton to see more chairs. Decided on chairs in Bremerton. Then to Aberdeen. We went through all the junk shops in town and Betty bought a table. I bought a cup, saucer and plate and cards. Saw a lovely hall tree. We ate our dinner at Shelton and then to Betty’s and took out table and rested awhile. She gave me a cup and saucer which is very pretty. A lovely sunset out. Home and put away my stuff and to bed. Called Alice Pope about the chairs so she will call Alma and it will be taken care of. Very cold out.

■ 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 14 years. She can be emailed at [email protected]