Mary and Sam clean their extra households

Mary and Sam go to the Puyallup Fair with the Fischlers. Mary is a cleaning fool this week. When she speaks of the cabin it is next to the house and the apartment that her father lives is on the second floor of the garage. Taking care of all three places is quite a job.

Friday, Sept. 24, 1948

Did not set clock right so it did not alarm so I called Sam and we dressed in a hurry, but Fischlers were here before we were ready. Ate breakfast at Pearl's Diner in Purdy. Very good. To Fair at 12. The Fischlers went into the grandstand, so Sam and I saw quite a lot together. I bought seven more dahlias. Saw Miles Howells, Myrtle Fletcher Horner and several others we knew. There was lots of weaving there and the flowers were lovely. Saw the Haliks and ordered some spun glass. We got a lovely box of candy at a friend of Fischlers'. Ate dinner at the farm and it was very good. Betty admired all the antiques. Home at 9:30 and to bed. A very nice day and had a lot of fun. The Fischlers are good company. Very cold out.

Saturday, Sept. 25, 1948

Today was warm and sunny so Sam washed clothes after I got it started. Changed all beds and cleaned house. Ran the vacuum cleaner in attic so it is clean for winter. Evelyn Edmiston and Mrs. Mae came down for dahlias and she thought they were lovely. Will use them on tables at Alderbrook Inn when Ladies Club meets there. Then I washed all the windows outside the house and cabin, so it looks very clean. Will clean inside next week. Sam swept roof of garage for man to tar but he called and could not come until tomorrow. Squires was here, worked two hours. Sam mowed the lawn for about the last time this year. Have plenty of things for tea. Just medium teaspoons. Wrote some letters and cards so I am up on all my correspondence.

Sunday, Sept. 26, 1948

Today was so wet. Just poured all day long. Took down washing and sprinkled ironing. Then washed all windows in the house except living room which I'll do on a day not so dark as you can't see all the spots. Washed the pitcher collection, glass shelves and some dishes so that can be used any time. Washed pictures all over the house. Will soon have it cleaned. Mangled and ironed the clothes so that is done. Then tomorrow I can concentrate on windows. We had more corn for dinner from the ranch and it surely was delicious. Had breaded veal with it that was good also. To bed early. Still raining outside.

Monday, Sept. 27, 1948

Squires came down and worked three hours on the garden. I washed the windows and woodwork upstairs in Papa's rooms. It looks very clean again. Then finished windows in the living room. A little waxing and vacuumed drapes and it's all done. Washed cabin curtains and apartment curtains. Everything is clean for a while. Sam cleaned cabin walls so Robertson can paint tonight. He went to Port Orchard with Emmett. To Amaranth Court No. 9 and saw an initiation. It was very interesting but I'm still partial to Eastern Star. They played games in the downstairs banquet hall. How we laughed! Home late. Stopped to see Lovey on my way in. She was in good spirits. Still wet out.

Tuesday, Sept. 28, 1948

Today Squires came down, so the primrose border is finished. Sam went to Seattle. To Beauty Shop and had my hair done. It looks good. She took such pains with it. Up to Housen's with the No. 18 reed and we talked weaving. Then I mended some curtains so I can iron Wednesday. The rain had finally stopped. Very lovely out right now. Rec'd letter from Michaels. They are well and happy. The Lud Andersons came about 4:30 with Mrs. Grout and Mrs. Mosier. We picked up Eleanor Orcutt at Belfair and drove to Port Gamble. We saw the old hotel and ate a nice dinner in the lovely dining room. At 7:20 we were at chapter and there was a big crowd. There were many I knew. There was a nice program, but Lud would not sing. Through early and visited. Home late. Very foggy. A very good time.

Wednesday, Sept. 29, 1948

Today was warm and sunny and Squires has the new primrose bed nearly done. Mary Ruth and the two children came down and stayed to lunch. Gave her flowers to take home. Sam went to Bremerton and was gone most of the day. I put up curtains in the apartment so that is all finished. Then cleaned drapes with vacuum and waxed tables, etc. so the house is clean. Robertson started the cabin painting last night. Ironed cabin curtains so I can hang them as soon as the painting is finished. Robertson here again tonight. Betty Fischler picked me up and we attended practice at the Belfair Temple. They are doing well. Home early and to bed. Very cold out.

Thursday, Sept. 30, 1948

A foggy morning but the sun came out nice and warm. Squires put in Iceland Poppies along bulkhead. I cleaned up magazines all over and did some mending. Got out clothes for Friday. Marked dahlias I want to keep. A big job. Sam put away hoses and faucets, etc., and got the lawn mower mended. Cleaning up for fall. Took in furniture and put away all tables, etc. Wrote letters and cleaned up my desk. Sam put the big boat up in the shed so that's a job done. Emmett was down here in the new car with Bill Cady to help. Lay out in the sun and took on some more tan. The men tarred and repapered the garage roof so it should last a long time. Fried sole for dinner that Jack Collins gave Sam yesterday.

■ 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].