In wake of Papa's death, Mary and Sam travel

Mary is still mourning the death of her father and a couple of times she speaks of it. Mary and Sam have left town and are in Canada to help break the sadness. When they get home, Sam takes the dog and goes duck hunting.

Friday, Oct. 22, 1948

Today we ate breakfast downstairs and checked out of the hotel. To the dock and could not get on the 11:15 ferry but at 12:15 got on the Princess Kathleen and arrived in Nanaimo at 3. Then it was 73 miles to Victoria so now we have a motel a couple of miles out. We ate our lunch on the boat and it was lovely. Such service and what a wonderful chrysanthemum on the table. The sun came out today, but it was half fog and smoke all day. Could not see much from the boat. The trees up here are all red and yellow. The coloring is wonderful. Went downtown and ate mushrooms, very good. Bought a magazine and went home and read. To bed early. Cold out.

Saturday, Oct. 23, 1948

Today it was raining when we got up, so I took my raincoat. We ate breakfast and then bought a lovely set of Wedgwood dishes. Then we drove out to Sidney and saw Georgia’s mother who was glad to see us. We got the bowls for Betty Fischer then back to Victoria. Ate lunch at Spencer’s and it was very good. We bought two rugs and a few other things. We went for a ride around the beach drive. It was only a short one but very pretty. Back to our room and figured up our purchases. They were plenty but things we really wanted. Rained off and on all day. We ate dinner at the Dominion Café, very good. Then to a show, one of those hair-raising kind. Home and to bed. Raining again. Lots of people still out.

Sunday, Oct. 24, 1948

Today we arose late. Ate breakfast at our pet place and then to ferry. It was a very rough crossing, so I went outside during last part of the trip. Talked to a nice English girl. Then through customs and home to Belfair. We arrived here about 5. Saw Alma and Rudy at the store so they came down also. We ate lunch and then talked quite a while. Picked Alma a lot of dahlias. After they went home, I unpacked the dishes and suitcases. A nice thing to be done early. Very cold out. It may freeze tonight. To bed early. It was a lovely sunny day, and I surely enjoyed the ride home. The trees are more colorful than I’ve ever seen them. I like the new dishes very much. Where to put them is another problem. Have all plants in house.

Monday, Oct. 25, 1948

Today we arose early, and Sam helped with the washing. It surely was a big one. Then I cleaned house good and put everything to rights. Sam took the dog and left for Tule Lake to hunt ducks about 12. The sun was out all day, very lovely. Betty Fischler came over and was overjoyed with her pitcher and bowl, and my dishes are just like hers. To the store and Post Office and got some things. Then saw Alma Bard and paid her for the hamper. We had a nice visit. Then to Blanche Hackett’s and took her home with me. We made dinner and spent the evening talking about this and that. A strong wind is blowing so I think it will rain by morning. Very dark out. Sprinkled clothes to iron.

Tuesday, Oct. 26, 1948

We arose late and I made French pancakes for breakfast and oh were they good! Blanche surely enjoyed them. Then I did all the hand ironing and cleaned up. To the store, Post Office, etc., and then to Port Orchard. I bought some glassware at Howe’s, and it is so lovely. Over to Dottie Walker’s and she will fix my suit and dress. We had a nice visit. The Bert Shorts came in to get Gundi’s dress and it looked so nice on her. I know she will enjoy it. Then home and ate our dinner by candlelight and it was fun! There was a marvelous sunset tonight, it’s turning cold. I mangled all pillowcases and then took Blanche home. Saw three coons by Housen’s road so told them about it but they could not find them. Home and to bed.

Wednesday, Oct. 27, 1948

Arose late and went to beauty shop to get my permanent but she had forgotten the day so told me to return at 1:30. So, home and did some shopping, etc., then cleaned house and put away all washing. The laundry all finished for another week. Then at 1:30 got my permanent and done at 5. It looks very nice too. Home and got ready for visit to Poulsbo’s Friendship Night. Picked up Lovey and we met Cleora, Ralph and Maimee at the crossroads. We arrived at Poulsbo early enough to get a good seat and talk to many old friends. It was a lovely evening, and I shall never forget as it was the first time I visited any place in a group since Papa passed away. A lovely addendum and grand refreshments. Home early and to bed.

Thursday, Oct. 28, 1948

The first good night’s rest for nearly two weeks. I am grateful to Eastern Star which gave me peace of mind. Cleaned house and got clothes ready for Chapter. Wrote cards to new Belfair officers for Saturday. Put calendar up to date. About 2 o’clock out came Alma Nelson and Emma Walton from the Olympic Chapter Cheer Committee. We had tea and talked. Alma gave me a wonderful white rhododendron in Papa’s memory. How wonderful my friends have been all this time. Then I had my hair re-combed. Took Lovey to Chapter and our new Esther was installed. It was a lovely ceremony. A tribute was paid to Sarah Burcher by Vernon Dunlap, and it was splendid and fitting. Never have heard a finer one, even at Grand Chapter. Lovey got sick and left as soon as Chapter was over. I did not see anything wrong even as we marched out. Home late.

■ 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].