Snowy roads make driving tough for Mary and Sam

Mary is home from their trip and taking care of business and catching up on her socializing. The weather seems to be very similar to what we are having. Cold! I don’t go out unless I absolutely must. I like warmth.

Friday, Feb. 4, 1949

Today I awoke early so got up. We left for Seattle at 8:45 a.m. and made it alright without chains. To Conductresses meeting and it was nice. Learned a lot, too. The decorations were hearts trimmed with lace. 23 were there. Bought material for Valentine addenda for Cleora and met Sam at 2. I saw Dean Rice Smith at Fredericks at the button counter. Stopped to see Lovey on my way home. She looks good and says she feels a lot better. Home and ate dinner. We stopped in Belfair and ran into a lot of folks we knew. Then we took red velvet material to Mae Housen to make up a heart pillow for us. Called Betty Fischler and she wanted us to come down, so we left here at 8 and never came home until 12:30. The roads were fine, and we had no trouble driving at all. Betty looks fine and we had a nice visit. We talked about many things. She has a new carpet on her stairs. Very nice it is too. Wrote and mailed letters to 8 people today. Rec’d letter from Almeda. She has a baby boy born on Sam’s birthday.

Saturday, Feb. 5, 1949

We did not get up early so just got breakfast over at 12. Sam fixed his car chains and washed clothes. Then went up to Belfair on some errands. I changed beds, cleaned house, fed our Chinese pheasants, picked a duck, put on a roast for dinner and answered 4 phone calls. Cleora asked me if I wanted to go to Rainbow Installation so we decided to go. Later she called up and asked us to dinner Sunday at 4. Maimee G. called up so she will call all officers about valentine. I called Mae Housen and she has the red velvet pillow about done. Says it will be lovely. Called Alice Pope and asked her to go to Assembly No. 12 Order of Rainbow with me. We left car at Charleston as Sam did not give me key to truck where chains were. Were we disgusted! Taxied to Temple. The Installation was lovely. The decorations were red paper roses with huckleberry in white baskets at the four stations. The Worthy Advisor wore ice blue satin and carried red roses. Saw Cleora, Marie H., Lovey, Eunice Delong, Bertha Ames, Marvin’s and many others. Many addenda, homemade cake for refreshments. We drove home in a blinding snowstorm. Could hardly see. Surely was glad to get home.

Sunday, Feb. 6, 1949

Today the lights were out when we got up but they came on about half hour later so we were glad. Sam scraped the sidewalks and worked on the books. I cleaned up all the piles of magazines and posted in scrapbooks. Put away all maps, folders, etc. The sun is shining and it’s very mild out. A warm wind is blowing, and snow is predicted. Sam got stuck with the car when he tried to get up to the highway. So, he was digging himself out when Mary Ruth came down for her skis. Gave her all the magazines. We started for Cleora’s late and had to take off our chains at the head of the bay. Arrived about 35 minutes late but it seems to be OK. We surely had a fine time and enjoyed a wonderful dinner. Sat and talked until late. Ralph took us up the hill in the truck and had to give us a tow to get our car moving. We were glad to get home. The highway was icy and all graded, but our driveway was very bad!

Monday, Feb. 7, 1949

We arose late. Then Sam worked on his books and got mail at Belfair. I cleaned house, ironed and put away clothes so am ready to do a few odd jobs. The Standard Oil men came and we signed a lease. Rec’s $35.00 and if they get gas or oil we may get more but I’m not putting any stock in it. Maimee G. Called up and we had quite a visit. The sun was out all day so about 3 I gathered pails of oysters. They should be fat now. Sam went to Seattle at 2:45 so will get house rented, I hope. Mrs. Hackett is home again so I shall see her as soon as roads are good. A card from Hereford announces arrival of Frank Bennett Mosen III. Glad to hear it. In the morning saw 2 big Chinese pheasant roosters eating feed I’d thrown out and Sam scattered more. Checked all Christmas cards for change of addresses. To bed late.

Tuesday, Feb. 8, 1949

Today it was very sloppy out. Got ready early to go to Belfair but the car slid into that big fir tree so I had to get Emmett to help me get it out. Dahle and Ted Roessel and Glen came down so in no time I was on my way. Alma Bard and Ruth Small went to Line Officers with me. It was fine but no instruction as Florence was sick and Dolores could not get away. The tables were decorated with red hearts, and we were all given tiny hat pin cushions as favors. Home and went to Housen’s. The red pillow is finished and really is beautiful. In the evening I rode to Elinor Chapter with Al Bards and Ahls. We had a fine time. It was advance night, but the Assoc. Matron and Patron did not appear. Edna Haines did a very lovely job. She will be a nice Matron and looks so lovely on the floor. We had a nice lunch and responses were given, including yours truly. We never got a chance to visit the friends we know on account of these responses taken so long! Home early. The road all ice!

Wednesday, Feb. 9, 1949

Slept until late and then vacuumed rugs etc. Cleaned all shelves in kitchen in cabin. Cleaned bathroom shelves, porch shelves, kitchen cupboards and straightened out all dresser drawers. By that time my feet were tired, so I cleaned up my desk. Addressed valentines. Finished my photograph album. Looks pretty good. Pasted favors in my Eastern Star scrapbook so that is up to date. It is getting pretty large. Lovey called up. Said Leona Dulin’s father passed away the day after we visited her home. Blanch Hackett called up and said she is trying to clean things up before moving away. Says it’s a sad job. Today it rained quite hard, then snowed for about 2 hours. Now it is raining again. Called up Eunice Duffield and said I would be in early tomorrow. Tonight, went to bed early. Have all the Christmas cards pasted in the album. So that job is done for another year. Very cold out.

■ Clydene Hostetler was a longtime Belfair resident and historian. She now resides on a classic wooden boat on the Columbia River. She has been researching Mary Theler’s life for the past 17 years. She can be emailed at [email protected]