Mary gives up puppy to Carl Rhodes' boy

Rain, rain and more rain this week. I think Mary and Sam might have given their dog to friends. If they did, I'm sure the waking them up in the morning to be fed was the deal breaker for the poor pup. I would like to write about hankies. We do not see many people carry hankies today. Often, I would get a birthday card from my grandmother in Iowa and inside would be a hanky and a couple of quarters taped inside. When my mother's only sibling passed away a few years ago, her children had a few things of Aunt Ellen's for us to pick from in remembrance. I chose a colorful, flowered cotton hanky.

March 12, 1949

Arose early and got the salad together. Looks damp out, on the verge of rain. At 11:10 I picked up Blanche Hackett and we stopped at the Beauty Shop where my hair was combed. Then to Masonic Temple in Minette where we met Ruby and I saw many of Olympic Chapter members there. The Institution was very lovely, and we enjoyed it. Followed then a planned potluck dinner which was delicious. The tables were decorated with yellow daffodils and white (painted) leaves Shrine Colors. Very lovely too. The stage was also decorated. Then at 8 began the initiation of some 86 petitioners. It was very wonderful, and the floor work is so beautiful. We were all very happy we had come. There were so many I knew there it was all very nice. They appointed me on the Finance Committee for one year. Blanche rode home with Husons and Rena Herrick drove my car home. So, I went to the Dance Club. Had a real good time even if I was rather weary of such a long day. Home late and to bed. A big day all around.

March 13, 1949

Today we slept late as it was raining. Then ate and cleaned house good, set table etc. Everything looks very nice. Then got the goose and a duck in the oven and all things lined up for dinner. Rema Herrick brought the car home but could not stay. Sam paid all our income tax so that is a load off our minds until June's payment. Fixed up my scrapbook and wrote 4 cards. Lud and Helen came about 5, so we sat down to eat about 5:15. Everything turned out very well and did Lud eat duck and goose! He really enjoyed it, and it was a pleasure to see him eat. They stayed until nearly 10:30 just having a fine visit. Helen thoought my green dress OK for Assoc. Matron Year. She played some songs for me and saw my scrapbook and of course we talked Chapter. To bed late and weary, but it was a wonderful day.

March 14, 1949

We arose late and ate so Sam went into the doctor to see about his hand. I cleaned house good, and it took until 12:30. Then I washed all the dishes and finished about 1:30. But everything was nice and clean. Rained out all day. A wet rain and so steady but the daffodils along our driveway are in bud. To Mary Ruth's and she is fine. We had cake and milk and she combed out my hair. Sam brought his green file home so now he has a place for his papers. We put it upstairs. I picked up Eunice Duffield and Eunice DeLong and went to Officers Club at Cleora's. We played whist and everyone had a wonderful time. We presented Cleora with her gift of a silver grand baroque sandwich tray. She gave all the women tiny silver spoons and the men pencils. Everyone was so pleased with their gifts. Then a lovely lunch was served, and we sat around and talked. Everyone was there but the Chaplain, Emma Morris. Home late and to bed. Foggy out.

March 15, 1949

Today I could not sleep so I got up and started my fire and put the beans in to bake. Cleaned house and got ready to go to Social Club. Sam went to Seattle to the Sportsman Show. Picked up Eunice Duffield and went to Social Club. It was a potluck lunch and we entertained new members. Everyone had a fine time. Lydia Joos gave a book review on "Cheaper by the Dozen." Very good too. We sewed on baby booties for the Red Cross again. Got quite a lot done. Afterward we drove downtown, and I found thread for Mrs. Rose Mann also a basket, cards, etc. Home and fed the pup who surely hates to be tied up. Ate a light lunch as I was not a bit hungry. Cut out stuff for scrapbook. To Skene's in the evening and had a nice visit. They have only the two boys now, so are much happier. Home at 10 and to bed. Trying to rain out.

March 16, 1949

Today I was called from my bed to the phone by Evelyn Edmiston, who wanted me to go to the Daughters of the Pioneers luncheon meeting. Sounded good so I said yes. Then about 10 o'clock Alma Bard called and said Ruth Small was ill and would I be associate conductress tonight. So, I said "yes" and went over the ritual. To Shelton and enjoyed a fine ham luncheon (more like a diner) and met Mrs. Warren Lincoln who introduced us to the group. There were several I'd met before including Susie Pauley. A book review written by Jean Rodd Fredson and given by the librarian was very good on Theo. Winthrop "Canoe's and Saddles." Had my hair combed in Shelton and then home. Sam cooked steak for dinner. It rained off and on all day. To the Temple at 7:15 and there were many there I knew. The evening went off very well and the addendum was so lovely. The songs sung at that time especially nice. There were yellow daffodils and forsythia in bowls on the tables and yellow and green bells for favors. Maxine Roessel substituted for Adah and really did an outstanding job. We were so proud. Florence was lovely in blue taffeta. I heard Walter Allison passed away and Dick Sanderlin very low.

March 17, 1949

Very wet out again. The pup woke us whining at our window. So, I got up and fed him and started the stove. Today I picked up Evelyn Edmiston and we drove to Hoodsport to attend their Ladies Club meeting. They had as their guest speaker Mrs. Patricia Campbell, who wrote "Eliza" and "Lush Valley." There was a lovely luncheon, and their table arrangement was hellebores and violets. They presented the speaker with a corsage of hellebores, which was very lovely. Mrs. Campbell spoke about how she came to write "Eliza" and "Lush Valley" and a new book underway. It was very interesting. Home and walked around the place where violets are blooming. Things are coming on fast. To Lovey's and met Eunice DeLong and Maimee Gould. Sam went to a show. We found out what she had planned for the year and who the officers were so it sounds very good. Ate a nice lunch and went home about 10 o'clock when Sam came. Raining very hard out. Maimee Gould and I will have the Officer's First time in May so we will be through. with our entertaining for the year.

March 18, 1949

Today we decided to go up to Almada's and Gene Olsen's about 10 so Sam went up to the store for a box to put the dog in for Carl Rhodes' boy and I cleaned up all the work. We caught the 12:45 ferry and took the dog up to Carl at the warehouse. The dog had been sick in the car and Sam's pants were all dirty. So they put the dog back in a box to carry upstairs, but when the bottom started to fall out, they let the dog on the ground. Oh, was he happy! He barked and jumped around and they took him upstairs. It was the last time I saw him. We stopped uptown to eat, and I bought 2 nightgowns and some hankies at the Bon Marche. We arrived at Almeda's and Gene's about 4:30 and they were certainly surprised to see us. Spent the evening talking and had a good time. Some folks named Stewarts came in from Mount Vernon. I finished the outline work on the red tablecloth so I felt I'd accomplished quite a lot. To bed late. Raining very hard. The name of the new baby is John Leonard and he is very cute. Also, the kitchen and bath are done over, so there are many changes here.

■ 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].