Mary gets shook up under the hair dryer

My mom would buy stationery. I have been looking for some but with no luck. As I am getting older, I feel writing letters is a nice way to communicate. Belfair had an earthquake on April 13, 1949. Mary was at the hairdresser's and was under the dryer when it hit. Bet that was a shocker for everyone.

Saturday, April 9, 1949

Picked up Squires at 9:10 and he worked about 2 hours then said it was too hot on some new plants, so he went home. I wrapped some stuff for the bazaar and Blanche cleaned the shelf where the canned foods are. It surely looks nice. Then I cleaned the rest of the garden along the bulkhead. It looks very good. Blanche laid in the sun, and I took off my shirt and dug. It was very warm. We left home at 5:30 to go to Bainbridge. Picked up Lovey and Eunice DeLong and caught the 6:10 ferry. We were at the Chapter before it was open, so Joe Yonk treated us to pop at the store. The installation was very nice and short enough, so we had something to eat. Marjie Henshaw looked lovely, and she has a fine group of officers. The downstairs was decorated like a ship as all Marjie's men folks are boat captains. Home and Lovey came with us.

Sunday, April 10, 1949

Sam came home last evening. So, there were a few of us at the breakfast table. We had a nice time. Then Lovey and I walked around the maple grove and oh are the flowers grand! Very clear out, and cold but the sun is shining brightly. Took Lovey and Blanche for a ride down as far as the junction and back. It was nice and there were so many cars it was no fun to drive. We sat around the house and visited, and I started dinner at 6. Art Crown and a girlfriend came by and said "Hello." Eunice DeLong came and had dinner with us. We had a good time. The girls went home about 9 so we all went to bed early. We were all still tired from all the installations we had been going to. Very cold out and the moon is up.

Monday, April 11, 1949

Today Squires came down and finished the garden. Then it started to rain. Sam did a big washing and I cleaned the house and finished the bazaar gifts and those for Installation. I seeded foxglove and sweet William all over the place as some should come up. Cleaned all table covers, etc., in cleaning solvent. The house surely looks bare. Went over to Skene's and picked out linen thread for my last matrons' gifts. Nicky the dog was run over Sunday. On returning, I dug out in the garden so now it is all clean. Blanche and I went to Belfair O.E.S. Social Club. Not more than 20 there as the rest were at the school meeting. We got a lot planned though and everything pretty well in line. Gave Helen Mitchell the 2 chickens for Betty Fischler's party. She will make the sandwiches for the party. Rudy and Alma were here awhile. To bed late. Cold out.

Tuesday, April 12, 1949

Today Blanche ironed and I mangled clothes, so they were soon done. Sam cleaned up the dahlias and garbage and got the mail and my material for the curtains. It is lovely, too. I was very cold out, so I potted some primroses for the bazaar, 9 of them. Cleaned grass by rail fence and some brush out of the garden. Sam went to a boat launching at Gig Harbor, so Blanche and I went to Belfair. We got stuff for favors and made all those for Betty's shower and for Belfair U.D. on Wednesday. They are surely nice. Then I took curtain material to Mae Housen's for her to sew up and took the clock up. She gave me the three tablecloths for the bazaar party. Very cool out all day.

Wednesday, April 13, 1949

A very eventful day and Blanche and I had our hair done. Just as I was under the dryer, an earthquake occurred, and we all ran outside. We saw the car bouncing as though it was a rubber ball, and the house was rocking violently. As soon as it was over, I called Emmett who told Bill Cady to tell Nichols to turn off my stove. We had gone to Port Orchard previous to the beauty shop where we bought candles, doilies and napkins for Sam's initiation April 20. We ate a good lunch as soon as we came home as everyone was somewhat upset by the earthquake. To Chapter at 7 with Lovey and her daughter and many parcels. There was a full house with 16 from Belfair which I surely did appreciate. The Chapter room was lovely and so was the downstairs. Lovey looked beautiful in her golden gown, and she did so well. The addenda turned out OK. Then pictures and to the banquet hall where a table for officers old and new and installing officers had a pink hyacinth at each place. It was lovely. Home late.

Thursday, April 14, 1949

A wonderful sunny day and we got up late as we were out till 4:15. Sam painted the chairs, and they look so nice. We ate clams and they surely tasted good. Sam got enough for six meals over at Seabeck. Then Sam mowed the lawn until it was time for he and Eddie Fischler to go to Seattle to the ball game. Eddie went ahead and Blanche rode in at 3 when Sam left. Then I did some odd jobs around the garden. Cleaned up my desk and got my scrapbook up to date. Sat out in the sun and wrote all my thank-you notes. Then to Chapter at Port Orchard. Talked Eunice Duffield into going also. Lovey, she and I had a fine time. Evelyn Fingerson recited a poem "Waiting for His Steps" which was wonderful. There was an Easter Parade of Fashions put on for men that was a scream. The Junior Past Patron was a bride and there was a real show. The addenda for the Junior Past Matron and Patron were lovely.

Friday, April 15, 1949

Today was windy and cold all day but I was so busy never noticed it. Mae Housen came down and visited for two hours and got some primroses. Then Mary Ruth, Mrs. Morgan and Jim's two boys were here about an hour. While they were here Alice Pope came to see the primroses. Then Doug came down and he and Sam mowed the lawn with two power mowers (one from the store) so it was soon done. I cleaned all the spoons and silver at the cabin. Baked a ham and got potatoes cooked for salad. Sam and Doug moved the big radio out to the work room and later we took out the table and coffee table so now our room is ready for Monday's party. Sam and Eddie Fischler went up to the Masonic meeting at the Temple. Rec'd a lovely gift of stationery from Helen Anderson and a hankie from Laura White. To Mrs. Mann and got the mats. They are lovely too. Visited Betty Fischler rental. Eddie came home at 11:10.

■ Clydene Hostetler was a longtime Belfair resident and historian. She now lives 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].