Sam and Mary are busy bodies around the house

The rhodies are in full bloom here in Longview. They are beautiful. The weather is very similar compared with 1949. When I am in Seattle and catching a ferry, it is not unusual that I eat at Acres of Clams too. I love eating outside. Looks like Mary and Sam have put in new flooring in the house. I can remember my mom scrubbing the floors on her hands and knees. Once a year she would refinish the hardwood floors and as kids we loved sliding around in our stocking feet. Hope everyone had a great Memorial Day.

Saturday, May 21, 1949

Today I cleaned house good and put in fresh flowers. To Alice Pope's and we decorated the Temple with rhododendrons and snowball. We had 7 baskets of flowers and 3 bowls. On the refreshment table was pink columbine and wild roses with pink candles in Gertrude Reynolds' glass holders. Elma Olsen came out on the 2 o'clock bus and was here when I came home. We had an early dinner and up to the Temple at 6:45. We found good seats and talked to so many we knew. The installation was very nice, and Murleen did a very good job. There were 2 clever addenda which we enjoyed very much. There were so many introductions but all very interesting. The refreshments were homemade cake, coffee and punch. Alma Bard and Nettie Earring served. We had a good time. Home late and to bed.

Sunday, May 22, 1949

We arose late and ate breakfast. Very cold out so I started the oil stove at the house. Then I cleaned up my desk and wrote in my diary. Got my scrapbook up to date. Called Ruth Small and she will go to Bainbridge with me Monday. We drove down to Tahuya to Dewatto and home on the C.C. Road. Saw Hank Breumer and asked him about some wheels I saw there, but they were too old. The rhododendrons were beautiful, and it was a grand ride. How Alma did enjoy it! We surely met a lot of cars! Home and made a nice chicken dinner and how we did eat! Then we sat and sunned ourselves awhile and I started the sprinklers going. Took Alma home and returned to Belfair at 8:30. Very dark out. Lots of traffic too. The front lawn will all be well-watered by the time I go to bed.

Monday, May 23, 1949

Today we moved all the stuff out of the cabin. While Sam was up to Belfair, I finished tying the balance of the ivy along the bulkhead and cut off all old flowers. Took down some worm nests. Very warm out but now at 1:30 a wind is coming up. In the late afternoon I washed clothes and Bill Cady and Sam took the ice box and stove out of the cabin. Sam made lunch while I got ready and then at 4:50, I got Ruth Small. Had my hair combed on my way. To Lovey's and Maimee Gould and Eunice were already there. We found a good seat as we were early and saw many old friends there. It was a nice evening with plenty of laughs and gifts for all the honored guests. We had a chance to eat before we went on the ferry. Sat by Bertha Johnson and had a nice visit. Visited Edith Michaels on the ferry home. To bed late.

Tuesday, May 24, 1949

Arose late and then after I'd cleaned house, I took Rosa Mann to see the rhododendrons. We had a lovely ride and we picked some for her to send back East. Home at 3:15 and ironed and put away all the clothes. Sunny out but cold. Sam finished mowing the lawn. It surely looks good. Put a lovely bouquet of red peonies in the house. They are so gay! Cleora called up and asked me to go to Pullman with her. We should have a lot of fun. After dinner we cut down a lot of worms off the trees. They certainly are bad this year. Lovey called up. She says the Play is June 5, Sunday so I guess I will go. Very calm out tonight. The wind has gone down. The honey locust by the creek is in bloom. It smells so sweet.

Wednesday, May 25, 1949

Up early and got ready for town. We ate breakfast outside by the trees in the sun. It was nice. Then to Alma Nelson's and we caught the 9:25 ferry to Seattle. Saw several we knew on the boat. Uptown we separated and met at the Met at 2 p.m. I found a lovely navy skirt, a hat, some sweet blouses and bags for clothes. At the Met was Blanche and she looked so sweet in a flowery pink hat and green suit. We had a good old visit, too. The play with Lunt and Fountain "I Know My Love" was very good. We had laughter and tears and plenty of excitement, it was very well done, and the clothes were lovely. It was so nice of Alma to take us. Then Alma and I went to the dock but decided to eat at Acres of Clams so she had scallops and I had shrimp. Home on the 6:15 ferry and visited at Alma's a few minutes. I'm on refreshment committee for White Shrine June 15. Home and saw the linoleum. It is perfect. To bed early.

Thursday, May 26, 1949

Today I washed the walls and baseboard of the cabin and put a coat of wax on the floor. Was very busy all morning. Squires came down and sprayed worms on the trees. To Gorst and had my hair done at 2. Home at 4:20 and we had to eat bread and milk as the electricity was off and our oil stove was outside. A fairly warm day. To Chapter at 6:30 and picked up Lovey and Betty. There was about 65 out and it was a fairly nice turnout. There were rhododendrons at the pedestals and in the baskets and upstairs the bowls were full of pansies. Home early and to bed. Maimee, Florence and I put on the work so new members knew how to get in a Chapter. Did it fair considering we had no practice.

Friday, May 27, 1949

Today we got up early and Sam waxed the floor the second time. Then I cleaned everything up good and ironed and hung the curtains in the cabin. Rudy and Sam moved in the stove and later Emmett came down, so they put in the ice box. At 1:30 everything was done, and it looks very nice. Now Sam is fixing the carburetor on the oil stove. Very dark out and we are sprinkling the lawn. We got some rhododendrons and put some on Papa's grave. The salmon berries are ripe. I ate a few on my way home. To Seattle on the 4:10 ferry and stopped at Sears for curtains but they had no red. Then to cemetery and ate our dinner at Acres of Clams and home on 7:15 ferry. Ate fried abalone. Very good. Home and started the fire as it was so cold. To bed early. Sorted clothes for our washing tomorrow. Wrote to Nellie Masen and Mildred Robischau on the ferry.

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].