MARY'S MEMOIRS

I get a kick reading all the names of Mary's friends and acquaintances. Names like Leona, Vina, Ruby, Florence, Ruth and so many others. Names now that are used for newborns are totally different. Mary loves the outdoors. She loves the water and loves to swim. She lies out in the sun when she has the chance and I bet she was tanned.

Saturday, June 4, 1949

Arose early and went to practice. Lovey wanted to move some stuff out of the locker so told me to come in early. But when I came in her daughter was not ready and on arriving at the Temple, we could not get in as she had no key. The practice went off fairly well and I was home at 1:15. To Wychoff's and had my hair combed. Then I got ready and caught the 4:15 boat to Seattle. Elma Olsen, Georgia, Alma Nelson, the Gillis, Mulhousens, Helen Pastona, Hazel Mosher and Nettie Dona. The last three did not go with our group to eat as Nettie could not walk far. We ate at the Hearthstone. Very good. Then to the Masonic Temple and I was asked to march in with the standard bearer, much to my surprise. I had on a white dress. The initiation was very lovely, and we enjoyed it although it was warm. We caught the 11:45 boat home. Saw one of the Assoc. Matrons who said that Friday meeting was just ordinary. Elma Olsen came home with me.

Sunday, June 5, 1949

Arose late and ate a good breakfast. We had a lot of fun Elma and I. Alma Nelson called up and said Lovey was sick so could not go. Alma told me she had a fainting spell last night and her daughter called Maimee Hanberg. Took Elma home and got my dress at Mae's on our way. We called on Lovey and took her some roses. She looks so weary. I hope she does not have another spell before Thursday. Back to Belfair to find that Babe Michael and Mary Ruth and children had been here. Sorry I missed them. Lots of traffic and so hot out it's miserable. At home, I laid on my outside couch for a couple of hours. Then I started to water the lawn and weed in the garden. I have quite a lot done. Should finish tomorrow unless I have interruptions. It surely looks good. Very cool out this evening. Another bright moonlight night.

Monday, June 6, 1949

Today I finished the garden, and everything looks very clean and nice although there are not many flowers. Sam cleaned on the garage and watered the lawn. Then rode down with Bill Cady to see a house near Union. Put a cover over the clothes closet window so my clothes won't fade. In the late afternoon, I studied in my ritual so I can do my work better Thursday evening, should Lovey not be able to preside. We ate dinner early then I cleaned up my desk. Very warm out all day but the barometer is going down. Betty Fischler is in the hospital. We should hear from Eddie pretty soon. We heard that Betty Fischler had a red-haired baby girl at 9:15. Three people called us, Tommy Pearson, Ruth Pearson and then Hal Fischler. Everyone is glad it's over now we can relax.

Tuesday, June 7, 1949

Eddie Fischler called up today and said he was still alive but groggy, so I asked him up to breakfast. We had a nice visit, but he was so excited he couldn't eat. Then we washed clothes and sprayed weeds all over the place again. This is all for this year. At noon I drove to Bremerton. Got my bracelet and watch fixed and then to meeting at Florence Severn's. Leona Anderson and Clytie Dickinson were there also. We planned on what to serve and Florence served cake and coffee. She showed us her handmade bed spread. To Lovey's and found her better but far from well. She says Betty will be married in September. Home and made a light lunch as Sam was not hungry. He mowed all the lawn today. It really looks nice. Studied in my ritual again. We drove over to Ruby and Earl's, but Van said they had gone to graduation at Gig Harbor, so we called on Vina and Henry. Her roses are lovely, and she has so many flowers. They go on a trip with Vera for a week tomorrow.

Wednesday, June 8, 1949

Today I got up early and got the ironing and mending all done. Then I cleaned house and Sam went to Port Orchard. In the afternoon I went swimming and laid in the sun for quite a while. Sam came home and took Herb Lehman up to the dam so he could see what has to be done on it. We cut up the old linoleum from the cabin for shelves in my outside kitchen. I had one piece put on when Nichols came over with a flat of berries, so we hulled them in a hurry and Sam took 12 cartons up to the locker. It's clouding up so now we may have a good rain. I hope so. We surely need it. Studied in my ritual for a while today. Tomorrow our last Chapter meeting until fall.

Thursday, June 9, 1949

Today Sam went to Seattle about linoleum but hauled lumber to road for work on the dam before he left. To Wychoff's at 11 but the juice went off, so we had to wait an hour, so it was 2:30 before I got home. Did some work here and ate an early dinner. To Evelyn Hyde's and she combed out my hair and it looked much better. Picked up Mae Housen at 6:15 and to Bremerton. Took Lovey to the Temple and then Mae and I called on Betty Fischler. She was fine and glad to see us. Chapter went off very well and we initiated 4 women. Maimee did her work very well and so did all the girls. The Chapter room was decorated with wild mock orange blooms and very lovely. We ate downstairs and the decorations were red, white and blue for flag day. The program was very good too. To bed late.

Friday, June 10, 1949

Today I slept until late as Sam had not returned. Ate breakfast and cleaned house. Took all my wool dresses to the cleaner and then to Port Orchard where I bought the yellow candles and holders and myself a cut copper teapot. Also purchased the mints so nearly everything is ready for Wednesday's White Shrine Installation. Home and started the sprinklers and Sam came so I started dinner. Then he and Herb Lehman took some boards up to the dam and the car got stuck in the mud so now he's gone to Belfair for chains to use tomorrow. I planted some annual phlox and marigolds all along the garden edge so it should be very colorful this fall. No wind out. The sky is dark. The bay is as clear as can be and so calm. Lovey called up this a.m. Talked and talked! Good thing it's extended service.

■ 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].