It was so cold Mary had to turn on the stove

Mary enjoys the sun. She goes swimming and works in the garden. Watering is a biggy in the evenings. She attends a Grand Chapter in Seattle and has a great time.

Sunday, June 19, 1949

Today was very warm in the a.m., but at 12:30 up came another of those dry winds. By 12:30 the washing was done, cabin and upstairs clean and a lot of watering done. Very clear out and so lovely. Made a date with the dentist for Tuesday. In the afternoon I watered all the corners that were dry and lay out in the sun. Went swimming and then while I had on my suit, I put stakes at all the tall flowers. Ruby came down and we had liver and onions for dinner. Cooked on the outside stove. It was delicious and we were glad to have such a stove as the lights were out for several hours. It was nice eating outside and we all enjoyed it. In the eve rested and to bed early. So very warm out.

Monday, June 20, 1949

Today I ironed all the hand ironing before breakfast, then did the mangling afterward. Louise and Ed Smith came down for about 30 minutes. They were up for the weekend. Then cleaned house and put all my clothes away. It was good to get it done. Later started the dinner. Blanche made the shortcake. Ruby and Early and Van came about 4 and Vina and Henry a while later. The women visited an antique shop in Belfair, and it was very interesting. We ate about 5:30 but not outside as planned as it was too cold. The meal was lovely and the shortcakes our best yet. We sat around and visited until nearly 10. To bed and very tired. Still cold out. Had to start the stove. Ruby gave us some date orange bread and some home canned Norwegian meat balls. She is so generous.

Tuesday, June 21, 1949

Today was dark and cool in a.m. Cut all blooms off the Cecil Brunner roses. Sam cut cedar tips along hedge on fence line. About 12:20 I drove to Bremerton where I met Cleora in front of Peterson's Drug. We went to Ann Newcomb's for lunch, and it was very pleasant. The day was lovely, and we walked all over the grounds and she (Ann) drove us about the depot so we saw it all. Stayed until 4 and then home. Madeline Beechwood was also there to lunch. Home and fried chicken for dinner and it was delicious. We ate outside in the sun. To Betty Fischler's after the dishes were done and took her some roses. We stayed about an hour and then home. Changed the water a couple of times and went to bed early. Very cool out this evening. The raspberries are coming on so fast.

Wednesday, June 22, 1949

We slept until late then ate a light breakfast. Sam washed the Dodge and oh, how nice it looked! Blanche and I went to the Social Club picnic at Ann Newcomb's and there was a big crowd, 38. A wonderful dinner and we had a lot of fun. Cleora and I came in the gate just at the same time. We left at 3 so I could go to the dentist. I left Blanche at the Admiral where she was to meet Mary and went on my way. They had made a mistake in my appointment, so I got nothing done, oh, I was disgusted. Stopped in to see Lovey and tell her when we were going to Seattle Thursday. Home and watered the flowers, picked raspberries and rested. Very windy out. The mock orange trees are so lovely. I hate to think I will be away two and half days as they will be going soon. Rudy came down for my Red Cross uniform. Alma will wear it in an addenda Monday June 27. To bed early.

Thursday, June 23, 1949

This was a cool dark day. Watered 2 hours before I went to the beauty parlor and about 3 hours after I came home. Have my suitcase all ready to pack. Everything is laid out. Picked pink and red roses for Betty Fischler. The last for the year as they are fast fading. But oh, the red ones are so lovely! Ironed a couple of pieces too. In the evening called on Betty and saw the baby with her eyes open. She is so cute. We had a nice visit. Her folks were there when I arrived. Lovey called up and said she had given up the room at the hotel to stay with a friend who was 3 blocks from the Civic Auditorium. But now I wonder where Maimee Gould will stay as Lovey had asked her to stay with her.

Friday, June 24, 1949

Arose early as the phone rang but when I got there it was too late. Very dark out but the barometer is going up. To Bremerton and got my hair combed out then to Alma Nelson's. We caught the 11:55 ferry and visited with the Marvins on the way over. To our hotel but could not get in until 4 and so shopped and had a good time. Ate lunch at the Bon. Ran into more people I knew. Back to our hotel and rested awhile. Hung up our clothes, all wrinkled. Very warm and sunny out. The stores were crowded. We ate at the Times Bldg., and it was very nice. To Chapter and it was a lovely setting. The most beautiful room ever had. The grand pages are all in green and grand officers in yellow. The evening was long and full of introductions. There were so many grand visitors. We left at 11:05 and to bed. Talked until late. A big day. The music was the best we have ever had in Grand Chapter.

Saturday, June 25, 1949

Arose early and ate downstairs. Saw Georgia Moore there and we rode to the temple together. Ran into Lovey and we sat together during the morning. Helen Anderson was with us as she was all day previous. We all ate together. Lovey went up first and we never saw her the rest of the day except through our glasses. The girls came to our corner and later Florence Morris joined us. We enjoyed the installation very much. It was lovely. Their colors were pink and blue. We left about 5 and ate again at the Pit. Caught the ferry and got to Bremerton at 8:30. Took Mamie Gould to the store and home. Found Blanche at home, all tired out as she had no sleep since she went to Joe's. Too many dogs barking. Rudy came down and I gave him some roses. To bed early as I was so tired. Very cold out and quite a few raspberries on the bushes. Another Grand Chapter over.

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]