MARY'S MEMOIRS

This week raspberries are the main job. Picked them and made 27 pints of jam. Watering the lawn and gardens are becoming a regular task. The weather seems to be getting warmer. Just a regular week in Belfair.

Sunday, July 3, 1949

We arose late and Sam slept real late so ate alone. Bill Hyde and Evelyn were down and borrowed the ladder as they are going to paint the house. I picked some raspberries, and we took a bowlful down to Fischler's and met all his family. Stayed just a minute as they were eating. Sam watered the lawn good. He brought home a piece of ham and I'm baking it. Smells very good. Planted the Aubrietia and Helianthemum in garden. In the evening the Hydes were here to dinner. We had baked beans, green vegetables and wild blackberry pie. It was delicious and they enjoyed it. We set the table on the lawn by the garden and the wind did not bother us there at all. Stayed up late just talking. Very cold out. So cold Sam and I did not bother to watch the fireworks.

Monday, July 4, 1949

A quiet day for us as we planned no company. Sam washed the clothes, and I picked the raspberries. Then we drove up to the berry patch by Lake Cushman and found no berries. The frost must have got them again this year for we hardly found enough to eat. Home and saw cars at every parking spot along the canal. Surely a jam! Made 15 pints of raspberry jam and Sam put his boat in the water. Very cold and windy out this evening so he had to tie it good. We ate dinner outside. Very nice as we had it all cooked. The cat and dog hung around for tidbits. We had shrimp cocktail for Sam bought 14 pounds of shrimp at the Junction. In the evening I started my stove in the house as it was so cold. To bed early. The folks from Seattle never came and I think it was a very poor taste not to let us know as we could not ask anyone else while they were expected. Yet here we were home all weekend and could have had someone else.

Tuesday, July 5, 1949

Today I ironed and put away the clothes. Watered all the small areas good and put about 4 hours on it. At 2, Blanche and I went to town. Took a bouquet of roses to Alma Nelson and as it was her mother's 82nd birthday. It made the mother very happy. Got my teeth cleaned and go back again July 29th. Blanche bought a dress and so did I. We surely were lucky to do so well. Then we ate at the Bluebird Inn. Blanche's treat. We had chicken. It was very good. When we came home and put our stuff away. Then down to Betty Fischler's and visited until about 10. We had a good time and a lot of laughs. Eddie leaves for his trip to San Diego on Thursday so he is all excited. He is going on a battleship with Gardner. Very cold out.

Wednesday, July 6, 1949

Arose early and wrote two letters and got breakfast. Very cool out but the barometer is going up again. The folks are gathering oysters out in front again. Blanche and I went to Eleanor Orcutt's to lunch and oh did we have a good time. We had a most delicious lunch and did a lot of laughing. At home again. We made Sam some dinner and then I put cedar stakes by all the dahlias, phlox and chrysanthemums. Then I went to bed early as it was so cold out and I was going to Seattle tomorrow. Very cool all day. But no wind so the canal was like a mirror. Talked to Cleora on the phone, she is fine.

Thursday, July 7, 1949

Today arose early and got breakfast. Caught the 9:25 boat to Seattle and talked to Mrs. Pulvermiller all the way over. Saw Dr. Lee and he says I'm OK so return in 6 months. To the ferry and met Helen Marring and Mr. Woods a blind visitor who was going out to her place for the weekend. Helen read part of her story to me, and it was very interesting. Took them home to their road and to the beach where we got into our old clothes. Sam took us all out for a ride in the boat and then we ate dinner. Took 2 hours to pick our raspberries. But oh! Have we a fine lot of them! The Girl Scouts asked us over to their bonfire, so we took over 2 jars of raspberry jam. They put on a couple of skits and sang songs around the campfire. It was very nice. Home and to bed.

Friday, July 8, 1949

This morning I made 26 pints of raspberry jam and was I glad when it was all done. We called Wilma to tell her we would be a little late. Then we got a beautiful hairdo at Wilma's. Home and put fresh flowers in the house and dusted good. Watered my flower garden so it would not get too dry over the weekend. Sam was late getting home from Seattle, so he ate late. I went swimming and Blanche laid on the couch. The water was cool, but it felt good in the hot sun. In the evening Lovey and Harold and Leona Duhn came out. They had come up on a trip and may come back to work here. I hope so. We sat outside until it got cool then went into the house. Served angel food cake with whipped cream and raspberry jam and coffee. A pleasant evening. To bed late.

Saturday, July 9, 1949

Arose early and put away all the jam. Sam had to let air out of the water line as we used most of the water last night. Invited Laes, Duffield's, Milhouse's, Lovey, Eunice D. and Mayme G. to dinner Wednesday July 13 at 6:30. Cleaned house and got ready to go to Port Townsend with Alma Nelson. To Gorst and had my hair combed and 1 Alma Nelson came. We left at 1:15 and arrived at Port Townsend at 3:15 so we walked around and saw stores. Ate early and got ready for Chapter. Arrived at Temple early and soon Sauers of Hoodsport, Edna Haines, Huntleys, Daisy Hirschi and Gladys Woshines, the Lud Andersons and several others I knew came. We found good seats as the members and Grand Officers were at a dinner at Chevy Chase Inn. The meeting started at 8:40 and we got out for refreshments at 11:15. Quilcene and Port Townsend had a joint meeting. The work was very well done but the Matron from Quilcene was the best officer. The tables downstairs were beautifully decorated with flowers in pink and blue crepe paper baskets. Home. Made cake and ice cream were served. Very good.

■ 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]