MARY'S MEMOIRS

After last week's vacation fishing and camping, Mary and Sam had lots to do around the house. Mary's father's estate is settled among Mary and the boys.

Sunday, July 24, 1949

We got up late and I cleaned up all the mess from camping. It was quite a big job and with all my other work was not done until 3 o'clock. A sunny day but so very windy we could not go outside much. Wrote in my diary and pasted some in my scrapbook so it's up to date. Planted the mountain ash and myrtle over by the chicken yard. Then I transplanted all the zinnias, marigolds and cosmos in between all my phlox in the big garden. Sam went up to Belfair to work on his sales tax. Then he mowed all the lawn, and it looks very nice. I hope the folks come over tomorrow to see the flowers. We had clam fritters for dinner, and they were delicious. I picked all the raspberries. Cleaned more clams and have all put in the ice box. Called Cleora's house and she and Ralph are on a trip to Oregon, so I won't be going to the mountain this week. Sam wrote a letter to his cousins, and we mailed it in town. Jack Appel called up. Said Dick Hertzman was in jail in Seattle for burglary and for us to tell Art.

Monday, July 25, 1949

This was a wet day as Sam washed and ironed. Was through early and decided the folks were not coming from Holly so Blanche and I went to Bremerton. We took her parcel to the storage and mailed one. Then did a few errands and went over to see Alma Nelson. After a nice visit at Alma's, we went home. Met Sam at the store and we all went home. Sam had our tickets so now we are all set for our trip. Kurths write they're coming up too so it looks as though Sam will have a house full while I'm away. Wish I could see them. Sam took up the boat, so we need not worry about the wind. To Skene's and had a nice visit for over an hour. Home early and to bed.

Tuesday, July 26, 1949

Arose at 7 a.m. and finished all the hand ironing before breakfast. Then I cleaned up at the house and got my suitcases down. Then I put the silver away and by noon had quite a lot done. Sam went to Seattle on several errands. In the afternoon I hand weeded the rose garden and it looks very nice. Picked roses and lilies a few snapdragons and took to Betty Fischler. Had my hair done at Wychoff's and home to find that Louie and Henry had been here. I took Squires home as he cut off all old rose seeds, etc. The boys came back so I cooked the clams which they enjoyed very much. We decided to sell Henry the ranch April 1. He will pay Louie $1000.00 for his share and keep the forty with his shack on it. Henry to pay me $2000.00 for my share. They went back to Bellingham tonight. So, I finished all the mangling and put it away. To bed late.

Wednesday, July 27, 1949

Today Squires was here to see Sam before he was out of bed. Then Emmett and Roy Mitchell came with a paper to sign on the truck before Sam ate. Then Sam and Squires went to town and when he returned Skenes were here to lunch. Gave Skenes roses. They stayed till 1:30 and just as they left the Bert Shorts came with Vera French's children to see the phlox. Gave her a bouquet. After they left Sam and I cut down the maples up by the rail fence so the honey locusts could get a good start. It looks a lot better. Sam's car quit so we towed it to the garage. We had fried clams for dinner and Sam went to Belfair to see about the car. I weeded over half of the garden, and it surely looks a lot better. With good luck I'll finish Thursday and hoe my rose garden. We put out mole bombs today so really got a lot done. To bed early. Tired. Lovey called, talked 20 minutes about this and that.

Thursday, July 28, 1949

Was through with breakfast at 9:20 so by 10 I was out weeding in the garden. By 1:30 the entire garden was completed and as clean of weeds as can be. It should stay pretty good with Squire's help. Very foggy this morning and looked just like an October morning. Now it's hot and windy. Sam pulled all maple trees out in bay that we fell yesterday. The Girl Scouts here for an overnight again. Sam put in the window at the post office with Mr. Schutz's help. Glad it's done. Just heard that Norman Rasmussens are moving to a new job on the Columbia River so Belfair 241 will lose conductress and Assoc. Patron. It will be a great loss to the Chapter as they were earnest workers. In the evening watered my garden good and went to bed early. Very cool out. Louie came after I'd gone to bed, so Sam showed him where to sleep.

Friday, July 29, 1949

Went over early to get breakfast as Louie had to go to Shelton as Dad's estate was to be settled today and Blanche and I were going to Bremerton. Picked up Eunice Duffield and she rode to town with us. Then to the dentist and shopped in Charleston on way home. Saw Bartletts of Lakewood at dentist. At Belfair we picked up Evelyn Hyde and she brought a cake home with her. So, we had youngberries, whipped cream and cake and tea. Very good too. We sat out under the trees and had a rest. The Mary Carlsons came down with a lovely linen handkerchief for Blanche and I from the Corner Club. That was nice of them. Then Louie came back from Shelton, and he talked awhile. Very hot today. Betty Robertson LeMier, her son and mother came down so got them to stay to dinner. We had a good time too. Sam mowed the lawn and watered good. To Betty Fischler's in the evening and had a nice visit. Home late and to bed. Evelyn Edmiston and Ruth Stubblefield and a friend were at Betty's.

Saturday, July 30, 1949

Today we all got up early. By 9:30 I'd made 77 pints of youngberry jam. Then Sam washed clothes and I finished up as he and Emmett had to go to Port Orchard. Cleaned cabin good and upstairs with vacuum cleaner. The house is all ready for company. The ice box is full of food too. Sam emptied garbage can also. Sam mowed the lawn, so it looks very nice for the weekend. Very warm out again. Blanche cooked the last of the rhubarb and it's delicious. A card from Katie says she can't get over to see the phlox. A card from Sundstroms in Yellowstone. Betty and Maxine and Hal Fischler were up to see the flowers. Then we ate our dinner and later Emmett, his wife, the three children and Diane Thomas came down so the children could go swimming. We built a fire and toasted marshmallows. Later after they went home Sam got a few wieners, so we ate one and went to bed. The water is as still as glass and one of the loveliest evenings we have had for years.

■ 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].