MARY'S MEMOIRS

Have you noticed Mary and Sam pretty much have a hot meal every breakfast? Even if it is just pancakes? I had to laugh when she shares their pup walked on the freshly painted porch.

Sunday, Sept. 25, 1949

We slept late, then I made pancakes for breakfast. Cleaned house and put away yesterday's washing. Cleaned my Chapter dress so it is ready for Friendship Night. Took everything off of my desk and am now sitting in the sun. It's so warm out! Hung the plate Maimee Gould gave me. It looks very nice. Wrote all the letters on my desk. The Billy Hydes came down and I gave her crab apples and flowers. Then Doug came back with the boat. No fish and they put it away. Sam finished the lawn too. Then came the Jim Housens from Stanwood and 3 friends and we showed them around the place. Sundstroms came just as we were going around so they joined us. When we got in the house the phone rang and it was Alma's brother calling from Alma's house so they left. The Housens left at 7, so we ate. Put out my clothes for tomorrow's jaunt to Seattle.

Monday, Sept. 26, 1949

Arose early and picked Evelyn Hyde up at 10 to 9. We caught the 9:25 a.m. ferry. We visited with Mrs. Howell on our way. To the doctors and he said I had not gall bladder trouble, when I told him about the cherry episode. We ate lunch at Botts, very good. Very good. I bought my glassware and oh it is lovely! Now I shall have to have a dinner so I can use it. Found a good felt hat, 2 jersey blouses and a nice brown skirt. So, I am all set for winter. All I really need is one good pair of brown oxfords and warm pajamas. To Eastern Star Social Club with Delia Morrison and Kitty Wiliams. We had a good crowd out. Will take baked beans to the bazaar. The girls served sandwiches. Very good. Home fairly early and I was glad as it was a big day. Lots of walking and extremely hot! Received a letter from the Kurths.

Tuesday, Sept. 27, 1949

Today Sam took the sedan to get it tuned up. I cleaned house, cleaned some clothes, washed a few and went to Belfair. Ordered roses from Squires and after the first frost we shall plant them. Very warm out so I'm sitting by the bulkhead in the sun. Rec'd cologne from Seattle today. Guess my blouses should be here tomorrow. John Stuyts was down. Said they had a nice trip. Rudy was here, also young Sprint. They lived at Sam Easter's Camp 15 years ago. Talked to Cleora and Maimee Gould on the phone. Both are busy. Raked on front lawn and got quite a lot of the grass in piles. Looks much better and there is far too much to leave on lawn as it won't sink in. All it does is turn yellow underneath. To bed early.

Wednesday, Sept. 28, 1949

Today I finished a small ironing before breakfast. Then to Gorst and had my hair done. It looks nice. Home and found a lot of my parcels had arrived so I unpacked one set of glass to see how it looked. Sam painted the front porch. We both raked the lawn so all that next to the garage is clean of grass cuttings and the front nearly done. Picked a big dish of raspberries and some lovely roses. The pup walked on the porch. I painted. To Poulsbo with Mae Hausen, Lovey and Eunice Duffield. We had a wonderful program from Olympic in Lorene Bryan. Everyone enjoys her so much. There were over 200 people present so we saw everyone we knew. Eunice DeLong and Maimee Gould were special guests like I was, and we all received a lovely corsage and a purse. Maple leaves were the decorations and so were the favors. Helen Ludington sang, oh how sweet!

Thursday, Sept. 29, 1949

Today I cleaned house early and got my dishes at the express company. They are OK. Evelyn Hyde rode in with me so we had a nice visit. Then Alice Pope, Alma McDonald, Ruth Small, Helen Mitchell, Del Rue Thompson and Jennie Larson came down. They all ate lunch over at the cabin. I washed my glassware and dishes and after dinner will put them all away. They are so lovely. Cooked chicken for dinner and it was very good. A warm day and wind blew all day long. Sam has boat and furniture all put away, so we are through with that. Rec'd a nice letter from Blanche. Put away my glassware. Packed my suitcase. To bed early.

Friday, Sept. 30, 1949

Arose early and left for Gorst at 6:45 a.m. Had my hair combed out. Raining out. Alma and I caught the 8:30 ferry and found we had a flat tire just as we got off the ferry. So, we got it fixed early and sailed over the pass. We ate out lunch before we got to Cle Elum. It was nice out. Saw Burton Michael on our way to Twisp. Arrived at 3:45. Went to our hotel and downtown. Looked around and got ready for dinner. We went to the dinner and were greeted warmly by Mrs. Airey. It was a delicious meal of roast beef with a huge wedge of apple pie at the end. Talked fishing with Mr. Ludwig and Garrett. To the Temple and found a good seat next to the Conductress. There were several lovely addenda for Mrs. Aerey, and she gave an inspiring address. There was a full house and plenty of amusement. The marshal had quite a time and Adah lost her slip. Met some lovely folks. It was quite a night.

Saturday, Oct. 1, 1949

Today we slept late and ate downtown. Then looked in one of the stores. We called on Alma's sister in North Wenatchee and she bought some eggs there. Also ate some very good cinnamon rolls and coffee. Started home at 2:15 and ate dinner of fried chicken at Bob's Place on the old Bothell Road. Very good but I like The Wishbones better. We caught the 8:00 ferry, and I was home by 9.30 with the trunks full of corn stalks from Alma for the bazaar. Home and put my stuff away. To bed early. We had a most wonderful time and the colors over the two passes were wonderful. But Alma got another attack of asthma so not feeling too good when we got home. It is a shame she has to suffer like that when she wants to do so many worthwhile things.

■ 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]