MARY'S MEMOIRS

Mary is home this week. She pulls the winter clothes out and puts the summer clothes in the attic. Sam catches a terrible cold, but that doesn't stop him from going hunting east of the mountains with Bill Cady. The weather is slowly turning.

Sunday, Oct. 2, 1949

Today I put several lovely vases of flowers in the house. The one with red roses and red snap dragons is the loveliest by far. Cleaned my clothes and shoes and changed the beds. Put everything away so I can start a new week Monday. Mrs. Nichols says the coons are eating all her grapes. Emmett came down to see how Queenie was. Said Sam was in Seattle. Rudy was here on his way to Hoodsport. Said Sam halfway promised to go with him. The day started out warm but by 3 when I got out in the sun it turned cold. Sam came home about 6 when I was eating so he ate too. Had gone to Seattle to a show. Read and wrote all my letters. To bed early. Cold out.

Monday, Oct. 3, 1949

Today Sam washed clothes and I had all work done before I went to Gorst to get my hair combed. Very cold out and trying to rain. Cut a few rose buds as they are so lovely. Took all woolen clothes out of bags in the attic and hung them in our closets. Then I put away all summer clothes and shoes. Am glad that is done. Straightened out the attic some. That will take one entire day to do it right. To Philathea Chapter to Friendship Night. Taking Alice Pope, Ruth Small, Mae Housen and Lovey. We arrived so early we had to wait for the doors to open. It was a nice evening, and their Friendship Addenda was clever as a small Fisherman took the Worthy Matrons to each Star Point where they received a flower. A clever skit "Driven from Home" was presented downstairs (same as for Hatsu Club about a year ago.) Nice refreshments and a lot of fun. Wore the corsage Bertha Johnson gave me.

Tuesday, Oct. 4, 1949

Today got all work done early and attended my first meeting of the Evergreen Garden Club at Topsy Travis. We had a nice meeting, and I came home with another corsage on. There were only 3 women there I did not know so it was very pleasant. The club has come a long ways since I was a charter member. Rained all morning so now our garden has a good soaking. Ironed and put away the clothes. Sam got his absentee ballot and went to Shelton. In the evening we went over to Skenes and Edith gave Sam some quinine for his cold. We did not stay too long as Sam did not feel too good, but we had a good visit anyway. Rained very hard on our way home.

Wednesday, Oct. 5, 1949

Slept until late. Sam had such a cold. He did not eat. Cleaned a skirt and blouse and polished all my everyday shoes. Then called up Evelyn Hyde and we went to Holly. Called on Aunt Katie and she gave us cake and chicken sandwiches. Oh, so good! Saw Grandma and got roots of a white weed for up by highway. Called on Uncle Albert and saw his new house. He has some old fish net I can have for the Bazaar so now I shall have lots of net. Grandma rode up to the mailbox with us. Put my 3 parcels of sole in the locker so I can eat fish any day now. A beautiful day out, so sunny but turning cold tonight. To Belfair to G.E.S. They elected Edgar Morrison associate patron, Zeola McKimson as secretary. Then Helen Mitchell installed them. Tables were lovely with red maple leaves. Served donuts.

Thursday, Oct. 6, 1949

Today came 6 women to quilt. Addie Jones, Helen Mitchell, Mrs. Calarence Davis, Alice Rice and Mrs. Truly Taylor and her mother-in-law. The quilt is turned again so I think one more time will finish it. We ate lunch at the cabin and had a lovely time. Then later to Don Bancroft's to see his new house which is partly finished. It surely is a beauty. They were here today, and I never heard a car or did anyone of the 6 women. So, they must have stopped in front of the cabin and walked out to the beach. Home and ate, then got my clothes out so I can go to Seattle tomorrow. Sam has his car packed already to go hunting with Bill Cady east of the mountains. Rained this late afternoon but up to 2 was warm and sunny. Quite a day!

Friday, Oct. 7, 1949

Sam came in early and told me my clock was slow, so I got up. He left for Cady's early and caught the 8:30 boat like Alice Pope and I did. The men ate on the ferry. We saw Edith Michael and her daughter on the ferry so visited all the way over. Then up to Fredericks where we had some very fine instruction from Floss Bush. The girls were all glad to see Alice join our group. After the meeting I exchanged the sherbets at the Bon and bought a birthday gift for Mother. To the wholesale house and got 2 dozen sugar and creamers and 35 more cups and saucers for the Masonic Temple. Then we drove thru Tacoma home thru Gig Harbor. We changed our minds about going to Stanwood as it would almost be impossible to catch the last ferry home. Ate a lovely dinner at Alice Pope's and went home. Read until late. Called Lovey. She does not know if she can come out or not, but Alice and I plan on going to Shelton anyway.

Saturday, Oct. 8, 1949

Arose late. Very damp outside but at best it did not freeze yet. Took Betty Fischler up to vote. We saw Georgia Ashland, Mrs. Kreider and Al Woolridge's and they had never seen Idean before so had a chance. Saw Shackleford and the Ways. Inside was Mrs. Gladwin and the judges. We voted, then up to Belfair and got the mail, a sandwich and home when we ate some chocolate cake. Picked Betty some flowers, then took her home and stayed until 4:20. Home and ate. Now am all ready to go to Welcome Chapter as soon as Kitty Williams comes. Windy and cool all day. Lovey called, can't come out. Alice, Ruth Small and Kitty Williams went to Shelton with me. The initiatory work was put on by the past Matrons in their colored robes. They did so well. We had a marvelous time. Home late. At Alice Pope's we found the recall was defeated and we all whooped for joy!

■ 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]