MARY'S MEMOIRS

I really enjoyed reading this week's diary. Felt kind of sorry for Sam having back problems. Mary always refers to him going to the doctors for treatment. I bet you Mary and Sam mailed a lot of Christmas cards.

Sunday, Nov. 20, 1949

Awoke early. So much shooting and the phone rang. Very foggy out. Delmar Deputy was down to see Sam about the truck, so we ate a late breakfast. Cleaned house and looked at all the beautiful favors Doris sent. Sam still has a stiff back, so he has the heat pad on it. Wrote several letters and one to Blanche Hackett. Sat out in front of bulkhead where the sun was so warm. It was lovely. Picked the two Chinese pheasants and was just finishing when Sundstroms came. So, I asked them to dinner, and we had venison, potatoes, like Mrs. Johnson used to make and other things. We had a good time and did a lot of talking about this and that. Rudy was pretty sleepy as he was in Tacoma for 3 days to Shrine. So, they went home fairly early. Showed Rudy and Alma all the favors Doris Kurth sent me. To bed early.

Monday, Nov. 21, 1949

Today it started out being nice, but it rained before the day was over. Sam washed clothes and took soup into Ingrid Emery's house and Alma Nelson took upside down cake. We stayed until after 2 so when I got to Mayme Hanberg's she was away. Home and did a few odd jobs. Saw Squires. He may come to work tomorrow if it's not too wet. Bill Cady asked us down to dinner on Thursday, so we accepted. Will be nice seeing them again. Gave Queenie a big bone and Oh! Is she happy! Rec'd a nice letter from Willma R. She is right in the midst of things in Job's Daughters in Hermiston, Oregon. Sam went to the doctor and had treatment on his back. Feels better. Then he brought Maimee's book to me, so we checked all the names and addresses she had. At 10:30 I'm all through with the telephone numbers. My eyes are tired, so I guess I'll go to bed. Very wet out.

Tuesday, Nov. 22, 1949

Today it simply poured down so we could not work in the garden. To Gorst and got my hair done and called Lovey there. Sam put the pheasants in the locker. To Prisilla Chapter with Helen Mitchel, Eleanor Arcutt and Ruth Small driving. We ate in the old dining room at Port Gamble and certainly had a good time. It is such a pleasant place. Then to Chapter where we were the first ones there, so we really got good seats. Eunice de Long was guest of Marshall who got her name out of the blue book. All our names are wrong there. There were 6 Worthy Matrons and 5 Worthy Patrons and a full house. There was a good program from all the Chapters. The downstairs was decorated with tiny Priscillas made from a wooden spoon and crepe paper. We saw so many we knew. All our line officers there save Vernon Laes. Home late and to bed. Wore my gray wool dress with Alma Nelson's corsage.

Wednesday, Nov. 23, 1949

Dark today but no rain. John Stuyts was down asking me about names of towns in Washington state on Jumbled names puzzle. Then came Roy Mitchell to see Sam about gravel for the road. Cleaned house, put away clothes and ironed. Sam worked on Christmas cards. Then Betty and Eddie Fischler came down and they stayed to dinner. We had a lot of fun. The baby was so good only cried a little, so everyone was pleased. Rained hard all afternoon. Very wet out today. Finished Mayme Hanberg's membership book and so now my book is up to date. Sam is reading The New York Times and enjoying it. To bed early. My feet are so tired!

Thursday, Nov. 24, 1949

Today started out nice but rained hard before 2. Sam worked on cards, and I wrapped Christmas gifts. Got quite a few done. Makes a person feel good. I certainly have a mess in the attic. Have changed my gift selections several times already. Good thing I had plenty. To Belfair and got my mail and took Alice Pope to Garden Club with me. Took a shadow box arrangement with me and several of the members brought Christmas Swags and door or table arrangements. Flossie's was cute. A Mexican dustpan with greens and a red bow to hang on the door. Home and ironed. Very cold out.

Friday, Nov. 25, 1949

Today the wind blew, and the sun came out, so it became nice and dry. Sam went to Seattle early to see the doctor and attend the dinner that starts the Shrine ceremonial. I changed my beds, cleaned house good and took Mayme Hanberg's address book back to her. Went to see Alma Nelson so we plan to sew on robes for Handmaidens Monday. After I came home, I called Ruby, and she will come over if she can and stay for the meeting. Home and ate dinner. Now I shall write on Christmas cards. Would like to get it finished if I can. A very dark night. Maybe we shall have some dry weather.

Saturday, Nov. 26, 1949

Today I arose early and got all my work done. To Fischlers and took Eddie to Bremerton. Oh! Was it wet! Then to Port Orchard where I bought Grace and Laurice both a copper vase for Christmas. Went to dime store and got some gift wrapping. Home and over to Skenes and visited with him for an hour. She is specializing on Grant Angle case. Then down to Betty Fischler's where I stayed until about 10 o'clock. Ate a lovely dinner there and had a very nice time. I wrote notes on a great many of my Christmas cards so now they are all ready to mail. What a relief to get them finished. Betty has hers done too. We spent a very pleasant afternoon and evening just working on our two efforts. She finished a velveteen dress and I have my cards done. A big wind came up, so all the lights went out. We ate by candlelight. More fun. Quite a day!

■ 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].