MARY'S MEMOIRS

Sunday, Dec. 18, 1949

Snow fell early in the morning and everything was so icy, but the sun came out and now at 2:30 it is beautiful but cold! Sam wrapped water hydrant then put away ladder and wrapped several boxes of salmon. I took salmon and candy to Skene’s. She was at church, so I stayed but a short time. Someone stole the camel bells I gave her. Sam went down to Rudy’s and got more boxes for salmon at the store. Everything cooking for dinner. Ruby called up. Said they had 3 inches of snow there. Have 4 mouse traps set in the attic. The folks came about 3:30 and we ate at 4:45. The geese were delicious, and everyone enjoyed themselves. The table looked so nice, and everything turned out very well. The men and Aunt Vina played cards while Ruby and I did the dishes. So, after a nice visit they left for home as it started to freeze hard. Now the furniture is all back in place, and everything is in order for tomorrow. Queenie is here on the rug, just soaking up the heat. To bed early.

Monday, Dec. 19, 1949

Today was very cold and Sam put some sawdust tires on the car, I washed the first batch of clothes as it contained my linen cloth and fancy things. Cleaned shelves in cabin and have bed ready for Swan. Wrapped the last of the Christmas salmon to give away Tuesday. Started on my packing and have it well under way. Then called on Betty Fischler and had a nice visit. Took her gift down. She has a very clever month with candles and holly and song “Silent Night” in big note over holly. The idea is very cute. Home and made dinner. At 6:20 Sam and Eddie F. went to a Masonic Installation at Gig Harbor. Sam wore his Vancouver Overcoat. In the evening I studied in my ritual and went to bed fairly early. Extremely cold outside. Looks like snow.

Tuesday, Dec. 20, 1949

Today arose early and ironed 1½ hours before breakfast. Sam left for Tacoma and Seattle about 10:30 and so I got ready for Social Club. Picked up Eunice Duffield a little after 12 and saw Rivas about chair covering. Got 3 samples. Then to Social Club where I was one of 16 guests. There was a delicious lunch. Lovely table decorations made by Maude Stieber and exchange of gifts. Eunice De Long was Grandma Santa and we had a lot of fun watching the kids receive their gifts. The tree was a beauty. I received a potholder and a dish cloth. Eunice Duffield and I called on Avina Bryan at the hospital. She was full of good spirits and kept us laughing most of the time we were there. Home and ironed for 2½ hours. Now it’s all finished. Lovey called. I will pick her up Thursday at 7. Trying to rain out, so most of our snow is gone. But the way that fine snow came down this a.m. I thought we’d sure have a foot by evening.

Wednesday, Dec. 21, 1949

A damp foggy day but no rain. Sam arose very late and cleaned the linoleum floors. Put wax on the apartment and I put wax on the cabin. Skenes and their house guest Belle of Connecticut. were here and left a parcel. I went to Belfair when they did so we had a good visit. Mailed all the cards and told Newkirk about my mail. Home and opened my cards and got my clothes already to put into suitcases. Took quite a while. One good outfit in case I gave me a beautiful silver beaded purse for Christmas. Ah! It’s a beauty! Alma Bard called. She may want me to substitute as secretary tonight as Zeola McKim son has a migraine headache. She will let me know by 6 o’clock. Zeola got well so I did not need to substitute. A nice evening and oh Kitty Williams had such lovely decorations, holly and hemlock in baskets. Candles at East, West and on piano. A huge tree made of pine needles on the secretary’s desk. Morton Benneton died. Alice told me. I’m sorry to hear it, but realized it had to come.

Thursday, Dec. 22, 1949

Today was a busy one with all last minute packing to do. Cleaned house good, had my hair done, it looks so nice. Sam tied up all the salmon and did a number of odd jobs. Has the car about packed. Made spareribs and sweet potatoes for dinner. Very good. Sam went to Reni’s to get the door handles put on the car. Opened all our presents and they are many and varied. I’m lucky to receive so many lovely things. To Lovey’s early and she had a whole basket of cups and saucers for the past matrons to take to the Temple. There were about 90 members out. Pretty good for so close to Christmas. The decorations were pine boughs tied with huge red bows and tiny Christmas trees at the four stations. I stumbled on my opening. Guess I was too sure of myself. There were quite a few past matrons and patrons, but not all of them. Upstairs we had Gale Sheldon and his wife as Santa Claus. They handed out the gifts to the honored guests. A lovely evening and I think everyone had a grand time. Home at 11. Gifts from Maimee G. Eunice DeLong and Alma.

Friday, Dec. 23, 1949

We arose before 7 and before 8 Bill Cady was here with the gun for his dad and Swan Truedson came to see how to start the stove. We left home at 8.30 in pouring rain. Ate breakfast at Rectors near Centralia. Delicious. We drove in rain most all day. Ate dinner at Eugene and drove as far as Roseburg where we found a motel. Sam took the dog for a walk. Raining hard. At Portland I stopped at Meir and Franks and found a white dress. They will order me one, size 16 and mail so now I’m all set. A great deal of traffic and as it was raining it was very hard driving. We are both tired. To bed at 10. Queenie is asleep in the car. Happy as a clam to be inside again.

Saturday, Dec. 24, 1949

Now it is 9.15 and we have just settled down for the night. We took the dog way out in the country to run around as the folks at this motel want No Dogs on the grounds. Left Roseburg at 8.45 a.m. and arrived here at Willows at 6.15 p.m. Most of the drive was made in sunshine and was certainly beautiful. We saw so much mistletoe on the oak trees. Also, a great deal of stock in the fields. We ate breakfast in Grants Pass and dinner at the hotel here. Lost our lovely Mexican oranges at the California border. Wrote cards to Alma, Betty Fischler, Carl Nichols and Mother. At our motel we opened Alma Nelson’s gift. It was two Christmas plates, napkins, fruit cake, jelly, cheese and crackers. What a gift! She remembers everything! Looked at the papers and to bed early. Weary of riding.

■ 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]