As this month begins, Emma is in Media, PA with Ruth, Bob, and Bobbie. Tell is home in Iowa.
Mon 1. Ruth & I have really labored today. We cleaned the basement, papered the lower half of the breakfast room & painted the table & benches & first coat of paint. Robert has done a lot of phoning & driving to arrange for his pupils. He may get to sing at a wedding on Wed. evening. Will know tomorrow. No mail today! We did not get up till eight or a little before. I wrote Dad a card.
Tue 2. I got a letter from Dad today enclosing $10.00 for Robert’s car payment. He will get $10.00 extra from the church and will be able to meet it. We have been busy today doing some cleaning and moving around. I helped Ruth paint the bed, chair, table and commode in Bobby’s room. I have started to make some kitchen curtains trimmed with rick rack flowers like I have in my kitchen. Am homesick tonight. Have just finished reading “The Keys of the Kingdom” by A.J. Cronin. I can truly say with others “That old man has taught me something”. I borrowed it of Dick Moore.
A “commode” in this context refers to a small chest of drawers—here’s an image from a 1941 newspaper ad.
Here’s a little video on making rick rack flowers in case you’re decorating some kitchen curtains.
Wed 3. Another busy day! Ruth & I painted the benches & table blue. We dyed Bobbie’s curtains pink (boiled one of Ruth’s red socks for color). They look real pretty. Ruth painted the furniture & washed the windows. Robert went to town. He got a job for Ruth to play at a fashion show tomorrow PM—2:30 till 4:00 for $5.00. Ruth does not want to do it. Robert has a chance to sing at a wedding on Friday night for 5.00 so guess they will have their car payment alright. Margaret Field was here this evening. Staid for supper & a long while afterward. She owns the house where Bob & Ruth used to live. She is queer.
I love this! Most of us try to avoid red clothes bleeding in the wash, but Emma took advantage of it to dye the curtains. Although the term “queer” has had many shades of meaning over time, and is used frequently today in the context of sexual or gender identity, I am fairly sure that Emma was using it in its original meaning of “strange, odd, peculiar, or eccentric.”
Thu 4. Bob & Ruth went to town this PM & I staid with Bobbie. A man came along taking pictures which were free. If they like them they can order some. I may get some for Christmas?? When the folks got home we drove to Dixons for dinner. After dinner Bob, Mrs. D, Bobbie & I came after some music Bob forgot. We went then to practice for a wedding which is to be held at the church near there tonight. I got a letter with 2.00 in it from Dad. He seems to be getting along OK. I sent him a birthday greeting & we all signed it—also some maple sugar.
Fri 5. I have been working on curtains. Bob & Ruth have gone to town to teach. They will be back about 3:45 I think. Bob bought a good looking washing machine for $2. It all works but the spinner which he thinks he can fix. Bob is a go-getter. He had 2 lessons in town, 3 here. Has been told of three new pupils today. Sang at a church wedding at 7 PM & got $5. He and Ruth are now at choir practice. It as been a hard day. Bobby did not get her nap. I am pretty tired.
Sat 6. I planned to finish the kitchen curtains today but here it is night & they are not done. I have managed to keep pretty busy today. We did some papering, washing, etc etc. Bob gave two lessons. This evening we drove to 69th St. to get Bobby some shoes. They cost .75. She also has to have some inner sole support which will be 1.50. Robert bought a tub, some castors for the washing machine etc. I bought 2 prs 9¢ socks. I got a card from Mrs. Johnson & a letter from Katharine today.
Bobbie was a toddler—about 2 1/2 years old.
Sun 7. Today Daddy is 70 years old. After dinner we went for a ride to Dave Cutler’s home, about 75 miles in south Lancaster County near the Maryland line. His home is a lovely 200 acre farm, with an old brick house, surrounded with old trees, with a wonderful view of the Susquehanna river from the porch. We enjoyed the ride in his Mercury and his gift of peaches from the orchard & tomatoes from the 10 acre patch. The view of the river from the lodge built on the cliff at the river’s edge was magnificent. Ruth & I went to church at the Baptist church this evening—the last Union service of the summer. Rev. Back, the Baptist preacher, preached. Bob kept Bobbie and did the dishes.
Mon 8. I got a long letter from Dad enclosing one from Gertie & Linnie. Have decided to send it on to Charlie. Dad wonders about selling 50 hens. I say “No.” Got another letter from Dad. He has decided not to sell any hens now. Gertie writes that John has gone to Wake Island in the Gov. service. We have been very busy today. There is so much to do. I find it hard to run after Bobbie. She has been so sweet tonight but into everything—sewing machine, pen ink, looking glass etc etc. She sang “Jesus wants Bobbie for a sunbeam.” Thinks up all kinds of excuses to get out of bed.
John Schieferstein, Emma’s brother-in-law, was about 50 years old at this time. The US Navy began building a military base on Wake Island, a Pacific atoll, in January 1941, with the first military garrison, a Marine Defense Battalion, stationed on the island in August 1941. Also on the island were about 1,200 civilian workers; I believe John was one of them.
Tue 9. We were given some grapes & I have been making some jelly for Ruth. She and Bob went to town after dinner and I did up the dishes and scrubbed, sprinkled the clothes, took a bath and gave Bobbie one. Bobbie couldn’t get to sleep so she is pretty fussy tonight. The man is still working on the ditch. The water began backing up in the sink when we emptied the bath tub. Found some of the roots of the willow tree clogging the sewer. It is a mess in the back yard—Bobbie can’t play there.
Wed 10. I got up early to iron this morning & Bob did the washing & gave a lesson, then took me to the hospital. It was a long wait for my tests. Had blood sugar 131. Had my blood pressure taken. Weight 165. Have to take exercises for my feet & oil them with Mennen’s Antiseptic Oil which the chiropodist gave me. Came home on the EL & “rail car.” Got a long letter from Dad & wrote him one. My insulin was reduced from 22 U to 20 U today. Dad is going to send us 30 doz eggs by express.
Emma’s chiropodist would be known as a podiatrist today. She continued to manage her diabetes; foot problems are common with this disease because of nerve damage and circulation issues—daily care, including exercise, washing, and moisturizing, are standard recommendations today. Mennen’s Antiseptic Oil was mostly advertised for use on babies.
Thu 11. We picked the bittersweet in Ruth’s yard this AM. Bob climbed up in the tree to get it. We hung 6 good sized branches in the attic. Then we cleaned the house. I was disappointed not to get my insulin so Bob went to Media for some. Could find only Lilly’s, so got that. We had a hard time scraping up a 1.00—cost 99¢. We had hoped Charlies would come down today but they didn’t come. Dave sent for his piano.
Fri 12. This has been such a cool day. We have had a fire in the fire place. Bob went out to cut some trees down for part of the wood. This afternoon he is teaching. Dad’s letter says he is getting 50 eggs a day. Thinks he is to be offered the janitor’s job again. I feel I should be going home soon. We have been cleaning the house. This evening Ruth & I drove out to El Rancho, a place to buy peaches about a mile & a half north east of town. We bought a bushel for 1.50. We plan to can them in the morning. I wrote Daddy a letter but did not have a stamp to send it. Bob gave me a dollar for expenses but it was too late to get one. Then they needed it for groceries. Got a letter from Katharine today.
Sat 13. This has been a cool day. Ruth & I canned a bushel of peaches—24 qts but one broke. Skimmed the peaches off & saved them. We cold packed them. Bob worked awhile both before & after dinner trimming the trees they cut down. This evening we went to “The Hemlock” or “Samuel L Smedley Park” a new recreation park just east of town for a picnic supper. Lots of people were in the east end of the park but not so many at the west end where we ate supper. Bobby loves a picnic. I wrote Dad tonight. Can not hear from him from Friday PM till Mon. AM. A long time!! Am reading Pearl Buck’s “The Patriot.”
Formed in 1937 with about 10 acres, Smedley Park now encompasses about 120 acres, is accessible by trolley, and is home to many trails and sports fields.
Sun 14. Ruth & Bob went to church this morning. I staid with Bobbie & heard Ross Stover preach over the Radio. He is an Ev. Lutheran preacher. Read & wrote letters this PM. Did not go to church tonight so the radio was all the church I had today. Ruth & I walked to the PO to mail some letters but they will not go out till morning. They have to be in by 3:50 PM in the box 2 blocks away. I wrote Gertie & Linnie. Ruth wrote Glenn Clark about Gerald & also wrote Moores. Bob is planning to go to New York on Monday.
Ross Stover was a magnetic and innovative Lutheran minister who, among other things, instituted the Easter Sunrise Service at Temple Stadium in 1935, with over 75,000 people attending. I found this book, “Ross Stover: that sunny man of God” about his life free to read online.
Mon 15. It is night. Bobby is in bed asleep. She was so tired not having had an afternoon nap. Bob & Ruth went to Wilmington. I got a letter from Dad this AM containing a dollar & a “special” at noon containing $5. It was very much needed as some students failed to come & some couldn’t pay today. We did a big washing on the $2.00 machine. It works fine. I wrote Dad a long letter telling him to rent the house for $25 if he could. We are planning to have Gerald come out here with Dad & find work if he is alright. I am reading the closing page of “The Patriot” by Pearl S. Buck. It is thrillingly written & very true to all life. One feels he has had many of these same experiences. Peoples hearts are the same the world over—black or white, red or yellow.
Missionary Pearl Buck won the Pulitzer Prize in 1932 for “The Good Earth” and the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1938 for her “rich and epic descriptions of peasant life in China.” The Patriot is the story of a young Chinese dissident torn between his family and his patriotism during a time of political and social upheaval.
Tue 16. No letter from Dad today. We did the ironing this morning. Bob & Ruth went to the city to teach & Bobby and I staid at home. They got home about 8 PM. The photographer brought the proofs for us to choose one. Bob & Ruth went to see Dr. Stiefel about fixing our teeth. He said he would make my upper plate & fix the lower one for $40. We are all to go in next Monday. Bob has been trying to find a place to buy milk cheaper. It is 13¢ per qt. 11¢ if one takes 10 qt at a time.
Wed 17. Bob went to New York today. I should have liked to go but we did not have enough money. I gave him 3.10—all but a dime. It has been hot here today. Have done little. Bobby plays at swimming a lot of the time. Told her mother not to walk in the water.
Thu 18. This has been a lovely cool day. Ruth & I have cleaned the house & I have sewed a little. Got a letter from Dad. He said he sent the eggs by express on Tues. They should be here tomorrow. I wrote him as usual. Am a little homesick tonight. Bob did not get home tonight. He is at Moore’s. Called up that he had an audition at 11 AM tomorrow for a church job. Ruth has changed some of his students.
Fri 19. This has been a very pleasant day. Bob got home from NY about 2:30 PM. Dave Cutler was here to take a lesson. The eggs came today and we have them all in the refrigerator except what we have used. They are so nice & big. But they cost so much to send—8.50 for the eggs, 50¢ for the crate & 2.22 freight—express rather. Total 11.22. I am so glad to have all the “B” Units I need but may not stay to eat them. I am getting anxious to be at home. A letter came from Dr. Clark today in answer to Ruth’s. It seems Gerald is doing fairly well. Has a good job but “falls by the way sometimes.” It has saddened me. Nothing but salvation will fix him. Got another air mail letter from Dad. Bob & Ruth have gone to Ardmore to a church supper & then to choir practice.
Ardmore Presbyterian Church was about 10 miles from where Bob and Ruth lived in Media. Its chapel has a beautiful Tiffany landscape window called “Sunrise,” donated in 1913, which you can see here.
Sat 20. This has been a cool day. We washed & ironed. The new machine works fine. Bob bought ½ bu. of grapes & I made most of them into jam. Bob had a new student come for an audition tonight. I got an airmail letter from Dad today. I will try to mail him one tomorrow before 5 PM.
Sun 21. Bobbie & I went to the Pres. church this morning. Ruth & Bob were in the choir. Came home, had dinner & did the dishes. Wrote a letter to Bess & Bob mailed one to Dad for me. This evening we talked about going to hear Barnhouse & Bob got gas especially to go but Ruth decided she did not want to take Bobby so we did not go. I went to the Baptist church. Ruth came after me. I have decided not to go to New York. It will be hard to go with Bobbie. I’d rather go when I could see something. It would be a drag on Bob to take a sight seer along on a business trip. I am blue tonight but I will get over it.
Mon 22. We all went in to Dr. Stiefel’s this AM to have some dental work done. Bob & Ruth each had some teeth filled and I had impressions made for some new plates—an entirely new upper and the lower repaired & rebased. It will cost about $40.00 payable as we can. Am staying with Bobbie tonight while Bob & Ruth are in Wilmington. Just answered the phone. Graneth called—“Some important people” in office—a car drove up while I was talking. A young couple want Bob to sing at their wedding which is to be at 4 PM Nov. 1st. I answered an ad today about staying at a summer resort. Will be anxious to hear. Wrote Dad I wanted to come home.
Tue 23. This has been rather a warm day. Have worked all day. Just put Bobbie to bed, gave her a bath. The phone rang & when I came back she had her towel in the water. I got another & dreied her and went after her nighty & she got back into the tub. She has been such good girl today if she did “broke down” a milk bottle on the cement walk. She peeled nine hard boiled eggs for me. Said “My Grandma, I’m not very so tired.” I wrote Dad a letter and we walked down to the mailbox to mail it. She & I have made a pie & cake & salad for our dinner tomorrow. I plan to go with Bob and Ruth to New York. A girl from Springfield just called. Wants to take voice lessons from Bob. Did not get a letter from Dad but a card from Gerald & one from Katharine.
Wed 24. We drove to NY City today. Bob, Bobbie, Ruth & I stopped at Moores at Kenilworth and took Aunt Mabel & Alison with us. We ate our dinner in Central Park. It is in the heart of the City—from 59th to 110th, I believe. Bob & Ruth went to see people with whom Bob was to audition & the rest of us took a bus ride down to the end of 5th Ave. Started at 57th St. & went to the south as far as the busses go. We went about to 7th Wall Street section in the Southern part of Manhattan. Saw where Madison Square garden used to be. It has moved & carried its name with it. Went by all the swanky shops. Best & Co, Bonwit Teller’s, etc. Past the NY Public Library which is guarded by two big lions, Radio City, Empire building, Greenwich village (artist’s colony). When we went home we first drove to see the Episcopal church (St. John the Divine) & then took a ferry from the southern part of the island across to Staten Island, going within a very short distance of the Statue of Liberty on Bedloe Island.
I found this fabulous map of NYC that includes hundreds of photographs taken between 1939 and 1940. You can scroll and click around to see the city as Emma would have. She sent a couple of postcards to Tell, including this one. Her message notes that the bus they took was an open double-decker. What fun!
Thu 25. Since Robert could not see one church director we staid all night at Moores. Left about 8 AM. Alison went with us & we again crossed on a ferry. This one costs only 25¢, but the one yesterday cost 80¢ & the bridge from Staten Island to NY 50¢. We drove to the church & waited almost an hour for Robert to come. Alison left us & when Robert came we started for home. Ate some sandwiches Aunt Mabel sent with us. Got home about 2:30. Found a letter from Dad & another came today. I should have written him a long one today but I had so much to do, & didn’t realize it was so late in the week. I bathed Bobby, got supper, did the dishes & it was too late to get any stamped envelopes. Bob & Ruth had to go to town to teach. Went to Ross Stover’s church. Bob will sing next week there for $5. I am tired tonight. Have to go to the dentists in the morning.
Fri 26. I waked up early & wrote to Dad. We had breakfast & prayer & went after grapes but they had not been picked. We drove to Dr. Stiefels & had work done on our teeth. Ruth & Robert each had one filled. I got my lower denture. It cost $3, just what the co charged him. Came home. Had the radio to take to Mr. Lott’s brother. Bob got us some sandwiches & cake. Got the grapes—a bushel of them. I looked them all over & made 14 pints of jam. Ruth helped me with the rest. Made 11 qts into grape juice. Bob got a piano for 10.00 at Stillwells. It is an old player but doesn’t sound so bad. I have taken a bath. Was pretty tired. Bob told Bobby to go to the bathroom to deede. She said God was up there deedeing.
Sat 27. We cleaned the house today. Robert worked at tuning the piano. Ruth has not felt very well today. Had a sore throat, so they went to the doctor for some medicine tonight. Her feet have been breaking out. It is very annoying. I sewed a little while this PM. Sent Dad a long letter. Gave Bobby a bath and put her to bed. It is about 8:30. Bob is giving a lesson. I think Dad is ready for me to come home. Bob got a letter from the Haldeman Agency saying they will give him time for an audition next Wed. I packed the jam for Moores.
Sun 28. This has been a long day. Ruth has been sick. Has a sore throat & fever. Think she is a little better tonight. I have kept pretty busy. Did not get to go to church this AM & was too tired tonight after Bobby got to sleep. She does not feel very well. Has a runny nose. We went off daylight savings time today. I wrote Dad, Katharine and Gerald today. Our ten qts of milk at a time is a huge success. The milk is much richer & we have 6 qts extra.
Daylight Saving Time was first implemented as a wartime measure in 1918, but became a matter of local choice in 1920. It was primarily observed in cities; rural opposition prevented most states from implementing it statewide. It was reestablished as “War Time” in Feb. 1942. It wasn’t until 1966 that the current system of yearly time changes was established.
Mon 29. Bob did all the washing except the hanging out which Ruth & I did. Bob also scrubbed the kitchen. Ruth is better this morning but I do not feel like doing much. I got a letter from Dad saying John is in the hospital. I hope he gets along OK. I have had a bad few hours with bowel trouble. Got a short letter from Dad today.
Tue 30. I am feeling much better today. Got up early to iron. We got it all done before dinner. Picked up a few apples to send to Moores tomorrow. Ruth & Bob are going to New York. I have decided it will be best for me to stay at home with Bobbie tho’ I dread staying alone. The postal card cost but 3¢ to mail to Mary Ellen in India. Think I’ll get a letter from Dad tomorrow—none today. Finished making over my black dress today—by hand.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for October 1941.
