Sun 1. I felt better this morning so went to S.S. and church at the Baptist church. Mrs. Atchison taught our SS class as Miss Hayward was ill. We did not start Revelation yet. I have prepared the first two lessons. Bob sang in Wilmington today for the first time— both morning & evening. He spent the rest of the day in bed.
Mon 2. Ruth went to Penn Charter this morning. Bob washed. I cleaned the upstairs & kitchen. Got meals etc. Bobby has been busy. Am very tired tonight. Bob & Ruth went to Wilmington. I am fixing up a dress for Ruth to wear to the concert next Sat night. Mr. McAlister called on us today. We got a letter from Gerald today.
Tue 3. Bob & Ruth left early this A.M. I have been ironing. Emil is still sick. Had the doctor again. Bob has been considering another job. They have decided to buy Janet’s piano. Got a letter that Mr. Thalman dropped dead. Funeral last Wed. I hope if Bob gets this job he can pay us & we will feel like we were making our own way.
Bob and Ruth both started their music education at the Iowa Falls Conservatory, and had been very close to the Thalmans.
Wed 4. It was a nice clear day today tho’ quite cool. I finished the ironing & got things ready for dinner. Left about 10:45 for the hospital. It was a long afternoon. Ruth stopped for me about 5 P.M. and we drove home. My blood sugar was 90. Am to take 10 U of insulin.
It’s been interesting to follow Emma’s journey with diabetes—for a while she tried to control it without insulin, but she ended up in the hospital. Her insulin dose has continued to drop, so it seems like she has found a good balance of diet and medication.
Thu 5. It has snowed today. I spent the morning in the kitchen. Meant to sew this P.M. but took Bobbie to town. It was hard walking. Lots of snow. Dad went to Wilmington with Bob. Am so sorry he can’t give up the tobacco habit. He only fools himself. It has spoiled most of our married life. Am very tired tonight.
It’s been a long time since Emma has complained about Tell’s smoking. It seems like it bothered her most when she was under stress—and he might have smoked more when he was under stress himself. I can imagine that moving away from the farm life they led for so many years, and settling into city life with their daughter and family, was a big adjustment for them both.
Fri 6. I sewed most of the morning. Finished Ruth’s dress & shortened Bobbie’s two new ones. Ruth went to Penn Charter every day the past week. She and Bob went to a dinner party for Janet and then to Wilmington for a choir practice.
Sat 7. Today is Janet’s wedding day. I planned to go but a call from Charlie telling of Frank’s serious operation, Rachel’s absence & all, and a request for me to come brought me to Washington. I came on the train. Ruth drove me to Chester. Frank is no worse.
Charles Troutman was Emma’s brother; he and his wife Rachel lived in Washington, D.C. Frank was their oldest son; it sounds like Rachel was with him.
Sun 8. Am at Charlie’s in Washington. On a tension for the last word from Rachel was that she would only call if Frank gets worse. So when the phone rings we get panicky. Gertrude has gone to Miss Henley’s. Charles & his wife just left. She is going back to camp with him this week. Am reading a book called “You.” Wrote a letter home and got my lesson written out in “Revelation.”
Gertrude (14) and Charles (22) were two of Charlie and Rachel’s other children. You! The Way to Success Through Self-Power is a 1920 self-help book by inspirational writer Irving Ross Allen.
Mon 9. Have spent a quiet day here at home. Since the clock has been set forward an hour (for 6 mo—after the duration) the day has been shortened. Took my insulin about nine. The Normandie was burned. It was the largest ship till the Queen Mary was built. I hate war—but will try to keep my poise. Finished my book “You” written by Irving R. Allen. His text is “Give more than you receive.”
Tue 10. Gertrude did not get up in time for school, so has been home with me. I have sewed a little, knitted a little and cooked & washed dishes. Went down town with Charlie after dog food. Have been listening to the radio & knitting this evening. Wrote Linnie & Katharine.
Wed 11. Another day at Charlie’s. Got no mail today. Have cooked a bit, fixed Gertrude’s gym suit, knitted, written a letter, etc. It is after eleven. Gertrude is asleep. I have had a bath. It has been a pleasant day. Richard took Dad’s letter to mail.
Here’s a 1940s-era gym suit like the one Gertrude would likely have worn.
Thu 12. I got a card from Tell and one from Ruth today. I have been busy worked on my dress after cleaning up the house. My motto—I will not doubt, I will not worry, I will not hate, I will give more than I receive. I called up Media this evening and talked with Ruth. She said Dad is sick. I may go home tomorrow.
Fri 13. I did not go home today as Charlie needed me one more night. I plan to go on the train tomorrow. Went to Sears Roebuck today & got a zipper. Visited the Botanical Gardens a few minutes while Charlie went after dog food. Got a letter from Linnie with one enclosed from Gertie. No word from Rachel. Nothing from Tell. I will have to borrow money to go home. Life can be hard!!
The United States Botanic Garden was established by Congress in 1820 and is the oldest continuously operating public garden in the U.S.
Sat 14. Charlie took me to the train 1:30 bus. It was a pretty close call for I nearly missed it. It was a long hard ride & I was very tired. Then when I got to Media I couldn’t ring Bob so had to walk up. Bob and Ruth were just ready to go to the concert where Ruth is playing. I was glad to get to bed—after putting Bobby to bed & making the beds.
Sun 15. I went to S.S. & church this morning. Dad came to church. Felt sick so went to bed after church and did not get up till about 3 P.M. Bob & Ruth took Bobbie to Wilmington. Bob sang at the Pres. church & Ruth played at Woods in the P.M. They came home & I had a five o’clock dinner ready. In the evening I got the next lesson ready in Revelation. Dad talked to Charlie about coming to Washington next Tues.
Mon 16. Robert did the washing & a part of it is dry & ironed. Most of the rest got rained on & is wetter than when we put it out. We talked of buying or renting an acreage & went to look at two places. One was an old frame house & the other an old stone one. Neither was very desirable. Dad is planning to go to Washington, if Charlie wants him, tomorrow. I will miss him. Oil check was $29.
Tue 17. I finally got the clothes dry. It rained all night. Dad decided to go to Washington today tho’ he didn’t hear from Charlie. Bob took him to Chester—we all went along. Then Bobbie & I were alone till 10:30 except for Emil. Miss Besthorst called. Invited me to go to an all day meeting at the church on Thursday. Emil got a package of oranges & a camera from his girl friend.
Wed 18. Got up at seven. A card from Dad says he arrived OK. A letter from Charlie says Rachel will be home on Wed. Guess they will not have the work done now. I went with Ruth to Penn Charter this P.M. It is a lovely place. Bob & Ruth went to Philadelphia.
Thu 19. Bob and Ruth went to Penn Charter this morning. I did not go to the all day meeting Miss Buchell did not stop. This morning I baked cookies and an upside down cake. Went to town today and bought some shoes. Dad got home tonight. Came on the bus & surprised us.
Fri 20. After cleaning the two rooms downstairs I went to Wilmington to help Ruth buy a dress. Then to Woods where Bob gave two lessons. Out for dinner & to choir practice at Sec. Baptist church house. Wrote Katharine this morning. Am tired tonight. Got home about 10:15 I think.
Sat 21. Bob & Ruth taught in Wilmington. Ruth bought her a pair of shoes, 2 pair of panties, a dress, a skirt, a pocket book and a pair of gloves. I have been cleaning and sewing. Went shopping with Bob tonight. Wrote Charlie today. Our allied armies are being beaten on every front.
Sun 22. Attended church & S.S. at the Baptist church this morning. Dad went with Bob to Wilmington. After doing up the work I got my chapter studied & answers written in the book of Revelation. This evening Ruth & I went to the Academy of Music where Bob sang a solo & in a male quartette. It is almost 11 P.M. Must go to bed. Dad staid with Bobby.
Here’s a newspaper ad for the Academy of Music event.
Mon 23. Bob & Ruth went to Penn Charter & to Philadelphia for the afternoon. I changed the beds & got the washing ready. Heard Pres. Roosevelt deliver a speech about 10 P.M. He spoke from Washington. The Japanese attacked Santa Barbara at the time. We are getting reverses on all front.
Tue 24. Bob has not been well today. Dad went with Ruth this morning. While they were gone I did the washing—9 sheets & a blanket. It sure was a big one. In the afternoon I went with Ruth. She practiced 1½ hours. I sat in the car. Bob is better this evening. Gave two lessons. Dad is fixing a shelf for Mrs. Dixon. Sent my Trial (Writing Test) in today.
Wed 25. Dad went with Ruth this morning and I went this afternoon. Finished the ironing this morning. Am pretty tired tonight. Dad went to prayer meeting. Got a letter from Gerald and a card from Alice today. Can’t seem to progress with my knitting. It goes back faster than forward.
Thu 26. Dad went with Ruth this A.M. She did not have to go this P.M. I have cleaned upstairs, got the meals, sewed a little & taken care of Bobbie. She has a bad cold and coughs some. Got a letter from Bess. She says Mrs. Brassfield is to have a baby in July. I must write her very soon. My knitting is going a little better.
Fri 27. Got a letter from Katharine with measures of her fingers in it. I will have to lengthen one finger I had finished. Cleaned down stairs today. Washed some windows etc. Bobby has a bad cold. Dad is working on Rachel’s lamp. Bob could not sing at a program in Phil. for Russian Relief because of a bad cold. They were in Wilmington all P.M. & evening & in Penn Charter all this morning. Glad I am able to work. Go to Hospital again next Wed.
Sat 28. Baking! Scrubbing! Washing curtains & woodwork till 3 P.M. A rest & then a bit of knitting. Bob & Ruth at Wilmington till 4, to Penn Charter tonight. Day has been cool & pleasant. Bobby has had a cold—earache & runny nose. Did not get any letters written. Do it tomorrow.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for March 1942.
