As this month begins, Emma and Tell have been in Media living with Ruth and Bob for a little over four months. They’re still settling into a routine and figuring out what they will do with themselves now that they’re not on the farm!
Wed 1. We got a card from Gerald today. It has been a nice day. We did the washing. Bob & Ruth went to Wilmington this afternoon. Got home about ten tonight. I had some time with Bobbie today.
Thu 2. Ruth & I finished the ironing today. Tried out the new pressure cooker tonight. It works fine. Robert got a call to sing at Walter Baker’s church at 3 tomorrow. That makes four services for him. Ruth was “agin” taking the last one but Robert thought he could make it. Ruth finds so much fault with him—I should think it would take the heart of him. Am afraid to say too much. We all say things we shouldn’t. Bobbie has been a little wild today.
Fri 3. Dad went with Bob to three services today—Norristown, Stover’s & Walter Baker’s—Ruth & I went with him to Wilmington where his choir put on the “The Crucifixion.” It was very fine. He made 30.00 today. We stopped for ice cream as we came home. Dad got up & ate with us. Have been sewing some today. Ruth figured they took in almost 500.00 last month.
The Crucifixion is an oratorio for choir and organ composed in 1887. It intersperses Biblical narrative with choruses, solos, and hymns.
After correcting for inflation, $500 in 1942 would be equivalent to about $9,800 in today’s dollars. A good month for two musicians who didn’t have two nickels to rub together in earlier years and were piecing together their income by teaching lessons and performing!
Sat 4. Cleaned the house today. Swept the rooms, scrubbed the kitchen & dusted upstairs. Got the mop from the Fuller Brush man. It & the pt of oil cost 1.99. Emil has not been at home all day. He will be gone tomorrow & for 3 days vacation. We went to 69th St. I got a hat & it looks fierce on me. Bobby got new shoes. I am very tired out.
The Fuller Brush company was founded in 1906 as a one-man company that operated through door-to-door sales. Within a few years, it had hundreds of salespeople all over the country, who all signed a pledge that promised: “I will be courteous; I will be kind; I will be sincere; I will be helpful.” By the 1920s the “Fuller Brush Man” was an icon in popular culture, and the company had patented hundreds of innovations in brushes and other products. They are still in business, selling online and through dealers and catalogs—they even have their own YouTube channel.
Sun 5. This has been a beautiful Easter day. Weather fine. Temp up to 70°. I went with Bob & Ruth to Wilmington. Bob sang a solo & conducted two anthems. Fine! Fixed the organ just before his solo as it “blew off.” Dad went to the Baptist church. We had a cake made in the form of a lamb which Cecilia Kovak gave to Ruth at church via Alice Nichols this A.M. This P.M. we called at Whittleseys awhile. Took out some cake & ice cream. Dad & I went to the Baptist church. The Church Board will meet tomorrow evening.
Apparently special molds for making Easter lamb cakes have been available since the early 1900s. (And if you want a good laugh, Google “Easter lamb cake fail.”)
Mon 6. It has been very warm today. Bobby has played outdoors nearly all day. Gave her a good bath tonight. Bob & Ruth went to Philadelphia to teach. I finished my grey dress & hemmed Ruth’s rug. Got a letter from Bess. Said the chickens were 2.40. I must send her that & the postage. Dad is anxious to know about the decision of the church board—whether he is to be janitor. Aunt Anna came over for awhile tonight. Letter from Alice, card from Alice, Daisey & Chris.
Tell had worked as a janitor at his church in Iowa for a while, so I imagine that it felt good to find something to do that was familiar and brought in some money.
Tue 7. This has been a beautiful day. Dad spaded up a little garden east of the house today. Dad got word today that he has been elected janitor. He will get 35.00 a month.
Wed 8. Bob & Ruth did the washing and ironing today. I went to the hospital. My insulin was reduced to 2 U a day. Am to go back in a month. Bob went to Ardmore & Dad & I went up here to prayer meeting. We are planning to go to New York tomorrow. I wrote Linnie today. My blood sugar is 99.
Thu 9. We went to New York today. It was a bad day—rain & snow. Saw the Normandie on its side at the dock. Were at Columbia U awhile. Saw Alison. Mr. Moore went with us. Ruth bought a hat. I bought gloves & some outing flannel. Bob took his lesson. Ruth got sick on her way home. My foot gave me a lot of hurt.
Fri 10. It has been rainy & cool today. Bob & Ruth went to P.C. & home for a lesson & then to Wilmington. Bobby had a temp of 101° so they called the doctor. He did not get here till 5 P.M. & she had slept four hours & was feeling much better. She is such a darling child. Dad worked at the church several hours today. Brought some brushes home to wash.
The First Baptist Church in Media was about two blocks away from Bob and Ruth’s home.
Sat 11. We ordered 3 crates of fruit juice for Katharine today. Hope it gets there in a hurry. Wrote her & Aunt Mable. Bob & Ruth went to Wilmington today. I cleaned the house, took care of Bobby, recovered the cushion in the big chair, got meals etc. Dad is having a hard time to heat the church. It just won’t warm up. He is so tired out. Bob & Emil are installing a water heater. The gas heater costs so much. Ruth went after the groceries at the Co-op.
In the early 1940s, consumer cooperatives—member-owned stores that focused on fair pricing and quality products—were a growing movement in the U.S. The Co-op that Emma described continued to play a central role in their lives for a number of years. Among other things, it sounds like it offered bulk goods (such as the fruit juice for Katharine) at favorable prices. In an interesting side story, which I encourage you to read, I learned that the second-largest consumer co-op in the country served many of the over 120,000 Japanese-Americans who were interned in U.S. camps during World War II.
Sun 12. Dad went to the church about 3 A.M. He had a hard time trying to heat it but finally conquered. I went to SS & church there this AM. Ruth staid at home. Bob went to Wilmington alone & now I am at home while Bob, Ruth, & Dad are at church. I did my lesson in Revelation today.
Mon 13. This has been a busy day. Dad has worked at the church. Ruth & I washed. Bob worked on installing a water heater then Bob & Ruth went to Phil. I rested an hour today. Got pretty tired. Bobbie says she wants a baby brother to eat a can of baby food that was given her. We got a letter from Berne & cards from Chris. Dad is at the church this evening.
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Tue 14. I got the ironing all done except two shirts which Ruth did. Did some mending, cooked weiners & beans in the pressure cooker. The weiners instead of plumping up as I expected had the “wind taken out of their sails.” Bobby had quite a hard fall out of her swing tonight. Bob gave several lessons here & at Penn Charter today. They are invited to McClary a week from tonight. Dad is liking his job at the church. Got a letter from Chris today!!!!
Wed 15. Ruth, Bob, Bobbie & I went to Philadelphia where Bob had to go to see McCurdy. We tried to shop but could not find anything we wanted. Bob went to Ardmore at night. Ruth went but they did not sing. I would have gone with Dad to prayer meeting had I known they would be back early. I wrote a jingle for a contest. We planted the little garden today.
Thu 16. The Oil check came—$34.60. Ruth & I went shopping. She bought two dresses and I got one. I went to the Missionary meeting at the church this P.M. Hurried home to get supper as Ruth went to the Beauty parlor. Bob & Emil went to Stovers where Bob sang. Dad did not have to stay at choir practice. Says he is glad for the job. So am I.
Emma was active in the Methodist church’s missionary society for years in Iowa; I’m guessing she was happy to find a group to join in Media.
Fri 17. Have cleaned up the house today, cared for Bobbie, fixed Dad’s vest & worked on Ruth’s coat. I am tired tonight. Copied my contest jingle on the “tripe-writer” as Bobby says. I put her to bed before seven. She was pretty tired. Dad visited with Rev. Back a long time. Got his church already except dusting. Planted the nasturtiums today.
In addition to being colorful and decorative, nasturtiums are edible, useful in herbal medicine, and helpful for repelling pests.
Sat 18. Bob & Ruth left early for Wilmington. Melinda Whittlesey came in to play with Bobby. Dad & I had such a bad night that we have both felt punk today. I am in bed tonight before eight. Emil finished washing the windows & Bob put on the screens tonight. They took Bobbie to see Dumbo this P.M.
Walt Disney’s Dumbo movie, about an elephant who is ridiculed for his oversized ears but learns that he can use them to fly, was released in 1941.
Sun 19. Bob, Ruth, & Bobbie went to Wil. this A.M. Dad & I went to the Bap. SS & church. In the P.M. I kept Bobbie while Bob & Ruth went to see McCurdy about the Phil. job. It would pay 15.00 per Sunday. He will have to change his choir. Dad & I went to church at night.
Mon 20. This has been wash day. Bob started it but the water was so full of rust I had to wash it over. Then I rested, hemmed Ruth’s coat, got supper—Emil wiped the dishes for me. Bobbie & I sprinkled the clothes. Wrote Bess, Katharine & the Carthage folks this evening.
Tue 21. Finished the ironing after lunch. Went with Miss Berkoff? to call on Mrs. Dunn who lives just across the street. After dinner was over I have put Bobbie to bed & knitted on the baby blanket. Am going to knit up one ball & see what it will cost. Have bought four balls @ 70¢ = 2.80. It looks like it would cost 9.00 which is too much. Ruth & Bob have gone to McClary’s for dinner & the evening.
Wed 22. Everybody has been home today. We drove to 69th St. & I got a pair of shoes —10.95—that are supposed to correct my foot trouble. Bob & Ruth got a Badminton Set. Dad & I went to prayer meeting. Bob went to Ardmore. Dad has not been feeling very well. He gets so tired.
Badminton is a racquet sport in which players volley a shuttlecock (a feathered projectile) across a net.
Arne Nordmann (user:norro), Germany, CC BY-SA 3.0 <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/>, via Wikimedia Commons
Thu 23. This has been a lovely day. The children worked or played badminton outdoors most all day. I cleaned the upstairs. Went shopping at the Co-op. I have been making Margie Jean’s baby a blanket. Went to call on Miss Berthout this evening. Met her niece who seems to be quite prominent in the Baptist church here. I played badminton awhile today.
Fri 24. This has been a lovely day. Bob & Ruth went to P.C., home for dinner and then to Wilmington for afternoon and evening. Emil was away. I have kept busy at the house work & taking care of Bobby. Made a meat loaf & Ruth fixed a lunch & then forgot it. We had a picnic supper & played a little badminton. Dad is planning to take Emil & go to Chester to a horse show tomorrow.
Sat 25. This has been a lovely day but I got so very tired. Dad & Emil went to Chester to a horse show. Bob & Ruth taught in Wilmington. Bobby & I have staid at home. I worked at the garden a little but the man did not come to plow till evening & then we decided it was too hard & soddy for garden. Turned my money to Bob & Ruth for my shoes.
Sun 26. Dad and I went to SS & church. Bobby went to Wilmington with her folks. Had a “leg o’ lamb” for dinner. Ruth had company for lunch & the evening—a couple by the name of Leach who work for the Inquirer. Dad & I went to church in the evening. Rev. Back is a good preacher. Dad got his first check of 25.00 from the church.
Mon 27. Bob & I washed. It has been a beautiful day. I got the plain ironing done & the rest sprinkled. Bobbie was invited to Jerry Rigby’s birthday party—3 to 5—but she staid till 6. I went to the church to a wedding. Dad got a 3.00 fee for getting the church ready. Bob & Ruth went to Phil to teach. Sent Margie Jean’s blanket for her baby. Got a letter from Katharine.
Tue 28. I finished the ironing & part of the mending today. Bob & Ruth spent the forenoon at Penn Charter & have had several lessons here this P.M. The plants we ordered came today—after we had given up having a garden. I set out a few in the parking. Got my entry ready for Henry’s contest. Dad sent 25.00 to John Lohr today. Ordered 3 boxes of juice for the Carthage folks.
Wed 29. It has been cloudy and cool today. Dad has been working at the church polishing the pulpit, piano, wainscoting etc. I have been busy all day. Went to town. Bought a gift for Robert’s birthday tomorrow and one for Irene Brassfield for her graduation. Ruth got me a lovely Sterling silver pin for Mother’s day. I baked a cake for tomorrow. We plan to drive to Valley Forge to see the dogwoods.
Thu 30. Robert’s 28th birthday. We celebrated by taking a picnic dinner and visiting Valley Forge Nat. Park. It is a beautiful place. Saw Gen. W. headquarters. Had our pictures taken in front of this 185 yr old building. Climbed up the steps of Observatory on Mt. Joy. Came home tired but glad to have seen it. Had the birthday cake & gifts at our evening dinner. Wrote Katharine a letter. Pretty tired out tonight.
Valley Forge National Historical Park is the site of the third winter encampment of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Here’s a picture of the house that served as Washington’s headquarters.
The Observatory was a tall tower built in the 1920s that allowed a broad view of the historic campground. It was torn down in the 1980s and relocated to private property.
