Author: David Haldeman

Monday, May 12, 1947 Temp 75 warmest of year
Kathy had to go to Mark Street School for preschool clinic. Took David too. While there noticed red spot on Kathy’s neck. Showed the nurse & told her she had been exposed to chicken pox. But went on with examination. She didn’t do so well on eye test – but she wasn’t feeling up to par. Home about 10:30 – Beautiful day. Washed in afternoon & clothes were dry by 6 to take down.

Planted 2 flats with seeds – Dahlias & penstemmons in one – Glad see in other – my crosses. Put them under burlap uner a sack on east side of garage. Cultivated a little in perennial beds & put in some compost. Planted scarlet marigold – dwarf french – seed. Phoned Mildred Johnston & Donna Turner for children’s Dept. report. Hazel Strubel called about Burroughs program book. Checked with Bernard Brooks & its coming OK.

Wally went to dinner for Bowling Team & then to ball game. In honor of their winning league top spot.

Sunday, May 11, 1947
Left for Reubens when Kathy bgot home from Sunday School. Ray, FLo & Sandy there already with Johnny Gill who came from Galion on bus. Hazel Chase was sick with cold. Moth, Daddy & Mary completed party – 3 cars.

But Marie’s brother in Illinois was killed Friday & they had gone there. So we started out on our won. Ended up in Wyandot Co. along Sandusky [River]. Daddy got permission for us to go in. Trilliums at their best. Ate lunch along road & then explored some more. Whjile looking at bellwort Mary discover a newly emerged luna moth on the underside of a trillium – Beautiful. Sent Wally & Flo for more film & then Johnny discovered a young horned owl. Took a whole roll of it. Got as close as 4 ft. Pulled its wings out – what a bird. Not quite able to fly. Such claws. Then took 6 pictures of the Luna. Took Johnny home through Bucyrus with unfruitful stops. May & Ray here for waffles. Wally, Flo & kids ate at hot dog stand.*

Did a little star gazing but they left about 8:30.

[*Known as “The Footlong Hotdog Stand”, this iconic Marion shack was on North Main Street at either Hecker St. or Copeland St.]

Saturday, May 10, 1947
Delores over to take care of Kathy, David & Sandra while the Romines & we went to Columbus. Beautiful day but ground still wet. Picked Mary up at Baker Hall & then down to Lazarus.

Bought a blue-twist carpet for living room 12×24 1/2 $335 including laying & delivery. It is lovely but that seems a lot of money to put in this house.

Tulips in full bloom at City Hall – So glad we happened to hit them. Remember Advance – Scarlet Admiral – Admiral Mendel – Indian Chief – Themis.

To North High Bookstore for butterfly book – Weed – to send to Jack Smart in Ireland. Usually have serveral copies but this time not a one. Ate at Pronto Pup stand on way home & then shopped for groceries at A&P in Delaware. Home via back roads from there.

Bought green jodhpurs – $6 – but Flo says I can’t wear them cause they don’t fit.

Friday, May 9, 1947
[No entry]

Thursday, May 8, 1947

[No Entry]

Wednesday, May 7, 1947
Got 2 arrangements ready for flower show. Pear blossoms in low glass & grape hyacinth miniature. Had to walk to mother’s with kids to get truck – Daddy had gone to work & taken car.

Had fish over there for dinner – good.

Mother went with us to flower show at 7. Met Romines in lobby of Hotell Harding. Really a pretty show what with flowering shrubs. And I got a first on my miniature – 1 doz tulip bulbs. Then out to Romines. Ray has butterflies & moths on mounting boards all over the place. Also caught up on correspondence he has been getting. Decided to ask Hazel & Johnny to go with us Sunday to woods Ruhlmen [sic?] knows.

Monday, May 5, 1947
[No entry]

Tuesday, May 6, 1947
[No entry]

Sunday, May 4, 1947 [vacation to Clifty Falls, Madison Indiana]
Wakened about 5:15 by the other 3 yokels talking. So up & Ray & I dressed & out about 6:16 for coffee – then NE of Madison on a side road for birds. Lovely morning & warblers were thick. List included scarlet tanager – towhee – indigo bunting – blackburnian warbler – golden winged warbler.

Saturday, May 3, 1947
[No entry]