Thursday, December 31, 1936

Last day of old year
what will the next bring to us-
Made a squash pie-
Clara & Harry hunted stove lids Jim Seeley came & got the stove from the stable-
Harry took Mother & Clara for a ride
I got supper-
Clara & I had indigestion-
We watched the old year out & new year in and drank toasts in Creme de Minthe & orange juice^-
at midnight
*Taught Clara to crochet this eve-

Aussie Mozzie cocktail^

^Maybe this is the cocktail Irene made- Aussie Mozzie: 1 oz green creme de menthe, 5 oz orange juice- Pour the orange juice into a highball glass filled with ice cubes. Add green creme de menthe, and serve in Highball Glass. http://www.scooking.net/cocktail/aussie-mozzie#.VI0VmXtWWh0


*This is written up the left hand, inside margin of the diary entry.

Wednesday, December 30, 1936

windy-
I made a baked custard for dinner-
Mr. John Nobles tuned the piano* this morning-
Harry took Clara to town to get her hair curled-
Rec'd a letter from Iliff-

John Noble, piano tuner*

*John Noble was indeed a piano tuner in Ithaca, NY. http://tcpl.org/local-history/documents/IthacaDirectories/ICD_1936L-Z.pdf

Tuesday, December 29, 1936

Cloudy & plesant, colder
Made tapioca custard
Harry took Mother & Clara to the Dr. Price and had her foot fixed and Dr. Moore for her heart condition-
Better, thank God-
Clara & I had another conferance-
Mush and milk supper-

Monday, December 28, 1936

plesant all day
Made oatflake cookies
Mother has been upset all day-
Clara has indigestion and I had nervous headache
Going to bed at nine o'clock-
Harry & Clara hiked to the woods and then Harry went to Auburn and got his own car-
Rec'd letter & card from Florence Beebee-
Aunt Em has grippe-

Sunday, December 27, 1936

Sunday-
Made a banana cream pie for dinner-
Harry took Clara & Mother to call on the Bristol sisters and then took us all for a ride-
Had a very nice ride-
Aunty & Clara on their high horse all day-
I have felt like a worm-
Mother good all day-
Midnight

Saturday, December 26, 1936

plesant day-
Made lemon pie and got dinner
Harry, Clara & Mother went to Ithaca-
Clara talked on phone to Dr. Moore-
about Mother's condition-
She may not recover-
must be kept quiet as much as possible-
Iliff and Mildred spent the evening with us-
Gave Iliff $15.00 for Mr. Booth-

Friday, December 25, 1936

Cloudy with rain this eve-
Stuffed chicken with celery & onion dressing-
Fine dinner
Harry & Clara got a cedar tree and decorated it and took pictures of it with Mother & Aunty-
We exchanged presents this eve-
Gib & Vera spent the evening with us-
We served cake & tea & port wine-
Wonderfull day-
*Got $20.00 check from Clara paid to Dec 30, 1936

December 1936 edition of Home Arts Magazine

*This line was written vertically up the left hand side of the diary entry.

Thursday, December 24, 1936

plesant s wind
Made a layer cake with date filling and cherry pie and 2 shells and apple turn over for dinner-
Mopped the kitchen and dustedthrough the two living rooms & kitchen-
Clara & Harry came about four o'clock this afternoon-
Iliff came and took me over to the Searles' tree
Had a wonderfull evening-

My Christmas Tree from 2009

Wednesday, December 23, 1936

plesant S. wind
Dusted the kitchen and tidied generally-
Harry came for late dinner-
his car gone bad-
He had to be towed back by Claude Berdoff-
Claude called and told us Harry was back to Scotts all right-
Harry killed a rooster and I dressed him this afternoon-
Mother good today-

Tuesday, December 22, 1936

Frosty and cold N.W. wind-
Done the ironing today-
Sent packages to McGraw and letter to Iliff-
Rec'd Xmass card from Lloyd Bower- Montana-
James Bristol called on Aunty this forenoon-
Mother has been very good all day-

Monday, December 21, 1936

plesant but cloudy
Done the washing and got it all dry and sprinkled down to iron-
Mother did not trouble at all-
been very good all day-
I wrapped Xmas packages* all evening-
Sent all Xmas cards this morning-
Rec'd a card from Annabel and Matty today-

Tin soldier from wrapping paper c. 1935

*According to the Woolworths Museum UK website, "[b]y the 1930s a wide range of brightly coloured wrapping paper and ribbons was offered as Woolworths became established as the destination for Christmas."

Sunday, December 20, 1936

Stormy day west wind
rainy morning getting colder, after dinner and snowflurries this eve-
Made a rice pudding for dinner
Combed Mothers hair and washed her neck and ears
Addressed 40 Christmas cards* for Aunty and I-

Romantic Christmas card from 1936*

*I'm sure Irene would have given her husband a similar Christmas card if he had been alive in 1936. < image from a blog called Forgotten Buffalo in NY: http://www.forgottenbuffalo.com/forgottenbflofeatures/vintagexmascards.html >

Saturday, December 19, 1936

Cold south wind all day with snow flurries changing to rain this eve-
Harry brought a spare rib and I made dressing and baked it today-
was it good-
Harry went back to Half Acre this afternoon-
Mildred called for me to go to town but I did not need to go-
Mother good all day-
Finished two pair pillow cases-

Friday, December 18, 1936

Snowy & north wind
Cold 12 [degrees] above zero this A.M.
Made jello and whipped cream of evap. milk-
and oatflake cookies
Harry came this afternoon to stay all night-
I stretched pillow cases this afternoon-
Sent letters to Iliff and Alice and a card to Ida Ammack and to Lloyd Bower for the ladies
Mother good today-

Thursday, December 17, 1936

Cloudy & colder-
No wind
Washed two sweaters and a wool skirt for Mother-
Empted the reservoir and washed it out
Basted ends and hems of two pair of pillow cases this P.M.
Rec'd letter and postage stamps from Iliff-
Mother good all day-

Wednesday, December 16, 1936

plesant all day-
Made tapioca custard for dinner and 3 pt cans of beet and cabbage rellish-
Harry done the chores and fixed the weights on the coal box etc. etc and left us for Half Acre 3 P.M.
I rec'd new roll of films from the Agfa Ansco Corporation* Binghamton
Wrote leter to Iliff this eve-
Mother good today with no bad results from her fall-

Agfa Karat c. 1935-1955*

*This is film for her camera. For more information check out Ansco on Camerapedia. <Image from http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Agfa_Karat >

Tuesday, December 15, 1936

plesant all day
Went to Mrs. Evans' for 2#* Butter
Rec'd letter from Iliff
Harry came this afternoon and took Mother and I to Ithaca-
Had a nice time
Harry treated me to a banana split-
Mother good all day-
but fell in the wood house this eve
did not hurt her so she said-

Cabot's Ice Cream in Newtonville, MA-  Banana Boat

*No, Irene didn't mess up her hashtag. This means 2# = two pounds.

^The banana split was invented in 1904 by apprentice pharmacist David Evans Strickler in Latrobe, PA. See the article HERE. < Image from Wikipedia http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9f/Traditional_Banana_Boat.jpg >

Monday, December 14, 1936

plesant all day
warmer this evening-
Done every day general work
stewed apples for supper-
wrote a letter to Clara with Aunty writing too-
Sent birthday card to Delbert-
Mended Mothers dress and made new button hole-
Harry called about an hour this afternoon-

Sunday, December 13, 1936

Sunday-
freezing & cool-
Made a banana cream pie-
Combed Mothers hair & washed her neck-
and got the dinner and cleared it away and Aunty washed the dishes for me-
Iliff and Mildred came for me to spend the afternoon at Searles'
Charles and Marcia was there also-
Iliff left for Buffalo 5-15 P.M. and Mildred and Florence brought me back-
Had a wonderfull time-

Saturday, December 12, 1936

Cloudy but plesant day
Mildred, Florence & Delbert came for me at 11 A.M.-
to go to Ithaca to Xmas shop-
Went to Victoria Hotel for dinner-
Met Howard & Ida Ammack in Hotel too
Iliff did not get home as he had Saturday work-
Telegraphed to Mildred
Had a nice afternoon-
but what a crowd-

Friday, December 11, 1936

Rainy day-
Done all the Ironing today
Rec'd letter from Clara-
She is anxious to hear of Mother-
Mother has been good all day-
Aunty and I sorted Xmas cards* to send out this eve-

Hummel Christmas card 1936*

*< Image from http://polarbearstale.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmascard-1936.html >

Thursday, December 10, 1936

Thawed all day-
Snow nearly gone-
I made Butterscotch pudding and oatflake cookies-
Aunty slipped on the ice and fell this morning-
was I scared
bruised her hip a little-
Mother very good all day-
Luther Bower called looking for Harry to sell his hay-
Wrote letter to Clara and Aunty wrote too-

Wednesday, December 9, 1936

Strong south wind cold-
Done the washing today-
Mother very good about it-
Rec'd letter and some postage stamps from Iliff-
Leroy Bower finished drawing the corn from the field-
Mother had nose bleed this eve-


                                                                       

Tuesday, December 8, 1936

plesant but cold
6 [degrees] above zero this morning
Made a grape pie* and macaroni and cheese for dinner-
Harry put weather strips on my bedroom door this morning-
He went home to Half Acre this afternoon-
Susie Harring called this afternoon-
She invited me too come to church-
I got warmer shirt and another skirt on Mother this morning-
She has been good today-

Grape Pie recipe by Irene Bouchard*

*Grape pie is a Central NY tradition. Check out this recipe featured in the Fall/Winter 2002 edition of Voices: The Journal of New York Folklore.

Monday, December 7, 1936

plesant but cold
10 [degrees] above zero this morning and again this eve-
Harry and I went to Ithaca this forenoon-
He got Xmas^ present for Clara and arties and ash pan for Auntie-
He went back and changed Arties this afternoon-
Had a fine time
Mother was good all day-
*Met Edna Holmes- She lives in Cortland-



^"Xmas" is not a non-religious shorthand for Christmas. The "X" is actually an abbreviation of the Greek word for Christ. For more info check out these 2 links. The Origin of Xmas. & The "X" in "Xmas" Doesn't Take the "Christ" out of "Christmas".

*This is written up the left hand, inside margin of the diary entry.

Sunday, December 6, 1936

South wind & cold but thaws this evening-
Baked smoked ham slices in milk for dinner & creamed onions-
Harry shelled 2 bushels of corn in the sheller*-
Claude Bergdoff called to see Harry-
I combed Mothers hair and washed her neck etc-
She has been very good today-

Ad for corn shellers*- Sears 1936

Saturday, December 5, 1936

Saturday-
plesant but cloudy & cold-
Made a rice pudding-
Harry and I went to Ithaca this afternoon-
Went to the  Temple Theater and see George O'Brian in "Daniel Boone"*.
It was fine-
Mother very good today-

*Daniel Boone (1936) with George O'Brien, Heather Angel, & John Carradine.

Friday, December 4, 1936

Cloudy with snow covering trees and shrubs
Harry took pictures this forenoon and done all the chores-
I rec'd letter from Iliff-
Mother has been good all day-
I sent letter to Iliff-

Thursday, December 3, 1936

Cloudy & thawed in middle of day-
colder this eve-
Made cornstarch cup custard
cooked soup bone and a roast of beef for dinner-
Had soup for supper.
Harry shovelled paths all around-
Saved me a back ache-
Mother good all day but difficult this eve-

Wednesday, December 2, 1936

Snowed all day
thaws this eve
Mother rec'd letter from Clara
I made oatflake cookies and creamed onions this forenoon
Combed Mothers hair and done general work-
Shovelled walks this afternoon-
Harry came before supper to stay all night-

Tuesday, December 1, 1936

4 [degrees] below zero-
south wind
dinner and creamed celery
Sent a letter to Iliff and rec'd one from him-
Temperature rising this eve
12 [degrees] above zero at nine o'clock P.M.

Monday, November 30, 1936

Blizzard & cold 5 [degrees]
I washed out four pair of stockings and mended them and button holed Mothers slippers-
Milk bottles frozen hard*-
We have all been tired today
Mother has been good-
but a little difficult toward Aunty about the kitchen-
this evening-
Sent letters to Chester and Hattie Morey-

Frozen milk bottles and kitten- Chicago, 1947*

*Image from the Chicago Tribune. < http://galleries.apps.chicagotribune.com/chi-140207-classic-cold-chicago-pictures/ >

Sunday, November 29, 1936

Sunday-
plesant
Harry took Clara to Auburn to meet the 3-20 bus to Syracuse this afternoon-
I made banana cream pie for dinner-
Mother has been very quiet and drousy all day
Dr ordered her to sit with her feet up in a chair-
and takes four kinds of medicine-
Strange to eat supper just us 3-

Saturday, November 28, 1936

Harry took Clara, Mother & Aunty to Dr. Price and had their feet treated and to Dr. Moore and had a thorough examination-
Aunty is better but Mothers heart is very bad and her limbs are swelling-
I stayed home and done the work and had 2 o'clock dinner-
Mother nervous & excited all day-

Friday, November 27, 1936

plesant & cold 12 [degrees] above zero this eve-
Made Duck puff with a cup of chopped duck meat*- very good
Fried Brazil nut meats in a little butter and salt very good-
and had dates to serve this evening-
Had fire in Auntys' living room-
Clara washed and hung the curtains in Auntys' north room
Harry russeled wood-
Mother good

Roasted Duck in Puff Pastry from The Toasted Sprinkle blog*

*Most of the duck puff pastry recipes I came across seemed too fussy for Irene, so I chose this one. It specifically talks about using leftovers. Rosted Duck in Puff Pastry.

Thursday, November 26, 1936

Thanksgiving day
Clara came this morning by train from N.Y. City 7-15 -
Harry met her at the depot 6 o'clock
mistake in change of timetables
Stormy day with snow squalls
Duck dinner with dressing*
wonderfull dinner that all enjoyed-
Clara gave Mother a bath

Stuffing recipes from 1936 as they appeared in the LA Times*

*Stuffing (or dressing) recipes from 1936 < image from the LA Times blog- http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/thedailymirror/2008/11/thanksgiving--2.html >

Wednesday, November 25, 1936

plesant & thawed
I made a pumpkin pie & a shell and a layer cake with lemon filling
Harry came for dinner & Mother & I went to Ithaca with him for supplies-
I got me some stockings-
I rec'd a nice letter from Iliff today-

Tuesday, November 24, 1936

plesant day & warmer
Thawed a little today-
about 4 inches of snow this morning-
Made oatflake cookies and stewed pumpkin this forenoon
sent letter to Iliff-
Combed Mothers hair and swept & dusted upstairs this afternoon-
Mother tired but good all day-
She prowled all night last night so was very tired-
gave her a pill-

Monday, November 23, 1936

plesant day & cold
Rec'd letter from Iliff and also Clara with check for $20.00 paid to Dec- 2-
I got parsnips from gardens for dinner-
I erupted ashes in south room stove and laid kindling for fire in both stoves and swept up etc.getting ready for Thanks giving- Mother good

Letter from Clara to Irene dated Nov. 21, 1936

Pages 2 & 3 of the Nov. 21 letter to Irene

Page 4 of Clara's letter to Irene

Envelope showing Nov. 21, 1936 Newburgh, NY postmark

Sunday, November 22, 1936

Snowy but warm
colder after sun set and windy
combed Mothers hair and washed her neck & ears-
Made tapioca custard and cooked onions for dinner* and took butter jar to Mrs. Evans-
Mother has been a real companion & good all day-



*I really hope that Irene is only relating part of what she cooked, & had more than tapioca & onions for dinner.

Saturday, November 21, 1936

Cloudy but plesant & warm all day-
I made a plain cake and stewed apples-
Can not arrouse much pep and vigor today-
washed my hair this afternoon-
helped Aunty hang her curtains in dining room-
Mother did not go to bed all night-
but good today-

Friday, November 20, 1936

plesant & warmer
Helped Aunty clean paint in her dining room-
Subscribed for the magazine "Sucessfull [sic] Farming" and "Better Homes & Gardens" $3.50
Mother was good today-
but does not want to go to bed-
Sent a letter to Iliff-

Better Homes & Gardens December 1936 issue

Thursday, November 19, 1936

plesant & cold
Made a rice pudding and finished cleaning the kitchen paint to day-
Rec'd a nice long letter from Alice also one from Iliff.
Aunty sent a letter to Clara
Mother has been good today.

Wednesday, November 18, 1936

blizzard & cold windy north east-
I stewed apples and also onions and made oat flake cookies-
Sent a paper & card to Iliff this forenoon-
Mother has kept in Auntys kitchen and slipped off to bed upstairs this eve about 8-30 and has not came down at 9-30 so am going to bed myself-

Tuesday, November 17, 1936

plesant & warmer south wind-
snow melted away this afternoon-
I washed paint in kitchen this forenoon and after dinner
Mother stayed with us so I combed her hair then washed 8 windows on south side of house-
treated Mothers foot this eve and put on new corn plaster^-
*Rec'd note from Iliff of safe arrival 1-30 a.m.

1937 ad for corn plasters^

^Image courtesy of Modern Mechanix blog.

*This is written up the left hand, inside margin of the diary entry.

Monday, November 16, 1936

regular blizzard all day-
windy & cold 20 [degrees] above zero this eve-
snow covers everything
I made tapioca custard for dinner and washed off the porch furniture and carried it up stairs this forenoon-
mended two dresses this afternoon-
Mother is difficult this eve and hugs the stove and wont go to bed-

Sunday, November 15, 1936

Sunday rainy & windy changing to snow this eve-
Iliff came for me to go to Searles' for dinner and the afternoon-
Had baked ham and a big dinner-
Leon Apgar & wife and Wm Apgar* & wife and Donald & Francis & Donnie called-
Iliff brought me back 7 o'clock and went on to Buffalo-
Stormy night for him to drive-



*Mildred's mother Florence's maiden name was Apgar.

Saturday, November 14, 1936

Cloudy with Misty rain this afternoon-
Finished the ironing
Combed Mothers hair etc-
Mother very difficult this afternoon-
did not like the ironing and would not come to eat her supper-
Iliff and Mildred called this eve-

Friday, November 13, 2014

Cloudy & misty rain
Harry worked some in door yard and it got too wet-
I made banana cream pie and roasted pork loin and stewed apples for dinner-
Harry left us about 4 o'clock this afternoon for Auburn-
Aunty rec'd a nice letter from Clara today-
I washed and ironed my blue dress and fastened on new collar-

Thursday, November 12, 1936

plesant all day-
I made a lemon pie and ginger bread this forenoon-
Harry raked leaves from south lawn & burned them in driveway
Harry took me to town this afternoon
I bought 3 house dresses and underwear a kid gloves and collar-
Harry treated me to Lemon soda and bought ice cream for supper-
Ella Miller called-
*Mother difficult-

Advertisement for kid gloves in the 1930s^

*This is written up the left hand, inside margin of the diary entry.

^Found on Pinterest, by way of tumblr, via flickr...
  

Wednesday, November 11, 1936

Armistice Day-
plesant all day south wind
Combed Mothers hair-
Carried in the onions-
and ironed some this afternoon-
Harry came about 4 o'clock
Had a plesant evening-
He told me about his trip to New Jersey and the Delaware water gap-
Had views to show me-
Rec'd letters from Iliff & Chester & Bertha-

Delaware Water Gap postcard*

*The Delaware Water Gap is a 70,000 acre area along the Delaware River in Pennsylvania & New Jersey. < image from Philadelphia Trolley Tracks website courtesy of Lew Hoy>

Tuesday, November 10, 1936

plesant and windy
freezing a little-
Made Butterscotch custard and done the washing-
Clothes froze on the line-
Carried in Auntys' 20 gal crock and brass kettle-
Mother was not bad about the washing-
made her only a little nervous and could not understand how we had so large a wash-

Monday, November 9, 1936

Cloudy and cool but not freezing-
pumped a pail of water from the well this morning*-
Sent a letter to Clara telling her the good news also a letter to Iliff.
Made oat flake cookies and stewed apples-
and raked leaves and finished banking the north side of house-
Mother good all day but difficult this eve-
not bad-


*So glad to hear there is water in the well. You can tell the importance of this news because she specifically sent word to Clara & Iliff!

Sunday, November 8, 1936

Cloudy & thaws
Charles brought over groceries and took 20 qt can back and brought it full of water to drink-
I dusted through both living rooms this forenoon-
Took my bath this afternoon-

Saturday, November 7, 1936

Cloudy & hazy & thaws
Made apple pie and two extra shells-
cooked and canned Aunty's green tomato and cabbage chow chow*-
Mopped the kitchen, swept my bedroom
fixed the electric light over well-
Rec'd nice letter from Iliff-
Chas. stopped for our grocery kist
Loaned Aunty $5.00 bill-
Mother good all day-



*& didn't a bunch of recipes practically jump off the Google page? LOL. Here is one to try. Granny's Chow-Chow by Joyce Bacon & found on the Southern Plate website.

Ingredients (For the rest of the recipe, follow the link above.)

• 12 medium onions (4 cups)
• 1 medium head of cabbage (4 cups)
• 10 green tomatoes (4 cups)
• 12 green bell peppers
• 6 sweet red bell peppers
• ½ cup coarse salt
• 6 cups granulated sugar
• 2 T mustard seed
• 1 T celery seed
• 1 ½ tsp. turmeric
• 4 cups white vinegar
• 2 cups water

 
 

Friday, November 6, 1936

plesant day snow melting-
I pumped about a quart of water from the well
canned 3 pints of cauliflower pickle
wrote a letter to Clara-
Sewed a little more on princes slips-
Have one all made-
Snow sliding off the roof broke the bulb to the Electric light over the well-
Mother good all day-
no letter from Iliff yet this week-

Thursday, November 5, 1936

Snow 4 inches deep
wet and heavy hanging to trees
Shoveled paths all around
Made tapioca custard, cottage cheese and cooked cauliflower for dinner-
Sewed on my princess slips this afternoon
Rec'd card from Christine
Mother good all day-
Aunty helped shovel snow-

Cauliflower

Wednesday, November 4, 1936

Rainy day changing to snow this eve-
Roosevelt & Garner elected president & vice president for another 4 years-
Reports are that everything gone Democratic
Rec'd card from Christine-
Sent letter to Iliff also birthday card and dollar bill to Alice-
Mother has been good all day-
Gov. Lehman reelected*-
Tompkins County all Republican-

Herbert H. Lehman, Governor NY (1933-42)*

*For more information of Gov. Lehman check out the Hall of Governors. < image from Biographical Directory of US Congress. >

Tuesday, November 3, 1936

Election day-
Harry took us all down to vote in Ludlowville this forenoon-
and then went home to Half Acre to vote-
I raked leaves and put around the house for banking-
about half done this afternoon-
Rains this evening-
Rec'd such a happy, nice letter from Clara^-
*wrote letter to Iliff this eve-

Envelope showing Newburgh, NY postmark from Nov. 1, 1936

Page one of Clara's letter to Irene of Nov. 1st

Pages 2 and 3 of Clara's Nov. 1 letter to Irene

Page 3 asking Irene to take it easy

^Transcript of the above letter from Clara to Irene Dolton                                                                                          Nov. 1, 1936.
Dear Irene,
          It was, indeed, a real pleasure to talk things over with you. We understand each other now and that goes a long way toward the solving of any problem. And lets always try to talk things over no matter what! It is such a satisfaction! Ours was a real conference- I would have missed something had I gone to New York. My heart actually sang all the way back to Newburgh. Now you know how I feel toward you.
          I started to tell you something about the Income tax (mine, of course) and then there was an interruption. I have asked for a personal interview so you may have a caller. If the tax man comes just tell him that I am the head of the household, pay all the bills and supportMother and Auntie. Don't mention the pension and tell him I come home practically every week end to look after things. If I can save $50 or $60 per year it will help a lot.
          I got here at 5:55 P.M. It was pretty fair time when I got as far as Monticello I was pretty tired.
          Now take it easy, Irene, and try not to worry. A serene, happy, atmosphere is more blessed than a row of of spotless households.
          I've just had my supper. Must run down and post this now- and get to work.
          I've appreciated all you have done for me and mine and I assure you that you will be appreciated in the future.
          My best wishes and love, Clara.


*This is written up the left hand, inside margin of the diary entry.

Monday, November 2, 1936

Rainy Monday-
Went with Harry to S. Lansing garage and to Mrs. Evans' to get water-
got the dinner and made oat flake cookies and a plain cake with chocolate icing this afternoon-
Had a plesant evening visiting-
Harry and I took out the screen sash and put in the glass this P.M.
Harry fitted weather strip to Aunty's North doors-

Sunday, November 1, 1936

Cloudy & cool-
Clara left us about 12-15 this noon for Newburgh-
Had an early dinner for her-
Mother very nervous this forenoon so I gave her quieting tablet-
She was very quiet after Clara left and slept nearly all afternoon-
Harry found his tires all flat and valve stem cores & caps gone-
and wires all disconnected-
Had to get Howland from Square Deal garage to fix him up.
*Halloween pranks all over-


*This is written up the left hand, inside margin of the diary entry.

Saturday, October 31, 1936

plesant & cold-
Clara, Mother, & I went to Ithaca this afternoon-
I withdrew my application for a job from the Ithaca Service Bureau.
Clara tore up my last check and will send me another-
Harry has painted the putty and sills of the windows and put weather strip on west door to south room-
Leroy Bower called this eve-

Friday, October 30, 1936

Stormy & windy & cold-
I washed 2 sweaters & wool skirt for Mother-
Clara came at noon-
took me for a ride and we unburdened our souls to each other-
I agree to stay untill Thanksgiving to see how things work out-
Harry came about one o'clock
I rec'd letter from Iliff-

Thursday, October 29, 1936

plesant & cool
full moon this eve-
I made ginger bread and put parafine on the jelly and put it away-
I dug the onions in the garden this afternoon and went to Mrs. Evans and got butter
Harry dug potatoes and Aunty picked them up this forenoon and he dug carots & beets this P.M and gor water from Evans'
He went to Half Acre 5 o'clock-
Rec'd letter & check $20.00 from Clara^-
paid to Nov. 4-
*Sent card to Iliff-

Envelope with Newburgh postmark Oct 27, 1936

First page of Clara's letter to Irene

Page 2 & 3 of Clara's October 1936 letter to Irene

Final page of the letter

^Clara's letter to Irene:
         P.S. I'm a great one, forgot to thank you for my pietuner. 
That was so nice of you to remember me.                                                  10/27/36
Dear Irene,
         I was glad to get your letter saying that you felt better. It must have been something we ate.
         I hate to wish time away but I'll certainly be glad when I can get home again.
         Auntie said you had a lovely cake for mother- and I do appreciate it so. Just don't know how we could manage without you. Did Mother like her flowers and was she awfully disappointed because I wasn't home? She may have forgotten that I usually did spend the day with her.
         I finally decided to go to Hudson. Anne Crawford was taken ill while I was there and had a doctor. It seemed to be a severe cold. Cousin Anne Meigs tells me she came within one of having pneumonia. There is an awful lot of it around. The more I think about it the more convinced I am that Mother should not go down to vote. It might be bad for both of them. Standing around waiting in the cold is not good for young people- and certainly not for old ones.
You have taken such good care of them Irene that I would hate to see them start off wrong this winter. If they can only be well and reasonably happy.
        I'll bet you miss your boy. How is he getting on?
        Had a letter from Harry- said he planned to dig your potatoes- no matter what we said.
        As soon as I mail this I'm taking off old ironsides (breaking in a new girdle)
        My little plant is full of green leaves. Sending a check for $20.00
                                              Lots of love
                                                                 Clara.

*This is written up the left hand, inside margin of the diary entry.

Wednesday, October 28, 1936

Cool & plesant
Sent letter to Clara
Rec'd letter from Iliff
Made fruit jello for desert
Combed Mothers hair and Harry took us to see the voting machine demonstrated^ and then went to Lansingville turned left at the little brick house and came out at Lake Ridge-
nice ride-
*Had plesant evening

1936 lever voting machine by Modern Mechanix^

^Women had only been voting for 16 years by this time. I'm glad the women in my family were taking their new found rights as full citizens seriously. < Image from the website Op Ed News. Read the full article on voting in the USA >

*This is written up the left hand, inside margin of the diary entry.

Tuesday, October 27, 1936

plesant but cold
Made chocolate custard for dinner-
cleaned out the reservoir to the to the kitchen stove-
Harry took Mother and I to Ithaca-
I made application to the Ithaca Service Bureau for another place*-
got my shoes half soled and a new corset and slip-
Wrote to Clara this eve-
Vera & Gibb called
Harry bought clams for soup.


*Is Irene looking for another job?

Monday, October 26, 1936

rained all night
changing to snow flurries this afternoon and windy-
Roasted plate piece of beef Harry brought and cooked swiss chard-
Sent letter to Iliff and also one  to Chester with a dollar bill for his birthday-
Mother good all day but terribly flighty tonight and won't go to bed at 10-30

Sunday, October 25, 1936

windy and cold
Made corn starch custard and combed Mothers hair and washed her neck and ears-
Harry Baker came for dinner and stay all night-
Mildred and Florence & Delbert called this late afternoon on the way to Francis-
I wrote letter to Iliff this eve-

Saturday, October 24, 1936

plesant and cool
Made a jelly layer cake and mopped the kitchen and done general Saturday work-
Aunty canned the quinces with sweet apples-
I do not get strength and feel quite like myself.
Mother good today-
Rec'd nice letter from Iliff-

Quince By Pancrace Bessa (1772-1835)*

*Quince is a tree fruit similar to pears & apples. Because of fireblight, quince trees are no longer common in North America. < image attribution: Quince By Pancrace Bessa (1772-1835) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons >

Friday, October 23, 1936

cloudy & little rainy spells all day with steady rain this eve-
I made 16 glasses of grapes jelly today part of them being pint glass jars-
No water in the well yet.
Mother good today

Thursday, October 22, 1936

Cloudy & windy with rain this eve-
Rec'd letter from Aunt Sarah
Mother rec'd letter from Clara-
I sent card to Iliff-
I canned 7 quarts of tomatoes and put away jelly-
Mother has been good all day

Wednesday, October 21, 1936

plesant & warm, beautiful day-
Rec'd letter from Iliff and mailed one to him-
Harry  Baker & Mr. Fred Clark came to go hunting  this afternoon-
No game-
I made 4 pts cauliflower pickle-
Tapioca custard and ost flake cookies-
helped Aunty make 8 glasses of red grape jelly-
Leroy Bower called and asked me to go hunting -
Aunty told him I was sick so we did not go-

Irene's single barrel, 12 gauge shotgun

Tuesday, October 20, 1936

plesant & warm all day
canned 5 pints of blue grapes and 2 pints of Catauba grapes
Seem to feel a little better today.
Clifford Wooley came to look at Aunty's stove but wanted a round oak instead-
Rec'd a card from Iliff today-
Wrote letter to Iliff this eve-

Monday, October 19, 1936

windy, cloudy & cool-
Hunting season opened and guns cracking in every direction-
Howard Simm called
I made corn starch custard and got meals and washed the dishes-
Went to bed this afternoon-
I do not get over this Intestinal Grippe-
I ache and am so sore and weak-
Mother has been good today-
Sent letter to Aunt Sarah-

Sunday, October 18, 1936

Cloudy, windy, & cool-
Made a lemon pie-
Combed Mothers hair etc-
Leroy Hall came and had dinner and sawed wood about 2 hours this afternoon-
Harry Baker came for dinner-
Iliff came for me after dinner and I spent the afternoon at Searles'
Mildred brought me back for supper
Iliff left for Buffalo 4-30 P.M.
Harry left for Auburn 7-45 P.M-

Saturday, October 17, 1936

Rainy day-
Rec'd a letter from Aunt Sarah
Felt badly all day and went to Dr. Trabell in Groton this eve-
He says I have Intestinal Grippe*-
Took my bath this afternoon and went over to Susie Harings for a pail of water-
Iliff and Mildred came this eve and took me to Groton-
get me pair of rubbers-
Mother has been good today.

From the Eagle-Bulletin Fayetteville, NY 04/23/1936*

*I am not sure what "intestinal grippe" is, but it made the local paper when someone came down with it. The above clipping is from a paper not too far from where Irene was living in 1936. See the paper HERE.

Friday, October 16, 1936

Mothers birthday
I made a birthday cake and decorated it very pretty with Voguls decorations^-
I dug a pail of potatoes-
Clara and Lloyd sent a bouquet of crysianthemums beautiful things-
Mother was pleased and liked her cake & flowers
Aunty has had stomach trouble today-
vomited terribly-
feels better this eve-
Mother has been good today
*Harry did not come

Cake by Heather Dolton, Irene's great-granddaughter^

^I can't seem to find anything about Vogul's or Vogel's cake decorations, but I did find this site about birthday cakes. About half way down it mentions (children's) birthdays in 1936. Another site is The Food Timeline: cake history. <image by Heather Dolton, Pastry Chef. Check out her Facebook page >

*This line was written vertically up the left hand side of the diary entry.

Thursday, October 15, 1936

plesant all day-
Have not eaten much today-
Pulled Aunty's beans and poles
Mother and I called on Mr and Mrs. Clayton Haring to learn about voting^ in Ludlowville
He will see I am registered-
Ella Miller and Leroy Lobdell called-
I dressed a burn on her arm and we picked up wlanuts
Leroy Bower got uscereals in town-
Mother good today-
*Rec'd card from Christine Uncle Oscar died Tuesday eve Oct. 13-

League of Women Voters poster

^Irene is registering to vote for the upcoming elections. Way to go! 1936 was a presidential election year. 

*This line was written vertically up the left hand side of the diary entry. I don't know who Uncle Oscar is, but he is more than likely a Smith, if Christine Smith wrote about it to Irene.

Wednesday, October 14, 1936

plesant  and a little warmer-
I am still sick and nauseated yet today-
Sent letter to Iliff also one to Bertha & family-
Raked over the lawn  on south side and carried leaves & horse chestnuts to burnpile in orchard-
this afternoon-
Ed Emmons and Lena Hamilton called this afternoon-

Tuesday, October 13, 1936

snow squalls & cold
cloudy & dull all day-
Harry raked some horse chestnuts untill it got wet and bad-
I made chocolate pie for dinner
Harry got a can of water of Mrs. Evans and I got 2 lbs butter.
Lizzie Hughes came for afternoon-
I have been nauseated and sick yet today.
I rec'd nice letter from Iliff and the pictures from Heads'
Answered letter to Iliff this eve-

Monday, October 12, 1936

snow squall this early morning-
Temp- 28 [degrees] F
I have been sick and dissy all day and have fasted-
Clara left us this afternoon 2 o'clock for Newburg and her school-
Clara gave Mother a bath and put on her clean clothes today-
Mother has been very good all day.

Sunday, October 11, 1936

Sunday plesant day
Harry cleaned up horse chestnuts this forenoon-
I cooked chicken for dinner & made biscuits-
Clara called on Leroy Bower this forenoon and they went to Elmira to see Mr. Davis about the hay this afternoon-
Mr. & Mrs. Clayton Bower called
Harry, Mother, Aunty & I went to Auburn & Half Acre for a ride-
Leroy Bower took supper & spent evening with us-

Ludlowville, NY to Elmira, NY

Saturday, October 10, 1936

rainy forenoon-
plesant afternon-
Harry, Clara, Mother & Aunty went to Ithaca this forenoon-
I made 3 pumpkin pies and a plain cake and a pigeon pie and dressed a rooster for tomorrows dinner-
Susie Haring and Flora Sperry called to see Clara this afternoon-
Clara & Mother called on Leroy & Anna this eve
*Clara gave me a pair of nice silk stockings

Pigeon pie

*This line is written vertically up the left hand side of the diary entry.

^A nice pigeon pie can be made by following the recipe from the Jane Austen Cookbook founf on the BBC- Radio 4 website.

Friday, October 9, 1936

plesant and warm
Stewed pumpkin* and swept and dusted upstairs this forenoon-
Swept and mopped the kitchen and dusted all through downstairs-
washed off kitchen and middle living room windows and mopped south porch
Combed Mothers hair-
Susie Harring and Flora Sperry called-
Rec'd nice letter from Iliff-

pumpkin

*Stewed pumpkin recipe & history can be found on the My Family Doctor website.

Thursday, October 8, 1936

plesant and cool
Finished the ironing
combed Mothers hair and washed her neck and ears
Harry came and brought 7 pigeons and pumpkins and 3 pts milk and cans of water and concord grapes-
We went to Ludlowville for tea and coffee and to Ben Worsells for Catauba grapes*-
We raked up the horse chestnuts-

Catawba grapes <image Cornell>*

*Catawba grapes are an American hybrid popular for making sparkling and desserts wine in Central NY. Read more on the blog New York Cork Report. Or check out this article from Cornell. <Image from Cornell University: http://www.hort.cornell.edu/reisch/grapegenetics/Varietyphotos/catawba.JPG>

 

Wednesday, October 7, 1936

rainy forenoon
plesant afternoon & warmer-
I made butterscotch pudding and oat flake cookies* dug some potatoes and picked a pall full of tomatoes this forenoon-
Ironed this p.M.and mended this eve-
Rec'd a card from Iliff-
Mother has been good to day-



*If you are new to the blog, welcome. Oat flake cookies are one of Irene's favorite things to bake as regular readers are well aware. For my own oatmeal cookie recipe I take you back to January 21.

Tuesday, October 6, 1936

plesant but windy-
Done the washing and cleaned out under oven of the Kalamazoo range and picked up horse chestnuts this afternoon-
Rec'd a card from Alice-
Combed Mothers hair an
put on clean cap and sweater and apron-
Sadie Freese and sister Frane* from Maryland called-


*Not sure how accurate these names are as Irene's handwriting is a bit difficult to decipher here.

Monday, October 5, 1936

plesant and cool
Harry mowed & raked off the lawn this forenoon-
We set up Auntys stove this afternoon-
I made a lemon pie for dinner-
Harry and I got a can of water over to Mrs. Evans this afternoon-
He went home
Mother had been good.
Three baby kittens gone mysteriously

Sunday, October 4, 1936

Beautifull day-
Harry and I went over to Florence and Delberts to spend the day-
Had chicken dinner and a wonderfull time-
Helped get the canned fruit down to Searles-
Went over to Will Fenners to enquire about pears-
None
Iliff left for Buffalo^ about 7 o'clock-
Mildred for school*-



^Iliff was an iron worker.

*Mildred was a school teacher. She graduated from Cortland Normal School which became SUNY Cortland. My brother graduated from there about 70 years after Mildred.

Saturday, October 3, 1936

plesant & cool
Harry & I went to town and cashed the checks and got groceries, fruit, & vegtables
was back at 1-30 and got our dinner-
Elnora Evans came and brought us butter-
Aunty has been sore & cross today-
Mother has been good-

Friday, October 2, 1936

Frost this A.M. plesant and cool-
Made Jello-
swept and dusted my bedroom and kitchen-
Combed Mothers hair etc.
Mrs. Evans came & brought us cottage cheese and dahlias-
Ella Miller and Leroy Lobdell came for afternoon-
Harry Baker came this eve to stay all night-

Thursday, October 1, 1936

Cloudy & cool-
picked tomatoes & gathered carrots and done general work-
Picked up more horse chestnuts this afternoon-
Iliff and Harry came for me and took me to Half Acre
Had a wonderfull time together-
Back at 8 c'clock-
Rec'd letter and check for $20.00 from Clara paid to Oct 7-

Envelope postmarked Newburgh, NY Sep 29 9:30 PM 1936

First page of Clara's letter to Irene

Pages 2 & 3 of Clara's letter to Irene

Last page of Clara's letter to Irene

Additional note that accompanied the $20 check

Wednesday, September 30, 1936

cloudy & windy with rain this eve-
Made custard and a plain cake & macaroni & cheese and gathered swiss chard for dinner-
Harry & Iliff came this eve and I went over home for evening and picked up things I wanted-
Mother has been good-

Tuesday, September 29, 1936

cloudy and cool-
Made apple pudding for dinner
Done out a small wash for myself-
Harry came and brought two milk cans of water and two qts of milk-
He stayed to dinner with us and went on to Iliffs-
Mother put on her rubbers and coat to go but sit on the porch instead while I picked up horse chestnuts*-
Gave her a tablet-

Horse chestnut Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz 1885

*I am not sure why Irene was collecting horse chestnuts as they are poisonous to most mammals (except deer). Maybe she had them confused with the buckeye? Maybe she was trying to keep the other animals from eating them? Horse chestnut extract is used to treat issues like veracious veins, but it must be prepared properly. You can't just chow down on some roasted horse chestnuts. <Above image in public domain- Prof. Dr. Otto Wilhelm Thomé Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz 1885, Gera, Germany>