Helen's Diary

This is a transcription of some diaries I bought at an antique store near Toledo, Ohio. When the diary starts in January 1937, Helen is a young wife and soon to become a new mother. If you wish to read it, it's best to start with the first post - January 1937 (my oldest post) - and then follow along with her everyday life.

August 27, 2008

May 1939

Monday, May 1, 1939

Washed & did some ironing – left over stew for supper – Frank gone for entire evening – I sewed dress – together had wonderful tea

Tuesday, May 2, 1939

Ironed & finished Navy blue dress – Frank a mess – hot chocolate & talked late – He seems to think I don’t love him

Wednesday, May 3, 1939

Cut out silk dress & basted together – bought .99 cent camera [$12.99 today] – Frank out til 4 AM playing bridge – Norma cross

Thursday, May 4, 1939

Had hair cut & set – bought a flower book & some pans – Met Frank at 4 – Saw Show – The Hardy Family – Roast Beef Sandwich – got baby & home

[The film was probably The Hardys Ride High starring Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone and Ann Rutherford]

Friday, May 5, 1939

Letter from Luella – Mothers & Daughters Banquet – got gift for being youngest Mother – Lovely dinner – Frank got me & drove around for a while

Saturday, May 6, 1939

Billy here went to Show – we went to Lanes had ice cream waffels for supper – Got Manny & Virg – Show 3 Smart girls – Russel Lodge Beer

[The film was probably Three Smart Girls Grow Up, a musical starring Deanna Durbin]

Sunday, May 7, 1939

Boy am I tired – dinner out to Mothers and all day took some pictures and slept – made blocks evening & early to bed

Monday, May 8, 1939

Washed & started ironing – scrubed off front porch – finish silk print dress & ironed intil 12 AM. Frank out all night

Tuesday, May 9, 1939

Frank put up screens – radishes have come through – Mother came out went to see Louise Forrest Allen named Baby – Wrote 5 letters to all caught up now

Wednesday, May 10, 1939

Some colored fellow cleaned my rugs for me for 3.50 [$46.00 today] – made a cake and took Norma for walk – Read magazines evening

Thursday, May 11, 1939

Down town got some Mother’s day gifts Bath – Nervous today – Dave here evening we went to Westwood – saw Topper takes a trip & Devil’s Island – coffee

Westwood Theater - Toledo


[Topper Takes a Trip is a comedy starring Constance Bennett and Roland Young. Devil’s Island is a thriller starring Boris Karloff]




Friday, May 12, 1939

[blank]

Saturday, May 13, 1939

[blank]

Sunday, May 14, 1939

Mothers day – Went to cleveland

[Note: May 15, 1939 through May 29, 1939 are all blank]

Tuesday, May 30, 1939

Fritz Delores Toots & Howard & Beverly here – ate dinner at Bud & Lukes

[Note: May 31, 1939 through June 14, 1939 are all blank]

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Watching Deanna Durbin in THREE SMART GIRLS GROW UP is always a great idea. One of my favourite movies!!!

Alex

www.deannadurbindevotees.com