The Diaries of Mariam Davis Sidebottom Houchens
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THE DIARIES OF MARIAM DAVIS SIDEBOTTOM HOUCHENS VOLUME 7 MAY 15, 1948-JUNE 9, 1957 Copyright 2015 © David P. Houchens TABLE OF CONTENTS VOLUME 7 Page Preface i Table of Contents ii Book 69- Saturday, May 15, 1948-Wednesday, July 7, 1948 1 Book 70- Thursday, July 8, 1948-Wednesday, September 8, 1948 25 Book 71- Thursday, September 9, 1948-Saturday, December 11, 1948 29 Book72- Sunday, December 12, 1948-Wednesday, January 26, 1949 32 Book 73- Thursday, January 27, 1949-Wednesday, February 23, 1949 46 Book 74- Thursday, February 24, 1949-Saturday, March 26, 1949 51 Book 75- Sunday, March 27, 1949-Saturday, April 23, 1949 55 Book 76- Sunday, April 24, 1949-Thursday, Friday July 1, 1949 61 Book 77- Saturday, July 2, 1949-Tuesday, August 30, 1949 68 Book 78- Wednesday, August 31, 1949-Tuesday, November 22, 1949 78 Book79- Wednesday, November 23, 1949-Sunday, February 12, 1950 85 Book 80- Monday, February 13, 1950-Saturday, April 22, 1950 92 Book 81- Sunday, April 23, 1950-Friday, June 30, 1950 97 Book 82- Saturday, July 1, 1950-Friday, September 29, 1950 104 Book 83- Saturday, September 30, 1950-Monday, January 8, 1951 113 Book 84- Tuesday, January 9, 1951-Sunday, February 18, 1951 117 Book 85- Sunday, February 18, 1951-Monday, May 7, 1951 125 Book 86- Monday, May 7, 1951-Saturday, June 16, 1951 132 Book 87- Sunday, June 17, 1951-Saturday 11, 1951 144 Book 88- Sunday, November 11, 1951-Saturday, March 22, 1952 150 Book 89- Saturday, March 22, 1952-Wednesday, July 9, 1952 155 ii Book 90- Thursday, July 10, 1952-Sunday, September 7, 1952 164 Book 91- Sunday, September 7, 1952-Sunday, November 30, 1952 167 Book 92- Monday, December 1, 1952-Saturday, March 14, 1953 170 Book 93- Sunday, March 15, 1953-Monday, June 8, 1953 174 Book 94- Tuesday, June 9, 1953-Monday, August 24, 1953 178 Book 95- Tuesday, August 25, 1953-Thursday, September 17, 1953 185 Book 96- Wednesday, November 25, 1953 190 Book 97- Saturday, February 20, 1954-Wednesday, March 31, 1954 194 Book 98- Thursday, April 1, 1954-Monday, May 10, 1954 199 Book 99- Thursday, May 11, 1954-Sunday, June 13, 1954 201 Book 100- Monday, June 14, 1954-Friday, August 6, 1954 206 Book 101- Saturday, August 6, 1954-Monday, August 30, 1954 210 Book 102- Monday, August 30, 1954-Saturday, October 16, 1954 221 Book 103- Sunday, October 16, 1954-Wednesday, November 17, 1954 224 Book 104- Thursday, November 18, 1954-Friday, December 24, 1954 232 Book 105- Friday, December 24, 1954-Saturday, February 19, 1955 241 Book 106- Saturday, February 19, 1955-Saturday, March 26, 1955 244 Book 107- Sunday, March 27, 1955-Monday, May 16, 1955 247 Book 108- Tuesday, May 17, 1955-Friday, July 29, 1955 249 Book 109- Saturday, July 30, 1955-Thursday, November 24, 1955 258 Book 110- Friday, November 25, 1955-Friday, March 2, 1956 265 Book 111- Saturday, March 3, 1956-Tuesday, August 7, 1956 273 Book 112- Wednesday, August 8, 1956-Sunday, October 21, 1956 280 Book 113- Thursday, April 18, 1957-Sunday, June 9, 1957 284 Appendix A- Photographs A-1 iii 4 PREFACE VOLUME 7 This is the last volume of the diaries of Mariam Davis Sidebottom Houchens and covers the period from May 1948-June 1957. Some passages are not included in this volume but are included in the original diaries which are housed at the Filson Historical Society in Louisville, KY. During the period covered in this volume, Mariam’s father died in 1951 and her mother died in 1953. Jane started to college at Vanderbilt University in 1953 and graduated in 1957 and David started to college at Stetson University in 1955. Mariam continued to do substitute teaching and also conducted surveys for the University of Michigan in the Louisville area. The busy pace of daily life is recorded. As in the earlier volumes of the diaries Mariam and her family made trips. In this period they travel to New York and the East coast, Texas and Yellowstone National Park. Mariam lived for many years after the time of these diaries and died on July 19, 1986 at the age of 82. She was buried in the IOOF cemetery in Owenton, Kentucky. John died on October 1, 1993 at the age of 89 and is also buried in the IOOF cemetery. These diaries serve as a legacy not only to Mariam’s family but to anyone who is interested in family life in the early to mid-20th century. David P. Houchens Columbus, Ohio 2015 i i Book 69- May 15, 1948-July 7, 1948 Saturday, May 15, 1948 David went to gym and paid his deposit for camp. Jane was with me until near noon, when she left to go to Patricia’s for club meeting. John and I worked hard this afternoon. He trimmed the edge with the electric clippers, cut down a lot of shrubbery by the dining room window, took the trailer home. I cleaned the dining room windows on the outside (framework too) then got more screens ready. I am still depressed. Sunday, May 16, 1948 S.S. and church. I talked to Miss Watkins and cried. Home for dinner. Pork roast wasn’t done. David had to eat a sandwich (cheese) and go on, as Johnny Walker wanted to go to the ballgame with him. I went over to the church at 5 o’clock to a library meeting. Monday, May 17, 1948 I washed a large washing (5 pairs curtains), cleaned some upstairs windows inside and out, and ironed one pair of curtains and some other things. Jane and Ann went to the church to arrange flowers with the Jr. Garden Club. Jane got two thirds. Ann one second. John went to a Cub committee meeting up there. We went by Mrs. Corson’s and on to the church to the show. The Tritts came by here for Ann’s snapshots (recital). Tuesday, May 18, 1948 Toto’s puppies came this morning-five (three males and two females). They came very quickly. John came home for lunch. 1 Knottie came and ironed curtains for me. Stella came and finished a large part of the back porch. Tonight-a terrific headache. Wednesday, May 19, 1948 Another headache this morning. In bed a lot. Katherine here. Stella here working on porch this afternoon. Mrs. Vanderhaar came over at one and took me to Steiden’s. She and the children were back at four bringing me an African violet. Thursday, May 20, 1948 Someone is praying hard for me- probably Mother- for I feel much better tonight. We are gradually getting things done here. I took John to school and came back by the grocery stores- going first to Claudine’s, since the groceries weren’t open. I didn’t do too much here - went over to Mrs. Roberts (She has a beautiful kitchen) and went to the Telephone Building with the Girl Scouts -taking my two children. Coming back we picked up D.P.’s shoes at the shoe shop and a wheelchair (collapsible) for Papa at Reid’s -then got John. Tonight we went to the Pendennis (ed. – club) after dinner. The dinner was $3.00. Friday, May 21, 1948 I was alone again this morning, and didn’t want John to leave me, but there was a lot to be done before the folks came, and I got busy. I made a charlotte russe. Mr. Ware came over and brought us some books. I didn’t go to the eighth grade graduation, as I was expecting the folks around two. They arrived at 2:10. I was cleaning the window on the landing with Glass Wax. We took the chair out to the car, and brought Papa up the side steps. Stella came up, barefooted and in blue jeans, to help us bring him in, but the best we could do was let him sit up the steps. After that he was all right, and was able to go on the front porch. Ermine had to start home, but finally agreed to drive out to school to see the children. We brought Jane home, but David had ridden his bike and she waited for him. We had fish for dinner. Tonight was A.I.E.E. annual dinner, but we didn’t go. Jane went to the final teenage party at school (for summer), wearing my red taffeta formal. John took her, Ann 2 Klusmeier and Ann Ora then took David, Johnnie Walker and Bruce Skaggs to the Knothole game. We went to bed. He brought the boys home about ten, and went after Jane about eleven. Papa slept on Uta Cobb’s bed, Mother on the davenport. Saturday, May 22, 1948 Carl came for David and they went to the Y. I left Jane with Papa and Mother, and I went to town on the bus to buy a gift for Ann (halter), a gift for the Craig’s baby (which I didn’t get), a shower gift for Miss Weldon (blue vase), hose for myself, and some embroidered edging for Jane’s pink chambray. I was home at 12:30, and we cooked wieners and made potato salad out of potatoes mother had boiled. We all worked hard this afternoon (even Mother), including the children. Mother and I did go to the grocery store first. Thelma called tonight wanting Papa and Mother to come down there, but they cannot go, Mother thinks. I should have mentioned that Papa went upstairs this afternoon it was hard work for him, but he had to sit up on the stairs, but he managed it.