I was surprised when Babu first read July’s passages and didn’t remember “Auntie Nellie” who came to visit her in early July. I had a dim memory of hearing about her before. But not every day is the same. Last week I tried to pass off passages she already read to her and she shot…
Author: transcribingmemory
The First Two Weeks of July, 1935
Ahhhh summer. Reading this month just makes me want it. Swimming, job hunting, swimming, fireworks, swimming, everything you would expect, but of course, this isn’t just any summer. This is the summer before college. The house next to us had quite a bunch of fireworks tonight.They’re still blowing all about. Sat on the porch for…
Fourth Week of June, 1935 Excerpt
Thursday June 27th, 1935 After practice today we, (Johnny and I) helped Mr. Donnegan with his register. We came home with Mrs. Johnston and I did an errand for her. It rained when we were going to the exercises but Dermot Salias’ sister gave us a ride. I cried so at graduation. When we sang…
Babchi’s Garden and Me
Some times when I share passages with Babu we are launched into talking sessions where stories are told, expanded, feature a cast of characters whom are, mostly, very loved, and explore poignant matters even to the extent of the meaning of life. Sometimes she’s pretty quiet and reads to herself, laughs at a few things…
Fourth Week of June, 1935
She ended up going to the senior banquet with Jaime and she simply did not dig him. I feel badly for her, the Babu of that time. It’s bad enough to have a crush you can’t have and to see him going to all the senior events with another girl, a girl you are not…
Third Week of June Excerpt
Wednesday June 19th, 1935 The first thing I did today was to break my glasses. I put them in my purse and while trying to shut it they cracked. The right one did. Mother says I won’t get a bathing suit. She’s mad at me cause she says I spend too much money. I better…
Her Skin Held Time
Originally posted on Tiantian Art:
I could feel time in her skin. It was soft and dry and thin like the skeleton of a leaf half decayed. It told me of days and months and years that had all passed. It told me that more had passed than would come. It told me to hold…
Far More Tender than Stone
Reading the passages from Babu’s 1935 diary has taught me the least about her. She felt the sting of unrequited love and crushing insecurity, she went to a double feature several times a week, she cared about her school work, and her tiffs with her friends were very short lived and her love for them…
What I gave Babu for Mother’s Day
I ordered seedlings from a community organization I love called Gardening the Community in Springfield, MA and after I went to pick them up I decided to place them all – 153 of them! – on Babu’s kitchen table to she could see them. Then I waited for her to wake up from a nap…
The Third Week of June, 1935
Teddy tells her she has a swelled head and maybe it’s about her and Caveman, or maybe it’s about her and Jaime, both of whom just don’t seem to be “the one.” Either way, she is sore at Teddy for telling her so. Jaime asks her out again and she declines and I guess he…
Second Week of June, 1935 Excerpt
Friday, June 14th, 1935 Jaime sent me a beautiful corsage of beautiful yellow roses. I had a bad time at prom. Only had numbers with Jaime, Joey Kucab, and Max Stadnicki. Neither of which are good dancers. Afterwards we went to “Chateu Harmony.” Had quite a good time. Got home at 2:15. Joey went with…
The Prom Talk with Babu
When Babu read about the week of her prom she only reacted to certain pieces of the excerpts she read. Out until 2:15? Out until 2 AM? (There were many instances that month of her getting home very late.) Well, Babu, it was a very exciting time for you, with prom and graduation. There were…
transcribingmemory 