transcribingmemory

January, 1934

Howdy, time travelers! I have wrapped up July 1935 and here I am, back in the cold but in 1934. I wont lie, I’m looking forward to being back in summer but I am so excited to have found an even earlier journal. The two most exciting things about it so far? One, to really…

The End of July, 1935 Excerpt

These three passages show Babu as an easily forgiving person, as someone who loved to have noise and entertainment around her, and as someone who held herself to high expectations maybe she’s never felt she’s reached. They also show her as an average, highly dramatic teenager. A typical summer day: Monday July 29th, 1935 It’s…

“I don’t remember being fat…”

Something about two of her passages or July made me a little angry. Body image issues at their finest. Mother says I must do something cause I’m getting fat. I’m starved but I won’t eat anything tonight. And then two days later: I think I ought to go on a diet. So unhealthy. (Please note,…

The End of July, 1935

Summer. Still summer. She goes to Hampden Ponds, she goes swimming, she goes to the library, and helps around the house with chores like ironing. Her cousin Edna is staying with them while she begins a new job locally and settles in. She is wearing out her welcome and part of what’s causing a new…

What You Get for Being a Naggy Wife

I have been diligently working on an overhaul of my writer’s space in my room preparing for “the next stage.” It quickly occurred to me that the best use of space was to use furniture that was already in our house, furniture that is not ours but that we’ve been tripping over for over a…

First Two Weeks of July 1935 Excerpt

Sunday July 7th, 1935 It rains today. All day in spurts. I’m sorry for the people who planned to go to beaches but for myself I’m not a bit sorry it’s raining. Read and slept most all day. Sophie came up and we listened to the radio and talked. I imagine this day as…

The Liebster Award :)

Reaching The Sun has nominated me for the Libester Award! Thank you, this is sweet. You can find her at: https://reachingthesunblog.wordpress.com/ The blog is thoughtfully written and, like the title suggests, blends positivity with the struggle of reality. She really is a beautiful and thought-provoking writer. My blogging journey is perhaps a little different…

Oh, I Loved Her…

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…

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…