There is much to celebrate in the heat of July. Babu says that she will “melt like a piece of wax one of these days,” yet things move along swimmingly. (Kind of.) All About Benny: The month begins with the sentence: I guess I needn’t have worried about Benny. She didn’t know if he would…
Tag: nonfiction
Sharing with Babu, Less is More
Taking care of someone who is nearly 99 takes constant readjustment. What she can do, what is good for her and in what amounts, differ even during the same day. I shared some passages with Babu again, and this time kept it shorter, telling her that’s all I had for today rather than asking her…
The Case of the Peanuts
Thursday, June 10th, 1937 We went to the circus (Cole Brother’s) tonight, Benny, I and Ernie and Charles, Lincoln, and Budson. Oh! It was wonderful. We had three pounds of peanuts, but we got there late to feed the elephants, so we fed ourselves. After the show we went to “Dutchland” for ice-cream, and thence…
Pretty in Pink (Babu Style)
Wednesday, June 16th, 1937 It seems almost incredible. I thought about it before but only as an impossibility. Going home after school Benny stopped me and asked if I wanted to go to the dance to Meriden Saturday. Said he would come for me and bring me back or I could stay over. Mother said…
June, 1937
I am reading and typing along and suddenly it makes sense why she is doing things like playing tennis and sunbathing. It’s June! I had lost all track of time. As I go through the month I keep wondering if she is approaching graduation. Classes continue into July so before the end of this month…
Excerpts: May, 1937 “It was almost the end.”
Almost a tragic end: Thursday, May 13th, 1937 Such a night. I was reading under the parlor lamp and the doorbell rings. Mother comes in with a young man. She flops on the sofa and just sits there. Finally, we find out she was struck or grazed by this young man’s car. Thank heavens! It’s…
May, 1937
I’m going to get this disappointment out of the way because I know it’s been on my mind. I’m sure it’s been on yours, too. Hasn’t it? On May 6th, 1937, the Hindenburg explodes. Here was Babu’s journal entry on that day: Thursday, May 6th, 1937 Thank you for a lovely evening! It was lovely. …
Excerpts April, 1937
To be completely cliche- these excerpts are the good, the bad, and the ugly of April, 1937. It seemed appropriate because this month was such a mix of highs and lows. In romance: The Good: Monday, April 12th, 1937 Didn’t go home after school. Ernie and I went to the show and saw Bette Davis…
It’s a Thin Line
I haven’t shared much in the way of passages lately with Babu. In the way of excuses I have: I began the year with a pretty bad cold and wasn’t putting my germy laptop in front of Babu, then the first day I went to share the computer battery died, then I’ve been working a…
Also April, 1937
April saw the resolution of one conflict but another one, this time at home, reared an ugly head. There was always tension between Babu and her parents and the landlady. Here’s an example from December, 1936: Johnny Olbryck’s mother is a meany. She won’t let us have steam heat. Says she needs an even temperature…
February, 1937 Excerpts
More evidence that Babu only looks far away and not right under her nose: Tuesday, February 9th, 1937 Last dance tonight. Francis Cebula and I went together. Jaime gave me the ticket, bought me a sundae, took me home, but that doesn’t change my attitude toward him. I can’t help it. I just can’t go…
December 1936, Excerpts
At the end of the year, Babu was starting to feel herself a little bit. What I mean is, she was acting up! I post this not to defame my grandmother in any way, but it is nice to know she wasn’t a perfect angel. I think we are all well aware I am telling…
transcribingmemory 