Author: Nichelle Barra Page 89 of 91

Amanuensis Monday: Jan 12-13

On 18 November 2013

Yesterday was the first day I didn’t blog since starting this! A work meeting kept me away in the afternoon but the weather really was scary so I stayed away from my computer and hunkered down with my family. 🙂

For more information on my grandmother’s diary, see the page dedicated to it.

Jan 12 1945

Friday Jan 12 1945

Went to school. Had a test in Aud + Science. At the noon hr we played basketball. We won 21 to 4. Got some more pictures of Van Johnson. Bought 2 movie books. Went to the drug store. Mom and I went to the hosipitly to see dad. Jack went to. Took a taxi home. Mr. + Mrs. Lunnig came over for awhile. Looked through some books for pictures of Van but couldn’t find any. Tonkin called me up and wanted me to get to the show but I couldn’t.

Jan 13 1945

Saturday Jan 13 1945

No school today. Cleaned the bedroom. Listen to the radio programs. Started fixing my scrapbook. Went over town got a white sweater, a plade one, a pair of slakes. Going to take the plade sweater back. Went out for supper. Had two hamburgers, a dish of french fries, and a multed. Got a movie book of Van Johnson today. Went to the hospility. Came home + put up my hair. Bob + Bob H. came after mom + I. Is he cute.

My Response:

Hm… I can just imagine my grandmother becoming quite giggly when Bob came over. I’m not sure who the other Bob is (maybe her younger brother?) though. Maybe she showed him the new outfit she bought. I also wonder what over town means. Downtown maybe? Probably. That is something I do desperately wish I could have seen! Saginaw’s downtown. Apparently it used to be quite a sight, especially during the holidays. The window displays would always be decorated (think A Christmas Story) and there was a lot of places to shop and visit while downtown. Now though, well go during the day if you’re going to go and you would want to make sure you know where your destination is. Not much of anything is actually open anymore. A couple things are starting to come back but mostly it’s government buildings (like the social security office) and fast food places. There still are some neat places but not like what it used to be. I wish I could have known what that was like.

And her dad is still in the hospital. She doesn’t seem overly concerned but I wonder what it was. I’m waiting on his death certificate too at the moment. I’m hoping it’ll come this week!

Amanuensis Monday: Jan 10-11

By Nichelle Barra

On 11 November 2013

In Diary

I now have a page about the diary entries, see that for more information.

Jan 10 1945

Wednesday Jan 10 1945

Went to school. Got a few more pictures of Van Johnson. Went to the basketball game at Webber. Juniors won 24 to 20 Cencors lost 16 to 12. Had a lot of fun tonight, home on the bus. Got home at 6:30. Got a box from Gene with German helmet + a parachute money bullets + a kerchief. Dad went to the hospital again. Went to see him for about 20 minutes. Put up my hair. Got out some movie stars am going to trade them off for Van.

Jan 11 1945

Thursday Jan 11 1945

Went to school. Got a movie book after school. Gave Jackie 15¢ to get me one. Came home + did my English + study my science going to be a test tomorrow. Went to the show with Frankie and saw “A Girl in the Case” and “Cry Havor.” It was a wonderful show. Put up my hair + ate a hot dog. Tonkin called me up. The kids at school are going to get me picture of Van Johnson. They’re swell kids. Got a letter from Gene.

My response:

I try to keep the text as is when I transcribe but sometimes I’m not sure I even understand it. I think the Cencors means seniors but when I looked up the two movies, I found nothing. So I’m pretty sure I am either reading them wrong or my grandmother spelled those two wrong. There is also the possibility that they weren’t movies but something like a local play performance. I’m not sure.

I recently went home and looked at old year books to see if I could find my grandmother. I had been under the impression that at 15, she was in high school, like I had been. This was not the case! I forgot that at that time, high school was 10-12th grade and she was still at the middle school or junior high. I couldn’t find her yearbook for that year sadly but did find her in high school the next year.

I found it very interesting what Gene sent to her as well! Seems odd, but really, there was a war going on. I’m sure these things were more readily available to him then other things. It also sounds like her dad was experiencing some health problems. He was about 54 at this time and I really don’t know much about his health from that time, just his end really (which doesn’t happen for another 20 years at this point).

Family Recipe Friday

By Nichelle Barra

On 8 November 2013

In Personal

I recently visited my parents home for more research time and took advantage of some of the recipes boxes my mom has from my Aunt Betty (my grandfather’s sister – she was the family cook).

She had bookshelves full of these boxes! As I said, she was THE cook of the family. Here are two of my favorite recipes of hers:

Ingredients:

3-6 oz package semi sweet chocolate morsels

1 14oz can Eagle milk

dash salt

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup chopped nuts

Directions:

In top of double boiler, over boiling water, melt chocolate and milk. Remove from heat, stir in rest, spread evenly in wax paper lined 8″ pan. Chill two hours or till set.

Peanut Butter Cups

back of peanut butter cups

Peanut Butter Cups

Ingredients:

1/3lb graham crackers crushed (11 crackers)

1/2 cup melted butter or margarine

1 cup peanut butter

1 lb powder sugar

1 12oz chocolate chips, melted in double boiler

Directions:

Combine first four ingredients till smooth. Press in buttered 9×13 pan. Spread melted chips over, refrigerate till firm. Remove let rest until room temp, cut in squares. Makes 4 doz.

Enjoy 🙂

Amanuensis Monday: Jan 8-9

By Nichelle Barra

On 4 November 2013

In Diary

040-jan-8-1945

Jan 8 1945: Monday

Went to school. In aud. we looked at some pictures of Van Johnson Oh! I think he’s wonderful. I’m going to start a scrap book of him. Went to all the drugstores and got 4 movie books + a scrapbook for Van. Got a lot of pictures from Tillie. Gave her most of my Alan Ladd. Listen to the Lux and Gild Theater. Put up my hair. Went to bed + cut out some more pictures of Van Johnson

041-jan-9-1945

Jan 9 1945: Tuesday

Got 3 points in the office. Went to school. Got a lot of pictures of Van Johnson from Tonkin also a sweet letter. Got a movie book. After school I went over town with Frankie then we went to volleyball. Tonkin acted strange. Got home ate supper did the dishes. Started to work on my scrap book when Tonkin came over. We went for a walk she told me something that I cannot tell anybody. She’s swell. Did my scrap book. Wrote a letter to Van Johnson.

Off in side box: Tonkin gave me my concerate ticket

My response:

I love my grandmother’s loyalty. Even in her journal she doesn’t tell what Tonkin told her. I am curious about this ticket – I think she meant concert but I’m not sure. I suppose I’ll find out as I go along! As for the aud she mentioned, I think that’s auditorium. Kind of like my high school’s version of advisory maybe? I’m not sure. On my next visit home, I’m going to see if I can find some old yearbooks to see if that would explain it. I am also curious about the points she got in the office. I’m not sure what those mean.