In Muscatine on Sunday, June 10, 1951, Dale wrote, “Arms, Arth, Bushery & I cap sealed all day. Put 65 seals on stills. Nice day. Stanley has strep throat & temp of 102°. Doctor has to give him a shot. To bed at 11:30.”
Poor Boy
Big Smokestack
In Muscatine on Saturday, June 9, 1951, Dale wrote, “Up late & watched TV until noon. Took family to library & downtown shopping. Drove to the plant. ‘How many bricks in that big smokestack, Daddy?’ Washed car. Stan mowed the yard.” Dalene asked about the alcohol plant’s smokestack, above. I don’t know what his answer was.
Routine Day
In Muscatine on Friday, June 8, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30. Routine day. Still is still down. Filled one truck today. Watched TV at night.”
Paying Bills
In Muscatine on Thursday, June 7, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30. Plant is still down for aldehyde column repairs. Paid $10 for coal, $20 for suit, $1.52 new straw hat, $5 to Grimm drug store, $5.33 on telephone bill. Rain at night. Fire in furnace.”
Leaving Eighth Grade
On Wednesday, June 6, 1951, Dale wrote that Stanley graduated from 8th grade (Junior High School) at a ceremony held in the Muscatine High School auditorium (above).
Watching TV
In Muscatine on Tuesday, June 5, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30. Hayes & Palmer came for inspection. Plant still down for repairs. Took Dalene to doctor for breaking out; allergy. TV at night. Fire in furnace.”
Wrestling
In Muscatine on Monday, June 4, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30. Plant shut down for repairs to aldehyde column. No night shift. Fred King put new shock absorbers in his car. We lit a fire in our furnace. Stan & I went to wrestling matches at night. Fair.”
Coal Furnace
In Muscatine on Sunday June 3, 1951, Dale wrote, “Day of rest. Stayed in house all day. Kids played in the back yard. Built fire in furnace. 56° at bedtime. Washed on kitchen wall a little. Wrote card to Mother. TV good.” Our furnace burned coal, so this required shoveling lumps of coal into the furnace and starting the fire with newspaper.
Sneakers
In Muscatine on Saturday, June 2, 1951, Dale wrote, “Non-work day. Helen & I washed the bathroom walls & ceiling. Kids went to a show in the afternoon. Bought Stanley new pair of shoes & Dalene a new belt. TV at night, at home.”
Dalene Washes Dishes
In Muscatine on Friday, June 1, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30. Hot & humid today. Helen catching cold too. Jack & I worked on monthly reports. Fried chicken for supper. Dalene washed the dishes & kids went to bed at 9:45.”