In Muscatine on Thursday, September 27, 1951, as he was carrying groceries into the house, Dale dropped three dozen eggs in the back yard and broke one dozen.
Dale Breaks Some Eggs
Many Barrels
In Muscatine on Wednesday, September 26, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30. One man short today. I took out 103 barrels & worked in ER in afternoon. Pay day. Christensen phoned in evening for visit. Watched TV at night. Rain & windy.”
Final Single-Digit Age
In Muscatine on Tuesday, September 25, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30. Quiet day at work. I bought Dalene some birthday presents. She is 9 years old today. Had roast beef for supper, Roswell here at night. Got Stanley’s eyes tested.”
Party!
In Muscatine on Monday, September 24, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30. I had a quiet day. Went to store after work. Shower & cooler today. Mike Collier, Bob Rath, & Stan had a party in Stanley’s room. To bed before 10.”
Mike and Bob were classmates of mine.
Mike and Bob were classmates of mine.
Put-Up Job
In Muscatine on Sunday, September 23, 1951, Dale wrote, “Restful day. Put blinds on kitchen windows. Put Dalene’s mirror up. Tacked hall rug down. Helen is better again. Nice evening at TV. To bed early.”
What A Pane
In Muscatine on Saturday, September 22, 1951, Dale wrote, “Fixed short circuit in stop lights in the morning. Put new pane in upstairs window. Took kids to a show, & went to store. I got supper. TV at night & to bed early.”
Dalene Breaks A Window
In Muscatine on Friday, September 21, 1951, Dalene broke a bedroom window but Dale’s diary doesn’t say how.
Rub-A-Dub-Dub
In Muscatine on Thursday, September 20, 1951, Dale wrote, “8 hours sick leave. Went to work but came home. Fred & Jack brought my fence pickets. Helen & I washed clothes in the afternoon & I went to bed. Fine day. TV at night, boxing etc.”
Visiting MD
In Muscatine on Wednesday, September 19. 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30. Plenty of help today. Left forms at Alftine’s office. Sent 26-40 for BMA insurance. Bought new hat to wear to work. Dr. Swayze here in evening to give Helen a shot.”
Tired Blood
In Muscatine on Tuesday, September 18, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30. Came home in afternoon & rested, low on vitamin-B. To hospital at night to see Fisher. Helen, Dalene & I to Bushery’s to see new baby. To bed at 10 P.M.”
Gas Heat
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In Muscatine on Monday, September 17, 1951, having moved from 507 East Seventh Street (a house with a coal-burning furnace) next door to 505 East Seventh Street (a house with a gas furnace), Dale wrote, “Cooler and rain at night. Gas furnace wonderful.” Coal furnaces like the one above (left) were dirty, sooty, smelly, compared to a gas furnace (right). No shoveling required.
Home, Sweet Home
On Sunday, September 16, 1951, Dale moved the fence from 507 to 505 East Seventh Street, took down the 507 radio aerial, clotheslines, and tree swing. He wrote, “Nice place to live, 505 East 7th, Muscatine.”
New School Shoes
In Muscatine on Saturday, September 15, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30. Very quiet day at plant. I got caught up on some work. Bought Dalene shoes & pajamas; Stan gym shoes & overalls. Helen got supper.”
Family Dinner
On Friday, September 14, 1951, Dale wrote that Helen’s brother Pearl Schaffer, and her nephew Burl Schaffer and his wife Opal, were in Muscatine and had supper at Dale and Helen’s house.
Let There Be Light
In Muscatine on Thursday, September 13, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30. Mr. Wing here at plant. I filled 2 tank cars. I put a light over the sink at the house. Kids & I put carpet on stairs & hall. I went to the plant at 11 P.M. to interview about Fisher accident. Home at 2 A.M. Friday.”
Pass GO
In Muscatine on Wednesday, September 12, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30. Pay day. Sold cabinet & old refrigerator for $42.50. Gave Lester one key to the 507 house. Hooked the TV set up. Went to bed early.”
Finished Moving
In Muscatine on Tuesday, September 11, 1951, Helen and Dale finished moving from 507 to 505 East Seventh Street, except for the contents of the garage and basement.
We Moved Next Door
In Muscatine on Monday, September 10, 1951, Dale wrote, “Moved today. Put up TV aerial on chimney. Moved from 507 to 505 East 7th Street. Bought a used refrigerator for $40. TIRED, boy.” They faced an increase in rent, so rented the house next door and moved there to avoid the cost. Remember TV antennas?
More Fixin’ To Move
In Muscatine on Sunday, September 9, 1951, Dale and Helen moved furniture and boxes from the house they rented at 507 East Seventh Street next door to the “new” house they rented at 505 East Seventh Street, and waxed the bedroom and bathroom floors.
Fixin’ To Move Next Door
In Muscatine on Saturday, September 8, 1951, Dale and Helen put linoleum on the basement floor next door at 505 East Seventh Street and carried toys and boxes over there. They waxed the main floors, put down rugs, and had gas, lights, and water turned on. We were about to move there from 507 East Seventh Street. Above: Helen and Dale in front of the 505 house.