Diary Blog – Page 40 – Heartland Diary

Moving To St. Paul?

January 9, 2015 by Editorial Team

In Muscatine on Friday, January 9, 1953, Dale received a letter from St. Paul asking how much furniture we have to move to St. Paul regarding a change in his Post of Duty. His last day at Muscatine’s Grain Processing Corporation was to be January 27 – except that it wasn’t. We didn’t move until November 1955.

Helen Has Pneumonia

January 8, 2015 by Editorial Team

In Minneapolis on Thursday, January 8, 1959, Dale wrote, “Took 8 hours annual leave to take care of Helen, she has pneumonia. Wrote Lela a letter. Helen is resting easier as long as she takes the pain pills. Took tomorrow off on annual leave.” Lela was Helen’s sister.

Career Limitations?

January 7, 2015 by Editorial Team

In Minneapolis on Tuesday, January 7, 1958, Dale wrote that I had a conference with an advisor. I was a math major at the University of Minnesota and the advisor told me that math majors had only three career choices: actuary for an insurance company, statistician for an accounting company, or math teacher. I found that depressing but continued majoring in mathematics because it was easy for me and I didn’t know what else to do. My advisor was unaware of the fledgling field of computer programming, which is what I fell into the following year.

Fast Skating

January 6, 2015 by Editorial Team

In Minneapolis on Sunday, January 6, 1957, Dale wrote, “Read the Sunday paper. Developed and printed some pictures. Dalene and I drove to Powderhorn Park to watch speed skating.” The National Speed Skating Championships were held at Powderhorn Park in the 1930s and 1940s (above).

Making Photos

January 5, 2015 by Editorial Team

In Minneapolis on Saturday, January 5, 1957, Dale wrote, “Took Dalene to Broadway and bought her some shoe skates. Snow flurries. Low 3°, high 22°. Set up my photo developing and printing equipment and developed one roll of film at night. Letter from Mother.” Dad had his own darkroom for developing negatives and making prints. For those of you who have used only camera phones or digital cameras, the previous sentence may make no sense. Above: chemical baths in a darkroom.

Yummmmm

January 4, 2015 by Editorial Team

In Minneapolis on Sunday, January 4, 1959, Dale wrote, “16° below zero in the morning and warmed up to 3° above. We all stayed home all day. Had roast pork for dinner. 45° below in Hibbing, Minnesota.”

B-r-r-r-r

January 3, 2015 by Editorial Team

In Minneapolis on Tuesday, January 3, 1961, Dale wrote, “10° below zero. Letter from Mother, she is moving back into her house in town soon. Took Mrs. Magnuson to the grocery store and drug store.” Mrs. Magnuson was a neighbor.

Number 1 Grandson

January 2, 2015 by Editorial Team

Vacationing from Minneapolis on Tuesday, January 2, 1962, Dale wrote, “Annual leave. 82° in the shade on Stan’s front porch in Reseda. I rested today. Called Marie Kimmel, we are going home together tomorrow. Packed for the trip tomorrow.” Marie was Dale’s sister. Above: Dale and his first grandson, Jeff, in Reseda.

Washing Clothes

January 1, 2015 by Editorial Team

In Muscatine on Monday, January 1, 1951, Dale worked all day, and he and Helen washed clothes before supper. Doing laundry then was hard work involving a wringer-washer, with clothes hung outdoors or in the basement to dry. Above is what “washing” looked like.

Happy New Year!

December 31, 2014 by Editorial Team

In Minneapolis on Tuesday, December 31, 1957, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 hours, 4 hours double time. Helen did some baking today. Shirley came down awhile. We watched the old year out and 1958 in.” Shirley Staebler rented the upstairs apartment.

In The Army Now

December 30, 2014 by Editorial Team

In Muscatine on Wednesday, December 30, 1953, Dale wrote, “George and Wilma Casey were here to stay all night, after spending Christmas with Larry, in military camp in Virginia.” Helen’s sister Wilma was married to George; Larry was their son. They left the next day, on their way home to Osceola.

Marie And Susan Visit

December 29, 2014 by Editorial Team

In Minneapolis on Monday, December 29, 1958, Dale wrote, “High 20°. Cold. Dalene and Susan went downtown. We all went to Atlantic Mills after supper. Marie and Susan bought clothes. I took them to the bus station at midnight. Helen called Stan in Muscatine to tell him he got a job in the U library starting next Monday.” Dale’s sister Marie and her daughter Susan were visiting from Osceola. My job would be a library page pulling and replacing books in the stacks while attending the University of Minnesota.

Eye Test

December 28, 2014 by Editorial Team

In Muscatine on Monday, December 28, 1953, Dale wrote “Annual leave. Helen & I washed. Stan had his eyes tested. I developed 2 rolls pictures. Dalene bought a new pair of shoes with her own Christmas money. To bed early.”

Dalene Goes Bowling

December 27, 2014 by Editorial Team

In Minneapolis on Sunday, December 27, 1959, Dale wrote, “Fixed the bread board in the kitchen. Fixed a faucet in the upstairs apartment. Helen and I ironed in the evening. Dalene went bowling, and to a party at night. Rain all day, high 40°. Snow on the way.”

Day-After Sale

December 26, 2014 by Editorial Team

In Minneapolis on Wednesday, December 26, 1956, Dale wrote, “High 40°. Nice day. Snow almost gone. Stan bought a nice pair of ice skates 2nd hand, like new.” I drove back to Muscatine the next day for the spring semester at Junior College.

Turkey For Dinner

December 25, 2014 by Editorial Team

In Minneapolis on Tuesday, December 25, 1956, Dale wrote, “Opened our presents before breakfast. Many nice things. Dalene got me a vise, a dandy. Stan here too. Kids went to a show downtown in the afternoon. Had turkey for dinner. Light snow. Low 9° above, high 28°. Very nice day all around. Wore my new pajamas (Christmas present) to bed.”

A-Sledding We Will Go

December 24, 2014 by Editorial Team

Thursday, December 24, 1953; Christmas Eve in Muscatine. Dale bought a turkey for the next day’s dinner. He wrote that Dalene coasted downhill on her new sled he gave her the previous day, so there must have been snow on the ground.

Mu-Ju-Co

December 23, 2014 by Editorial Team

In Minneapolis on Sunday, December 23, 1956, Dale wrote, “Light snow and slick. Finished painting the basement walls. Stan came home about dark from college in Muscatine.” I was a sophomore at Muscatine Junior College, above. It became Muscatine Community College later, in a new location.

A-Caroling We Go

December 22, 2014 by Editorial Team

In Minneapolis on Tuesday, December 22, 1959, Dale wrote, “Slick on the streets, 27° above zero. Light snow. Helen and I went to lawyer McGee to draw up a will each. Dalene went singing Christmas carols with friends.”

Window Shopping

December 21, 2014 by Editorial Team

In Muscatine on Sunday, December 21, 1952, Dale wrote, “Got my breakfast. Stan to church. Dalene & I took a walk downtown. Football in afternoon on TV. Dalene to Fosholt’s for dinner. Stan to afternoon show. TV at night. Cool.”