Nanny's Diaries: October 2019

The blog posts below are taken from my grandmother's diaries. Althea Green Smith Crook was lovingly referred to as Nanny to her immediate family ~ thus her diaries are called Nanny's Diaries.

Nanny wrote in her diaries when she remembered to - mostly in the evening. There will be some years in which she didn't keep diaries and there will also be some days/weeks in her yearly diaries in which she skipped or forgot to write in them. For the most part, these are her words - written as she wrote them. There will be typos, forgotten punctuation, and other grammatical errors - but I am rewriting these as my Nanny originally wrote them.

As with all old handwriting, there are some entries that I can't quite make out - and these entries will be followed with a (?) to signify that this may or may not be correct or I can't figure out what she is trying to write.

Thank you Nanny for leaving us 50 years worth of memories! We miss you!

Thursday, October 31, 2019

December 23- 25, 1972 It's Christmas!

Saturday, December 23, 1972

Cloudy and rainy. I done regular work and some Christmas preparations, went to town. Linda Weymouth and Ian MacCloud married tonight.

Sunday, December 24, 1972

Partly cloudy. I did a lot of last-minute things for Christmas, cooked also. In evening we all went to Fern and Lloyd’s for their opening of their gifts. They were pleased with their things. Then they all came up here and we opened our gifts. Had a good time. Dorothea, Dave and Jeff came about 11. They had been down to Dave’s father and mother’s for their Christmas. They stayed here tonight so to go down to Betty’s tomorrow.

Monday, December 25, 1972 Cloudy, Rain

A cloudy and rainy forenoon then it stopped storming, but it was cloudy. Up early, got ready, down to Betty’s about 7 AM. We got the turkey in and then they began opening the gifts. They all got a lot of very nice gifts. We sat down at one thirty to a very nice turkey dinner. I got so many very nice things from my family. Electrolux sweeper, dresses, can opener (electric), shoes, towels, washcloths, diary, aprons. A very pretty comforter for our bed. Bill got an antenna for his colored TV, new pants, shirts, ties, a bench grinder, Schlick razor. Billie got a new grass trimmer, a new TV.

WHY?????

You can't unsee this!

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

December 19 - 22, 1972

Tuesday, December 19, 1972

Cloudy and stormy. I went down to Betty’s. We done some odds and end jobs. She cleaned Pa’s apartment. I did some washing and dried some things of mine. Came home and did my ironing. Watched TV in evening. Kim came up after school. Carmen to Girl Scouts. Es and Cliff over in evening, they brought us a cake and apples for Christmas. Bill down to Jean’s. He is lame, has a cold.

Wednesday, December 20, 1972

Still cloudy and light snow. I went down to Betty’s, we cleaned her stove. I came home, cleaned my bedrooms and we got ready, went to New Hampshire to get some gifts for Pa. We called at Dawn’s, saw good old Judd. He is happy. Had a nice visit with her and the dogs.

Thursday, December 21, 1972

A sunny cloudy day, down to Betty’s. We cleaned up the house etc. I did a dite of washing in p.m.

Friday, December 22, 1972

I went down to Betty’s. We put the finishing touches on her house for Christmas. Tonight she had company for supper. Marianne and Errol Briggs. I went to town in late p.m.

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

December 16 - 18, 1972

Saturday, December 16, 1972

Cloudy and stormy when we got up. It cleared in forenoon. Bill plowed Walt and our driveways. Billie did some shoveling. In p.m. Bill went down to Gordon’s but not for long. Billie down to Lawrence’s slaughter to help butcher. Kimmy to a couple of parties this p.m. Carmen and Betty up here, we decorated the tree. It looks nice. Wind blowing quite hard tonight.

Decorating the tree

Sunday, December 17, 1972 WINDY

A beautiful day. I took bath, changed beds, done regular work. Made out a few cards. The wind is blowing hard, it has been all day. Didn’t do much. Got ready, went down to the kids Sunday school with the Horton’s to the kids Carmen, Kimberly and Zak’s Christmas party. It was very nice. I went down to see the Christmas tree at Betty’s when I came home. Very pretty.

Monday, December 18, 1972 Very cold, $50

It has been very cold all day. I got ready, did my washing. Went down to Betty’s. She, Esther and I went to Conway to grocery shop. Got home about three. Got my clothes in, that wind dried them pretty good. I got supper. Billie and I went down to Dorothea’s. We had a nice visit. Came home, brought home some of her gifts and delivered them to Fern and Betty’s. In p.m. Betty and I went to town in p.m. Bill got a Christmas card from Jean, $50 check.

Monday, October 28, 2019

December 13 - 15, 1972 Zak in Hospital

Wednesday, December 13, 1972 Zak to CMG hospital, Sunny

Today Betty entered Zak in the Central Maine General Hospital in Lewiston. He has a new doctor. It was heartbreaking as he got nearer to his room. Before we left he was okay. I ironed, got a boiled dinner ready. Done regular work. We left at about 11 o’clock. When we got to Lewiston there was a very spectacular fire there, a chemical factory exploded. Two victims lost. We got home about 4 PM. Betty exchanged the Christmas gifts tonight. Esther called a little while. We watched more moon shots. It was very interesting. This is the last time we will see them on the moon. The younger generation will in the new decade. This trip has been interesting, as they all have. We pray these three men will return safely.

Thursday, December 14, 1972

Today I done up regular work, washed etc. Betty and Walt to the CMG Hospital in Lewiston to see Zak. He is real good. Comes home tomorrow. I had Carmen and Kim up after they got home from school and for supper. Then I went down there with them till they got home.

Friday, December 15, 1972 Zak home

A nice day. Betty and I got around and went to get Zak. Esther and Fern went. He acted the best when he came from the hospital he has ever had before when he came home. We enjoyed the ride etc. Came home and Walt was home. He and Betty went and got the Christmas tree. Sally went with them. It began snowing tonight at about dark. It is to be a bad storm according to the weather reports.