About

This blog is mainly taken from my Great Grandfather's diary. In 2012 we are in the year 1915, after completing 1916 in 2010 and 1927 in 2011. 1915 is the year that my Great Uncle Norman was born. 1927 is the year that my Great Uncle Roger, was born. 1916 was the year that my grandmother, Annah Lee was born.

My Great-Grandfather's name was Bonnie Elmore and he worked as a clerk or secretary for the old Norfolk & Western Railroad, based in Roanoke, VA. Mary is his wife. Norman is their first born son. The Raines are Mary's parents. Skin is Bonnie's brother along with Jake.

Bonnie's work associates and friends are also mentioned quite a bit. Bonnie does a great job of blending everyday life in 1915 with the mention of some world and USA history as well. I do know from a quick glance ahead that 1915 is going to be quite different as Bonnie did not write quite as much.

After Bonnie's diary entry, I will occasionally make comments, maybe tell a little about life in 2012, possibly some current events, and some musing about the Christian faith.



Friday, July 29, 2011

2 Haircuts?

On Thursday, July 28, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Hot-Sunny. Arose at 6:30. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 7:50. Busy all day. Mary hung out bed clothes to sun. I walked home at 5:40 p.m.  Baby Jane and I cut weeds. Children got ice cream cones after supper. I reap papers until 10 o'clock. Got to bed about 9:30. Quite hot upstairs.

On Friday, July 29, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Hot-Sunny. Rain 5 p.m. Arose at 6:30 made a fire. Shaved. Had to hurry. Got a haircut at noon. Mary phoned me at 1:20 p.m. She feels bad, ankles swollen. I got haircut at 1:45 p.m. Read most all p.m. "no work". We got quart of ice cream after supper. Read "Ladies Home Journal" Went to bed about 11 p.m.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Big Rain

On Tuesday, July 26, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Heavy Rain-Hot. Arose at 6:30. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 7:55. Got to work 8:20. Wrote to Ollie Hampton. Big rain prevented me going down street at noon. Mary phoned me at 10:20. Got home about 6:00 p.m. Got pictures of our Norfolk trip. Read awhile after supper. We went to bed about 9:45. Quite hot at night.

On Wednesday, July 27, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Hot-Sunny. Arose at 6:30. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home at 7:45. Didn't work hard today. Got telephone directory at noon. Talked to Dr. Sommardahl about Mary's teeth. Wrote Aunt Annah. Cut grass after supper. Baby Jane spent the night with Pauline Burnette. We got to bed by 9:45.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Back to Work

On Monday, July 25, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Hot-Sunny. Back to work. Arose at 6:30. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 7:45. Caught up all my dictation at 4:45. Took films to be developed. Went to Dr. Hagan's office at 2 p.m. Talked to Muse. Got to office 2:30. Mary phoned me at noon. Marketed. Walked home. Talked to Old Rothwell. Fixed grape vines. Got to bed 10:30.

Ugh. The joys of going back to work after vacation.  But at least here in 2011 I am looking forward to another vacation coming up this weekend. Mom called and they finally made it on the ship!  I also actually made an entry on the day I was supposed to! Now, next week at the beach, who knows. 

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Sunburn

On Thursday, July 21, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Sunny-Warm. At Norfolk, Va.  Arose at 9:30. Mrs. Fisher came in. Mrs. Burnette and the children went bathing. I went down before breakfast and took their pictures in the water.  We sent cards to relatives and friends. Mary, the children and I went bathing at 3:30 p.m. Mary Fisher took our pictures. I shaved. Went to store 8 p.m. Retired at 10:00. 

On Friday, July 22, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Sunny-Hot. At Norfolk, Va. Arose at 7:30. Took pictures on front steps. Howard came back at 9:30. Last night Jack Dempsey knocked out Jack Sharkey. We packed up clothes in bag, to go home tomorrow. Mrs. Burnette, the children and I went in bathing p.m. I also went p.m. I got much sunburned. Took pictures. Shaved after supper.

On Saturday, July 23, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Rain-Dark in a.m.  At Norfolk, Va. Got up at 6:00. Packed grips to leave at 11:00. My sunburn is paining me very much. Raining heavily at 7:30. We left cottage about 9:20. Miss Phelps loaned us slickers and umbrellas. I labeled box. We were held up by high water and went to the station in a taxi. Feel very sore. Jane phoned us at 5:30 p.m.

On Sunday, July 24, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Hot-Sultry. Arose at 10:00.  Mary got up at 7:00 and made a fire. I took a bath and shaved. My shoulders, arms and legs burn very much. Took picture of Mrs. Burnette's baby. Read papers. Mary took a bath as did the children. I ate supper at 8:40 p.m. Annah Lee and Baby Jane went to church 7:30 p.m.

Fish for Breakfast

On Sunday, July 17, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Hot-Sunny. At Norfolk. Arose at 9:00. Ate breakfast alone. Shaved and took a bath. Joe Gill's cousin (a sailor) ate dinner with us. The children went bathing. Howard, Mary Burnette and I were along. Took pictures in boat. Howard left for home at 6:00. We sat on porch until 10 o'clock p.m. Fine sea breeze. Mary's ankles are badly swollen. To bed 10:30.

On Monday, July 18, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Heavy Rain-Cool. At Norfolk, Va.  Arose at 9:00. Had fish for breakfast.  The children went to the beach for a dip. Joe Gill went with them.  I sat around cottage and read.  Norman, Gilbert and I walked up road to store. I shaved and bathed at cottage. Joe Gill went home at 7:00 p.m. Mrs. Burnette and girls went to Norfolk p.m. We retired 10:00.

On Tuesday, July 19, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Cool-Cloudy.  At Norfolk.  Arose at 8:30. The children went to the beach. All of us went on ferry "Old Point Comfort" to Fortress Monroe. Saw soldiers drill, band played. Inspected the fort.  Thunder and lightning. Ate our supper in band stand 6:00 p.m. Came back to Willoughby on yacht "Madeline". Awfully tired and sleepy. Drank coffee at cottage. Got to bed 10:15.

On Wednesday, July 20, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Cloudy-cool. At Norfolk. Got up at 8:45. Mary, Mrs. Burnette, the children and I went to the beach. Tide was very high. Waves look strong breaking on shore. May and I went in bathing. Our first "dip". Real chilly out of the water. Read some. We like seashore and shall hate to leave Got to bed about 9:30.

Still fun to read about the Elmore's vacation.  I got behind again last week because of Vacation Bible School every night after work.  Mom has gone on an Alaskan cruise. She phoned today and they missed the ship due to cancelled airline flights.  Caleb is at soccer camp. We leave for the beach with the Allens next weekend.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Norfolk Trip

On Thursday, July 14, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Awfully Hot-Rain. Arose at 6:30. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 7:45. Very busy all day. Walked to bank at noon. Paid 50 cents. Got 2 shirts each for Norman and myself at Brotherhood. Wrote to Ollie Hampton. Came home 6:00 p.m. Shaved. Preparing to go to Norfolk. Took a bath at 10:30 p.m. Got to sleep about 12:40. 

On Friday, July 15, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Hot-Sultry. Went to Willoughby Beach. Arose at 6:30. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Baby Jane packed my lunch. Left home 7:45. (Paid off). Paid 52nd note on home. Got things at Kress'. Big rain at night. Mary is awfully tired. We left home at 11:15. Howard and I got coffee. We had a pleasant trip. Got off at Petersburg. Ate midnight supper. Slept awhile. 

On Saturday, July 16, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Sultry-Sunny. At Willoughby Beach. Got to Norfolk 7:30. Lugged our luggage to street car. We had 11 members in our party. Got to cottage about 9 o'clock. Mrs. Everhart came over. Also, Dr. Lehidy of Atlanta, who put lights in order. Very fine, openhearted people. They offered any assistance we needed. I went to store for groceries. All of us went to ocean view at 8 o'clock p.m.

I am loving the story about the trip to Norfolk!  How fun!  Also looking forward to our trip to the beach with all the Allens in 2 weeks!

Moving Day

On Monday, July 11, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Sunny-Hot. Moved to C.W. Noel. Arose at 6:30. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 7:45. Moved my belongings in to Mr. Noel's desk. Hated to leave Mr. Turner's room. Walked around Hotel Roanoke at noon. Walked home in p.m. Talked to Rothwell.  The children went to play in the park, 7:00 p.m. I shaved. We went to bed about 9:40.

On Tuesday, July 12, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Sunny-Hot. Arose at 6:30. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Got to work at 8:15. Took Mr. Noel's dictation. Took a walk at noon. He says I may get off on Friday to go to Norfolk. Came home on car at 6:00. Read after supper. Mary and the children went to Burnette's Got to bed 10:00.

On Wednesday July 13, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Sunny and Hot.  Arose at 6:30. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 7:45. Mr. Shorter took me to St. car office in his car. Very busy all day. Mary called me 1:20. Ate lunch at restaurant. Got a haircut. Thunder showers this morning. Mrs. Johnson was stunned by lightning. We went to bed at 10:00.   

Frigidaire

On Friday, July 8, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Sunny-Hot. Moseley owes me $1.00. Arose at 6:30. Made a fire Dumped ashes.  Left home 7:45. Mary went with Mrs. Crowley to "Frigidaire" demonstration at 10:00 a.m. Anna Lee stayed at home. Mary felt awfully sick while up-town. I walked around Hotel Roanoke at 1:45. Wrote Christine and Aunt Annah. Home 5:40. Baby Jane came from Jane's. I shaved. Bed 9:30.

On Saturday, July 9, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Raining-Chilly.  Arose at 6:30. Made a fire. Raining-didn't dump ashes. Wore my rain coat. Left home at 7:55. Mary has pain her limbs. Feels sick at stomach. I was instructed to move to Mr. Noel's desk Monday. Raining in the afternoon. I "fooled" around the house all afternoon. Took a bath at 6:30. Read until 10:00. Went to bed 10:40.

On Sunday, July 10, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Sunny-Hot.  Didn't go to church. Arose at 8:00. Mary got up at 7:00 and made a fire. I shaved but didn't go to Sunday School or to church. The children went to Sunday School. Read Rowland's medical book after dinner. Ray down with Mary after dinner. Raining all afternoon. We went to bed about 9:30. I am tired. Have severe headache.

Poison Oak

On Tuesday, July 5, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Hot-Sunny. Board Meeting night. Wrote Aunt Florence. Arose at 6:00. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Shaved. Left home 7:55. Cooney Lugar took me to town in his car. Phoned. Dr. Meadows. Went to church at 8:00 p.m. No meeting. Mr. Scott and Mr. Renner brought me home in car at 8:35. Mary ironed. The children want to visit Norfolk on vacation.

On Wednesday, July 6, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Hot Sultry. Mr. Turner in Albany. Arose at 6:30. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 7:55. Got to work 8:15. Very busy. Paid Brohood $2.00. Walked around streets. Talked to Harry few minutes. Got home 6:15. Ate supper at 7:00. Read paper. Shaved. Norman has had case of poison oak on his hand. We got to bed about 10:30. Tired.

On Thursday, July 7, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Hot-Sultry. Big Electrical storm. Mr. Turner's away. Arose at 6:30. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 7:55. Baby Jane and Annah Lee spent the day with Jane. I ordered stockings from John Leslie. Looked at blouses at Kress, noon hour. Baby Jane spent the night at Jane's Annah Lee came home at 7:00 p.m.  Pearsall phoned Jake and me. Jake called me about it. Got to bed 10:00. 

Ok, so yes I am way behind.  In fact probably as far behind as I have ever been in this blog.  I have just been really busy at work and now have lots of church things to do too, plus had a big wedding last weekend.  I still enjoy reading about things that my grandmother did as a child as well as Uncle Norman and Baby Jane.  Haven't caught up yet but hope to soon.  In fact more may be coming later today.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Holiday

On Monday, July 4, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Hot-Sunny. Holiday. Slept until 8:30. Mary got up at 7:50 and made a fire. I cut grass in front yard and raked it. Worked around flowers. Went to store for tobacco. Got sunburnt outdoors. Mary phoned to Loam. Harry came down at 4:00 p.m. and stayed for supper. Left at 9:00 p.m. We went to bed about 9:40.

In 2011 today is 235th birthday of the USA. It is also Beth's birthday today.  We gave her Winnie the Pooh themed gifts this year as there is a new Winnie the Pooh movie coming out in a few weeks and she likes Pooh.  She got a Winnie the Pooh cake, Pooh books and a wall hanging with Pooh characters on it.  We had lunch out at Applebee's and tonight after Rachel gets off from work we are having a cookout with steaks on the grill and Mom is coming up.  Then we will all go to Parkway Wesleyan Church to watch fireworks from Vinton, Roanoke, and possibly even Salem.  Calling for storms this afternoon, hope that those don't mess up the plans.  No fireworks in 1927?  Maybe that was not yet a tradition or maybe the Elmore's just valued the sleep more after a day of getting caught up on some housework.  Can't say as I blame them. 

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Fresh and Cool

On Wednesday, June 29, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Hot-Sultry. Arose at 6:00. Made a fire dumped ashes. Left home 7:45. Busy all day. Took a walk at noon. I shaved at 6:00 p.m. All of us attended Vacation Bible School finals at 7:30 p.m. All of our children took part and did fine. We walked home at 9 p.m. Went to drug store and got ice cream cones. Went to bed at 10:00.

On Thursday, June 29, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Hot-Sultry. Pay day. Arose at 6:30. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 7:45. Mary had a hard vomiting spell. Awfully hot. Paid A.C. Hopwood $15.00 interest on loan. Mary attended sewing circle at Mrs. Spillan's 2:30 p.m. I came home on car with Norman at 5:30. Worked hard all day. Very hot inside. 

End of month note June 1927:  I still feel "blue" and despondent over Mary's examination and condition. Will Powell and his wife drove us to So. Roanoke and to Cloverdale on 3rd of June at night. They spent the night with us. The medicine which Dr. Burke prescribed for Mary, helped her and reduced the frequency of her vomiting spells. It costs $1.25. Lithia tablets 40 cents. Chas. Lindbergh creates big sensation by flying alone to Paris. Clarence Chamberlain also flew to Berlin, Germany. Had one passenger. Papers full of the flights. American prestige heightened in the eyes of the world. Mama was 70 years old on the 9th. Mary seems to suffer more and grows weaker. Blaine was here on June 22nd.

On Friday, July 1, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Hot-Rain and cool p.m. Arose at 6:15. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 7:30. Very tired all day. Mary has pains in side. Paid bills. Got home 6:00 p.m. Got haircut 5:30. Electrical shower at 7:00 p.m. Turned much cooler. We sat up until 9:15. Went to bed about 10:00. Wind blowing fresh and cool. Slept well. 

On Saturday, July 2, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Hot-Sultry-Rain.  Arose at 6:15. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 7:45. Annah Lee vomited. I feel "blue". Got home at 2:00. Electrical shower. Cleaned out table drawer in front room. Annah Lee still feels sick. I fooled around home. Awfully hot. Mary took a bath at 10:30. We got to bed by 11 o'clock. Warmer.

On Sunday, July 3, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Hot-Sunny. I went to office. Arose at 8:00. Mary got up at 7:00 and made a fire. The children went to Sunday School. I shaved and went to the office. Wrote several letters for WPW; also my church minutes. Came home 1 p.m. Read papers. Sat around the house all afternoon. Hot all day. We went to bed about 9:00. Tired, sleepy.