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.


Sunday, December 25, 2011

First Dinner with Mary

On Saturday, December 24, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Chilly-Sunny. Christmas Eve. Arose at 6:20. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. The children got breakfast. Mr. Turner gave me 2 lbs. of candy. The children and I put up Christmas tree.  Baby Jane, almost alone decorated it. I cut wood and shaved. Mrs. Drewry got supper etc. The children worked hard. Mrs. Burnett fixed Mary.

On Sunday, December 25, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Chilly-Fair. Lawrence Sullivan died. Christmas Day. Got up at 8:00. Made fire. Stoked furnace. Had oysters for breakfast. Mrs. Stevens came and bathed Mary and the baby. Mrs. Burnett and Howard came over. Also, Bessie and Minor Edwards. We had a good dinner. Mrs. Drewry and James ate with us. This is the first Christmas we have eaten dinner with Mary.  

Merry Christmas from the Clingenpeels in 2011 and the Elmores from 1927! Really pretty good day here so far.  We got up at 6 a.m. and opened gifts and had a light breakfast before going to church where we had no Sunday School and a casual Birthday party for Jesus during worship service.  We had a good crowd though and a nice spirit about the place.  Always big day when the Elmores have oysters for breakfast!  They also had lots of company.  I thought the comment about the first Christmas where they got to eat with Mary, a bit curious.  My mother is here with us today and tells me that she has memories of going to Bonnie and Mary's house for dinner on Christmas night and that Mary would always stay in the kitchen.  She would serve the others and then fix her plate and eat in the kitchen.  I am guessing this went on before 1927 as well.  Mom describes Mary as one "who had a real servant heart."  Also quite a difference in Christmas tree customs between  1927 and 2011.  Again, Mom shares that her family, the Meyerhoeffers, also put up heir tree on Christmas Eve and did not leave it up long, maybe only a few days.  The custom now, at least in our house is to put up the tree the weekend after Thanksgiving and leave it up until some time after New Year's. 
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