Blue Cheviot Suit

On Friday, January 7, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Windy-Cold. Effie has been dead 1 year. Arose at 6:30. Made fire. Dumped ashes. Coaled the furnace. Left home. Got my hair cut at 1:45. Wrote lot of mail. Mary and Loam went to see Jane. I made fire in range 6:30. My blue cheviot suit was delivered, altered. Mary ironed after supper. I read until 10 o'clock. Retired at 11:00. I think I remember reading about Effie in 1916's diary, but right now I can't remember who she is. Again to family members who may be reading this please let me know. I am guessing that the other day when Bonnie "banked" the furnace, he put coal in it. Today he called it "coaling" the furnace. I don't know what kind of range Bonnie is referring to. Would this be a cooking range that was wood fired? I remember reading in 1916 about the cheviot suits. I think it is a type of fabric and it was used to make very popular suits. Since my wife has been reading and commenting (see yesterday's post) here is one for her: What is ironing? I have never heard of anyone doing that before? Only kidding of course! Snowing here in 2011 tonight. Sticking on grassy surfaces only. We are having some home repairs done to the fan in the bathroom. We had hoped to be more productive tonight like putting away more decorations, but I think tonight will be a lazy night of reading, watching TV, and enjoying each other's company. Guns and Hoses Hockey is tomorrow night. GO HOSES!

Homemade Potato Chips!

On Thursday, January 6, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Chilly-Cloudy. Arose at 6:30. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 7:45. Took suit to Airheart-Kirk for alterations. Got check at Joe's from Jake. $5.00 Got it cashed at noon. Tried on suit at noon. Mr. J.H. Moseley brought me church papers to write for him. I shaved tonight. Norman went to show. The girls made potato chips. Dorothy Felty sick. Mary went to see her. Not a whole lot to comment on tonight from Bonnie's diary. Making potato chips sounds like a lot of fun and tasty too. I wonder what show Norman went to see? Is he now going to the movies while Bonnie stays at home? Again we see Bonnie doing something for the church and Mary visiting what I assume is a neighbor. I guess Bonnie got a new suit? I responded to a fire this morning on my way to work. Not a real bad fire. It was a flu fire. The young lad who lived in the house with his dad, was a schoolmate of Caleb's. Firefighters did have to tear out a wall to get the fire completely out. Caleb and I went to his speed and agility class tonight, to prepare him for upcoming soccer season. Calling for snow first of the week.

Thick Snow!

On Wednesday, January 5, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Blowing snow-cool. Arose at 6:00. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Snow coming down pretty thick for about half an hour. Sun came out by 8:00. Had lot of mail. Wrote to Mama. Got home at 6:00. Mary and I read until 10:30. Lewis Robertson came down and played games with the children. We got to bed about 11:00 p.m. You know, last year when we covered 1916, Bonnie never mentioned dumping ashes and now in 1927 it's a daily occurrence. Wonder what changed? So, snow on this day in 1927. I am ready for some more snow right about now in 2011. Lots of reading and the kids had a friend over. Sounds a little like what we do around here. Only Beth is the biggest reader in our family and she got a Kindle for Christmas and so now she REALLY reads! Watched some of the Sugar Bowl last night and then crashed. I was still extremely tired from getting up so early yesterday morning. Church tonight. It's business meeting.

Banked Furnace

On Tuesday, January 4, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Cloudy-Warmer. Norman bought "Lumber Jack". Arose at 6:00. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 7:45. Worked hard. Mailed money order, letter and dresses to the Larkin Co. at noon. Shaved at 7:30 p.m. Wrote Federal School this evening. Attended Board meeting at church 8:00 p.m. 18 present. Got home at 10 o'clock. Banked furnace. I guess what Norman bought was a book? I also don't understand mailing dresses to the Larkin Co., but oh well. I am so glad to see that apparently Bonnie is a lot more involved in church. In 1916 he might have been going to the movies tonight. I also have no idea what it means to bank the furnace. If you have any ideas please let me know. I got up very early this morning to be on TV with fire safety tips. I have been able to take a little nap this afternoon. Headed down to Mom's tonight to help put away Christmas and have supper.

Back to School

On Monday, January 3, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Cloudy-Mild. Arose at 6:00. Made fire. Dumped ashes. Fired furnace. Shaved. Left home 7:45. The children returned to school. I don't feel good. Worked hard today. Paid insurance at noon. Got home at 6:15 p.m. Read after supper. Mary played and we sang. Norman vomited in the night. So Bonnie got up early this morning in 1927 and it sounds like that was mostly to heat the house. Which is a little ironic, as I will be doing another TV spot tomorrow morning very early, 5 a.m. to be exact, to talk about safely heating your home. Our kids also returned to school today. I did find out from my mother that Bonnie and Mary had 3 children within 2 years between 1915 and 1917. So presently, in 1927, they have 3 children: Norman who is about 12, Annah Lee who is about 11 and Baby Jane who is about 10. Roger comes along later this year (1927) and then Jeanine some time after that. I have fond memories of listening to my grand-mother Annah Lee play the piano. In fact, sometimes when we would go over to her house, after supper, we also would gather around the piano while she played and we would sing. I guess I know now where that came from. The closest we get to that in 2011 is turning up some music on the computer or an ipod and then we all dance around and act silly. Still makes for some fond memories I hope. I do see one thing that hasn't changed: Norman still throws up 11 years later. If you have children then you know this kind of thing happens and probably not a coincidence that they went back to school today. We have chili in the crock pot tonight and Beth and Caleb are at a class for Caleb to increase his speed and agility before spring soccer season. The VT Hokies play football tonight in the Orange Bowl against Stanford. I will be watching on the TV and pulling for the Hokies to win, even though I think they will have an up hill battle.

Let's Eat Together

On Sunday, January 2, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Sunny-Cold. Arose at 7:00. Made fires. Dumped ashes. Took the children to Sunday School. I stayed for church. Mr. Day prayed. Dr. Violette is coming next Sunday. Jack & Maude Bowdel and children came to see us in p.m.. Mr. Rowland and Mr. Myers ate dinner with us. Norman went with Lewis Robinson to church 7:00 p.m. I read until 9:45. Ok, I am still the fire safety educator and I hope Bonnie waited until all those ashes were completely cooled before dumping them somewhere. It seems as though in the past 11 years and with more children that maybe the Elmores are a little more involved in church on a regular basis. I guess we will see that as we go along. One thing that has not changed is that people still come to eat dinner with the Elmores. They obviously have the gift of hospitality. In this age of blogging, social networks and TV and movies, what would happen if we actually got together more? What if we invited people over to share a meal more? Nothing fancy, no pretense, just come join us and let's enjoy each other's company...in person. One notable absence, at least after 2 days, is that I am not reading about Mrs. Raines or Aunt Annah. What has happened to them?

Sleepy New Year

On Saturday, January 1, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Cold-Sunny. Arose at 1:30. Mary got up at 7:30 and made a fire. I cut wood from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Shaved before supper. Mary and Baby Jane went to Jamison's store at 6:30 p.m. We feel tough after losing sleep. Mary and the girls went to YMCA at 3 p.m. to see Norman's class do "stunts". Happy New Year! Here in 2011, we are expecting rain later today, but much warmer temps than we have been seeing. I am excited about starting a new year as we follow my great-grandfather's diary. Last year we went through 1916, the year of my grandmother's birth. This time we will be in 1927, the year of my great-uncle Roger's birth. It will be interesting to see how things have changed. A couple of notable things right from the start: Norman, the first born son, and Annah Lee, my grandmother are both obviously 11 years older and there is a another child in the family now, who we all call Baby Jane. I'll need to check some sources and see how old Baby Jane is at this point. If any family are reading this and happen to know, please comment, or email and let me know. If you have read this blog in the past, you know that often I have more questions than answers about what Bonnie writes, but it is still a lot of fun. I would love to know why they lost so much sleep last night and why Bonnie got up at 1:30. Was there a party to ring in the New Year? He must not have been too tired as he worked hard for 3 hours in the middle of the day. Also, I remember from 1916's diary that Norman was a toddler and did some "stunts", but apparently now as a pre-teen he has to go to a class to learn some stunts. I am glad the girls went and showed their support while Bonnie was cutting wood. Also, it looks like the days in 1927 are going to line up with days in 2011, which will be nice as well. Now, when we go to church, the Elmores will too and when start the work week, Bonnie will as well. For the Clings in 2011, we will be staying around the house today doing lots of church work: bulletins, newsletter, power-point, and final sermon preparation as well as continuing to take down Christmas decorations. All the big stuff like the tree and the outdoor decorations came down yesterday. Caleb and I have been watching soccer this morning and hope to squeeze in some college football this afternoon. Mom returns to Roanoke today after a weekend trip to Staunton to see family.