Well, Grandma Rose puzzled me this week with the mention of “Gaillardia michaelmus daisies” which is something I’d never heard of before so down the Google rabbit hole I went. A Michaelmas daisy is also known as a New York Aster which does look like the sweet little purple daisy I’m showing here. The Gaillardia is something different – it’s called by another name, the “blanket flower” because it’s very brightly colored, resembling Native American blankets but is shaped like a daisy. So I’m not sure if she only had one variety but combined their names or perhaps both. //shrug// But I learned something garden-y this week, so thanks, Grandma!
NOTE: As always, I left her spelling, capitalization, and punctuation as much as possible.
April 30, 1977 – Worked on rock wall in breeze way flower bed for half an hour before Len got up.
Had my 1st cup of coffee on the porch with the cat. Dug more violas for Rosie. Brenda cut grass even with 1st clothes line post on over to the edge of the field. I worked in some of the flower bed. Couldn’t do too much on account of my back. Set out one of Ef’s German trees on bank. Tore up half the mums by west back fence.
May 1, 1977 – Put a few rocks in place in patio flowers bed while waiting for Len to get up.
Rosie and Darryl came about 11:00. She brought me 10 lb sugar and 10 lb flour. $2.00 Pd her. Darryl finished the back of the yard where the logs are – Berry patch and back yard looks so good. Rosie cut grass with hand clippers – ground rose bushes, etc. Mowed along back fence. Gave Darryl $2.00. Gave Rosie starts of Gaillardia michaelmus daisies. Rosie took me to Berry’s Mrkt for meat, etc.
[She has a notation here of ‘accident Aug 8, 74’ randomly with no explanation but then further down she writes ‘5-1-75 Just 2 years ago today, Len went out for the 1st time since home from the hospital – Sat in chair for half hour or so.’ So I’m assuming that’s when Len had his accident that led to his bad foot and this most recent surgery since it’s connected still.]
May 2, 1977 – Did little work in the yard cleaning up more branches that I’d cut – watered flowers. Set out a few periwinkles in breezeway flower bed. Gary worked on mower then mowed in the field. Mr. Valentine brought over his mower and the two got the field finished before dark. Looks beautiful. Brenda $4.00 Gary wouldn’t accept anything.
[Two other notations here. First from ’74 that says Len working on embroidery work, since he can’t get out to work. Another from 5-2-75 saying Lens first day in garage – worked on mower. Dan, Ruth, Mark and Joe came down in evening and put out onions, spinach, peas. Len tried to cut grass. Mower blade bad.]
May 3, 1977 – Sent Mother’s Day letter to Mom Hochmuth. Didn’t get to get her a card for this year.
Ran sweeper in room and swept kitchen. Did ironing that I had in the reefer.. three dresses, shirt, and four aprons.
Went over this evening to thank Mr. Valentine for helping mow the field. He seems very nice.
May 4, 1977 – Raining some this morning, but when I got up I had my coffee on the porch.
Transplanted Pearl’s camelia into a bigger pot and carried in some more rain water from the tub out back and filled 5 gal. bucket in the greenhouse.
Emptied wagon of trash.
Cleaned around front flower bed this evening, the grass was wet.
May 5, 1977 – Got up at 8:30 worked two or three more kitchen cupboard doors while waiting for Len to get up. What a morning. Rain threatens to penetrate the walls, it’s coming with such force. Too muddy to work in the breezeway for a few days anyway. Keeps this up and the rocks will float to where I want to put them, then I can just shove them into place. I’m always looking for the easy way out, but things seldom come that easy.
I cleaned the good dish cupboard and washed all the dishes. Len dried them. One more job done. First they’ve all been washed in two years, I think. Len called Mom H – she sounded better this time. Mrs. Nesco still living.
May 6, 1977 – Went to Circleville with Debbie and Caroline – to bank, then visited a niece of Caroline’s for coffee. Stayed here about an hour. To Murphy Mart to shop then Big Bear. The remodeled store is grand. Things have been added and changed around – I had a time finding things. First time I’ve been in since the remodeling.
Had lunch at Murphys. Susan called.
Thought for today: Men do not fail – they give up trying. – Elaine Root, American Statesman 1849-1937