Did you know the most popular Christmas card of ALL TIME debuted in 1977? Sure did! As Grandma Rose addressed Christmas cards this week in 1977, I went down a rabbit hole of what cards she might have sent, and lo and behold, this little cherubic gem popped up. How adorable! I know I was 3 in 1977 but mom kept lots of cards and I swear, I have memories of seeing this card before so I’m wondering if we had received one or if my mom sent them out. But since 36 million of them were sent out, we probably did at some point!
NOTE: As always, I left her spelling, capitalization, and punctuation as much as possible.
December 10, 1977 – No water this morning – Dam! Got up 8:00 Had headache, took pill, went back to bed. Got up at 9:00. Got in 2 or 3 jugs of water from greenhouse. Cleaned snow from porch and threw out salt – Didn’t do much else.
Dressed Lens eye around noon- Look good. Run sweeper in room and kitchen – Plugged in heather so would blow into bathroom closet. Fixed tunnel longer for bathroom.
Donna, Ed and Greg brought the oranges and grapefruits I’d ordered ($8.50) while I was getting supper. Called Billy Carter about the pump or whatever is wrong. He didn’t return our call – Got in Chick & dumpling for Sun. supper.
December 11, 1977 – Got up 9:00 Fed cat – after breakfast got in 2 – 5 gal buckets of ice crust and snow to melt to use for toilet flushing.
Did Lens eye about 12:15. Clear seepage again. Took nap after lunch – woke up with headache. Finished letter to mom, Dorothy & Pearl K. Didn’t do much else.
Seems like it poops me out, getting the most important “have to” things done that I don’t have any energy left for what I’d like to do.
Thought for today: “Know the true value of time – snatch it, seize it, and enjoy every moment of it.” – Lord Chesterfield, English Statesman, 1694-1773
December 12, 1977 – Got up 8:30 Fed cat and mailed letters to mom, Dorothy, and Pearl K. (was cards) After breakfast I got in two 5 gal buckets of ice + snow to melt for toilet use. Used almost gal. of precious water on my flowers. Some of starts in water are gone. If I can save a few –
Rec’d B’Day cards from “Mom H” and Ray – also Dorothy, Jim and Sparky.
Dressed Lens eye 12:15 – Some matter (clear) on bandage removed. Watched soaps. Finally got most of ice off the porch – Called Billy Carter again. 31° at 1:00 P.M.
Thought for today: “Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.” – Aldous Huxley, English writer and critic, 1894-1963
December 13, 1977 – Got up 8:45 Fed cat, mailed letters (was cards) to Dave + Carol check for $30, Susan $10 check, Tracyne card.
After breakfast, got in 2 more 5 gal. buckets of snow to melt. Did Lens eye 12:00 Small secretion on eye pad. Eye seemed full of thick clear fluid.
Got Christmas card and letter from Susan. While were were eating lunch, the water line let loose. Hooray. Didn’t think I could carry one more bucket of snow or jug of water. Filled up empty jugs (6) gallon, 1 big 5 gal bucket for another emergency.
Dog catcher picked up Kens dogs. Goody!
Called Ef this eve to tell her Hanes will take Len to eye Dr. Give Ralph a rest from us. They’ve been so wonderful to us.
December 14, 1977 – Got up 8:30 Wrote letter + Cmas card to Ruth Winn + Mrs. Dingledine – Cmas card to Rosie + Arch.
Took 4 jugs of water to the greenhouse – Fixed vinyl strip on the bottom of greenhouse door – Swept up the dropped leaves from the flowers. After lunch – I watched my soaps as usual. I Let down after water broke loose. Now I’m too tired to use it and I thought I’d wash “up a streak” (including myself)
(Appropriate) Thought for today: “When you are down in the mouth, remember Jonah – he came out all right.” – Thomas A. Edison
December 15, 1977 – Got up 8:15 Fed cat, had breakfast – Got ready to go to Dr. for Lens eye check up. Al and Naomi picked us up 11:50 – Lens eye pretty good. Dr. says he has 20-50 vision and eye will be better when he get his glasses. Don’t have to use the eye patch any more but to continue with the eye drops until we see Dr next Thurs. at 2:00.
Stopped at Revco for cigarettes, and a few other items. had nice chat on the way home – Naomi says they’ll take us to see their trailer at Rocky Fork lake – when spring comes. Sounds interesting.
Thought: Life is something like a trumpet. If you don’t put anything in, you don’t get anything out. – W.C. Handy
December 16, 1977 – Got up 8:05 Got 8 more Cmas cards ready to mail. Pearl (sent her another cat), Bob Chat. – Loretta Jones, Catherine Miller – Janet + Chris families, Ralph & Ethel. Got card from Lindseys and Riffels.
Went over to see Al and Naomi for about half an hour.
Burned all the trash from the garage and big trash can outside. Watched “soaps” 1:30 to 3:00. Al and Naomi took me to Jones to get groceries at 4:15 – Late getting around, so we had cheeseburgers for supper. Did Lens eye drops.
Thought: You can live for a little while in another century in another country – all through books. The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read.
