Second death this year for the Jones family as Grandma Rose loses her uncle Clifford Ward Jones. He was the brother of her father, Lewis Edward Jones. Interestingly, Cliff was a wallpaper hanger and painter like his father George Bulard Jones. If you’ve forgotten, I wrote in April about our great-grandfather George being caught in the explosion at the new State Office Building in Columbus, Ohio, in April 1932. Clifford was missing his left thumb above the knuckle – that sounds like a wallpaper knife wound possibly! Admittedly I don’t know enough about Clifford to make that determination as I’ve just now cracked into him, but having hung paper for a company for a few years, I can tell you firsthand, the possibility is real it was a wallpaper knife cut!
I’m also giggling at her delight in getting a new pressure cooker because I can’t imagine life without my Instant Pot! They’re just invaluable to me now. I wonder what she’d think of one of those.
NOTE: As always, I left her spelling, capitalization, and punctuation as much as possible.
December 17, 1977 – Got up 8:45 Fed cat – after breakfast, started in on the house. Swept kitchen and dining room – Stripped bed – cleaned bath room and bedroom – cleaned filter in furnace and filled the 3 jars. Cleaned sewing room just before supper. Did Lens eyedrops –
We were watching T.V. when Effie called to tell me Uncle Cliff Jones had died. They’ll pick me up tomorrow and take me to New Holland Fitzpatrick Funeral home with them.
Made meatloaf to bake tomorrow – Separated lunch meat to freeze.
December 18, 1977 – Got up 8:45 Fed cat and put meatloaf in to bake. Got Len up for his first cup of coffee. Then I took a bath and washed my hair – Had early lunch – Ethel and Ralph came about 1:30. They’d had lunch in Circleville.
Saw Teddie and her husband, Wanda June and daughter, Aunt Mae and Clarence, Mary Mellett & Jack – Teddies son; Several of Teddie’s neighbors were there. Was so glad to see Wanda, Hadn’t seen her since Pops funeral. She had eleven children, 9 living now. She lives not too far from us. Her daughter Becky lives in Whitehall. Said she wants me to see if I have any pictures of Aunt Freda. She will try to get down after Christmas.
Ethel brought my new mirro 2 qt pressure cooker.
December 19, 1977 – Got up 8:30 Got all five more Cmas cards – Bradow, Lindsdey, Riffel, Marion.
Gathered up towels and washcloths and dish towels to soak in bleach. After lunch, and soaps, I started the wash and 3:00. Got thru about five, cleaned up washer while Len peeled the potatoes and carrots for supper. Tried out my new cooker. Works well. Glad I got it.
Thought for today: “A wise wife soon learns to manage her husband, but a wise husband never tries to manage his “wife.” – Anonymous
December 20, 1977 – Got up 8:30 Had thunder storm last night. Had to turn off pump and water tank + Pulled T.V. plug 2:10 A.M. Len had to wake me up and I slept like a log.
Wrote check for Phone Co. and mailed it before breakfast – after we ate I hung all the wash in the garage. Had all 4 lines full – After lunch did Lens eye. Looks good. Did little ironing.
4:00 P.M. Crawled under trailer, laid down big sheets of plastic and covered sewer pipes. Put stuff below apron where most of wind comes in.
Thought: “No great gifts on earth than treasured memories.”
December 21, 1977 – Got up at 9:00 Fed cat – Still didn’t hear from Billy Carter so called Nelson Jones to see if he knew of anyone who could work on the water line and heat tape. Told us about Stewart Dennis, so we called him. Wasn’t home, but he returned our call and said he’d be here at 4 or shortly after. He was here 4:15. Will come back on Friday. Keep water running tonight so pipes won’t freeze – we hope.
Thought for today – “You must learn day by day to broaden your horizon. The more things you love, the more you are interested in, the more you enjoy, the more you have left when anything happens.” – Ethel Barrymore
December 22, 1977 – Got up 8:30 Cat didn’t come to eat at regular time. Wrote letter to Dave and Carol after breakfast, laid Lens clothes out. Cat came to eat at 11:00. “Out casting” Got letter and Christmas card from Charity, Alice Fearing & card + note from Dorothy.
Ethel and Ralph came about 10 till 1 to take us to the Dr. Lens eye was doing fine – To go back next week Thurs 2:00.
Talked to Big Al; he said Naomis sister was operated on + they closed her + sent her home, cancer too far advanced.
Made jelly after we got home from Dr. ½ batch of white grape – 8½ batches of blue grape.
Low 23
Hi 28
11:15 26°
Winds S. 15
Thought for today: “Youth is a wonderful thing. What a crime to waste it on children.” – George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950
December 23, 1977 – Got up 8:30 (“Put on new heat tape” written at the top.) Fed cat – after breakfast, started cleaning house. Stewart Dennis came just as I got up – He took off the old heat tape, and went to Jim’s Pay & Save to get a new one – Gave him old rugs, and plastic to put over water tank in well pit for more warmth. He put on new heat tape and re-wrapped water line.
Finished house cleaning and washed good dishes + got all silverware ready for Sat. supper. Got chicken and ham out of freezer to defrost. Put bows on gifts for everyone.
Did Lens eye – Looking better every day. Not so red.
Thought for today: “The best way to win an argument is to start by being in the right.” – Lord Hailsham