August 1948

 Zylpha left for Catalina. She will be gone indefinitely.

I kept Patrick three days but finally took him to Bea's. Too tired! Too many kids! Family seems kind of small now with only four children to bath and feed. 

The electric sander came. Wonderful invention. Sure will save our arms. Does a good job too.

Weaver started his glass blowing job on the 4th. Thinks he will like it very much. Studies at night.

Johnny is staying at Farmor's for a week. Will go to school from there. Skipper is staying too.

Farmor isn't feeling too well. Bad cold or flu again.

Susy bought herself a bike for her birthday. She really is happy with it. Bea gave her a nice suitcase and five dollars. She bought a dress and plaid shirt to wear with jeans. Meredith gave her a lovely string of pearls. Farmor is going to have her down for a party next Saturday.

Had the bulldozer up again. Covered up the septic tank and made our road over in front. Swings around in a circle now. We all like it better.

Weaver poured shower floor. Very nice and he did a good leak-proof job.

What, oh what are my kiddies going to wear to school this year? No money for clothes.

Farmor gave Sue and Maggie a birthday party. Sure was nice. Beautiful cake! Sue got jeans, shirt, sweater (beauty) panties and dress. Farmor and Pop gave me a lovely set of dishes (Desert Rose pattern)

Farmor, Jackie, Johnny and Skipper were going to the drive-in theater and Skipper fell out of the car. Banged up pretty bad- tore his ear half off, but doctors say he will be alright. He's in Children's Hospital. 

John and Lorna were down on the 22nd. Say they are going to get married after trial.

Weaver is working on bathroom paneling. Really looks swell. It's going to be awfully pretty. 

Susy and Mike spent a few days at Jeanne's. They had a wonderful time. Went to the amusement park and went on everything.

Johnny has gone to Big Bear with Pop, Farmor, Leo and Jackie. 

Mike scared to death today (Sun 29th). Rattlesnake!!! Out at house. Close by. 3' long. Poor little guy was terrified. 

Weaver almost through lining bathroom. Sure looks pretty. Maggie bought some ivy for the kitchen. Makes a difference. 

Susie, Mike and Milo

July 1948

 

Warm weather is finally here to stay I guess. The Pauls were all up over the 4th visiting Zylpha. Weaver had three days off and great hopes of finishing the kitchen. However- too much company! He only got one cupboard door finished. Maggie and the children spent the day out there (5th) and all worked sanding, puttying and painting. Really looks swell.

One more weekend and Weaver should be finished in the kitchen. It is lovely. We are all very pleased.

Sunday, 11th- Cannon's birthday and all the relatives came. Virginia Doc and Millie, Gloria and Bud. Also the whole Talley family. Quite a crown and he got some nice gifts. Virginia had a lovely big cake made for him. 

Pop has sent us two crates of cantelope. Boy! Are they ever good! 

Johnny was sick for three weeks. Very sick! Rhymes thought he had pneumonia, I guess. Now Pete is sick. Same thing as Johnny we think, but doesn't run as high a temperature. Betty is covered with something. Always scratching. 

Mom made me two pretty dresses. She has lost a lot of weight. Looks swell.

The kids and Maggie spent a day at Farmor's. We all had a nice time. Johnny washed the car and did a beautiful job. Pop will be home soon.

July 16th- Our beaching started again. Sure was nice. Took all the Raritys, two Rorisons, and Dora came down with Bea. Mom got me a honey of a bathing suit. Looks good. Also gave me a lunch basket and it is a honey. We are all fixed up now.

Betty Little's baby will be here about Thanksgiving. She is well and happy.

Been going to the beach twice a week now. We all enjoy it. the weather hasn't been too good though. 

Maggie had a nice birthday. Bea gave her a swell housecoat and pearls, etc. Quite a few nice things. Dora made aprons and Zyl gave a purse. 

Farmor and Pop took Weaver and Maggie out for dinner. Went to China town. Had a delicious dinner. All very nice. Zylpha took care of the kids. 

Pop and Leo came up to view the house. Leo likes it fine. Anyway- So he says.

Maggie and Baby Susy- Malibu Beach

June 1948

 

Things are progressing nicely. Weather is pretty bad though. Cold and drizzly. The children will be out of school on the 18th. 

Dora has moved out temporarily. Packy staying with Zylpha.

Weaver went to Catalina with Edwards and Hagaman. Had a wonderful time. Bea and Meredith went at the same time but didn't see Weaver. 

John and Lorna down. Took all his dishes, etc. back home.

Abby brought our sink top. Boy does it ever look pretty. Weaver is doing a swell job of laying it. 

Farmor sold my stove for me. $85.00. Pretty good for a six your old stove. It was in good shape.

Hope we can get out of here pretty soon. This place is falling apart. 

John Wellington (Whelan) is an awfully sweet baby. We went over to see him.

Sink top and snack bar complete. Beautiful! We love it.

Upper cabinets in kitchen done except for doors. Plenty of room. Hard time getting lumber. 

Weaver changed jobs! (June 21st) Thinks he is going to like it much better. I hope so.

Had annual school picnic at Seminole. We all had a fine time.

Johnny passed into 8th grade, and Sue into 4th. Sue got all A's on her card. Smart gal!

Farmor gave Johnny a birthday dinner. A bit late but very welcome. We all had a good time and dinner was perfect.

May 1948

 May Day! May baskets everywhere. All the children made them. Aunt Dora helped. Very Pretty.

1st- Cannon fell down and cut his mouth. Maggie took him to docs and got two stitches in it. Says is won't scar as he gets older. Poor little guy is covered with poison oak. He looks miserable.

Graham and family were up. We all had a picnic at the house.

Weaver putting bricks up behind stove. Looks swell!

Fruit trees are doing fine. Covered with fruit. Will we get it, or will the birds? 

Zylpha may move to Porterville. John is going to live with her.

Granny Bea is under the weather. Too bad!

Johnny's birthday the 7th. 12 years old. He sure is a husky fellow. Had a crewcut too. Looks fine. Farmor gave him a watch. Bea gave him t-shirts and a watch. Jackie gave him money. We gave him a ten gallon hat and St Chris medal and key chain. More money from Meredith and Mikey. Bea made cake and sent ice cream. All camp inhabitants partook in the occasion.

Mother's day (9th). The children gave Maggie a box of chocolates and Weaver brought her a beautiful gardenia which she tucked in her flowing tresses. Ah me!

Weaver finished brick wall and snack bar in kitchen. Looks beautiful!!!

Zylpha's birthday (15th) 33 years old. Mom came up. Z. not going to Porterville. John has his own apt. and seems to like it. 

April 1948

 Pop, Leo and Jackie were up on the 4th.

Weaver making kitchen drawers now. Donohos were up.

Weaver disced the orchard for the first time this year. The trees are doing beautifully. Have quite a few blossoms on them. 

Jeanne's little boy is a darling. Went over to see her. Christina gets prettier every day. 

Farmor, Jackie and Jack S were up Sunday the 11th. Pleased with Weaver's work.

All over cabinets and drawers are finished. Look swell.

Maggie's new kettles came today (21st) Sure are classy. Quite a thrill.

Weaver has finished trim and molding in the kitchen. 

Dora's Birthday. 19th. 27 years old.

March 1948

 Zylpha had pneumonia and survived. Has now returned to camp to live. 

Weaver ordered my stove. May not come for 2 weeks (Mar 2)

Inspector passed on tank and framing. Hurray! (Mar 3rd)

Weaver brought home our new stove. Gee it sure is a honey. Can't wait to cook on it. 

Mike was 5 years old today (6th). Had quite a gathering. He sure is cute. Farmor gave him some lovely clothes and Bea gave him musical instruments. We gave him a swell scooter. 

John came down today (7th) brought his gal, Lorna. Sure glad to see them. 

Weaver bought the kitchen sink and lavatory. Both swell! Started to panel the kitchen . His vacation starts the 14th. 

12th- Jeanne, John and Christina came up for the day and dinner. Poor Jeanne, so uncomfortable. Her new baby should be here soon. Chris is a darling. 

Betty Brent is as cute as a bug's ear. We laugh every time we look at her.

Weaver is on vacation! Paneling kitchen. Looks beautiful.

Been raining three days now. Sure is nice. Might do our well good.

St Patrick's Day! The kids can eat candy! They are quite excited.

At last- Easter! 29th. Had quite an egg hunt. The rabbit laid them all over. Cannonball didn't quite grasp the idea, but he was cute. Pop and Jack S. came up for breakfast. Had it out at the house and used my new stove. It sure is nice. Cooks swell. John came down. Cannon loves his daddy to death. 

Jeanne still waiting for her baby. Hurry up!

The kitchen is coming along beautifully. Weaver is doing a swell job. Should be complete before long.

Weaver goes back to work tomorrow. (30th)

This joint (the camp) is a real bee hive, or hornet's nest, whichever you prefer. Zyl and her kids are here, and Dora and her kids too. Ho Hum. Gone is the peace and quiet.

Jeanne has a baby boy (Mar 31st) Both fine. Johnny Jr.

February 1948

 Cold! Cold! Cold! Never have we seen such weather. Temperature down to 22 degrees mornings of 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Still not a bit of rain.

Had the bulldozer up again. He finished digging septic tank trench. Took him 2 hours to go one foot. Would have taken Weaver several weekends I guess. Also, he made a back road for us and finished clearing the orchard. We hope to get a garden of some sort in. Need some rain first though. 

Went in to Mom's to do my wash on the 3rd. Kept Susy home. Hot water system on fritz again. Olive Staples and Ruth were there for lunch. Dora and Patrick too.

John and Sue both got good report cards. Guess Johnny is in the 7th grade for good now. He has been very good about his school work. 

Susy and Johnny walking home from School

Feb 5th and 6th- RAIN-HAIL-WIND. At last it is raining. More hail than I have ever seen. The ground was covered this morning. Still lots of clouds, so expect more rain. This shack leaks like a sieve. Pans in each room catching water. Drip! Drip! Drip!

Feb 8th and 9th- We all worked at putting the gravel (10 tons) in trench for the septic tank. What a job! Weaver of course did the most but we all worked hard too. The weather was beautiful. The line is half laid. Should be completed and ready for inspection next week. 

Pappy's cast is off. Was taken off the 16th of January. Feels better but still having trouble with his legs. Trial comes up March 31st in Stockton. Says he will be down there too. Hope Loretta comes.

Mabel and Phil and two little girls came to call. Hadn't seen them for two years. 

Weaver finally finished septic tank. What a relief! It was an awfully big job. 

Maggie painted window frames again. Won't be long before they are finished. I hope!

Johnny went for his first real long hike. Buddy and Mr Wilson went too. Up to Beacon light and then over to the tower. A long, long way. 

Inspector gave OK on septic tank. Have to make changes in leach line. 

Maggie painted window frames again. Flat is on (2 coats) most of them. Cannonball sleeps out there on Sundays and we have a big lunch when he wakes up. We all look forward to weekends.

McNerney's were up on the 23rd. We all had a nice day.

Pop and Bart came up on 22nd. Pop is fairly satisfied with our progress. 

Zylpha has pneumonia! Dora has gone over to Catalina to take care of her. Dora quit her job.

Maggie went down to look at sinks. Picked out a honey. $80.00 but really nice. Crane. 

Weather is lovely but we sure do need more rain!

Spent the day over at Jeanne's. Hadn't seen her since Christmas. Sure did have a nice visit. Christina is a darling. 

Went to Farmor's for dinner. Really a swell dinner. Looked at movies after. 

Bud came up (Feb 29th) and helped Weaver finish framing around fireplace, etc. Ought to be able to start paneling soon. 

Finished leach line. Open for inspection. Bought a sink and returned it next day.

Mikey, Susy, Grandpa McKain, Packy