Lou Chritton's Diary - February 4 - March 3, 1946

Al and Lou Chritton
photographed in
the 1930s. The little
boy is their grandson
Jack Huscher, who is
the "Jackie" referred to
on February 24, 1946.

My great-grandmother, Dicey Louisa "Lou" (Hogue) Chritton, began keeping a diary on the first of January, 1946. She was 70 years old. The diary was a pocket "five year diary" with each page marked with five small slots to be filled in on the same date each year for five years. This is an excerpt from her diary.

During this period Lou is living with her son-in-law and daughter, Leamon and Ora "Mae" Moot, in Wichita.

Monday, February 4, 1946

I cooked a swiss steak for supper and made a butterscotch pudding for supper. Oh hum.

Tuesday, February 5, 1946

This is a bad day. The dust is blowing so bad I can’t hardly see across the house. Ha ha.

Wednesday, February 6, 1946

It is real nice today. Mae is working and I have nothing to do. So I guess I will write some letters.

Thursday, February 7, 1946

I went visiting today and made Mae a dress. We went to Ola Shanks’. Had a nice time.

Friday, February 8, 1946

I wrote letters today. I never get done writing letters. I have written three more today.

Saturday, February 9, 1946

Marie Kenney and her husband were [here] today. He is a fine fellow. Marie was lucky to get him.

Sunday, February 10, 1946

Mae ironed all day. We went to the store in the evening. Then we played cards at night.

Monday, February 11, 1946

I made Mae a apron today and cooked pork ribs for supper. They were pretty good.

Tuesday, February 12, 1946

I have been crocheying today. Didn’t do much as my eyes hurt me. I had supper cooked for Mae.

Wednesday, February 13, 1946

I have been baking bread for Mae today and stayed with two kids for three hours.

Thursday, February 14, 1946

Crocheyed all day. I am making a rose doily. It is pretty if I did make it. Ha ha.

Friday, February 15, 1946

I finished my doily today and read the paper to keep out of mischief.

Saturday, February 16, 1946

Mae and Leamon have gone to a show. I am listening to the radio. I am lonesome.

Sunday, February 17, 1946

This is Sunday and Mae is home. We are writing letters and cleaning house today.

Monday, February 18, 1946

It is raining today and it makes me blue when it is cloudy. I like sunshine. I got 2 checks, $50 each.

Tuesday, February 19, 1946

I baked bread today and made some cinnamon rolls for Mae and Leaman.

Wednesday, February 20, 1946

I had company today. Mrs. Shuck came in with her baby. She had a boil on her bottom.

Thursday, February 21, 1946

I finished a big doily today. It is a pretty one. I don’t know who will get it.

Friday, February 22, 1946

I took care of a baby last night. Didn’t do much all day, only go to the toilet. Ha ha.

Saturday, February 23, 1946

Marie came over for supper and Mae, Leaman, and her went to the show. I am going to bed.

Sunday, February 24, 1946

Mae and I made Jackie a birthday cake today and we didn’t get to send it. Isn’t that too bad?

Monday, February 25, 1946

I scrubbed Mae’s kitchen today and got supper for Leaman. Mae was late getting home.

Tuesday, February 26, 1946

I ironed for Mae today. I don’t know if it will please her or not. I done it anyway.

Wednesday, February 27, 1946

I baked bread for Leaman today and crocheyed two little hats for some friends.

Thursday, February 28, 1946

I just layed around most of the day. Thought Mae and I would go to town, but we didn’t.

[February 29]

I just skipped this day because it wasn’t here this year. Ha ha. Wasn’t that funny?

Friday, March 1, 1946

I don’t feel too good today. I think all I will be able to do is to pull my nose.

Saturday, March 2, 1946

I have the flu and I feel pretty bad. Am in bed and will be here for a while.

Sunday, March 3, 1946

Still in bed with a headache and bellyache, too. Not so hot. Can’t do anything.

In the news:

• Joseph Stalin made the radio address that is considered to be the start of the Cold War.
• The Dumont television network made its first broadcast.
• President Truman asked former president Herbert Hoover to lead efforts to encourage Americans to assist effort to provide worldwide food relief.
• North Korean communist leader Kim Il Sung narrowly avoided an assassination attempt.