Lou Chritton's Diary, June 1946

Lou (Hogue) Chritton

My great-grandmother, Dicey Louisa "Lou" (Hogue) Chritton, began keeping a diary on the first of January, 1946. 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.

Lou is living with her son-in-law and daughter, Leamon and Ora "Mae" Moot, in Wichita. She suffered from a thyroid condition that cause a goiter. She has been getting nearly daily treatments to reduce the size of the goiter since April. During this month she stops the treatments and goes to visit relatives near Concordia, Kansas, staying with her son, Lynn Chritton, and his wife Laura (Fuller) Chritton. 

Saturday, June 1, 1946

We went to the doctor today. My, it was cold! Feels like winter weather. It is about time for summer.

Sunday, June 2, 1946

This was Sunday. We stayed at home. We got Gladys some oleo ready to mail.

Monday, June 3, 1946

We went to see Doc today. It was a little warmer. Didn’t quite freeze today.

Tuesday, June 4, 1946

Went out to see the doctor today. Came home and crocheyed for Marie.

Wednesday, June 5, 1946

Went to the doctor today. It was pretty windy. We made it OK. I am feeling better.

Thursday, June 6, 1946

Have been to the doctor. Am having dinner now. Just got word from Jackie he is in Pearl Harbor now.

[Jackie is her grandson, Jack Hulscher, who has recently joined the Navy.]

Friday, June 7, 1946

Went to the doctor today. It is getting pretty hot in Kansas now. Am about to melt.

Saturday, June 8, 1946

Mae went with Betty and I today. She took a treatment and saw me take mine.

Sunday, June 9, 1946

This is Sunday and a very hot day. I am going to stay in all day. Fraid I will get too hot.

Monday, June 10, 1946

I didn’t go to see the doctor toady. It was too hot and I felt too bad to get in the sun.

Tuesday, June 11, 1946

I went out and seen the doctor today. He nearly pulled my arm off. My, it hurt!

Wednesday, June 12, 1946

We went out with Leamon to see Doc today. We got home early. I have had a rest now.

Thursday, June 13, 1946

I have been out to see the doctor today. It is pretty cool. I like it better than hot weather.

Friday, June 14, 1946

Leamon took us to the doctor today. He has had three treatments.

Saturday, June 15, 1946

Went to see Doc today. Got home early and wrote to Lynn. My, it is hot today!

[Lynn is her son who lives near Concordia, Kansas.]

Sunday, June 16, 1946

My, it is so hot! We just sit our dinner out and cook it in the sun. Can you beat that?

Monday, June 17, 1946

Betty and I went to see Doc. We are just going four more times. Then we will be taking vacation.

Tuesday, June 18, 1946

Went to the doctor today. Had a new treatment. Didn’t like it too good. I guess I can take it.

Wednesday, June 19, 1946

We went to Doc again today. It is raining some. We didn’t get wet.

Thursday, June 20, 1946

Went to Doc today. He nearly broke my neck. I guess they can tie it up again.

Friday, June 21, 1946

Have been to see Doc today for the last time for a few weeks.

Saturday, June 22, 1946

I have been sick today. Didn’t go to see Doc. We are looking for Laura to get us.

[Laura refers to her daughter-in-law Laura (Fuller) Chritton, the wife of her son Lynn. She is coming to get Lou and Betty to take them to Laura and Lynn's house near Concordia, Kansas.]

Sunday, June 23, 1946

Betty and I came to Lynn’s today. It was a hot trip. We made it just fine.

Monday, June 24, 1946

Laura has harvesters today. It is hot and the wind is blowing. I am nearly roasted.

Tuesday, June 25, 1946

I have been making doll clothes for Ava and Lyda and clothespin bag for Laura.

[Ava and Lyda are Lynn and Laura's youngest children.]

Wednesday, June 26, 1946

I went to see Pet today and she had lots of company. Chloe, Wilma, Jessie, Ted, and Robert W.

Thursday, June 27, 1946

We went to see Nellie today. Had a good visit. We surprised her a little. Thelma came to Laura’s with us.

[Nellie (Chritton) Fox is Lou's daughter. Thelma Fox is Lou's granddaughter, the fourth child of Nellie and James Fox.]

Friday, June 28, 1946

We went to town today. Didn’t get home till twelve o’clock. Oh, did we sleep good!

Saturday, June 29, 1946

I went to see Mrs. Temple. She was real tickled to see me and I was pleased to see her.

Sunday, June 30, 1946

We went to Pet’s today. She was 78 years old. We had dinner with her. Had a nice time.

NEXT: A trip to Howell County, Missouri, to visit the families of her sons Bill and Charley.