1934 Diary

On December 22, 1933, Eleanor received a diary from her Sunday School teacher. 1934 was the first diary that I have found since she began the habit of keeping a diary. There are many gaps in the years, maybe I will be lucky and find more. I have decided to add the material in these diaries to this blog in hopes that children, grand children, and great grand children will gain some appreciation of Eleanor.
1934: January.
   Early January entries are mostly one word per day and describe the weather: nice, sleet storm, cloudy, snow, foggy, and the occasional beautiful day. 15 School begins with a new science book and a book to read "Uncle Tom's Cabin".16 Edna has the measles. Little did Eleanor know how much of an impact this event would have over the next several weeks. 17 Ben Franklin's birthday. 18 Daniel Webster's birthday. 19 Florence is 11/2 years old, Robert E. Lee and Edgar Allen Poe's birthdays. 20 Sledding in the pasture. 22 Finished "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and began David Copperfield. 28 Windy with a dust storm. I missed school due to bad weather. 29 Father went to Zumbrota. 31 Mother went to Red Wing to get a driver's license.
February.
   6 I am sick with the measles. 9 All broke out, itching worse, nearly dead. Temperature 103. 10 Feeling better, I have missed five days of school. 12 Measles are awful, Lorraine came down with them. 14 Received Valentines Day cards in the mail. Lorraine is itchy and cranky. Ready to go back to school, but school is closed due to measles.20 Cold and windy, dust storms.
March.
   1 Spring like day. 5 Dust storm. 7 Went to Red Wing to pick up Confirmation dress, slip, and shoes with Margaret. 14 Lenten services, Margaret brought me home afterward. 15 Dust Storms. 17,18,21 Confirmation classes 24. Last Confirmation Class, took cloths to Margaret's house.. 25 I am Confirmed. It went well. I got a book and a scarf. 28 First Communion, received a hymnal as a gift. 30 Blizzard. I missed first group Communion at Church, and was the only one who was not there.
   I have often asked Eleanor about the Great Depression, and she has always claimed that she  had no memories of it. I was surprised by all the references to dust storms even after rain in Minnesota.