“Talked a great deal about my future.“ Sunday, August 6, 1944
5 Sat. Did the usual work this morn. Washed the car windows after dinner, etc, then I lay down. Were disturbed by flies & bees. After getting them quelled down, slept til 5.30. Went to town with Elton. Isabelle & I planned to go to the dance, then Neil came along. So we all went. Had lunch down town about ten. Good time at the dance. Went car riding with Murray, & Jean, while waiting on Dean. Ended up at Douglas’s where we had lunch. Home at ten past two.
6 Sun. Fooled around this morn. Talked a great deal about my future. Neil came down for some cream. Mrs. Robbins, Mrs. Dr. Stapleford & Mrs. Brimacombe took the church services. Laura Barnes sang. It was all lovely. Mrs. Brimecaombe brought gladiolas. We all went to Jack Hawtons for supper. Elton was there too. Nice time. Isabelle & Wilma went home with Elton. We called at Willis Bennetts on the way home.
7 Mon. Mom did the washing. I did the other work. Dad went to town with Harry & John. Got home late for dinner. Mom cleaned the basement this afternoon after a load of coal. I did hand washing, sewing, etc. Elton & the girls called for me & rushed me into my clothes to go to the show with them. “Uncertain Glory” (Errol Flynn). Met Mr. Freeman.
8 Tues. Mom did the ironing. Willis Bennett came over to help Dad fix fence. I gave Shirley a lesson. Did odd jobs. Mom & we girls went to town. It rained. I enquired about jobs, Business etc. Went to bed in good time tonight.
9 Wed. Mom canned twenty quarts of fruit (apricots & plums). Slept this afternoon. Cut caraganas, did embroidery etc. Willis came here & had dinner, then helped Dad again. Burt Trudgeon called here for me to go down to Ratcliffe. I met Mrs Cugnet. She is nice. We picked up Bob & Charlie at Bennings. Went to the end of the gravel, then had to come back. Stopped at Tribune. Had pop at a Chinamans. Got home at 12. Lovely ride! Stutts came up this evening. Rained tonight.
10 Thurs. Wilma helped Dad fix fence. Didn’t awaken until ten. Got dinner ready. Mom started a dress for me this afternoon. I helped a bit & did some embroidery. Clipped a few caraganas. Put in the afternoon. Can’t remember what else we did, so guess we went to bed.
11 Fri. Started cutting. We went to town this morn about 8. Clasky’s store opened. Mom & I each got a free pie plate there. I bought a pair of 5.00 shoes, then went to the Style Shoppe & bought a two-piece dress. Mr. Garland came home with us & had dinner. Dad fixed on the binder. Started cutting about 3 o’clock. Had quite a bit of trouble. Isabelle came home tonight. Myrna & Elton were in for a few minutes.
(scroll to the end of this post for a picture of the original diary entries in Mom’s handwriting)
These are the diaries of a seventeen-year-old teenager from a farm near Weyburn, Saskatchewan. Her name is Lorraine. She eventually was a church organist in Colgate. In 1944 she was the piano player for a dance band in Weyburn. In these days before school busses she, and her sisters, each had to move from the farm into town to attend school for Grades 11 & 12. This is the darkest time in World War II. Weyburn hosted an airbase for BCATP (British Commonwealth Air Training Plan). In other words, the town is filled with eligible young airmen from all over the world …
