Coming of age dilemmas are timeless: “Don’t know what I’m going to do for a job.” Wednesday, May 16, 1945 — “I have a job there now.” Thursday, May 17, 1945
13 Sun. Miss Farrell is at home. This is “Mother’s Day.” Had a very nice Church Service. The Church was full. Over 60. Adolph, Levans, Lawrence & Wheler children were baptised. Mom, Isabelle & I sang, “Tell Mother I’ll be There.” We went to Celeste Felners for supper. Had a very nice time. I took an aspirin & went to bed about 9.
14 Mon. Dad woke me up & gave me some money. Mr. Stutt brought us to town. I went back to Business College. Doris & I worked in the C.C.F. rooms from 3 until 5.45. folding letters. Boy! did we do a stack of them. Came home & had supper, saw Mom & girls who called around here on way to Aunt Menas. Had to meet Miss F. I went to the Music Festival with Eriel.
15 Tues. Think I got my O.A.T.(?) test this morning. Tried to get a pair of shoes, but had no luck. Went to the Co-op Creamery, but Mr. Milne wasn’t in. C.C.Y.M. tonight. Miss Glendenski from Regina came & spoke to us as it was the annual meeting. She was splendid. Doris is reporter & I’m Secretary. Our group was on lunch. Ham sandwiches & dill pickles. Didn’t get home til 11. Asleep about 2 o’clock.
16 Wed. I went to the Co-op Creamery twice today, but no luck. They don’t need a steno. I also went to the Selective Service. No luck there, but I registered. We were both dead tonight, but Eriel brought some snaps over. She stayed until late. We got to bed at 11. Don’t know what I’m going to do for a job.
17 Thurs. Dust blew all day. Mr. Powers talked to Mom to tell me to go down and see him. I have a job there now. Shorthand, typing & bookkeeping. Boy! Am I happy. Jack was here for supper. It rained, which was a good thing. Mr. Stewart sat & talked to us. Very interesting.
18 Fri. Rained a good part of the day. I wrote an Official Theory Test this Morn. Passed it at last. Got 94.5 & went to school after dinner & had my shorthand class then went downtown til four. Went back up & got my check. Mr. & Mrs. S. were in town for us. We did made toast tonight. went to bed.
19 Sat. Awoke in pretty good time. Baked a cake, then went out & helped Dad & Isabelle plant potatoes. Cut more from 11.30 til noon. Gave Shirley her lesson after dinner, then planted some more. Came in & helped, etc. Left Shirley at Stutts & the rest of us came to town. I played with Sherm for the Dance. Terrific crowd. Dirty place. Home about 12.30. went to sleep right away.
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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 …
For more information on BCATP see a blog site dedicated to “Paying homage to those who stayed behind to train those who fought overseas.”