“Got up at 5 o’clock, I watched the sun for 1 1/2 hrs, having an eclipse.” Monday, July 9, 1945
8 Sun. Got up at 11. Had a nice little visit from Ken Mitchell, who brought the cups back. We washed them, had lunch & went to Church. I wrote many letters & stuff, after, while Isabelle collected leaves for the fair. After supper Mom & we girls went to McGugans to tell them that Alma was in town. I saw Mr. M. for a very few minutes.
9 Mon. Got up at 5 o’clock, I watched the sun for 1 1/2 hrs, having an eclipse. Dad brought we girls to town, Isabelle & Wilma having entered Farm Girls Camp. Mr. S. is away, so I had dinner along. My boss took me out for ice-cream this aft!!! Doris came to town so had supper ready when I got home. The folks & Shirley called on us on their way home from the Fair.
10 Tues. Fair. We worked until 1, then had dinner with Doris. Stewarts came home after Doris & I went to the fair at 3 o’clock. Paid 85c for supper. Saw the grandstand att. which were pretty good. Had an airplane ride in the midway after. It was absolutely horrid! We were upside down all the way!!! Saw the folks. Ate, home and in bed at 12.30.
11 Wed. Nice day. Mr. Powers last day at work before his holidays which start tomorrow. I worked on dividends this aft. Dad was up to get a letter, about 5.30. We had a ride home from work as usual. I washed underwear, stockings, pressed. Eriel was over, talked to Doris most of the evening. We went to bed in fair time.
12 Thurs. Doris & I studied a chapter of Socialism. I couldn’t press my clothes early, as Eriel and Mrs. Pettit were over. Finally, I had to iron until 11 o’clock couldn’t get to sleep very early. Powers is on holiday.
13 Fri. Went to the first show, “Music for Millions,” with Jim Durante & Margaret O’Brien. It was very good. Had lunch, then looked the town over, as it is getting slabbed up for the Rodeo. Some of it is really good.
14 Sat. Did dividends most of the day. The staff all wore plaid shirts to work. Doris met me & walked home with me at supper time. Parade in town tonight. We had to watch the best we could from the store as check-up wasn’t finished. Met Mom & girls, had lunch. Went to the house. Got home at midnight.
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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.