“Met Keith in the store this afternoon. He asked me to the dance tonight.“ Saturday, June 22, 1946
16 Sun. Mom finally called us at twenty to one. We went to Jack Hawtons this aft. Had a fairly nice time. Got tired sitting, so we kids went out & played catch. Home early. But Stutts were home from P.A. so we stopped in & talked.
17 Mon. We kids all came in with Harry Bowditch this morn. Isabelle, Alice, Eriel & I went to 7 o’clock show. “Sentimental Journey.” Rather odd. Wasn’t particularly thrilled over it. Listened to the new radio in Stewarts.
18 Tues. Lovely day. Hot. We sent out nearly 1000 Refund Statements. C.G.I.T. supper & meeting here, so Doris & I ate downtown in the Dickson. I practiced when we got home. The kids did the dishes.
19 Wed. Isabelle fell & hurt here hand on bike while going to work with me this morn. She fainted a couple of times so I asked Doug to bring her home in the truck. I took a lesson this aft, then we took Isabelle to the Doctor. I came home & worked like the dickens til. 10.30 at night. Washed & set my hair, bathed, did nails, wrote Aunt Ellen. Cleaned room. Isabelle & I were alone for supper tonight. Had It over early. Is & I stayed home.
20 Thurs. I worked hard all day in the heat. Was really all in tonight but practiced & went back to work at 8. Floor Staff were there too. I got some bills done, but not nearly enough. Kathy Williamson gave me a ride home in the car at 10.
21 Fri. Didn’t get time to file a single bill today. Time just flew. My eyes seem sore tonight. Stayed in seems lonesome without Isabelle. Alice. Who went home in the middle of the week, was home for supper & went to play at the Festival.
22 Sat. Met Keith in the store this afternoon. He asked me to the dance tonight. I pressed dress & got all ready at suppertime. He met me right after work. Drove for a while. Went to the Legion. Met Margaret & Gordon. Had a nice time. All of us went to Marg’s suite. Had ice-cream. Played records. Got back here about one. Talked til 1.30. I enjoyed it. Seemed freer than last time.
Click Here to view a scan of the handwritten original
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.