“when I refused a kiss again, he certainly embraced me. I got a thrill.“ Saturday, July 20, 1946
14 Sun. Up at 4.30. Left for Waskesiu after six in Stutts car. The 4 of us & a young couple, Jack & Ethel Rowther. A beautiful drive up there & glorious scenery there. Saw bears, took a swell lunch with us & made a fire & ate in a cook up house. We were all out in a big boat for 1 1/2 hours this aft. Then Mr. & Mrs. S. drove me out to the Heart Lakes & we were in a rowboat for nearly an hour. Stopped at Sandy Lake on the way home & ate. Sang a bit on the way. Arrived back in P.A. about 11.30. Stutts have certainly given me a wonderful time.
15 Mon. I washed a few clothes after dinner then Mrs. S. & I went downtown again. I did quite a bit of shopping, just odd little things. Had a lunch, then I helped Mrs. S. get supper. We had planned to stay in, but Earl & Doug wanted us to go driving with them. Fred, Ruth, Ms. S. & I went to the neighbour house & I played “Falling Waters,” which thrilled them very much. At 8.30 we went out driving with Earl & Doug. Had a fairly nice time. Walked around in the Fair Grounds. Also the Golf Linx. Had bars & pepsi-cola. Nice evening.
16 Tues. I got up at seven & had half of my breakfast with Mr. S., said goodbye to him. Had the second half with Ruth later. Packed my things. Mrs. S. walked to the bus depot with me. Left about 10.30. Ruth was down before I left. I had had a most wonderful time this passed week. Came to Valparaiso. Stopped in Melfort long enough for lunch. Jean B., Marjorie & Joan are here for which I am rather sorry, though maybe I’m selfish. Saw some country where I wouldn’t mind living. Jean, Helen, Mr. & Mrs. B. & I went to Tisdale tonight, we women saw the show “Til We meet Again.” I had seen it before.
17 Wed. Got up in time to get pressing done before leaving for Sadies. Mr & Mrs B., John & kids & I went so that we arrived there about noon fast time. They are all well. Have 4 healthy children. We drove into Sylvania this aft, & Sadie and I each treated the kids to ice cream. Had a nice supper. The rest except Mrs & Mr B. & I stayed at Sadies. We came home slower looking for berries, picked a few & stopped in Marg & Jim’s for awhile. He has a beautiful field of wheat. Babs wasn’t here. We talked for awhile.
18 Thurs. Mr. & Mrs. B. went to pick berries, so there were just Helen, Babs & I here. Talked to Babs a long while this morn. Enjoyed. Helen then showed me all her things before dinner. This aft Helen & I went down to Marys. Jim & Babs were in the house along while, so we had another real good talk, of old times. Ate lunch & came home for supper. Sadie & kids brought Jean’s family back home tonight. We talked awhile, then packed suitcases did hair etc. in preparation to leave tomorrow.
19 Fri. Jean, two girls & I left for home on train today. Bowditches drove us to Melfort in car. Stopped at Lanigan at noon, so got out & had lunch. The trip didn’t seem so long. Saw some nice country & beautiful scenery coming through the Qu’Appelle Valley. Harry B. met us in Regina, so we came down by car. Arrived home at 8. Roy is at home. Mom put the new bedroom suite in my room. Can’t figure out why. Before Ten, Boyle’s called in. Keith wanted to make a date with me to go to town tomorrow night. He did!!! Nice to see him again.
20 Sat. Washed hair, pressed everything this morn. Isabelle is working in town. Mom, Roy & we girls went in this aft. Shopped & so on. It was nice to see everyone again. Came home & got ready again. Keith & I got Isabelle & we went to the show. Abbott & Costello. Just fair. Came home & made lunch, then took over living-room & Isabelle went to bed. We sat for two hours. Talked, but didn’t get deep. He hated to leave, when I refused a kiss again, he certainly embraced me. I got a thrill. He wants to ask me something next time. Can hardly wait to find out.
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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.
Really? Do we have to wait until tomorrow to find out our suspicions are correct?