“got all my ration accounts to balance right off. “ Wednesday, October 16, 1946
13 Sun. Thanksgiving. Grim weather again. Was up about 8. We didn’t go to Church. Mom, David & Shirley went to Sunday School. Keith phoned later this aft. Said he would be up here for supper. I was thrilled, as had invited Stutts as they were here for supper too. Had fun after supper, then Harry, __, Bob B. & Rod and son came in. Stayed quite awhile. We had lunch & they left about 11.30. Keith stayed until 2.30. I was thrilled, and love his affection. He asked me for a date for the dance tomorrow night.
14 Mon. Thanksgiving. Men worked on our well. I washed & set my hair. We were all home. David is so darned cute. Mom sewed. I had a short nap this aft. Rained. I didn’t know what to do, but spent about an hour & 1/2 getting ready for Double Wedding Dance at Colgate. (Marg & Gord, Joyce & Merv. Keith phoned to say he didn’t know whether he could make it, but finally did about 10.30 fast time. Margaret was with him, we went down, & I had a very nice time. Danced most of the dances. Went out to the car after lunchtime. Home at 2 o’clock slow. I didn’t want to go in but had to.
15 Tuesday. Dad brought us into town. Cold day. Doris washed her hair tonight. I went to bed at 8.30. Dozed awhile then the C.G.I.T. singing woke me up. I went back to sleep before ten though. Really was dead tired.
16 Wed. I got my Ration cheques from the bank and got all my ration accounts to balance right off. (Chris’ note: the war that these ration cheques dealt with ended 14 months ago). Was Tickled. Took my lesson this aft, then went to the store as Mr. Moore & Mr. Linnett were checking Rations. They were pleased with my books. They were both very nice. From there I went to Peggy Metherals shower at Hostess Cub. In time for a wonderful lunch. Is & I went to the show, Ginny Simms & Charles Coburn in “Shady Lady.” Fair. Rather comical.

The ration books of Bev’s Aunt Fryda McPhee 
17 Thursday. A most gorgeous day. Keith was up to the Office this morn, to say if he wasn’t to the dance Friday, he would be up on Saturday. Was I surprised to see him. Didn’t have anything do for awhile this aft but ended up real busy. Polished my shoes this eve about 9.15. Was provoked with Doris. She left the light on & embroidered until 10.30. I couldn’t sleep after that. My head was so heavy & my eyes sore. Stuarts went to Briercrest. Stayed tonight.
18 Fri. My head was sore & eyes burning all day. Wilf & I started stencil work today & he said my first stencil was very well tipped. I rather like the work. C.C.Y.M. Dance at South Weyburn tonight. Is came in for Doris, Peltier & I. Charlie, Peltier & I played for the dance. Enjoyed very much. Real good crowd. We made about $25.00 clear. We took the car back into town & kept it.
19 Sat. Was pretty sleepy totay, but managed to pull through. Isabelle worked all day. We brought Doris, & Shirley home with us. Keith came shortly after 8. Show was no good & Marg & Gord weren’t home, so we didn’t go to town. He, the girls & I played whist. After lunch Keith & I had a deep talk on a lot of things. Sexual life & so on. It is wonderful how many things we agree on. We lay in the lounge & talked for hours. It is so easy to talk to him. Had to make ourselves say good night.
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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.