“Raised hell & put a prop under it.“ Sunday, December 15, 1946
15 Sun. Raised hell & put a prop under it. Dad was going to take us to the Christmas Church Service this morn, but it was storming like everything. I got all my xmas cards wrapped, cards addressed, made candy, we kids put up the tree & decorated it. Made up a Service for C.C.Y.M. for Wednesday night, & tried on my dress so mom could make adjustments.
16 Mon. Stormed like everything all day yesterday & at it again this Morn, but we all came to town in the truck with no trouble. 47 miles an hour winds tonight & snowing, so I ate supper at Snelgroves & went & bowled at 7.15. Our opposition didn’t show up, so we bowled against their averages, & beat them. Got 4 points. Gerry wasn’t there, & Jack Palmaerts bowled in Jim’s place. I walked home with Lorna. Terrible night.
17 Tues. Wicked weather when we got up this morn so we kids all took our lunch. Isabelle came to work with me as there was no school. We had our lunch in the Coffee Bar, then I went to the Dentist, but he wasn’t there, so I couldn’t keep my appointment. Frosty tonight, but wind has gone right down. Choral Service was postponed on account of weather. Doris & I cleaned our room, & stayed in.
18 Wed. Had a nice morn. Wasn’t sleepy. To a singing lesson which I enjoyed. Read a lot of the afternoon. Almost finished “Trent’s Last Case.” Doris & I went out delivering gifts & calling off the C.C.Y.M. Christmas Party which was scheduled for tonight. Called at Davies, Goransons, Maybeths, Dolly Fladager. Window shopped downtown, & were home at 8.30. Set back of my hair.
19 Thurs. Woke up about 6.30 this morn with terrible stomach pains. Finally took an aspirin. Closed from 2 until 3 for Mr. Duncan’s funeral. Started selling candy at 3. Grace & I sold all afternoon. I got a ride out home with Hugh Alexander. Stutts & us all went to Riverview Concert on the dray. Fun! Almost upset once. Concert was a scream! I laughed til the tears came. David got oodles of presents. Blowing again tonight. Bed about 12.30 out home.
20 Fri Road all filled in the morn. Is & I almost had fits for awhile, but plough came out, so Dad took us to town by 9.45. Mrs. Cowell sold candy today. Isabelle worked in toy Dept. this aft. David left for home this aft. Mom took him to Regina on the train. We sure hated to see him leave.
21 Sat. $3100 business today. Biggest day yet. Keith came to town today, & waited for we girls, Keith stayed here overnight. We all played Rummoli awhile, even Dad. Rest went to bed about 11.30. Keith & I stayed up until after 3.30. Such affection. I slept on the Chesterfield, & let him have the bed. I went right to sleep.
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.