Wandering Through My Roots

1942 – Daddy worked last Night They still have About 2 wks Arent sure what they are going to Do. Letters from Marie and Lilly.
1943 –Well its rain again Dad & Bud are working & its rained all Day went to Bed early
1944 –Sat went To Town Marie didnt come by Daddy goes out Nit. Tour Tonight came home & He went to Bed
1945 –We went to Legans Mrs Legan Been sick. Dad got gloves. Marie Didnt come by No Mail yet. Cold again Today
1946 – No entry

In the 1942 entry Grama expresses the thought that they think they only have two more weeks of work on this field?/rig?. This seems to be an occupational hazard in the oil industry.  It must have been rough not knowing if you were going to have a job in the future or, if you had one, how long it would last.

1942 – Slept late Mrs Harris came. Dad went To work evening tour. Chief Drove. I washed some. got letter Marie & Bud.
1943 –Rain Rain & wind Boy’s work Days. pay Day today. Dad had headach Tonight I think its just nerves. He took Aspirin & went to bed.
1944 –Marie came by Its Raining today & Daddy is working. No mail I guess isn’t going to write
1945 –Dad went out Days & sure cold today. Faucets all froze up again. Marie came we took her home & went To show
1946 – No entry

In the 1944 entry she appears to be waiting for a letter from someone who she now guesses is not going to write. I wonder who that could be?

1942 – Slept Late Dads Day off. went To San Fernando Jones& Brown. Pauls went home & had saw the show.
1943 –Rained all Day & was terrible Bud & Dad went Down & Dug clams got 2 limits. 2 Nuts you ask Me. They Nearly Froze.
1944 –Took Marie into Town Daddy on Day lights M We went to show Tonight
1945 –Dad went to work at 10 moving rig.Froze everything last night Sun pretty today. Sent Bobs gas mask this morning.
1946 – No entry

The 1943 entry is a rare moment when Grama let her sense of humor show in this diary.
It looks like that families in 1945 had to send safety equipment to their boys in the military just like families today.

1942 – Didnt Do any thing today Just fooled around & went To bed early.

1943 –Dad & Bud worked I washed & took care of Donnie while Mrs Baird washed. Went To show tonight. The Navy Comes Through

1944 –Another Beautiful day But I am taking a cold. Daddy took Marie into Town She stayed for dinner We signed deed today

1945 –Slept late Had my hair fixed. Ray came by & he & Marie went to show Sure cold tonight. Froze the water facets

1946 – No entry

The movie referenced in 1943 was a 1942 release entitled “The Navy Comes Through”, starring Pat O’brien, George Murphy, and Jane Wyatt.The special effects were great for the time. For example, the art directors developed a special “sky and horizon” machine which created the effect of water motion against the horizon. All the sea shots were filmed on land using rocking arc lamps that projected waves on an acre of muslin. This must have been quite realistic for the 1943 audience.

1942 – Sunday Dad slept Most of Day. went To Harris In afternoon got check last Night 110.46. Has 2 Days off.
1943 –Dad & Bud worked I cleaned house got Dinner & went To Bed early every body tired out.
1944 –Tuesday & a grand Day we went To show Marie went with us. We got Deed To sing for propert at 306 & 308.
1945 – Ironed some Dad worked Marie came by Got letter fro mBud. I repotted My flowers Today. Day arent Doing much
1946 – No entry

I believe that last sentence in 1944 entry should be – We got deed to sign for property at 306 & 308. I wonder if they bought property. Or paid off property. Looks like I’ll have to do some more research.