Emma #232: November-December 1947

As fall turned to winter in 1947, Emma did lots of sewing and writing letters, and was a regular at church, Sunday School, and Bible study. Bob and Ruth kept busy teaching and performing.

Sat 1. I finished Bobbie’s skirt and she wore it to her first football game today. Dad raked & burned leaves.

Sun 2. This has been a pleasant day. Had two in my SS class who had not been there before. They giggled a lot. Hard for me to take. Bob had a full Sunday. He was in an early broadcast WCAU—Church of the Air. He sang a solo: “In Faith I calmly rest.” He had a morning service then an afternoon and tonight he sings “Judas Maccabaeus” in New York.

In Faith I Calmly Rest is a 1935 English anthem arrangement for solo and chorus—by Clarence and Helen Dickinson—of a work by J.S. Bach from the early 1700s.
Judas Maccabaeus is an oratorio in three acts written by Handel in 1747. Here are some detailed program notes on the work, which dramatizes the uprising of the Jewish people under Judas Maccabaeus in 160-167 BCE to reclaim the Second Temple of Jerusalem. It became one of Handel's most popular oratorios—second only to the Messiah.

Tue 4. Today is voting day. None of us voted. We did not want to vote for the McClure gang—Rep. nor endorse the Democratic Administration. Played “thought transference” awhile. Dad was too funny for words.

At this time there was a good deal of interest in telepathy/ESP; a common parlor game involved one person leaving the room, the others agreeing on an object, word, or action, and the person trying to “receive” the message upon their return.

Thu 6. One more day for Dad to work this week!! He always seems glad to get home. Ruth went to Crozer. Bob taught this A.M. and then went to a class at Curtis. I sewed a little today on some things for David & Bobby. David & I took up the Peruvian Daffodil this afternoon. I practiced piano awhile and enjoyed it tho’ I still can’t see too well. My new glasses work pretty well. My eyes are poor.

The Peruvian daffodil grows from a bulb and blooms in summer. In colder climates, it is recommended to lift the bulbs, dry them and store them until spring.

Fri 7. Went to Swarthmore to look at some roofs like Bob & Ruth have decided to put on. Then Ruth took me to the Co-op to shop. Dad made a pin for Mrs. Cleland out of lignum vitae wood. Howard has been transferred again—to Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Here is one of the lignum vitae pins Tell made. I found it while going through Mom’s jewelry box last week.

Sat 8. Rained all forenoon. The high spot of the day was when I called Gerald about the overcoat I sent him. It was Bob’s. Dad was so afraid we’d never get it back, and I was glad to know Gerald had already mailed it. Went with Bob & Ruth to see the Pres. church at Bryn Mawr where Mr. McClary plays the organ. It is a beautiful church. Bob ordered a suit at the Clifton Heights Woolen Mill today.

The sanctuary of the Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, built in 1927, is in the Gothic style.

Mon 10. This is a beautiful sunny morning. A nice washday but I am only washing every other week this winter. This is my week off. I have been reading a story “No Trumpet Before Him” by Nelia Gardner White published in The Sat. Evening Post. We started it last night, finished the first installment tonight. The folks are in town teaching and Bob is having an opera audition.

No Trumpet Before Him is the story of an inexperienced Methodist minister and his wife navigating church politics in an affluent university-town congregation. It was first published as a serial, and later came out as a prize-winning book.

Tue 11. Bob Wilson was here all A.M. helping make out an application for a mortgage in the Farm Bureau Ins. Co. The loan will pay up the Metropolitan Ins Co & also pay for the new roof. Ruth went in to the Met. Opera at the Academy of Music tonight.

In the Metropolitan Opera archives, I found that this was a performance of Mozart’s Don Giovanni, opening the 1947-48 season of performances at Philadelphia’s Academy of Music.

Wed 12. I rode in to town with Bob & Ruth to help Ruth buy David a suit. We bought it at Gimbels and then came home on the train. Got a letter from Betty today. She wants my cookie recipe.

Sun 16. Finished the second installment of our story in the Post tonight. Dad hopes the preacher doesn’t go bad. David wore his new suit for the first time today. He looked too cute for words—bow tie & all.

Fri 21. Sun is shining bright this morning. Bobby had to have a character costume so chose Mistress Mary. She took a big straw hat, an apron and a watering pot made of pasteboard. Ruth and Bob had a scare about 280.00 being a lien against the house but there was nothing to it. Dad got a note from Mrs. Cleland thanking him for the pin he made. We were happy to get a letter from Gerald this afternoon. No money but a promise.

Mistress Mary is the subject of a nursery rhyme.

Sat 22. “What are you doing? Making curls?” said David. I said “Yes.” Why are you making curls?” he said. “Oh, so I will look nice” I said. “You look pretty without curls,” said David. It was so sweet it brought tears to my eyes. He has been sick all day with a cold & high temperature.

Thu 27. Thanksgiving day! Bob went into town for his service. Howard came out for dinner. We had a large ham, which we nibbled at. I baked pumpkin pie. After dinner we listened to records and Bob had a short Thanksgiving service with prayer, Bible reading, singing a solo & Bobby played on her violin.

Sun 30. A beautiful Sunday. I went in with Ruth to take some music to Robert. Came home on the train. Found my blue vase which Katharine gave me years ago broken. I felt very badly about it but accidents cannot be helped. David threw his nightgown & caught a button in the doily that was under it. He was sorry. David wants a dog for Christmas.

Mon 1. This has been a bright sunny day but cold. Bob & Ruth went to town about noon. Bob was going to teach all afternoon and leave for Ottawa at 6:25 P.M. Got two letters from Gerald. Says he will send 5.00 a week. I hope so.

Tue 2. Ruth & Mrs. Israel are planning a party for David & Philip. They will be 4 on the same day, Dec. 8. It is to be a joint party. Begins here, supper at Israels. The invitations were put inside an egg shell.

I remember when we used to blow eggs out of the shells for Easter decorations. I love the idea of putting party invitations inside.

Wed 3. Ruth & I went to Phil. to see Santa Claus. Of course we took David. He told Santa Claus that he wanted a big truck and a little car. That was all. We got a sack of walnuts from Gertie & John this P.M.

Fri 5. David & Philip delivered their “egg invitations” today. Have worked on the dress for Bernie Grooters. Found I had embroidered a motif on the wrong side of the front.

Mon 8. David is 4 today. The party is all over, and if noise is an accurate measurement “A good time was had by all.” David got crayolas, jacks, book, turtle, truck & an airplane & cans for playing in sand. They had a wonderful supper.

Wed 10. Got a letter from Daisey enclosing one from Huntley about the new baby—Mary Elizabeth. Got a letter from Gerald with 5.00 in it. I do hope he is alright. He is still in Colo. on a farm. New boxes are being put in at the P.O. They have long been needed.

Mary Elizabeth was the daughter of Elizabeth (daughter of Tell’s brother Berne) and Theodore Huntley Welch, of Oil City, PA. According to a newspaper story, she was born on Nov. 30 and weighed six pounds, fourteen ounces.

Tue 16. Have spent my spare time writing Christmas cards. Have almost written all 78. It is some job when one tries to put in a message. Ruth gave her examination at Crozer and will not have to go back till after the New Year. The new roof will be finished tomorrow.

Thu 18. Katharine arrived at Paoli to spend her vacation with us. Went to Mrs. Estes’ to a Christmas party. Her father Dr. Tucker who was a secretary of the American Bible society for almost 50 years in Brazil spoke. Mrs. McLathery sang some Christmas songs. Rev. Rowland read from Luke 2 & a social hour where tea and coffee & cookies were served. After dinner at Ruth’s we went to a school program. It was a crowded flop.

Hugh Clarence Tucker was an American Methodist missionary to Brazil starting in 1886. His obituary says that he was responsible for the distribution of 2,500,000 Bibles there, many of which he carried up the Amazon River in log canoes. This image comes from his 1902 book The Bible in Brazil: Colporter Experiences (free online).

Fri 19. I have a cold. I guess I should have staid in bed but I have managed to get 14 dish towells hemmed, got the meals, etc. Bob & Ruth gave their concert at Penn Charter this afternoon.

Sat 20. We had the whole family up here for supper. We used some of the crate of eggs Gerald sent from Iowa for Christmas. They are the large ones and are worth 92¢ a doz. here. Bob, Katharine, the children and I went after a live Christmas tree.

Sun 21. I went to the 5 o’clock carol service at the Wallingford church. The service was very fine. Ruth is a wonderful organist & director.

Mon 22. It was a sunny day but quite cool. Katharine & I did the washing. This afternoon and evening Katharine and I have made candy. It has been nice to have the nuts Gertie sent. Dad is taking in some to the book room & to the men who work with him.

Tue 23. Today was Ruth’s 34^th birthday. After lunch Katharine and I went to town and bought some decorations for the cake. I had all the Grooters family up for a birthday dinner. We had a roast chicken, potatoes, gravy, apples, celery & nut salad, fruit salad with ice cream and cake & coffee & rolls. I gave Ruth some teal towells & Katharine gave her a dicky.

A dickey is a pretend blouse front that can be worn under another garment.

Wed 24. Dad had a big turkey dinner in town. He brought home a box of candy and a 25.00 bonus check. At night Bob had a big choir dinner in town and a service at 11 P.M. Ruth & Katharine went to a Carol service in Wallingford. It was morning before the stockings were filled.

Thu 25. This morning we opened our presents. I got some breakfast plates from Katharine, a pair of gloves from Ruth, some bottle soap for dish water and also a pretty scarf from Bobbie & David. Got a plastic refrigerator set from Linnie, a white wool scarf from Mrs. Levin, also a Cannon dish rag. Gerry called from Colo to wish us a Merry Christmas.

Although liquid laundry detergent was common at this time, liquid dish detergent was still quite new. Dish rags from the Cannon company were made of a loose weave mesh with colorful borders.

Fri 26. We had a heavy snow last night. David likes to play in it.

Sat 27. This has been a most lazy day. I have been so “do-less.” Katharine brought oysters & crackers for our dinner tonight. We had oyster soup. Dad got a box of 18 pears from Medford Oregon from the M. Bookroom.

Tue 30. Bob & Ruth & Bobbie went to Phil, then to Germantown to look at a Music Cabinet which they bought for 35.00 using that much of the money Mrs. Youse sent them for Christmas. It has 75 drawers.

I found a picture of this cabinet—full of music—in the family files!

Wed 31. The last day of 1947. Katharine bought me a nice new diary.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for January 1948.