Through Any Given Door ~ Catherine Sevenau

Catherine Sevenau Catherine Sevenau is a writer, humorist, and storyteller living in Sonoma, California. The stories in this series are excerpts from her book, Through Any Given Door, a Family Memoir. The full memoir is available as a web series at Sevenau.com. A longtime Realtor and Owner/Broker at CENTURY 21 Wine Country, she can be reached at [email protected]

Archives



My brother’s diary

Posted on March 18, 2023 by Catherine Sevenau

Chapter 50: Sonora, California. April 1949 • Larry’s diary (age 15)

Apr 1  Freshmen’s return was given, but it was so bad I left it to watch the baseball game with Livingston. We won 3 -1.

Apr 2  Had tooth taken out, very large molar. He sawed it up and had to take it out piece by piece. Got pills to kill pain, just in case

Apr 3  Kept store open by myself until 7:30, then went to see Southern Yankee with Red Skelton

Apr 4  Jaw was swollen up and was hard to eat supper. Paid Mrs. Wolf for track shoes $7.95. Read book Illicit. Got novelties in.

Apr 5  Could not go down to Ripon for track meet because of swollen jaw. Got report cards, got A- in English, B+ in California History, C in typing, S in band. 

Apr 6  Played with the band at the play John Loves Mary. Had to sell tickets to terror show at Uptown for 50 cents, 65 killed in hospital fire.

Apr 7  Kids came over to make popcorn for Grammar School Music Federation. Dentist took out thread. F.F.A. had exhibit of cows and pigs

 

Apr 8  Cleaned up horn very thoroughly except the body and silver polished the outside bell. Lutz tore up report cards today.

Apr 9  Finished polishing horn. Stayed up all night listening to rescue of girl at San Marino, bundled up British stamps in 500’s, 100’s

Apr 10  Sunday: Girl was dead at San Marino. Shot at bats tonight with BB but did not hit any. Got sick in church. Had Army day parade

Apr 11  Got a haircut first day of Easter vacation. Put cold cream on face for pimples. Killed 2 wasps, one on ceiling window

Apr 12  Mowed and raked lawns. Bought new sport shirt for $6.16. Treana Rotelli has a new Packard, Mike a Pontiac.

Apr 13  Had banana split at Maxwells new fountain which opened day before yesterday. Got pants back from cleaners.

Apr 14  Went to San Francisco, drove most of the way down and back but not in the city. Bought for store some big stamp albums and U.S. catalogues

 

Apr 15  Bought a sheet and some singles of Washington and Lee stamps. Friday was Good Friday so went to church.

Apr 16  Kept store open by myself to 9 oclock and sold most of remaining Easter baskets. Sold a $2.50 stamp album. Soaked stamps.

Apr 17  Easter Sunday. I was late for the parade so I marched without uniform part-time. Saw show The Paleface with Bob Hope

Apr 18  Got stamps from Jamestown N.Y. Got $6.25 worth, also got Washington, Lee first day cover but lost it on way home. First day of school after Easter vacation.

Apr 19  Went to Tracy High for track meet but did not place. Pan with stamps soaking in it spilled all over everything.

Apr 20  Got some sheets of stamps which I ordered from the White Plains Stamp Co. for $5.60. Band played in gym during seventh and 4th

Apr 21  Claudia may have the measles and Dad is sick. Got Easter cards put away and got most of Mother’s Day out

 

To be continued…

 

Catherine Sevenau is a writer, humorist, and storyteller living in Sonoma, California. The stories in this series are excerpts from her book, Through Any Given Door, a Family Memoir; the full memoir is available as a web series at Sevenau.com. A longtime Broker/Realtor at CENTURY 21 Wine Country, she can be reached at [email protected]

 




Sonoma Sun | Sonoma, CA