April 1934

Sunday April 1st

      A glorious Easter morning once more! How often the Good Friday and Saturday are dreary and how often it brightens up for Easter - bringing the message of happiness to the world.
      Fred and I got down to church about five to seven this morning. The church looked lovely - lilies and daffodils and ferns everywhere it seemed. The alter was particularly beautiful with the morning light coming in through the stained glass window above it - falling on the lilies and opened bible and white robed ministers and communion vessels - making a picture one could not easily forget.
      They were all very happy with their Easter gifts at breakfast. The dining room looked very pretty with its display of daffodils and differently coloured eggs and egg cups and chicks and ribbons.
      Fred went down to church again at 11 o’clock as he had been asked to act as sidesman during April, commencing from today. He did not get home until 2 o’clock as he had to stay with the other men and count the money before leaving. He said the church was filled to overflowing - many had to go away.
      Fred went over and brought Aunt Cleo home for dinner this evening - I did not like to think of her sitting in that little room alone on Easter Sunday. She seems such a pathetically lonely little soul these days.
      I went with Fred when he took her back about 9 o’clock and she seemed so grateful for the little change we had given her.


Monday April 2nd

      What a great difference it seems to make having the children home - with so many interruptions I find it hard to get my work done and meals on time. However, we finally got the washing done and cleaned up a little.
      Fred went away full of pep this morning but he reports no luck again. It is now three weeks since he made a sale. We were disappointed that the weather was not nicer around 7 o’clock when we should have been preparing to go to “Gibson’s.” It looked cold and dull so we thought we had better not venture on the water. A letter from Mrs. Fletcher came saying that she thought it would be better to wait until the weather was warmer too - she thought we might not get a very nice impression of the place in such weather.


Tuesday April 2nd

      Got an early start and took the children down town to do a little shopping much to Donald’s disgust but I had to buy him new shoes so he had to come along.
He got a few rides on the escalator in Spencers so that helped a little. He hung around it while Joan and I were shopping in another department and stepped on for a ride up or down whenever he thought he was unobserved by the man in attendance.
      He informed me however, that he thought the man was getting “wise to him” just about when I came along. His eyes were twinkling with mischief when he told me.
      Joan is burning up with desire to do a little dressmaking so I bought her some 15 cent broadcloth which was on “special” at “The Bay” - yellow for a frock and white for a slip so that will amuse her for a few days. I like to encourage her in sewing for herself but thought the broadcloth would answer the purpose for experimenting on.
      Lilian Van Horne ‘phoned tonight. She is down here from Kamloops on a short vacation. I have arranged with her and Pauline to come in for tea on Sunday.


Wednesday April 4th

      Joan got an early start on her dress and has been pretty busy at it all day. Apart from overlooking the cutting out and helping her with the collar she has done the work on it herself. She is a very neat sewer and I believe the little dress is going to look very nice - besides the great pleasure she is getting from making it for herself.
      Fred almost made a sale today but the prospective buyer decided she had better wait to see if her son marries this year before making the purchase. Joan suggested that strangling the young lady in question would be one way to make the sale - much to her Father’s amusement and my disgust. I squirm sometimes at the things she says but it seems that it’s the way of the adolescent these days - to be crude or frank or whatever one likes to call it.


Thursday April 5th

      A delightful day quite warm in the sun. Mrs. Bodie (Muriel) and her two boys came up for tea this afternoon. They had a nice time together with Donald in the garden - playing Indians etc. etc. He rigged up a tent out of some sacking and they had his bow and arrow and axe and other things out to complete the picture. Trust Donald to surround himself with the necessary colour and trimmings.
      Fred has gone out to make an evening demonstration tonight. I do hope it will mean a sale. He is beginning to wonder just whether he can sell the Hoover any more!!!
      Joan has almost finished her dress. I ‘phoned “Spencer’s” for a “zipper” for the front of it. We thought it would be a change from buttons and much less trouble than making button holes. It came this afternoon and looks very nice machined into place. She just has the hem to do now.


Friday April 6th

      Dorothy ‘phoned this morning and offered me her two tickets for one of the “New Deal” concerts to be held next Wednesday evening in the Hotel Vancouver as she will be unable to use them. She also said that she would take me to one of the operas when they come here next week. It is so kind of her - I have been hoping that I would be able to go ever since I read the ad last week - but the prices of admission were very high so I was very doubtful of being able to afford it.
      Went up to the hall on 24th this afternoon to the tea that the girls of the Badminton Club were giving to their Mothers. I was pleasantly surprised at the whole affair - it was very nicely arranged and every detail was beautifully carried out. The girls received their Mothers at the door and escorted them to their particular tables which each little group had decorated according to their particular taste. Joan’s group had used a green and yellow colour scheme which looked very bright and spring-like.
      After serving us with tea we were treated to a very nice little programme of music - singing and recitation. It was indeed a great pleasure to see how well the girls carried the whole thing through and a credit to the executive in charge.
      Fred was unable to make the sale last night - although he spent the whole evening with the people. I was already in my bath when he came home - tired and disappointed. He has gone out this evening to canvass for “St. Mark’s Funds.” He thinks he may have sold a “Dustette” today - but will not be sure until tomorrow.


Saturday April 7th

      Did the usual Saturday baking this morning and made a marble cake by way of a change. It looks nice and I hope it tastes good tomorrow when we have it for tea.  
      Lilian Van Horne from Kamloops - Pauline and Uncle George are coming out to the house.
      Fred came home for lunch and spent the afternoon in the garden - cutting the lawn and weeding it. He had the children helping him and Donald was up to all sorts of tricks to make his job interesting. It was too dull to just rake up the grass in the ordinary way, so he got his tricycle out and attached the bamboo rake to the bar at the back and rode it around dragging the rake along. However, his Father soon put a stop to that when he saw the poor job it was doing - much to Donald’s disgust who came and told me he did not like helping Dad, he was too grumpy!!! He was next detained off to carry the weeds to the rubbish pile at the back of the house so by way of a change - he stuffed them into a paper bag and made many trips in this way - no doubt imagining he had bags of hot cross buns or candies. He amused me greatly with his rambles into the land of make believe - I live again my childhood - I was nearly always up in the clouds creating some story for myself or my little friends. Fred is so very practical that he gets a little impatient with Donald at times - says he is up to too much “monkey business” etc. etc. - but after I have a little chat with him he calms down.
      I gave the house a great surprise this evening when I announced that I was having a bath about 8:30 and going to bed. You would have thought I’d dropped a bomb. I felt very tired - particularly about my ankles so I thought I would indulge in the comfort of my bed and a book - in other words play the lady for an hour or two. It feels delightful! Bedecked in my pretty lavender bed jacket - reclining on a couple of nice soft pillows and an interesting book awaiting me when I have completed writing herein. Fred and Joan have just been in to know what it is all about and seem greatly amused at me. I think I shall have to do it more often!!


Sunday April 8th

      Went down to “St. Mark’s” this morning and saw my Hubby taking up the collection for the first time. He has been appointed to do so for April. I came home alone after the service and Fred followed about an hour later. The Scouts and Guides were at the service and Rev. Swan spoke very nicely to them about the message of Easter. He spoke of the door leading out of the world (death) - which had been such a blank before Jesus came - went and returned - with his message of Life beyond. He wove it all into a fanciful story which was very easy for a child to appreciate.
      We all had a very pleasant tea ‘round the fire this afternoon. Pineapple and banana salad - some of my new raisin buns (which were greatly appreciated) cookies and last but not least, the marble cake - which was lovely - all brown and pink and white and as light as a feather! Pauline asked me if I would sell her the half that was left and some buns and cookies for a little social gathering of her girl friend’s which she is having tomorrow evening. She gave me 75cents for that which she took away, so that will more than pay for Donald’s music lesson tomorrow.
      Uncle George told us of his trip to Portland over Easter and Lilian gave us all the Kamploops news. Her health is greatly improved lately and she is able to eat anything now. Pauline looked very nice in her new suit which she bought at Dorothy’s before Easter.
      Fred is just returning from taking them all home so we will now retire.


Monday April 9th

      What a wet day - poured all day without ceasing until around 6 o’clock when it was too late to dry the clothes.
      Walked up to meet Donald from school with his music to save him the long walk home and back again to 23rd Ave. He gets so wet and will not of course carry an umbrella. The house has been so quiet today with the children away at school again.
Mrs. Janson ‘phoned the evening to give me the final arrangements for the C.C.F. bridge tomorrow - which she has asked me to attend. I am not very keen but I have declined invitation from her so often - that - as Joan said tonight “you can’t refuse anymore Mother.”
      Fred sold a ““Dustette”” today - so that will be $3 commission for him. Perhaps his luck has changed!


Tuesday April 10th

      Glorious day again. It seemed such a pity to have to sit inside and play bridge this afternoon and to make mattes worse the house where the bridge was held was very stuffy. They had tried to get in as many tables as possible - the more tables the more money - so it was a little congested.
      Joan has gone out to the “wind up” of the badminton club tonight. They are having a “kids” party so Joan went off dressed up in one of her little dresses she wore three or four years ago. I tied a very large muslin bow around her waist and another, not quite so large at her neck and in her hair. To complete the picture she wore ankle socks and a pair of ballet shoes (without heels). Fred and I thought she looked very cute indeed.


Wednesday April 11th

      I planted some marigold, nasturtium, petunia, and zinnia seeds in the garden this morning. I hope. they will grow. I doubt it as I have never had much luck with bringing the flowers on from seeds.
      Mrs. Granville ‘phoned this morning as she is in for a few days from Ladner. She is badly in need of a rest it seems, as her daughter (Mrs. Turner) has been laid up by having all her teeth out and Mrs. Granville has had to take charge of the house and 5 children - not forgetting the very Reverend Father of the family as well.
      I asked her to come in for tea as Mrs. Field and her two wee children were coming along. We all had an enjoyable couple of hours before the fire.
      Mrs. Granville looks very frail and is very worried about Granville as his Father has taken him out of school and he has of course nothing to do. His is a very clever boy but seems weak. I am afraid that he has a little too much of his Father in him and not enough of his very splendid Mother. However, life as he is having to meet it of late will no doubt do much to strengthen his character. I feel very sorry for the boy - he seems so unhappy at home - so unwanted, that I believe he will soon leave the paternal roof if he can get work to do so.
      Went to the Hotel Vancouver to the second of the “New Deal Concerts” this evening for which Dorothy had given me her tickets as she could not use them. As Fred had a meeting on I took Mrs. Miller along with me and she enjoyed it immensely. It was nice to see her again. She told me that she has been working very hard at her painting, preparing for a “one man show” at “The Gallery” next month.
      There were many more people at this concert than the first - which was very gratifying to Mrs. Humphries (under whose management these concerts have been organised). The artists this time were Margaretha Lohman (pianist) and Kurt Reher (cellist) - both giving a very fine performance which was greatly appreciated.


Thursday April 12th

      Took Mrs. Granville down town with me this morning. We did a little shopping and then I took her to a show for a little change. She has been shut away from everything for so long I thought it would do her good. She seemed to enjoy the little outing.
      I had to get back early for a P.T.A. Executive meeting. Fred has had a very good day - sold a machine and polisher and a “Dustette.” We are so pleased. He has gone over to Mr. Walch’s to type a letter.
      I am tired , so I think I will take a bath and go to bed and enjoy my book until he comes home. I am getting a great deal of pleasure out of Ernest Raymond’s book - he draws such splendid word pictures and character studies and has a most delightful sense of detail of the queer little mannerisms of the “common folk” of our little Island across the sea.


Friday April 13th

      A very warm day. Donald persuaded his Father to put his tent up for him when he came home for lunch. All the afternoon Donald and Billy played in and about it imagining all sorts of things. I noticed how they took the old straw filled mattress (which they play with) near the pool - unrolled it - built up a make believe fire near by and then placed themselves in a watchful position with wooden guns and bows and arrows ready. The gold fish in the pool were crocodiles and our lawn was wild bush with Indians lurking about it. (I heard later.)
      Fred had to go out to Hastings Park this afternoon at 3 o’clock to the opening of the Electrical Exhibition. The hoover people had a display so he was asked to take a turn at the booth. He got home about 8:30 - very tired. It is a long journey out there and very tiresome standing around. However, a warm meal has helped a lot to dispel the weariness and he has now announced his intention of turning in.


Sunday April 15th

      Mrs. Granville and Granville came in for tea this afternoon. The first I have seen of the boy for many months. He was full of the old “Bug” he has bought for a couple of dollars and is spending most of his time trying to make it go. The front wheels are solid and the back have spokes he told us - it is painted blue and yellow and red - the radiator leaks as fast as it is filled and it almost falls to pieces when it moves - but - he is getting a great thrill out of it and will no doubt learn a lot from playing about with the engine.
      He is far from happy at home especially since his Father took him from school January last. Poor boy - I feel very sorry for him. Mrs. Granville wants me to go shopping with her tomorrow. I usually like to do the washing on Mondays, but I will put it off for a day.


Monday April 16th

      Met Mrs. Granville about 10 o’clock and we went shopping for a coat and hat for her. She left it entirely in my hands as she did not know what to get for herself, not having bought anything in wearing apparel for years. We finally decided on a fawn polo cloth coat $8.95 - then we shopped around and found a smart little green hat for 79 cents and a scarf to go with it for 59 cents. She had so very little to spend that it took some planning to get the whole outfit of it. However, although it has cost so little - being a plain outfit I believe she will look quite smart in it. She will cause quite a sensation when she returns to her daughter’s in Ladner - she left there so dowdy and wintry looking and returns looking ten years younger in a smart spring attire.
I got home about 3:30 and finished up the washing I had left in soak this morning and after dinner it was dry enough to do a little ironing. Now for a bath and bed - for I am tired after my busy day.


Tuesday April 17th

      Felt like housecleaning this morning so I started on the living room and to my surprise and delight succeeded in completely spring cleaning it by supper time. The curtains are very thready in spots but I turned top to bottom and am hoping it will not be noticed. I rearranged the pictures a little and am getting a new thrill out of them in their new positions. It is good to change things around occasionally!
      Fred sold a machine today from a “lead” he got while demonstrating out at the Exhibition on Saturday.


Wednesday April 18th

      Baking most of the morning I made some new coconut oatmeal cookies and they turned out splendidly. I have to take a couple of dozen along to the P.T.A. meeting tomorrow as they are serving tea to the mothers and the Executive is providing the refreshments.
      Mrs. Priestly came up for tea this afternoon and we had a little talk along theosophical lines as she is completely absorbed in it. She was a strong Anglican years ago - her Father being a Bishop - but she has no use for any of the Religions now she says. She is quite an interesting old lady - but fearfully set in her ideas and not at all sympathetic towards other Peoples.
      I have hung a piece of the lovely wax work (which Edith sent from India) over the living room door. It makes a very rich looking curtain and the light is just right for it there. I have come into the room so many times today to drink in its beauty. It blends so beautifully with the colour scheme in the room and adds greatly to its homey atmosphere.
      Fred thinks he has sold another machine today - will know for sure in the morning.
      Joan has signed up for the sports and started training today. I am not very keen on her entering as I do not think it is so good for girls of her age to be high jumping. However, she is usually fairly cautious so I do not think she will strain herself.
      Queenie Hards told me today that her Hubby was so pleased with the shade I had painted for them that he has given Queenie some money to take me out for a treat. I think it is so lovely of Bert. The question is - where shall we go? We are to talk it over tomorrow.


Thursday April 19th

      It has been quite hot today. I hurried up with my work and went into the garden to plant a few seeds of mauve candy tuft which I had saved from last year. I had hardly been out 15 minutes when my “queer” man came along whistling and singing, seemingly as happy as a king. He wanted to help me and as he seemed so anxious, I gave him a spade and told him dig away. He was so pleased to have some body to talk to and some thing to do. He finds that the time “between boats” drags. He always gets a job unloading freight when the boats are in, but he has been idle for a week or two but told me a boat would be in from Australia tomorrow. After he had finished his digging he decided that the lawn needed to be cut and although he worries me a little when he is around - I did not have the heart to refuse his kind offer. There is something childish and sweet about the poor soul and he is so full of the “joie de vivre” that I find it hard to put him off. He becomes personal occasionally remarking about “my lovely curly red hair and tiny hands and this and that” which always embarrasses me, as I feel I cannot reprove him like I would an ordinary individual. However, so far I have been able to change the subject quite successfully each time. I gave him a good hearty lunch when he had finished and 25 cents for himself and he went off with a merry laugh and a tune. I hardly know whether to pity him or envy him - he always seems so carefree and happy and so very satisfied with life in general. He showed me his old purse with his few dimes as though it were a king’s ransom.
      P.T.A. meeting this afternoon when a very hearty vote of thanks was passed for my work in connection with the Telephone Bridge I had organised.
      Fred is out for dinner this evening with his monetary friends at the Hotel Georgia. I only wish that the work of this little group would develop sufficiently to enable Fred to earn a living from it. He would be so happy to give his whole time to it - it is so very near to his heart.
      Called in to Captain Anderson on my way up to the school this afternoon and left him a bundle of my picture postcards of Holland, Germany and Russia to look at. He has been in these places in his younger days and will enjoy looking at them. Mrs. Granville is staying there, and she told me how delighted everyone is with the outfit I selected for her. She seemed much brighter and is I believe beginning to look at her miserable experience with “Brooks” in the right way.


Friday April 20th

      Pauline ‘phoned early this morning to know whether I would bake a cake and some cookies and buns for her tomorrow. Her W.A. group are having tea and sale of bedding plants at St. Mark’s hall and she is supposed to supply some of the refreshments. I made an orange cake for her this morning and also some pinwheel cookies and will make the buns in the morning - as buns need to be very fresh to be nice. She asked me to come to the tea but as Mrs. Clark and the twins are coming in for tea tomorrow I had to decline with thanks.
     Fred has gone out to the Exhibition again this evening to put in a few hours at the “Hoover Stand.” I was sorry to see him go as it has been very warm today and he seemed tired after his long day canvassing.
      Joan was quite thrilled today when permission was given them at school to wear ankle socks instead of stockings. The poor girls have been suffering, they claim, in this heat and have been rolling their stockings down as soon as they have got off the school grounds. The principal changed the rule very reluctantly as he told them he is afraid it may have a disturbing effect on the boys!! What nonsense to talk to young girls of 13 - 14 years like that. It seems so out of line with the modern trend of thought and only tends to make the whole affair more conspirational.
      I am getting a great deal of pleasure out of ??“David Greynous” two books which Mrs. Granville bought for her son-in-law in Ladner and is permitting me to read before she takes them out there. I was very interested in his chapter on smells and their associations as I have always had such a keen sense of smell.
      Joan and I were on our way to do our weekly shopping at the stores nearby last Saturday when we passed a house from which ??issresed a very appetising odour. We both stopped, inhaled it deeply and almost simultaneously said it reminded us of a place on Orcas Island where we had spent a holiday a few years ago. As we had a lot of fried chicken while there we decided that the inhabitant of the house we passed must have been cooking chicken in the special Orcas Island way. But how interesting that we both connected that particular odour with the same place at once.


Saturday April 21st

      Finished up the baking for Pauline and Fred delivered it to St. Mark’s Hall directly after lunch.   Everything looking very nice so I know she will be pleased.
      Mrs. Clark and the twins came in for tea. We sat in the garden most of the time as the weather was so lovely. The deck chairs under the willow tree near the pond made a very enjoyable and restful spot to sit. The children played croquet and badminton and seemed to have a nice time together. Mrs. Purdy’s maid “Chee” (a Jap girl) - brought the wee Peter over and he thoroughly enjoyed a romp with the children.
Later in the afternoon Mrs. Granville came in. She was in a very disturbed condition. Just as she was about to leave Anderson’s house to come down here “Brooks” and his new wife drove up to Anderson’s door. It was quite a shock for her to be confronted by this - it opened up all the old wounds again. Brooks is trying very hard to get his old friends back again - they all left him severely alone after his miserable behaviour after Lily’s death and his treatment of Mrs. Granville (her mother) - but Capt. Anderson has no desire to renew a friendship with him he says!
      Fred and I worked in the garden a little after supper - planting out the old geraniums which have been in the basement all the winter. They look rather poor and dried up but the glorious weather we are having will no doubt soon bring them on.


Sunday April 22nd

      Just like a day in August - everybody we speak to expresses delight at the summer - like days we are having. The children pleased to be allowed to bathe this afternoon and while I thought it was a little early we agreed to let them try it. We packed eight into the car - two Cooper boys - Billy Spouse - Aileen - Joan - Donald Fred and myself and went down to Jericho Beach. I was surprised to see how readily they all took to the water. They had a wonderful time and said it was not very cold. They were more than ready for their supper and ate almost twice as much as usual. Now they have gone to bed very tired but happy!
      Donald, Ernest Cooper, and Billy S. have played most of the day around the fish pond with a tiny boat which Donald bought yesterday. It is a very novel toy - a little water is put into it and then a tiny piece of lighted candle which boils the water. The steam coming out makes a putt - putt noise and forces the boat along. I enjoyed watching and listening to it from the window in my bedroom this morning. Joan and Donald were out playing with it before 7 o’clock. I suppose we shall have three or four of them around in a few days as all the boys talked of getting them and they can be procured for the small sum of 25 cents.
      I want to finish “Great Possessions” by D. Grayson before going to bed so I must away as Mrs. Granville wants to take it back to Ladner with her when she returns there on Tuesday.


Monday April 23rd

      Another glorious day so I got the washing quite dry. I was not very happy working around the washing machine this morning as upon several occasions I felt slight electric shock when I lifted the clothes up out of the water to put through the wringer. I was rather inclined to leave it until Fred came home but I was so anxious to get it done especially as I had taken down the kitchen curtains and had two large sheets to wash as well. However, I survived it. I remembered something about weed being a non-conductor of electricity so I got a plank to stand on and handled the washing with a stick as much as possible.
      Fred tested it when he got home and could not find anything wrong. However, he said as water had been spilled on a wire that probably caused the trouble. He is going to change it around a little as I do not feel at all happy about using the machine again as it is connected at present.
      Walked up to Andersons this evening and returned the books to Mrs. Granville. From here I walked down Dunbar and thoroughly enjoyed the slight wind which has blown up since sundown. It is a lovely night and the city lights looked so pretty twinkling in the distance.


Tuesday April 24th

      Pauline ‘phoned for another orange cake yesterday so I made her one and took it down to “Killarney” for her. She left an envelope there for me with $2 enclosed so I felt very proud of my earnings for Saturday and today. I went on down town and spent it on dress material for Joan and myself - a pretty small red spot on white ground for Joan and green and yellow stripes for me. Now we shall be busy making them up.
      I ‘phoned to Dorothy from the H.B. store to know whether she was going to be alone at noon and she said she had been trying to get me on the ‘phone all morning to ask me to lunch with her. This has so often happened with me - I have been trying to get in touch with a certain person and found that they have been thinking of me - mental telepathy!!
      Had a very enjoyable time - a lunch of lobster salad and a nice little chat. Heard the astounding news of a certain young woman who is expecting a baby by a very influential man in the City - who is married with a son of adolescent age. He and the young lady have been in love with one another for about 10 years but the wife in the picture refuses to give the man a divorce so they have finally decided to kick over the traces. It will of course be kept as a secret as these matters can be kept but I fear very much for two such people who are continually in the public eye as they are. The young woman desires a child above everything in life and this particular man for the Father, and as she is a very clever, in fact, brilliant woman and he a very fine man they must have considered the matter very thoroughly before taking such a step.
In many ways I admire their courage but I do not see how such a love can bring them happiness. He will surely suffer greatly on the day that his son - almost a man now - gets to know of his Father’s action. The wife no doubt cares still or surely she would be willing to divorce her husband as she knows all about the affair. The unborn child - what of it? Perhaps the world will have undergone so great a change by the time it arrives to manhood that such things be quite within the moral code. Nothing is thought of them at present in Russia - in fact - every provision is made for the unmarried mother. I must say however that the whole thing has been quite a shock to me - knowing all the people in the case as I do.
      Fred is out trying to close a sale this evening - he sold a “Dustette” today.
Went to see Aunt Cleo and read to her for half an hour or so. She is thoroughly enjoying “Black Beauty.” She was wrapped up in sweater and shawls although the weather is so warm. However, she just sits and rocks herself all day - and her circulation would of course not be so good at 93 as it was at 39.


Wednesday April 25th

      Mrs. Helle came today and washed the paint in the kitchen. I hung the freshly washed yellow curtains with green tie backs when she had finished and it all looked so sparklingly clean and bright. Mrs. Ainsworth and Queenie and Berta came in for tea this afternoon. Mrs. Ainsworth brought me down a book to read which she thinks I will enjoy. It is the “Roadmaker” by Michael Fairless. Queenie is taking me to the Vancouver Theatre tonight for a treat. Bert is going to drive us down
in a few minutes so I must away.


Thursday April 26th

      The International Players took me back to the old “Lyceum” in London last night. For their final week they had chosen “The Drunkard” an old fashioned melodrama and they presented it in “Lyceum” style - villain - dark eyed and waxed moustache who, after the first act reveals his evil intentions, was “booed” and “sissed” when ever he put in an appearance “Nice proud beauty!!” was there, complete with innocence and golden curls. The dear old mother, who frequently threw her hands in the air and vowed that “Heaven would provide.” The dashing young hero who went to the wicked city and was almost ruined under the villain’s influence - the “Salvation Army” or “Temperance Society” man who saves him in time - and the pathetically over acted reunion of the lovers.
      The audience seemed to thoroughly enjoy it - Queenie and self felt included. It dragged somewhat towards the end - what a contrast to the plays and acting of today.
      We went over the street to “Scott’s” after the show and had some light refreshments and as there was a tea cup reader in attendance we had our fortunes told - everything splendid and lots of work for Fred!!! I only hope it will bring a little money along with it. Fred has only sold a couple of “Dustettes” this week so that will be a very poor cheque next week unless he has a little better luck the next few days.
      “The Economy League” are holding a dinner at “Love’s Café” this evening so Fred is not home. I have been amusing myself by making a cotton frock this evening I have got along splendidly and believe it is going to look very nice. It is a very pretty striped material and I am making it in a tailored shirt - waist style. It is past eleven so I’m off to bed - as Fred will probably not be home until midnight.


Friday April 27th

      Fred seemed rather unhappy over the meeting last night. Arrangements had been made for dinner for eighty and only about half that number arrived so they will have to make up the difference to the proprietors of “Love’s Café” who said they had hired extra help for the occasion. Dr. Cumming spoke for a while and then opened the meeting for questions which Fred and the Dr. replied to. They had several interesting discussions but only two new members joined. They have decided to leave the next meeting until Mr. Woodward returns from Ottawa where he has gone (at Mr. Roger’s and Reid’s expenses) to discuss the monetary question with the authorities there.
      I asked Mrs. Spouse and Billy’s Grandmother in to tea this afternoon to hear Billy play the piano. He has been coming in each evening while Donald and Ernest are practicing and has shown a very keen interest in it and seemed anxious to try and play himself. Joan and I have encouraged him a little the result being that he can play a tiny piece and a very simple duet with Joan. Needless to say he is very proud of himself and his mother and Grandma were delighted. I made a suggestion to Mrs. Spouse that if she cared to have Joan continue to interest him in playing she would do so, and Billy could come in each evening a little practice as they have no piano yet at his house. I hope she will give Joan a little pocket money for her trouble - as she is so anxious to earn a little. I made a slight suggestion along these lines which I feel sure Mrs. Spouse will carry out as she seemed so happy to have Billy interested in playing the piano.
      Am not feeling any too well tonight so I think I will take a hot water bottle to bed with me now.


Saturday April 28th

      Would like to have remained in bed this morning but Saturday is always such a busy day. However, I managed to get through my cooking and shopping with the children’s help and had a nice long rest as soon as lunch was over. Fred has been cutting the lawn this afternoon. It looks so nice after the heavy rain of last night and the night before. I went out after my rest and weeded a little in my fairy glen at the side of the house. It is so very lovely just at present - the delicate lacy leaves of the wild bleeding heart nestling so daintily at the foot of the vine maple trees and the tall slender green ferns shooting through them here and there make it a very attractive spot for me. I asked Fred today if he did not think that the fairies came there in the evening to play and in his quaint way he said - “he would not be at all surprised!”
      To come back to earth with a bang - I must record a perfectly wonderful Yorkshire pudding for dinner tonight - the best ever! It was so light and bumpy and so golden brown. A beauty all its own. I believe we could have eaten two of them.


Sunday April 29th

      Went to morning service and then after lunch and a rest we all did a little weeding in the garden.
      Joan used the long handled weeder and I went about with my little cushion lifting the Dandelions out of the lawn after she had loosened them up. Donald tidied up after us and Fred cut the grass out from around the large stones at the bottom of the rockery. The garden looks very pretty just now - so fresh and green after the rain - the mauve iris and yellow broom make a delightful spot of colour. Then the dear sweet lilies of the valley so delicate and fragrant are very rich in memories for me. From a child I have always associated these particular lilies with a very dear friend of the family at home a “Major Norris” - who each year when lily time came round brought very generous bouquets of them to me. He never had a wee girl of his own and seemed to get a great deal of pleasure out of my childish enthusiasm - of which I had a super- abundance. I remember being away from home one year when my bouquet was due - but he did not forget me - a lovely box of them arrived and I shall never forget the almost overpowering fragrance of them when I lifted the lid. The dear, dear Major - he has passed on - but his memory will always linger for me with the lilies of the valley. I hope one day to be able to return to that particular spot in his garden where they grew and - I hope to find them growing there still - the same roots he tended so lovingly so many years ago.
      I loaned Mr. Welch my infra-red lamp today to see if it would help his arthritis - I also recommended wheat germ for him as it did Mr. Birkenhead so much good when he was so ill with this miserable complaint last year.
      Have just written a note of excuse for Joan’s absence from school on Friday which she will take with her in the morning. She and several others - about 19 in all I believe - wanted to go to the sports at their former school and coaxed their mothers into giving them permission to do so. I felt it was quite a natural desire so fell in line when I saw her eagerness to join the majority. The are all quaking al little about the uncertainty of the Principal’s attitude toward their action - but I feel sure he will not object if the parents are behind the children.


Monday April 30th

      Mr. and Mrs. Welch came in this evening and we played cards for a couple of hours. I hated to waste the evening in this way when there is so much mending and other odd jobs to do but these elderly neighbours enjoy a game of cards and come in occasionally or ask us over to play with them. Mr. Welch said he found the lamp I loaned yesterday - very soothing for which I was very pleased. Fred and
Lillian ?James called in with some magazines just after dinner. Fred is on his holidays - they hope to leave for Vancouver Island at the end of the week to spend a little of their sweepstakes winnings.
      Mr. Ainsworth brought down a few plants from his garden which he thought we did not have - so kind of him I thought. Fred has worked hard all day but made no sale. He went to see Mr. Birmingham (our life insurance agent) this morning and talked over the question of turning in another of our policies to keep the wolf from the door.
      I am sorry that this has to be done - it is going to make things difficult for us when we are old. But there again - how do we know what the future holds in store - we might have passed on to the astral plane long before we come to that bridge and if not we shall win through some how I feel sure.
12:30 and I’m so sleepy!!

Comments

March 1933

Monday March 20

     Spent quite a busy day at my household duties. Fred went out to a meeting at the C.G.Co. in. which he is greatly interested at present. He hopes to be able through the C.G.Co. to introduce his "money takers" to the public. It is now seven weeks since he left the Hudson’s Bay Company since which time he has devoted his energies time entirely to the scheme of Monetary Reform.
     I hope something will come of it - he has worked so earnestly towards improving present conditions and solving humanity's great problem of unemployment.
     Roy telephoned at ten o'clock this evening to say that he and Barbara and wee John were sailing for England tomorrow at 4 p.m. They have just been out here three years. It is going to be a terrible break to say goodbye to Barbara's parents and the many friends they have made during their short stay with us.
     I can hear Fred returning from his meeting - bon soir!


Tuesday March 21

     Went to see Barbara and Roy and wee John Chapman off to England this afternoon. They sailed on a freighter the Dintledyke* which is going by way of Panama and taking six weeks to make the journey. I took Donald and Berta, a little playmate of Johns along with me. John was delighted to see his little friends. Donald was most interested in the loading of grain and was very loathe to come ashore when the whistle blew. We examined the cabin and decks and then went below to the dining saloon for a cup of tea. Quite a few people came to bid them adieu for which I was very thankful as it helped to soften the parting of Barbara from her mother. How sad these partings are!!! It is just 14 years since I said my farewell to my dear ones at home - and what changes have taken place since then!!! I often feel I would like to return to the old scenes but no doubt - recollections would be very painful - so many dear ones would be missing!


Wednesday March 22

     Paid a visit to the dentist this morning to have a couple of fillings done. He thought it advisable to make a novocaine injection to relieve the pain as it was in quite a sensitive spot near the gum. After waiting the usual time for the drug to operate, with no apparent result - he decided to repeat the operation concluding that I needed a little more than he usually administered to the average person. However in about 15 minutes - both doses seemed to be operating in full force and for the rest of the day I felt very uncomfortable around my lower jaw. This was not so good, as I had arranged to meet Mrs. Edwards for a walk in the park and lunch at the Pavilion. However I quite enjoyed the walk but excused myself about 3:00 o'clock and came home and applied hot clothes to my face and rested until 5 o'clock when the pain seemed considerably easier.
        In the evening we went up to Ben Brooks and spent a very pleasant couple of hours listening to some of his new music rolls. - after which I played some of his songs for him, and occasionally I joined in with the harmony which always gives Ben a great deal of pleasure.


Thursday March 23

      Had quite a few telephone calls today which greatly detained me from carrying out the programme of work which I had mapped out for myself.
      Was surprised to hear from Mrs. Fletcher that Roy had sent a radiogram requesting her to forward his and Barbara's passports to Seattle as he had gone away leaving them on the bed. Mrs. Laverock* told me she had her upper teeth removed a couple of days ago and things she had been planning to do for many months but found impossible as her six chicks, which she was left alone to care for many years ago, make so many demands on her purse. Went out for a walk and did my household shopping for the day. Mrs. Purdy 'phoned to ask if she might bring her baby over for a little in the afternoon. He is now 8 months old and very lovely. We had a cup of tea by the fire while he played with some balls on the carpet.
        Fred came home about 6:30 for dinner and we then spent a quiet evening altogether around the fire and retired early as we were very tired.


Friday March 24

      Fred and I took Mrs. Priestly down town in our car about 9 o'clock this morning to select wool. for men’s socks which Mrs. P is going to knot on her machine for the C.G.Co- operative store which is being operated in Burnaby. She arranged with Fred to take wood in exchange for their services this being the way that they are carrying out many of their transactions out there at present.
       Fred went to interview Mr.H.C. Wilson about renting some property which he owns on Granville St. - His object being to use it to demonstrate the possibilities in his token scheme. It all sounds very adventuresome and I hardly know what to think about it all - but Fred seems so very anxious to try and operate his system and is receiving encouragement from different directions that I suppose it will be in action very soon now.
       Donald came in after school with great excitement - a man had asked him if he would like to sell some magazines and get a jig-saw puzzle and of course he just wanted me to say yes in a great hurry! However, I interviewed the man, a MacLean Magazine representative, and found that Donald was to get three cents for every magazine he sold and a puzzle when he had sold 10. I was not very keen, but Donald seemed so enthusiastic to try it that I said Yes. So I expect tomorrow being Saturday, he will be quite busy ringing door bells!!
        Went to Joan's Guide meeting with her to play for her guitar accompaniment and for the Guides for sing and dance in preparation for their concert to be held next weekend. It was fearfully cold in the hall and the hot soup which we had for supper when we got home was greatly appreciated.
         Fred gone out to address a meeting so I'm for a bath and bed.


Saturday, March 25

      Donald was up bright and early, all keyed up to start off with his magazines. By noon he had sold five - though hardly like to think how many houses he had visited during that time. Most people were very kind to him he said - but quite frequently he came upon homes hat were feeling the depression and had no spare funds.
      In the afternoon we all went to see Noel Coward's new film Cavalcade and enjoyed it immensely. It portrays a chapter out of the most dramatic century in the life of England - from the time of the Boer War on to our present day. It was wonderfully filmed and a credit to Hollywood. The cast was English - Clive Brook and Diana Wynward taking the leading roles. They showed some splendid work and were particularly impressive in their last scene - a New Years Eve when they stood alone - both lovely sons lost. to them through was or the result of war and drank a toast to the future of our empire built up on dignity and peace. They had gone through so much together - tow wars and social unrest and sorrow, but they still had one another and were still looking to the future with confidence.
      Pauline had paid for Joan's ticket and mine as a birthday treat for us both, although the birthdays were well away. But somehow we had not been able to all get out together before, although the invitation had been extended for some time.
Pauline came back with us and we had a cosy little tea party near the fire. Pauline wore her new fur coat and of course I had to try it on!! It fitted me perfectly. We all helped build a jig-saw puzzle after tea and after the children went to bed Pauline and Fred held quite a keen discussion about his new scheme which he is planning to operate in Vancouver in the near future. She seemed to get a clear understanding of it after they held a little practical demonstration. I walked part of the way home with her about 10:00.
   

Sunday March 26

A cold which has been threatening me for days showed itself very clearly when I wakened this morning. Fred suggested my staying in bed and I thought I would at first, but breakfast time found me at the table with the rest of them.
         Ben Brooks phoned about 8:30 to say that Mrs. Alexander, a very dear friend of his, had a stroke last night on the boat coming over from Victoria. He arranged to meet the boat at 9:00 o'clock and take her out to her home in M*** but found on arriving there that they had already taken her to the hospital much against her wishes. I drove over to the hospital with him in the evening when there seemed to be a little improvement in her condition. She was able to move her fingers a little. It is all very distressing as her husband has a bad heart and we fear the news of her illness may be too much for him.
       Went for a long walk with Fred in the afternoon - the air was delightful - soft and warm and spring like.
       Just after we got home again Mr. Falk phoned to ask Fred over to his house on Pine Crescent for a little chat with himself and Dr. Cumming. They are very interested in his scheme so he went for a little while although I believe he would have preferred his fireside tonight.


Monday March 27

       Started to spring clean my bedroom this morning and succeeded in tiring myself out by noon so after lunch I had a little rest.
      Mrs. Laverock phoned to ask us all over for dinner on Saturday which will be a very pleasant visit. for us as we have not seen her or her family for many months.
Mrs. Granville rang me up to let me know that she was leaving for Ladner to take care of her daughter who had a little son Sunday evening about 9:00. This is her fourth boy! They had so wanted a little sister for their one wee daughter. What a family to raise on a ministers salary!!
       Granville Brooks came to me for a music lesson after school. I had promised to get him started at his music again, when I saw him last week and he seemed so anxious to learn to play a certain song which his dear mother had liked so much. He and his father are batching while Mrs. Granville (the Grandma!) is away so Granville had to hurry away at 4:30 to get potatoes on for supper. He said he supposed that they would live on eggs until Grandma returned as eggs and potatoes were about all they could cook!!
        However it will make Ben Brooks realise just how much Mrs. Granville had been contributing to his comfort since her daughter "Lilly", Ben's wife, died a couple of months ago. He has taken so much for granted and not considered the effect of his impatience and nervous disorder on the old lady.
        Fred is out to the Hotel for dinner with several influential men in the city keenly interested in a monetary reform.
        The children are tucked away and I shall be following them soon.


Tuesday March 28

    Finished spring cleaning my bedroom this morning and it well repaid me for all my work for it. fairly sparkled and shone with its pretty clean yellow muslin curtains and freshly polished furniture.
    Went over to Mrs. Millers for my china painting lesson in the afternoon - It was the last one! We. have all had lots of fun at these classes and I am rather sorry that they have come to an end, but maybe. next winter if things are not too bad I will take them again. I finished a lovely vase in red and black and gold and Mrs. Miller is keeping it to exhibit next week at her annual exhibition.
    We all enjoyed a cosy evening by the fire where I read Donald his bedtime story as usual. We have just commenced "Tarzan and the Golden Lion" and he seems to be enjoying it immensely. Joan has already got through all the Tarzan Books once at least and or two of them twice or more. She is very partial to animal stories and I think has almost read all the Public Library have along these lines.


Wednesday, March 29

     Gave Donald a letter to deliver to Queenie Wards on his way to school telling her the time at which she was to meet me at the Hotel Vancouver for a fashion show and tea. He returned at lunch time with the note still in his pocket!!!
     We had a most enjoyable time at the "Gossard Fashion Show" and the Hotel excelled themselves in the wonderful tea they served. Several kinds of sandwiches and olives, ripe and unripe, different kinds of cakes, ice cream and of course tea.
Fred met us at the Hotel and brought us home in the car.


Thursday March 30

     Terrible dreary day - poured hard without ceasing. Walked down to see Mrs. Fletcher in the afternoon and took along the snapshots which I had taken of Barbara and Roy and John when they left for England last Tuesday week. They had turned out very well indeed and both Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher were delighted with them. Barbara had written her mother several letters already - one from Seattle, Blaine, and Portland.
     Upon leaving I invited Mrs. Fletcher to join us in the evening when we intended to go to Christ Church Cathedral to hear members of the "Oxford Group" who arrived in the city yesterday and about which we have heard so much during the past year.
We enjoyed the evening with the group immensely. They seamed so happy and humorous and impressed one through their expression of steadfast faith.

    The Cathedral - The Hotel - St. Andrew's Church and the Baptist Church were all filled to their capacity with people eager to hear their message. They are not teaching anything new but it reminds us of much that is lacking in these present days of difficulty.
     The world seems to be ready for a revival of thought along the lines of the standards of the Oxford Group - absolute honesty - absolute purity - absolute unselfishness - absolute love. I feel sure that with such a standard they cannot fail to leave happier people behind them wherever they go. The Group seems to consist of several Oxford Graduates, a Dutch Baroness, and R.N. Admiral of 60 years (who says that he has only been living three years!) also Canadian and America representatives. I hope to be able to hear them again before they leave the city next Tuesday.


Friday March 31

     Quite a full day - left home about 10:00 o'clock and called in to Mrs. Millers on the way down. town to pick up three cups and saucers which she had been firing for me.  
     From here on to see Aunt Amanda and leave her some magazines and then some daffodils for Aunt Cleo who is celebrating her 92nd birthday this week. She is just wonderful for her age - as bright and charming as she can be and does not look a day over 70 years. From here on to the Hudson’s Bay to do a little shopping. I had to skip through this as I had an appointment to meet Nelly and George Berhendead at the Art Gallery as 12:15 noon. I had told them about an exhibition of black and white and water colours being held this week so we planned to see them together.
We spent a very pleasant hour in the gallery so peaceful! One or two of the pictures were particularly good, especially a girls head by Laura Knight. Her pictures of circus life have taken very well lately.
     After leaving George and Nell I went up to Dorothy's for lunch. Mrs. Fletcher came too. After lunch we three took the baby (Mugwap!!) as Dorothy calls him, out for a ride in his pram. He is not looking very bonnie yet, and still continues to throw up a lot of his food. What a worry a sickly child can be. I live again my anxiety and broken nights with my two!! - and yet they were really so healthy.

     Joan's Guide concert in the evening when she played three pieces on her guitar. I worked very hard playing accompaniments for dances and songs, several of them being thrust on me at the last moment. What a day!
     I had just got to bed when the telephone rang!! - it was Nelda Sciberd ringing up to say aurevior as she was leaving on the midnight boat for California and said she had tried to get me before and failed and had called a week ago while we were at "Cavalcade". We had quite a chat and she assured me that she would be up in the summer to see me. Her husband has procured a wonderful position in charge of 80 stores for Montgomery Wars do she will probably be able to travel around quite a bit. So sorry to see her go!