May 17, 1953

Dale, Damon & Carol came up this aft. & we all went riding way off. Damon is the cutest thing & more fun than a monkey. Dale & I aren’t getting along too good. Guess we’ll get over it though. Goodbye.

“More fun than a monkey” — ?!?!?! — Bahahaha! Wonder if Damon knows she thinks that? Hysterical!

And there’s trouble in Loverland — wonder if that could be because of Hazel’s set of double standards? She can do whatever she wants, but Dale can’t even look cross-eyed at another girl? Will their love endure as the drama unfolds? Stay tuned . . .

May 16, 1953

Barbara & Peggy Jo are staying all nite with me tonite. Its rainy & muddy out. We went to Macon this eve. & signed up for the deep freeze. I just love my hair. We are getting a new gym at school.

This post made me laugh. Lots going on all at once. There must be a raffle going on for a deep freeze, and Mildred is trying to win it. Had to go get signed up — this is a big deal!

And the school is finally getting a new gym! Now they can host all their events right there in their own building instead of having to go down the street to the church. And they can play basket ball indoors! Wow!

May 15, 1953

School is out for 53 today. Not too glad. Judy, Opal, Della, Carol Sue, Charlotte, Sue, & Sharon came out this aft. & we had a picnic down by the ditch. Came back to house then & danced & acted crazy. Went to Grandma’s tonite to watch fight.

I knew she wouldn’t be too glad when school was out. She loves school — it’s her social time, don’t you know?

Guess they’ll just have to have lots of picnics like this one.

The fight on this date was between Jersey Joe Walcott and Rocky Marciano, the current heavyweight champion at the time. Marciano won by a knockout in the first round. The count was contested by the Walcott team, but the ruling held. He just didn’t get up fast enough! It was a short fight. You can watch the entire thing right here: Walcott vs. Marciano.

May 14, 1953

Had Graduation tonite. Well, Donna is out of school now. I got the Citizenship Award. I was so surprised. Dale was there & he brought me home. I’m kinda mad at him cause of something he asked Norman.

Well, of course we can’t have the two boyfriends talking to each other!

Hazel got the Citizenship Award, and Donna has been released into the big world — school is just about over for this year, I guess . . .

May 13, 1953

Rained today so we stayed at school all morning & danced for our picnic & then went roller skating this aft. Really had fun. I’ve learned a new dance – the bunny hop. Practiced on commencement tonite at church. Got Donna’s grad. present – scatter pins.

Bahaha! A new dance — the bunny hop — I’m laughing so hard at this one! Too funny! Would love to have seen that in action. I’m sure my kids would laugh just as hard at me during the disco phase, too, though. Hilarious!

Scatter pins are the new jewelry fad for 1953. Small ornamental pins sort of like tie tacks, that are worn in groups of 2 or 3, like on your lapel or vest. Cute gift idea!

May 12, 1953

Donald graduated from the 8^th grade tonite. I was really proud of him when he stepped up to get his diploma. Janet & all of us got tickled during prog. We played ball at Ethel today & I talked to Norman. Donna said she told him I would like to go with him & she said she might have me a date for Sat. nite. Ha.

Hazel was always very proud of her brothers and their accomplishments. What a good sister!

And now I understand where that getting-tickled-during-the-program thing comes from — oh, my gosh, it’s genetic! This happens to me all the time. Especially if I’m with my daughter somewhere. She usually forbids me to look at her when we’re in the middle of something because we both know that’s what will happen. It’s horrible and so funny all at the same time!

Really?! A date with Norman? I thought she was wearing Dale’s class ring and just loved him “so awful much”? If he was contemplating dating another girl, she’d be furious! Oh, wait — that’s different!

May 11, 1953

Jun. class had party for Mr. Waterman tonite at lake. I invited Donna. After party, me, Donna, Opal, Frank, Anita, Sharon, J—, Jane & Don W. drove around in Dons car out to drivin & around sanitorium. Stopped at the Rexall & came home. Its 10:30.

Well, that was a car full! The things they do in the name of fun! Sounds like Mr. Waterman may be leaving after this year? She doesn’t say, but maybe that’s why they threw him a party . . .