January 6, 1951

Went to Dave & Ruths tonite. Had popcorn, cokes, and divinity. Reese & Bob wasn’t there. Got home at 11:30. Went to Bevier & Callao today. Watched television at Aubreys.

Dave and Ruth Jones were next-door neighbors with the Hyde family. They lived on the nearest farm to the east of the Hyde’s farm, just down the hill, across the creek, and up the next hill. Being such close neighbors (relatively speaking) the two families visited back and forth a lot, and played a lot of cards together. Dave and Ruth had two sons: Bob, and David Reese (who they just called Reese). (Mildred’s sister, Ruth, was married to Dave’s brother, Ralph, so that made two “Ruth Jones”.)

The Hyde household had only had electricity for a couple of years at this time. They listened to a lot of radio, but the radio was battery powered. I’ll have a story about that later on. The Hydes, like most others at the time, did not have a television set in their home.

The Aubrey mentioned here was Aubrey Evans, who lived in town in Bevier with his wife, Ann. Aubrey was the owner/operator of the local hardware store. Next door to the hardware store was Gates Garage, where Vern worked. In his hardware store, Aubrey also sold appliances. Aubrey had the first television set in Bevier on display in his store. It was a 7″ Admiral with a large LARGE cabinet. Hazel’s brother, Larry, recalls that the screen was so small, it was “like looking through a knot hole in a fence!” On days when the Hyde kids could find a way to Bevier after leaving school in Callao (the towns are 4 miles apart), they would go to Aubrey’s, line up on pillows on the floor in front of the television, and watch shows like Amos and Andy or Sky King until Vern got off work at the garage next door. Occasionally, they might also go on Saturdays to watch Howdy Doody. Reception was not very good, since the nearest stations were Kansas City (3 hours away), and Quincy, IL (over an hour away). The only antennas available were homemade. Think kids these days could live like that?! Oh, how far we’ve come in such a short time . . .

Oh, and since it’s mentioned, I’ll give you the Rector women’s recipe for homemade divinity. It’s well-known in our family that Ruby makes the best divinity, so I went straight to the source and got her very own recipe. My sister and I tested it out. If you like divinity, it’s worth it, even though you have to use a candy thermometer.

Divinity Candy

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup white Karo syrup

1/2 cup water

Cook these three things together to the hardball stage, stirring very often. (Be sure to cook until a few drops dropped into cold water hardens.)

Meanwhile, beat 2 egg whites with 1/8 tsp. salt until stiff.

Stir the sugar-syrup mixture into the egg white mixture, then add 1 tsp. vanilla, and if you wish, some chopped pecans or walnuts. (We left them out and just pushed a pecan half in the top when they were done.)

Beat this mixture until it can be dropped from a teaspoon onto waxed paper. My sister and I put our “batter” into a disposable pastry bag, and (in my sister’s words) “pooped ‘em out” that way — much easier and less mess!

One batch makes about 36-38 pieces of candy. It can easily be doubled if you want more.

And now back to working on your quilts. Today’s instructions are below . . .

Option 1 (large quilt):

Today you’ll need Fabric #7, which should be a light/medium fabric for use in the blocks.

From it, cut two squares, 3 7/8 ” x 3 7/8″.

Stack them on top of each other, then cut them in half diagonally to make four triangles.

Add these to the baggie labelled Block 1, and you’re all done for today!

Option 2 (small quilt):

We’re using Fabric #6 today, a medium/dark that contrasts with your focal print.

From it, cut two squares 2 3/8″ x 2 3/8″.

Stack them on top of each other, and cut them in half diagonally to make four triangles.

Add these to the baggie labelled Block 1, and you’re all done for today!