New Year's Day on Marshall Street - Joanie, Mary Patricia, Diane and Christine sitting on the dining room table.
I found my old diary for 1966 - I think it is the first one I ever had. The cover says 1965 but on January 1, 1966 I wrote:
"Dear Diary,
I found you the week before Christmas and decided to use you for this year because there was nothing written in you. This afternoon went to Hully's (the Hulistons) and urged by a childish whim played dolls with Joanie and Diane. Later they returned home with me along with the dolls and we played with Patty and dolls again. Hope you'll excuse the writing and stuff. In closing I'll just say Happy New Year to you my dear new friend."
"Sunday, January 2, 1966
Hi O! friend,
Went to Boston with Joanie, Mary Pat (Navin,) and Carol Maf(fioli?). Walked through Common and Garden to Prudential but before getting there the snow started to fall. By the time we left (4:30) it was like a blizzard. Walked by USO (wish I could work there) and went to Liggett Drug for a Hot Dog & coke - arrived home at about 5:15. The Hully's were up taking movies of the little kids' play and showed some old ones. I saw Pat Hollis tonight. By!"
(Pat Hollis was an actor in the TV show "Wackiest Show in the Navy.")
"Monday, January 3, 1966
Dear Diary,
Back I went to school. Sheer torture! Be glad when I graduate in 2 yrs. 'Din't do nonting' tonight." Good night."
"Police Quarters (Le Casernas)
Curepipe, Mauritius,
Indian Ocean
3-1-66
Dear Mary,
I received your letter with much pleasure and I enjoyed reading it - as usual. It is the most interesting letter I have received from you. I hope you are well and your family also.
In Mauritius we have only two seasons - Winter and Summer. Summer is from October to March and Winter from April to September. In summer the weather is fine but it rains sometimes. I like summer much. Winter at Curepipe is quite cold. My cousin who was in England recently told me that winter in Mauritius can be compared with the summer of England. The lowest temperature last winter was 12 degrees Centigrade. No, we do not have snow in Mauritius but at La Reunion, an island 125 miles south of Mauritius there is snow. I agree with you when you say Christmas isn't the same without snow.
1 have seen several of Elvis' films and I like him very much - in fact, it is my favorite male singer. In Mauritius we talk English and French. So we like both English and French singers ...
"Among the English groups I like the Searchers, The Shadows, the Beatles. I have not seen any film by the Beatles but yesterday I saw Rhythm Greens.
Among musicians I like very well Billy Vaughan and Victor Sylvester. Often I often write to the BBC and it is with great pleasure that we heard Victor Silvester play something for my father.
J'ai le beaucoup sur le Vietnam et personellement je pense que le Communisme prendra le pouvoir si Johnson ne frappe tres fart. Il faut que Johnson montre beaucoup plus de fermeti; (I am having trouble deciphering the next sentence) sinon les Americaines subiront difaite humiliante si le Vietnam touche aux maius des Communistes. Maurice
ne tandera pas a tomber elle aussi.""
My basic translation of the above French paragraph -
I have a lot on Vietnam and personally I think that Communism will take power if Johnson does not strike hard. Johnson must show much more firmness. Otherwise the Americans will suffer a humiliating defeat if Vietnam touches the hands of the Communist. Mauritius will soon fall too.
At home we have television but the program is not 'rich' - it needs improvement. In Mauritius there are only 4 hours of Television and we have only one or two American television series.
Now I leave you and until next time
Good-bye
Your pen-pal
Jose
ITALY = I trust and love you.
HOLLAND = Hope Our Love Last and Never Die
PS Comment tu as passe La Noel et le Nouval An.
Dans le photo montre (?) mon papa, ma maman, mon frere Georges et ma belle soeur ...
(PS How did you pass Christmas and the New Year?
In the photo it shows my father, my mother, my brother George and my beautiful sister.)
" Merci pour la photo.
(1) a la fin de voter letter juste apres votre signature j'ai remarque trios petites croix comme ceci: xxx! Savez-vous ce que cela veut dire! Si c'est non je vous le direz dans ma prochaine lettre en attendant: I st. Walk: Next time I'll will give you another hint about
??? 19 xxx
8 degrees 3 st walk
etc, etc ,,,
Write soon"
"PS Thank you for the picture.
(..) at the end of your letter just after your signature I noticed three small crosses like this" xxx! Do you know what that means! If it's no I'll tell you in my next letter in the meantime: I st Walk:
Next time I'll will give you another hint about ???? etc etc ..."
I have no clue what Jose's scribblings at the end mean.
Jose's parents, his sister and his brother Georges
Not sure if I inserted this pic before - Jose.
"Saturday, January 8, 1966
Dear Diary,
What a day. Slept till noon. It's snowing out. Rather deep. Made a snowman this after' with little kids. Took pictures to send to Mary Jelonek of the snow. Didn't go babysitting cause of the snow. Eileen called about 7 and cancelled out. Spent a quiet night at home after shoveling all day. Oh! My aching back!! Bye"
MEM shoveling the sidewalk near Mrs. Green's driveway.
Patty and Jody on Marshall Street
Someone in the snow in the backyard - wondering if that was a snowman in back between both garages?
Marshall Street
Someone was busy building a snowman.
Snowman with a scarf and baseball cap on. I wonder if that was real coal for the 3 black buttons? When we moved to Marshall Street, there was a coal bin in the cellar with coal in it.
Christine sledding at Saltonstall
Jimmy sledding at Saltonstall. Whitney Plaza in the background. That used to be a farm or an estate - I remember going through it before it was knocked down. Palfrey Hill used to be called Whitney Hill years ago before it was so developed.
The back of Saltonstall Park - not sure if that was someone sledding. There was a stream here as well as railroad tracks when we were kids.
Jimmy/MEM/Christine going to or coming from sledding.
"Sunday, January 9, 1966
Hi O! Dear Diary,
Went shoveling this morn' before last Mass. During the aft(ernoon) went coasting with Patty, Diane, Johnny & Richard Hotin & Nancy & friend. Used Hotin's toboggan a few times. Diane got hurt with it. Later on she crashed into my arm with sled and ruined it. It's terribly sore still. Went to Hannie's afterwards. The outer layer of clothes were soaked. Luckily had on 2 blouses and knee knockers under. Bye"
"Monday, January 10, 1966
Dear Diary,
Nothing much doing in or after school. Stayed in all day. Studied for Latin test.
Bye ducks,
Mia
PS Beatles were on Hullabaloo today - too short - 30 mins. Were great especially George. During last song he sat down on the stage-like thing R(ingo)'s drums were on. Sang (1) We Can Work it Out. (2) Day Tripper."
"Wednesday January 12, 1966
Dear Diary,
Went to dancing school tonight. Saw Frank (I don't know if that's his name) working in 'W House of Pizza 1.' We were talking about Ronnie Nelson (kid Joanie likes - she's been calling him up). Came home and watched Blue Lights starring Bob Goulet. Goodnight! Mia
PS I'm terribly tired tonight. Don't know why.
"Friday, January 14, 1966
Dear Old Diary,
Nothing new at school. Went skating at Victory tonight with Lois, Mary, Patty & Lee - stayed till 9:10. Then went to the Navins. Jay & dear old Chris were there. Chris has no taste. Prefers the Smothers Brothers to Mister Rogers. Imagine!!! Stayed till almost 11:30. Was joking with Jay about Mary and she got mad. (Lois & I were kidding about Mary & boys & sex.)"
"Mister Rogers" was a 1960's TV series about life in the Navy starring Roger Smith.
"Sunday, January 16, 1966
Dear Diary,
Joanie & Mary went to see 'A Spy in My Eye' & 'Secret Agent Fireball.' They didn't ask me the swines!! (Haha) The Keohanes came (all except Jimmy) and talked about college. I was talking to Joanie about the movies & Ronnie (whom she called again) most of the time. I'd never call a boy I liked just to talk!! Saw Pat Hollis tonight. Bye"
Says me with no boyfriend, never had a date!!
"Monday, January 17, 1966
Dear Diary,
Last Friday I went to dentist & got a temporary filling. Tooth's been bothering me ever since. I told you about Alan, Ginny's son (my mother's friend Virginia Roberts Studley,) didn't I? About standing under mistletoe and not getting kissed? I'm going to write to him. He's in the Air Force. Might go to Vietnam any day now. Good-looking too ... 'night"
Tuesday, January 18, 1966
Dear Diary,
Shouldn't have gone to school today. Felt rotten. Wrote to Ninni and Jose last night. Also to Mary J(elonek.) Got to write to Alan tonight. Good old Chris gave me his picture last night. He's great. Said I had 'a beautiful smile." Nothing new - cleaned room! which is a miracle! David McCallum's on tomorrow. So is Bob Hope & troupe that went to Vietnam. John Fugal never wrote back." (? someone in the military? I don't remember.)
"To Mary Ellen
A very, very nice girl with a beautiful smile. I don't plan to be around much after this summer so you'll have to take care of our godson. (John Huliston) Just don't hit him as hard as you belt me - O, that smarts! Blacken out the 2 front teeth on this picture and voila - Illya K.
Chris
'66'"
Chris was planning to join the seminary - somewhere in New York. I went to visit him sometime with Hannie, Norman and Mary Patricia.
"Wednesday, January 19, 1966
Dear Diary,
Nothing doing! Went to dancing school. Frank wasn't working today so we talked with the other older guy. I filled in for the High Caul Cap for Billy Galvin. Acted as idiotic as usual. I now resolve to try and lose 20 lbs before July. Think I can do it? I don't know but I'm going to try so that I can buy a 2 piece bathing suit. That's my goal!! To look good in a 2 pc. Saw David McCallum tonight with Roger Miller; Bob Hope in Viet(nam.)"
"Police Quarters
Curepipe, Mauritius
Indian Ocean
20-1-66"
(Beginning of letter is missing where I removed the stamp.)
" te lettre est parvenue a bon port; Car ce matin le facteur est passe. Je te remercie de la lettre et aussi de les tres jolie carte postale.
J'espere que tu t'es bien amuse pour les fetes de Noel et du nouvel an. Ici a Maurice ca a 'ete' different cette annee. On avait l'habitude d'avoir pour la Noel et le nouvel an deux Semaines de congi (public Holidays) mais unfortunately a cu que deux jours pour Noel et deux jours pour l'annee. Les amusement, ont ete tres restraint par consequence. Pour la Veillie de Noel, il y avait une surprise-party q'on avait prepare pour Dad & Mam; On s'est bien amuse pour la journle de Noel il a fait une choleur d'enfer 29 degrees to 31 degrees Fahrenheit. Alors je suis allee au bord de mer chez mon frere Robert et sa femme Gladys qui habitent a la Riviere Noir (Black River) Ils ont un fils Achille qui a quartre mois. Au bord de mer on peut respirer un peu d'air et a l'ombre des fileos. Je suis reste tout la journee en maillot de bain. Le 31 Decembre il y avait comme toujours le dancing party de fin l'annee et a minuit on avait eteint les lampes ...
(My translation with some Google Translate assist: Your letter arrived safely; because this morning the postman came. I thank you for the letter and also the pretty postcard. I hope you had fun during Christmas and New Year's. Here in Mauritius it was different this year. We used to have two weeks off for Christmas and New Year's. But unfortunately we had only two days for Christmas and two days for the new year. The fun was limited as a result. For Christmas Eve, there was a surprise party that we had prepared for Dad and Mum; We had great fun on Christmas Day but it was so hot 29-31 degrees Fahrenheit. So I went to the seaside to my brother Robert's and his wife Glady's house who live on the Black River. They have a son Achille who is 4 months old. At these side you can breathe a little air in the shade of the filaos. (common shade trees found on Mauritius' beaches.) I stayed all day in my swimsuit. On December 31 there was as always the end of the year dancing party and at midnight the lights were turned off ...
2
"pour les premiers souhaits de l'an. Chacun avait sa femme ou fiancee or girl-friend pour la souhait. Ce soir ta il m'a faller avoir un girlfriend: ??? On laisse la salle dans l'obscurite pour go secondes seulement. C'e'tait trop court car on avait raflume et il y avait enevqueques-une qui s'embrasser encore apres le rallumange."
(My translation: for the first wishes of the year. Each had his wife or fiancee or girlfriend for the wish. Tonight you didn't need to have a girlfriend: ??? We leave the room in darkness for only seconds. It was too short because we had turned it on and there were still some people kissing after turning it back on.)
This page continues in English:
"In your letter you told me that you want to join the navy and that you like everything pertaining to the sea. Then you are a nautical girl. You like surely to swim then I will ask a photography of yourself in a swimsuit because I like to see the beauty of all the opposite sex of mine. They legs and in their swimsuit.
I am due to leave Mauritius on March 7 but I don't know exactly weather I will leave in March or latter on as my mother is ill and is now at hospital for treatment.
Your handwriting is very good even before it was good. Mine is awful, I must improve it because it is too childish to write like that.
We have had a month ago a cyclone named Denise which visited us. Two persons was killed and about a hundred injured. At the time I am writing there is another one about 500 miles NNE of Mauritius and is named Germaine. I hope she will not affect us in one way or another. It is now raining heaving and every one is dressed in rain coats and gunboots. A cyclone is like a typhoon sometimes with winds blowing more than 150 MPH and with heavy rains 10 to 20 inches for 24 hours. Everything under culture is destroyed. After a cyclone it is a pity to see our beautiful beaches, all are dirty with mud and fallen trees. But in 40 hours everything returns to normal; the beaches are being swept by scavengers and the sand returns as white as snow ...
u
3
"Now, Mary, I must conclude in asking you not to leave school until you finish your two years. Mine que ce n'est pas this interessanti mais tu ??? beaucoups. Un de ces jour tu ??? un grande dame et ... tu respectiva toujours. (It is not very interesting but yours are very ???. One of these days you ??? a great lady always respected.)
Je ??? te quitteri maintenant. (I ??? will leave you now)
En te serrant cordialement. (Hugging you cordially)
La main et en disant (The hand and in distant????)
Hello a tout ton monde. (Hello to everyone)
Ton ???? correspondant
Jose
PS: Merci La Carte de Noel
et du nouvel an (Thank you for the Christmas and New Year card)
As tu le lettre de mon papa (Do you have my father's letter)
j'espere recevoir une lettre avant mon depart." (I hope to receive a letter before my departure.)
Mary Navin
"Les Casernes (Police Quarters No 57),
Curepipe
Mauritius,
Indian Ocean
24th January, 1966
Dear Miss Manning,
It's with much pleasure that I write to you today. I do hope that evrerything is all right at Watertown. Here the season is splendid, save from time to time some sudden flashes by which we feel like being stewed.
I do not know whether my son Jose has informed you that we are to proceed to Europe on 7.3.66, together with his mother, himself, and one of his younger brothers Noel. During my stay in England, I will follow a course of about one month at the Metropolitan Police in London. This will be to my advantage, and those of the Mauritius Police Force. So, I have gladly accepted.
My writing to you is quite informal, and I wonder whether you will not see by this a lack of good breeding. Anyway I do not think you will take offense for such, and consequently I continue to write as I think. However, I should confess that I have been encouraged to write this way, because Jose told me a lot of good of you. This young man is very fond of you and of your country as well ...
"You are still at school Jose told me and that you are about 16 years old. Oh! this is really marvelous! You have a very long way to go, and sincerely I hope you will be always happy in life.
Do you like Frank Sinatra? I do. There is another singer, an English one, Matt Munro, who also has a wonderful voice. Very often I hear him from the British Broadcasting Corporation, and the song I prefer by him is 'The Portrait of my love.' There is also 'Walk Away', which once I heard from the 'Voice of America.' Walk Away is simply marvelous. _ I very much like ballet music, and everything pertaining to ballet is what I like better. Have you seen 'Agon'? This is the most dazzling ballet I have ever seen, and it is unforgettable. To my mind, dexterity and surprise are the best qualities of Agon, though one may say that there is nothing surprising when a ballet is being produced by such ??? personalities like Igor Stravinsky and Balanchine! The choreography of Anon is mostly classical, and I have never seen such dancers before. There is not only invention in Agon, but also and particularly humanity, and on such a scale that it can be favorably compared with Shakespeare, Tchaikovsky, and even the great Mozart. "Anon" means sublimity, and is supremely wonderful ...
"Now, I would like to write a bit about your country. From Washington to Lyndon Johnson, 36 men have presided to the destiny of USA. Those I admire more are Washington, Lincoln, F D Roosevelt, and John Kennedy. Since the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, USA have done so many splendid things for humanity that I have still confidence in them. You certainly know the famous address of Lincoln at Gettysburg on November 19, 1863. But please allow me to reproduce a few lines of that imperishable address: 'It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us & that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain ...
In writing this, my thoughts are with those Americans who have died in Vietnam, and are still dying there. For how long my God will this slaughter continue? Has the spirit of late General MacArthur disappeared for ever in USA? Those who not only contributed largely to overthrow Hitler, but also fought the Japs, those who at Midway on 4.6.1942 avenged Pearl Harbor (7.12.1941), the Spirit of those Americans of that time, what have become of such MEN and their SPIRIT? In my humble opinion, either the massacres should stop once for all, or better stop the Communists once ...
"for all as with the Japs at Hiroshima and Nagashaki in 1945: delaying things will be against the USA and humanity in general. The USA is still the most powerful county in the world, but TIME is against you. No body should have any illusions about the Communists; they are out to destroy the USA. They may be called Kosygin, Chou-En-Lai, Castro, or what ever else, they are and will remain always the same; i.e. the world must be Communist, governed by them, and must bow before them! For men like me, this will never be. The confrontations bound to take place, and sooner the better, whatever the implication! I rest assure 'that the victor' will be the USA, but in 3 or 5 years ....?
Can it be said that Nijinsky, Rachmaninoff, Tolstoi, La Pavlova, Tchaikovsky, Pasteurnak, and many others were Russians that much much outstanding persons, were the compatriots of these actual brutes of the USSR? For my part, I refuse to believe that they were.
I stop, dear Miss Manning, with the hope that my letter has not taken too much of your time, particularly that you have not been bored by the contents.
Yours sincerely,
Marcel Feillafe"
I wasn't bored with this letter, but why was he writing to me about Vietnam?! I was a 15 year old - what could I do about the war? I was worried that Jose and his father were thinking that I was interested in a relationship including marriage with Jose!
"Monday, January 31, 1966
Dear diary,
Bought a lucky charm off Mary for 5 cents and a piece of a brownie. It's inscribed 'Pat Hollis - the KIWI.' You'll never guess who wrote to me?!! Jose's father!!!! Talked about Communism and how fond Jose is of me. Hope he doesn't plan on us getting married!!! UNCLE got the title of Best TV Show from the Universal Press Ass. David McCallum & Bob Vaughan lost out to David Jansen for favorite tv actor. Even critics were surprised about that. S'long"
I still remember being shocked to receive that letter from Jose's father! I may have stopped writing to Jose after that or shortly after receiving it. I really thought that Jose may try to come to the US to find me!!
Mary Navin up in my bedroom on Marshall Street.
I shared the attic with Patty - our room was L-shaped - this was the back wall with a closet - I'm standing in front of a wall with a bureau against it and a door to the top of the stairs. Patty's bed was on the opposite wall near the closet - my bed was around the corner from the door to the stairs tucked into that corner.
This was my bed against the wall that ran parallel to the stairs. On the opposite wall were 2 windows. President Kennedy and a Cape Cod pennant on my walls.
I don't know what is up with my eyes! That is one of the two windows on the front wall - the other is opposite my bed. That is a desk behind me and Patty's bed was beside that. I know that I could see her bed from mine because one night I woke up and saw a shimmery light hovering beside her bed. I thought it might be a street light from outside but I looked and there was no light coming in around the room darkening shades. The white light shimmied beside Patty's bed for what seemed like 30 seconds but I'm sure it was much less than that. I knew it was a ghost but I wasn't afraid. I had heard a baby crying some other time when there was nobody home. I know there was a spirit in that house. We found out later that Mr Waterhouse who had owned the house before my folks bought it, had died in the house. Anyway I know it was a spirit - I feel sometimes when I am doing family history, that there is a presence or spirit with me. And Aunt Nellie was psychic - she sometimes could tell what was going to happen. She was the one who heard the banshee crying before her father died.
From spirits to Masses, we had to write a Mass for Religion class - pick out readings, Gospel, etc. I'm not transcribing it but I received a B+ on it.
"Tuesday, February 1, 1966
Dear Diary,
Nothing new. Have to finish (a) Mass for Sister Greg(ory Anne.)
Having a Latin & Bio test tomorrow. Went to Navin's after school to bring Peggie home. Talked with Mary a while. I guess Joanie's still crazy over Ronnie .. Guess what she told Bill Wright?!! Said she had a real sexy cousin named Mary E M. He asked how sexy and she said you should see some of the she does!! How's that get you!"
I don't remember who Bill Wright was and wasn't I just playing dolls with Joanie, Diane and Patty? I hadn't had a boyfriend or even a date at this point! Sad to say!
"Thursday, February 3, 1966
Dear Diary,
Had second part of bio(logy) test today. Easy!! as Kim (Hawaiian Eye) would say. Got 88 in Latin test. Highest was 92. Finished writing Mass at about 10:30 & ironed blouses. Laredo wasn't on. Went up stairs & started to learn 15 vocab words, learned 9 and went to bed."
February edition of The Shamrock.
The article on the lower left column talks about a Self Help course for sophomores - that was my grade.
"Sophomores Learn Self-Help Procedures
The fifty-four Sophomores are learning to take care of others in case of emergency. They are enrolled in a Medical Self-Help Course which provides knowledge and some skills in treating injuries and caring for the sick in case of nuclear attack or any disaster such as flood or hurricane.
The course, taught by Sister Gregory Anne, OP, in connection with biology classes, is a 20-hour program covering the topics of protective measures in radioactive fallout, healthful living in emergencies, artificial respirations, bleeding and bandaging, fractures and splinting, transportation of the injured, burns, shock, nursing care of the sick and injured, and infant and child care.
The course, consisting of lectures, film strips and demonstrations, is the cooperate effort of the Office of Civil Defense, the US Public Health Department, and the Council on National Security of the American Medical Association.
Sister Gregory Anne says, 'We should all learn to help ourselves when there will not be enough doctors or nurses to give us the professional help we are used to getting.'"
The article in the 3rd column - "1966 - The Tested Year" - states that "The National Educational Development Test for Freshmen and Sophomores shows the student how far he has progressed in his assimilation of knowledge since beginning school.
The article on the right talks about the 2nd Vatican Council.
"Council Stirs New Spirit
Coming at a time when so many faiths, loyalties and grips on truth are moored or slipping, the Second Vatican Council which ended December 8 must be called the most impressive religious event this century has yet seen. The largest Church in Christendom has had the courage to conduct a critical self-examination in public for four years, and, as a result, has profoundly altered its own view of itself, its view of the world, and the world's view of the Catholic Church.
The Church is now more Catholic and less Roman, less monarchic and more constitutional, less doctrinal and more dialogic, less monolithic and more mosaic, less static and more mobile, less pre-occupied with the City of God and more in love with the City of Man. This is what the great Council did to the spirit and structure of the Church.
Never in history had so many prelates and scholars of the Roman Catholic Church gathered in one city. Never had a Church council been wired for so much worldwide notice; nor in modern times has the Church itself drawn such sympathetic interest from Non-Catholics.
The spirit of her new era was symbolized by one of the closing events of the Council, when the Pope shared with Protestant and Orthodox clergymen the conduct of a prayer and Gospel reading service in the monastic church of St Paul Outside the Walls. This service was not Roman, not Protestant, and not Orthodox, it was simply Christian.
Much indeed now depends on the Pope, and His papacy has only begun. Paul IV has been pontiff for two and a half years, but all of them with the council on his back. Paul of course (even before his election) wholly committed himself to John's Council and has promised speedy execution of its 'Holy Deliberations' though with 'reasonable gradualness.'
The Church will nevertheless survive by resolving its conflicts, now as in the past in 'the fullness of the beginning' in the person of Christ and the Gospels. The Gospels were a watershed in time, in the history of man; and this council and Pope are above all rediscoveries of Christianity in historical dimensions. "
The Church had and still has a long way to go to follow Jesus' examples and teachings. Thank God for Pope Francis who has brought the Church closer to leading a simpler Christian life. I wonder why the service wasn't held in St Peter's Basilica where the Vatican Council was held?
Not to belabor a point, there is an article in the 3rd column re "All Urged to Celebrate Jubilee" - which was a special celebration of the closing of the Vatican Council. "... the jubilee is mainly concerned with the spreading of the teachings of Vatican II in every parish through the various parish societies ... There is a great and momentous aspect to this jubilee. During this period anyone who is or has been a heretic, an apostate, a schismatic, or a member of an organization created to destroy the Church can be absolved not just by the bishop of his diocese, but by any priest who possesses the ordinary faculties of the diocese. " What craziness!
"Saturday, February 5, 1966
Dear Diary,
Have a terrible cold. Went babysitting at Eileen's - the 3 older kids were all up & were simply ghastly!! They Wouldn't go to bed. At 10:30 Tricia was still up. She's the worst. Went at about 8:15 and got home at about 1:30. Dad & Johnny went camping up at Cabot Reservation. Coming through the Square a while ago the temp was 7 degrees. They're really roughing it out. Nite
PS Saw the Gallant Men - Pat Gibson starred - nothing else was any good."
Johnny said that the camping expedition was called Operation Snowshoe. He said they were sleeping in cabins with only a wood stove for heat. My father impressed everyone by cooking breakfast. Johnny said he doesn't know how much bacon my father cooked but there was at least an inch of fat in the cast iron frying pan - my father fried the eggs in that fat - Johnny said the eggs cooked very fast. They were toasting bread on sticks over the wood stove. Apparently some of the scouts slept outside for some kind of a badge.
"Sunday, February 6, 1966
Dear Diary,
Dad & Johnny got home at about 1 o'clock. I slept until about 11:30. Went to 5:30 Mass with Mary Pat N. Went up to the Navins between commercials of 'Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea.' Mary fooled around with my hair. Peggy & CHRIS told me I was pretty!!! 'Magine that!!! Told Mum and she said I was pretty but when slouched I looked a mess. I now resolve to stand up straight (You, dear diary, are a witness). Nite"
"Wednesday, February 9, 1966
(Today is Mum & Dad's anniversary)
Dear Diary,
Tonight was the nite. Skipped dancing. This after(noon) Rover (Mary Power)and I bought Birdie a Cilla Black album. Mary & I went to 'Fish's (Maureen Stinehart) house & waited for Liz (Craig) & Marie (Vanderbilt Hagen.) Went to Birdie's & hid in the kitchen (Marie & I shared a closet). Birdie knew something was up but wasn't sure of what. Liz made the cake & Pat provided tonic & chips. Stayed till 10:30 chewing the rag (Greg's expression - Sr Gregory Anne.) Pat drove us home - left me off last."
Thursday, February 10, 1966
Hi-Oh Deary,
What a night! Patty's birthday today & she invited Lee to supper & a party. Went Cushing Sq for cake & ice cream. (I got sneakers - they're too big.) Had a family party after sup(per.) Walked to Lee's with L&P. (Lee & Patty) Then we 3 went to Navin's for 1/2 hr. Mary came home with me until 9:00. Mary & I went to her house for the rest of Laredo & Peyton Place. Jay & Chris were there. We fooled around. Lee's in my bed & I'm on sleeping bag. Just finished a religion report. I got a lamp & radio down beside me - did French around 8, didn't do English."
Finance is a necessary part of any organization - the Catholic Church is no different. The students had their own "envelopes" to support our Church. This is one collection I must have missed!!
"25 Feb 13 1966 25
Saint Patrick's Church
Watertown, Mass.
Students'
Weekly Offering
Amount $_____"
Monday, February 14, 1966
Dear Diary,
Put on a French skit with Laura Delgardo. Have to have something different each day. Birdie & I planned a skit for tomorrow tonight over phone. Went to Goldbanks with Jody. Fell over her in the Drugstore.
Watched Jesse James - all right!!"
"Tuesday, February 15, 1966
Dear Diary,
Boy do I hate school!! Especially Latin. Skipped all my homework tonight. Got too discouraged. Watched television instead. Took care of kids 'till about 11:45 and then went to bed. 'Nite"
"Thursday, February 17, 1966
Dear Diary,
Nothing new. Hardly any homework these days. No French skit for tomorrow. Watched Peyton Place, 1/2 hr of Dean Martin. Oh yeah saw some of Batman, that is quaint!! Nite
Started doing exercises - gained 4 lbs since Sept. - did exercises every now & then. Now I'm starting on an even keel. Patty's at Lee's."
"Sunday, February 20, 1966
Dear Diary,
Got home about 1:20 am (was babysitting.) Went to 10:30 Mass with Mia P (Mary Patricia.) Went to K of C Minstrel Show. Norman's in it. Was great. Might go 'morrow with Chris. Went to Navin's about 9. Stayed till after 11. Saw Hollis - great. (Mary's playing a joke on Margie. Mary's going with a Pat Slader (my voice) & I'm going with Frank Gibson. Frank & I split up a few days ago but we're back together now - he & Pat went to Wash DC during vacation. Pat's based on Mark Slade, Frank on Roger Davis. I was Pat.)"
"Tuesday, February 22, 1966
Dear Diary,
Am I mad!! Mary's sleeping down at Hully's because I have to babysit here. Joanie asked me 1st. Went bowling today. Got scores of 56 & 52. Tommy Navin won 1st game - Dia & Jia (Diane & Joanie) tied in 2nd game. Dia stayed here tonight. Made brownies, fudge & cookies. Went to bed about 12:15. Didn't do exercises. (Hannie dared Mary & me to wear Moonskeeters(?) hats all the way home - we did! Should've seen everyone staring! Bye"
"Friday, February 25, 1966
Dear Diary,
Went to 8 o'clock Mass. Again Mary was 'leeping at 15 of 8. there was a blizzard this morning while we were going to Mass. More than 14" of snow. Went to Ma's & went to the store for her. Ate lunch there. Came home & shovelled. Went to Maureen's at 8:30. Should've stayed home. Came home about 11:15. Mary Navin stayed over night. talked 'till about 2:30. Aloha!"
"Saturday, February 26, 1966
Dear Diary,
Went to Boston with Mary N & Patty.Went to Winterfest at the War Memorial. Went to Saxon Coffee House for lunch. Went to 5:10 Mass at Arch St Chapel (St Anthony's). Before that walked around - Mary counted sailors, had milk shakes at Brigham's, went to Fanny Farmers. Watch Gallant Men. Washed my hair - read story of Helen Keller - went to bed. Bye"
"Sunday, February 27, 1966
Dear Diary,
Went to 11:45 Mass. Shoveled after lunch. Mary came & we went to Drug Store. Joanie & Dia met us there. Had a snowball fight with Johnny. Think Mary's mad at Joanie & me for hiding behind pear tree whole time & washing her face in the snow before. Started to learn speech for W A Club. (World Affairs Club) Read H Keller. Watched Voyage, FBI & Wackiest Ship."
"Monday, February 28, 1966
Dear Diary,
Had to go back to school today. The sophomores went to Mr Cerrati's funeral at 9:45. It didn't start 'till 10:30. Ended 11:15. No Latin or Geometry. Took dictation in French. No homework 'cause of NEDT test tomorrow. Watched Hullabaloo - Simon & Garfunkel (Homeward Bound) - Jesse Jones - Perry Como (with Bill Cosby & J Garland.) Laid down with Joanne about 10:15 & fell asleep. Mum got home from Hiboes about 12:22 & I went up to bed."
"Certificate
of Educational Development
Awarded To
Mary E Manning
In recognition of outstanding performance on the 1965-66
National Educational Development Tests.
This award reflects credit both to the student and to the school.
Dated this First day of March 1966
Lyle M Spencer Sister Mary Robert OP
President, Science Research Principal
Association, Inc."
"Tuesday, March 1, 1966
Dear Diary,
NEDT was hard. Wasn't in mood for test 'specially in history & bio so I just didn't care. Vocab was easiest. Jose asked for a pic of me in bathing suit, so I'll send him one in old fashion suit. Johnny bought 2 Bill Cosby records. Watched 'Home from the Hill," It was positively magnificient with Bob Mitchum, Eleanor Parker, George Peppard & George Hamilton. Georges were terrific. The ending was so sad! I cried. Hope to see it again."
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