My Grandmother, Helen Mason, (maiden name Helen Sullivan) passed away in 1997 at the age of 85. I found this journal, written in faded pencil in one of her dresser drawers when we went through her belongings. I was very close to my Grandma Helen and this journal provided a window into her life and my dad's life (Jim Mason) during a most difficult time - WWII. Helen started this journal two days after her husband and my Grandpa, Merton "Mutt" Mason left their home in Estherville Iowa for Navy basic training in Farragut Idaho. Where I recognize names and relations I have put the info in parenthesis. All the rest is copied verbatim from Helen's journal.
The journal ends on Sunday June 11 1944. I will never know why she kept it, or why it ended on June 11, but I like to think it was for us, so that we could know what her life was like then. It is a wonderful record and a treasure I will always hold dear. I believe even if you did not know Helen and what an exceptional and dynamic person she was, you will find this record touching. It portrays what it was like to be in Estherville Iowa in 1944, alone, as many women were, and waiting for her beloved husband to return to the family. Much like families today await their loved ones return from Iraq.
It also tells the beginnings of Grandma's "Night Owl" habits and strange diet. Helen, even at the age of 85, rarely went to bed before 1:00am.
Steve Mason
Oct 17, 2003
Mutts in the Navy now!
Tuesday May 16, 1944 6:30pmWell here I am alone again. Can't say I like it much. Mutt left at 2:15 Sunday May 14th. After the bus left Jim felt so bad so we went in the Drug Store for a coke and then up to Dorothy's rooms. She came home with us and after supper we all went to the show. It was a swell show. "Cover Girl"
After the show we came home and had ice cream and cake. Dorothy stayed all night.
Monday morning I washed. Had to take a little time out to go up to the hospital. Mama had her finger x-rayed - she fell last week and broke it. Dorothy went home the same trip. We rode with Pap.
Had to go uptown a few minutes in the afternoon. It was awfully hot and sultry, worse than yesterday! I did part of the ironing at nite but it got so stormy and so much lightening I had to quit. I wasn't so very scared but sure would have been glad if Mutt had been here. We went to bed about 1:00.
This morning I finished my ironing but had a basketful to do for Lita. (Mutt's sister)
I guess I'm not much good on puffed sleeves and ruffles. Need a daughter to practice up on. Anyway it was 2:30pm when I finished ironing and since then I've done a little bit of everything. Hate to start packing Mutt's clothes away. It makes it seem so terribly final. It is still awfully hot and sultry in spite of the rain last night.
Have to do dishes and bake an angel food cake yet tonight so had better get busy.
Had a card from Mutt this noon so s'pose he’s on his way to Farragut by now. Wish I were going too. Thought I'd have trouble with Cappy (their dog) when Mutt was gone but so far he's been perfectly grand.
11:30pm
Ho-hum - guess it's about time I went to bed but I hate to lay there alone so keep putting it off. Wonder where Mutt is sleeping tonight.
I bragged too soon on Cappy. He didn't get cross but he killed the neighbor's rabbit. The kids felt bad and I did too. I've been afraid it would happen tho and the dog didn't know any better.
Wish Jimmy would start eating better. Sort of worries me and he is getting thin.
Had a good supper tonite too. Hamburgers with the works, potato salad, pork and beans, ice cream and Kool-Aid.
Have planned on doing a lot of work tomorrow so - good nite! Sleep tight "Pa" wherever you are and dream about us three lonesome pals back here, Jim, Cappy, and me.
Thursday May 18, 1944 12:30am
My, my here it is tomorrow and I haven't gone to bed yet. Am awful tired so will make this short and sweet.
Packed and unpacked clothes this morning. Really have move Pa out - darn! This afternoon I had to go to town for Mama. Tonite, Evelyn, Pap and Denny (neighbors) were over for supper. Had salmon, peas, French fries, cheese and ice cream. Jimmy ate pretty good for a change.
After supper Evelyn, Irene, I and the kids went up in the woods to pick flowers. Found some Jack-in-the-pulpits too.
The kids have been having funeral services all day for the rabbit. Real mournful. Jeanne Peterson (a neighbor kid) sang. It's been terribly hot all day but is raining now so perhaps it will cool off a little.
I'm really getting quite brave - I burned out two hornets' nests today. I sure shivered in my boots tho. Things like that make me miss Mutt more than ever.
Guess I better get some sleep. Just two more days of school, then we can sleep mornings if we want to.
Goodnite, or rather, good morning.
Thursday May 18, 1944 8:00pm
Should have had a Scout meeting tonite but instead we’re having a nice storm, and I do mean storm. Wind, rain, thunder and terrible lightning. I'll bet something gets hit before it’s over.
I've sorted papers, pictures, and what-have-you most all day. Hope I’ve got to the last of them now.
Mabel (wife of Mutt's brother) and I took the kids fishing for an hour this afternoon. I caught one bullhead.
Pap took us over to the green house to pay the bill for Evelyn's grandfather's funeral and I met Rock Felker – Mutt will sure be glad to hear that.
Jim only went to school until noon so we had a late dinner. Had pork steak, mashed potatoes, beans, gravy, choc. Pudding and whipped cream. Now I'm going to pop some corn.
S'pose Mutt reached Farragut today. If he did, he's all rigged out in Navy Blue by now.
Thursday May 18, 1944 10:30pm
It's still raining, has been dark as night since 3:30 this afternoon. The wind is blowing circles around it but the lightning has stopped.
Lita and Nolan (Mutt's sister and her husband) came after their clothes tonight. I'm afraid they were pretty messy after being the basket so long.. Nolan gave me $2.00 for doing it. I didn’t want so much for it but he insisted.
Jim is in bed but won't go to sleep. Tomorrow is the last day of school.
I'm sort of tired too so guess I'll go to bed and read awhile. Wish this darn war was over so Pa could come home and go to bed too. Good Night Mutt, wherever you are.
Saturday May 20, 1944 6:10pm
Jim and I just had supper - cold ham, French fries, macaroni and cheese, biscuits and ice cream.
I'm sure down in the dumps tonite, have been busy too but Jim has been awful ornery the past two days and the weather is enuff to get anyone down. It is cloudy and sultry. There have been bad storms south of us. Hope we don’t get one.
Yesterday I had to take a dish of macaroni and cheese up to McDonoughs. At 3:30 we had a scout meeting here. The boys went over to the school grounds and has a ball game. Last night Jim and I had salmon patties and butterscotch pie for supper. After supper Evelyn, Denny, Dorothy Brown, Dorothy Brandt, Jim and I went to the show. It was "Lost Angel" and "Partners of the Trail". Sure good. I fixed lunch but we ate over at Brandt's. Dorothy Brown did the hula and boy can she wiggle.
Today I shoveled a path through here. I really had to shovel too. Now I have to do dishes, feel more like bawling. Must be I'm lonesome.
Sunday May 21 1944 1:45am
Sunday morning and I haven't gone to bed yet. The worst of it is I'm not a bit sleepy. Awful tired tho. It's raining again too.
Jim and I were uptown tonite. Didn't do anything to speak of. Saw Mrs. J.Johnston, Hazel Maller, Lita, Bea and a few others. Met Dorothy and Evelyn about 10:00 and came home. Had lunch here. It rained so hard they couldn't go home so we gabbed.
S'pose I better try to go to sleep or I'll never wake up in the morning.
None of the pictures we took before Mutt left were any good.
Wish the war was over. Don't feel so blue no more tho. Goodnite.
These early morning hours are getting to be a habit. Evelyn, Dennie, Dorothy, Jim and I were at the show "Tender Comrade". I didn't care for it especially. We had lunch at Evelyn's afterward. Jim was a perfect little gentleman all evening. I was real proud of him. Sorta made up for how ornery he's been.
Dorothy painted me all up Sunday afternoon. I really looked snappy.
Wish Mutt had been here. He always liked me when I dolled up. I don't do it very often.
Sure hope I get some mail today. Rite now I think I’d better go to bed because I have to get up early in the morning.
Here I am again but I'm really tired. Got up at 7:30 this morning. Had to be at the beauty parlor at 8:00 to get my hair done over. She gave me a new permanent free but I'm afraid it isn't going to take either. Must be something wrong with me.
I got home about 10:30 and made two batches of cookies and a cake cause I thought I'd get Mutt’s address today. I got a letter and a card but no address yet. I'll bet he’s lonesome for news too.
Did some ironing this afternoon and cleaned dresser drawers. Tonite Jim and I walked up to Bammer's and had malted milks. When we got home Irene asked us over for coffee and we almost stayed all night. Had a lot of fun gabbing.
But right now I'm ready for some sleep. Jim passed out as soon as he hit the pillow. He finally got the grass mowed today. Sure took him all week to get it done tho.
Goodnite, "Love me Pa?"
Wednesday May 24 1944 1:20am
Same old time again. Thought I'd get to sleep in this morning but the phone rang at 8:30 and the insurance man came at 9:00 so I got up and started cleaning house in earnest. Got the front room pretty well done.
Tonite, Evelyn, Dorothy, I and the kids went to the show. It was "The Fighting SeaBees" and it was pretty good. The kind of show Mutt always liked.
I got Mutt's address today but he didn't write any news. At least I can write to him now.
Jim got a rabbit this morning and Ronnie got another one too. S'pose I’ll have a time keeping Cappy away from them.
Have to write to Pa so better get busy if I ever expect to sleep.
A little earlier tonite but I want to wash kitchen walls tomorrow so better get some sleep tonite.
Got two nice letters from Pa today and one from Floyd. Mutt says he doesn't think it's going to be so bad if a guy does what he’s supposed to. Sent a box of cookies today. I hope he likes them.
Tonite the scouts had a picnic at the state park (Fort Defiance in Estherville IA).
We hiked up. It was a lot of fun. Had hot dogs, baked beans, pop and ice cream. Got home about 9:00.
Was over to Evelyn's for coffee about midnite. Dorothy was there too. She's all thrilled because George is coming home Fri. or Sat.
Wish it was Mutt.
I've really got to go to town on my house cleaning tomorrow so Goodnite! Hope I get another letter tomorrow, He should be getting mail from us now too. I wrote twice yesterday and once today.
Thought I was going to bed early tonite but here I am and so tired. I washed the kitchen walls today, cleaned the stove and cupboards and made some new kitchen curtains. My arms and legs are sure stiff. I'll probably be a mess tomorrow but I want to get done now that I've really got started.
Two German prisoners escaped from the camp at Algona today. Hope they go in the opposite direction.
I've been too busy today to hear any news but not too busy to be lonesome. Mutt washed the walls last year so it's no wonder I missed him.
Well, here's for some shuteye.
Sort of lost a day here somehow but have sure been busy. Cleaned the closet, ironed curtains, and washed the furniture Friday. At nite, Dorothy, Evelyn, Denny, Pap, Irene, Ronnie, Robert, Jim and I went to the show "Cry Havoc" and "Sundown Valley". They were both pretty good. After the show we all had lunch at Evelyn's.
Sat. I did a terrific washing. Scrubbed and waxed the floors and polished the furniture. Even gave Cappy a bath. Got two letters from Mutt and his clothes. Good thing I was busy. Got a Navy check too. Wonder how long $80 will last me. I haven't any idea when I'll get the next one.
Jim and I walked uptown tonite. Evelyn, Dennie and Pap came over for lunch.
The pool opened too so Jim had to try it out. I thought he'd freeze but he just got sunburned. Put olive oil on him too.
Well better go to bed. I wish this darn war was over. We three need to be together. Maybe I should say we four cause Cappy misses Mutt too.
See you in my dreams Mutt.
These early morning hours are sure the bunk. I need Mutt here to make me go to bed earlier.
Did it ever rain today. Really poured buckets full. It's hot and sultry rite now so will probably rain more. It never fails, just as sure as I wax floors, it rains.
Jim passed his swimming test today. Had to swim across and back and across before he could go out in the 10ft.
Am going to bed pronto!
Goodnite
Went uptown Monday afternoon and paid bills. Can sure see where my $80 is going to fall short. It just about scares a guy to see how fast money can go. Have made a little extra crocheting tho so that helps.
Ironed Monday nite until 10:30. Only had 7 prs. of pants. No more either. Jim’s are almost as bad as men’s tho.
Tuesday was Memorial Day. I sure have a mystery too. I laid my cigarette lighter out to fill it and when I went to get it, it was gone. I’ve searched the house for it and it just isn't here. The only ones here were Mama, LaVerne, Jack and Bonnie and I can't think they took it but never the less it's gone.
Tonite, Evelyn, Dennie, Pap, George, Dorothy, Mary Brandt, and Jim and I went on a picnic up to the state park. We had wieners but not much luck with the fire so naturally not much luck roasting wieners. Well I
'm really tired so will go to bed again.Thursday June 1 1944 9:40pm
Have to wait for dish water to heat. Jim and I had supper at 9:00. Didn
't much if I had any or not. Must have the flu cause I sure feel awful. It's been awful hot and sultry all day. Had a near tornado this morning and wouldn't be surprised at anything tonite.Had to go uptown this afternoon. I really didn't think I'd ever make it home. Had scout meeting tonite and that didn't help matters any. Guess that's enough complaining for awhile.
Sunday June 4 1944 8:45pm
Nice weather for ducks if you happen to be a duck. It rained, blew, and hailed. Jim and I were at the show "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves". It wasn't bad but I could hear the storm and we were up in the balcony. It scared me so we went downstairs and sat.
Friday night we went to the show too. It was "Iron Major" and "Raiders of the Border". Bingo nite too but none of us got anything. Dorothy and George went to the show with us but didn't come over for lunch. Evelyn, Denny, Pap, Ronny, me and Jim started eating when Fain and Maida came home so they came over too. Had biscuits and pie.
Saturday was so stormy and rainy that we didn't ever go uptown. About 9:00 Nolan came after us and we stayed with the kids while they took John and Allen to the park. Got home about 2:00 but Nolan insisted on paying me a dollar. Every little bit helps but I sure didn't earn it.
Thursday June 8 1944 1:00am
Back on the early morning schedule again. The weather has gone to the other extreme now. It's been cold. Monday was real cold. I had to go uptown and went in to see Dr. Johnston about my nose. It's fungus infection again and sure a mess. Just so it doesn't turn into blood poisoning again. Monday night Evelyn and I had coffee with two of the three little sisters.
Tuesday - D Day! Sure lots of news all day. If they would only get the war over now and in a hurry.
Wednesday - washed and went to the show with Mary-Ellen and Edith. "Higher and Higher" and "The Battle of Russia". Got two letters from Mutt today and Jim got one. He really is doing swell on the writing.
Have to write him a letter now and then for some sleep.
Sunday June 11 1944 2:00am
Getting later - just wrote two letters, one to Mutt and one to Loyle. Mutt sure has been grand about writing. Have heard from him almost every day. Sure hope he keeps it up.
It rained all day Thurs.
Had to postpone scout meeting even. Friday morning Floyd (neighbor Evelyn’s husband Floyd Brandt) came got home – wish Mutt had been with him. Friday night we all went to the show. "Jack London" and "Rootin Tootin Rhythms".I was all lonesome. Dorothy had George and Evelyn had Floyd and I didn't have nobody. We had lunch over at Evelyn's.
It has been rainy and cold all day again today. LaVerne Rhodes came over and had coffee with me this afternoon. I sure had an awful scare about 5:00. There was a man snooping all around here and he acted so funny. Turned out to be Mrs. Frerick’s brother tho so I was all worked up for nothin'.
We went uptown tonite. Came home with Brandt's. Lita and Nolan came over too and we all had coffee here.
Guess I’d better go to bed. Hope the sun shines tomorrow.
End of Journal
The sun sure did shine tomorrow for Helen. Mutt made it home from the war and life went on. Mutt passed away in 1971 and Helen carried on as the independent, generous-to-a-fault, and brave woman she was. She was my hero and I continue to try and model my life after her example.
Steve