A Nurse's Story

Handwritten page from a journal, looks like white pen on thick scrapbook style black paper.

Feb 1, 1945 - My first day at M.E.H. It was pretty lonesome when Mother and Freda left, but met lots of the girls in my class at the pajama party in the evening.

Mar. 7, 1945 - First day in uniform. Gee, we look funny! And my shoes feel so queer with these "cookies" in them.

Mar. 10, 1945 - First day on wards! Convalescent bed and disinfect a unit. Not much but was I ever scared! Fun, though!!

Mar 12, 1945 - First pay check today - $15 for February. Gee! I'm a real Cadet Nurse, now!

June 17, 1945 - First full day on wards from 7 to 3. Much nicer than just a few hours!

June 29, 1945 - Had my tonsils out at 1:s0 PM. Had a local anesthetic. Wow! What a procedure and is my throat ever sore after!

July 3, 1945 - The "Big Day." Discharged from infirm. at noon. Got Cadet uniforms in PM. Was capped at 8:00 PM in chapel. 24 of us got through. I had 47 points. Mommy was there. Oh, what a thrill! I'm really in now!!

Found in "I'll Get Over It" by Maysie Greig. Published by Center Books, 1943.

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Herbert

An interesting find today - an "Excelsior" brand diary from 1897, belonging to Herbert Axtell of Barbourville NY. I will share a page every now and then.

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The Night Is Lovely

I often find goodies tucked away in boxes that aren't books. I'd like to share this old diary I found.

Here is the first page, the author has written in their name and some nice (and historic) details:

Sarah Q. Thomson
Hurricane Hall
Fayette County
Kentucky
June 28th 1875

Here are a few entries:

Sept. 16th - Rainy. Mrs. Frazer called a few minutes. Mal and I spent the day at Mannys

Sept. 17th - Very cool all day. Roger and I went to Lex. and got home a little after noon. Roger went huntin after we ate. Dr. Wasson came on the stage this P.M. Mr. Pettie came this P.M. and left and 1/2 past 10. We met Mr. Frank Houghton on the road; he says Jennie is no better.

Sept. 18th - Cold and rainy all day. This A.M. I cooked some watermelon preserves with lemons. Dr. Wasson is still here.

Sept. 19th - Mr. Thurman preached this A.M. He is agent for Foreign Missions. Mr.s Pettie baptized George Pierson after meeting. Dr. Wasson is still here and Mr. Pette and Mr. Thurman came from the baptism. Mr. left the dinner table and went immly. to Republican. He gave me a note...

Feb. 9th - Last bedtime 10:40. Finished and sent by stage Mr. Pettie's letter. Did not go to prayer meeting.

Feb. 10th - Rec'd 10 pages to letter mailed yesterday. Mrs. Walton and Ellen went to Geo. town at 3 1/2 P.M. Before they started Mrs. W. took me in her buggy to the road gate for the mail and very unexpectedly I rec'd above letter and Rose Catalogue from Dingee and Conard Co. Mrs. W. spent the A.M. in my room. Began reply to this P.M.'s letter

Feb. 11th - Ellen is 19 today. Pa gave her a gold necklace. Miss Mary Haley gave cuffs and collar and wheelbarrow needlebook and silver thimble. Sis and Squire took Ma with them to Rodes (?) to spend today. Very rainy. Pa and Miss Mary went to Lex., Mr and Mrs. Walton to Stanford. This P.M. M(?) Oliver Redd, Geo. Burch, S.R. Smith Jr. and Mrs. Smith and Marie called. Mrs. Frank Houghton died at noon. I finished Mr. Pettie's letter this P.M. All but Pa, Ma and Henry went to the Literary Society tonight, I had to read, was awfully embarrassed. Ben Crenshaw brought me home. The night is lovely. Got home at 11. Last bed time 12.

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