Alma's Diary

These are my grandma's diary entries from the Great Depression, when she was 16 and living on a farm in Nebraska. The sweet image above is from a valentine in her scrapbook. I love peeking into her past and hope you do too. Grandma Alma received her "My Five Years" diary as a high school graduation gift. It allows four little lines of writing each day. So far she's written about canning peaches, her first date ever and cooking for the threshers who worked on the farm. She also shares her inspirations and reflections as an aspiring journalist and poet. Hooray for G-Ma!

[almasdiary]

I just want to say thanks for sharing your grandmother's amazing diary! She seems quite similar to my own grandmother, who was born in 1918, and was raised on a farm as well. In a weird way, reading these excerpts makes me feel like I'm getting to know my own grandma a little better. Thanks!

Thank you for the note! It's a great connection to hear about and reminds me that I want to keep sharing!

[almasdiary]

The first Saturday night I have been to town this year. Rather a novel experience. March 12, 1932

[almasdiary]

"How much a stranger is my friend, to me. The more familiar I profess to be, the more bewildered I become." March 11, 1932

Grandma may have written this as I can't easily identify it and she sometimes puts her words in quotation marks, too.

[almasdiary]

Men think to know each other by word or face yet only One knows the real man. AMI. March 10, 1932

[almasdiary]

"My wings I beat against the cage; freedom mine, I see another prison." AMI. March 9, 1932

AMI = my grandma's intitials

[almasdiary]

If I were to write my true thoughts here they would probably represent the period of “depression.” March 8, 1932

Perhaps that is why she likes to share quotes, to feel connected. I wonder if she puts the word depression in quotes because she has a hard time accepting it? I think she is referring to herself, but its also reflective of the era.

It’s hard to be depressed. I feel for girl-grandma.

[almasdiary]

My dad is fifty eight years old today. Mother baked his birthday cake. March 7, 1932

That means my great-grandfather was born in 1874. That also means he was about 42 when my grandmother was born.

Also: "dad" / "mother"

The latter feels so formal compared to the former.

[almasdiary]

"It is hard to say who do us the most damage; friends with the best intentions or enemies with the worst!" Selected. March 6, 1932

Whenever Grandma shares a quote like this, I always wonder what she is connecting it to in her own life. Did something happen?

[almasdiary]

I have some of the new postage stamps in honor of the Olympic Games at Lake Placid. March 5, 1932

We bought stamps today, too! Seriously --  my favorite is for New Mexico.

[almasdiary]

Butchered three hogs this week. Our "lazy" days are almost over! We will be busy now with spring work. March 4, 1932

[almasdiary]

I am working on an essay on Washington's Farewell Address. Contest to close April 4. It is interesting. March 3, 1932

[almasdiary]

"Jane Eyre" has proved as wonderful as I had heard and expected it to be. March 2, 1932

That was fast.

[almasdiary]

Found a copy of "Jane Eyre" at Tyler's. A book I have always wanted to know. March 1, 1932

Perfect timing for Read Across America!

[almasdiary]

If it were not for my reading, I should be much lonelier than I am. Memoranda, Feb. 1932

[almasdiary]

February posts... (catch up)

Haven't made mom's birthday cake yet. I'm a busy lady since she got sick. 2/18/32

Connie and Billie Thompson up all day yesterday. Jenny Tyler here too. 2/19/32

Made a birthday cake for mom. A little late but this way, we'll have some for Sunday dinner. 2/20/32

"The moderation of fortunate people comes from the calm which good fortune gives to their tempers." Rochefoucauld. 2/21/32

"Noble souls, through dust and heat, Rise disaster and defeat the stranger." Longfellow. 2/22/32

"The best of thoughts which he hath known for lack of listeners are not said." Jean Inglow. 2/23/32

"No action, whether foul or fair, is ever done, but it leaves somewhere a record." Longfellow. 2/24/32

"Virtuous and vivacious every man must be; few in the extreme but all in the degree." Pope. 2/25/32

"Every deed which shall outlast Time's span must spur the soul to be exact and free." Lowell. 2/26/32

"Great truths are portions of the soul of man; great souls are portions of eternity." Lowell. 2/27/32

Mr. and Mrs. Harrison up to see us. Mary has seen and talked with Willa Cather; she herself is somewhat wonderful. 2/28/32

My valentine and my reading are the month's lights. And of course, there is an extra day. 2/29/32

[almasdiary]

February 17, 1932

My mother is fifty-three years old today. Happy Birthday, Mommie.

[almasdiary]

February 16, 1932

Received another valentine from Dana. Just about got my hair pulled when mom got one of Colorado's letters to me.

Who is this guy -- code name Colorado? So awesome! If only I could ask her about this...