19-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today:
Wednesday, October 20, 1914: << no entry>>
Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:
Since Grandma didn’t write anything a hundred years ago today, I thought that it might be fun to take a look back at what she wrote in previous years on three dates in October. In 1911 and 1912 she was a high school student. She was at home working on the farm in 1913.
1911
Wednesday, October 18, 1911: Grandma and Aunt Alice were here today, but I didn’t get to see them because they had gone when I got home from school. We had a review in Latin today. An easy examination it was.
<<< I’m still amazed that Grandma studied Latin in school–and that she sometimes found it easy! >>>
Thursday, October 19, 1911: That’s all.
<<< Even back in the days when Grandma was a student, some days were boring. >>>
Friday, October 20, 1911: Got out of school early this afternoon. I gathered some walnuts after I got home. Mollie gave me a kick in the back while milking another cow this evening. I’ve named Ruth’s twin calves, one Brutus and the other Caesar, but I can’t tell which is which.
<<<Ouch! A kick in the back had to hurt. . . I can see that what Grandma was learning in Latin was carrying over to her home life.>>>
—
1912
Friday, October 18, 1912: These days are beginning to be so much agreeable.
<<< Why were the days more agreeable? >>>
Saturday, October 19, 1912: Had to pick taters this afternoon. Thought perhaps I’d get out of it because it rained last night, but didn’t get out of it any way.
<<< In 1914, the potato harvest was a little earlier–Grandma mentioned gathering potatoes on October 2.. Was the weather different in 1914? >>>
Sunday, October 20, 1912: Went to Sunday School this afternoon. Mrs. Besse was here when I came home, but didn’t seem to make a very long stay of it.
<<< Besse was Grandma’s married sister. She lived in the nearby town of Wastsontown. In the early years of the diary she and her husband Curt often visited on Sundays. I wonder why Besse didn’t visit as often in 1914 as she once did. >>>
—
1913
Saturday, October 18, 1913: At last my job is finished. I call it about 600 bushels more or less. This will add some to my spending money.
<<< Grandma was husking corn. Maybe, in 1914, she’s again busy husking corn (and making money) and too tired to write . . >>>
Sunday, October 19, 1913: Went to Sunday School this afternoon. Then it commenced to rain, but got home alright after all.
<<< Sounds similar to many Sunday posts scattered throughout the diary.>>>
Monday, October 20 – Friday, October 24, 1913: It’s been so rainy and dreary this week that I begin to feel awful grouchy. I certainly am under the weather these days. Any way October never was a favorite month of mine. I don’t have much to write about for her.
<<< Interesting. . . I’d forgotten that Grandma also lumped a number of days together in the diary in 1913. October sounds like it was a rough month in 1913. I hope it’s going better in 1914. >>>
A Hundred Years Ago 
Good to see the years gathered together like this.
I’m glad you liked it. I also found it interesting to see what she wrote across the years.
This is an interesting way to deal with skipped days–I go back and re-read my own journals sometimes and am always intrigued by the ways the days are similar, and different, from year to year.
There’s a certain ebb and flow that follows the annual pattern of life on the farm–but there’s also a spiraling as Grandma matures across the years.
That is interesting to read some of Grandma’s older entries. But I do miss it when she doesn’t write…!
So do I!
As late as my junior high years, Latin still was a part of the school curriculum. Well, at least it was for me: 8th and 9th grades. Required, too, by golly! I liked it a lot. I still can see the illustrations in my textbooks.
Funny that she wasn’t so fond of October. It’s been one of my favorite months — maybe my favorite — my whole life. Maybe it had something to do with all the chores that came along with it: husking corn, digging potatoes, gathering walnuts. Fall for her clearly was more than football games and pretty leaves!
October is also one of my favorite months. I think that you are probably right that Grandma didn’t care much for it because of all the fall harvesting chores that she had to do.
I love your barn photo. I was recently up your way and saw an Appalachian Fall for the first time in 20 years. It was beautiful!
Appalachia is a beautiful area. The autumn leaves in the hills and valleys are awesome.
“Grandma was husking corn.” Very hard on the hands.
You’re absolutely right! You comment reminds me of one time when my father showed me how they husked corn in the “old days.” My hands were raw after only husking a couple ears.
I actually remember the corn husking entry!
Diana xo
You have a good memory!
This really makes me wish I had kept a diary when I was young 🙂
I can remember getting a little diary with a key for a Christmas present when I was a teen. I don’t think that I wrote anything in it for more than a week or so. . . sigh. . .
I started reading in the middle of Grandma’s adventures so I hope to go back soon and read the earlier years!
It’s interesting how she changed over the years.
It is interesting, when these entries are juxtaposed like this, how they illustrate the change in your Grandma from schoolgirl to young woman.
I’m glad you liked this post. I also found it interesting how she changed across time.
What a wonderful dose of Grandma’s life. That you for your insight.
Thanks! It’s nice to hear that you liked it.
It’s interesting to go back and compare the years.
I also found it interesting to see which things were similar and which were different.
You really do a great job on those days when Grandma was less than descriptive about her day!
Thanks for the kind words. I have a lot of fun pulling things together for these posts.