It scarce seems possible that it’s August already. This summer is the speediest of all summers!

I met Cuz Bill Boley for lunch today, first going to his smooth private office and then eating in the Hotel Times Square with him. He’s really a grand fellow - has come up much the hard way!

I met Mother and Dad at the Plymouth in Brooklyn for dinner and then came home.

I received a letter from Danny - now stationed in New York. It’ll be good seeing her again after this time.

Bill Brennan called.

A pleasantly busy day, inspite of the way that the thermometer is soaring along the record - breaking lines.

I had another driving lesson as I wove in and out of traffic along Queensboro Boulevard, advancing a bit in Experience.

The Happy Girls’ Club meeting was climaxed at my house tonight by the surprise entrance of Marie and then by Bill’s arrival. It was all rather unusual and fun.

Bill stayed awhile afterwards (He had asked me to go out with him) and we talked.

We took an interval out of the hot working day for lunch at the Chinese restaurant off 42nd street.

This evening I met Lou for dinner at Toffenetti's. We talked ‘n talked as she beamed over her trip to Alabamey. She is really happy! - Afterwards we went to see “Mr. Skiffington” with Berte Davis and Claude Rains. It was morbid but very good for all that!

Another wonderful letter from Bill, written on bivouac. Now he feels as though he’s not doing his part at OCS and wants to go overseas instead. He’s so super! I wonder about this new idea though!

So very hot that we took over two hours for lunch and sat around most of the day reading magazines and still roasted. Bill Brennan phoned me at the office and confirmed our date on Sunday.

I met Dad in Brooklyn for supper at Shrafft’s again before coming home.

I slept real late and felt the better for it, and then stretched out in the backyard sun in my bathing suit.

This afternoon’s driving lesson showed still more improvement. I’m still so anxious to really master the art though.

The afternoon in impromptu fashion Glory, Irene and Cam decided to spend the evening here over a bridge game and deep discussions on Racial Problems and the like.

I took Mother and Dad driving today - was disappointed that I didn’t do better, but they seemed pleased.

Bill and I had fun this afternoon and evening. We went into N.Y. to see the really good “Story of Dr. Wassell” and enjoyed it tremendously. After walking the pavements to find a place to eat, we discovered that Toffenneti’s was finally open and had supper here. Bill came home with me for awhile and we talked deeply becoming more confused afterwards than we were before. He’s changed - or I have- or something.

After work, I met Mother and went down to the Hughes apartment with her. We all chatted and sipped a mint julep before going down to the Village and eating in the sidewalk Cafe Brevoort. The food was delicious and it was an experience to stare at les artistes. - We dropped in at a movie also to see the revered “Bringing Up Baby” - Cary Grant at his best.

A letter from Elaine and another real nice one from Bill.

Work once more went as usual, as the end draws near.

I met Mother at Grand Central to buy my ticket to Dover Plains - for this next weekend at Janet Hilton’s farm. Then we went to Brooklyn to meet Dad and have dinner at the Candlelight. More talk about Dad’s operation! It’s been pending for such a long time!

I was terribly shocked to hear of Jack Hammaetrom’s death on a subchaser this week. He was a grand guy, and I’m deeply sorry.

This evening was fun! I drove around to Brennan’s so that Mother, Mrs. Brennan, Pat and I could go out. We went to Howard Johnson’s for a very good supper and then to the Queensboro Theater (featuring B’way plays at half price) to see “Wall flower” - a delightful comedy with fast moving lines - good psychological background too!

Two letters from Floyd. He’s apparently still in New Guinea.

A hectic day as I try to accomplish much. We worked quite hard with just enough time out for lunch at the Famous Kitchen.

After work I dashed to Macy’s to buy Mother a honey of a rain coat for her birthday next week - and then met Mother and Dad for dinner at the New Yorker.

Home and a hundred last minute preparations for going away tomorrow.

The day at the office was one of Expectancy for this evening’s trip to Dover Plains

I met Cary, Elaine, Beth, Midge and Janet at Grand Central for an uneventful trip along the river road. We chatted to catch up on back news till we reached our destination and were met by Mrs. Hilton and Maude (the foreman’s wife) to be driven to the house in a farm truck. The farm is a honey - 1200 acres with 100 cows, etc. The weekend promises to be a wonderful one.

I awakened bright and early to the sound of mooing cows, at which point Cary, Midge, Jan and I went for a beautifully refreshing swim in the river before eating a stupendous country style breakfast - we walked all over the farm through corn, 15 feet high!, and picked blackberries.

We went swimming again and again - saw cows milked electrically and the old fashion way - had deep bull sessions - and finally settled down to playing bridge, after a ride in the hay wagon, causing us to climb the precarious hay loader. All the time, Experiences!

Cary and I arose at seven to drive 15 miles into the Bordon milk factory with Fred, the foreman, sitting on milk cans all the while. When we got back we went in swimming again, and finally awakened the other gals at nine for breakfast. We swam a lot more and generally enjoyed farm life - played bridge this afternoon on account of a sudden thunderstorm.

We certainly hated to get on the homebound train. City life seems dull and HOT. I’m greatly refreshed however. The weekend was perfect.

The city isn’t half bad after all. Though tremendously hot, the day in the office didn’t go too awfully. And then this evening was really fun!

Joe, Ann, Paul, Jay and Rod came out for a bite to eat, and we danced and sat around in the garden the rest of the evening - quiet and very pleasant. They’re such grand down-to-earth people. Joe has an interesting attitude! I like!

Bill’s letter was cool and unjustifiably critical of my not writing him more often. He seems serious about leaving OCS for immediate overseas duty. He seems so foolish.

Hotter 8, Hotter 1

Mother’s birthday - she seemed pleased with all too, which tends to be an important factor.

I met Beth for lunch in Stouffer’s to discuss a tea for the W&M freshman girls. - She gave me a lush pair of yellow string gloves for my birthday.

I met Mother and Dad for dinner at the Plymouth. Once more is his operation being postponed.

Such nice birthday cards; and a sensational present from Mother as she transferred the Cream Puff Dodge to me. I can’t believe it.

Bill is definitely leaving OCS. If he wants it that way ~

Nineteen!

A spoiled brat again - or yet! The birthday was a grand one as I reaped a gray flannel suit, red plaid skirt and white jacket, red housecoat, 47 in nickles, set of dishes, perfume, silver records and more. It was all very successful.

I met Billy for lunch, and was pleased when the gals in the office gave me an autographed toy animal.

This evening most of the Happy Gals, and Bill and Don Heines (resplendent in a new ensign’s uniform) came around for a quiet time of idle chitchat.

I’m lucky!

The heat wave is the worst thing yet and we droop in a shining state of fatigue.

I met Glory and Irene this Evening to cool off at the Astor Cocktail Lounge over a Tom Collin’s. We went to the capital to see “Since You Went Away”. It was Excessively sentimental but deserved its 4-star rating.

We came home exhausted.

A letter from Bill Breashears, but no news of any kind from our estwhile [sic: erstwhile] friend, Mr. Boyd.

Really tired, I slept a little later this morning, but felt all the better for it when I got into the office. The day was one of idling around, with lunch at a crummy Italian restaurant.

I met Dad in Brooklyn for supper at Schrafft’s again.

I received a beautiful traveling kit from Aunt Bert and Aunt Tally.

I really slept, but still feel groggy. At least it’s turned cooler. The relief is welcome.

I’ve developed a severe case of writer’s cramps after having written 22 letters: 12 to W&M freshmen - thank you notes and regular correspondence.

I went over to Glory’s this Evening to play bridge with her, Irene and her Aunt Elsie. It was fun and instructive too.

Just another Sunday!

Life is definitely on the upgrade again, as I had chance encounters with Myrtle, and with Jean Lynch and her baby, and learned that Bussie Davis had come over to see me, while I was at work.

The mail was also interesting with letters Bill Hughes, Freddie, Floyd, Mrs. Snyder, the new KΔ housemother, and Bill Boyd. They were all extremely sweet with the possible Exception of the last. I wish Bill would straighten himself out.

I was Extremely surprised, but very thrilled, to learn today I’ve received the $100 Elisha Parmele Scholarship for the 1944-1945 Session at W&M. It’s awarded so they say to the highest ranking member of the Junior class taking an AB degree. It’s especially thrilling since I didn’t work for it, and actually had no idea I was in line for anything like that. The honor is quite wonderful. I must have a fairy godmother lurking in the shadows!

I met Mother and Dad for dinner at the New Yorker to celebrate.

I more-or-less beamed over yesterday’s news still, as I met Glory for lunch and spent a pleasant day at the office.

The war news is so very optimistic, as German defeats become common rather than novel. Paris has been liberated and the Marseillaise is the Current No 1 Hit; Rumania is leaving Germany and other satellite nations show signs of weakening also; and the Battle in France is sweeping on. God, I hope it’s all over soon!

We met Harriet, who’d quit last week, for lunch at McGinnis’ and planned for future reunions. I’m so pleased that we’re making actual plans for seeing each other fairly often. They’re all such grand gals. I’ve made some wonderful friends this summer.

I met Mother and Dad for supper at the St. George.

Word from Bill Brennan indicates that he won’t be stationed at Mitchell as it originally seemed likely but instead Expects to break the Thanksgiving wishbone with a hula girl.

The last day of being a breadwinner this summer, as I left Crossley with appropriate sentimentality. It was really a wonderful job; and I loved it all.

Mail from Floyd, Jimmy and two of my freshman girls, beside a card from Joe, who’s at Lake George for the week with Ann and Paul.

I cock a wary Eyebrow to three weeks of a lazily capitalistic Existence. The future looks good!

I lazied around today stirring enough to read “King’s Row” and to write several letters.

I went over to Glory’s to play bridge with her, Irene and her Aunt Elsie again. Once more it was fun. ---- Irene’s in 7th Heaven at the prospect of Ray’s coming home from the South Pacific soon.

Another Sunday of relaxation and well-intentioned resolutions going astray. My weary spirits collapsed and I really rested.

My working days officially Ended with my giving Dad a hundred dollars and Mother, twenty, on general principles. I wish it could have been more.

A busy prelude to three weeks of vacation plans. - Mother and I went into N.Y. to Dr. Weiss! I had an injection and then we had lunch in the Commodore, before going to a News Reel show.

I went down to Cary’s apartment to bid her farewell - she and her ma left for Kentucky tonight - ; and then met Beth and Lou. We lounged around the Astor and then went to McGinnis’ for a supper, punctuated by a waiter breaking the bottle of sherry I was taking home to Mother from C.B.

Beth, Lou and I discussed plans for a welcoming gettogether for W&M freshmen at my house Sept. 10. It threatens to be a stupendous undertaking!

I stayed home and feverishly wrote letters to Freshmen, and upperclassmen, concerning the tea (my writer's cramp is an actuality); while Mother went house hunting. Prospects for a home are not at all optimistic; it’s well nigh impossible to rent a house these days. Everyone is taking advantage of the war for a bit of profiteering, or else realize postwar-houses will so surpass present ones, that it is wisest to sell them now.

Mother and I met Dad for dinner at the St. George. Elizabeth’s friend, Hilda, was here when we returned.

A letter from Bill Breashears and one from Bill Boyd. The latter restored any sense of security I had lost - along with the usual confusion.

And still the R.S.V.P. acceptances to the tea pour in. The regrets are so scattered that I begin to despair.

I met the gals from Crossley for lunch at Rogers Corner then went to a News Reels Theater with Elayne.

Nana came for supper - and then I went to Glory’s for a H.G.C. meeting. - More of the usual pleasant chatter! On the way over, I bumped into Gloria Worrall. I hadn’t seen her since grammar school days either. The summer has boasted many reunions.

I wrote Bill to day and hope everything is straightened out until his promised furlough. Oh, for a normal Existence!

Mother canned tomatoes and tomato juice on a large scale, while I helped in a slightly bewildered fashion. It was fun however.

Bill Brennan came over this afternoon. He felt rotten after a double dose of typhoid and cholera shots, and so we talked quietly with time out for a coke at Tiedeman’s. He’s a nice guy, though he seems unsure of himself now. Aren’t we all however!

Glory, Irene, Cam, Lil, Ethel Christianson and I went to Jean Lynch’s apartment for a gabfest and bridge. Jean seems so happy, and is greatly changed from the gal I used to know. - Her baby is dear too. She testifies to a happy-inspite-of-the-war marriage.