Two Noras: April 30, 1914 and April 30, 2021

 Nora Bauer: Thursday, April 30, 1914

Went to the show this evening. I did not care much for it. Hokey Pokey. 

Nora Spitznogle: Friday, April 30, 2021

Last day of work before vacation - woo hoo! Quiet evening at home, then J.R. texted. 

Reading between the lines of the blurb in the Logansport Pharos Reporter, the show must have been a dud if it was only playing in three towns and Logansport was one of them - nothing against Logansport, but there were much larger markets. 

Last day at work for a week. Brenda rented a house in Vero Beach, Florida. I'll be joining the gang (her hubby and neighbor/friend Sylvia) on Sunday. 

I managed to get the grass mowed - yay! As I was settling in for the evening, brother J.R. sent a text that he was at the Red Key with a business friend. I walked over and joined them for a drink. 

Two Noras: April 29, 1914 and April 29, 2021

 Nora Bauer: Wednesday, April 29, 1914

Was much cooler today. Went up to the bank this afternoon. Got my little doilies finished today.  

Nora Spitznogle: Thursday, April 29, 2021

Rained again today. Kassie called with the idea that we should join Schaun for his birthday dinner. 

It sounds like Grandma Nora had another nice day. 

The rain dashed my hopes of mowing this evening. 

Kassie had the nice idea that we surprise Schaun by joining him for dinner in Oldenburg for his birthday. We left right after I got finished with work. The drive takes just over an hour and Schaun was happy to see us. We took a little tour of historic Oldenburg before Kassie and I hit the road again. I look forward to visiting the sweet little town again. 

Two Noras: April 28, 1914 and April 28, 2021

Nora Bauer: Tuesday, April 28, 1914

Did fancy work at the office about all day today and working on my towel tonight. Had another good rain this noon. 

Nora Spitznogle: Wednesday, April 28, 2021

A fun, busy day at work interviewing potential students for the Culinary Job Training program. More housework this evening prepping for trip.  

I'm guessing that part of Grandma Nora's job was just being there to answer the telephone and such, when she wasn't doing bookkeeping. I happy that she had a day of mindless work. 

I love interviewing potential students for the Second Helpings free Culinary Job Training Program.  We were able to accept almost everyone that we talked to. 

It rained hard here also and it's supposed to rain tomorrow. I was hoping to mow before I left for the trip. 

Two Noras: April 27, 1914 and April 27, 2021

 Nora Bauer: Monday, April 27, 1914

Not much doing today. We had a very hard shower just at noon today when we were going back to work. 

Nora Spitznogle: Tuesday, April 27, 2021

 Another productive work day. Puttered around the house this evening catching up on laundry and starting to pack for next week's trip. 

I hope Nora and Anna didn't get too soaked on their way back to work at Barnes Construction. 

I'm going to Vero Beach, Florida next week - woo hoo! Brenda Rising-Moore invited me to join her, her husband Gary, and their friend Sylvia to join them in the house they've rented. This weekend will be busy, so I wanted to get a jump on packing. 

Two Noras: April 26, 1914 and April 26, 2021

Nora Bauer: Sunday, April 26, 1914

Was very warm out today. Mamie & Mary M. and I went out walking this afternoon. Also went driving this evening. 

Nora Spitznogle: Monday, April 26, 2021 

I wonder if Great-Aunt Mamie and Grandma Nora when walking with their maternal cousin Mary Minneman? I'm guessing that driving, meant a horse and buggy ride...was it with Paul? I hope so! 

Nothing newsworthy for me to report about the day, except that I can't seem to make myself go to bed before midnight. It's not like I'm accomplishing anything by goofing around in that time. 

Two Noras: April 25, 1914 and April 25, 2021

 Nora Bauer: Saturday, April 25, 1914

Was rather cloudy all day today but was very nice out the evening. Went to church this evening and walked up [town?] tonight. 

Nora Spitznogle: Sunday, April 25, 2021

EME at Mass this morning, played on-line Euchre with Ann and Tim, dinner party this evening. The chef box meals were delicious! 

Since it was Saturday evening, I assumed that Grandma Nora walked uptown that evening. Dad remembers that going uptown on a Saturday night was a big thing even when he was a child. 

Once again, I failed to take any photos of my clean house, well-appointed table, and dinner guests, do you'll have to settle for a selfie with two of the chefs. As part of Friday's Corks and Forks event, we wanted to support the chefs that have supported Second Helpings. You could purchase dinners for two and the money would go to the participating restaurant. I bought two - one from the Alexander Hotel, prepared by Chefs Eli and Jeremy (pictured) and one from Chef Erin at Scarlet Lane Gastrobpub. Both meals were excellent and I was happy to share them with Kim, Schaun, and Adrian. 

I was proud of myself for getting all of the food heated to the proper temperature - sans microwave - and getting it on the table on time. 

Two Noras: April 24, 1914 and April 24, 2021

 Nora Bauer: Friday, April 24, 1914

Intended going to prayer hour tonight but we had an awful thunderstorm and lightening and then I didn't go. 

Nora Spitznogle: Saturday, April 24, 2021

Drove to Walton for Brandi's baby shower - saw lots of cousins! Raced back for my Red Key waitressing shift.

It sounds like Grandma Nora's day was pretty uneventful, if the storm was the big news of the day. 

I so wish she could have joined me! Several of her granddaughters, great granddaughters, and a few great-great granddaughters were there. 

We were celebrating the impending birth of Brandi Lucas Richardson's daughter. Here's the line from Grandma to Brandi....

Her eldest son: Cletus. 

Cletus's youngest daughter: Judi Spitznogle Lucas

Judi's oldest daughter, Brandi Lucas Richardson

I had so much fun chatting with Chris and Susan - daughters of Cletus - both of whom have added to my collection of Nora material. 

I can't describe how happy I was to be sitting with them and cousins-in-law and first cousins once-removed (or whatever you call the children of cousins). 

I was so busy soaking in the family-ness that I forgot to take even one dang photograph. 

I stayed at the shower fifteen minutes longer than I should have, but I slipped into work just a few minutes late. 

Two Noras: April 23, 1914 and April 23, 2021

 Nora Bauer: Thursday, April 23, 1914

Was pretty sleepy today and did not do much at the office. Got a card from Leo. Went to singing class tonight. 

Nora Spitznogle: Friday, April 23, 2021

Fun day at work - no meetings! Our virtual Corks & Forks event was this evening. It was wonderful and raised great money. 

I'll bet Grandma Nora was sleepy after her late night with Paul at the dance! She noted in the back of her journal that the card was from Leo Bauer, a cousin. 

I had a nice day at work, and popped out to pick up the chef food boxes I'd ordered as part of our Corks and Forks virtual event. I love when we can have the fundraiser at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, but I'm usually running around like a nut making sure that the chefs have everything they need. It was nice to be able to chat with the chefs without lugging hand washing stations around. 

I watched the event at home - I didn't even try to invite people to eat and watch with me. I loved every second of it. Here are a few videos that were shown - A wrap-up o the last year  -you'll get a glimpse of me in this one. and this great culinary job training graduate story about my co-worker, Lala. 

Two Noras: April 22, 1914 and April 22, 2021

 Nora Bauer: Wednesday, April 22, 1914

Anna [sister] went to Culver and Plymouth in the machine. Paul and I went to the G.I.G Club dance tonight. They had about 115 couples. Had such a good time. Got home about 1:15 AM. 

Nora Spitznogle: Thursday, April 22, 2021

My work day was full of meetings and it was later evening at the office for me - until 8:00. Raced to Target after work to pick up some gift certificates for our event tomorrow. 

Great-aunt Anna also worked at Barnes Construction. I've seen automobiles called machines in the newspapers of the time. I must have been Anna's turn for a ride in the car. I know that the  construction company built a lot of the campus at Culver Academy. I wonder what they had going on in Plymouth? 

The other exciting bit of news is that she and Paul went to a dance. Here is a little blurb from the Logansport Pharos Reporter: 

Not a very exciting day or me. Our biggest fundraising event is tomorrow. Even though it's virtual, the development team are busy bees. I tried to take a little pressure off by running errands. 

Two Noras: April 21, 1914 and April 21, 2021

 Nora Bauer: Tuesday, April 21, 1914

Mr. Barnes gave me an auto ride. Started out at 8 A.M. Got back at 2 P.M. Went out 70 mile in all. Was out to Pulaski to see the school to be remodeled. 

Nora Spitznogle: Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Wednesdays have several standing meetings and today was no different. I weighed in at WW - I lost 2.5 pounds. It's amazing - pay attention to what you eat and exercise. If only someone would have told me! 

What an exciting day Grandma Nora had! I've been wondering how common automobiles were in her world and now I see that it's uncommon enough to merit an entry in her journal. 

I searched the newspaper archives to see if there was a mention of Mr. Barnes purchasing an automobile, but quickly threw in the towel. The papers were full of automobile ads and the Barnes family is often mentioned - there were over 900 times that "Barnes" and "auto" both appeared somewhere in the paper, in the time frame I was searching. After looking scanning 10 of them, I gave up. 

Nora's 70 mile trip fits right in with the distance to Pulaski and back from Logansport. I found these Pulaski school construction mentions on the school district's historical timeline: 

"The Pulaski Grade School was established in the late 1890s. In the early 1900s, a new building was constructed for this grade school on the site of the present Glenbrook School.

The original Pulaski Grade and High School was on the site presently occupied by the Glenbrook School. The arch that stands on the north side of the present Glenbrook School is the original entrance of that building. The school was built in 1909. "

I wonder if it was the grade school or high school that was being remodeled? 

You may remember that Nora worked as a bookkeeper for Barnes Construction. 

My day wasn't nearly as exciting. I worked followed by weighing in at Weight Watchers. I'm down! Woo hoo! 

Two Noras: April 20, 1914 and April 20, 2021

Nora Bauer: Monday, April 20, 1914

Was pretty cold today. I was so hoarse this morning that I could barely talk. 

Nora Spitznogle: Tuesday, April 20, 2021

I wound up working from 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M today. Luckily all was calm. 

I hope Grandma Nora's hoarseness was from her talking and laughing with her cousin, Sister Hyacinth. 

2020 saw civil unrest and the #BlackLivesMatter movement and a summer of protests surrounding the death of George Floyd. The verdict in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was announced today. 

I made contingency plans in case the verdict was such that would cause more unrest. Luckily all was calm. 

 

Two Noras: April 19, 1914 and April 19, 2021

Nora Bauer: Sunday, April 19, 1914

Got dinner today. Was in to school this afternoon to say Goodbye to Sr. Hyacinth. She is going [doing?] away with Bee. Was over Aunt Kate's tonight. Had a dandy good time. 

Nora Spitznogle: Monday, April 19, 2021

Another productive day at Second Helpings. Lazy night at home - I'm still tired from all of the driving yesterday. I've started watching Call the Midwife on Netflix - I'm really enjoying it. 

 I'll admit, I was super-confused at Grandma Nora's post at first...Sister Hyacinth was going away with Bee? I thought they were the same person. I'm guessing that Nora meant that she was doing away with her nickname Bee, and wants to be called by her chosen religious name. I wonder if Aunt Kate was excited about her daughter entering the religious life. I imagine it was a great source of pride for her. 

Nothing exciting to report for this Nora. I did run by Schaun's after work. to figure and file his monthly sales taxes. I'm enjoying watching Call the Midwife on Netflix   

Two Noras: April 18, 1914 and April 18, 2021

Nora Bauer: Saturday, April 18, 1914

Was very warm and windy out today. Went up to the bank this afternoon and saw Mrs. Spitz [future mother-in-law]. Gertrude [sister] and I went to town tonight. 

Nora Spitznogle: Sunday, April 18, 2021

I was EME at 10:30 Mass, then I drove to the Farm to fetch Dad. We picked up Kassie in Indianapolis and drove to Batesville. 

It occurred to me the other day that Mrs. Spitznogle, Paul's mom and Grandma Nora's future mother-in-law, might work at the bank, since Nora is always seeing her there. I spent an hour searching through the newspaper archives and didn't find anything. 

Her husband and Paul's father, Micheal died in 1909. The 1910 census lists her as a farmer. The 1920 and 1930 censuses list her as not having a job. Of course, non of that rules out her working in a bank in 1914. 

Lots of driving for me today. After Mass I drove to Lebanon to fetch Dad, back to Indianapolis for Kassie, and on to Batesville. Kassie and I explored the Romweber Market and explored the latest work at her house. We fetched Dad from where he and Sally had dinner in Oldenburg and reversed the driving order of this afternoon. 

I enjoy the Batesville visits, but I don't enjoy driving at all. Where are the self-driving cars and space cars that we were promised? 

Two Noras: April 17, 1914 and April 17, 2021

 Nora Bauer: Friday, April 17, 1914

Bee was over to our house for supper tonight. Aunt Kate had a surprise on Bee tonight all of our class was over and the Minnemann's. 

Nora Spitznogle: Saturday, April 17, 2021

I puttered around the house this morning. I didn't do any cleaning, but didn't make a mess, so success! Worked at both Marigold and the Red Key. 

What a fun evening Grandma Nora had! I hope she enjoyed being in on the surprise party for cousin Beatrice. I bet the house was full of chatter and laughter! 

In searching for a blurb about the party I found all sorts of helpful things. 

This piece was in the September 17, 1912 Logansport Journal. Now we know when Beatrice left for the convent. It's fun to know that she worked at Maiben's Laundry - I'm pretty sure that Nora's little brother, Herman, worked there also. 

The bit below is from the summer of 1909, the year she graduated from high school. Nora has mentioned several of those first names, now we have the last names....including the Minneman's. 

I don't have much to report from my day....I worked, then I worked some more. I had fifteen minutes at home between jobs to change clothes and brush my teeth. The new tenants moved in today and all seems to be going well. 

Two Noras: April 16, 1914 and April 16, 2021

 Nora Bauer: Thursday, April 16, 1914
Was down to see Aunt Clara. I think that Paul and Irma [Erma] are real cute. Aunt Clara doesn't look much older than she did when she went away. 

Nora Spitznogle: Friday, April 16, 2021
It is a sad day in Indianapolis. There was a workplace shooting last night - eight people died, including the gunman, who turned the gun on himself. Absolutely horrifying. 

Grandma Nora's paternal Aunt Clara married Omar Ditzenberger (how's that for a last name?) and they had been living in Burbank, Los Angles, CA. Their two children Erma and Paul were born in California. I haven't figured out when they moved out west, but the kiddos were born in 1908 and 1910, so it had been at least six years since Nora had seen her aunt. By the 1920 census they were living in Philadelphia. They were living in Indianapolis in 1935. 

I looked up their Indianapolis addresses and they were close to where I work. I'll have to drive by and see if the houses are still there. 

I woke up to news of a mass shooting at the FedEx hub in Indianapolis - I was stunned and saddened....and let myself have a good cry. I'm not a crier by nature - sometimes I worry that I'm too cold - but I sobbed thinking of the families of all involved. The whole city is in mourning. 

Two Noras: April 15, 1914 and April 15, 2021

Nora Bauer: Wednesday, April 15, 1914

Went to the card social. Minnemann's were there and so was George. Paul brought me home in the buggy. Louis Bauman won the prize. Aunt Clara came home today. 

Nora Spitznogle: Thursday, April 15, 2021

I worked late this evening. Went straight home to give the rental unit one more sweep. I unpacked my GreenBean delivery bin and prepped a healthy lunch for tomorrow. 

Yet another Minnemann mention. I found a connection to the Spitznogles; not the Bauers. I'm assuming that George is Paul's younger brother. I searched the newspapers for mention of the card social and Louis Bauman, but came up empty. Aunt Clara Bauer is her papa's sister. I wonder where Aunt Clara was? 

Fairly boring day for me. I kept my nose to the grindstone and got a lot accomplished. The rental side is ready for the new tenants to move in tomorrow. I treat myself to a GreenBean delivery every other week - organic fruits and veggies to my door. GreenBean donates lots of beautiful food to Second Helpings also. 

As I alluded to yesterday, I'm back on the WeightWatchers wagon. I made a lovely salad using some of the leftover chicken from my dinner out last night and packed fruit and carrots and pistachios. 

Two Noras: April 14, 1914 and April 14, 2021

Nora Bauer: Tuesday, April 14, 2021 

Uncle Val called me up this morning to tell me that Bee was home. Saw her this morning and was over to her home this evening. Minnneman's were there too and we had a good time.  

Nora Spitznogle: Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Another productive working day. Weighed in at Weight Watchers for the first time in a month. Uggh. Met Kristi for dinner - it was wonderful to catch up, way too long since we'd seen each other. 

I assume that Bee is Grandma Nora's cousin, Beatrice Bauer, youngest child of her Uncle Valentine and Aunt Kate. Beatrice was 22, three years older than Nora. Bee eventually became Sister Hyacinth of the Sisters of Notre Dame Order. I'm guessing that she was visiting from the convent in Wisconsin. I can't find much about Sister Hyacinth's career. 

I couldn't find a proper obituary, just this blurb. She died in 1978, at 86 years old. I'm sad that I never met her. 

Another mention of the Minnemann's. I don't think we're related, but I've heard that name over the years. 

I had dinner with my dear friend Kristi. We met at a restaurant in Carmel, which is almost a suburb of Indianapolis, even though it's in another county. It was great to catch up - I can't remember the last time we had a dinner that was just us. Of course the pandemic put our social lives on hold for a year. It's starting to feel like things are getting a bit back to normal. 

Anyway, it was great to catch up on her daughters, our jobs, and of course, talk about men. 

Two Noras: April 13, 1914 and April 13, 2021

Nora Bauer: Monday, April 13, 1914

Was still warmer today. Went up town. Mamie and I went out to Burrows with Paul to a dance. Went on the interurban got home about 11:00 P.M. Paul's horse almost got away. 

Nora Spitznogle: Tuesday, April 13, 2021

Another great day at work, we're working on forecasting and planning on how we can better serve the community. Mowed the front and back yard this evening for the first time this year. 

So much great information in Grandma Nora's post! It explains some of my transportation questions. But first, where the heck is Burrows? It's in Carroll County, the next county over from Cass. Click here to see a 1919 map showing Burrows - it's in Creek Township, shaded in pink, at the top left of the map. You can see where the rail tracks were. 

The interurban lines used to run all through the state. The electric streetcars came to Logansport in 1905 and could take you to almost anywhere in the state. 

I wonder what the excitement of Paul's horse was about? And what was the horse's name? 

Did her sister, Mamie, feel like a third wheel? I hope not! 

Another day of meetings and time at my desk, I enjoy having a project. So much of what I do is keeping the balls in the air. It's fun to do something that has a clear ending. 

I have 1/3 of an acre to mow (roughly 1/4 of the size of a football field). That does't seem especially large until you're walking behind a hand mower. All in all it takes a couple of hours, by the time I move the lawn furniture, trim around the fence line and trees, not to mention to steep pitch of the front yard. 

Mowing is another satisfying project - you can see the fruits of your labor. It also kicks my stupid allergies, uggh. 

Two Noras: April 12, 1914 and April 12, 2021

Nora Bauer: Sunday, April 12, 1914

We had a lovely day today. Paul had his rig all painted and his horse and it looked swell. Was out to his house and we had a dandy time. Took a drive before we came home. 

Nora Spitznogle: Monday, April 12, 2021

Back to work today - lots of virtual meetings. I did better with my eating, until dinner with friends. Stopped by Nancy's house to pick up Aaron's guitar and got engrossed in the deed - documents dated in 1800s. 

I love this entry. What a lovely day Grandma Nora had! I would love to see a picture of Paul's rig. I haven't found an exact address for where Paul was living in 1914. The 1910 census has 16 year-old Paul living with his mother on Center [?] Road. His father had died the year before and the census showed that he was farming and not in school. 

His 1917 draft card shows his address as R.R.#2, Walton, which covers a lot of territory and could still be his mother's farm. 

In the era of COVID-19 almost all of my meetings take place remotely, via video. I did a lot of sitting today. 

I popped over to Nancy's house to get Aaron's guitar. They are making a lot of progress on organizing the big Victorian house. On a previous visit I found the abstract and deed to the property and was eager to look it over. I sat on the steps and enjoyed reading the old documents. Some had been transcribed in the 1950s from documents dated in the 1800s. 

My favorite document was from when James Morrison owned the property. It stated that a civil engineer had platted the land (roughly 11th and Alabama Streets, Indianapolis) and listed the specifics on April 10, 1954. 

In the second part of the document stated, "I James Morrison proprietor of the above plat of ground do acknowledge the same to be a subdivision made by me and stated by the surveyor thereof James Woods Civil Enginer [sic] and desire it to be recorded, I do not however admit that I am bound by law to record it because it is not the plat of any City town or village nor an addition to either. My motive in having it recorded is to perpetuate the evidence of the subdivision and so satisfy purchaser. 

You can see James Woods' 10 acres by clicking here for the Indiana State Library's map collection and looking in the top right corner of the map. How cool is that? 

I would have loved to meet Mr. Morrison - I bet he was cantankerous. It is eerie to think that I was standing in that spot 167 years, almost to the day of when the survey was done. 

Two Noras: April 11, 1914 and April 11, 2021

 Nora Bauer: Saturday, April 11, 1914

Was very nice out today. Was up to the Church. Saw Amy and Gertrude Minnemann. Paul called me up this evening and said he would see me after 9 o'clock Mass. 

Nora Spitznogle: Sunday, April 11, 2021

What a perfectly lazy day I had! I slept in and napped and napped some more. I ventured out around 6:30  to run errands. I prepped lunch and snacks for tomorrow. 

I have a Minnemann hanging out on my family tree in Ancestry.com, but I think we're related by marriage - I wish I had time to dive into it further...of course today would have been a good day for that, but I napped the day away. 

I'm excited that Grandma Nora has a date with Paul tomorrow - hopefully she was also. 

I clearly needed to rest my brain and body. I haven't slept this much in ages! 

I ventured out this evening. I purchased a new washer and dryer for the rental side - I didn't realize how long it would take to get delivered, I was hoping for later this week. 

I'm feeling motivated to faithfully follow Weight Watchers again - I know that it works! I picked up veggies and fruit and healthy snack stuff at the grocery store. I prepped a salad for lunch and snacks for tomorrow. Second Helpings is a minefield of candy and chips - I'm going to try to have my food blinders on! 

Two Noras: April 10, 1914 and April 10, 2021

 Nora Bauer: Friday, April 10, 1914

Was very windy today. Was to Church tonight and made candy afterward. Just going to bed 10:00 P.M. 

Nora Spitznogle: Saturday, April 10, 2021

Worked on rental side of the house today - Doug touched up paint. Worked at Red Key this evening. 

Oh! More candy! I'm gathering that Grandma Nora wasn't a night owl like I am. If I went to bed before 10:00 P.M. it would be worthy of mentioning. 

I felt so grateful that my friend Doug was helping touch up the rental side. He's a wonderful fine arts painter and here he is using is brushes and oils to help me on the rental side. I'm glad he pushed me to do it - he has a much better eye than I do and found things that I'd totally missed. 

I worked at the Red Key this evening. We had a late rush, so I didn't get home until around 2:00 A.M. 

Two Noras: April 9, 1914 and April 9, 2021

 Nora Bauer: Thursday, April 9, 1914

Went to Church tonight. It was nice out. Made some candy. 

Nora Spitznogle: Friday, April 9, 2021

Drove Annie to PT  appointment, then airport for the trip home. 

I wonder what sort of candy Grandma Nora made? I'm thinking fudge. 

I took Harry for a short walk then we hit the road for Ann's physical therapy appointment at Mayo Clinic Phoenix. 

I was sad to leave, it was such a nice visit. I got to the airport in plenty of time. I walked up and down each concourse - over four miles! I was happy to get so many steps in. 

Both of my flights were full. It's still so odd to be close to so many people. Once again, my seatmates weren't good at keeping their masks over their noses. I'm grateful that I'm fully vaccinated and I wore two masks. 

The plane from Phoenix left almost an hour late so I had to sprint through the Houston Airport to make my flight to Indianapolis. I made it with just a few minutes to spare. 

I made it back to the neighborhood in time to have an Irish whiskey at the Red Key. 

Two Noras: April 8, 1914 and April 8, 2021

Nora Bauer: Wednesday, April 8, 1914

Did not work this morning was not feeling very well. Had some snow today and at present it is snowing and there is quite a bit. 

Nora Spitznogle: Thursday, April 8, 2021

Another sunny day in Phoenix. Annie and I puttered around this morning and visited the Rudi Gernreich show at the Phoenix Art Museum. Dad's 85th birthday. 

I wonder if Grandma Nora pictured having children...let alone ten? Dad is the youngest of the bunch. Nora died when Dad was just 14. When I started this project a friend pointed out that not many of our contemporaries had grandparents that were born in the 1800s. 

I started the day with a nice walk with Harry. Annie and I puttered around the house and ventured out to the Phoenix Art Museum for the wonderful retrospective of Rudi Gernreich's fashion career. It was so hard to not touch the clothes.

Ann and Tim and I sang Happy Birthday to Dad. We had delicious salads for dinner and another rousing round of dominos. I finally won a game, but Ann was the champion again. 

I'm all packed...I fly out tomorrow afternoon....I'm sorry be leaving....

Two Noras: April 7, 1914 and April 7, 2021

 Nora Bauer: Tuesday, April 7, 1914

Rained again all morning. Margaret Schnitz was down to the office and we were trying to start a set of books. 20

Nora Spitznogle: Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Another beautiful day in the Valley of the Sun. Ann had a PT appointment followed by lunch and vintage shopping. 

You may remember that after Grandma Nora died in 1951, Paul married Margaret Schnitz in 1954. I find it delightful to find glimpses of Nora and Margaret together. I also find it interesting that Nora always mentions Margaret by first and last name. 

Sunny and warm here. Harry and I took an early morning walk and shared a banana at the local coffee house. Ann had an afternoon physical therapy appointment. I sat outdoors and soaked in the sun while Annie did the hard work. 

We stopped for lunch at one of Ann's favorite Mexican restaurants and she took me to a fun vintage store. I found a few things, including a vintage flashlight, that will fit in my suitcase. 

We had a relaxing evening at home. Annie and I watched episodes of HGTV shows, including the Brady Bunch house renovation series. The Brandy Bunch was one of the few shows that we were allowed to watch as kiddos. It blew our minds when we learned from the renovation show that the house shown in the series was not the interior used on the show....in fact, when you look at the house you realized that there is no second floor, while there was on the show. 

Tim, Ann, and I  played three rousing rounds of dominos - Ann beat us soundly all three rounds. Rematch tomorrow! 

Two Noras: April 6, 1914 and April 6, 2021

Nora Bauer: Monday, April 6, 1914

Was raining all day. Was working on my waist tonight. Had it cut out and basted part of it up. 

Nora Spitznogle: Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Beautiful sunny day in Phoenix.  Morning walk with Harry, errands, lunch with Indiana cousin Julie. Swinging and nap in between. 

A waist is a blouse! At least I think it is...here is an article that sort-of-explains it - the author is justifiably confused also. It sure makes more sense that Grandma Nora was cutting and basting a blouse pattern rather than some sort of belt or sash. 

Today was warm and sunny - in the 90s. I took Harry for a short walk followed by errands with Ann. 

Nora, Julie, Ann

Our maternal cousin Julie and her family are in Phoenix for their Spring Break. I did giggle the we had to go cross country to see each other when we both live in Indiana. It was great to catch up with her. 

Ann and Tim have a wonderful backyard that includes swings - how fun is that? And it's impossible to not smile while swinging. 

Two Noras: April 5, 1914 and April 5, 2021

Nora Bauer: Sunday, April 5, 1914

Was nice out today but pretty cold. Margaret, Clara and I went out walking this afternoon passed the light plant. We all went to Aunt Kate's tonight. 

Nora Spitznogle: Monday, April 5, 2021

Woke up early and took Harry for a 45 minute walk. Drove Annie to physical therapy appointment at Mayo Clinic. Watched NCAA Men's Championship and EBTH tonight. 

I spent a few minutes seeing if I could find Clara's last name and whether Grandma Nora meant Margaret Schnitz. When she's mentioned Margaret Schnitz in the past, she's always included her last name. The Light Plant was in the news that month because the manager was under fire for mismanaging public funds. I wonder if Nora's employer, Barnes Construction, built the building?

Aunt Kate is married to Nora's Uncle Valentine. 

It's three hours earlier in Phoenix than Indianapolis, so when Ann and Tim's dog, Harry, bounded in the room, I was already awake. We walked around the neighborhood for 45 minutes. For a small dog - he weighs less than my Tilly cat - he makes an impressive amount of potty stops. 

Ann and I ventured out to the grocery store - I purchased a cute felted Easter rabbit on sale - and walked around the outdoor mall. Back home for a short nap before the drive to Ann's PT appointment at Mayo Clinic - it's an impressive place! Lunch and back home for a rest. I soaked in some sun while swinging in their back yard. 

 

At Ann's suggestion, I'd brought Yat's with me. a favorite of Tim's. My little food safety heart wanted to make sure that it got there at the correct temperature. I picked it up on Thursday, blast chilled at at work and froze it solid for transporting in a cooler with freezer blocks. We enjoyed it for dinner - it sure was tasty! 

Ann and Tim have a projection television and a huge screen - what a great way to watch the championship game. I really enjoyed watching the games this year - I'm sure it had to do with the fact that they were all in Indianapolis (or at Purdue and I.U.). We were rooting for Gonzaga, but Baylor dominated the whole game. 

After that we watched "my" episode of the HGTV show Everything but the House. It was big silly fun to see myself larger than life. 

I had the giggles! 

Wait! I'm Nora S.! 

Two Noras: April 4, 1914 and Apri 4, 2021

Nora Bauer: Saturday, April 4, 1914

Was up town this morning and went up to the Church this afternoon. 

Nora Spitznogle: Sunday, April 4, 2021

Mass this morning. Visited with all of my immediate family today! Flew to Phoenix .

Sometimes describing my day in the same number of words that Grandma Nora used to describe her day is a real challenge! 

The day started out in a panic. I'd worked late at the Red Key and it was after 4:00 A.M. by the time I was showered and in bed. I thought I'd set my alarm for 9:45 and clearly goofed up. I woke up at 10:22 and managed to be sprinting in to the church gym at 10:31. Luckily I live only five minutes from the church. With distancing protocols in place, the Mass was live-streamed into the gym so more people could attend. I was an EME for the gym service - I love participating in the Mass. This morning I walked from the gym to the church and took the concentrated hosts back to the gym for distribution. I'm glad it wasn't raining! 

Back home to pack for my visit to sister Annie -the temperature in Phoenix is in the high 90s! 

Brother J.R. and his family (beautiful wife Anna, and their fabulous children, Molly and John David) invited the family for desserts in their back yard. Mom and Dad and sister Beth and her hubby, Troy were there, as was our cousin Jim and his daughters, Maggie and Monica. A whole gaggle of Grandma Nora's children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. 

We also celebrated Dad's upcoming 85th birthday (April 8) 

Not sure why I was staying on one foot...Niece Molly (20), Nora, John David (18)

J.R. and Nora

Cousin Jim Spitznogle

Cousins Maggie, Molly, and Monica Spitznogle

What a joy! The immediate family hadn't been together since Christmas 2019. I did a terrible job of photographing the group - I was too busy soaking in the moment. 

I headed to the airport from there. I like to get there in plenty of time and I'm glad I did. I had no idea how many people travel on Easter - it must able be Spring Break time. My flight was full - I hadn't been that close to that many people since I last flew (October 2019). I'm vaccinated and I was double masked (one was a KN95) and my seat mates were great about keeping their masks on. 

During my restaurant and health care years, I worked as many holidays as not, and always appreciated when a customer acknowledged it. I took some windup toys to pass out along the way. I gave them to the baggage crew, gate crew, and flight crew. They were a big hit, especially with the flight crew. They thanked me over the intercom and had fun racing them - apparently blue always won. 

Tim, my wonderful brother-in-law, picked me up at the airport. The Easter Bunny had left my Easter basket in Phoenix - how fun! It was great to catch up with Ann and Tim with over salads. 

Two Noras: April 3, 1914 and April 3, 2021

 Nora Bauer: Friday, April 3, 1914

Got up for 6 o'clock Mass this evening. Was up town again this afternoon and saw Paul. Uncle Val was sick today and Bertha was too. 

Nora Spitznogle: Saturday, April 3, 2021

Beautiful weather today.  Cleaned and organized the house in preparation for traveling to Phoenix tomorrow. Worked at the Red Key this evening - busy night. 

I wonder what time Grandma Nora got up in the morning? Was she and early bird or night owl? Uncle Val was sick last week also. Bertha is one of Nora's cousins. 

I spent the day doing laundry and chores. I ventured out to put gas in the car and go to the post office. The house is ready for me to leave town, but I'm not. I still need to pack...

The Red Key was nice and busy.