Two Noras: October 31, 1914 and October 31, 2021

Nora Bauer: Saturday, October 31, 1914

Went to Monticello today to pay off on the road. One of the men came to meet me with his wife and I went to a house out there to make out the checks. 

Nora Spitznogle: Sunday, October 31, 2021

I was a Eucharistic Minister at 10:30 Mass at Saint Joan of Arc this morning. The rest of the day was sort of lazy, catching up on work emails, laundry, naps, and blogging. No trick-or-treaters.

I love that Grandma Nora felt like a kid yesterday and today was traveling over 20 miles (I assume interurban or train) and going to a strangers house to handle payroll. 

 This was as Halloweenie as I got. I would like to point out my beautiful necklace was made by my talented cousin (on Mom's side) cousin, Catherine Zwergel. 

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

Nora Bauer: Friday, October 30, 1914

A big bunch of us kids dressed up and went out calling tonight. Was to Furturo [?], Uncle John's, Berryman[?] Pete Dwyer and lots of other places. Most every body guessed me. 

Nora Spitznogle: Saturday, October 30, 2021

Had a nice lazy morning at home. Worked at Marigold, followed by waitressing at the Red Key Tavern. Not too many folks came with costumes, but the ones I saw were excellent. 

I love that Grandma Nora still thought of herself as a kid, even though she was 20 and had been working for years! I wish I knew what she dressed up as. I'm having trouble deciphering some of the names, but I do recognize Pete Dwyer.  

On All Hallows' Eve Russel Settle would always recite Little Orphant Annie at the Red Key. We'd turn down the lights and light a few candles and burn a leaf in an ashtray for effect. I don't know how many poems Russ had memorized, but he could always recite one for any occasion. 

I was thrilled that Red Key regulars Rees and Mary Nell brought a copy of the poem to the tavern. The three of us took turns reading. What a wonderful treat! And they brought me a freshly baked loaf of bread. 

What a great community I live in! 

October 29, 1914 and October 29, 2021

Nora Bauer: Thursday, October 29, 1914

Was to singing class tonight. Saw quite a few masked people up town. Esther Gingrich and her little sister were over. We had a good time. 

Nora Spitznogle: Friday, October 29, 2021

What a fun day - Propylaeum meeting this morning, working lunch out, drinks and dinner at Silo with Schaun after work. I sensibly went home after that. 

First, a correction, thanks to my dear cousin, Lou Stephenson (Lucille's daughter). She reminded me that Charles Kramer wasn't related to Grandma Nora yet, she only would be by marriage. I would love to be able to take a whole wall (not that I have a blank one) and draw out the family tree. 

I wonder if Grandma Nora was a good singer? If so, I sure didn't inherit that trait.  In the era of this pandemic, I think of masking for public safety reasons. I'm thinking that these were Halloween masks. 

Esther Gingrich is the little sister of Carl, who Grandma Nora's older sister Anna would marry on May 19, 1921. I would be born exactly 40 years after that, but I'm sure that wasn't on anyone's mind after singing class at church in 1914. 

I had a delightful day! I was able to sneak out for informal gathering at the Propylaeum in the morning, followed by lunch (square pizza!) with my co-worker Katie. Even though we would talking about masking policies and such, it was nice to be out. 

I took advantage of my Silo membership and had Schaun meet me after work. It was nice to be able to do something, and still get home at a sensible time. 

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

Nora Bauer: Wednesday, October 28, 1914

Got a card from Clara Busald today saying she would be here Monday Nov 2. 

Nora Spitznogle: Thursday, October 28, 2021

Worked today. Met some of the Marigold women for a play at the Phoenix Theatre

I'm hitting a wall in figuring out who Clara Busald is, she's mentioned Clara Brill a bunch before, but no Clara Busald. Grandma Nora's list of letters received shows that Clara Busald has written to her several times before. We'll have to see if clues unfold when Clara B. arrives. 

I had a lovely day at work, followed by a delightful evening at the theatre. Lauren, who works at Marigold is the costume designer for the play, Alabaster, and I know two of the people in the cast. It was heavy and dark and well acted. 

After 18 months of staying home and not going to the theatre, it was weird to be there. I'm glad that only vaccinated folks were allowed in the show. 

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

Nora Bauer: Tuesday, October 27, 1914

Was to the card social given by the C B L of A at Moose Hall. Had a fine time. They played 15 games had 10 punches. Danced also. 

Nora Spitznogle: Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Fun day! Worked today, Anne-Marie's Galoween party in the neighborhood  this evening, took the Red Line to the Charley Crocket concert downtown, got a ride home from a friend.

What the initials of the C B L of A Club stand are seems to be lost to time. There were several mentions of the club, but always be the initials. The main thing is that Grandma Nora seems to have had a wonderful time. 

I had a lovely day also. I started off with a breakfast at the Indiana Roof honoring the 2021 class of Women of Influence. The founder of School on Wheels, Sally Bindley Millman. Our Second Helpings board member, Lisa Harris, CEO of Eskenazi Hospital, was the speaker - very inspiring. 

My friend Anne-Marie held her mostly annual (2020 was cancelled because of the pandemic). I was great to chat with Anne-Marie's great group of women friends and Anne-Marie is a wonderful hostess and baker and decorator and has the perfect backyard for entertaining. 

I took the Red Line (Indy Go electric bus) to HiFi Annex to see Charley Crockett. I've loved being about to attend outdoor shows this summer. 

I stood on the Blue Line platform for quite a bit and the monitor showed that next bus was 102 minutes away. Luckily a friend drove by and offered me a ride. 

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

Nora Bauer: Monday, October 26, 1914

Had very funny weather today. Had the first snow too. Saw the Republican parade tonight. There were autos. 

Nora Spitznogle: Tuesday, October 26, 2021

Worked downtown today. I'm happy for a quiet evening at home after being at the Farm all week. 

Oh there were autos! I'm having trouble clipping a blurb about the parade from the newspaper archive site, but it reported that there were over 100 decorated automobiles and elephants too!

 I put my garden to bed for the season when I got home from work, although sadly there wasn't much to do. I brought the rest of the green tomatoes to ripen in the house. The squirrels consumed most of the crop - I thought this tomato looked looked a little shocked by the turn of events. 

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

Nora Bauer: Sunday, October 25, 1914

Was very nice out today altho a little chilly. Madeline, Helen, and I were out walking this afternoon. Played cards this evening. 

Nora Spitznogle: Monday, October 25, 2021

Worked at Second Helpings today. Attended celebration of life for friend. Drove to Farm to help Annie pack, she's heading home tomorrow.  

It sounds like Grandma Nora had a lovely day. You may remember Madeline and Helen as classmates of Nora's. 

I took the Formica table from the attic to work. It fits perfectly in office. It will be the perfect place to have one-on-one meetings and to sign letters and such. 

I'm not sure how I met Mary, but I really got to know her as a regular customer at CATH coffeehouse. Not only is Mary always cheerful - and not many folks are before they've had their morning coffee - she always is genuinely interested in how you are.

My very favorite thing about Mary - and there are a whole pickup truck full - was her love and dedication to her partner. For the last 20 years whenever I asked how Beth was, Mary replied with a smile, "beautiful." Beth died last month after a long-long battle with MS. The celebration of her wonderful life was this evening. It was lovely to share Beth stories and see friends. To read more about Mary - and Beth, click here. 

I went to the Farm to hang out with Annie and help her pack. One of the fun things about poking in the nooks and crannies of the house is finding bits of money that Dad stashed away. It's mostly been rolls of half dollars and 1976 quarters. I found a twenty in a vase and a few dollars here and there. Last summer Dad was shaken - he said that someone had stolen $200 from the pie safe. He always kept cash there to pay the cleaning woman and such. I helped him look and didn't find it and quite frankly, thought he was mistaken. 

We'd been through the pie safe drawers several times looking for important papers. I was taking a last pass to finally empty the drawers and opened an envelope from the Tilley hat company that I've looked at at least a dozen times in the last few months - I thought it just held a replacement bale for his favorite hat. I pulled the string out and $200 slipped out also. Dad much have stuck it in the wrong envelope. I hate that he thought that someone stole from him and I hate that I doubted him. 

I was doing the same thing with the a drawer in the buffet in the living room and found these envelopes. 

They held about twenty years of his winnings from the Boone County Fair. He loved entering the fair and often won a sweepstakes ribbon - which some years paid as much as $5 and other years $2. I divvied up the money four ways, using the little brown envelopes...the first time I've cried during this project. 

I helped Annie pack - I sure will miss her...

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

Nora Bauer: Saturday, October 24, 1914

Was quite a bit cooler today. Anna, Gertrude, and I went up town tonight. 

Nora Spitznogle: Sunday, October 24, 2021

At the Farm all day, J.R. and Anna joined so did Mom and Kristi.         

It sounds like Nora and her sisters had a typical Saturday. I wonder what Mamie was doing? 

Our mom is a terrific painter and we found a stash of her paintings in the attic. We drew names to divide them up. It was fun to hear Mom's stories about her inspiration for the paintings. 

It was chilly enough to light a fire. It's been fun to decorate the mantle with Dad's military memorabilia. 

Dad loved having a cell phone. He was the guy who would talk loudly on one in a bar or restaurant. He refused to let any call go unanswered, which was both charming and maddening. 

It was good to see J.R. and Anna and I was happy that my friend, Kristi Lee could join us for a bit. 

                                           

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

Nora Bauer: Friday, October 23, 1914

Another nice day. Went down to the bank this afternoon. Started to work on my dresser scarf tonight. 

Nora Spitznogle: Saturday, October 23, 2021

At the Farm this morning and afternoon. Painted old book case from my childhood bedroom for my kitchen. 

Again, I wish I could see what Grandma Nora was making. And while I've seen a dresser scarf, I think they are a thing of the past. 

I love this photo of Grandma Nora's five daughters: Eleanor, Gertrude, Bernadine, Joan, Lucille. 

This is another wonderful family photograph of Grandma Nora's kiddos and spouses. 

Had fun at the Farm, Mom joined us. I had to work at the Red Key, so I had to leave just when we were gathering momentum. 

I was wound up after work so I painted a book case - before you say anything, I'm not a big fan of painting wood, but this wasn't an antique or particularly handsome. 

My kitchen is tiny and I've wanted a place to show off my Pyrex collection and add storage. I'm happy how it turned out. The Blatz tray is from Dad's basement and the Blatz figures are from Aaron's grandma's house. d

Two Noras: October 22, 1914 and October 22, 2014

Nora Bauer: Thursday, October 22, 1914

Paul called me up this noon and we went to the card social at Saint Vincent's. Had a couple of dances. It is now 11:40 and just ready for bed. 

Nora Spitznogle: Friday, October 22, 2021

Worked downtown at Second Helpings today. Drive out the Farm - about 30 minutes away - after work to meet Beth and Ann. We're making progress, but so much still to do. 

Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church was one of the Catholic Churches in the heyday of Logansport. My mom's family attended St. Vincent's, which seems to be where the Irish Catholics worshiped. Mom and Dad were married there and Al Dunn sang at their wedding (click on the link above to read about the Dunn family and their history with the parish), 

Here's a blurb about the social. Grandma Nora failed to mention the ice cream. 

I found this darling photo of me - sitting at the Formica table that was hauled down from the attic. This photograph was taken when we lived on Michigan Road (State Road 421) on Taylor Hill. My guess is that this is my fourth birthday. Look at that party dress! And I still get jazzed about cake. 

We spent the evening in the basement sorting through Christmas things and Ball bars. 

The first measuring spot.

The second height chart. Look how much I've grown in last 45 years...of course, I'm probably at the shrinking stage now. 

I really enjoyed seeing where Dad had marked our heights. We all got taller than the under the stairs post, so a second measuring post was used. 

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

Nora Bauer: Wednesday, October 21, 1914

It was beautiful out today. Finished my pin cushion tonight.  

Nora Spitznogle; Thursday, October 21, 2021

Worked from home morning. Late manager, out to Farm after. 

I know that I keep saying this, but I would love to see some of Grandma Nora's fancy work. When I think of a pin cushion I picture a strawberry shaped one. 

It was nice to work from home this morning - the extra hour of sleep was much needed. One of the things I took from Dad's was this nice flag. Mine was very faded. 

Dad had this beautiful photograph of his mother next to his bed. Several of my cousins favor her. 

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

Nora Bauer: Tuesday, October 20, 1914

Was to Chas. Kramer's funeral this morning. Father Kroeger had such a lovely sermon. He surely spoke well of him. But it was very sad. 

Nora Spitznogle: Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Worked today, dinner with friends, then out to the Farm for more sorting. So far it's all smooth, but still emotional, and I am tired. 

I've been wondering why Grandma Nora didn't call Charles "Uncle Charles?" I realize that Charles is close in age to her - less than 10 years. She probably thought of him as more of a cousin. 

There is a long line of priests in the Kroeger family in Logansport. The most recent was Father Tim, who was Dad's priest at Saint Joesph's in Lebanon. Father Tim and Dad really hit it off and they were travel buddies along with Tim's brother Paul. The Kroeger family also owns a funeral home that has been in the family for generations. It's amazing how many relatives that have been baptized, married, and buried by a Kroeger. 

I met college friends Linda (Marigold owner) and Tammy for dinner at Traders Point Creamery. It was my first visit and it was delicious. Roasted beets - yummy! 

We had fun catching up. Tammy and her hubby are moving to Florida soon. 

Back to the Farm to meet up with Beth and Ann. We're making some headway. It's painful to go though closets and cabinets. Dad was pretty organized and paired down, but it's still hard to know what to do with things. I'm trying to be careful about what I take. I love family furniture, and my house is full of it already. That said, the boxes are starting to stack up in my house. 

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

Nora Bauer: Monday, October 19, 1914

Was making blueprints today. Started to work on my pincushion tonight. 

Nora Spitznogle: Tuesday, October 19, 2021

Work, haircut, more sorting at the Farm with Ann and Beth.

 

Grandma Nora's day was full of work and fancy work. My day was just plain old full! 

Busy work day followed by a hair cut. Now that I've let my hair be it's natural color, I'm thinking I'd enjoy longer waves. Mostly I want to get it out of my face - I'm so glad that I'm finally able to tuck my hair behind my ears. Between wearing a mask most of the day and foggy glasses, I don't need anything else obstructing my view. 

On to the Farm for more sorting - we're not very focused, moving from drawers to the basement to upstairs and going through photos - although the pace seems right. 

This was a fun photo to stumble across - Four of Grandma Nora's children. 

Lucille Spitznogle Stephenson, Mary Alice Pinder Spitznogle married to Cletus Spitznogle, Papa John Spitznogle, Gertrude Spitznogle Woolever

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

Nora Bauer: Sunday, October 18, 1914

Was to 7:30 & 10 o'clock Mass today. Was out walking with Helen & Magdalen this afternoon went down to see Chas Kramer. Mrs. Spitznogle was there. 

Nora Spitznogle: Monday, October 18, 2021

Worked downtown at Second Helpings today. The usual mix of meetings, reports, and returning emails. Straight to the Farm after. 

I admire Grandma Nora's dedication to Mass. Especially because it would have been in Latin in that era. I'm guessing that Helen and Magdalen were friends from church.  

Charles Kramer was her mama's younger brother, her uncle. I think she must have enjoyed seeing her beau's mother there. 

Long day of work followed by the emotional work of sorting through Dad's closets and cupboards. 

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

Nora Bauer: Saturday, October 17, 1914

Made some blue prints today today. Was up town this afternoon. Saw Chris, Will, George & Coon tonight. Finished my pillow cases. 

Nora Spitznogle: Sunday, October 17, 2021

Spent the day at the Farm with sisters and Mom. Schaun, Adrian, and Cousin Kelly came to help with attic. 

There were three generations of Conrad Spitznogles - nothing confusing there! I've always heard Dad speak of Uncle Coonie, which would be his dad's brother. Although Uncle Coonie also had an Uncle Conrad, that I think was also called Coonie. Whatever generation this was, I'm sure that Grandma Nora was thrilled to run into brothers/uncles of her beau. 

We started going through things at the Farm. I pulled down the rickety garage attic steps and got what I could, but my fear of heights and the lack of people to hand the things to slowed me down. Schaun and Adrian and Kelly were on their way home from the Colts game and were kind enough to tackle the attic and had it emptied in minutes. 

There was a box of my high school things up there - I'm sure they were put there 42 years ago and were long forgotten by me. 

The cover for a report about astronauts. 

I was very excited to find this album of family history that I'd done for a project. 

It looks like I didn't know [Felix] Alois Bauer's wife's name at that time - Josefa, sometimes written as Josephine. I can't find any mention of her family names. I hope to visit the cemetery where they are buried soon. 

Speaking of Germany, I found my journal from the summer that I visited Germany with my maternal Aunt Rita and Uncle Eberhard in 1978. I took a side trip to visit Kassie - Kathy as she was called in high school. Each entry is close to this one....we would get lost and walk and walk and walk back to her host family. 

Going through Dad's things is very emotional. The shoes and hats are the saddest to me...

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

Nora Bauer: Friday, October 16, 1914

Chas. Kramer died this afternoon. He had been sick with typhoid fever for not quite two weeks. 

Nora Spitznogle: Saturday, October 16, 2021

Busy day! Park reading, picked Annie up from airport, saw friend play in metal band this evening.  

Charles John Kramer was Grandma Nora's maternal uncle, although he was only nine years older than Nora. 

These days it's wild to think that people died of Typhoid Fever. Between better sanitation and antibiotics, it's rare in the United States. The two times I visited Tanzania I had been vaccinated for Typhoid Fever and went armed with a does of strong antibiotics. That said, I was obnoxiously careful about what I ate and drank. 

I took the evening off from working at the Red Key and had a lovely day. 

I started out at the Dan Wakefield Park, joining other folks who were reading sections of Dan's book, Under the Apple Tree, aloud. 

I'd read the book when it was rereleased a few years ago, but I'll admit to just skimming it. I wound up reading three rounds. Reading out loud in front of others, let alone the man who wrote the words is terrifying. And I was blushing wildly during the naughtily bits. 

I have a new appreciation for the book and look forward to finishing where we left off.  

Nora and Dan

I left the reading to pick up sister Ann at the airport. She's in town for the week to kick start the process of going through Dad's things. 

We stopped at the grocery store, and spent the evening starting the going-through-things process and getting her settled in our old bedroom. 

I first met Kassie in 4th grade and she was a great influence in kicking my shyness. I started at Purdue in 1979, post-graduation and was there for three semesters and out for three years. 

During that time Kassie helped me get a job at Benihana, where she was the bookkeeper. I think we were both 20 years old. Gerard Ganaden was a busboy and terrific guitar player. He's an even better guitar player now. It was fun to see him in action! 

I'm not sure that I've seen him since 1983, but here we all all, in a bar on the east side of Indianapolis. 

What a fun Saturday I had!