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

Nora Bauer: Saturday, November 7, 1914

Was very warm out today. We were all up town tonight. 

Nora Spitznogle: Sunday, November 7, 2021

We had an event at Second Helpings today, recorded Tonic piece. 

I wonder who all went uptown? Grandma Nora's sisters? Clara Busald? Her mama? 

I worked at Second Helpings today -we had a donor tailgate party in the parking lot. It was fun and the chili was good. I slipped out to record a piece about the early days of the Tonic Ball. You can watch it here: 

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

Nora Bauer: Friday, November 6, 1914

Went to 6 o'clock Mass this morning. The Moon was still up. Stayed at home and read a while this morning. 

Nora Spitznogle: Saturday, November 6, 2021

Worked at Second Helpings this morning and the Red Key this evening. Grocery shopped and a nice nap between jobs. 

Not much to tell about either Grandma Nora's or my day. My arm is sore from the Moderna shot, but no other side effects. 

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

Nora Bauer: Thursday, November 5, 1914

Was very nice out again today. Clara and Mama was out to Longcliff today. Went to singing class tonight. 

Nora Spitznogle: Friday, November 5, 2021

Worked at Second Helpings today, COVID-19 booster shot at IMS and met J.R. at Red Key for a burger. 

I think that this is only the sixth or so time that Grandma Nora has mentioned her mama. I just spent another hour searching for a Busald, any Busald in the Logansport papers. I found a mention of a high school did with that last name that played baseball in the 1980s, but otherwise nothing. If I knew where Clara was visiting from I might be able to narrow it down that way. 

Okay - I'm big talk....I couldn't let it go..so yet another hour later, here we are.  I searched the papers in Harrison and Franklin counties, where the Bauers first landed in Indiana. I figured out that Clara Busald's parents are Francis and Agatha Busald and that Francis's mama was Veronica Bauer. It gets muddy about who/where Veronica belongs to. I still need the side of a barn to draw the family tree on. And these goose chases explain why I'm so far behind on posting. 

I was thrilled to be able to get a COVID-19 booster shot. I'm a big chicken so I love going to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the shots. You have to follow the path of the cones, the National Guard is directing the process, and you're strapped in the car. If I went to a drug store to get the shot, I'm pretty sure there would be a Nora-sized hole in the door where I ran out. I absolutely believe in the vaccine, but it doesn't mean that I'm not a wuss. The doc and I laughed about my skin being the exact same horrible color as those bandaids. 

J.R. called - he was heading to the Red Key. I introduced him to the delights of a "smash burger."

Selfie with Tilly 

I was showered and tucked into bed with the cat by 10:00 PM
 

Two Noras: November 4, 1914 and November 4, 2021

Nora Bauer: Wednesday, November 4, 1914

Was to see Fiske O'Hara in "Jack's Romance" tonight and I tell you it was fine. He certainly had a grand voice. 

Nora Spitznogle: Thursday, November 4, 2021

Worked today, slipped out a little early to prepare for the Colts game this evening. Had a fine time tailgating with friends. 

It looks like Grandma Nora and I both had a fun November 4th. 

Grandma Nora seems a little smitten by Fiske O'Hara. I'm sure that she loved that Fiske sang a song called Nora [McNamara]. I did a quick search to find the sheet music and lyrics for the song, but nothing popped up. 

J.R. and Anna gave me their fabulous tickets and parking pass for this evening's Colts game. I invited Tammy Lieber, Novella Nedeff, and Doug David. 

After work I was cleaning out the car in my driveway when a firetruck and ambulance pulled up to my neighbors house - Mr. Gorden was sick. I met Mrs. Gorden at the door and entertained their grandson for bit. It looks like he'll be okay, but scary. I do have the best neighbors in town. 

Both tailgating in the Hurst Bean Lot and the game were so much fun! We fancied up the tailgate - Doug brought champagne and real glasses and chicken salad croissant salads. We all contributed  - it was cold and dark, but still a blast. Cousin Kelly (mom's side) and Adrian joined us. 

Kelly, Adrian, Nora, Tammy, Novella, Doug

J.R. and Anna's seats are excellent and came with access to bathrooms with no lines, a fancy lounge, and food and drink options. 

Nora and her fancy blue drink, and Tammy

What a lovely evening this was! 

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

Nora Bauer: Tuesday, November 3, 1914

Clara and I were over to Magdalen Neville tonight. We played uncle and rheum [?]. Heard that someone is going to give me a shower. 

Nora Spitznogle: Wednesday, November 3, 2021

Worked today, gave a talk at a downtown company. J.R. stopped by to give me their Colts tickets for tomorrow. Wrote a little tonight. 

I'm no closer to learning how Clara Busald fits into Grandma Nora's life, but I did find the connection to Madeline - although Nora spelled her name Magdalen - they were students together at Saint Joseph's grade school. Madeline lived to be 96 years old and never married, although it looks like she lived an interesting life. Dad had a grade school classmate named Bernie Neville, I wonder if Madeline was his aunt? 

I searched the newspapers with lots of combinations of Nora, Madeline, and Clara with and without last names - no hits. 

The real mystery here is what would someone be giving Nora a shower for? Are Nora and Paul officially engaged? 

I got to leave work for a bit to give a talk about Second Helpings at an public relations firm. It's daunting to tell a story to professional storytellers. 

I'm a sucker for historical markers and found this one on my walk back to my car. 

J.R. popped into work this afternoon to give me his Colts tickets for tomorrow evening. We chatted a bit about the type of corporation that Dad set up for the farmland. It's not the best for now and will take five years to unwind. I'm okay with it, but J.R. is worried that we girls won't get as much money - I hope he's not letting this add to his day-to-day stress. 

Two Noras: November 2, 1914 and November 2, 2021

Nora Bauer: Monday, November 2, 1914

Clara Busald came this evening. We went to church this evening and afterwards went to the Broadway.  

Nora Spitznogle: Tuesday, November 2, 2021

Worked today, met Beth and J.R. at Farm before All Souls Day Mass. Dinner in Whitestown after. 

Remember when Clara Busald wrote to Grandma Nora saying that she was coming to visit on November 2 and I couldn't figure out who she was? I still don't know. 

I do know what they saw at the Broadway. 

Today is All Souls Day, and Dad's parish, Saint Joseph's Catholic Church in Lebanon was honoring all of the parishioners who had died in the past year. 

I met Beth and J.R. at the Farm before Mass. J.R. swept walnuts from the walk and Beth and I chose some of Dad's handmade things for a charity auction next month at the church. We found a creche that Dad had made (edit: it brought $500 in bids). 

I haven't been grabby with Dad's woodworking projects - I have a two benches, a boat he made as a child, and a boot jack. Plus I figure that Dad has fixed or helped stain every piece of furniture that I own. 

I decided to take this log cabin - his later versions were made Lincoln log style and could be taken apart. Here it is at my house, next to my red childhood boots.

He made several of these Advent wreaths. I'm looking forward to using it next month.

The names of all of the parishioners that died this year was said during the Mass and a candle with their name was lighted. 

Here is a view with the altar that Dad helped make. 

J.R.'s wife Anna and Beth's husband Troy joined us for Mass. We all had dinner at Dad's favorite restaurant, L.A. Cafe in Whitestown. What a beautiful evening this was. 

Two Noras: November 1, 1914 and November 1, 2021

Nora Bauer: Sunday, November 1, 1914

Mabel and Will were home for a few days. Paul and I were out this evening. Helen also had her friend there. 

Nora Spitznogle: Monday, November 1, 2021

Worked downtown at Second Helpings today. Put the garden to bed, for real this time - harvested cotton, peanuts, and carrots this evening. 

Grandma Nora's entry for today is interesting. I when I first read it, I was sure that she was talking about her brother William and his wife. But I was wrong...again...William married Lillian Whitehead in 1920. 

I searched the papers for a mention of William Bauer and a Mabel and came up with zippo. Maybe Grandma Nora will reveal some clues in the upcoming days. 

It sounds like Grandma Nora had a nice evening with Paul and Helen and her friend. 

I worked today. Admittedly I've been in a fog - I really need some time off - but I clearly did a terrible job of putting the garden to bed for the season. I pulled up a little further in the driveway than usual and noticed that I had a new cotton bole and the peanut plant was still there and found some more green tomatoes and a red one on the plant. Sheesh! 

Here is the bounty. Next year I want to remember to keep the cotton on the stems, I think they will look cool in a vase. The peanut crop is nothing to write home about.