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

Nora Bauer: Saturday, March 7, 1914

The rivers [Wabash and Eel] are rising and the ice in the Wabash is starting to go out. Came home at 4:30 P.M. with an awful headache and went right to bed. 

Nora Spitznogle: Sunday, March 7, 2021

What a wonderful start to my week off! I started with Mass at Saint Joan of Arc followed by getting the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. Spontaneous Sunday followed. 

Every time we drive through Logansport, Dad asks if I know what two rivers run through the town. Yes, Dad, I do...Logansport is located in the valleys of the Eel and Wabash Rivers. According to Powell's History of Cass County published in 1913, eight wagon bridges and eight railroad and interurban bridges span the rivers. The canal was crossed by another eight or ten bridges - that's at least 24 bridges in Grandma Nora's time. 

The great Logansport Flood had happened just the year before and I'm sure everyone was watching the water level with an eagle eye. From what I can tell of the flood's level, I think it would have affected her Dad's tavern. 

I find Nora's headache worrisome, knowing that she suffered from high blood pressure and died from a stroke. I wonder where she was coming home from - work? Church? 

I had an exciting day - I received a COVID-19 vaccine and one of my favorite places in town, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I'm not a race fanatic, but I love the history of the venue. Five year ago I wrote a 100 day countdown to the 100th running of the Indy 500 for NUVOThe Two Noras project feels much like that - a little research and writing. 

The whole experience was organized and smooth. The Indiana National Guard soldier who gave me the vaccine asked if I could relax my arm....I don't think that I've relaxed anything in the last 12 months, buddy. 

I'll admit to being nervous, I'm allergic to shellfish and even though there is nothing like that in vaccination, I sure got in my head about it. I spoke to my doc about it, she reassured me that I would be fine. I asked if there was any reason that I couldn't take an anti-anxiety drug before hand and she said that as long as I had a driver, that would be okay. As it turned out, I only took half of a low-dose of Xanax. I am thankful for the option of the one dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

After the vaccine and waiting time I treated Schaun to lunch at Mug and Bun - crinkle fries, yummy! I asked Schaun at the last-minute to take me, my original plan fell through, and he was kind enough to do so. That led to Schaun and I meeting his brother at a tile store to pick up tile and looking at options for another bathroom wall. Schaun joked that he should sell his truck - I suggested that he should sell is trailer too. 

Home early and drinking lots of water to help ward off any possible vaccine side effects. 

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

Nora Bauer: Friday, March 6, 1914

Finished my little doyle [doily?]. Carl Gingrich was in a stayed quite a while. Was also to church this evening. It was trying to rain. 24

Nora Spitznogle: Saturday, March 6, 2021

Worked at both Marigold and Red Key today, with just enough time to change  - wore Purdue shirt in honor of their win over IU. 

Carl Gingrich married Grandma Nora's sister, Anna in 1921. Nora and Anna worked together, I wonder if Carl was visiting them in the office? Did she mention how long he was there because she was annoyed? I would love to see that doily! 

My day was a whirl-wind of work. I didn't get to watch the game, but anytime that Purdue beats Indiana University in anything I love to take a chance to rub it in. Indianapolis is lousy with IU fans. 😀

 

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

 Nora Bauer: Thursday, March 5, 1914

Had another nice day today. We went down to Uncle John's tonight. Mamie took down the pin cushion she made for Aunt Lena. 

Nora Spitznogle: Friday, March 5, 2021

Today was my last day at work for a week - wee! The evening took a fun unexpected turn that involved lots of lifting. 

I'm confused. Grandma Nora's paternal Uncle John's wife is named Mary. There is a Lena on her mother's side....I need to sketch out Nora's immediate family tree instead of getting lost in the huge tree that I've created to both sides of my family. And since I'm off next week, hopefully I can do that. 

I am beyond giddy! In the last year, I've only had one day off that did not involve taking my dad to an appointment or staying at the farm after his heart bypass surgery in June. Of course, I am thrilled that I was able to do that and had the work flexibility to make it happen. With pandemic planning and constant changes and staff quarantining at various times, it was hard to not be a work - and a little stressful. 

When I had my review a couple of weeks ago, Jennifer's (CEO) first question was when was I taking time off? Here we are! Woo hoo! 

I had an extra-productive day and stopped at Midland Antiques on the way home. I'm been sofa shopping and was having a very hard time - I'd also realized that I've never had a brand-new sofa. In fact, with the exception of a mattress, everything I have in the house is second-hand - a lot of it from the Bauer family. I realized that I should starting looking for a vintage sofa. 

I walked into Midland and to my absolute delight there was a lemon color sofa COVERED IN PLASTIC right inside the door. For-real plastic slip covers. I knew I'd found my sofa! I ripped the price tag off and handed it to the cashier. 

Then the reality of logistics set in - which is when I knew that I was on vacation, logistics are typically on the top of my brain. 

I called Schaun to see if he was coming back from Batesville this weekend and if he had time to help. He was on the road and 30 minutes away! Woo hoo! He pulled up right before they closed and we were on our merry way. 

Since he was at my house - and it's weird to have people in the house, since the pandemic started there have only been two people that have come through the door - we also loaded the huge piece of furniture that was leaving into his trailer to go to Batesville. Kassie is going to use it in her new house. 

The sofa is perfect and having the week off to finish the painting and purging and rearranging. I'm working at both Marigold and the Red Key tomorrow, then six days of freedom! 

Two Noras: March 4, 1014 and March 4, 2021

Nora Bauer: Wednesday, March 4, 1914

Lizzie came home from Iowa this noon and I saw her after church tonight. Saw Mrs. Spitz this noon. 

Nora Spitznogle: Thursday, March 4, 2021

Another busy day of interviewing potential students. I put on my painting nightgown when I got home, but got a reprieve. 

A quick search of the 1914 newspapers didn't show any mention of Nora Bauer and Lizzie together. I haven't jumped into her Aunt Lizzie's family tree - maybe Lizzie was a cousin? Two Lizzies in one house? I'm guessing Lizzie was a friend - hopefully she'll pop up again. 

I'm hoping that Grandma Nora gets a little thrill in seeing her future mother-in-law...or is she nervous around her? 

Most of my work day was consumed with interviewing potential students. I love love love the opportunity that our culinary students get at Second Helpings. Not only do they learn culinary skills but we wrap them with other services and work on building their confidence. After hearing some of their stories - teenage pregnancies, incarceration, generational poverty....it makes an unpainted wall seem insignificant. 

That said, I have a newfound determination to finish painting the damn room. I got home and changed into my painting nightgown - don't ask me why I chose a nightgown as my painting attire, but that's where we are - when I got a call from Schaun. 

He asked me to meet his brother-in-law Gary at Schaun's house for a delivery. Gary has purchased a cool motor scooter that is temporarily being housed in Schaun's garage. I misunderstood the timing, so I had a few hours to myself. I navigated Schaun's alarm with out incident and enjoyed watching Netflix without feeling the need to multitask. 

Back home to change back into my nightgown - for sleeping this time. 

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

Nora Bauer: Tuesday, March 3, 1914

Was working pretty hard today. Got my trial balance. Anna [sister] went to her club tonight and I was doing fancy work. 

Nora Spitznogle: Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Another busy day at work - we're interviewing potential Culinary Job Training students. I stopped at the grocery store after work. 

As we learned a little earlier, Grandma Nora was the bookkeeper for Mr. Barnes, who was in the construction business. I wonder if she was running the trail balance for March or for 1913? Was she training Margaret also? 

I think I've mentioned that going to the grocery store or getting gas used to be something that I would do on the fly and consider a chore. Now my weekly trip to Aldi is a treat. Aldi has upped their selection of organic fruits and veggies over the years and I love exploring the lovely Aisle of Surprises - some people call it the Aisle of Shame or the Aisle of Sh*t. 

We had ten Culinary Job Training interviews today - it's great to hear the excitement in the prospective student interviews, but sometimes their stories break your heart. 

I didn't do much but dawdle when I got home....no painting. Again.  

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

 Nora Bauer: Monday, March 2, 2014

Was nice out again today. Mr. Smith went to the letting at Milford and we got a telegram from him saying he got the job. 

Nora Spitznogle: Tuesday, March 2, 2021

Big day! The new age brackets were announced to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and I finalized my will and medical wishes. Another evening not painting. 

I wonder if Grandma Nora meant 'meeting' instead of 'letting.' I looked for a business called Milford, but had no luck. Since Mr. Smith (whoever he might be) sent a telegram, I'm guessing that he went to the town of Milford, 70 miles away. I remember getting a telegram from my Aunt Ann one time - I can't remember if it was for a birthday or First Communion or something else. It sure was a thrill! 

Speaking of thrills, today was a good day. I was able to sign up for the COVID-19 vaccine and I finalized my will and medical directives. Such a sense of accomplishment and relief to have both in the works. I highly recommend Stasia Demos at Demos Mills Law.  She's thoughtful, thorough, patient, and kind. 

And guess what? I didn't paint today either. I may have to move. 

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

Nora Bauer: Sunday, March 1, 1914

Had another blizzard today and ? snow. Was to Aunt Lizzie's this afternoon and played 500. Went to Uncle Frank's this evening. 

Nora Spitznogle: Monday, March 1, 2021 

Productive day at work. Straight home to mostly loaf around looking at sofas on-line. I managed to avoid painting one more day. 

Aunt Lizzie was Grandma Nora's mother's sister. Uncle Frank was her father's brother. Grandma Nora had lots of extended family in Logansport - and thanks to her for continuing the large family tradition, I have a boatload of cousins in that some town. 

That's my Tilly cat peeking from under the journal. For some reason this time of year is always exhausting at work for me. I suspect it has to do with review season - everyone that works for/with me is delightful and doing a wonderful job, it's just the pressure of writing thoughtful things and the deadlines. We're also ONE YEAR in to the pandemic. Even though there is a light at the end of the tunnel, there is still much uncertainty.