A Sultry Summer in 1928

July, 1928 was long before air conditioning commonly appeared in homes and businesses, though it was invented in the 1930s.  People stayed in the shade, used handkerchiefs soaked in water, wore broad-brimmed hats, went swimming, used fans, etc. to make life more bearable when days of hot, sticky weather descended.   These quotes are from Ruth Meredith's diary, but did not appear in Pieces of a Life.  The photo, however, is her graduation picture in 1926 and was in the book.

Thursday, July 26, 1928
"Very trying day.  Very hot.  Had several verified statements to make.  John's car had a flat tire on way home.  We had to get air twice.  Poor John!  Loaned Papa $20."

Ruth was still working at Montgomery Ward's as a stenographer.  The "verified statements" were her job at work that day.  I was surprised that Papa asked Ruth for $20.  I imagine it was because of a tenant upstairs in their rental flat who "skedaddled" (ran off without paying).  Ruth's parents, Lottie and Jim Meredith, counted on the extra money, though the upkeep on the flat was a lot of work.

 July 27, 1928
"Wasn't so hot today, but for some unknown reason I am very tired and listless.  Got new Catalogue tonite.  John was tired too.  I shall now go to bed and read until sleepy."

Ruth and John were probably dehydrated from the run of hot weather, not knowing about electrolytes and hydration.  They saw a lot of movies that summer, always great entertainment, and even went to Ravinia on July 29 with another couple.  They heard a two-hour concert, but Ruth doesn't mention who was playing. The weather was better until early August when it was again "very hot" and "miserable to work steadily."  What a contrast to today when we flick on the air conditioning in the house or car!

Life With John in Florida - Car Accident

After growing up in snowy, cold Buffalo NY, John always dreamed of retiring to a warm climate.  In the mid-1960's, they tore up their roots in Illinois and replanted themselves in Clearwater FL.  Their roomy 3-bedroom, 2 1/2-bath co-op apartment was in the brand-new Horizon House on the Causeway leading to Clearwater Beach.

Ruth probably didn't object because that was what many of their friends were doing, traveling and re-locating in Florida. By then she had been overseeing brother Jimmie and her mother, Lottie, for 20 years - and was probably tired of that responsibility.  They, too, moved to Florida (Largo) after a few years of separation from Ruth.  Though no one realized it, she was also ever-so-slowly fading into dementia.

Though the photo is most likely from the 1950s or early 1960s, it gives you an idea of what Ruth and John looked like as they grew older.  Never very easy to deal with, John exhibited his anger in different ways, such as on the roads in Clearwater. 

"John got a citation today!  Police came here after J. had slight accident on Causeway.  Easter holidays have brought too many cars and caused so much delay that he got upset at people 'cutting in' & thus got it himself!  Tonite I drove both ways to Greer's." This is from Ruth's diary on April 17, 1981.  She was 74 and John was 81.  The following quote is from her April 24, 1981 diary entry.

"No tennis as John had to appear in court about last week's accident on crowded Causeway. 'No contest' plea got him $25 fine.  I hope he has learned something.  Started reading a free gift book - "The Spike" by Arnaud de Borchgrave & Robert Moss.  John liked it very much."

Both of them were avid readers and led an active social life centered around traveling as well as playing bridge and tennis with friends, some of whom were from their 20+ years at First Baptist Church in Oak Park.  As far as John's learning something from the ticket is concerned, fat chance!

A Drive Out in the Country to Deer Park

On May 31, 1926 the Merediths drove their Willys-Overland car, similar to the one pictured, out to Deer Park.  That caught my eye because the woods, now called Deer Grove Forest Preserve, are only two or three miles from where I live in Palatine.  I'd never dreamed they had driven out here for day trips into the country!  At that time, of course, Palatine was a tiny town perched on the railroad with farms radiating out into open land.

In the car were Ruth Meredith (19), her brother, Jimmie (14), and her parents, Jim (45) and  Lottie Weekes Meredith (39).  They were leaving their yellow-tan stucco two-flat in the Austin area of Chicago -- and their cares -- behind.  The Merediths had bought the two-flat, originally a house, in 1922 to add extra income.  They rented out the smaller two-bedroom flat above them.  They had a changing cast of characters as renters, some just fine and others who disappeared to avoid paying the rent, often leaving a mess behind them.

Ruth's diary said, "We left about 8:40 and arrived at Deer Park (30 miles from Chicago) at 10:15.  Had coffee and a big lunch we prepared before we left.  Played ball, etc.  It was cloudy most of the day." 

At 4:30 the Merediths headed back toward Chicago.  After 25 minutes, "the rain came down in sheets."  All but Lottie dashed out of the car, soon soaking wet, to retrieve the protective curtains from where they were stored and secure them.  "Didn't get home until 7:30 because we had to wait in lines of cars miles long when we came anywhere near (3 miles) of a busy crossroad."

This was a time when families took Sunday rides for fun into the forest, farmland or small towns, though this one didn't turn out as planned!