"I'm Kind of Worried..."

This picture of Grandma Esther Webb Kellogg Wood (John's mother), Kenny Kellogg and Ruth Meredith Kellogg was taken in Ann Arbor within a few months of the time the entry was made in her diary.

September 21, 1935 - Saturday
"I'm kind of worried, as I just heard an extra paper about Austin Maniac beating another woman today - that's about the 4th this month. First is in serious condition in hospital.

Baked a sponge cake& made lime Jell-O veg. salad for tomorrow.  Bought rolled veal roast.

John home early enough to eat good meal & I got dishes done before time to go to show.  Saw 'Orchids to You' - John Boles & Jean Muir."

Ruth probably meant to say that she read or heard about an extra edition of the newspaper concerning the "Austin Maniac."   Ruth's preparations for the following day were for her father's birthday.  Jim Meredith was turning 55 on Monday, Sept. 23.  Lottie, Jimmie and Jim went upstairs for the celebration.  At that point, the three Kelloggs were living in the flat above the Merediths.  John had bought the Sealtex business the year before and was still working very long hours, at least 6 days a week.  Because Ruth was back in a familiar neighborhood with her parents and brother, she was happy in spite of John's being gone so much.

Ruth's 3rd Granddaughter, Katherine, Born in 1970

 The top picture shows Diane and baby Katherine in Aug., 1970 at age 4 months.  We were sitting in the family room in the Mt. Prospect house.

The second picture shows a very smiley Kate at 8 months in Dec., 1970 playing with an old Playschool toy.  She was born at 6 lbs., 9 oz. on April 22, but the first time Ruth saw Kate was in Lutheran General Hospital on April 25.  Ruth had flown in earlier in April to help with Lynn and Cindy.  Lynn was 3 years, 11 months and Cindy was 2 years, 9 months.  At 63 the little ones and house were a lot for Ruth to handle, even for a short time.  Dan was going to work and also fitting in friends and other activities whenever possible.


Sat., April 25, 1970
"I saw baby Katherine Diane in hospital nursery this afternoon with eyes wide open and putting on a show for Diane & me.  Diane hadn't seen her eyes open before.  She is a cutey - very much doll-like.  Diane looks good too  Was in a pink perma-prest duo gown & robe - short.

Felt more rested today with Dan here.  I got his suit from cleaners and left one there - also bought a list of groceries he made out, at Jewel near Lutheran General Hospital.  Dan went to see Diane tonight and I put girls to bed.  He got fried chicken out for supper.  I warmed up steak and beans.

Diane had first story acceptance - $10 - in Baby Talk."

I'm not sure what the story was about!

A Big Family Birthday Party for Ruth's Granddaughter Cindy - 1968

The photo shows Cynthia Jo Pellettiere with her mom, Diane, in  Cindy's bedroom in their first house in Mt. Prospect IL. Cindy (probably 18 months) is wearing a green jumper made by Grandma Ruth Kellogg.

Floridians Ruth and John were visiting us to enjoy and help with Cindy's first birthday party (July 13). Ruth's diary entry is not in Pieces of a Life, nor is the picture.

Sunday, July 14, 1968
"A hot day.  I fixed deviled eggs while Diane arranged the buffet table this A.M.  Lynn wouldn't nap so had to be amused somewhat while Cindy slept.  I phoned Mom & arranged to get them at 3 P.M.  

It was bedlam here after Vi's Schnauzer dog arrived on the scene.  Then, even though they put the dog downstairs behind gate, Lynn hung on Dan & Diane, so it was very hard for them to handle food end of the party.  The crying was bad & D & D very nervous.  We couldn't do anything to relieve them.  All the P. family was here and we had 4 tables in yard.  I took (finished) one roll of movies with some help from Marie & John's daughter, Debbie.  Vi & I did up dishes before they had to leave for another party about 8."

My recollection is a little different.  I was walking in and out of the kitchen with food, drinks often - and on one trip, saw that Cindy was crawling on the grass under the tables, chasing the dog, Hughie.  Before I could get to her, Hughie had finally had enough - turned around and snapped at Cindy - but did not bite.  Everyone saw it and that's when Hughie was "jailed" behind the gate.

The "Mom" that Ruth refers to is her mother, Lottie Meredith, age 81.  Ruth picked up brother Jim (age 57) and her mother, who had moved to Mt. Prospect, living there briefly before moving on to Florida near the Kelloggs. Lynn was 2 years and 2 months old.  The house didn't have air conditioning, so was very uncomfortable in that hot summer.  We did have it put in later that year.