Ruth Celebrates Turning 73 in Clearwater FL

The picture (1978) shows us about to leave Clearwater FL after a visit with Grandpa (John) and Grandma (Ruth) Kellogg.  Dan, Lynn, Cindy, Kate are shown with Diane as the photographer. This isn't in Pieces of a Life, nor are Ruth's diary entries.

Thursday, July 5, 1979  - "A year older - 73.  Busy!  Hair done while Mom baked chicken thys while Jim & I shopped.  We got Pepperidge Farm pineapple cake and Mom put 5 candles on it.  Later John phoned to get flowers - none at our store!  I did and hurried home for the Kelloggs - 3 of whom came.  

Philip phoned to say 'Happy Birthday' and how old are you?  He had to work from 4:30 to 1:30 A.M.!

Ken brought cake they ordered & got as requested by John.  Gave me a silver bracelet.  All went well.  Took pictures."

My mother meant "thighs" rather than "thys" in the second line of her diary entry.  She was a good speller most of her life, but later on dementia gradually impaired her language skills.  Evidentally they ate with Lottie Meredith, Ruth's mother, and Jimmie, her brother, at lunch in their small home in Largo FL to celebrate Ruth's 73rd - and then dinner with son Ken Kellogg, wife Nellie and younger son Roger (15) to light the candles again.  Ruth and John lived on the 7th floor of Horizon House in Clearwater FL for many years after leaving Illinois.

I looked for the pictures Ruth mentions, but haven't found any.  I'm not sure if copies were sent to me.

Ruth Job-Hunts in 1930 During the Depression

Ruth is shown in 1929.  Life changed dramatically between that photo and the summer of 1930.  By then Ruth had lost her job at Ward's during a severe cut-back that would only deepen as time went on and customers disappeared, fearful of running out of money for food and rent.

September 2, 1930 - "Arrived at Underwood Employment 9:05.  In line until 10:15.  Inter-viewed in Law Office at Ward's (Mr. Jayne)."   

September 3, 1930 - "Very, very exhausted, but managed to place application with Chicago Motor Club this afternoon (thru Mrs. Foote)."

September 5, 1930 - "Spent from 10:15 to 3:15 waiting downtown until could have interview at Chicago Motor Club.  Wasn't very favorable."

September 15, 1930 - "Have hopes of securing Royal B.P. position."  (I don't know what that is.)

September 16, 1930 - "No work yet.  The Royal B.P. hired a 35 yr. old woman!  My luck should change now after 3 failures.  Here's hoping."  (Ruth was only 24 with 4 years of work experience.  She must have viewed the 35-yr-old as ancient.)

September 17, 1930 - "I'm disgusted with job hunting...John thinks he can get me back to work at Ward's."  (Ward's sank deeper and deeper into debt as its customers left.  Not only did Ruth get no job, but John was to lose his position as well. Kenny was born a year later.)