Sunday, November 13, 2016

Ruth's Move to a New World, Oak Park, with "Emotion"

This photo of Ruth Kellogg at age 35 in Oct., 1941 was taken before she moved to Oak Park.  It doesn't appear in Pieces of a Life.  Some of the diary entries that follow were used in the book, however.  They are among the most heartfelt, revealing ones Ruth wrote.

Most of Ruth's adult teen and adult years had been in the safe cocoon that the quiet, comfortable Austin neighborhood provided on the far west side of Chicago.  The house that Ruth and John bought in Nov., 1941 was only about two miles from the familiar two-flat on Iowa Street, owned by Ruth's parents, but may as well have been on the moon.  

Sunday, Nov. 16, 1941 - "Well, it's happened!  We've put a down payment on a 7-room house!  At 1210 N. Euclid Ave., Oak Park.  It's 11 years old.  Needs a little decorating in spots.  Has 2-car brick garage like house - orange-tan face brick all around.  Gas vapor heat.  

Then we went to Florence's for 4 o'clock dinner.  Of course the talk was then all about house - we took them by ours tonight.  Too dark to see much.  I feel sort of sad about moving in a month from here."

Monday, Nov. 17, 1941 -  "All day my emotions were at a high pitch and I couldn't accomplish much.  I did phone in 'To Rent' ad for flat and then make house presentable.  But it's taking me all day to get used to idea of moving into strange house away from familiar neighborhood.

Kenny wrote composition about "Happiest Moment of My Life" - and the facts of buying house yesterday.  So teacher knows it already.

P.S.  I cried myself to sleep."

Thursday, Nov. 20, 1941 - "Thanksgiving Day was spent down with folks, as usual.  Had big turkey, etc.  Talked over different problems of house and furnishings.  Mama and I played Old Maid and then Bridge with Diane and Kenny.  

Golly, I'm in a muddle as to what to do first about Xmas and moving!"

Ruth and John went to dinner at Florence & Clyde Ballentine's in Elmwood Park.  Ken and I would have been invited because the Ballentines had a girl named Bonnie, who was 4 years old.

Ruth and John enjoyed playing cards, which is why Ken and I learned to play Auction Bridge and other games at 5 years old.  John was very competitive, which may have been why he wanted to live in upscale Oak Park.  Luckily for Ken and me, the school system was outstanding.  I remember feeling very out of place on my first day there in November, feeling that the other kindergartners already had become friends.  So I was echoing the feeling that my mother had.  I adjusted, thanks to some very thoughtful teachers and nice children.

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