Mary's Diary — K. C. Catalfamo

Marie did go out and talk to him but I guess she went home with “Toughie.”

Marie did go out and talk to him but I guess she went home with “Toughie.” At least not with them.

Mary's DiaryKelly CatalfamoJanuary 15, 1941Marie, Wayne, Toughie, Mitchell, Romance, Lucile, Letters, Leigh Comment

No, not Leigh but Mitchell with a pair of the blackest eyes you ever saw!

A knock came on the door and Uncle Dud opened it. Guess who! No, not Leigh but Mitchell with a pair of the blackest eyes you ever saw!

Mary's DiaryKelly CatalfamoJanuary 14, 1941Lorraine, Uncle Dud, Mitchell, Fight, Marie, Wait till I see her, Leigh, Burstingly, Dad, Party, Stork Shower, MotherComment

I mentioned that night at West Clarksville today. The one [when] Leigh & I held hands.

I mentioned that night at West Clarksville today. The one [where] Leigh & I held hands.

Mary's DiaryKelly CatalfamoJanuary 12, 1941Leigh, Lucile, Wayne, West Clarkesville, Church, Mrs. Aller, Linford, Uncle DudComment

They went outside and I don’t know just what happened.

Mitchell & Bud came in while Marie was drinking pop with Morris (Toughie Lyman). They went outside and I don’t know just what happened. Marie & Lorraine finally went home with them. This day has been O.K. (Almost)

Mary's DiaryKelly CatalfamoJanuary 11, 1941Alice, Mitchell, Marie, Verneta, Toughie, Pat, Leigh, Bud, Lorraine, Romance, Skating Comment

Footnotes #1: Watch Nights, Birthday Paddling, & Jack Sprat

Mary's diary is fascinating, but 1941 was long enough ago that some things get lost in translation. This is the first of several posts that will explore some of the outdated or unclear parts of Mary's experience

FootnotesKelly CatalfamoJanuary 11, 1941Play, Leigh, Harriet, Church, Grange, Farming, FeminismComment

sorta sordid but beautiful too

Say, it gave me a funny feeling seeing Mitch kissing Marie, and Lorraine & Bud, sorta sordid but beautiful too

If that “Why?!” didn’t still burn

Our rings are here!

Mary's DiaryKelly CatalfamoJanuary 9, 1941Class Rings, School, Ruth N., Letters, Leigh, Romance, Party, TiredComment

"It might have been."

Somehow today has seemed awfully hollow. I’ve laughed until I cried, I’ve been happy, and I enjoyed prayer-meeting but underneath it all there has been that relentless nagging.

Mary's DiaryKelly CatalfamoJanuary 8, 1941School, Poetry, Romance, Leigh, Lucile, Miss Crone, Pranks, Wayne, Jean C., Letters, I wonder, Mr. Austin, Prayerfully, ChoirComment

the sensible, God-fearing part of me

Oh, what a week this is turning out to be, Sunday started talking to Lucile, all afternoon way up high, that evening in the dumps, yesterday placidly enjoying myself, then today! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Mary's DiaryKelly CatalfamoJanuary 7, 1941Lucile, Leigh, Romance, Library Club, Laura, Poetry, Party, Skating, SportsComment

I wonder if I'll ever feel this way again.

Oh heck! I’m ready to fly with a rare mixture of happiness and vexation. I wish —— oh skip it! I think that ———— oh skip that too!

Mary's DiaryKelly CatalfamoJanuary 5, 1941Romance, Leigh, Church, Harriet, Gerald, Uncle Dud, Floyd, Mary Low, Helen, All mixed up, Pop-corn Comment