10/14 Sunday

Went to Clark Zlotchew's Bar Mitzvah at Kaplan's on Second Ave. The kids stayed at momma's. Pres. Farrell has resigned in Argentina as police shoot into demonstrators.

10/13

Eugene was overheard by his mother saying "How the H--- can I get out of here". Longshoremen have rejected LaGuardia's invitation to return to work. Rank and file committees are functioning. The N.M.U. is giving full support. Ed Pauley, our representative on the Reparations Commissions in Germany charges a plot to build up Germany's economic strength and revive cartels. We registered today A.L.P. in A.D. 13, E.D. 74. Universal Studios and Warner Bros. are shut down after the brutal assault on the picket line at Warners by police, studio police, special deputies and strikebreakers. Judge Frankenthaler has given the elevator workers wage rises but imposed a dangerous ten year peace plan. Nazi Gen. Dostler has been sentenced to death for executing American soldiers. Dr. Subasitch has resigned from the Tito gov't criticizing the election apparatus, alleged summary executions. The Trumans while deploring Jim Crow will not act against the D.A.R.

10/12

Cavaretta had the best batting average in the Series .423, Greenberg was the slugger, Pafko a fielding star. Newhouser won two games for the Tigers. British reinforcements are entering Palestine.

10/11

Mollie was over yesterday. She asked Sylvia if she would come home with her. "Mommie needs a little girl" was her answer. "Well, Mommie can buy another little girl", said Mollie. "You buy another little girl" was the little rascal's retort. The Tigers have beaten the Cubs 4-3 in a poorly played World Series. Labor and progressive groups are criticizing the projected tax program. Eugene felt tired today. Peron is out in Argentina with the situation as yet unchanged. 600 Hollywood pickets have been arrested. Czech Communists won the most seats in the electoral college. Norwegian Communists are being represented for the first time. In Hungary the resistance movement has won the great majority of the seats. Palestine unrest is increasing. L. Budenz has left the "Daily" to return to the Catholic Church! Lillian and the kids went to Betsy Demoff's party and had a nice time.

That's the first time I remember seeing an exclamation point! The "Daily" is the "Daily Worker".

10/10

Beat Waldman. Li Hsao Shih, Chinese Communist has been assassinated by a bullet meant for Chou-En-Lai. The Voulgaris gov't has resigned due to the low registration for elections. Dock strikers have rejected Ryan's demand to return to work without a contract. Eugene drew "The Armadillo and the Monkey", "Burlap (a dog)", and "A Present for Auntie" from the library.

10/9

State labor delegations are visiting Washington to see their congressmen. Laval has been sentenced to death. G.E.- Westinghouse is being sued by the U.S. for secret cartel agreements with British and German firms. Sylvia is going shopping so Lillian wouldn't have to go so much. She is also going to buy me much "jell". Eugene is taking his injections like a little man. Lillian made a birthday cake for Sylvia and we sang "Happy Birthday". The British dock strike is growing.

10/8

India Communists are leaving the All India National Congress because of anti-communist attacks and actions by Congress leaders. A Christian Front rally in Queens drew 200 many in opposition with several speakers arrested while a counter rally drew 1200. Citrine is President of the W.F.T.U. and Saillant Secretary.

10/7 Sunday

Eugene was Burl Ives teaching Sylvia who was repeating the lines. Finally she said "I don't want to say so many words". Then came a line "Don't you hear a mournful noise". She repeated that then answered it "No, I don't". Chiang and Japanese troops are attacking the 8th Route Army. Soldiers are being mustered out very slowly. The "News" has apologized for O'Donnell's anti-semitism. "Deep are the Roots" is a sensation on Broadway. It discusses the Negro question. Ambassador A. A. Berle has intervened in Brazil against a constitutional assembly. We went over to mom's and had a little celebration for Sylvia. Ed Bykowski has sent an Iron Cross to Bilbo. American cruisers have arrived in the Communist held port of Chefoo in China.

Sylvia's birthday was two days away.

10/6

Col. Devereaux Wake Island hero and Admiral Nimitz are being hailed feted and honored here. Telephone workers are striking but a company union is behind them. Studio strikers at Warner Bros were attacked by the police. The Japanese cabinet has resigned. Lillian and the kids visited Miss Karmen at the hospital. Had a discussion with Eugene on his future vocation. His preference was street car motorman as he doesn't use a wheel while a subway motorman and bus driver do. A doctor was a pretty good profession he thought while a post-office clerk doesn't get enough sleep. Sylvia got an apron from Ernie Koslan.

In family reminiscences, my childhood preference was always stated as "streetcar conductor". Don't know who "Miss Karmen" was. I believe I've mentioned that Dad was a post-office clerk!

10/5

The gov't seized 26 oil companies to assure adequate oil for the Army. Buenos Aires University has defied the gov't. Repressions are continuing with hundreds arrested. MacArthur has ordered sweeping reforms in Japan: release of political prisoners, abolish the secret police, discharge the home minister Yamazaki. The "Daily News" wants American spies in Russia and its columnist O'Donnell blames outstanding Jews for Patton's removal. Bus drivers are receiving retroactive increases. Laval's antics have caused his ejection from the courtroom as his trial opens. Darnand has been sentenced to death. Eugene went for his second injection.

10/4

Lost to Sheib. Truman wishes to outlaw the atom bomb. Loyalist leaders Alvarez & Zapirain will be freed. Sadie and the kids came over in the afternoon. Lillian and Susan Gail dropped over also.

10/3

Sylvia poured a great quantity of the fish food into the bowl when nobody was looking although they are supposed to have two pieces a day. After being scolded she repeated the act. The Foreign Ministers parley ended in a deadlock. Molotov after agreeing to the "Big 5" vote on peace treaties, demanded that the Potsdam decision that only the "Big 3" participate be adhered to. Gen. Patton who compared the Nazi situation in Germany to a matter of ins and outs or Democrats and Republicans in America has been removed from his Bavarian post by Eisenhower. The W.F.T.U. elected a Constitutional Committee. Longshoremen in New York are rising against Ryan again. Oil workers are on strike from coast to coast. 5th Ave. bus drivers are on a slowdown against overwork. Eugene had some questions about babies. He discovered that all children have mommies who gave birth to them and wanted to know how the first man came.

10/2

Sec. of the Treas. Vinson has urged repeal of the excess profits tax. Pro-Nazi Schaeffer has been replaced as Bavarian President by Social Democratic Dr. Hoegner. Negro Hazel Scott has been barred from Constitution Hall. Lillian took Eugene to Dr. Holzman for his first cold vaccine injection. We bought a small bowl with two goldfish for Eugene.

I have only the vaguest memory of the goldfish, perhaps more prompted by reading it than recalling it!

10/1

Chiang and the Communists have agreed to call a Political Council representing all elements which will discuss the reconstruction of China and the establishment of a National Assembly which will frame a Constitution. Quislings are in control in Burma. In the American League, Hank Greenberg's homerun in the ninth inning against the Browns with the bases loaded won the pennant for the Tigers on the last day of the schedule. The Senators with their schedule finished several days ago, were second. Over 50,000 participated in a Zionist rally in the "Garden" to press for unrestricted Jewish immigration in Palestine. The Labor Government's offer of 1500 a month has been rejected. Truman has requested 100000 immigration certificates. Rabbi Wise, La Guardia & Gov. Dewey were among the speakers. Eugene complained of being tired on coming home from school. Sylvia keeps asking for a doll-carriage. Both children napped after lunch.

9/30 Sunday

Joe Arons and Esther and Helen came over for lunch and spent the day with us. We played records, took pictures, put the kids on the swings and played anagrams. Lillian made delicious potted chicken and apple sauce cake. Earl Harrison's report charges the displaced persons are being treated much the same as they were under the Nazis. Elevator workers are to return to work and submit to arbitration. The Cubs won the National League pennant over the Cards in a hard finish with only a few games to play.

9/29

Race strikes incited by fascists are increasing in midwest schools and making a beginning in Harlem. High school students in New York are striking to support teacher-coaches who are asking extra pay for coaching athletics. Australian and American seamen are picketing to prevent supplies and Dutch marines from being sent to put down the Indonesian revolution. Sylvia took a flag down to wave at any soldier she sees.

9/28

American industrialist officers and Nazi agent Westrick are collaborating to rebuild cartel relations between the two countries. Emperor Hirohito visited Gen. MacArthur in an unprecedented move. Truman is again supporting the original jobless bill. We went over to Mosholu in the afternoon and saw Mom and Pop, Lillian & Susan, Sadie and the kids. Fredi is a trial to Sadie as she is not very amenable. Finished "Innocents Abroad" by Mark Twain. Twain takes an excursion around the world. With his dry satire, he explodes myths and howls over long stand-bys. Ben Davis tells off the "Un-American" Comm.

A picture of Sylvia and me, taken one block from our apartment, is pasted in here; see the scanned-in page. I also separately enhanced the picture slightly and put it below the page.

 

9/27

Sylvia has been going to the tennis courts with me and playing by herself. Beat Waldman. Eugene took out a library card today. He wrote his name (in pen and ink, for the first time) three times on the application. He took out three books: "First Reader" "The Story of Chan Yuc" and "The Truck that flew". Eugene got black shoes at Alexanders $4.69. Peron has arrested 50 foes and declared a state of siege again. Browder defended the Communist movement at the "Un-American" Committee hearings. The "Elevator" strike is receiving full labor support. Lillain read "Kings' Row" by               and Three Loves by A. J. Cronin. Woman's love for Father Son and Holy Ghost.

Interesting things here; the second library book is interesting. I certainly remember going to the Fordham Library; that was always a big deal, but I can't say I remember the first visit. 
He repeated the purchase of my shoes; it's in the 9/22 entry. Looking back at that entry, that last line appears darker; I suspect he discovered the receipt, and then added it later; it fits on the last line of that day's entry. 
He left a space for the author of "Kings Row", but didn't fill it in; the author was Henry Bellamann.

9/26

Beat Sheib. We left the children at Mollie's and went downtown to buy a suit at Gausmark's - 15 Dey St. - $32.75. Then to the Methodist Hospital to see Al who looked very well as did Edith who expects a baby in December. The House Committee has shelved the jobless aid bill "due to strikes". British French and Japanese troops are battling Annamese revolutionists. Yankee President Larry MacPhail says he will not hire negro ballplayers. Argentina has nipped a military revolt and arrested Gens. Rawson & Martin. The second session of the WTIU opened in Paris. Molotov has criticized our uni-lateral actions in Japan. Liberal Party holds "Garden" rally.

Not sure about the name of the store where the suit was bought; could not find any Internet reference. 

9/25

Beat Levy. Building service employees have struck office buildings and lofts (1575). Eugene had another attack this morning. Lillian took him to Dr. A. A. Schwartz - 7 W. 71st $5, a specialist who found nothing but sinus infection which he expects Eugene to outgrow. He recommended a series of cold vaccines. French elections resulted in a "leftist" victory. Eric Johnston has replaced Will Hays as film Czar.at $150,000 per year. Eugene was better in the afternoon as the weather cleared. Took haircut. Argentinita is dead.

9/24

Beat Sheib. General Patton and British General Wilson have made undemocratic statements concerning Europe. Greek strikes are winning some concessions. Msgr. Ryan, liberal Catholic leader and fur union leader Begoon died recently. Lillian saw "The Valley of Decision" with Greer Garson and Gregory Peck. Good but the book has been emasculated. I went to the Garden for the Rally for Spain. It was to help refugees in France and break relations with Franco. Speakers were some Broadway stars, Dr. Barsky J Steel, L. Sergio, V. Sheean, M. Quill, I. de Palencia Ed Robinson of the Lincoln Brigade, N. Corwin, N. Novikov of the Soviet Embassy. Prof. Laski spoke from England. Co-chairmen were J. Ferrer and B. Crum. Entertainment by the C.I.O. Chorus and K. Spencer. Such international solidarity, symbolized by thousands of Americans supporting over a period of ten years democracy-loving Spaniards whom they will never see, giving of their time and money for the cause of democracy thousands of miles away is an inspiration which serves to buoy one's courage to continue the struggle for a peaceful world in the face of any obstacle or setback.

9/23 Sunday

Starting a week's vacation today. Isolationist Bennett Champ Clark has been appointed to a high juridical position and Wm. H. Davis dismissed as Economic Stabilizer. The latter had recently recommended 50% increases for labor. Eugene was Burl Ives again today. When Lillian scolded him for leaving clay around, he complained that she mustn't yell at Burl Ives so or he wouldn't sing anymore. Sylvia was talking about germans. When Lillian called her a german Sylvia said "Why don't you shoot me". Pop & Mom came over and I argued late with Pop.

9/22

Three B-29 Superfortresses on a non-stop flight from Japan to Wash. DC landed in Chicago for re-fueling. MacArthur's soft peace is causing great criticism here. Irv Sheib took us all up to Woodlawn and back this morning. We split sets. Eugene got black shoes at Alexanders $4.69

9/21

Lillian's cold is still hanging on. Sylvia is attracted by money, Eugene, the intellectual type. Kelsey-Hayes has broken with the union. A wildcat strike has been going on there. The Labor Govt's India proposals are called a repetition of the rejected Cripps plan. The "Protestant" is asking the removal of "Hunter" president Dr. Shuster as a pro-nazi. Meat black-marketeers are being prosecuted. Eugene came rushing in to tell me I was "cock-eyed" since there were 20 empty pages in the album.

9/20

Andre Tardieu has died. Lord Haw-Haw is sentenced to hang. A trickle of Nazi murderers are being tried and executed. [ ...] The Soviet Union wants trusteeship over Eritrea and Tripolitania. 1000 CIO men comprised a delegation to Washington to press for the Full Employment Bill. They received many rebuffs. The Senate has voted down the $25 unemployment pay feature of the bill. Wrote to Gov. Sparks of Alabama to punish the rapers of Recy Taylor. Attlee has promised India self-rule. Trieste is to be internationalized and made an open port. A half million democrats rallied in Argentina against the dictatorship. The new "Dies" committee has subpoenaed C.P. leaders. The Painters Union has won the strike for job security and most of its other demands.

9/19

Robert Patterson is to replace Stimson as Sec'y of War. Sen. Burton has been named to the Supreme Court. Eugene went back to school today. The Labor Dept. has been reorganized with the transfer of the WLB, WMC and the USES to that Dept. Eugene made a Chinese lantern in school in honor of the Chinese Victory Parade yesterday.

9/18

45 Nazi mass murderers are going on trial as a preliminary to the coming war criminal trials. Eugene and Sylvia ride around in the kitty car and wagon blowing their whistles and buying gas every few minutes. The miners of Force, Pa are striking for sanitary conditions for many weeks since the company doctor Betty Hayes centered national attention on the situation by resigning against intolerable conditions. Demands for raises and strike votes are being taken in many industries. The gale has hit New York in mild form. Attorney General Tom Clark wants to split up Alcoa into small competitive units claiming Mellon's company restricted the production of aluminum harming the war effort. 

9/17

In Detroit the A.F.L. has endorsed the reactionary incumbent Jeffries against Frankensteen C.I.O. Auto leader in mayoralty election. In New York Mrs. Roosevelt and Henry Wallace have endorsed Dem. A.F.L. candidate O'Dwyer against Rep. Liberal party candidate Jonah Goldstein. Two Spanish Loyalist leaders condemned to death by Franco are receiving the support of anti-fascists all over the world. Socialist and Communist are holding rallies in U.S. occupied Germany. Bess Myerson of the Bronx Hunter ??? Music major has been chosen "Miss America". John McCormack is dead in Ireland at 61.

I can't read the word after "Hunter", (probably "Coll.") for reasons which will be clear when you read the scanned in page. The "invitation" is not discussed separately in the text. 

9/16 Sunday

We all eat lunch together occasionally these days. Eugene licks his platters clean but Sylvia has to be helped along as she "falls asleep" while eating. We went out today and took quite a walk, Eugene wheeling the carriage a bit. De Gaulle is the sponsor of a Western Bloc of nations in Europe which would be opposed to the Soviet Union. A 150 mile hurricane is hitting Florida. Lillian finished "The Sun is my Undoing" by Marguerite Steen. Good picaresque story. Eugene is getting argyrol packs for his sinus.

9/15

Eugene walked around the house today. Lillian has caught a cold now. Ford has closed all his plants and laid off 50,000 on the pretext that there are many strikes in Auto. Consolidated Edison will recognize the C.I.O. union ending strike. 

9/14

Eugene uses the word "teenchy" often. Sylvia says "I'm hungry, give me somping to eat". She is also in bed with a cold. Eugene is much better. AFL Secretary Meany's attack against Unity, the CIO and the Soviet Union at the T.U.C. convention has been answered by Citrine. The situation in the Philippines is serious with MacArthur aiding former collaborators who are trying to get into power. One of these Roxas is a presidential candidate. New York painters struck against speed-up and job security. The Jap's claim that radioactivity is still potent in Hiroshima, struck by an atom bomb, is denied here. The slaughter and destruction there however is almost unbelievable.

9/13

Eugene was better today. Yesterday he had 100°. Today his temperature was normal. Radio steel and Auto are asking $2. per day raise. WJZ and WEAF are closed by a strike. Gen. Wainright is receiving a hero's welcome in the states.

9/12

Eugene had 102 temperature and we called Dr. Holzman. He said it was acute sinusitis. He prescribed privine and sulfanilimide. We have allowed the Japanese Authorities to continue to rule Korea. Gen. Tojo has attempted suicide. He is at the top of the war criminal list in Japan. The Big "5" foreign minister parley started. They will prepare peace treaties. The Senate finance committee has voted against $25 unemployment aid but OK'd the 26 week duration. Sylvia is inseparable from either a dolly or bunny with a cover. Mother with Lillian and Susan Gail came over in the P.M.

9/11

Eugene was not well during the night, getting up several times. In the morning he sneezed continually and his nose was stuffed up. He stayed home from school. Quisling will die by the firing squad for treason. It is claimed that Vishinsky ordered the Groza gov't to be formed in Romania.

9/10

Byron Nelson is the sensation of the golf season. Eugene makes the sound chi-chi ch frequently. He heard an oil truck make it. Eugene started his second term in kindergarden today. He has Mrs. Lyston again. His class is K.G. 2 room 214. The first term he went from 1 to 3 PM. This time he is going from 9 to 12. The State Department is in favor of a new Spanish government. Amgot in Italy is restricting the growing unions there. It appears that Japan is getting a soft peace. Our objectives in Japan are abolition of militarism, encouragement of liberalism, creation of a peace-loving government. Two famous Bilbo opponents met when Josephine Piccolo recipient of the famous "Dear Dago" letter welcomed Ed Bykowski wounded vet. who has been picketing Bilbo. Dick Fowler pitching his first game with the Athletics after being released from the Army turned in a no hit no run performance against the Browns. Sylvia is 3 ft. 2 1/4 inches. She has a lisp. After going to the toilet she starts singing "wipe my b - ". Eugene is 3 ft. 11 1/4 inches.

By far the longest entry yet, a whole page. Because my second kindergarden semester was in the fall, returning from the summer, for some years I had the idea that I spent two full years in kindergarden (thought maybe I was left back?).

9/9 Sunday

Laski is against unity between C.P. & S.P. in European countries. We spent the afternoon at the park. Beat Schuler.

9/8

We have dinner at Mollie's with Mike's family. In the evening we took a street car ride. Lost to Aronson.

9/7

We all went down town to see Pinocchio paying $1. apiece. It was Sylvia's first "movie". President Truman's reconversion program includes - Adequate unemployment compensation, higher minimum wages, Permanent F.E.P.C., big housing program, improved veterans' provisions. Big street meeting against anti-semitic outbreaks is held in Moshulu section with Quill and Assemblyman Isaacson speaking.

9/6

Atlanta negroes, barred from the primaries are planning to sue for their rights up to the Supreme Court. Dr. Pfister [sic], Czech quisling has been hanged two hours after a two day trial brought a guilty verdict.

9/5

Talbert & Mulloy win Nat'l Doubles. Osborne & Brough, the Women's doubles, Talbert & Osborne the Mixed doubles. The second round of the chess match was the same as the first with these exceptions: Horowitz beat Flohr, Boleslavsky beat Fine, Kupchik drew, Steiner drew. France has been told to get out of Tangiers.

9/4

Eugene was very much at home with frogs in the country, handling them with complete familiarity. He also planted a flower which is sprouting. Beat Levy. Eugene took haircut.

Yes, now I remember catching frogs a lot. Also fireflies, although we did that in the Bronx, too. 

9/3

Took the kids to the park with me to play tennis. Sylvia had her pails and shovels with her but wouldn't dig and cried all the while because I wouldn't stay with her. [...] Beat Ludwig. We all walked to mother's and back. That is Sylvia rode in the carriage and Eugene his "bike". The Soviets have taken over the Kuriles Islands and Southern Sakhalin. Terror exists in Haiti. A negro has conducted the Berlin Philharmonic. Parker has defeated Talbert in the National Singles and S. P. Cooke beat Pauline Betz in the Women's. Soviet Champion Botvinnik beat Denker American champion in the ten-man team match of the international competition. The first day saw the Soviets lead us 8-2 as Smyslov beat Reshevsky, Steiner beat Bodarevsky, Flohr beat Horowitz, Pinkus drew with Lilienthal, Kupchik lost to Makogonov, Fine drew with Boleslavsky, Bronstein beat Santasiere, Kashdan lost to Kotov, Ragozin beat Seidman. Botvinnik beat Denker #1 match.

9/2 Sunday

Lillian went to the cemetery today. Ed Bykowski, wounded vet. is picketing racist Senator Bilbo until he gets an appointment to protest to him personally for his scurrilousness. We were shocked to hear that my friend Al Pope had had a heart attack and had coronary occlusion. He has been in the Methodist Hospital for two weeks. Conflict, The Affairs of Susan, China Skies, Thrill of a Romance, A Medal for Benny.

Just noted (1/12/11) that I missed labeling Sunday on this one; corrected that.

9/1 [1945]

We went to the Zoo today visiting the children's zoo. Young anti semitic hoodlums have attacked Jewish children in Brighton with police indifference. The Japanese signed formal surrender papers today. The United States - Soviet international chess match started today. Each team, consisting of the first ten players is playing in its own country. Franz Ziereis head of thirty death camps where 1,500,000 were killed has been shot while trying to escape from U.S. captors. Argentine inspire terror is sweeping Paraguay. Fascist 'Integralistas' have revived their party in Brazil. American prisoners in Japan are in a pathetic condition, starved, beaten, tortured. Spanish C.P. is not participating in Giral's provisional gov't-in-exile.

8/31

Truman has blamed isolationism for Pearl Harbor. He also called for cancellation of the 42 billion dollar lend-lease aid debt. Among ball-players who have returned to the Majors from the Army are Hank Greenberg, Bob Feller and Charlie Keller. Bertram Campbell has been released from jail after serving three years for a forging committed by veteran forger Alex Thiel. The circumstances surrounding his conviction are very strange and do no credit to Gov. Dewey. We came home from the farm today.

8/30

Eugene had a great time in the country this summer and loved it. He played with Michael very well. Sylvia played with Helen very nicely but felt insecure in her new surroundings and was quite a pain in the neck. The other girls at the farm were very congenial and Lillian had no complaints on this score. The hard part was the absence of hot water. There was one toilet, one faucet in the toilet and one in the kitchen. The water was low pressure. On the farm were: Esther Arons and three year old Helen, May Kellman with seven year old Michael and two year old Bobby. Edith Rosenberg with two year old Barbara, Evelyn Wax with six year old Phyllis. It cost us approximately $25 to go to the country by hack and $30 to return.

Some memories from the Lawrence Farm summer that haven't been mentioned; chasing the chickens around in the yard (and being reprimanded more than once); being led into the enclosure where the bull was (probably by Michael, who, as noted above, was older) and being scared by and chased by the bull (certainly my most vivid memory); drinking milk the same day it came from the cow - it was unpasteurized, but boiled, and tasted awful; living with an icebox instead of a refrigerator 

8/29

Great Madison Square rally for jobs drew 60,000 with Quill Curran Marcantonio & Celler among the speakers. The Navy is landing in Japan for the occupation. Plot to overthrow the Romanian government has been nipped in the bud. Former premier Radescu is implicated as is Maniu peasant party leader. The Army report on the Pearl Harbor guilt blames Stark, Hull, Kimmel, Short, Gerow and Marshall.

8/28

Franz Werfel died at 54 of a heart ailment. Ambassador Harley is accompanying Mao-tse-tung to a conference on unity with Chiang. Dean Acheson has replaced JC Grew as Under-Secretary of State. Tonight we went on a hay-ride and helped Mr. Lawrence pitch hay.

8/27

We all rode over to Anne & Blume at Harris N.Y. from the farm. Mom and Pop decided to stay there for the week instead of at our farm. The Civil Liberties Union is defending the right of Nazi films to appear here. Eugene wouldn't take a haircut because he thought the seat was insecure. He is a little spoiled as Lillian had her hands full with Sylvia all season. Sylvia too is inclined to cling to Lillian and burst into tears at the slightest pretext.

I remember the haircut incident; the barber's seat for me (for little kids, they put on this board with a seat to raise the kid to the barber's level) seemed very high and, as Dad said, insecure. I think the chair itself may have been higher than our barber's at home, and perhaps our barber at home didn't need me to be on the extra seat anymore. I guess one could also note that I would rarely go on the see-saw around that age, because I was afraid of the height! 

8/26 Sunday

Nelson Rockefeller resigns as Ass't Secretary of State. Spruille Braden will succeed him. Bulgaria has postponed its elections due to Anglo-American protests.

8/25

Churchill and Attlee have deplored the abrupt cessation of lend-lease.

8/24

DeGaulle is visiting the United States. It is said he wants the Rhineland. The India Quisling Bose is reported killed in a plane accident.

8/23

President Murray of the C.I.O. demands full employment before Congress. Lennon & Mitchell adv. agency not WJZ gagged Kingdon's "Dartmouth" speech. The Soviet Union is against Allied supervision of elections in freed countries. Took hair-cut.  

8/22

Entire Japanese Army surrenders to Red Army in Manchuria. Yenan charges Chiang is preparing Civil war. Lend-lease has ended. Lost to Aronson.

8/21

Dr. Frank Kingdon has been gagged by WJZ when he tried to criticize the Dartmouth quota system. Testimony charges Quisling was in cahoots with the Nazis from the very beginning.

8/20

Quisling's trial starts. Beat Levy. Sylvia had trench mouth on the farm. Two Committees are in existence to end Jim Crow in baseball. Japs are meeting with MacArthur on the surrender. General Wainwright, commander at Bataan and Corregidor has been liberated from captivity in Japan by American chutists. Ernest Bevin of the new Labor Government announced that Britain will not recognize the new Balkan governments as not representative of all parties.

8/19 Sunday

Tens of thousands of workers are losing their jobs already due to cutbacks in war orders. G. L. K. Smith is the most active American Fascist these days. President Truman has set aside today as a day of prayer in thanks for the peace we have won after years of war. Spanish leaders in exile in Mexico have appointed Barrio as provisional president of free Spain. The French S.P. has rejected unity with the C.P. but left way open for unity on specific issues.

8/18

Holmes and Macleish resign from State Dept. The Indianapolis was torpedoed last week. with over a thousand casualties most of them dead. Petain's sentence is commuted to life imprisonment by DeGaulle. :Our State Dept. refuses to recognize Bulgaria claiming the government lacks democracy and is communist dominated. Winston Churchill displaced Prime Minister has made a speech as an M.P. attacking the new democratic governments of Europe as communistic. Democratic Argentinian demonstrators for peace suffered over 100 casualties and 4 deaths when fired upon by the military.

8/17

Grew has resigned as Under-Secretary of State and been replaced by Dean Acheson. Dartmouth has been defending the policy of quotas for Jews. Sylvia has had some temperature on the farm again. Beat Harold and Levitt.

8/16

Yesterday and today are National holidays. Petain has been sentenced to death as a traitor to the Republic but is not expected to be executed. Gasoline rationing has ended. Soviet Russia and China have signed a treaty of friendship and alliance. Radar (Radio detection and range) is considered the war's greatest discovery until the atom bomb. Chiang Kai Shek after demanding that Communists refrain from disarming Japs and await his orders has asked for a conference with Mao tse tung. War is still going on in Manchuria where Japs have not yet surrendered to the Red Army. Beat Schuler.

I don't know whether it was this day, the day before, or the day before that, but I remember being at the Lawrence Farm, on a mountain (probably a small hill!) and being very frightened by sirens sounding all around. My mother explained that it was V-J Day (which was actually 8/14)  

8/15

Split with Levy.

8/14

Beat Levy. At 7 PM, Pres. Truman announced that the Japanese had surrendered unconditionally. The greatest struggle of all time between democracy and fascism has finally ended in the complete defeat of fascism.
 

8/13

Japan has not yet answered our note to accept surrender with the Allies ruling Japan through the Emperor.

8/12 Sunday

Major Bong and Senator Hiram Johnson died within the last week. Bong, heroic war ace was killed testing a plane. Beat D. Geller. Saw "Here Comes Mr. Jordan" with Robert Montgomery. Amusing story of re-incarnation and "You'll Never Get Rich" with Robert Benchley Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth. Very funny.

8/11

Japan has asked for surrender terms but Emperor to remain.

8/10

Second atom bomb has almost destroyed Nagasaki. Beat Aronson. Finished Saw Dust Caesar by G. Seldes. The rise of Mussolini.

8/9

Came home after "swell" time.

8/8

Soviet Union declares war on Japan.

8/7

Left for farm. Lil and children OK.

8/6

Hiroshima has been blasted by an atomic bomb. This is one of the greatest discoveries in history. It has 2000 times the power of any previous bomb. It is result of splitting the Uranium atom. Experiments went on in New Mexico at cost of $2000,000,000. First test came on July 16. 

8/5 Sunday

Laval has been extradited by Spain and is testifying in Petain's trial.

8/4

Theodore Dreiser has joined the C.P. Went to Dr. Cohn about the rash on my hand. Got lotion prescription.

8/3

Split with Aronson. Big Three Truman Atlee Stalin announce in a communique results of their conference at Potsdam. Sylvia better. 

8/2

Admiral Leahy has come to Petain's defense. 6000 ton greatest single air raid of all time on four Jap. cities.

8/1

Beat Levy. D. McK. White dies. Bilbo's slurs against minorities is bringing a storm of protest.

7/31

60 Japanese ships knocked out in one day.

7/30

Sylvia still ailing on the farm. Foster elected new leader of C.P. Beat Aronson.

7/29 Sunday

Hundreds of Japanese planes and ships are being destroyed. 13 were killed in the tragic plane crash into the Empire State Building. Senate ratifies United Nations charter with Langer and Shipstead opposed. Beat Klubock. Finished "See What I Mean" by Lewis Browne. Fictionized expose of subversive movements in America. Saw "Doctor Takes a Wife" with Ray Milland and Loretta Young - funny and Prisoner of Zenda With Ronald Colman.

7/28

Japan has rejected ultimatum by U.S. England and China to surrender. Mitchell plane crashes into Empire State Building. Many floors in flames. Read "Report from Red China" by Harrison Forman. C.P.A. votes to reform C.P.

7/27

The British Labor Party has won the Elections in England supplanting Churchill's Conservative gov't. Clement Atlee is Prime Minister.

7/25 and 7/26

[7/25] Japanese fleet gets terrific pounding from 2000 planes. Beat Levy.

[7/26] Tammany withdraws endorsement of Ben Davis for City Council. Restrung racquet at Macy's - $5.

This was the second post I missed; this post was originally labeled "7/25" but was really 7/26, and 7/25 was missing. Probably because they were very short posts, and, in Dad's script, "25" and "26" are very similar. 

7/24

80,000 Germans in American occupation zone have been arrested in drive to break black market and test security. Took haircut.

7/23

Unofficial A.F.L. meeting demands participation in W.F.T.U. Fred Vinson succeeds Morganthau as Secretary of the Treasury. Petain is being trialed [sic].

7/22 Sunday

Publishing of State Dept. files show how American loans helped put Hitler in power. Beat Qutuchin. Saw "Thunder Rock". Fine picture proving the necessity of getting out of "Ivory Tower".

7/21

Ralph Burton director of the "House" group which named 16 officers as having "Communist" backgrounds is exposed as a former counsel for America's No. 1 Nazi Ludecki.

7/20

Japanese mainland is getting a terrific pasting from our fleet and carrier-based planes. Courtney Ward Painter's Union official has been unseated as a union delegate for fighting for A.F.L. participation in W.F.T.U.

7/19

France has issued a fake bill of rights and also promised a monarchy. Discussion in "D.W." among C.P.A. members has been going on for a month on the movement's liquidationism, revisionism, negation of class struggle, lack of democracy, reliance on the bourgeoisie, distortion of role of monopoly capital. Browder is getting chief blame and is totally unheard after his article defending his past position. Anti Franco demonstration at the consulate in New York on the anniversary of the rebellion. Gunder Hagg has broke world's mile run at 4:01.4.

7/18

The news deliverers strike is over. To be arbitrated.

7/17

Sylvia's temperature normal. Swellings down. Weather rainy again. Stalin, Churchill, Truman meeting starts at Potsdam. Came home tonight.

7/16

Sylvia's temperature down. Lillian exhausted. Weather a little better. Taking two days vacation.

7/15 Sunday

Sylvia has developed swellings which look like the mumps. Weather miserable.

7/14

Left for farm. Eugene had had diarrhea. Sylvia has grippe with 104 temperature. Had doctor for Eugene and Sylvia. He charges $8. per visit.

7/13

House votes to continue F.E.P.C. "Oklahoma" reaches '1000' mark.

7/12

Rankin is trying to put over an anti-labor bill in the guise of veteran's legislation. Beat Levitt.

7/11

Anti Nazi German P.O.W.s are being mistreated here by American authorities.

7/10

Back to work today. Much unrest in Italy due to coal shortage. N.M.W. is picketing W.S.A. offices in several cities against the bonus cut.

7/9

The family went berry picking. Sylvia still clings to Lillian.

7/8 Sunday

Left for the farm this morning. Lillian and the kids were fine when I arrived although the kids had had some temperature for a day or so. It was good to be reunited. Took pictures.

7/7

Franco Spain is harboring thousands of Nazi firms and tens of thousands of Germans.

7/6

Polish Gov't is recognized by U.S. & Britain.

7/5

Veterans in wheel chairs are banned from South Beach boardwalk. Read David Copperfield.

7/4

The Greek crisis is growing. Beat Herb Levitt. The House "Unamerican" Committee is emulating its predecessor.

7/3

Newspaper strike has hit all papers but "P.M." and ""Daily".

7/2

James F. Byrnes has replaced Stettinius as Secretary of State. DElgations led by Davis & Robbins supporting F.E.P.C. are visiting Washington. Beat Levy.

7/1 Sunday

Senate filibusters against the F.E.P.C. bill, have been pouring forth tirades against negros and Jews. Played some tennis today. Lunched at mother's. The Burton Ball Hatch "Labor Peace" Bill designed to replace the Wagner Act is being opposed by all labor. Saw "Without Love" with K. Hepburn and S. Tracy. Two scientists attempt marriage without love but it comes anyway.

6/30

Darnand, Vichy leader was captured a few days ago. Lunched at mother's yesterday. Anti-Semitism has been taught all this time in an Army Correspondence course for service men.

6/29

Formation of new Polish unity government announced. Japan is being lashed by air. Damage on our air-craft carrier Bunker Hill hit by suicide planes is second only to casualty list on the Franklin.

6/28

Stettinius resigned and was appointed chief representative to the United Nation's Council. C.P.A discussion is in general agreement that the "line" has been revisionist, distorting class relationships, guilty of Tailism. Beat Doc Levy in comeback.

6/27

Had lunch at mother's. Erns Roper died.

The name looks like "Erns", but I can't find any reference to that, or anything like it.  

6/26

The Senate passed our re-classification bill, giving us $400 per year increase and time and a half for overtime. A new Polish gov't has been formed. Wrote to Lillian. The weather has turned cool. Went to Dr. Holzman about [...] but his new secretary refused to take me in turn and I didn't wait. [...]

Dad was a Post Office clerk, and, at that time, the government directly ran the Post Office. 

6/25

Rode back with Joe Arons this morning and got back just in time to go to work. All the nations signed the United Nations Organization charter as President Truman addressed the conference.

6/24 Sunday

Picked strawberries at the farm. Played tennis for fifteen minutes with Lillian on an asphalt court without a net at a nearby hotel. Later went to the Neversink River where Eugene and I waded. On way back Eugene led the way calling to us every few minutes to follow him. Poor Sylvia was very tired and I had to carry her a good deal of the way. Eugene likes the country very much. Sylvia has to get adjusted. Eugene fell out of bed again.

He never wanted to play tennis on other than a clay court.  

6/23

Our family left by "hack" today with Joe Aron's family to the Riley Lawrence's farm in Divine Corners. Lillian and the kids will stay for the summer. The charge is $8 per week plus extras for gas, electricity, ice, etc. Eugene fell out of bed.

That summer at the "Lawrence Farm" is a great memory. Whenever I smell hay, I go back there. I remember many things, but I'll wait to see if they come up in the journal.

6/22

Twelve of sixteen Poles have been sentenced to terms ranging from four months to ten years for subversive activities in the Red Army's rear. They had the idea of a Polish, British German bloc against the Soviet Union.

6/21

Nazi films are being shown here and Army educational films are to be burned.

6/20

Ferruccio Parri, Actionist has formed a new Italian government. General Buckner was killed on Okinawa two days ago. At least 4000,000 saw Eisenhower in the greatest tribute ever given here. Lillian went downtown to Coward's and got Sylvia shoes size 9-E $6.00.

6/19

Today is Eisenhower day in New York as our leading general parades here. Lillian cannot get shoes for Sylvia. Split with Irv Sheib. Trial of 16 Poles started in Moscow, with 15 pleading guilty. Conference of democratic Poles in and outside Poland started a few days ago to form an enlarged government. Bridges' deportation order has finally been voided by the Supreme Court with Frankfurter among the dissenters. Eugene took a haircut.

Don't know "Irv Sheib", but he means that they each won a set of tennis. 

6/18

Progressive parties and unions are opposing Leopold's return to the throne in Belgium. Many soldiers are returning home, some for a furlough before being shipped to the Pacific. A parade of "Purple Hearters" shocked New York recently.

6/17 Sunday

Went to Sheppy Friendland's wedding on a stifling day. Took the children and went over to Pop's for Fathers' Day afterwards. Pop and I got sport shirts. Finished "Not Peace but a Sword" for the second time. Tells of Spain's fall and Munich betrayal. Eugene weighs 52 lbs and Sylvia 38.

Don't know who Sheppy Friendland was.

6/16

Eugene lost one of teeth chewing on a pencil as he was doing a crossword puzzle (he looks at the answers) and another swinging Sylvia. Eugene made a Fathers' Day card in school. He also made one on Mothers' Day.

6/15

The temperature is hitting ninety after cool inclement weather. Ribbentrop captured.

6/14

Eugene drew a very good boat in school.

6/13

The Anti-Poll Tax bill passed the house. Sylvia says "Sing a Song of Sixpence, a pocket full of money". After the museum trip I said to Sylvia "What did you see there Indians and Dinosaurs and - "Water", she answered. "I took a drink and you took a drink and Mommy and people and etc." It was a hot day and water was the only thing she had on her mind. Eugene got a silver star in school for reciting a poem. Lillian went over to Mother's with the kids to pick up some groceries and Sylvia was very roguish. Lillian made me a beautiful "Tilden" sweater. 

6/12

MacArthur has invaded Borneo.

6/11

Lillian has paid carfare for Eugene once or twice. After school we all went down to the Museum of Natural History. Eugene enjoyed it, seeing the Indian exhibits, North Amer. animals and dinosaurs. Sylvia was a pest. It didn't mean anything to her. Rolled up the rugs in the evening.

6/10 Sunday

Lillian read "Assignment in Brittany" by MacIness [sic] (Highet), very good and Bird of the Wilderness by Vincent Sheean, pretty good. Reactionary papers, Socialists and Pacifists are pushing a negotiated peace drive [?] with Japan. The Chinese are fighting and defeating the Japs.

I read "Assignment in Brittany" many years later, when I was an adult. Loved Helen MacInnes' novels.

Just noticed (1/13/11) that I missed labeling the date Sunday here; corrected that. 

6/9

Phillip Jaffe of Amerasia is one of those arrested. It looks like a move to throttle adverse criticism of state dept. trend toward preference for the Kuomintang as against Yenan and their policy on Japan of protecting the Emperor the industrialists and the militarists. Worked early today and Lillian went over to Mollie's with the kids. When I came home she went to the movies and saw "The Picture of Dorian Gray". "Hoop Jr" wins Kentucky Derby.

The last note is the first of many, many, important sports results that he reported in the journal.

6/8

State dept. aids and magazine publishers have been arrested for having and publishing "secret" diplomatic material.

plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose

6/7

Lillian got the last piece of liver in the store and came home deliriously happy. This is the meat situation these days. Sylvia climbs into her crib now and chews.

6/6

Russians have executed 50 Nazi hostages for an uprising in Soviet occupied Germany. Eugene got a pair of shoes and Sylvia play shoes. Frieda over in the evening.

6/5

Sylvia is a little rascal, tearing books and making all sorts of mischief but there are worse than her.

6/4

The C.P.A. Nat'l Board has recognized Duclos criticism in the main with Browder dissenting.

C.P.A = Communist Party of America, not Certified Public Accountant

6/3 Sunday

We decided to play records. Sylvia picked out the Sibelius album and Eugene Haydn. When Sylvia refused to pick up the picture album Eugene threatened her that I wouldn't play Sibelius for her. Eugene looked at all the states in the Atlas and afterward remembered fifteen states from memory. Went over to mother's and Hymee Peck there, in from Wisconsin on a visit. Tante Rose, Faith and Carla there. Carla is quite precocious. Their cousin Benny the baker came over. Abe & Blume, Anne and Mac and Barbara also there. Harry Lilly & Susan there also Taubie. Cartellists are being named to control German industry.

There are a bunch of (apparently) family members here (we had family in Wisconsin?) who we must have lost touch with in later years, as I have no memory of them (except for a vague memory of a Tante (Aunt) Rose), and they're not in the family tree. 
7/9/11 Now I know who they are, and they're now in the family tree. Rose Edelstein was my grandfather Barney's sister; Faith, Rose's daughter; Carla, Faith's daughter. 

6/2

Argentine repression is greater than ever. Eugene wandered into the kitchen and knocked down a full thermos bottle of coffee, smashing it.

6/1

British backed by U.S. have asked the French to cease firing in Damascus. Eugene got a spanking from Lillian yesterday for being cranky and was much better thereafter.

If you'd asked me, I would have said I was never spanked, although I do remember having my mouth washed out with soap once. I'm glad I responded well.  

5/31

The French are shelling the Arabs in Damascus. Soong has replace Chiang Kai Shek as Chinese Premier. Played tennis with Doc Levy and broke even .. forehand trouble. Sadie and the kids came over for lunch. Nenni has been released.

Don't know about the "forehand trouble" exactly, but I do know that he was most proud of his backhand down the line, which he told me, years ago, was his best winning shot. It definitely impressed me, who had a lousy backhand.

5/30

Memorial Day and Lillian took the kids to see the parade on the "Concourse". I played tennis with Lefty Shankler breaking about even. After lunch went over to Momma's. Yokohama has gotten its lumps.

The Grand Concourse remains a major thoroughfare in the Bronx. It was about six blocks away from our apartment building. I remember seeing some parades there. 

5/29

My "Tilden" sweater was finished by Lillian but she has to fix it as it is too short and too tight.

5/28

We all went to the library today. Sylvia slept after lunch. She has begun to chew gum. Eugene has favored pink chiclets for a long time. Took haircut.

5/27 Sunday

Mike, Evelyn & Isabel came over today. So did Mom and Pop. Isabel is very cute and temperamental. One moment wild and rebellious, the next all sugar and sweetness. As usual Evelyn brought along a bundle of gifts and clothes. Tokyo is being virtually wiped out by giant air raids.

5/26

Italian Socialist leader Nenni has been arrested by the British for speaking without a permit in Italian Amgot territory. Eugene a skipping schoolboy. What a lovely sight to see his bright shining face as he rushes to school to catch the line before it goes in and pig-tailed Sylvia with her saucy tongue and ready answers sitting in her kiddie car in the yard or climbing up and down a couple of the yard steps. The kids are going to Bobbie Rosenberg's birthday party today.

5/25

Himmler has taken poison after his arrest. [...] Tom Clark has replaced Biddle as Attorney General, Schwellenbach for Perkins, and Clinton Anderson for Wickard. Eugene got a gold star then a silver star for good behavior. J. Duclos, French C.P. leader has criticized Browder for the liquidation of the CPUSA and support of Capitalism.

5/24

Some of Sylvia's expressions recently to Eugene: "I'll hit you" "I'll tell my 'moder'" "Don't you dare touch it". Eugene OK. Streicher, Rosenberg, Von Epp, Bosch, Backe, German high command and German government arrested and subject ot war criminal trial. [...]

5/23

Refrigerator was fixed today. It began to bang - Saturday night and the freezing unit did not work. Eugene has another of his sinus attacks. He napped for an hour and was listless afterwards. He stayed home from school. Sylvia hurt her knee playing in the yard and had a band-aid put on. She walked bowlegged on account of this and had to be carried upstairs.

I remember our refrigerator; it was tiny, of course, compared to today's, and the freezer part was just barely large enough for a half-gallon of ice cream (I think).

5/22

The bus driver asked Lillian for the first time how old Eugene was. Sylvia still does not eat well by herself. Eugene has been doing this for years. Lillian took the kids to the Strong St. Park and Lillian came over with Susan Gail.

That's Dad's wife Lillian, followed by Dad's sister Lillian; usually he specifies. It's always amusing to me that when I find "Lillian Edelstein" in our family tree, it's not my mother, although that's the name I associate her with, but my aunt, who I always remember as "Lillian Thaw" (her married name).  

5/21

Played tennis today with Sylvia Cooke for first time of the season. Sadie came over for lunch with her kids on way to the doctor with Arline. She is quite cute.

My father was a fine tennis player; he won NYC Parks Dept. championships in his younger days. In fact, our parent's first "date" was when my mother went to see him play in a tournament. The match (between our parents, not the tennis one!) was apparently set up by Dad's mother Becky and Mom's sister-in-law Mollie, who knew each other from the neighborhood. As I've said, Mollie's husband, Sam Modelson, was Mom's older brother; he was eleven years older than her. I remember the name "Sylvia Cooke" as someone Dad often played tennis with. 

5/20 Sunday

The Chinese have taken Foochow. Tito's occupation of Trieste has caused much Allied protest. Lilly took the kids over to Mollie's where Milton called up from Hawaii. Everyone spoke to Milton including his girl friend Ruth. Eugene and his kindergarden class inspected the school garden recently.

Milton Modelson was Sam and Mollie's only child. I remember seeing him in his Army uniform, probably shortly after the war.

5/19

Went over to mother's and brought earrings to match her pin.

5/18

Lillian called Eugene her little diamond. As she left the room Sylvia  came running after her "Here's your other diamond", she said.

5/17

Ley captured by the Americans. Britain is helping to form a large Polish Army on Western front. Nagoya is being devastated by our air force.

5/16

[...]

5/15

Sylvia napped after lunch. She does things herself without asking. Eugene always sought permission for everything and still does. We have destroyed almost 300 Jap planes in one day.
 

5/14

Fine day and Eugene O.K. Children made sand pies in Aqueduct. Eisenhower has barred coddling of high Nazis. We are bombing Japan furiously. Niemoeller has denounced Bolshevism and Guderian has been captured.

Aqueduct Ave. was a long street in the West Bronx, with a long, thin, park built over the Old Croton Aqueduct. It was one block from our apartment building.

5/13 Sunday

Gave Lillian candy for Mothers' Day and Mama got candy and a pin. Went over to Mama's and Anne, Blume and Abe there. Eugene is having trouble with his sinus these "bad" days and gets argyrol packs often. He naps after lunch sometimes.

5/12

Greek reaction is running rampant with British connivance and aid. Nazi gangsters are being feted and granted interviews where they disclaim all guilt and rant against Bolshevism. Eugene made a flower in kindergarden for Mothers' Day.

5/11

Some Nazis still fighting Russians. Had exercises today with Sylvia participating.

5/10

Goering and Kesselring captured. Die hard Nazis are being mopped up by Red Army. We saw, alternately, "A Song to Remember" with Cornell Wilde as Chopin, Merle Oberon as George Sand and Paul Muni as Chopin's teacher. A beautiful picture of the battle between Chopin's teacher and lover to hold him, Professor Elsner for the sake of Poland, Sand for herself. Eugene home from school due to his sinus. Home from work.

5/9

The war ended officially at 6:01 PM today but the Nazis are still fighting the Russians in some places. Keitel signed the surrender for the Nazis. Sylvia broke a lamp by backing into it. The surrender was ratified in Berlin. Zhukoff represented the Soviet Union. Tedder represented Eisenhower.

5/8

Today is V.E. day. Lil and I were grandparents today, Eugene & Sylvia were daddy & mommy and the dolly and bunny were the children.

5/7

Unconditional surrender of all German Armies was announced this morning. Schact, Szalen and Mussert have been captured. Pastor Niemoeller, Blum, Schuschnigg have been freed. Sixteen Polish representatives of the gov't-in-exile have been arrested for espionage by Russia. Surrender was at Rheims at 2:41AM by Jodt of Germany. Gene took haircut.

I couldn't find the names "Schact" and "Szalen", so I don't know if those are spelled correctly. "Mussert" was the hardest to read, but found that; I've been using the NY Times Archives to verify all the WW II names. The last line took me aback; I don't remember him ever calling me "Gene", except as a half-joke when I was an adult. Might be because he had to squeeze in those last three words at the bottom of the page (see scanned-in page).

5/6 Sunday

Went over to Momma's today. Aunt Rose was there. Saw Susan Gail. She's getting real pretty. Sylvia looks adorable in her new hair comb. Von Bock found dead on battlefield. Sylvia complained "You never give me parachute (asparagus) soup". Lillian read "Black Boy" by Richard Wright. Terrific indictment of the South. Finished "We're In This With Russia" by United Press Correspondent Wallace Carrol [sic]. Very good account of events leading up to the war and the issues confronting us in the peace. Labor has been meeting on the coast. It has formed a world organization called the World Federation of Trade Unions. Has not yet been able to get representation in any form at San Francisco.

I don't know who "Aunt Rose" was.  

5/5

Eugene and Sylvia play seal often now since they saw the seals fed at the Zoo. They crawl on the floor making raucous sounds till someone throws fish at them. Hundreds of thousands of Nazis are surrendering.

5/4

Nazis beg to be saved from the Russians. Sylvia wants me to buy her a sailor coat to replace the one I lost in the street car. Rain again. The weather has been miserable and cold the last three weeks after about three weeks of fair warm weather. We take Rangoon.

5/3

Doenitz takes over Nazi command. Sylvia Lankford gave birth to a 5 lb 15 oz boy. Got a tablecloth through the mail from Mike & Evelyn.

The name sounds vaguely familiar, but I don't know who Sylvia Lankford was.  

5/2

Hitler is announced as "killed" but I want to see the body first. Von Runstedt [sic] Von Leeb and List are captured. The radio announces unconditional surrender of 1000000 Germans in Italy and Austria. Frisco Conference does not want Poland as yet but seated accepted two Soviet Republics. The Soviets have taken Berlin.

5/1

Cold rainy dreary day on my birthday. Got Burl Ives records for my birthday and mother gave me socks and handkerchiefs when she came over yesterday. Argentina was seated at World Security Conference over protest of Molotov. Eugene got argyrol packs for his sinus and Sylvia said "Eugene can still talk". "Sure" said Eugene "Haven't I got brains".

The argyrol packs filled up my nostrils, and I had to tilt my head way back, so talking was not easy. Echh!

4/30

Eugene complained about too little meat today at lunch. He doesn't know there's a war on. Eugene went back to school today. Lillian finished "Deep River" by Henrietta Buckmaster, a story of solidarity between the poor whites and the negroes during the Civil War days. Lillian saw "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" with James Dunn, Peggy Ann Garner, Joan Blondell, a story of economic insecurity's effect on a Brooklyn family.

4/29

Mussolini and many of his cohorts have been captured and executed on the spot. All Italy is falling to the partisans. Munich is captured by us. False rumors flooded the country yesterday of an unconditional surrender.

4/28

The kids are playing in the yard these mornings. Sylvia sits on her kiddie car and Eugene rides his bike.

4/27

The Allies have taken Stetten and Bremen. Various committees are viewing the German "horror camps". Eugene kept quiet for five minutes and got a piece of chocolate.

General Hodges 1st American Army and Marshal Konev's 1st Ukranian Army made an historic junction today at 10 AM at Torgau.

There's a picture inserted between these two paragraphs; see the scanned-in page. Not sure why here, since the picture is seven months old, per the dating; it is entitled "Eugene and Sylvia in Sept. '44", and says on it "Woodlawn", which is a large park in the North Bronx where we spent hordes of weekend days.  This is the first time, but he pastes many, many pictures, and other stuff, in the journal.  

4/26

Finished Moscow War Diary by A. Werth - Russian born Englishman. [...]

I will use [...] to indicate where I omit things for privacy reasons.

4/25

Took haircut. N. M. returned my poems. Richard came up and Sylvia wouldn't play with them. She asked Lillian for a cigarette saying she's a lady. She takes an hour to drink her orange juice. The San Francisco Conference started today.

I wish I knew who, or what, "N. M." was. The only "Richard" I know who could be referred to there was Richard Monka, a boy at least a couple of years older than me, who lived two floors below.  

4/24

Took the kids down in the morning. We played some ball. Eugene acted rather listless in the afternoon and fell asleep while resting on the sofa. Kaethe Kollwitz is dead at 78.

4/23

This morning Lilly went shopping in Alexander's with Eugene and I went to the library with Sylvia. She was very quiet. Lilly bought me slacks and a sport jacket for my birthday. When Eugene divulged this prematurely and was admonished he sulked for a while wanting us to take off his overalls.

4/22 Sunday

Went down with the kids in the morning. They played Subway, sitting on the park bench and getting on and off each subway as it passed. Went over to mother's in afternoon and visited Lilly to see Susan Gail. She has had a swollen eye for a couple of days. We have taken Nuremberg. The Red Army has entered Berlin. Lillian went to the movies and saw ("A Song to Remember". A story of Chopin's life. Paul Muni as his teacher and Iturbi the pianist.) She saw "Objective Burma" instead - a film based on the Burma campaign with Errol Flynn and Henry Hull. Great film.

This is the way the entry is, with large parentheses around a movie that appears that my mother was supposed to see, but he found out later than she saw something else, but did not cross out the entry.

4/21

Lillian told Eugene "Little Red Riding Hood". He wanted to know how the wolf got Grandma's nightgown on with his four legs and how he could get the nightcap on over his ears. Lillian told him it was only a story so he said "Allright, let's make believe then".

4/20

We are having some difficulty with Sylvia's eating. Eugene sits down at the table and eats like an adult. Sylvia has a couple of pigtails held intact by rubber bands. We have taken Leipzig.

4/19

Sylvia ran over shouting "hey, daddy". I told her hay was for horses, so she answered "You're a little horse". Ernie Pyle, favorite correspondent of the soldiers has been killed on Okinawa. Brazilian Amnesty of all political prisoners has freed Prestes. Eugene builds all sorts of intricate houses with his alphabet blocks and lok-bloks.

Although he spells it "horse", Sylvia was presumably punning with "hoarse". 

4/18

Sylvia was standing in front of the refrigerator and the evaporated milk jar fell down on her head. It made a slight cut in her scalp. We have destroyed over 1300 Nazi planes in two days. Sylvia says "trink" for "drink". She still omits [?] her "l"'s and says "l" for "th" and lisps slightly. Finished my Roosevelt poem. Lillian read Gideon Planish by Sinclair Lewis.

I think the word is "omits", since I can't think what else it could be.

4/17

This morning we all went over to Lillian's to bring some things to her. Susan already shows signs of a future beauty. President Truman has promised to carry on in Roosevelt's footsteps.

4/16

Dreary day. Krupp, Zapp & Von Papen are among war criminals captured by Americans.

4/15

Went to mother's this afternoon. Went up to Lillian's to see Susan Gail. Sylvia with her effusiveness was the big hit. Eugene is using the word "insist". Sylvia goes to the mirror to see how she looks in everything she puts on. She came back from such a trip and said she looked "beautiful". The radio is full of eulogies of Roosevelt. His hold on the people of the world is becoming more apparent all the time. Completed "Tale of Two Cities". Moving tale of a fantastic plot interwoven into the period of the great French Revolution. The Red Army has taken Vienna. A horror camp for German political prisoners has been found in Germany. Dead and dying in one pile.

4/14

Today is a holiday in tribute to Pres. Roosevelt. Lillian took the children down in the morning. At 4PM there was five minutes of silent attention in memory of the late president.

4/13

Lillian took Eugene to Dr. Holzman this morning. His general condition is good, said the doctor, but we should try to take him out of the city for the summer.

4/12

Took Sylvia down in the AM. Played ball and she insisted on kicking the ball. Molly and Sam came over. Finished "Yalta". Eugene got a game from Mike and Evelyn. Burl Ives Jr. is in action again. Filed State Income Tax form but no payment necessary. The most beloved man in the world, Pres. Roosevelt, died unexpectedly at 4:35 PM, at Warm Springs, Ga. He was 63. Death was due to a cerebral hemorrhage.

There's another event I certainly remember; I remember my mother on the phone with her friend Sadie Heinemann, trying to console her, after Roosevelt's death.  

4/11

Lillian off to shop at the A&P early. It was like old times again today as the kids line up for cream cheese and jell [sic] and Kraft cheese then marched off. Eugene was up all day today. He took a nap after lunch at got up rather irritable.

4/10

The Red Army has taken Koenigsberg. Americans are now being found slaughtered and emaciated after being German prisoners. The Germans have dug their own grave. Eugene asked Lillian today who came out of her "belly" first, he or Sylvia. Went over to Lilly to see Susan Gail as she came home about 1:30 today. The baby has blown up cheeks. Then went to Mollie's to take Sylvia back home. Sylvia is her effusive self. Eugene is very sober. Mollie got Eugene a ten pin set and Sylvia a shovel and pail, paint book & bonnet. Lilly went over to see the new baby and came back with Sadie. Had ice cream and discussed world situations.

4/9

Eugene got out of bed today for a little while. He talked over the phone to Sylvia at Mollie's and was very cute. He's been asking to have Sylvia home again.

4/8 Sunday

Brought over some things for Sylvia at Mollie's and lost her jacket on the way. Sylvia is fun and so is Eugene.

4/7

Lillian went to the hospital to see sister Lillian. Bought Eugene a para-shoot game. He got painting sets and crayons from Mrs. Kreisler, Mrs. Rosenberg and his mother this week and a school bag, shirt and ties from the Beckers and Edelsteins. Also a building block set from mother.

Sounds like a got a bunch of gifts for surviving. This is the first mention of the Rosenbergs; they were neighbors in the building, and Bobby Rosenberg was my closest friend. Interestingly, we reconnected in the past year, after many years. I've already mentioned my Grandfather's brother Abe, and his wife, "Tante Blume"; their daughter, Ann, married Max Becker. Presumably, when he mentions "the Beckers and Edelsteins", he means Max and Abe and families. 

4/6

Pop has the grippe. Went over to see him then saw Sylvia at Mollie's. On way to work saw [sister] Lillian at hospital for first time.

4/5

Eugene much better today. Pop has a cold. The Red Army has taken Bratislava. Lillian went over to Mollie's to see Sylvia. The Russians have denounced their non-aggression pact with Japan.

4/4

Eugene was fine today. Lillian had gotten in a good night's sleep after her long vigil and attendance over Eugene. We had invaded Okinawa today in a tremendous attack meeting little opposition. Harry came over to see how Eugene was.

4/3

This morning Eugene's temperature dropped to normal. Dr. Holzman came in the afternoon and said Eugene's infection had been localized and he was in good shape. Eugene slept all night. Mollie is taking care of Sylvia and raves about her.

4/2

This morning Eugene ran a temperature of 104.5. We called Dr. Holzman and he diagnosed Pneumonia. He prescribed the new Sulfa drug, Ice packs if over 105 degrees, Alcohol sponges if over 102. Mustard plasters, privine drops, [...] , plenty of fluids and open windows. Eugene's temperature went down to 101 at 2 o'clock but up to 105 at 8 P.M. I came home 2 hrs. earlier from work. His temperature was 102.8 at 12 midnight. During the night his eyes were glazed and staring his hands twitched and he was slightly delirious.

I remember an incident what I was sick in bed, and my mother told that that I had been delirious, talking to people who weren't there. Could have been this time. 

4/1 Sunday [1945]

We were supposed to go to Mollie's sister Jane Nelson in Rockaway for dinner but sister Lillian went to the hospital today so we stayed home. Lilly had her baby at 2:07 P.M. She weighed 8 lbs. 11 ozs. Lilly had gone to the hospital about 9 A.M. It was the Mt. Eden Hosp. Previously we had gone up to Mrs. Thaw's house. Eugene and Sylvia recited, Sylvia in her usual drawn out manner. Eugene staged his Jekyll and Hyde act during the day. Lillian went to the movies in the evening. She saw "The Suspect" with Charles Laughton. A decent man murders twice due to circumstances beyond his control. Eugene turned on a little boy today who had been following him and smote him with both hands. Eugene's unusual conduct was explained when -

As noted, I don't have relatives of Mollie in my family tree, although I'm adding Jane Nelson.  The last sentence must have been added when he wrote the next entry in the diary. I decided that I'd identify the year on the first day of each month, as my father no longer includes it in his date line.  

3/31

The Red Army has taken Danzig. On Western front rout of Germans is reaching its climax. Pop came over in afternoon with Eugene's bicycle seat which he had welded. Eugene has been quite irritable at intervals during the last few days due to his Sinusitis.

My grandfather (my father's "Pop") was an ironworker, so his welding a bicycle seat seems pretty natural. 

3/30

Took kids to Zoo. Fine weather and a fine time watching seals fed, bears, African plains, lions, tigers. Kids sucked caramel pops making faces a chocolatey mess. Mollie came over with her eight year old nephew Jerry Chermak. Eugene and he got along well and had a lot of fun.

The "Zoo", of course, is the Bronx Zoo, then called the New York Zoological Park. We always loved watching the seals; I remember that we were told they were technically "sea lions". I do not recognize the name "Chermak", but I don't actually have any of Mollie's relatives in my family tree. 

3/29

Took kids to Momma and then went to movies. Saw "Sunday Dinner for a Soldier" and "[The] Fighting Lady". Latter is actual scenes in technicolor of carrier planes attacks on Mariana Islands. Finished "Yalta". Sylvia attracted much attention singing songs on street car.

I added the "The" to the movie name, after checking IMDB. Isn't the Internet wonderful?

3/28

Lillian took Eugene to Dr. Holzman this morning. The Verdict was acute Sinusitis. He needs sunshine, argyrol packs and privine drops. Sylvia made up a new song. "Could you take me upstairs, upstairs pom pom pom, etc. A little boy started up with Eugene and he traded wild swings with him crying out his outrage at the attack however. Robert Kreisler brought in an Easter bunny for Sylvia and a book for Eugene.

Dr. Abraham Holzman was our family doctor, and remained my doctor into my first years of marriage, until we moved to Long Island. A very gruff man, but obviously very caring. When he passed away in 1969, there were seven death notices in the NY Times: 
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive/pdf?res=F20D12FD395E1B7493C6AB178FD85F4D8685F9
Argyrol packs were an awful treatment I went through constantly, as I was very subject to sinus infections; when the first sinus decongestant was released (Dristan), it changed my life; I was away at grad school at the time, and still remember the ecstasy of relief.

3/27

Took Sylvia down in AM after Lillian did her shopping. Worked three hours and then started five days vacation.

3/26

Eugene had a temperature of 101.2 this morning. Took Sylvia down and we played ball. Shopping at the butchers is one of the trials of the home front. They are absolute dictators. No questions asked. Take what they give you and pay what they ask.

3/25 (Sunday)

Went downtown in the morning with the kids to Grand St. for wool for my tennis sweater. Got 15 balls at 25¢ a ball. Gave the kids lunch in a Delancey St. Cafeteria and had a bite ourselves. Then to Mothers where we ate again. We have crossed the Rhine in great force and are "blitzing" along. Patton is turning out to be the great U.S. general.

3/24

"Pretty little pussy willows, with your coats so soft and gray. Are you peeping out to tell us that the winter's gone away" - the first part of a kindergarden song. Lillian took the kids down in teh AM and shopped all morning.

3/23

The Germans are disintegrating in the West. Tens of thousands are giving up to our men. Sylvia used to say Îdoo for Eugene and Agoo for water. Her big fault now is the th sound. She says 'd' or 'l' for this sound. Eugene's practically only trouble was and still is to some extent the th sound also. He said 'f' as - 'free' for 'three'. Lillian took the kids to Alexanders in the morning and bought Sylvia a pair of shoes - $4.75 with wedges. She also bought Sylvia a wrist watch - 10¢ at Sylvia's request.

What Sylvia said for my name sounded like "eedoo". There's a story I've told over and over; I remember standing at the head of my bed, looking into the foot of Sylvia's crib, and trying to teach her to say my name correctly. I said "say 'you' ", and she said "you"; I said "say 'jean' " and she said "jean"; I said "now say 'you-jean' [Eugene], and she said "Eugene". Then I said "say it again" and she gave a mischievous smile and said, loudly, "eedoo!".

3/22

Frieda called up that her sister Helen had a boy. Eugene rarely talks baby talk now which he used to do to compete with Sylvia. Sam & Mollie came over in the evening.

Don't know who "Frieda [not sure of spelling]" and "Helen" were. There's a "Freda" in my Family Tree who is around the right age, but no "Helen", and I'm pretty sure I have "Freda"'s family correct.

3/21

Eugene still changes himself into Burl Ives Jr. and sings all the songs of the album. We have taken Worms and Mandalay. Sister Lillian came over. 

3/20

Sylvia's chief difficulty is the word "finish". Two of her versions are "shemish" and "finips". Lillian got a first hand report from Mrs. Lyston on Eugene. "He's a grand boy and shows good training. He listens very well." Mrs. Lyston also compared him with her star former pupil who, recently as a radio announcer introduced Gen'l MacArthur. Had small carriage fixed for $2.00. We stopped for franks and beans at Nedicks and the kids had plates of ice cream. Celia Lurie came over in the evening. She took a philosophical view of world affairs saying we hadn't progressed much since early times except for Russia. She was rather pessimistic.

Not 100% sure of Sylvia's difficult word. Also can't be sure about the name "Celia Lurie", and I have no idea who she was. I'll scan in this page.

3/19

Eugene is a punster. When given a salad to eat, he said "Salad for Americans". Yesterday he got ready for bed all by himself, washing and brushing his teeth, undressing himself and putting on his pyjamas. The Romanian gov't of Radescu was thrown out a week ago and the democratic front has formed a new gov't under Groza pledged to extirpate fascism. Sylvia made up a new song "Could you buy me a new song, new song, Could you buy me etc."

Both my sister and I seemed to have inherited the "punning" gene. But the meaning of this pun might be obscure; one of my favorite songs was "Ballad for Americans", which could have been from our Burl Ives' records, or from Paul Robeson. 

3/18

We have taken Coblenz! A kindergarden song: "I heard a robin sing today Cheer-up, cheer-up, cheer-up, no matter tho' the skies are gray Cheer-up, etc.

3/17

Yesterday was the hottest March 16 ever (76°). Today was Robert Kreisler's confirmation and Eugene went to the synagogue for the ceremony. He had on his new sailor suit and looked adorable. We took Sylvia out of bed and into the street in this warm weather is spite of her continued running nose. Having written my poem "Elysium" a week ago, I am writing "Yenan".

My father did write poetry (unpublished); I believe we have "Elysium" someplace. I think the second one noted is "Yenan" (a Chinese city which was a military HQ for the Chinese Communists), but I can't be sure. 

3/16

Finished "Last Days of Sevastopol" by Boris Voyetekhov. An incredible saga of the Russians who willingly died so that the Soviet Union could live. Lillian read "The Unvanquished" by Howard Fast. It paints a realistic picture of Washington's role in the Revolution. 

3/15

Lillian picked up Sylvia at night and called her a honey-boy. In her sleepy state Sylvia said "I'm not a honey-boy, I'm a honey-girl."

3/14

"Mime" is another favorite word of Sylvia's. She sings "Black black black is the "mime" (color) of my true love's mime (hair)". The recent crossing of the Rhine by the Americans was one of the great feats of the war. Lillian went to her first meeting of mothers of kindergarden children. Points stressed at the meeting were to give the children a measure of independence, to teach them to speak in a well-modulated voice.

3/13

Played ball with Eugene in morning after Lillian did her shopping. Lillian read "Seventh Cross" by Anna Seghers. The book gives hope of finding uncorrupted Germans here and there who can be counted on in the fight against Hitler. Kuestrin, the key to Berlin has been taken by the Red Army.

3/12

Bought a dictionary for our neighbor Robert Kreisler's birthday on the 13th. Sylvia's temperature was 100.2 at noon. She watches the exercises and laughs, saying it's funny.

I remember as a child being told that the Kreisler's were "refugees", and not knowing what that meant. 

3/11 Sunday

Took Eugene down in the morning and played ball with him and another boy we picked up. Sylvia has a cold. She says her Aunt Lillian's baby will move and then come out. Lilly and Harry over in afternoon. Lillian had taken Eugene to the zoo. Mom and Pop came over later. Listened on the radio of the Jap massacre of 2500 American and Filipino prisoners.

3/10

Al & Edith Pope here this afternoon. Sylvia made a great hit with her cuteness. Al thought her "tough". When shushed, she said, as her wont, "Who says I can't make noise" and "I could". Eugene, of course, would not stay out of the spotlight. In the evening Sylvia showed signs of a cold and Eugene, just out of bed, had a stuffed nose. Played anagrams with Lillian in the evening.

Alan Pope was an old friend of my father's; Edith was his wife. 

3/9

A kindergarden song: "My ball, I want to bounce you, once, twice, three times, four times, five times, six times. Sylvia told me she'd put me in her crib and put me to sleep. Finished "Martin Eden" a third time. This tragedy of a sailor who went from the depths to the heights only to be disillusioned never fails to thrill me with its attack on bourgeois morality and thought.

3/8

Went down with Sylvia and we kicked the ball about to keep warm. The Ives-Quinn Anti-Bias Bill has been passed in N.Y. It prohibits discrimination against minorities in employment.

3/7

Eugene in bed with a slight cold. Sylvia's cute trick: Recites a poem ending "the good George Washington" - then she says "who said "ton" with a shriek and screwed up face. Eugene saw "Heil Hitler" written on a bus by some prankster and wanted to know what it meant. Cologne has been captured by the Americans - most of it has been devastated by our air raids.

3/6

Eugene led exercises today. A kindergarden song "Click, clock, wooden shoes, off to market, Gretchen goes. Flat, fleet, soft & neat, basket full of posies, sweet." Eugene and I pasted war stamps alternately into a book. Lillian calls Sylvia "Sweetie Pie" - I call her [Yiddish], Uncle Sam - monkey face Isabella - honeysuckle, Momma - [Yiddish]. Momma used to call Eugene [Yiddish], Sam - [Yiddish], I called him [Yiddish], Lillian - sweetheart, Mollie [Yiddish].

I can't read the Hebrew script used for Yiddish, but I've scanned in those pages. Isabella is my cousin (daughter of my mother's brother Meyer (Mike) Modelson, and his wife Evelyn Dizon. She's a bit younger than me, so I'm not sure if someone else is meant here.     

3/5

Lillian led the exercises this morning. Went down with the kids and played ball - catching and kicking.

When he says "went down", he probably means down to the back yard; the apartment house was a semi-circle on a corner, and, with the buildings around it, had a completely enclosed yard. When I went back to visit, many years later, the yard had really shrunk a lot!

3/4 Sunday

Went over to Momma's today. Lilly & Harry, Uncle Abe & Tante Blume, Ida & Max, Rochel and Lilly Udovitz were there. Eugene sang Burl Ives songs and Sylvia recited and they were a hit as usual.

"Lilly & Harry" were, as I mentioned, my father's sister, and her husband. "Uncle Abe" was Abe Edelstein, my grandfather's brother; "Tante Blume" ("Tante" is Yiddish for "Aunt") was Blanche Winograd, Abe's wife. "Ida & Max" were Ida Patchenik and her husband Max Guzman; Ida was a first cousin of my grandfather's (and Abe, of course). Rochel Patchenik was Ida's sister; her husband, Meyer Bardes, was apparently not there. I do not know who Lilly Udovitz was.

3/3

Sylvia knows several nursery rhymes including the long "Sing a song of sixpence". Eugene knew the alphabet and all the objects on his blocks long before he was two. He could recite the alphabet after hearing Lillian say is [sic] a few times. He has been speaking on the "phone" well since he was two and speaks beautifully now. He also speaks on a make believe phone. A gruesome hum signifies the ringing of the "phone". Boxed with Eugene today and was K-Oed. Mollie came over to stay with the kids and Lillian went to see "Thirty Seconds over Tokyo". It shows the secret preparation for the historic Tokyo bombing.

Honestly, I didn't start doing this just so I could read my praise (at five years old)!

3/2

Lillian better. Took the children down. Eugene scooted about on his bike then we all played ball. Eugene's teacher thinks he's a lovely boy, quite different from most of the other children.
 

3/1

Lillian ill today. Dr. Holzman thought it a cold in the bladder over the phone. Sister Lillian came over to take home Eugene from school. We hear that Eugene's teacher told a neighbor he was a gorgeous boy.

Apparently my father decided he no longer needed to reference the year in the date of the journal entry.

2/28/45

Took the kids down in the A.M. Eugene scooted on his bike till the chain came off. Vivian Singer came down later to take Eugene to school. Eugene played "records" today. He looked in a book to see the program. Then he went through the motions of putting on a record and sang songs and recited the three bears and the three pigs. Sylvia has resumed napping when she rests in her crib after lunch. Eugene goes to school from 1 to 3 PM.

OK, that reminds be of Vivian's last name, which I noted that I couldn't remember earlier. 

2/27/45

Had the sewing machine fixed today (Mollie's) and the charge was $2.50 for fixing the stitch - Ten Minutes work. They charge all the market can bear these war days. Sylvia huddled in a chair while the man was there but Eugene as usual watched very carefully. Sister Lillian came over in the afternoon. She's due soon.

"Mollie" was presumably my Aunt Mollie, married to my mother's brother Sam Modelson. Although the complaint about "all the market can bear" cost seems amusing, remember that, at the time, a NYC subway ride cost a nickel, and a first class stamp cost three cents. 

2/26/45

Lillian said "Oh Boy" and Sylvia told her to say "Oh Girl". Eugene spilled his milk at lunch time. A favorite song of Sylvia's is "Rain, Rain go away, Eugene and Sylvia want to play". Took a hair cut today. I'm averaging a letter every two weeks to a half dozen soldiers in the Army. Lillian picked up a bonnet for Sylvia in Alexanders. A bargain - 69¢. Sylvia kept putting it on all day. She came running toward Eugene "I want to kiss you, Eugene". They kissed adorably on the mouth. Eugene takes his calendar off the wall when he goes to sleep. He often asks to see animals in the big dictionary.

I had to learn how to create the "cents" sign for this post; never knew before. Alexanders was a large and inexpensive department store in the Bronx.

2/25/45 Sunday

Took the children down in the A.M. We played some ball. In the P.M. Sadie came over with Fredi and Arline. Sylvia as usual was anti-social not even staying in the same room with the children. Eugene and Fredi wrestled around the living room. Mom and Pop came over late in the afternoon.

"down" - we lived in a third floor walk-up apartment.  

2/24/45

My sister Lillian called up and Sylvia told Eugene to ask how Uncle Harry is. Some of Sylvia's puns: she calls her bunny "bunnysuckle" (her cousin Isabelle calls her "honeysuckle"). Sylvia also said "I'm waiting for you in the wading pool". She was the first to say "Mom goes the weasel". A kindergarden song: "Sing, sing, everybody sing, for we're so happy today. We love our school, we love our room, in K.G. we love to stay". Finished "The Cross and the Arrow" by Albert Maltz. A German worker awakens to the mass corruption of the German people and in his atonement offers hope for a future democratic Germany. A superb novel.

2/23/45

More kindergarden songs: "Here we go 'round the Mulberry bush" etc. Worked early today and got four hours off to donate blood to Red Cross (It was third time). Felt faint as usual for about ten minutes after, then was all right. Brought home some water color reproductions and the Golden Dictionary for Eugene. Joyce, Vivian and Gloria were up playing with Eugene when I got home. Sylvia as usual wouldn't go in the same room with them. Reps. Rankin and Hook clashed on the floor fo the House. Rankin is the leading racist in Congress. Hook is a liberal. Lillian went to the "movies". She saw Music for Millions with Jose Iturbi, Jimmy Durante, Marg. O'Brien. Beautiful piano music but a hackneyed plot. Lillian finished V. Pozner's "First Harvest" history of the German occupation of France.

Joyce Gallins (now Pontbriand) was a downstairs neighbor, a couple of years older than me. I remember the name "Vivian", but not her last name or age.

2/22/45

[...] More Kindergarden songs: "Yankee Doodle", "The postman with his heavy bag walks and walks all day. If he brings me a letter, Thank you sir, I say". Rep. O'Konski attacks Russia in Congress as fascist. Sen. Langer introduces bill to deport C. Chaplin. Lillian went up to see Sadie Heinemann whose husband Bernie is a Lieutenant in the Army in Egypt. They have two little girls Fredi and Arline. Lil's brother Sam came over in the evening and stayed a few hours. Mollie was in Rockaway.

Sadie Heinemann was one of Mom's oldest friends, and we got to know their children (Robert was a later child) well, even after they moved to Syracuse. Mollie was Sam Modelson's wife; I know she had relatives who lived in the Rockaways.  

2/21/45

Another kindergarden song: Today our flag is waving high, to honor only one, he was our first president, the good G. Washington. Sylvia out of bed but ran into living room when we started our morning exercises. However she soon came in and watched on a chair. Lillian had a headache all day and I had a slight nausea.

I remember we did the exercises in our bedroom. I think I should mention that my father worked in the Post Office and, most of the time (I believe) on a 4PM to Midnight shift, which is why he was around in the mornings.  

2/20/45

Entrusted Eugene with a bottle of bleach water to carry upstairs but he stumbled and broke it making quite a mess. He is usually the first one dressed in his class and Mrs. Lyston called him a smart boy he told us.

So my father let a five-year old boy carry a bottle of "bleach water" up the stairs? 

2/19/45

Sylvia knows most of the alphabet animals like Quail, rabbit, tiger, antelope etc. I believe Sylvia is jealous when little Gloria Singer comes down to play with Eugene. Resumed boxing with Eugene as he was convinced its best to learn how to defend himself in an emergency. Lillian went to Charles Levin's (stage name Charles Neville) birthday party at Rappaport's. My sister Lillian and Harry stayed with the children. Lilly met all her cousins and their children at the party and had a nice time. Charles who is a child actor in the Broadway hit "Kiss and Tell" is a very fine boy well poised as befits an actor. We presented him with a volume of Shakespeare. Eugene made a "hatchip" in kindergarden which G. Washington used to chop down the cherry "train".

Gloria Singer was a upstairs neighbor, I believe she was slightly older than I was; I remember her making fun of me when I wanted to go home and listen to Superman on the radio rather than continue playing. I don't know anything about "Charles Levin" and will have to do some research; I maintain a Family Tree, and I thought I had all the first cousins, at least. Another thing; this entry shows I was wrong about there being no further mention of my boxing; I either forgot, or never read this entry before. 

2/18/45

Bataan is ours again. Sylvia is unable to leave the house due to her cold so Lillian and Eugene went to Mike and Evelyn for Isabel's birthday. Sylvia was a doll all day playing beautifully by herself making houses and prisms. Mama came over to play with Sylvia. Tried to win her over politically. Lillian looked cute today with a new hair-do. She did her nails also. My sister Lillian's birthday today. We wished her heartiest congratulations.

Mike (Meyer) Modelson was one of my mother's brothers. Evelyn was his wife. Isabel (actually Isabella, now Isabella Jacob) is their daughter, and, of course, my cousin; the closest cousin to my age, and the person who (indirectly) got me to start this blog.  

2/17/45 Sunday

Eugene's latest: "Will you wait sixty seconds, mommy. You know, sixty seconds make a minute". He makes houses and bridges with his blocks and sometimes bursts out crying when they break prematurely but gets over it soon. Eugene has learned several songs in K.G. "See here comes the big procession marching down the street". "Snow flakes gently falling down, falling down.

2/16/45

Eugene went to school in morning today to get a doctor's examination. Sylvia has some favorite words: hopey, mimi, hapy, bompey, donkey. Eugene's were dingstick-go, bing-stop, cananacanoke. Are they both following in their Dad's footsteps in this respect. Tokyo shelled by our Pacific fleet in historic attack.

I'm trying to transcribe the words correctly, but it's handwritten, and since Sylvia's and my "favorite words" are not all real words ... When he says "in their Dad's footsteps", he's clearly referring to his love of and facility with words; our father was a Crossword Puzzle expert; see the picture above (the last name on the cup) for verification of my claim!

2/15/45

Eugene brought home a Valentine he made in K.G. Explained to Eugene why he should learn to box. Will get his decision tomorrow. Sylvia said something to Eugene. When Lillian answered her, Sylvia said "I'm not talking to you, I'm talking to Eugene". Bought a new thermometer as old one broke.

I remember the boxing discussion; I'm pretty sure I said I didn't want to, clearly disappointing my father. I don't believe there's any further mention of my boxing in the journal. 

2/14/45

Silvia still in crib and unable to do exercises. I added boxing and wrestling and Eugene seemed to enjoy it but when it was over said he didn't like punching. Finished "One World" by W. Willkie. A great human document by a business man who embraced internationalism thus keeping abreast of the times. His recent death, hastened by his rejection by his isolationist party brothers was a tragic loss to the peoples of the world. Henrietta Szold, the great Zionist woman has died in Palestine. 

2/13/45

Started 5 minute morning exercises but Sylvia unable to participate as she is still in crib. Eugene enjoyed very much. "Big Three" have agreed to extend Polish provisional gov't to include some exiled leaders. Eugene heard Burl Ives on radio yesterday but caught him singing "boss" instead of "master" in "Blue Tail Fly".

2/12/45

Lincoln's birthday and the slaves all over the world are being freed from their Nazi and Japanese masters. Silvia still in her crib. Eugene is reading the radio programs for the last two days and finding familiar symphonic composers which gives him a thrill. Eugene got a clay set.

I assume I was reading the schedules in the paper, and seeing the same names as on the large collection of classical symphonic music we had at home.  

2/11/45

Silvia in bed with a cold. Mom, Pop, Lilly and Harry over for a visit. Heard Burl Ives sing Lincoln's favorite "The Blue Tailed Fly" over the radio. Eugene had been waiting four days for this.

Dad's parents were Barney and Becky Edelstein. Dad's sister (referred to as "Aunt Lillian" in the previous entry) was Lillian Edelstein, then Lillian Thaw; Harry was her husband. I know that I loved Burl Ives' singing as a kid, but I don't know about the "four days". 

2/10/45 Sunday

Sylvia says Aunt Lillian is going to have a baby in "Mark" (March). Eugene wants to know what day in March. The "Poll Tax" has been repealed in Georgia. Six more states to go for the goal of suffrage for all in America.

Dad identified dates which were Sundays. 

2/8/45 and 2/9/45

[2/8]Eugene still in bed. Churchill Stalin and Roosevelt and reached agreement on joint plans for the total defeat of Nazi Germany.  

[2/9]Eugene out of bed. Racialism still exists here in respectable circles. An A.D.A. report decries the preponderance of Jewish dentists. The Nazis booby trapped American wounded soldiers. Is there any barbarism they have omitted. The Pierlot government in Belgium has been forced out due to its do-nothing policy. Silvia is going "Shopping". She put her pocket-book on her arm and is going to buy cookies.

At the end of one full year of the diary, as I was about to start the next year, I found that I had only 363 posts!. Looking back, I found that this post, labeled "2/8/45" was actually for 2/9/45, and I had missed 2/8/45, probably because of the similarity of the first line. So I'm combining the two posts here, adding 2/8 at the beginning. Now I have to find the other missing post. 

2/7/45

Eugene still in bed. Painting and doing jig saws he's a pretty good patient. Took Sylvia down again and she amused herself with "Mishka" the bear. She's the sweetest thing. The first meeting of the World labor party at London has been held. McArthur says "On to Tokyo".

The journal is handwritten, and some places have obvious punctuation missing, as a semi-colon after "saws" in the first sentence. I have decided to transcribe it exactly as is.  

2/6/45

Eugene has a slight cold and is staying in bed. Played nursery rhyme records after trying unsuccessfully to get Eugene to agree to a "Symphony". Eugene got some new jig saws which he did with some slight help. Incidentally Eugene follows the words of the victrola records from the copy he has as he has been able to read for almost a year. Lillian also bought Eugene a paint set and book to color. Poor Sylvia is scurrying from room to room. Played Sibelius and Eugene said I hadn't played Frank's Symphony in D Minor Part I for a long time.

Dad was a great lover of classical music.