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But we would have a periodic scare with Bab, just as most parents do, and she gave us one the very day after my retreat by the lake. She fell into our car as it was parked in our driveway, giving herself a severe bump on the temple. We were so frightened that we called Dr. Ross but he said it was only a contusion and nothing to worry about. But when things like that happened to Bab, I wondered how people could live through losing a child they had grown to worship. We prayed hard that Bab might grow up strong and well. On that same day, there was a happy and constructive event also--our new GE "monitor—top" refrigerator arrived (Bab called it the "frigerator"). It was greatly admired as well as an investment in better living. The old icebox left the kitchen never to return although we did have one many years later on the boat. That evening we had a picnic and swim on the Peninsula, Ben and Toni Luther accompanying us. We loved the lake and we hoped we'd never have to leave Erie. That night, in spite of Dr. Ross' reassuring comments, I got positively frightened about Bab because of the terrific bump she'd had. I almost cried for her. At times like that, one's whole world seems to crash around one's head. But the next morning, Bab's “wump" was all gone and she seemed entirely herself again. We hoped devoutly that she'd be able to weather every storm as well as this one.

That summer we made good use of the Peninsula. A typical outing was with Roy and Zelma Sjoberg on a swim—and—picnic affair. The sunset that evening was magnificent across a glasslike lake, a blue—gray streak along the horizon in which the crimson sun hung like a great Japanese lantern. In the water, there were bands of jade and pink and gold, constantly shifting and changing from one band to another, and from one hue to another more beautiful. It made one want to live forever in spite of the worries of the world.

Early in July, we were informed that we'd be obliged to take an extra week of vacation without pay. This was a jarring note financially and to us, it was particularly irritating because we could have used this extra time to good advantage out in Colorado in June. However, it gave us some added time to enjoy Erie and we tried to make the best of it, not assisted fully by the weather unfortunately. One rainy, dark day we went to the beach anyhow and enjoyed the breakers, which rolled fifty feet up the beach. But it was a poor day for a "vacation." Nana and Gapa went to St. Catherine's for a ride. One night we had a fried chicken picnic with Ben and Toni, and Nana was an absolute wizard at cooking fried chicken; I can still remember it and Willie can still do as well.

I have the following comment in the diary concerning the current trend in beach wear: "The growing tendency in bathing suits is to expose more and more of the body. I think that ten years from now, both men and women will go in with nothing but an athletic supporter on--the trend is that way. The women's suits