Maggie Rose Redux

In 1960, I kept a diary. I was 12 years old. In 2011, I posted in this blog each day the text of my diary entry for that same day in 1960. Many things I remembered, but a surprising number of entries seemed to have been written by another person. In many instances I had no recollection whatsoever of the events described, and I was taken aback by some of my reactions. Overall I had the feeling, copying out those old entries, that a messy, disorganized, slightly mercenary preteen had usurped the place of the saintly little Cicily of my memories. The diary Cicily had terrible taste in movies, didn't always finish her homework, and was occasionally mean to her friends. Part of me wanted to burn the evidence, but being a journalist and a historian, I opted to publish it here.

On April 9, 1960 I wrote:
 "At Steiger's there was a fountain, so we threw in pennies (my pennies). I finished 'Maggie Rose,' it was wonderful."
I have no recollection of having read Maggie Rose. But I was curious about what my younger self--the self I am realizing I don't actually know all that well--would have considered "wonderful." The Springfield library system no longer owns a copy of the book, but the Berkshire Athaneum does, and through the miracle of the inter-library loan, that copy arrived at my local branch a few days ago and I was able to re-read it.

Maggie Rose is written by Newbury medalist Ruth Sawyer, a storyteller, teacher, reporter and author who lived in Boston. (Sawyer's son-in-law was Robert McCloskey, author of Make Way for Ducklings.) It's illustrated by none other than Maurice Sendak. The story takes place in 1951. Maggie Rose is an enterprising little girl, the rest of whose family is cheerfully indolent. On June 24 she realizes her birthday, which falls on Christmas Eve, is exactly half a year away. She makes plans to have, for the first time, a real birthday/Christmas celebration (her family is too lazy and too poor ever to have gone to that much effort). For six months she works to earn money and make preparations. The story ends on December 24 with her party, a smashing success.

Maggie Rose actually is a pretty good book. I think what I like about it--and what my twelve-year-old self probably liked--is the sense of place evoked in the story. Maggie Rose lives in a small Maine seacoast town. She spends a lot of time outdoors in her "secret place" on the fringe of the woods. Flora and fauna are lovingly described by Sawyer...hemlocks and pine, spruce and birch, mosses, rocks, sparrows. The other nice thing about the book is Maggie Rose herself. She's a reader, a dreamer, and a resourceful child. Kind of like me as a girl. Or at least what I think I was like.

Diary April 10, 1960: Books Are My Refuge on a Noisy Palm Sunday

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"Dear Diary--

I finished several books, I hardly know where I stand. I wore my new shoes today, they're so pretty.

My cousins were here, I had to go up here, in the bedroom, and read, they were making so much noise.

I'm thinking up a story, about Kathy, Gilda, and I; and a poem about a Kitten. But the poem only has four lines, so far, and the story's just being thought up.

I was kind of hoping Lyndon would be here, but he wasn't. And Mom say's she doesn't know when John & David are coming."

The "noisy cousins" were my maternal cousins, who lived nearby and who were around all the time. John and David were my paternal cousins, whom I rarely saw and who were therefore exotic and interesting. Lyndon was a neighbor boy my age. He actually lived with his mother in New Hampshire, and only visited his father on weekends. Divorce was something not in my universe, and I think I was in high school before I figured out why he wasn't always around.

Diary April 9, 1960: I Find a Dollar

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"Dear Diary--

Today Gilda, Kathy, and I went to the Arcade and saw 'Who Was That Lady?'. It was terrific. We had some spare time before the movie, and so we went to the museum. I hadn't remembered it was so beautiful! Then I found a dollar on the steps, so I showed it to the lady there. Gil, Kathy, and I (and maybe Leslie) will go next Sat. I'll claim the dollar if it's still there.

I showed Gilda and Kathy my shoes, and Gilda stayed for lunch, so I showed her my dress.

At Steiger's there was a fountain, so we threw in pennies (my pennies). I finished 'Maggie Rose,' it was wonderful."

Diary April 8, 1960: The Beginning of My Love Affair with Cruel Shoes

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"Dear Diary--

Today I got my Easter shoes. Also a pair of red slippers. But the shoes! Higher heels than I had hoped, and toes so pointed, even Mother's aren't like that!

It snowed today, when I woke up, then changed to rain, afterwards.

We went to Torrozi's after buying the shoes, I had a clam dinner.

We made a coffee cake in cooking, forgot to light the oven, creamed the topping (just what we weren't supposed to do.) But it was good! Unit 2 used salt instead of sugar in their topping. Ugh! Science was fun. We tried a trick, (it didn't work), talked about Heaven."

Diary April 7, 1960: Easy Method for Getting Better Marks

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"Bette's Birthday

Dear Diary--

Mr. Jorgenson for Math, and Mrs. Holmes for Eng. Tina changed places with David in Sci--I think it'll mean a better mark for me. I passed in my Social note-book. Kathy gave me a quarter of what she owed me, so I bought a card for Bette, she liked it,--

I did some more on Unit Four, got some ideas from Gilda. I started reading Hobby Horse Hill (I started it before, but couldn't get interested). It's really good. I finished Forty-Seven Keys, and I decided to use a fountain pen for school. My books so far are Simba, Unit Four, Us Modern Teens, Magic Spell of Scotland, & The Oddballs."

Diary April 6, 1960: Double Decker!!!!!

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"Dear Diary--

I started a story (short story) called 'Unit Four'. About us. That (Apr. 5) story is shaping up, too.

I didn't do my Science, I couldn't understand it, but I'll see if Janice can explain it. (We had Mrs. Holmes for Eng.) We did algebra in Sci, saw a good program on 'Play of the Week,' some Jewish stories, test in Gym. I think I got 100. (or 95)

Cooking was a riot. We made baking powder biscuits. 13 of them. Just as we were about to put them in the oven, Mrs. Fink caught us. "Only eight." So we put some one-on-top-of-another. And how funny they looked! Double decker!!!!!"

Diary April 5, 1960: My Latest Ambition: Loan Shark

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"Dear Diary--

I am making quite a profit by loaning money, 30 cents from Kathy, 1 1/2 cents a day from Gilda. I'll be rich! (someday)

Forty-seven Keys is getting more and more interesting.

I have a new idea for a book, all I need is the family's last name."

Diary April 4, 1960: By Hook or By Crook

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"Dear Diary--

Today I made popcorn balls, 7 of them, and they were good.

I practiced riding the bike, I'm getting better.

Miss Corcoran came in 1st per. I chose music for 8th grade (of course)

Miss Weissbrod is back.

It was so warm today, you didn't need a coat. Maria, Leslie, & I fooled around in the afternoon, and Maria came over for a while after supper. We invented a new cheer--10 lines. (about winning--by hook or by crook)"

Diary April 3, 1960: Miet's Got a New Trick

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"Dear Diary--

I tried to make popcorn balls, but the popcorn just wouldn't pop. My mother said the popcorn must be near 15 years old.

Leslie went to the movies, but I went to Kathy's. But not until she came here for a while. We played records, and Aunt Helen and the boys came.

Miet's got a new trick--a metal can of peanuts. I suspected it was a trick, so I wouldn't take any. I was right. When Kathy unscrewed the top, out pops a 'snake' of amazing length! (Scared her to death!)

I haven't finished all my homework, but I can do it in school.

I balanced my account (last time) and, it balances.--And--Kitchy's been found.

(I got some more money from Mom, too)"

Diary April 2, 1960: Time to Pick a Confirmation Name

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"Dear Diary--

Bondsville today. Fun. Stephie has a new sewing machine, so Kathy can keep her old one. We're working on a mystery about that house. Kathy and I had loads of fun with the machine--it's the kind with the pedal you work back and forth--an old-fashioned Singer.

Uncle Eddie came--Rockport doesn't sound so bad any more--we called California.--everything's fine out there, it's Sandy's birthday. They're painting their bedroom lavendar, it's already been started.

I can't think of a good mystery, darn.

No test in Catechism. Confirmation this year, pretty soon, what for my name?"

Bondsville was the rural town where some of my best friend Kathy's relatives lived: a nearly deaf granny and some aunts in an old farmhouse, if I remember rightly. They were Polish immigrants who spoke little English. Between that and the deafness, communication was nearly nil. My own grandmother was also a Polish immigrant, though, so I was used to it.

Rockport, MA was the beach town where my Uncle Eddie had decided we would begin vacationing, instead of Harwichport, MA. Every year Cape Cod was getting more crowded, and he wanted to move operations northward. It was a good decision. Some of my happiest memories are of Rockport. I used to fantasize about living there; at one point in my life, I had the means to do it, but somehow thought for such a magical place I needed special dispensation. Now I've got the nerve but not the money.

My confrmation name ended up being Margaret Mary. I'm ashamed to report that I picked it (although I made up a plausible story to tell the sisters of St. Joseph) purely so that my initials would be CMMMC.

Diary April 1, 1960: Mother and I Play Pranks on One Another

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"Dear Diary--

April Fool's Day! Mother told me, when I got up, that I had a cut on my forehead, so I stood there like a fool, 'til I remembered. Then I told Mother I was caught talking and was punished with a ten-page composition! Just as she started a lecture, I said 'April Fool.'

Popcorn balls in cooking--they were delicious! We had so much, we ate half and had the required 8 balls left. I ate one & gave one to Miss Goodhines. Can't you just see her making a 'pot of tea' for--a popcorn ball! And Miss Goodhines! Eating popcorn balls!

I went to Gilda's--we danced to 'Flamenco,' 'Holiday in Rio,' 'Espanole.' I saw Bette on the bus."

Diary March 31, 1960: No Base, No Talent!

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"Dear Diary--

I read two books today, and most of a third. I can probably finish it by tomorrow morning.

I made a painting in art, which I showed to Mr. Lussier along with 'Parade' and 'Trumpets in the Wind.' Alma & Tina had some too, but just circles and lines. No base, no talent! I ended the day with a creepy hour of 'The Bat.' It was different, anyway. When they unmasked the Bat there was no triumphant pause, the roll of drums, and the slow lifting of the mask. No music at all, in fact, and they picked off the mask so fast! (It was the man who had been impersonating Mr. Anderson, the stranger at the end was the real one)."

I am aghast as I read these lines I wrote so many years ago. "No base, no talent!" Ha ha ha! Whatever happened to Tina I have no idea, but Alma went on to acquire not one but two degreees in art and assemble an impressive portfolio. She's a set dresser and costumer, a member in good standing of IATSE (the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories and Canada). She's worked at Yale Repertory Theater, Lincoln Center, Jacob's Pillow, New York Shakespeare Festival, City Stage, MIFA, etc. etc. As I type this she's in New York City, working on the movie Men in Black III. Good thing I wasn't one of her teachers, saying that to her face. I might've ruined a stellar career!

Diary March 30, 1960: I Learn to Tell a Joke Properly

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"Dear Diary--

I just finished 'Special Year' (I finished another book I'd already started, then read all of that.) It was terrific.

In cooking we made peanut butter cookies, Mom likes them.

In volleyball I'm getting better, at least the ball goes up now!

I tried the joke about the 'Spiral Staircase' on Mom, and it worked! (I didn't think she was the type). It worked on Leslie, too.

Then I tried Dad. He said he didn't know what the Spiral Staircase was. Then I explained I meant a Spiral Staircase, any one. And it worked!"

Diary March 29, 1960: I Love You David

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"Dear Diary--

What a mess! A while ago Edie gave me a note to take to David Tebaldi. From Kathy I found out it was unsigned, said 'I love you David' on it, and everyone thinks I sent it. Well, I'll try to straighten it out.

That contest, I've about given up on it. I've found--you'd never guess--1,071 Pyramid of Values'. Whew!

(p.s. What's the word for 'fence' in French? (for my homework?)"

Diary March 28, 1960: Chase Away the Blues with This!

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"Dear Diary--

Today I found the strangest thing awaiting me, on coming home. I was about to throw it away, & of all things, it was a contest, in which I had 30 chances for--a Catalina! But such a hard contest--a pyramid of values.

Ordered 3 books today--Cress Delahanty, Afraid to Ride, Best Short Shorts, they all seem good.

Next time is for--dividends.

Had a 'shocking experience' in Science today, the whole class held hands, it was a kind of tingling feeling.

Chase away the blues with this!--

Oh, what a terrible morning, Oh, what a terrible day, I've got a terrible feeling, Nothing is going my way. (same expression as actual song, soon you're singing right words (it works--for me!)"

Diary March 27, 1960: Mom Saves the Day...with Hand-me-downs

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"Dear Diary--

Today I thought would be a total failure. But Mom saved it. At about 3:00 she called me upstairs, and I tried on everything from bathing suits to genuine Saks Fifth Avenue dresses and blouses. And so many things fit, that really hung on me last year! (In the fall). Then I picked out some blue velveteen slacks (kind of baggy), patent leather pumps, a gray beret, pink (very bright) and white-striped blouse (buttons covered with the material) and, over that, a bright yellow cotton jacket with brass buckles. I pinned a corsage on the lapel, and walked around like that.

I finished copying 'Simba.'

P.S. Made up with Kathy--good or bad?"

Diary March 25, 1960: I Write a Cliffhanger

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"Dear Diary--

I've decided I definitely want to take music next year. With Miss Goodhines.

We made raisin & nut muffins today, and they were good. Next time we cook I'll give one to Miss Goodhines.

I went to Gil's today. We made up a story (movie, really) about 'The Fall of Babylon. Not the [way] it actually happened, our own way. With our own names for the people & countries. And I finally wrote out 'Almost Human.' I'm just at the part where Danny is walking along. In three seconds he'll slip & fall. But we'll have to leave him in mid-air, practically, Mom says Go to bed! and I'm afraid to finish it now."

Diary March 24, 1960: Off to a Good Start!

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"Dear Diary

I am off to a good start for this marking period, my goal, straight A's.

I forgot to bring my math book home--what a time?

Gilda says sometime soon we'll clean up the doll house, when, I don't know.

I put some perfume on my hands to tease Tina, phwew!, even now it's terrible,...I bought a coconut today...named the Lippizan Charlemagne...

Kept cash account, what a lot of business! Tomato juice, gingerbread, candy, candy, candy.

Thinking about poems & stories."

I'm not sure what I could've meant by being off to a "good start." Forgetting to bring my math book home? Does that count?

The Lippizan I refer to was a little china horse for my collection. I used to be horse crazy and beg for horse figurines from every tacky gift shop we ever visited. I don't remember where I picked up this particular statuette, but I do remember why I liked Lippizaners. My Uncle Eddie, the person who did the most to expand my horizons when I was a child, had taken me to see the Austrian Lippizaner stallions doing dressage at the Eastern States Coliseum. He already knew a lot about them and was so enthusiastic that I caught the fever.

Note to my twelve-year-old self: Lippizan stallions are named according to very strict conventions. They are given the name of their sire plus the name of their dam. There are only six lines recognized by all registries worldwide. Therefore, your horse should have been named Pluto, Conversano, Maestoso, Favory, Neapolitano, or Siglavy. (That said, I still have the horse and I still call him Charlemagne.)

Diary March 23, 1960: While Others Reach for the Stars...I Make Muffins

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"Dear Diary--

Report cards. My marks went down in some subjects, up in others. But I made the honor roll! (If there was one).

I've just counted my money, Miss Weissbrod says we are going to keep a cash account for 1 1/2 weeks. It better be good--it counts as a double quiz! (I've got 71 cents to start).

Muffins in cooking (I got an A, too). The muffins were good, anyway.

Mary Lea won first prize in the Science Fair. (7th graders) She's going to Boston, with Gary, the other winners, the 214 home room, Mr. McDuffee, & maybe some others."

So....while Mary Lea and Gary were getting down to business with their science projects, I was concentrating on getting an A in muffin-making. ("Mary Lea" was Mary Lea Driftmier, whose father was pastor of South Congregational Church for over two decades. "Gary" was Gary Mullett, who now chairs the department of electronic systems technology at STCC.) I don't remember which projects were theirs....but something tells me they weren't the ones all made out of frosting.

Diary March 21, 1960: Science Project Made out of Frosting

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"Dear Diary--

I've been reading 'Kids Say the Darndest Things.' It's wonderful. I especially liked:

What's your name? Rudigore Sitka. What kind of blood in you, with that kind of name--Red--I mean, where'd Mom & Dad come from--Well I'm a little Chicken-slovakian, Jugoslavian, French, English, Scotch, Jewish & one drop of Cherokee blood (maybe)

No science project. The Fair's wonderful. Mom & Dad & Leslie will come tomorrow. I especially liked the Ginea Pigs, & Pluto the Primitive Dog. Oh yes, and the one with a stream & mountains & grass & everything made out of frosting.

(I spent 35 cents on perfume.)"