February 14, 1941 (Friday)

EDNA CATCHES UP ON HER WORK

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I didn't go to Hospital

to-day, necessary to

stay at home and

catch up with my work.

Baked + cleaned and

ironed.

Morse + Frances came

to-night to stay over

week end.

I rec'd a Valentine

from Mary Elizabeth.

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Edna, like many women in the 1940s, prescribed to a routine week of work. The general rule of thumb was:

Wash on Monday

Iron on Tuesday

Mend on Wednesday

Shop on Thursday

Clean on Friday

Bake on Saturday

Rest on Sunday

Day-of-the-week tea towels featuring chores have been popular since the 1940s. They remain a collectors item yet today. You can find vintage chore tea towels on sites like E-bay and Etsy.

Many vintage towels are embroidered (probably done on a Wednesday).

According to her journal, Edna did wash on Monday. Her hospital visits to Henry have kept her from her other daily household duties. It's Valentine's Day and despite having purchased a card and candy the day before for Henry, she stays home to catch up on her work.

I get stressed when I am behind on household things and I have many luxuries that make those tasks much easier in 2021 than it was for Edna in 1941.

Edna has been visiting the hospital almost daily since January. First to look in on her sister-in-law Jen, now for her husband. A day at home catching up on work (even if it was necessary) may have been a welcome respite.