Tuesday, January 21, 1936

EDNA GOES SHOPPING

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Storming. Blustering + Drifting.

Same as yesterday,

Helen, Rosy, Dickie, and I

went to Hastings this A.M.

Had hair cut at Harley shop.

Purchased pair of every day

shoes @ $2.98 also rubbers to

fit .79¢ also high shoe laces for

Hank .20¢ shoe polish (black) .15¢

Went to Electric shop and got

new globe for church fixtures in

place of one that was sent

e and broken in transportation.

Went to church conference at

Alto church this P.M. - Rode home

with Alex & Edwina.

73 eggs to-day

galvanized pails .25¢

2 qts c c o [?] .55¢ ALTO

5 gals gas .92¢

navy blue dye .12¢ HASTINGS

radio guide .10¢

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For those of you reading along that aren't familiar with the area, I thought it would be helpful to share a map. The map below is not entirely accurate because it shows some major highways that were not there in 1936. But it will give you some perspective about their travels. The red pin is Bowne Center -- where Edna and her family reside. I have also placed pins on Alto, Lowell, and Hastings. All locations that Edna has mentioned recently. I didn't place a pin on Grand Rapids (which Edna most frequently refers to at G.R.) because it is large enough to easily locate on the map.

In 1936, the United States is still in the midst of the Great Depression. That makes Edna's careful documentation of her spending more meaningful.

Yesterday, Edna noted that Henry had given her $6 for expenses. She is always careful to note how many eggs she collects and the price she gets for the eggs. Her purchases are practical and sensible. But the likely don't come without thought and consideration.

I realized she often makes small notes about the money she spends. In yesterday's entry she noted spending $1 on music lessons for Hank. When I read that amount I thought that $1 was a reasonable price for music lessons. But when you compare that to the price she spent on her purchases this day, the music lesson were a bit of a luxury in the midst of a depression.

Edna herself had received an education and although practical, providing her children with access to education and culture (and music lessons) were likely not something she thought of as a luxury.

One of the items Edna purchased on her shopping day was a Radio Guide. The internet is an amazing thing. I was able to find a copy of the Radio Guide for the week ending Jan. 25, 1936. Given the date, this is probably the very one she purchased that day.