My diary - January 1-3, 1973

My 1973 Diary

January 1, 1973 Mon.

Dear Smiley:

Wish me a happy New Year! I wish everybody in the world a happy new one!!! We went to church (12:00 noon mass). Well we are in Miami & staying with the Tinders after the great earthquakes in Nic. All thats on T.V. is pweky football! This afternoon we went swimming across the st. FUN!!!! I was brave I went down the slide into the cold water (73°). I got to talk to Missy!!! It was just like before when we were both in Nic. We had ham, black eyed peas, rice & cows slaw for supper. (Good-luck food).

BYE!!!

Note: I had a new diary and decided to call her Smiley. Not sure why, but Smiley it was. 

So exciting to talk to Missy as I hadn’t spoken to her in months. It is still like that when we get to talk or see each other. We resume as if there were no gaps in time. I am so blessed to have her friendship.

I was creative in my spelling of coleslaw! I was also not a big fan of football; I’m still not.

My inspirational quote by William Allen White

January 2, 1973 Tues.

Dear Smiley:

Hectic day. Dad & Beck broke one of the bikes. Tinders were very upset. Well we are leaving soon. We all went to the supermarket. After lunch we went to bike store & Mom bought the repairs & to Sears. I bought a pair of huge loop earring. Beck got a pair of shoes. I think on Thurs. we go to Cleveland. We went for a short swim. Dad sent a telegram & wants us to go to school in Kentucky. I want to go to a correspondence school!!! (School in Nic. out of business right now). Well I hope everything works out well.

BYE!!!

Note: I meant to write "Dave," not "Dad," but I know "Dad" was on my mind. I was worried about his welfare as conditions were really bad in Nicaragua after the earthquake.

I am not sure how Dave and Beck broke the bike, but fortunately, Mom was able to get it fixed. The tension was building while living with the Tinders. They were not used to having four extra people in their home.

I am not sure how school in Kentucky was supposed to work if it was for all of us or just me, since that was Missy’s home. I know that I didn’t want to be separated from my family or go to school in the U.S.

January 3, 1973, Wed

Dear Smiley:

Cathy Sue came over & dropped off a letter from Missy. P.J. is huge!!! Read mag. After lunch we went to the Museam of Science. It was okay. I had seen it before some yrs. ago. Watched T.V. We might leave tomorrow or next day. Pray we get on & nothing drastic happens. Make Daddy be safe & healthy. Spagatti for supper yum!!!

BYE!!!

Note: Kathy Sue Hoar was Missy’s older sister who lived in Miami. Her husband, Paul, was the son of my Dad’s best friend in Nicaragua, Walter Hoar. P.J. was their baby son, whom Missy and I carried in a backpack while visiting family in Managua. I have met up with them several times over the years (Miami, Indiana, Mexico, and Kentucky). The most recent time was two years ago in Kentucky - a wonderful couple!

We would be flying stand-by to Cleveland, so there was always a chance we wouldn’t get on the flights.

Me and Kathy Sue in 2023