Catherine Sevenau

Opener of doors, teller of tales, family scribe.

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1.90 Larry’s Diary, Misc Entries 1953

January 31, 2018 By Catherine Sevenau 2 Comments

1953 • Larry’s diary (age 19) Jan  Took Marian to movies many times Jan  Night class, square dance. Church orchestra. Montalvo (private artist retreat) in Saratoga with Marian, May, and Jim for Rudolf Serkin piano concert. Feb  Took Marian to Santa Clara University concert, dance, … [Read more...]

1.89 Pick-Up Stix, Sep 1953

January 28, 2018 By Catherine Sevenau 6 Comments

Sep 1953 • Tuolumne ~ Our family scattered like a drop of Pick-Up Stix. Mom was now living in San Jose. Larry returned to college. Carleen, Chuck, and the baby would soon leave Sonora and move to Southern California. Claudia stayed with her best friend JoAnn Davis to begin the eighth grade. … [Read more...]

1.88 From Betty’s Best Friend

January 25, 2018 By Catherine Sevenau 6 Comments

Letter to me from Lorna Harrington, Mar 18, 2005 Dear Cathy: When we last talked you were surprised when I said that Betty didn’t have other friends that I was aware of. While trying to give you an idea of what our (Betty’s and mine) lives were like during our Sonora grammar school days I didn’t … [Read more...]

1.87 Summer 1953, Minnesota

January 22, 2018 By Catherine Sevenau Leave a Comment

July 1953 • Pinecrest ~ At the end of July, Chuck and Carleen (who was nearly eight months pregnant) took us three girls to Pinecrest for the day in Dad's new car. It was good to get away and have a picnic of potato salad and ham sandwiches, to hike and be in the sun. I have pictures from that … [Read more...]

1.86 Summer Solstice, 1953 (2)

January 19, 2018 By Catherine Sevenau 3 Comments

June 22-23 1953 • Sonora (part 2) ~ For the next few hours they drove around in the isolated hills and did things to my sister she would not want spoken of again. Ray intended to kill her but Wiley stopped him; he had a sister her age and pleaded to let Betty go. In the dead of night after sobering … [Read more...]

1.85 Summer Solstice, 1953 (1)

January 16, 2018 By Catherine Sevenau 1 Comment

June 22, 1953 • Sonora (part 1) ~ It was a summer solstice evening. Betty, and two younger boys who were a year behind her in school, headed home down the hill at dusk after the Monday high school baseball game. The three paid no attention to the dirty 1940s sedan with the black undercoat and a … [Read more...]

1.84 A Wedding and Graduation, 1953

January 13, 2018 By Catherine Sevenau 6 Comments

March 1953 • Sonora ~ During Mom's return she didn’t cook or clean, didn’t wash dishes or clothes or windows, she didn’t do anything. But she didn't do much before she left home, other than fixing dinner and sewing our clothes. Dad did the laundry, stripped the beds, and mopped the kitchen … [Read more...]

1.83 Mom’s Letter to Nellie, Mar 1953

January 10, 2018 By Catherine Sevenau 4 Comments

1953 • Letter from my mother to her mother in Chico Postmarked Sonora, Mar 9, 1953 Monday: Dear Mom, I think you are entitled to the whole story. When I came home I did the best I could here, but it hasn’t worked. All the time I was here Carleen had just had everything her own way, all the money she … [Read more...]

1.82 Carleen & Chuck, 1952-53

January 7, 2018 By Catherine Sevenau 6 Comments

1952-53 • Sonora ~ Carleen met Chuck at the end of her junior year when she was seventeen. He'd graduated four years ahead of her at Sonora High and was 21 and pumping gas on the corner at Paneros 76 station when he took a shine to her. In April of her senior year, he told her he loved her and asked … [Read more...]

1.81 Larry’s Diary, Dec 1952

January 4, 2018 By Catherine Sevenau 4 Comments

1952 • Larry’s diary (age 18) Dec 1 - 4  (misc. entries) Dec 5  Played tuba and bass drum for Fresno basketball game. We won again. After the game Marian McLellan and I took Cathy to Alum Rock Park and Santa Clara Dec 6  Took Lois Parkinson to semi-formal dance, gave Rosie corsage … [Read more...]

1.80 Larry’s Diary, Oct-Nov 1952

January 1, 2018 By Catherine Sevenau Leave a Comment

1952 • Larry’s diary (age 18) Oct 1 - 6  (typical entries about classes, band, dating, friends, and work) Oct 7  Band marched, rehearsal. I'm on inter-departmental commission, $9 dues. Then did Harmony, over 6 hours on one paper, 10 to 4 A.M. Big smile from Gail at school in morn. Didn't … [Read more...]

1.79 2nd Letter to Verda

December 29, 2017 By Catherine Sevenau 7 Comments

1952 • Second letter from Mom to her sister Tuesday P.M. Las Vegas (prob Sep) 1952 Dear Verda, As I did not receive an answer to my letters I guess I am going to be given the silent treatment. It’s a little hard to understand. I can see why Mom would cut me off of all contact because I left … [Read more...]

1.78 Larry’s Diary, Sep 1952

December 26, 2017 By Catherine Sevenau 4 Comments

1952 • Larry’s diary (age 18) Sep 1-2  (no entries) Sep 3  Trip to Modesto for band practice. No Nellie. Got uniform, too small for me, all they had. $2.50 fee. 4 basses, I'm 1st chair. Back to Sonora then sleep then to Sacramento next morn. Sep 4  Went to Sacramento State fair to … [Read more...]

1.77 Larry’s Diary, Aug 1952

December 23, 2017 By Catherine Sevenau 10 Comments

1952 • Larry’s diary (age 18) Aug 1  Played in 3rd Municipal band concert, only my 2nd. Took Carleen, Betty and Claudia down with me, Carleen got 1st ticket speeding in Modesto Aug 2  Put oil case and fly wheel case back on, took tie rod off and put it back too tight. Steering acts real … [Read more...]

1.76 Larry’s Diary, Jul 1952

December 20, 2017 By Catherine Sevenau Leave a Comment

1952 • Larry’s diary (age 18) Jul 1  Phoned up Dad. Decided to take job at Moccasin. Drove up today, packed car, drove in and met Mirk to work next shift 4 A.M. so slept here without going to Sonora Jul 2  First day at work at Moccasin Power House $20.00 raise this year. On same shift as … [Read more...]

1.75 Tennis and Tonsils

December 17, 2017 By Catherine Sevenau 4 Comments

July 1952 • Sonora, California  Even though she hated Mom, Betty was miserable without her. She didn’t want to go to school, complained that her throat hurt, and after the school year (grade seven) of too many absences, Dad decided she needed her tonsils removed. When school was out for the … [Read more...]

1.74 Larry’s Diary, Jun 1952

December 14, 2017 By Catherine Sevenau 5 Comments

1952 • Larry’s diary (age 18) Jun 1  Valerie Nash had me over for supper, sister Polly and mother and cats there. Baked cherry pies. Took her to see Snow White at Los Altos theatre and then coffee. Wore suit to St. Pats Jun 2  Looked through La Torre with Elaine in morn and Ginger in eve. … [Read more...]

1.73 Letter from Mom to Verda

December 11, 2017 By Catherine Sevenau 7 Comments

May 1952 • Letter from Mother to her sister, Verda Monday, Las Vegas, Nevada 1952 Dear George and Verda, I don’t suppose Carl has let you know yet, his pride would keep him, but I have done it, burned all my bridges behind me. Don’t let George get any wild ideas about coming over here after me. I’m … [Read more...]

1.72 Larry’s Diary, May 1952

December 8, 2017 By Catherine Sevenau 3 Comments

1952 • Larry’s diary (age 18) May 1  Art Daniel decided not to pledge. After, spent evening at Ginger's alone. Girls at A Capella performance. At Mary B's early for Harmony May 2  Grammar School of County came to High School for play day. Saw show Three Godfathers. Took bath again May 3 … [Read more...]

1.71 Umpteenth Time

December 5, 2017 By Catherine Sevenau 5 Comments

April 1952 • Sonora ~ When Mom left in May of 1950 and Dad hired Ima Deaton to help us younger girls, she lived with us for a while; then during the next two years, she only came off and on. Now that Carleen was sixteen and running the household, she told Dad to let her go altogether. She felt Ima … [Read more...]

1.70 Larry’s Diary, Apr 1952

December 2, 2017 By Catherine Sevenau 5 Comments

1952 • Larry’s diary (age 18) Apr 1  Wrote letter to Folks, Betty C. Carol G. Max H., and Merced girl. Played Bruckner. Apr 2  (no entry) Apr 3  Met Gail and Winnie and Art and we went to the park and played tennis in morn. Gails mother came riding out and watched us. Composed hymn … [Read more...]

1.69 Larry’s Diary, Mar 1952

November 29, 2017 By Catherine Sevenau 1 Comment

1952 • Larry’s diary (age 18) Mar 1  Hashed then played horn with Mike on drums and Pete on piano. Jazz toned and orgininal tunes. Got sheets from laundry. Saw wreck in front of house Mar 2  Played in Art's Orchestra again, also sang in choir. Went to Gail's after and read her term … [Read more...]

1.68 Larry’s Diary, Feb 1952

November 26, 2017 By Catherine Sevenau 5 Comments

1952 • Larry’s diary (age 18) Feb 1 - 7  (no entries) Feb 8  Didn't see anyone today. Had little tussle with couple of kids. One of 'em Dave Grinaldo, Art's brother Feb 9  Saw Gail and John B. Tilly for last time Feb 10  Dad came down in evening. Have lost 10 lbs in last couple … [Read more...]

1.67 Larry’s Diary, Jan 1952

November 23, 2017 By Catherine Sevenau 3 Comments

1952 • Larry’s diary (age 17 and 18) Jan 2  Had party at house Jan 3  1st day of Winter quarter. Taking Harmony, Musicianship, Physics of Sound (Lecture and Lab), Basketball, String Bass, Advanced String Bass, Band, Political Science Science, Orchestra Jan 4  Told Gail to go out with … [Read more...]

1.66 Larry’s Diary, Nov-Dec 1951

November 20, 2017 By Catherine Sevenau Leave a Comment

1951 • Larry’s diary (age 17) Nov 1  thru 10  (note: posts about classes, band, R.O.T.C., and dates with Gail) Nov 11  Mom drove me back to San Jose as she was bringing Claudia down for eye trouble. Introduced them to Gail's folks. I watched TV at her house till late Nov 12  No … [Read more...]

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Web Serial: Front Matter

0.i Teller of Tales,  Family Line

0.ii Dedications, Billet-Doux, Credits

0.iii Prologue

Web Serial: Part I, Faded Snapshots

1.01 Part I, Faded Snapshots, Sonora

1.02 104 Green Street

1.03 A Chicken Named Blackie

1.04 Lucky Strike Girl

1.05 Summer Camping

1.06 Chico and Grandma Chatfield

1.07 Itty-Bitty Balls of Fluff

1.08 Might as Well be Hung for a Sheep

1.09 Brandi’s and Bingo

1.10 Wolf at the Door

1.11 Nothing But the Best

1.12 Larry’s New Diary, Jan 1947

1.13 Larry’s Diary, Feb-Mar 1947

1.14 Heathens and Hellions

1.15 Larry’s Diary, Apr-May 1947

1.16 Missive to Marceline

1.17 A California Thistle

1.18 We Love Milkshakes!

1.19 Larry’s Diary, Jun-Jul 1947

1.20 Larry’s Diary, Aug-Sep 1947

1.21 Larry’s Diary, Oct 1947

1.22 Brusha, Brusha, Brusha …

1.23 Larry’s Diary, Nov 1947

1.24 Larry’s Diary, Dec 1947

1.25 Larry’s Diary, Jan-Jul 1948

1.26 1948 Small Town Gossip

1.27 Plucked From the Womb

1.28 Death of Gordon Chatfield

1.29 Larry’s Diary, Mar 1949

1.30 Larry’s Diary, Apr 1949

1.31 Larry’s Diary, May 1949

1.32 Dad, God, and the Holy Ghost

1.33 Benedict Arnold & Eleanor Roosevelt

1.34 Larry’s Diary, Jun 1949

1.35 Larry’s Diary, Jul 1949

1.36 Holy Cards, Hell, and High Water

1.37 Larry’s Diary, Aug 1949

1.38 Buck Fever, Sep 1949

1.39 Larry’s Diary, Oct 1949

1.40 Larry’s Diary, Nov 1949

1.41 Larry’s Diary, Dec 1949

1.42 The Sight of Blood

1.43 Larry’s Diary, Apr 1950; Don’t Go

1.44 Larry’s Diary, May 1950

1.45 Larry’s Diary, Jun 1950

1.46 Larry’s Diary, July 1950

1.47 Summer 1950, Bounty Hunter

1.48 Larry’s Diary, Aug 1950

1.49 Larry’s Diary, Sep 1950

1.50 Larry’s Diary, Oct 1950

1.51 Larry’s Diary, Nov 1950

1.52 Larry’s Diary, Dec 1950

1.53 Larry’s Diary, Jan 1951

1.54 Larry’s Diary, Feb 1951

1.55 Larry’s Diary, Mar 1951

1.56 1951 • Popcorn Girl

1.57 Larry’s Diary, Apr 1951

1.58 Billet-doux from Mom

1.59 Larry’s Diary, May 1951

1.60 Larry’s Diary, Jun 1951

1.61 Larry’s Diary, Jul 1951

1.62 Not MY Mother

1.63 Larry’s Diary, Aug 1951

1.64 Larry’s Diary, Sep 1951

1.65 Larry’s Diary, Oct 1951

1.66 Larry’s Diary, Nov-Dec 1951

1.67 Larry’s Diary, Jan 1952

1.68 Larry’s Diary, Feb 1952

1.69 Larry’s Diary, Mar 1952

1.70 Larry’s Diary, Apr 1952

1.71 Umpteenth Time

1.72 Larry’s Diary, May 1952

1.73 Letter from Mom to Verda

1.74 Larry’s Diary, Jun 1952

1.75 Tennis and Tonsils

1.76 Larry’s Diary, Jul 1952

1.77 Larry’s Diary, Aug 1952

1.78 Larry’s Diary, Sep 1952

1.79 2nd Letter to Verda

1.80 Larry’s Diary, Oct-Nov 1952

1.81 Larry’s Diary, Dec 1952

1.82 Carleen & Chuck, 1952-53

1.83 Mom’s Letter to Nellie, Mar 1953

1.84 A Wedding and Graduation, 1953

1.85 Summer Solstice, 1953 (1)

1.86 Summer Solstice, 1953 (2)

1.87 Summer 1953, Minnesota

1.88 From Betty’s Best Friend

1.89 Pick-Up Stix, Sep 1953

1.90 Larry’s Diary, Misc Entries 1953

1.91 Private Matters, 1953-1954

Web Serial: Part II, Torn Pictures

2.01 Torn Pictures, San Jose 1954

2.02 Blackened Toast

2.03 Small Talk

2.04 Uncle George Day

2.05 Extra Prayers

2.06 Southern California

2.07 I Could Be Wrong

2.08 “Sprouse as in House”

2.09 Toy Soldiers

2.10 The Clue in the Diary 1954-1955

2.11 Canned Peas 1955

2.12 Jefferson Elementary

2.13 Mean Girls

2.14 Mr. Wonderful

2.14.1 From Larry to Gordon 1955

2.15 Gimme a Bromo

2.15.1 Grandma Nellie’s Demise 1956

2.16 Bless Me, Father

2.16.1 Thou Shalt Not Steal

2.17 Buttons and Bobbins

2.18 Perms

2.19 Conversations With God

2.20 Small Holy Cups

2.21 An 8×10 Glossy

2.22 Wedding Bells

2.23 High Finance

2.24 Hoity-Toity

2.25 The Great Pretender

2.26 Lovebirds

2.27 Year of Change 1956

2.28 Gaggle of Girlfriends 1957

2.29 Off to Paradise 1957

2.30 Manoa Valley

2.31 Needs Improvement

2.32 Worrisome Prayers

2.33 Come Hell or High Water

2.34 Christmas Eve

2.35 With Open Arms 1958

2.36 I Remember Bobby

2.37 Let. Me. Go.

2.38 What Did I Know?

2.39 Kakaroach

Web Serial: Part III, Home Movies

3.01 La Habra 1958

3.02 Orange Groves and Crackerboxes

3.03 Sierra Vista School 1958

3.04 Nana

3.05 A Mother’s Instinct 1959

3.06 My 1954 plain

3.07 Saving Grace

3.08 KRLA and KHJ

3.09 The Amana

3.10 Tie Pin and Cufflinks

3.11 Sunday Drives

3.12 Chutes and Ladders

3.13 Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

3.14 Waiting, Waiting, Waiting

3.15 Beach Camping

3.16 Smoke Gets in Your Eyes 1960s

3.17 Queen of Hearts

3.18 Gus the Helms Man

3.19 The Furies

3.20 Simon Legree

3.21 “Chu-uck”

3.22 “You Writin’ a Book?”

3.23 Purgatory

3.24 The Hillman Minx

3.25 “Listen, Dearie”

3.26 1644 Haight Street, 1960

3.27 Sweeney’s Candy Shop

3.28 A Longer Scorecard

3.29 The Sunset

3.30 It’s Not Fair!

3.31 Quit Gawking

3.32 Riffraff and Hippies

3.33 La Habra High 1961-1966 (part 1)

3.34 La Habra High (part 2)

3.35 Riverside Campground, Big Sur

3.36 Leaving the Hive

3.37 Summer in Europe

3.38 Homesick

3.39 “Oh Yeah?”

3.40 A Full Mass

3.41 Killing Time

3.42 Positively Haight Street

3.43 Rainbows and Red Devils

3.44 No Flowers

3.45 A Kind of Holiness

3.46 Sin and Prayer

Web Serial: Post Memoir Sketches

4.01 Unleashing the Flying Monkeys

4.02 Letters From Claudia

4.03 Letter from Liz

4.04 Elegy to My Father

4.05 My Sister Liz

4.06 I Must Have Lied

4.07 Final Migration

4.08 Cutty Sark and Carleen

4.09 Lore, Libel and Lies

4.10 Larry’s Later Life

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