Celebrating Another Birthday

Armand was born on November 30, 1914 and he would have been 96 years old this year. From his diary, we can get a glimpse what life was like for him in 1950:

My birthday no. 36. Well, Mother and Wallace arrived Wednesday, November 22, several hours late by plane. Geefer got hysterics laughing at my beard (now gone, along with moustache as of last Saturday). Also surprised over new car.

Thursday we all drove over for a pleasant turkey dinner at M's mother's in Fairmont. Turkey only fair but everything else scrumptious. Friday it started to snow, and snow, and snow. By Sunday it had hit 32" and several more inches have fallen since then. In all, a record snow for this region, nothing like it for years if at all. Drifts by our house up nearly to 5 feet.

I went to town in boots most every day and for days or so used my old snowshoes up on hill in lieu of shoveling interminable masses of snow. Cold Friday and Saturday went down to 6 or 7 above.

Since Geefer and Wallace didn't even have rubbers, they couldn't move. A train (not plane) finally got through to Connellsville Monday evening, G. & W. on it, but, since our car snowed in in garage, and no taxis running, I finally had to get 2 guys in a four wheel drive Jeep plow up the half cleared, one track Grand Street. Geefer in her Hudson Seal looked cute in the Jeep.

Streets finally fairly well cleared by now, at least the main ones. Classes postponed until today and only 50% or so attendance even yet today, since many students pretty much marooned in Charleston, etc.

We all had a fine visit notwithstanding. Friday we showed my Kodachromes, and for several nights had a nice fire in fireplace. No presents of much fanfare for my birthday today. The car must suffice.

Similar post:  Past Birthdays.


Photo: Blizzard in Pittsburgh, PA, November 1950, Synthstuff