Entries for January 31, 1911 and 2011

Rita's Entry: Tuesday, Jan 31, 1911
Practiced.  Slept.  Met Fran at 2:30.  Changed music.  Bo't H. B. a jabot for her birthday.  All in - "Tonsilita Rita."  Read a little.  In bed before nine!

IN RITA'S DAY:  Many things were happening in 1911.  Airplanes were for the first time taking pictures from the air, and they were also for the first time experimenting with dropping bombs.  Things were changing in the world for workers.  In Belgium, a law was passed giving miners a 9 hour day.  In England the first unemployment insurance.  In the U.S. big business was taking its first hits with anti-trust laws.  The Supreme Court broke up Standard Oil into Mobil, Exxon and Socal (see cartoon).  Even though a lot was happening, Rita almost never comments on any activities... probably because there wasn't even radio communication yet.  Still she may have been aware, but just didn't write such things in her journal.

Judy's Entry: Monday, Jan 31, 2011
Went out this morning to get Mom's watch fixed.  Bought her several puzzles on sale.  Came out of the mall and my car had a flat tire.  Of course I forgot my cell phone, but I borrowed one from a nice young woman and called AAA.  They sent someone to change tire and I dropped off the flat one at Tireman.  Went grocery shopping because the storm coming may last several days.  Practiced piano.  Mom made a pie.

TODAY:  Just like Rita, I don't comment on many world events in the journal entry, but this is a very monumental time in world history.  Another revolution is occuring in Egypt (I think there was one in 1919 too).  The U. S. has a dilemma because we have supported the "president" and his police state for 30 years, and yet the people there want freedom and that is the basis of our country!  I think sometimes the moral thing must trump the political.

Entries for January 20 - 1911 and 2011

Rita's Entry: Monday, Jan 30, 1911
Took lesson.  Got along beautifully.  My concerto won't do -- is an American Edition.  Felt bum.  Practiced.  After dinner Mr. & Mrs. S. went out.  Who should come but Harry Faerber.  Stopped off between trains.  Dee-lighted!

IN RITA'S DAY:  Popular classical music that was published in 1911 is listed below.  Could the concerto Rita bought be the one by Nielsen?  It may be a coincidence because when I went to the Philharmonic yesterday, the final symphony on the program was by Nielsen (The four temperments).  I liked it very much and had never heard of him.  He was Danish.

• Joseph Achron - Hebrew Melody
• Frank Bridge - The Sea
• George Butterworth - Two English Idylls
• Frederick Delius - Summer Night on the River
• Reinhold Glière - Symphony No. 3 Ilya Murometz (completed)
• Enrique Granados - Goyescas
• Gustav Holst - Second Suite for Military Band in F
• Charles Ives - Requiem S. 333
• Nikolai Medtner - Sonata for Piano in E minor, Op. 25 no 2 "Night Wind"
• Nikolai Myaskovsky - Sinfonietta in A and Symphony No. 2 completed, Cello Sonata No. 1 (later revised in 1945) written.
• Carl Nielsen - Concerto for violin and orchestra
• Arnold Schoenberg - Sechs Kleine Klavierstücke
• Aleksandr Scriabin - Piano Sonata No. 6, Piano Sonata No. 7 written
• Igor Stravinsky - Petrushka
• Ethel Smyth - March of the Women

Judy's Entry: Sunday, Jan 30, 2011
After church, got bundled up and went out to shovel off the deck.  The snow was deep because I haven't cleared it since the first storm.  Since we are supposed to get even more bad weather on Tuesday AND Wednesday, I thought I'd better clean it off.  It exhausted me (or as Rita would say: "I was all in").  Mom made cookies and we did our art homework, which was taking a small object and drawing it 10 times larger.  I did a push pin.

TODAY: The concerto Rita bought cost her 50 cents, which was significant.  You would think it would be at least several dollars today, but you can actually download these old concertos for free because they are in the public domain.  The Internet is an amazing thing that has changed things so much in just the last decade.

Entries for January 29 - 1911 and 2011

Rita's Entry: Sunday, Jan 29, 1911
Went to Wellington Ave. Congregational Church.  Nice to us.  Enjoyed ourselves.  Wrote letters.  At 4 went over to Church of New Jerusalem to see Rachel, Laura and Joe.  Read, wrote, played.

IN RITA'S DAY:  The Wellington Ave Church was built in 1910.  The first service in the new building was held in January of 1911 and was conducted in the room labelled Assembly and Sunday School Room.  This room was also used for theatrical performances.  The main sanctuary was used first in October of 1911 and by that time, Rita had graduated and was back in Iowa.

TODAY:  The church is now the Wellington Ave United Church of Christ and the room where Rita attended a service has been named Baird Hall and is the home to Timeline Theater group.   In 2010 they celebrated the 100 years of the church.

Judy's Entry: Saturday, Jan 29, 2011

Mom and I went to our drawing class for several hours this morning.  Class looks like it is going to be a good, interesting group of people.  After class we went shopping and stopped at McDonald's for salads.  In the afternoon, went to the library and practiced the piano.  Did a little work on art class homework. 

Entries for January 28 - 1911 and 2011

Rita's Entry: Saturday, Jan 28, 1911
Exam in music history so I didn't go down town at all.  Practiced, got harmony, wrote home, amused Fran, etc.  Al and F. Z. came about 7:30 (7?).  We hadn't fussed up because we tho't we were going to the Hippodrome.  Instead saw Forbes-Robertson in "The Passing of the Third Floor Back" at the Garrick.  Sorry, for it was a fine chance to wear our good clothes.  Nice time.



Forbes-Robinson in silent film of stage play



IN RITA'S DAY:  Going to the Hippodrome was going to a vaudeville production and not as classy as going to see a stage play at the Garrick Theater.  Forbes-Robinson was quite famous in his day.  G.B.Shaw thought Forbes-Robinson portrayed Hamlet better than anyone.  In the play Rita saw, it seems that he was supposed to be a Christ figure, but at the time dealing with such a religious figure was something producers had to be very careful about.

Judy's Entry: Friday, Jan 28, 2011

Busy day.  Daughter was home so it was great to have some time to talk.  Made lunch then after got ready to go to the city to hear the NY Philharmonic.  Diane drove as usual and we found good, cheap parking.  Then walked 6 or 7 blocks to find the restaurant - a great Jewish deli named Fine and Schapiro.  Walking was sloppy.  Every corner had huge puddles of melted snow.  At least one third of the cars parked on the street were still buried in snow.  Garbage is starting to pile up, but still Lincoln Center was beautiful with the snow and trees covered in lights.  I enjoyed the two symphonies, one by Beethoven and the other by Nielson very much.  I could have done without the soprano in the middle.  Still, a most enjoyable evening.

Alan Gilbert directing the NY Philharmonic

TODAY: People really don't dress for concerts like the used to.  For example, Diane was wearing jeans and I was wearing the same shoes that I wore for snowshoeing.  Of course, the record breaking snow caused some of it. We did wear our necklaces and pins.  Alan Gilbert is a new director but he was great.  I read somewhere he will be making over a million  a year.  Probably worth it if he can bring back the audience.

Entries for January 27 - 1911 and 2011

Rita's Entry: Friday, Jan 27, 1911
Home all day.  Practiced lots.  Slept a little Tin out to Helen's to study for exam.  Stayed for dinner.  I helped Fran dress for West Side dance with Joe.  Sherwood Scheeler here for dinner.  Mr & Mrs. S, Sherwood and I played whist till 11:30!  Fran home before we got to bed.

A whist marker made at the end of the 19th century

IN RITA'S DAY: Whist was extremely popular.  Not surprising that people would play all evening.

Judy's Entry: Thursday, January 27, 2011

Got over a foot of snow.  Fortunately, it stopped early in the morning and my son helped me shovel since he didn't have school.  Went to play Mah Jongg and thought of how Rita and her friends played Whist all evening.  We could all play MJ a long time, but I left first since my daughter is to spend the night tonight.



TODAY:  Whist, like many games, is played online.  I don't know anything about it, but maybe it is more popular in other countries rather than the US.  Above is a German version.





Entries for January 26 - 1911 and 2011

Rita's Entry: Thursday, Jan 26, 1911
Harmony at 10.  Lesson about 11:45.  Played bum, but guess I'm getting along O.K.  Practiced.  Letters From Marge McC and Mother and Dad.  After dinner Fran and I took a walk.  Then she made a hat and I wrote to H.E.B.  Much gossip.  Tin cramming for an exam.

IN RITA'S DAY:  I am interested by some of the slang Rita uses in her diary.  She writes that she "played bum" which  is an expression not used that way today.  I found that the slang term "the bum's rush" was first used around 1910, and the phrase "I've got your number" became very popular around the same time, maybe partly because of the song (see above)...or maybe the song was written because the phrase was popular.  The other day in her entry, Rita wrote "O you tooth" (at least that is what it looks like).  I can't figure out what that means.

Judy's Entry: Wednesday, Jan 26, 2011
Theweather this morning was okay and I got some things to make soup.  Made a nice chicken vegetable soup.  Then the snow started.  No piano lesson today.  My daughter almost got into a crash going to work.  Her office called her cell to tell her that her patients cancelled, but she was already stuck on the roads. I'm getting a little cabin fever.  Glad to have Netflix.

TODAY:  Today instead of saying "Played bum" we might say "My playing sucked."  Another slang term now is saying "my bad" meaning "it is my fault."  The street slang for police right now is "po-po" and my 88 year old mother has gotten in the habit of saying it although the other day she said "poo-poo" instead!

Entries for January 25, 1911 and 2011

Rita's Entry: Wednesday Jan 25, 1911

Went down with Fran at 9 for orchestra.  Instead of going there, went with Fran to Art Institute.  Took in the whole school.  Met Lucina.  Very nice.  Practiced all afternoon.  Got harmony after dinner.  Read.





IN RITA'S DAY:  The Art Institute of Chicago started in 1879 and moved to its present location in 1893.  In 1911 Rita's friend, Fran, studied there while Rita (and I think Tin) went to Chicago Musical College.  When I knew my grandmother, she had several things that Fran painted, including the charming watercolor sketches above.   I feel I am very lucky to have them.

Judy's Entry: Tuesday, January 25, 2011

I couldn't believe that there was enough snow this morning to cancel schools in the area.  More is forecast for tomorrow and into Thursday.  Went to the dentist for 3 month cleaning.  The State of the Union is tonight and I am interested in seeing what Obama has to say.  I think he is doing what he thinks is the best for the country.  We'll see.

TODAY:  The Art Institute of Chicago is in the same location but now has a separate school and a new modern wing.  The exhibit right now is of watercolor artist John Marin.  Much different than Fran's watercolors! (see below)