All posts by Shanna Vicker

About Shanna Vicker

I was lucky enough to be a part of my Grandmother Elizabeth Carsey's last 40 years. We played countless card games, read books, played dress-up and many other games at her house. My family spent almost every holiday with her and Grandpa (until his death in 1985.) She was loved by the entire neighborhood and was often referred to as the Neighborhood Grandma. I held a special pride in the fact that I could call her mine! Through her simplicity, she taught me the basics of life and the things which make you happy. Love your family, your church and music. The only thing worth crying over is beautiful music. And above all else, approach life with a sense of humor. I have done my best to live up to her expectations and pass those lessons onto my children.

Thursday March 14, 1935

(This is an entry from the journal entitled Mexico Summer written by Elizabeth Lancaster Carsey 80-years-ago.  Click here to read more)

Ty-Ty ate lunch with us all three meals – met Lenore Shaffer   Mrs. Martens called in the P.M. and invited us for Sunday evening.  I had to go to choir practice but Ty-Ty and I walked around afterwards – How we ever talked!  I left practice early and it was 9 o-clock then!

Wednesday March 13, 1935

(This is an entry from the journal entitled Mexico Summer written by Elizabeth Lancaster Carsey 80-years-ago.  Click here to read more)

Ty-Ty came in from Van Horn about 7:00 P.M. with Harry Mulroy! What a grand surprise!  I was expecting her some time this week-end but not before Thursday.  She ate supper at Mrs. Grady’s – Mrs. G is treating me for my cold!

Here’s what else was happening 80-years-ago today:

El Paso Herald Post El Paso, TX March 13, 1935
El Paso Herald Post El Paso, TX March 13, 1935 

The Mississippi is flooding, Bombs are on the streets in Havana and the Greeks may turn to a firing squad to control riots.

Clovis News Journal Clovis. NM March 13, 1935
Clovis News Journal Clovis. NM March 13, 1935
Albuquerque Journal Albuquerque, NM March 13, 1935
Albuquerque Journal Albuquerque, NM March 13, 1935

Tuesday March 12, 1935

(This is an entry from the journal entitled Mexico Summer written by Elizabeth Lancaster Carsey 80-years-ago.  Click here to read more)

Saw “We Live Again” with Alyce Claire and Betty Johnson.  I liked it but I think they didn’t.  Anna Sten and Frederick March played in it. It was a story of Russian peasants and nobles.  I seem to be getting a cold so Mrs. Grady doped me up grandly. Hope it works!  God a bulletin from English School at Middleburg College – Wrote asking them about the Spanish School!  Wrote to Ty-Ty, Jonathon.

 

Here’s what else is happening 80-years-ago today:

Cotton takes a roller coaster ride.

The Waco News Tribune Waco,, TX March 12, 1935
The Waco News Tribune Waco,, TX March 12, 1935

Louisiana Governor Huey P. Long, AKA The Kingfish addressed the nation via the radio in his famous ‘Share the Wealth‘ speech.

Monday March 11, 1935

(This is an entry from the journal entitled Mexico Summer written by Elizabeth Lancaster Carsey 80-years-ago.  Click here to read more)

Mr. Little had wanted me to translate some legal material into Spanish. I found several expressions that I didn’t know, so he said he’d get David Calderon to do it.  Went to the band room and school orchestra concert with Joyce Grady. Alyce Claire had a date with Mr. Akin.  The concert was very good.  Excellent! Should have gone to see Mrs. Tom Parker about making my dresses – Mailed a letter to Carsey.

Here’s what else was happening 80-years-ago today:

A new Time Magazine with Frank Hogan on the cover.

On March 11, 1935 Hitler introduced military conscription in Germany. Serial killer Albert Fish enters and insanity plea, claiming voices from god told him to kill children.   It’s snowing in the plain’s and Havana is deserted after a weekend of fighting.

Clovis Evening News Journal Clovis, NM March 11, 1935
Clovis Evening News Journal Clovis, NM March 11, 1935

 

Sunday March 10, 1935

(This is an entry from the journal entitled Mexico Summer written by Elizabeth Lancaster Carsey 80-years-ago.  Click here to read more)

The Anthem was good. “Hark, Hark, My Soul.”  However the preliminaries were so long that there was only 10 minutes left for the sermon.  “Young people have charge of the evening service-  Dinner at Gladys Palmer’s again.  They surely have been lovely to us.  At four, we went to Harriet Poorbaugh’s recital. She sang so well! Quite a few people there.  Letter from Ty-Ty.  Her coming unsettled yet.

Here’s what else was happening 80-years-ago today:

California is freezing today.

Nevada State Journal Reno, NV March 10, 1935
Nevada State Journal Reno, NV March 10, 1935

Boxing. Max Schmeling vs Steve Hamas (2nd meeting). Mar. 10, 1935. Hanseatenhalle, Hamburg, Germany.

Saturday March 9, 1935

(This is an entry from the journal entitled Mexico Summer written by Elizabeth Lancaster Carsey 80-years-ago.  Click here to read more)

Spoke at the meeting of Cruz Azul Mexicana at the Catholic School Building (Mexican) Goodly crowd, too.  Told them little, but played for Ms. Martens to sing – nine or ten other speakers, songs, and orchestra numbers. We were there from 8 to eleven! Lionel Melendez (in fact all the Melendez seem to take part) played in the orchestra, also Moses Melendez. Daniel Franco was there too.  Mr and Mrs. Warren Cabean were there, he spoke, too – extemporaneously! I like the way the Mexicans have of elaborating grandly, using grand surrounding words and gestures.

Here’s what else was happening 80-years-ago today:

Adolph Hitler announces the creation of a new air force and a military draft. Both are violations of the Treaty of Versailles.  

 

Friday March 8, 1935

(This is an entry from the journal entitled Mexico Summer written by Elizabeth Lancaster Carsey 80-years-ago.  Click here to read more)

Klyng still out – Velma ate lunch with us – I was invited to a weinier roast with about 40 of those 9th graders but I had to refuse.  I don’t like to leave Alyce Claire much nowadays – And besides I feel that I have to do something with the talk of the Cruz Azul ( Mexican Red Cross) Mrs. Martens asked me to tell them something of my trip last summer.  I don’t know what to say. There is so much of that summer that is not easily expressed. Can take the pictures that I have. That will help. Nellie Monroe came over for the first time this year though she has tried to make a date – Betty came to while her folk went to “When a Man’s a Man”  Hardly any work done on the “speech”

Here’s what else was happening 80-years-ago today:

hachikou

Sadly, Hachiko the dog dies.  He is the Akita that faithfully waited for his master every day in Japan for 10 years after his death.  A film was made about the story and a statue stands in his tribute.

Malcolm Campbell drives a car over 300 mph for the first time in Daytona Beach, Florida.

malcolm campbell

Thursday March 7, 1935

(This is an entry from the journal entitled Mexico Summer written by Elizabeth Lancaster Carsey 80-years-ago.  Click here to read more)

Glorious Day!  The rest of Ty-Ty’s letter came with another shirt from her and a letter from dad, and one from Carsey!  The nicest, newsiest one from him at all. Surely made my day a good one!

 Saw “One Night of Love” last night and thought it beautiful – Grace Moore’s voice is supreme.  Alyce Claire’s grief is terrible.  I wish I knew what to do for her or to say to her.  I feel quite inadequate! United with Velma today – She substituted for Charlotte Klyng who has tonsillitis.

 

carsey letter 2

March 3, 1935

Dear Elizabeth,

I read with considerable interest you plans for the summer.  I am also wondering what I am to do with myself.  Do you still entertain any idea of going to Mexico City?  The nearer summer comes the more alluring the thought becomes — a cool shower in the early afternoon, complete absence of any sweltering weather, all those sights I failed to see last summer, an all-night dance at the Regis, or a long bull session at unconventional hours with some exotic personality like Dignotty or Pizarello Von Helmsburg.   I have too many conflicting desires, ambitions and all of them cannot be satisfied.  I have probably expatiated to you before my outlook with Humble.  Brother Ben suggests that I take the University of Texas course in field geology this summer and he will see that I get a job as a junior geologist in the fall. What would you do if you were in my place?

No I can’t say that I have wanted either La Mendicidad or the songs.  Singing Spanish songs in class more or less died when Manuel Morales quit school.  Durham didn’t treat him too well because he was a Mexican, and of course, they are naturally indolent as a race.  But I surely do miss him in class. 

The excitement of the week has been debate.  I am the high school coach.  The subject is resolved: That the Electric light utilities should be owned and operated by the government.  For a girls team I selected Mary Jo and Minna Boyd; for boys I have Bill McVay & D.C. Moore.  We debated Sierra Blanca Friday night at Sierra Blanca and had the return debate with them last night.  They (Sierra Blanca) have a huge girl with a ghostly appearance because of excess powder that comes just before Mary Jo.  It certainly is a contrast (and a relief) to hear Mary Jo’s voice after listening to the high squeaky voice especially since Sierra Blanca’s coach has allowed them to memorize their speeches.  I am to take all four of them to Ft. Hancock to judge a debate there tomorrow. 

Speaking of shows I missed a good show last week.  The Plaza in El Paso had on Tolstoy’s We Live Again or was original Resurrection?  I would very much liked to have seen it. 

On the way to the school this afternoon I saw Jaime at Mr. Espie’s house changing some sort of wiring.  I stopped long enough to find that he has to go to some sort of propaganda meeting of the light company tonight.   It would not be advisable to quote him verbatim in this letter on the subject.   Jaime and I are planning another jaunt to El Paso when you come back — possibly on the date that Diantha (?) and Harold leave for California.  When do you get out of school? It is almost incredible that I have nothing saved for the summer as yet!

Do you still study Spanish?  I notice that the Spanish you included at the end of the letter was grammatically without flaw. And, or course,  you still play the pipe organ and piano.  Could you believe it?  Jaime and I have aroused new (or latent) interest in playing the piano.  I have been struggling religiously with a few easy and worn-out classial pieces as the Minuet by Paderewski and Anitras Dance while Jaime  plays the doleful strains of Handel’s ‘Largo’ from Xerxes .  What are you reading?  I have been absorbed in poetry and have discovered some rich poetry and new poets.  Are you familiar with Ogden Nash’s Poetry (?)? Let me quote:

       Here I sit in my office at 244 Madison Avenue

       And I say to myself You’v got a responsible job havenue?

But you ought to read his poem on Columbus called O Christopher look what you’v done.  For more elevating poetry I like the Jewess Nathalia Crane. 

I must close this interminable line sometime,   Dont think this thin sheet an economy measure.  Mr. Oliver came in the office and locked up the bookcase holding the other stationary. — I found a new (to me) song Spanish I liked called Farolito are you familiar with it?

c                                                                                                                                                                                           a                                                                                                                                                                                           r                                                                                                                                                                                           s                                                                                                                                                                                           e                                                                                                                                                                                           y

 

 

 

 

Wednesday March 6, 1935

(This is an entry from the journal entitled Mexico Summer written by Elizabeth Lancaster Carsey 80-years-ago.  Click here to read more)

Had an assembly today at 1:00. The Portales Junior College Glee Clubs gave us a good program – particularly the male quartet. I found out that a girl who talked to me before the program, and whom I couldn’t place, was the Miss Hodge who tutored the Marshall Children (Alyce Claire’s friends).  She knew Diantha at Cruces – Mrs. Wilmot called.

Here’s what else was happening 80-years-ago today:

Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr circa 1930-edit.jpgSupreme court justice Oliver Wendell Homes Jr. dies.

President Roosevelt leads the nation in prayer.

The Gallup Independent Gallup, NM March 6, 1935
The Gallup Independent Gallup, NM March 6, 1935

 

Tuesday March 5, 1935

(This is an entry from the journal entitled Mexico Summer written by Elizabeth Lancaster Carsey 80-years-ago.  Click here to read more)

Letter from Ty-Ty contains only the last third of the letter after I opened!

Here’s what else was happening 80-years-ago today:

A tornado claims two young lives in Texas and a miracle surgery is performed.

The Brownsville Herald Brownsville, TX March 5, 1935
The Brownsville Herald Brownsville, TX March 5, 1935