Jan. 30, 1945
We lie on the bed or sit on Daddy’s while he draws plans for our ideal house in Baguio or Shenandoah Valley. There is no food to prepare, no books to read, no strength for anything, so we all plan various futures, talk about the future and the past in order to forget the hunger and food and the monotony …
Dec. 25, 1944
The dancing and general excitement of the day, not to mention the pitiful overeating (if one can call it that), was too much for Bede. As the last tune died away and he was sure he would not miss any more, he went tearing past us through the kitchen, sending word back by his sister that “I lost it but …
November 30, 1944
Thanksgiving Day: breakfast was late by about an hour, but there was a beautiful yellow banana by each bowl of rice and in the cups was steaming coffee, and on the rice was a spoonful of sugar! Father Gowan, Carl, Art, and others took part in the Thanksgiving prayers and service. Bedie looked handsome in his sweater made from the …
November 27, 1944
Oura had a row with Carl yesterday, telling Carl this was Japanese soil and Carl retorted, “No, it isn’t—it’s American soil and if you wait long enough you’ll find out.” | appreciate close contact with June and Bedie now, watching them grow up and learn for the future. Soon they will be adult and away. These days together are too …
November 26, 1944
Jerry brought my Port Said pale topaz earrings and bracelet, asking if I minded exchanging them for food. I said no.I was giving them to June anyway and when I told her, she said she would rather eat them. Jerry said huskily he would make it up to her later but she won’t need jewels any more than I will after …
November 17, 1944
Minutes, with the Commandant, November 14: Mr. Yamato also present, but Miss McKim interpreting. “The Command asked us to proceed with the matters we had for discussion. First, we asked whether he had approved of the trip which we requested for two patients and two doctors to town hospital for X-rays. He said, ‘Yes, they can go—if they walk both …
November 12, 1944
The Committee ruled that camote water is community property and can no longer be boiled down into syrup exclusively for the kitchen staff. Jerry says it is an important point that the garbage from the guardhouse kitchen for forty guards has fattened their sow and six piglets, while the leftovers from garbage of 460 internces is not enough to feed …
November 11, 1944
Armistice Day, but a mockery a now. There was heavy fog which cleared suddenly and revealed glorious blue sky with soft clouds, golden sun, air as heady as wine, the mountains unmoved by all the beating of elements—etched sharp and clear in blue line against the sky, terraces washed clean showing green sprouts still growing, the ridges lovely in gray …
November 8, 1944
We hear that a limit of | pound each of peanuts has been imposed so that patients or healthy camp members cannot corner the market. Everyone is seen with bunches of onions given out by camp. They are fresh green bouquets tucked under arms. Jerry is so strained that he cannot bear an interruption—his voice shakes. We all lose track …