My constant companion, RQ-209s, captured many [seemingly] important as well as unimportant audio moments in the 1970’s. Below are a few. The tape must have been damaged, because every so often the sound was erased. Perhaps it was too close to a magnet or maybe it is just age.

The first part of the tape was a TV weather broadcast. I didn’t know why I would record a weatherman talking, but then remembered that in junior high we had a visit from one of the weathermen on a local TV station. I recorded his mention of the visit. (Kimball Tigers)

It’s interesting hearing this voice from nearly 40 years ago. Voices seemed different then. More full perhaps.

Listen to an unknown weatherman from nineteen seventy-something.

And here I am playing Silent Night [poorly] on my green electric organ.

Here is a card game. I think my dad was losing and being nasty about it, but it is hard to understand in many spots. It’s neat hearing my Aunt Ginny and grandparents. I wonder if anyone knew they were being taped.

I like this one - Kevin comes in from outside and I taunt him. I threaten him, but we end up laughing. I think he has another friend in the house too. The cat also has a word or two to say.

This next sound bite is part of a call-in radio broadcast centering on the firing of Elgin’s police chief whose name was Hanson. I don’t remember it at all. The speaker seems to be the city manager. Mayor at the time was William Rauschenberger. My parents either strongly liked him or strongly didn’t like him. I think my mom must have taped this.

This next is someone singing — but I don’t know who it was. I’m sure it wasn’t me. I cannot carry a note. My mom might have done this, but I don’t think she would sound that good. It might have been my grandmother, but I don’t know why she would do this on my tape recorder.

Here’s a little bit from WLS, my preferred radio station at the time. I wish I had not ruined it at the end with the beep beep beep noises.

My cat, Cinder, was part Siamese. She howled like one. My first landlord thought I was hiding a baby in the apartment.

Listen to Cinder howl.

Finally, I don’t know whether this last sound bite is funny or depressing. I certainally sounded depressed at first - mostly because I knew this tape was not a very good birthday gift and was upset with myself that I didn’t make more of an effort to get him something. It ends ok, with my brother and me collaborating, but is hard to understand in many spots.

Heading off to Elgin tomorrow afternoon. Parents again - but this time it is my husband’s family.

My mother-in-law passed away last night. My husband was there - he got to say his goodbyes - although he feels like it was more important that he was there in September when his mom was more lucid. She’d been “out of it” for a while. I’m glad he got to spend time with her then and that he was there last night. I’m also glad that my children saw her last when she was standing and able to give us all hugs goodbye. I really didn’t expect that hug to be the last one - I thought she’d be around for a while yet.

On this side of 50, I think about death a lot more than I did before. Not in a frightened way, just in a matter of fact kind of way, although I’d rather not think about it at all. It is amazing - and probably good - that young people don’t realize how short life really is - it is a rather depressing thought.

The kids and I spent the day getting ready for our trip. Andrew, who will be a pallbearer, wanted a black (as opposed to navy) suit for the funeral. He also needed shoes - he’d grown a couple of sizes from the last dress shoes we bought (two years ago).

We’re staying in a motel this trip. I felt it would be easier on everyone. My family would have the space and privacy to get ready for the ceremonies. We’d also be able to be together - something that was not easily done during the summer. It will be a little odd, staying in a motel in my hometown, but it is for the best.

The day mom comes back has finally arrived. I was sitting up here working this morning and the R.E.M song, Don’t Go Back to Rockville came on the radio. I had to laugh. Maybe the bedroom has grown accustomed to me and wants me to stick around.

The dishwasher repairman stopped by today and for $65 did nothing but make an appointment to come back. He was a nice guy, great with Dad - even after Dad yelled at me to not pay anything until the repairman came back and finished the job. Interesting - Dad was an appliance repairman for 40 some years. He should understand.

Dad survived a hot dog. I’ve been reluctant to buy him one after his near-death experience with a hamburger. But he likes them and I grew tired of cooking big meals a number of days ago. We’ve been eating leftovers. (well, I’ve been sneaking out…)

Went to the Elgin Public House last night with my sister-in-law, Carol, and then we stopped at the Martini Room. What is it about Elgin that makes it so much more friendly than Bethesda? Not that I go to bars in Bethesda much, but I’ve never been treated so kindly in that town as I was last night.