Tuesday, November 30, 1915
(cold and snowy)
Oy, Dear Diary. Another newspaper and more loss of life. The Russians have captured 10,000 people in Serbia.
Wednesday, December 8, 1915
It is cold out and there was a heavy snowfall last night, but the soldiers are still forcing our men out into the woods. This is so unfair! They do not have proper boots or gloves for this kind of weather. Why is it that the soldiers are dressed warmly and our men are not? I don’t think
Later
I am sitting in the hospital, beside Stefan’s bed. He has finally got to sleep. This is what happened, and why I had to stop my writing and run:
It was so cold this morning that Stefan’s hands were frozen clumsy. His saw slipped and gashed his leg wide open. The men carried him back. The doctor here often refuses to treat prisoners, because he thinks they come in to complain as a way of getting out of work, but when he saw Stefan’s leg he knew that Stefan truly needed a doctor.
Thursday, December 9, 1915
at the hospital
Tato has carved me a crochet hook and Baba has shown me how to use it. I have unravelled a blanket that was ruined in the fire and I am using that for yarn. I am crocheting a pair of gloves for Stefan while he dozes. When he wakes, we talk. Sometimes I read him the newspaper.
While I am sad that Stefan has been injured and must stay in the hospital, in some ways I am glad. He has a chance to rest and they give him more food. Also, the doctor found out that he isn’t as old as everyone thinks, so when he gets out of the hospital, he doesn’t have to go back to the woods. Stefan says he wants to stay with his father. The doctor says that this is not a good idea. He says that he could find him a job here. I would love it if that happened.
Friday, December 10, 1915
Dear Diary, Stefan’s leg still looks very bad. I read him some articles in one of the newspapers that the doctor has in the hospital. It is from last Saturday. It says that the army has left Lviv, Galicia, because there is “scurvy” there. The doctor says that scurvy is an illness that happens when people don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables.
Sunday, December 12, 1915, morning
The priest from Amos came and said a Mass right in the hospital so that Stefan could attend. Stefan’s mama and my mama and other prisoners came to hear Mass too. I didn’t notice until after that Stefan was the only male! He told me later that he wouldn’t have gone if he had a choice. Why is it that men don’t like to go to church?
Wednesday, December 15, 1915
Stefan is feeling better and can get up and walk around. His leg still looks bad but he says it doesn’t hurt as much. I taught him that card and number game that Mykola thought up and Stefan enjoys playing it. Since he has been in the hospital, we have had a good chance to talk. You know what, Dear Diary? He said that he liked me from the very first time that he saw me. He asked me if I felt the same way and I said no and it is true. I did not like Stefan for a long time, but now he is very dear to me.
Sunday, December 19, 1915
St. Nicholas Day
Dear Diary, is it silly of me to admit that even though I am a prisoner, this is the best St. Nicholas Day that I can remember? My family is all together and we are safe. Stefan is out of the hospital and he is not limping much. His father insisted that he take the job the doctor found for him so he is working as a cleaner in the hospital and this is much safer and warmer than going out into the woods. I just wish Tato and Mr. Pemlych could be given safe jobs too.
I am also happy because I have managed to make a gift for each and every friend and loved one. Here is what I have given:
Mama — a crocheted scarf
Baba — same
Tato — crocheted gloves to wear under his mittens when he works
Mykola — a shirt with embroidered edging
Slava — a blouse with embroidered edging
Stefan — I made him a pair of gloves but he gave them to his father, so I made him another shirt, this one with a bit of embroidery. He loves it.
Mary — an embroidered handkerchief
I also gave an embroidered handkerchief to Private Palmer.
In case you are wondering where I got all the cloth to make these gifts, remember how the Commandant wanted an embroidered handkerchief? Instead of being paid in money, I asked for an extra length of cloth. Mama made the coloured embroidery threads for me with her dyes and of course the gloves were made with the wool I got from the burned blankets.
I have something very special for my Pikogan ladies. I hope I see them soon.
Later
In all the excitement of telling you what I gave to others, I forgot to tell you what I was given! Tato did some extra carving on my dollhouse and he also made more furniture for it. Mama gave me a beautiful embroidered nightgown from her hope chest and Baba gave me the silver spoon that has been in our family forever. I was so surprised by that. I am thankful that the soldiers haven’t found out. I have hidden it in a safe place. From the gifts, I can tell that Tato wants me to stay a little girl, while Mama and Baba see that I am almost a woman.
Stefan amazed me with his gift. It is a woven bead bracelet with a leather tie strap. When did he learn how to bead weave and when did he find the time to make it? I shall cherish it always.
The biggest surprise was a box that arrived for Mama from Mrs. Haggarty. It was filled with used clothing and winter boots. There was also a box of chocolates. Here is what the Christmas card said:
Dear Mrs. Soloniuk,
It seems rather silly of me to be wishing you a Merry Christmas, considering the present circumstances, but please know that I do think frequently of you and your family. My fondest wish is that your freedom be obtained quickly.
God Bless.
Mrs. Albert Haggarty
What the letter means without those big words is “have a Merry Christmas and come home soon!” I think Mrs. Haggarty is very smart to be able to find words that the censor doesn’t black out.
Saturday, December 25, 1915
Today is Canadian Christmas and so our men were given today and tomorrow off. This is the longest holiday that they have had since we got here. Mykola wanted to build a snowman but it is so cold that you can’t even build a snowball! We are all staying inside.
Monday, December 27, 1915
Dear Diary, we were given old newspapers again and the headline story is very scary. The Germans were planning on blowing up the Welland Canal! This is in Canada. The newspaper says it was German spies living in Canada and the United States who planned this. I am hoping that the government doesn’t blame this on us again.
Private Palmer told me that the soldiers don’t get us confused with Germans, only Austrians. He said that there are some actual Germans who are prisoners of war in Canada, but that they are treated better than we are. They have good food and they do not have to work. In fact, some of them have brought servants to wait on them inside their camps! I guess they are treated better because they have more money. It doesn’t seem fair.