Paddling your Own Canoe

Here is another look into my autograph book collection. This one belonged to Alice Irene Renwick from Merlin, Ontario Canada. She went to the Merlin Continuation School. The book dates from Oct. 21, 1929 which I discovered was Alice's birthday. She was 16 years old at this time. Her parents were David and Jeanette Fraser Renwick. You'll be able to tell right away that times had changed from the earlier more formal and proper Victorian entries. These are more playful, casual and definitely more risqué. Alice wrote in the beginning;

School mates, friends, companions dear,
All your names are welcome here,
And all who love me I invite
In this book to write-


 My favorite has to be the following;

        In the parlor there were three,
        He, the parlor lamp and she.
        Two's company without a doubt,
        So the parlor lamp went out.
                      Olive Armstrong


When you are married
and mending britches
Think of me between
the stitches.
 Your pal- Gladys Graham


When you get a husband
And he is a clipper
Just make him acquainted
with the toe of your slipper.
  Your classmate-Manon G.

They were also fond of little one liners;

Yours till Lake Erie wears brown derbies instead of white caps.

Yours till horse's neck.

Yours till the side walks.

Of course there were still some that were sentimental;

        Friendship is a silver cord,
        which binds two friends together.
        And if this cord we never break
        We shall be friends forever.
              Lois Trevaskis

A teacher Margaret V. Skene wrote;

          Cultivate beautiful things, beautiful thoughts, beautiful deeds, beautiful surroundings.


I love the more independent and feminist spirit of the time.

Love many
Trust few
Always paddle
Your own canoe.

Your friend, Nancy