Thelma and Lowell's Diary: September 1, 1943
She beats him at ping-pong; FDR hosts the Churchills at the White House
Thelma had an ordinary day of housewifery, washing clothes and sewing. When Lowell returned in the evening, they played ping-pong. It’s unclear where they set up this game — possibly in their own apartment. She wrote that they used “cracked ping pong balls, odd table boards, old paddle but sure had fun.” Best of all, she won! “Ha!” This vintage paddle and box of uncracked balls is being offered by a dealer on eBay. With a home ping pong — or more properly called table tennis set — you could turn any long table into a playing court.
FDR, flying solo while his wife Eleanor toured military bases in the Pacific, fetched British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, his wife Clementine, and daughter Mary from the train station and brought them to the White House. To read on, you’ll need to be a paid subscriber. It costs just $5 a month, and there’s no better time to begin than now, the first day of the month! Click below to upgrade.
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