Monday, December 23, 1968

Up about 7:40. Shaved, breakfast. As soon as we could get ready, we left for Ipswich to see Pamela van Twuyver + take baby gifts to her. We got to her place about 9:20. We had about a half hour visit—then headed for the big Sears store in Saugus. Did Xmas shopping. A tiring morning. We got back home around 2. Ate lunch, I relaxed a few minutes; a little after 3 we turned on the TV and saw the live television pictures from Apollo 8 of Earth as seen from c. 200,000 miles away. We all went over to Busseys, took the cat over to stay with them while we’re gone. I went to see Mrs. Martin in the nursing home. Picked up Bonnie, went home. Did some desk work, helped fix supper; had to be off to the church at about 7 for the Sunday School Xmas program. Home about 8:15. Alan Frederick + his lady friend from England came over for the evening; left after 11; desk work; bathed. Off to bed at 1:05.

Tuesday, December 24, 1968 

Christmas Eve.            Debby’s misfortune                           Apollo 8 orbiting moon

Not a very happy Christmas Eve: Bonnie tripped with Debby walking up the stairs at church. Debby’s head hit the stair, she got a concusion. We took her to the hospital, where the doctor examined her. At this hour (2:00 AM) apparently everything is going well and we’ll be able to get her in the morning. We had to postpone going to Avon until the morning. What a climax to a hectic day. We got up at 9:30 today—phone call got us up. Took down Xmas tree, breakfast, many errands + odds + ends to tend to: went to the dump, visited Patiences + Hannibals. Had to prepare the service for the evening; had to get the car ready. After supper did some packing of the car—had to give some attention to putting my study in order. Left for church around 7:30. Got all the candles lit; had a nice crowd—maybe 50 to 60. After the rush to the hospital + our stay there, we came back to the Lords for a while; home again; Bonnie sewed, I worked at my desk. At 1 AM watched Apollo 8 program; they’re heading back to earth; bathed; lights out at 2:15.

Wednesday, December 25, 1968

Christmas Day            Called Malaysia

Up about 8:30 or 45. Finished packing the car, changed wayside pulpit—picked up robe + brief case at the church—call from Dr. Kline about 9:30, telling us to come + get Debby. We had a small breakfast with the Lords and then went to the hospital; Debby had to have some blood work done, so we couldn’t go immediately. We finally left about 11 o’clock and headed for Avon. We arrived here about 12:20. We had a large Christmas dinner. About 2 I decided to take a nap. Didn’t get up til around 5. We had a small supper shortly thereafter. Watched CBS evening news. Started trying to place a call to Bonnie’s folks. We finally got through about 8:30. Bonnie did the talking—we held it to about 3 minutes—ran slightly over. Evening spent goofing off—playing scrabble + cards. Watched the 11 o’clock news. Off to bed. Debby seems her normal self; laughing and playing. Off for Indiana tomorrow; lights out about 12.

Thursday, December 26, 1968

Up about 8:30, eager to get started for Indiana; but that was not to be. We had breakfast, got the car loaded—but it wouldn’t start. Temperature only – 9º (below 0º!) I ruined the starter motor. Emil pushed me down the hill, tried to start, but no luck; pulled into service station. They set to work on the battery at 10:10 – at 11:15 they told us (on phone) that it wouldn’t be ready til afternoon; in afternoon we found out that it won’t be ready til tomorrow. We went to the VW place for parts. This delay was our main preoccupation today; when not attending to it, we were here at Grandma’s playing cards + goofing off. She + Emil took us out to eat—then we went shopping; arrived home, watched TV, played cards, watched more TV. A very leisurely day, but also frustrating. We had planned to be in Ohio by tonight. We’ve had a chance for a long visit here; car to be ready by noon tomorrow. Bathed around 10. Off to bed ISN—watched weather report—lights out around 11:20.

Friday, December 27, 1968

Up about 8:30. Had a big breakfast. About 10 the garage called—the car was ready. While I shaved, Bonnie walked down + picked it up. By 10:40 we were all loaded up and on the road—just about 2 days behind schedule. The roads were dry and clear. I drove all the way to the Stoners in Schenectady. We arrived there at 2:30—200 miles from Avon. We had lunch + visited with them. We were on the road again at 3:55.  Bonnie drove the next 170 miles. We changed drivers so that she could nurse Debby. We changed about 100 miles east of Buffalo. The road conditions deteriorated. Snow, then sleet. Windshield was icing up badly. About 50 miles from Buffalo we stopped for supper shortly after 9. Fed Debby too. Back on the road a little after 9:30. Road slowly improved. Stopped for the night just inside Penn. Bathed; off to bed ISN—by about 1 AM.

Saturday, December 28, 1968

Up about 8:15 – 8:30. Our rest was disturbed by other guests at the motel getting up + leaving. But we were rested. Started right off without breakfast—on the road by 9:05. We were able to bypass Cleveland; took 270 (?) to turnpike to 71 to Columbus. We ate lunch just before getting on turnpike. It was mild when we got up; from Cleveland to Columbus went through several rain-squalls. I drove to within about 45 miles of Columbus then Bonnie took over. We ran into snow in Columbus. Weather worsened as we made progress westward. After we got back on interstate (rt.70) I drove again—on into Centerville. Wind was terrific and slowed us considerably. We arrived there in Centerville about 6. Debby was in a good mood and charmed her great grandparents. Grandpa will be 94 next month. After supper I napped. Got up about 9:30. Visited; watched news. Off to bed. – at 12.

Sunday, December 29, 1968

Up around 8 or 8:30. Breakfast. Didn’t do much in the morning. Just sat around, watched some TV. Didn’t go to church. The old folks are avoiding crowds to avoid getting the flu—so none of us went to church. We had lunch about noon, then I napped briefly. We then went over to the Arboretum in Richmond. First we dropped in to Marthas + Chick’s house. Grandpa was with us—Debby went to[o]. Chick gave us a tour of the arboretum and the small museum on the place—very interesting. We left there about four—came back on to Centerville. Martha + Chick arrived for supper around 6. After supper we showed our slides from the last four years. They went home about 9. Paul called during the evening; they’ll be in Lafayette tomorrow. Watched TV after Martha + Chick left; bathed; off to bed at 12:40.

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by David Madison and Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/05/11/davids-diary-december-23-1968/