Monday, 27 October 1969

Up shortly after 8:30 after Θ. Today was largely devoted to Alan Federick—especially in the sense that I couldn’t get him out of my mind. After breakfast my first task was to write a long letter to Pat Harry—telling her everything. I tended to letter writing generally today. We had lunch about noon. And I was left to baby sit most of the day. Bonnie left about 1:40 for an appointment to have her ears pierced. Received phone call from Don McGaw about Alan. Finally late in the afternoon Alan himself called but he didn’t get to first base. I scolded him again—generally was pretty rough. Then spoke again to Margaret. Fixed supper, CBS news; Bonnie home about a half hour—she had community chorus rehearsal at 8:00. I did more desk work. Grew rather weary. Stopped to bathe about 10:40. OB read about Vermeer; LO 11:40.

Tuesday, 28 October 1969

Up about 8:00—called out of bed by the telephone—Alan Federick shouted that we had ruined two of his best shirts, then hung up. I had breakfast, went to the post office. Then slowly got to work on Hebrew; spoke to Margaret Rilley on the phone. Late in the morning had coffee with Bonnie and Cameron Sesto (+ little daughter Ezra). We had lunch about 1:00—after I’d napped briefly. Then I did more work on Hebrew. About 2:30 I started loading the car, and at 3:15 we left Rockport. Arrived in Avon after 5:30—72.2 miles to 31 Cedar Road, via 128. Relaxed after unloading the car. Had supper, watched CBS news and other TV—then got to work on Hebrew again. Then watched a few slides. All day have had Alan on my mind—would like to be able to forget him for a while. About 10:30 went to bed; read briefly in Vermeer book; LO 10:50.

Wednesday, 29 October 1969

Up about 8:30 or so. Had breakfast, then returned to my improvised study in the basement to finish my work for Hebrew seminar—typing. By the time I had finished the typing it was getting on toward lunch time. After eating and after shaving, Bonnie and I left for Boston, leaving Debbie in Avon with her great grandmother. We went directly to the Museum of Fine Arts. Saw the display of Rembrandt etchings—then several other things. We left about 3:00. Went to BU. I contacted Beck. While I had seminar from 4:00 to 6:00 Bonnie went book shopping—got several things. We chatted with Beck after class—he looked at our new car. We then left for Avon. Had supper upon our return. Evening spent in relaxation. I got a little reading done; from 10:00-11:00 I wrote a long letter home (Mother’s birthday on Sat.)  Then bathed, OBLO 11:40.

Thursday, 30 October 1969

Up shortly after 8:00; after eating helped Bonnie load the car, then we left Avon. We stopped in Calvert’s in Needham to do clothes shopping, then got back on 128 and headed home. Arrived at 17 Hale just about noon. Looked through the mail, had lunch. Then went to the Granite Bank. The check from Alan’s mother had come in. I had a bank check made out for the exact amount to Alan, then mailed it to him. The rest of the afternoon I spent preparing for Bible Class—reading in I Samuel. Also started Cross’s The Ancient Library of Qumran[1]—which I found in the mail. Also spoke with Margaret Rilley about Alan. Fixed supper—we ate when Bonnie got home about 7:15. Bible class arrived at 8:00; 5 in attendance besides Bonnie + myself. After this returned phone call from Margaret—more about Alan + Maria. Then read in Cross + Driver; bathed; OBLO, 11:47.

Friday, 31 October 1969

Up about 9:00 after Θ. Had breakfast, then began reading in preparation for my sermon. Read the article in IDB [2] on English version of the Bible. When the mail man came there was a letter from Uhlinger explaining that I am now a member of the N.E. conference—that Bishop Mueller had sent letter of transfer w/o Bishop Mathews’ request. So I took quite some time to write a long reply of explanation. This was done before and after lunch. I didn’t finish until about 4:00. Mrs. Paradis sat in the house (Debbie asleep; Bonnie at work) while I went to the post office. When I got back I looked at the newspaper, then got to work on my sermon. Then fixed supper, watched CBS news—had supper ready when Bonnie got home at 7:15. After supper got back to the sermon. Then played with Debbie, Bonnie went to Patriquins. I finished sermon; did bulletins, bathed; OB read in Cross’ book LO, 12:30.

Saturday, 1 November 1969

Mother’s birthday—64 years old—she should get my card and letter today. I got up shortly after 9:00. Immediately after breakfast, shaved. Then wrote a letter to Department of Antiquities in Jerusalem ordering 31 Qumran slides. Went to the post office, changed wayside pulpit. A good part of the day was spent getting my desk cleaned up. Also after lunch spent some time reading in Cross’ book. Late in the afternoon I tried to nap a while, without much success, but I was refreshed somewhat. Then I finally got to studying Aramaic—which I did til supper time. After supper (watched NBC news) got back to Aramaic—trying to do an extensive review; then about mid-evening turned to working on the service. But after finishing this, returned to Aramaic until about 11:00; stopped to bathe—back to Aramaic; OB, read in Cross. LO 12:20.

Sunday, 2 November 1969

Up shortly after 8:00. Had breakfast, shaved; my 2 pupils arrived at about 9:30. About 10:30 we adjourned—I went to the church; we celebrated Reformation Sunday—a week late. I preached on the Bible. Home by 12:30. Had lunch, then got to work on Aramaic by 1:30. Kept at it until shortly before 4:00, when I left for Gloucester. Meeting at the Wesley parsonage: Jim Bussey, Milton Fuller and the new Riverdale pastor—Rev. Delp (?). We discussed C.A.M.P. goals and purposes. The meeting concluded about 5:00. I came home, got back to Aramaic—then stretched out for a while—only half dozed. Then had supper. Left about 7:15 for Wesley Church for C.A.M.P. council meeting. This was over by 8:30. Home again—back to Aramaic. Stopped for a cup of coffee. This Aramaic review is proving helpful. Bathed about 11:00; then back to Aramaic; about 12:00 went to bed, read in Cross till 12:40 LO.

[1] That is, the Dead Sea Scrolls.

[2] Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible.

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by David Madison and Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/07/07/davids-diary-october-27-1969/