[Editor’s note: While previously posting a week’s worth of entries, going forward posts will be assembled based on word count. For example, if one day’s entry reaches 1,000 words then one day=one post. Otherwise, posts may be three to five days combined.]

Thursday, 1 January 1970

One of my first deeds of the new year was to wish Debbie Happy New Year when she came running into the bedroom as I was getting up—around 9:00. We took Debbie downstairs to introduce her to her new “gym”; she didn’t want anything to do with it at first, but after some breakfast she showed more interest, and began using the slide. After I had breakfast I took a leisurely bath, washed my hair; Dad was working on the coat rack in the front hall. I helped some on that too. And we took a few photos of Debbie playing on the gym. We all got ready to go, and left the house about 11:30. Drove to King’s Grant Motel in Danvers for the folks to make (by wire) motel reservations for their trip home. Then we drove back to Gloucester and had lunch at Captain Courageous restaurant. Returned home, continued work on the coast rack; about the middle of the afternoon I went to Gloucester to see one of Jim Bussey’s parishioners (Mrs. Stickney). The rest of the day I spent relaxing, working on coat rack, painted, had supper, scraped paint off window, glued chairs, watched football games (RSY’s desire), took photos of Mom + Sully. Headed for bed around 11:30. In the evening called Larry Carter re: when he and Marva are coming—they’ll spend part of Saturday with us. OBLO c. 12:20 Θ

Mother reports that John insists that the new decade doesn’t begin until next year—1971—which I also insisted with Bonnie—she disagrees. But in any case the 1970s do begin today; what kind of decade will it be? Some commentator has observed that in the 60’s we came to recognize + realize many of our problems + crises—and that we must move toward solution in the 1970’s. We can only hope—but with Nixon, Agnew + Mitchell, and their types—blind, insensitive, wrongheaded, guided by outmoded views of the world—hope might be in vain. I. F. Stone wonders if we will be a “free” nation in 1976. I do wonder what the quality of life will be then, and the mind-set of the American people. Will we fail because of a lack of great leadership; the problems are so massive, the need for great leaders so desperate—who will resist all simplistic and repressive solutions; racism, pollution, over-population, nuclear weapons—any of them can spell ruin and disaster if unchecked. We are now in the crisis period—lacking the leaders, and lacking the right popular mood—for overcoming the crises. I am afraid that the 70’s will be as frightful and as terrifying as the 60’s.

Friday, 2 January 1970

Up twice this morning—once before 7:30 to see the folks off. As soon as they left I went back to bed. Up again after 9:00. Had breakfast. I went to the Building Center to get more screws + coat hooks. Came home and got to work—tried to put hinges on Debbie’s crib, but had difficulties. Turned to the painting of the coat rack. But I stopped this about 11:45 to get ready to go. Shaved, had lunch, left here shortly after 12:30. Got gas, picked up Karen Haskell, headed into Boston. We picked up Loyd Starrett at 100 Milk Street, went to Andover-Newton. From c. 2:15 til about 3:00 we discussed Steve Winckler with Dr. Walter Telfu. After leaving A-N returned to Boston, went to Cokesbury (Loyd took subway back to work) the[n] came on home—arrived about 5:00. We [went] to Lord’s—to pick up Debbie, home about 5:30—relaxed, (Debbie went to sleep) fixed supper, watched news. About 6:40 left (with Debbie) for Gloucester to pick up Bonnie, got home about 7:15—had supper watched some TV—finished painting, put up hooks. Relaxed; feeling very weary. Late in the evening I began putting some thought into Sunday’s Communion message. Tried to get ideas from a book by Lumpkin—very insipid; I hate preaching on communion—or Easter—or Xmas; I would like to ignore the NT interpretation of Jesus! (which is hard on such occasions)/ Bathed, read briefly in bed; LO 12:35.

Saturday, 3 January 1970

Up about 9:15. Had breakfast, then met the 10:17 train from Boston, to pick up Larry Carter, whose main reason for coming to Rockport was David Milke’s wedding. I hadn’t seen much of Larry for a long time, so it was good to get together again. I put up the remaining coat hooks while we chatted—as usual the subject got around to politics and religion. Larry’s wife Marva couldn’t come today because of the pressure of her studies. After lunch we continued our visiting until about 2:00, when Larry left for the wedding. Until he returned about 5:00, I worked on sermon, making phone calls, began a list of “things to do”, had a short visit from Homer Orne, did some sanding on Debbie’s gym. When Larry arrived we got into discussion again (also, in transferring Debbie to Bonnie—I was holding her—my glasses got knocked to the floor, and the left stem broke; so I was without glasses for several hours while the glue did its worked—rather uncomfortable)  Much of our discussion today was about race, but we got into our customary tangle over theology; I frankly don’t understand Larry’s position now—he seems to be trying to be theistic and non theistic at the same time; I told him that the question of God no longer really concerns me—it’s irrelevant; theology bores me. Had supper together. Took Larry to the train at 6:20. Stopped for milk; returned home and began work again on my sermon and tomorrow’s service—and my Sunday School lesson; bathed, OBLO, c. 1 AM.

Debbie on completed “gym,” February 1970

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by David Madison and Deborah Sweeney
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