Wednesday, 30 September 1970

Up about 9:00. What a tedious day. I had a slight breakfast, then got back to my reviewing. I am so discouraged and worried about this test—I need months yet to study. But still I’m eager to get it over with. I don’t know how I’m going to pass it. I’m afraid that by tomorrow evening I’ll be no further along the road to my Ph.D. It wasn’t difficult for me to be distracted today. I took my time looking through the mail when it came. Bonnie took Debbie out in the morning on errands—one of which was to get fall car inspection. We had lunch about 12:30—I got back to work. About 1:30 Bonnie and Debbie left again. This time they took Carol Lewis shopping down the line—for groceries. Bonnie also came back with a beautiful new bed spread. The[y] didn’t get back til late in the afternoon. I helped her put groceries away—and we fixed a very simple supper of left-overs. Read some more after supper; then watched CBS news at 6:30. Nixon’s in Europe, Nassers sudden death rather steals some of his thunder. About mid-afternoon I went over to the congregational church to sign 75 letters (from 3 pastors re: SS open house on Sunday). I worked all evening on reviewing; also prepared transfer of credit forms; bathed about 10:30—OBLO c. 11 o’clock.

Thursday, 1 October 1970

Up shortly before 9:00. Shaved a two day beard, had breakfast, prepared to leave for Boston—left the house about 10:00; caught the 10:15 train, did a little last minute reviewing while riding in, but then tried to relax. I got to BU about 12:00—I went to the bookstore to buy a copy of Playboy. Then I went to Beck’s office. It turns out that he was unable to have lunch with me; so I went on down to the refectory, found Lloyd Carr, whom I hadn’t seen in ages—so I ate my lunch with him. Then at 1 o’clock, I went up to the library, picked up the exam and began work. It wasn’t too bad; there were some areas in which my answers were weak, but I think I passed. I handed it in shortly after 4:00. Then I checked out a couple of books and headed for North Station. I was able to catch the 4:55 train—just made it. Read Playboy on the way home. Got here shortly after 6:00. David Herlihy was here proudly displaying his honorable discharge papers. We had supper—then the evening was spent relaxing for the most part. We watched TV part of the time—Ironsides—then I began the process of getting some arranging done in my study. About 11:15 I bathed, then we watched Johnny Carson, his 8^th anniversary show—the LO about 1:05.

Friday, 2 October 1970

Up after 9:00. Had breakfast, then shaved—was ready when Jim Bussey, John Dunnack and Gladys Haskell arrived at 10:30—we talked about C.A.M.P. and what it can be doing. Jim disclosed that Mac White will probably consider holding only one Annual Meeting on Cape Ann—that certainly won’t be popular with some folks. We broke up about noon. Bonnie and I had lunch—Debbie was sound asleep. Bonnie left for work as usual, but I didn’t have ambition to do much of anything. I tried to nap a while, did odds and ends, read an article in Playboy on pornography in Denmark—a country which seems to have a much saner approach than the U.S. At 3 o’clock Rev’s. Bailey, Bamforth and Nutting arrived, and we talked about the JYF and other matters for about 1½ hours. When they left I began tending to supper. Bonnie got home shortly after 5:00. Debbie had just gotten up. She’d been napping most of the afternoon. She hadn’t had her lunch, so she ate supper early. We fixed supper, watched CBS news. Don and Lawry arrived about 7:20. We had supper together, had a very delightful evening of visiting and games. First we played Group Therapy—which can be devastating—then we switched to password. It’s hard to give up when you’re having so much fun—but, OBLO, 1:32.

Saturday, 3 October 1970

I was up briefly to change Debbie—and to put her socks and shoes on—she can insist on some pretty weird things and weird hours! As soon as she got them on, I put her back to bed—she was content! and then I went back to bed. Between 9:00 and 9:30 the whole household came to life. We had a leisurely breakfast with Don and Lawry. Then we went to the garden together. We got a heap of stuff to give them. We got back to the house about 11:00—they left very soon. They had to be in Brookline by 12:30 for a Dr’s appt. I then tried to nap, without much luck. About noontime I put the chicken in the oven, then began studying the plans for the deacon’s bench I’m to build. After lunch I shaved, then went over to see Esther Longley at the nursing home. I stayed with her not quite an hour. Then came home. I had planned to do more calling, but just didn’t have the stamina. So I took Bonnie + Debbie along to the lumber yard to get the wood for the deacon’s bench—also picked up a few new tools. When we got home we all sacked out—from about 5:00 to 7:00. Homer Orne’s phone call got us up. Then we fixed supper. I then spent the evening working on sermon and bulletins. At one point we had a grand hilarious time playing with Debbie in her room; bathed c. 12:20. OBLO 12:36.

David’s Diary, September 30, 1970

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by David Madison and Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/10/17/davids-diary-september-30-1970/