Friday, 1 January 1971

[Top panel: started new roll of film—1. shots of Debbie asleep in deacon’s bench; 2. pictures of fish;  3. 2 pictures of Sullie watching fish]

The new year made its appearance with a roaring nor’easter snow storm—heavy, blowing snow from late morning until well into the evening. We stayed inside all day—got up about 9:00 after Θ—what a nice way to begin the new year! But such late rising—a habit which I’m trying to break, makes a very short morning—after breakfast is all over. Late in the morning I got to my reading, then we had a late lunch on towards 1:00. During the afternoon the storm raged, Bonnie slept a while—as did Debbie—and I got more reading done. I took several photos of Debbie; she’d fallen asleep in the deacon’s bench. Late in the afternoon I got my best studying in, then began working on supper. After supper, while the CBS news was on, I did some photographing of fish—i.e., our fish tank. I used my closeup lenses, so I hope there’ll be some good shots. The fish are not very interested in posing, so the photographer has to be quick. The evening was taken up with desk work. Getting bills ready to be mailed—i.e., checks to pay them. Also got some baptismal certificates (replacement copies) made out for the Favreau family—I’ve been very delinquent in getting this done. Then spent some time on the “reflections” at the beginning of this book. Finally returned to studying—after starting another batch of bread; read in Exodus—until news time. Then after this was over, and while Bonnie bathed, read more in Exodus—listened to Haydn, in stereo, with headphones—delicious! OBLO 12:30.

Saturday, 2 January 1971

Up at 7:30—miracle of miracles! I came downstairs and had a cup of coffee, read in St. Paul—finished Ephesians. Perhaps I wasn’t reading in St. Paul, since some doubt that he is the author of that letter. Then I turned to Exodus and read several chapters. My new year’s resolution: to read from both OT and NT every day—how long will it last, who knows? I then turned to Eissfeldt—read in that after shaving (2 day beard)—when Bonnie and Debbie came down about 9:30 I had breakfast with them. After eating I got several pieces of mail ready for the P.O. and went down there. When I got home I tackled the snow in the driveway—drifts near the garage and near the front door. While I was working on the one near the front door, Debbie came out to “assist” me—Bonnie took a couple of pictures. The mail man brought a large envelope from mother, a photo of my great grandfather, Christian Yegerlehner—who came to the U.S. from Switzerland to avoid the military draft! [1] Ancestors I can be proud of! I was exhausted after the snow shoveling, relaxed, had lunch around 1:00. Then I had to attend to making my bread. Late in the afternoon I finally got to work on the communion message for tomorrow. I had the rough draft done by supper time. After we ate I had to turn my thoughts to the bulletin. I did it, completed the sermon, prepared the service. This took the whole evening—I’ve written a “Sadie Sermon”—i.e., it ought to please conservative Sarah Orne—it doesn’t hurt to have the truth of conservative theology represented from the pulpit from time to time! Bathed  OBLO  11:25.

Sunday, 3 January 1971

Up shortly after 7:30. Had cup of coffee, St. Paul and Exodus. Read chapters 1 and 2 of Philippians—then turned to several chapters of Exodus. I then turned to shaving, and by the time I finished this breakfast was being readied. After eating I dressed, practiced sermon, then left for the church about 10:25. Everything was set for the communion service—a moderate sized crowd turned out: 30—preached on “More Reasons for Hope.” We got home between 12:30 and 1:00—fixed lunch. Then I just relaxed for a while. Sat in Bonnie’s big rocker in the living room, listening to music with the headphones. Then about the middle of the afternoon I turned again to reading in Eissfeldt; late in the afternoon I typed out the Blessing of Jacob and the Blessing of Moses in parallel columns. Then we fixed supper. The supper hour was used for relaxation—listened to the Boston Pops. Play reading was to have been tonight, but it was post-poned until next Sunday. I hadn’t planned to go—so that I could stay home studying—and I won’t be able to go next week because of the COCU meeting. Bonnie made one brief trip out in the evening to return the big stapler to Jerry, but for the most part we just sat at the dining table—she wrote thank-you notes and letter—I studied—with Hadyn in the background. Among other things, I read the Holiness code—Leviticus certainly isn’t thrilling reading! About 11 o’clock stopped study; relaxed—concluded “reflections” at the beginning of this volume. OBLO 11:45  Θ

Monday, 4 January 1971

Up ay 7:30. Finished Philippians, then read chapters 15 to 18 in Exodus. I then shaved, and prepared to have breakfast with Bonnie and Debbie—after making a couple of phone calls re: the upcoming drug program, and the project NUVA requests for funds from the town of Rockport. After eating breakfast I returned immediately to writing Mrs. Myers. When I’d finished this, the mail arrived—a letter arrived from Bonnie’s mother—she’s dreaming already of Christmas this year—they’ll be home of course—and they want us to come to Centerville—all 4 of us by that time. I’m not very enthusiastic about the idea—but I suppose that we should honor their wishes since we’ve had so few Christmases together. After looking over all the mail, I set off on my errands; had to get some papers notarized re: insurance (at town hall), went to the P.O., then to Eagle office with my weekly article. When I got home I spent some time before lunch reading in The New Republic. We had lunch, Bonnie left for work—Debbie went into her room for play and nap. And I turned to reading—although the first part of the afternoon I spent a good deal of time on the phone, with Jim Bussey—and with a woman from Action, Inc. re: using our church for Head Start. Spent latter part of the afternoon reading; had supper ready when Bonnie got home; after eating read before CBS news. 7:30–9:00 —at Ornes conferring on Head Start, COCU, etc. Home—study until about 11:00; bathed; read briefly; OBLO 11:48.

David’s diary, January 4, 1971

[1] This is a family story which has been garbled over time. Christian Yegerlehner most likely did not leave Switzerland to avoid the military draft, but rather because of the rights of primogeniture. Although Christian was the eldest son, his father was not. There was no land for him to inherit in Switzerland. Christian, his parents, and siblings left Switzerland in 1851 with several other Swiss families. Christian later served in the Civil War. Gladys most likely confused Christian Yegerlehner with Roscoe’s other grandfather, Michael Schiele, who as a young man left the Prussian empire which did have a mandatory draft. Michael belonged to the United Brethren Church which typically opposed military service. Michael did not serve during the Civil War.

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by David Madison and Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/11/23/davids-diary-january-1-1971/