David’s Diary – 13 February 1971

Saturday, 13 February 1971

[Top panel: NT: Matt 12 OT: Ezekiel 14-15]

Up between 9:00 and 9:30. After breakfast I tried to push myself into sermon writing—but I really wasn’t in the mood and I knew it would take a while to get in the mood. I took time to examine the paper and the mail when they came. Finally late in the morning I began getting somewhere. About noon 3 young fellows appeared at the door—they wanted to get in the church to get some of the equipment that the rock band has been using. So I went down to unlock the church—I took the time to change the wayside pulpit. When I got home I shaved, put lunch on to warm. We ate after I finished shaving, then I returned to work on the sermon. And I made substantial progress. I had most of it done when I left to make a call shortly after 3:00. I went to see Mr. O’Reilley—I found him at home this time. We had a nice visit. While I was there his son Dan arrived with his fiancee Jill. They were in the process of getting an aquarium set up for his father, so we talked a lot about fish—but we share views on politics and got into that subject as well. I came home shortly before 5:00—worked on sermon until we ate at 6:00. Pouring rain today—Bonnie was explaining “umbrella” to Debbie, so Deb on her own got all garbed up to go outside—so Bonnie let her out doors with the umbrella for a few minutes! I had wanted to work on the doll house this evening. But I had to work on the service instead. Spent 40 minutes on the phone with Don McGaw. Had to work quite late. Didn’t finish transcribing sermon until after bathing about 1:15. OBLO c. 1:30.

Sunday, 14 February 1971

A long, full day. Last night I had a terrible time getting to sleep—this really wasn’t accomplished until about 3:30. Up about 8:30, had breakfast, shaved. I didn’t have class, because only Vicky showed up. So I used the time to practice the sermon. Today was Race Relations Sunday—we took a special offering, but Mac White spoke strongly enough on race last Sunday to last for a while! So I began a series of sermons on the Ten Commandments; small crowd—people knew it was Race Relations Sunday, so stayed away, e.g., the Marrs, 22 in church. Home by 12:45, had lunch, relaxed briefly, then got to work on the doll house. I devoted the afternoon to this: finished putting in the baseboards and completed the roof—and made one piece of furniture. But I was getting pooped. We decided to flop, nap. Θ —in honor of St. Valentine’s day I suppose! I got up about 6:30, worked on supper, then in the evening I turned to baking. I put together a batch of bread to take to Sestos tomorrow—it’ll be a birthday gift for Carl. Also baked two pies—apple crumb and blueberry. Also during the evening I had to do some phoning in connection with finding some chaperons for the JYF ski weekend. Also did some gluing on the doll’s house. By late in the day the morning and even afternoon seem so far away. NT reading: Matthew 13; OT: Ezekiel 16. We bathed together about midnight. I wrapped the loaves of bread—I wish there were more hours in the day—didn’t get around to several things. OBLO c. 1:00 AM.

Monday, 15 February 1971

Up shortly after 8:00. Shaved, had breakfast—this was the day for going to Sesto’s. As soon as we finished eating we prepared to leave. On the way out of town we stopped at Mals. Bonnie got some yarn and I got some small tools. Then we headed for Boston. A beautiful, clear day. The traffic wasn’t bad, and we got to Sestos before 11:30. If we sometimes think of ourselves as poor—we need only to think of the Sestos. There isn’t a decent chair in the whole place—and no sofa or couch. And about a month ago Carl was cleaning the refrigerator and punctured it—ruined it. So they don’t even have a refrigerator! They put things in a cold window sill or on the back porch. We ate lunch during the noonhour. I dropped Carl off at the taxi garage (he drives a cab) then went to BU, intending to work in the library at the school of theology. But everything was closed for the holiday. I bought the March issue of Playboy and read through it in a lounge at the Union. Then drove down to the Copley Square/Prudential Center area. I found a new record shop, bought a $1.98 record of David Steinberg [1]—satire on the OT. I returned to Sestos about 5:00. We had supper when Carl got home about 6:30. We were all very tired—so we didn’t prolong our visit. We left about 8:30—Carl had to go back to driving the cab. We got home about 9:30. Utterly bushed. Relaxed—enjoyed comfortable chairs! OT reading: Ezekiel 17; NT: Matt 14. Bathed; OBLO c. 11:05.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Steinberg