Tuesday, 20 April 1971

Up just about 9:00. Shaved, had breakfast. I then had to spend some time working on the poems for the funeral—had to copy them out from books. About 10:45 I got to St. Mary’s—not much left of the morning, but it did give me time to make some progress. Came home by about 12:20. Had lunch. Debbie went down for a nap after Bonnie left for work. Shortly thereafter Virginia Bate arrived. The funeral director’s assistant called for me about 1:30. Took me to the funeral home—at two the funeral for Evelyn D. (Mrs. Thomas) Hendrickson—64 years old, dropped dead last Sat morning. The funeral was longer than usual, since I incorporated poems into the service at the request of the family. Also a soloist sang two pieces. And the burial was at Locust Grove—all the way over at Lanesville—the first burial over there that I’ve officiated at. Got home about 3:30—Virginia went home. I then did some more reading until it was time to put supper together—very simple, remains of a beef roast. We ate shortly after Bonnie got home. I read 6:00–6:30, then watched CBS news etc. Historic supreme court decisions today—unanimously upheld the legality of busing. Debbie was in bed about 8:00; Bonnie went to the executive committee meeting of community chorus. I spent the evening reading. When Bonnie got home she gave me a HAIRCUT. Read, bathed OBLO  c. 12:10.

Wednesday, 21 April 1971

Up by about 8:30—didn’t bother to shave, had breakfast. Bonnie and Debbie were preparing to leave for Avon. It was a beautiful sunny mild morning. Debbie and I played on the swings together for a few minutes, then I left for St. Mary’s. I was able to get Jones’ book, The Herods of Judea finished. Virginia Bate came in while I was there; she had come in to return some books she’d borrowed. After finishing my book I came home—about 12:30. It was so lovely out that I decided to do the roto-tilling at the garden. Some weather reports had indicated rain for tonight and tomorrow—and that might have made roto-tilling impossible on the weekend. So I got my lunch, relaxed with Newsweek—waiting to see how the weather was developing—there had been some sprinkles while I was eating—but the dark clouds moved out. I borrowed Herlihy’s car, went to the rental place in Gloucester, then headed to the garden. I roto-tilled without a break from about 2:30–4:30. I had to stop in time to get the machine back to Gloucester. I found to my dismay that my work gloves were in our car—i.e., in Avon. So I had to work without them, and after 2 hours at the roto-tiller my hands were a wreck—a few blisters—and itching, stinging. After returning the tiller—came home, thanked the Herlihys for their car. Collapsed with the newspaper. Had supper, watched CBS news, etc. took a walk to the church to turn off the heat, bought a copy of Playboy. Spent the balance of the evening working at my desk, watching TV. OBLO  c. 1:10.

Thursday, 22 April 1971

[Top panel:   called A. B. Dick]

I awoke about 7:00, but turned over and went back to sleep—and it’s amazing how late one can sleep without an alarm clock such as Debbie. I didn’t awake again until 9:45! I got right up, shaved (2 days worth), carried a glass of juice and some cookies to my study, and continued working on sorting, filing, getting things straightened up in general. I was still doing this at noon. About 12:30 I stopped to eat. But then completed work at my desk. I then did some stock-taking re: reading yet to be done for the next exam. I made two lists of things that have yet to be covered—one on history, one on archaeology. About 3 o’clock ? I went to the post office, then to the church. I’d forgotten to turn on the heat at the church—so I dropped in to see the boys—only 2 there. Then I headed home. I looked through the paper when it arrived—but then turned to working on my sermon. Didn’t even have a topic selected—so I had to do some hunting in my “sermon material” folder—old “sermon starters” from the Xn advocate. I finally settled on an idea that I’d jotted down long ago when I’d done some sermon planning. About 4:45 I started on supper—and Bonnie and Debbie arrived home. We ate about 5:30. After supper I helped Debbie with her bath. Relaxed, watched CBS news etc While watching TV I clipped old articles from New Republic. Watched a program on childhood; Ironsides. Then worked on the sermon further. Bathed 10:45. OBLO 11:10.

David’s diary, 22 April 1971

©2018 copyright owned and transcribed by David Madison and Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2018/01/10/davids-diary-20-april-1971/