David’s Diary – May 21, 1970

Thursday, 21 May 1970

Today was a day for going to Boston. We got up about 8:15—ate breakfast, shaved, piled things into the car. We left Rockport shortly before 10:00. We stopped in Beverly to leave off the mimeograph machine to be serviced—went on into Boston—went to the Mass. Bible Society—Bonnie bought 30 copies of the TEV for the Sunday School. Then we went to BU—I tried to get my grades—but they aren’t out yet. Went to my mail box—found my course grade from seminar there: A- —I closed out my mail box. Went to the BU bookstore—bought the June Playboy. Then we went to Albee’s—arrived there about noon. We had lunch, sat around talking—Bryan got home from school, did his homework, then we went to a playground and let Debbie, Mark and Bryan let off steam. Late in the afternoon we went back to the apartment—fixed supper. Ned cooked hamburgers over charcoal. After supper Ned and I took Debbie and Mark to watch about a half hour of Bryan’s little league baseball game. Then we sat talking with Ned and Alice for about two hours—until 10:00—then we loaded up the car and came home—they gave us children’s books, plants, homed cooked foods. We got home about 11:30. Unloaded, watched some of Johnny Carson (Mayor Lindsay) OBLO c. 1:00 AM.

Friday, 22 May 1970

Was up early—shortly after 8:00. Bonnie was dressing when the phone rang—so I had to get out of bed to talk. Then I sat in a dull stupor for a while. Then had breakfast and shaved; I went to the P.O. to mail Walter Aufrecht’s books back to him, changed the wayside pulpit. When I got home Bonnie went to work in the garden. I find it difficult to be creative in the morning, so it was not surprising that I couldn’t push myself to work on my doctrinal statement. I read some articles, puttered at my desk. When Bonnie got home she tended to Debbie’s lunch. I had my lunch after Bonnie had left for work, and Debbie was down for a nap. My main concern for the afternoon was the doctrinal statement. And I was able to make progress on it—with a few breaks in the afternoon, e.g., to water the strawberry patch. Late in the afternoon I put supper in the oven—so that we could eat slightly early. We ate about 6:15 watched CBS news. After 7:00 we went over to see the Bussey’s. They showed us their vacation slides of the South West—we then had dessert. We came home about 10:45. I worked on my doctrinal statement. Bathed after midnight; more work on [arrow pointing to “my doctrinal statement” on the line above]; OBLO, 12:51.

Saturday, 23 May 1970

Up about 9:30. Had breakfast. Bonnie left to go to Beverly to pick up the mimeograph machine. I stayed at home to work on my doctrinal statement. With the morning’s work on it I was nearing the end. I took time in the morning to go through the mail and read the newspaper when it came. Bonnie didn’t get home til late—about 12:30—she’d had other errands to do. As soon as she got home I went up to see the Hannibals. I got back home about 1:30. We ate lunch, then went to the garden. Worked from 2:00–4:30. Bonnie worked in the squash and cucumber patch. I put out the row of Italian green beans, which involved putting in stakes. Debbie was well entertained by the neighborhood kids. When we got home Bonnie was exhausted, and sacked out. I had the energy to work on supper—so I did this. I woke her up about 6:30. We ate, watched NBC news. Then I set about doing the bulletins. It was marvelous to be doing them on a repaired machine that works so well. When I got them done I worked on the service, then practiced the sermon—it’s the one I wrote for ordination and have yet to put in final form and send in. Did Sunday School lesson, bathed about 11:00; OBLO, c. 11:40. Θ+

Sunday, 24 May 1970

Up about 8:30. Shaved, had breakfast, prepared to meet my class. Both Karen and Billy showed up. We broke up about 10:30. I went to the church; preached the sermon that I wrote for ordination—on the role of the clergyman. Home by 12:30. Had lunch—then in the afternoon did a variety of things. First of all I worked out several different pulpit exchange schedules for Jim, George and myself. I worked the soil in the strawberry patch and watered it, then in the latter part of the afternoon I worked on producing a first draft typed copy of my doctrinal statement. Got about six pages typed, then I left for the church—got there about 5:40. Dr. Beck drove up just about 6:00. The turnout for Methodist men was not spectacular—it’s a good thing we invited the ladies to come—or the crowd would have been very slim. I had a chance to chat with Beck—we walked together down to St. Mary’s and back—talked about theology—he’s to let me know if he can be at my ordination. We had some hymn-singing after the supper—then I introduced Dr. Beck. He spoke very eloquently about the mid-East crisis; by about 9:30 all was over—we went to Patriquins for Drue’s birthday party—came home about 11:00; very weary; OBLO 11:20.

David’s Diary, May 24, 1970

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by David Madison and Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/08/31/davids-diary-may-21-1970/

Gladys – May 19, 1970

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Letter transcription:

118 Juniper Court
W. Lafayette, Ind. 47906
May 19, 1970

Dear David, Bonnie and Debby,

Hope this finds the mumps patient fully recovered. Sorry I did not see to it that you had mumps when you were at home. I suppose you would have avoided them then if you could have.

The wrap around came and fits just right. Glad you could get enough material to make Debby a dress. I bought some knit material and made a dress and jacket. I went back to get enough for a skirt and material was sold sold and the clerk couldn’t find any in any other Ayres store, so will not be able to make skirt. Of all the materials Neualts handle, I could find nothing like the piece that Ayres had.

Have to go to Rochester this week to attend a WSCS Conference Ex meeting. Next week is annual conference and now I don’t know how much time I will have to spend there, but since I am a delegate from Trinity and on a Conference Board, I think I will spend most of next week at Purdue.

Margaret Zell is being married in June and I had an invitation to a shower last week, but couldn’t go. Will plan to attend the next one which will be sometime the first week in June. Her betrothed is a member of Navy Band. I think she met him at Ball State U.

Your stock from the Echlin split—(32 shares) came and since we have your other stocks stored here in our box, I opened the letter and will take the certificate to the bank this afternoon. You have the chance to buy another share by paying ½ the present market value. Information enclosed. Ours didn’t come out that way. We always buy the extra stock when we have a chance. I didn’t think there was any use of sending the stock thru the mail again and then have you send it back.

I went to Houston to the 1970 Assembly. It was quite a large meeting. 10,000 were expected, but I think the attendance was not quite up to that. Our Conference chartered a Purdue plane. We flew out Thurs. afternoon and returned Monday morning.

Love Mother (over)

[page 2] When do you plan to come to Indiana? We will be home after Aug. 12. Our trip to Japan is July 22 to Aug. 12.

One of Wilma Yegerlehner Bell’s daughters will be married June 6. We will probably plan to attend.

Gladys, June 1970

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/08/30/gladys-may-19-1970/

David’s Diary – May 17, 1970

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Sunday, 17 May 1970

Up shortly after 8:00. Shaved, had breakfast, dressed, Bill Elwell arrived for class about 9:30—but not Karen. For a while we talked about Vietnam—then we read in Chapter 1 of Paul’s letter to the Romans. I rode to the church will Bill and his parents at 10:30. Had a good crowd out at church—we had a group from the Legion visiting—so I had a sermon about “Lowering Our Voices”—trying to make some clarifications about the anti-war movement. A few very sincere compliments. The Rapers had lunch with us and stayed the first half of the afternoon. When they left we napped—fell sound asleep—since I had been up til 1:30 last night. Got up about 6:00. Had phone conversations with Virginia Bate, Anne Jewell and Margaret Reilley. Anne Jewell spoke against the war at the Congregational Church this morning. We had supper. Then I dated the slides which came Saturday. About 9 o’clock we went down to the Patriquins—hadn’t been down there in ages. We showed our slides, watched TV together, came home about 11:00. I did some reading in Weatherhead’s The Xn Agnostic—then bathed, watched about an hour of Johnny Carson. Then returned to Weatherhead’s book—I’ve had it for a long time—it’s quite interesting; OBLO, 1:12.

Monday, 18 May 1970

Up about 9:30. Had breakfast—while I was eating Margaret Reilley called. Maria had spent the evening with her because Alan was quite drunk. Maria has really gotten herself entrapped—and she doesn’t know how to get out now. Later in the morning (Bonnie was gone shopping) I read further in Weatherhead’s book. Stopped when the mail came. At noon I watched the news—Bonnie had her lunch and fed Debbie. After Bonnie left for work I put Debbie down for a nap—read in Weatherhead—hoping to get some assistance for writing my doctoral statement. [1] About mid-afternoon I became sleepy—so I read in bed for a while—then napped. Didn’t get up and get to functioning again until almost 5:00. Worked at my desk until Bonnie got home—then worked on supper. Watched CBS news while we ate. In the early part of the evening I worked at my desk, did phone calling, prepared stencil for Methodist men mailing. 9:00-11:00 watched a movie on TV: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum—it has been raining here all day—gloomy weather. Watched news; bathed; watched Johnny Carson; read; OBLO 1:00 AM.

Tuesday, 19 May 1970

Up about 9:30. Shaved, didn’t yesterday. Had breakfast, then went to Gloucester—I had to return Jim Bussey’s paper-cutter to him, then I went to Norman’s Office Supply to pick up two packages of mimeo-paper. When I got home I ran off about 35 copies of the Methodist men notices for this month’s meeting. Shortly before noon I went to the post office with these and other pieces of mail. Then to Richdales for more yogurt. Came home, watched the weather report—for days we have been in clouds and drizzle. After Bonnie went to work I had to get to work preparing for Bible study. I studied the first 6 chapters of II Kings. After this I finally turned to writing my doctrinal statement for ordination—and I made some progress on this by the time Bonnie came home from work. I read the newspaper when it came, stopped to watch TV—the tail end of Perry Mason, 6 o’clock news—Walter Cronkite—CBS—had supper. At 7:30 I took our car over [to] Lee’s—Sue drove me home—then the Bible class arrived—8 besides Bonnie + myself. During Bible class we discovered Debbie in her room—emptied the dresser, was on the top examining forbidden miscellany. Bible class over by 9:30. Worked on doctrinal statement, had snack, watched news, some of Johnny Carson; OBLO, midnight Θ+

Wednesday, 20 May 1970

Up shortly after 9:00. Shaved, had breakfast—I had planned to work on my doctrinal statement today, but Bonnie was eager to have Debbie’s fence put up. So I directed my energies to that—I worked on it during the morning; I reviewed the mail briefly when it came. Stopped for lunch about 1:00. During and after lunch I read through I. F. Stone’s Weekly—as usual an excellent and penetrating analysis. About 2:00 I returned to working on the fence. I stopped at the point of beginning on the gate. I was out of energy—and a trip to the hardware store would have been necessary. So the latter part of the afternoon I was able to work on the doctrinal statement. I abandoned this about 5:30. Read the newspaper. At 6:00 watched the news, ate supper—about 6:25 Roy Lee arrived with our car—I drove him home, came back—watched the rest of CBS news. Bonnie went over to the garden to do some weeding. I played with Debbie—then returned to working on the doctrinal statement. I spent most of the evening on this—made quite a bit of progress. It’s helping me to solidify some of my thinking—I find myself being driven back to an embracement of theism and this is reflected here; bathed; Johnny Carson, OBLO 12:30.

Bonnie and Debbie, May 11, 1970

[1] In fact, I mention this book re: its impact on my departure from Christianity, quoting from it, in my book, Ten Tough Problems in Christian Thought and Belief: a Minister-Turned-Atheist Shows Why You Should Ditch the Faith.

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by David Madison and Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/08/29/davids-diary-may-17-1970/

David’s Diary – May 13, 1970

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Wednesday, 13 May 1970

My main concern today was getting work done on the sermon I’m having to write for ordination. I didn’t make it out of bed til late—after 9:30. After breakfast I went to work on the sermon. Bonnie went over to Lewis’—Carol helped her pin up some dresses. When the mail came—with Newsweek and The New Republic—I looked through them. After noon Bonnie returned and went about getting lunch—we had lunch late—about 1:30. When we were finished I got some more work done on the sermon while Bonnie went shopping. Debbie was sleeping and I took a break—I finished the fence around the strawberry patch—which I had been working on when I got the mumps. I find that I still don’t have a reserve of strength—I was pretty tired. I tried to work on the sermon; read through the paper when it came. Then napped from 6:00–6:30. Watched CBS news—we had supper. From 7:30–9:00 I worked on the sermon—also played with Debbie. From 9:30–11:30 we watched the film: The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance—I’d seen it many years ago with Mrs. Myers. 11:30—watched Johnny Carson, bathed—had snack, OBLO, 12:45.

Thursday, 14 May 1970

Up about 9:15. Had breakfast, then went to work again on the ordination sermon. By noon I had finished it except for the conclusion—for some reason this turned out to be a very difficult conclusion. Trying to get some thoughts I strolled in the yard—also sawed off a dead branch from a short tree in the picnic area. After lunch I shaved, then went to the P.O. to confer with Mr. Gray on this Sunday—the American Legion is visiting our church. Then I changed the wayside pulpit. When I got home I played with Debbie a while. Then she and Bonnie went for a walk—down to see Drue. I worked on the sermon again—the conclusion—finally finished it. About 5:30 I began working on supper—we ate about 6:30. At 7:30 I went about getting the lawn mower out—for the first time this season. To my surprise it started up immediately—on the second pull of the rope. I mowed until about 8:20. Then came in to watch TV—Ironsides. Shortly after this was over Ned Albee called. They’ll be coming Sat. morning instead of Frid. afternoon. 10:00-11:00 I tended to various things, worked on cleaning up my study. 11 o’clock –bathed; OBLO.

Friday, 15 May 1970

[Top panel: took pictures of Debbie in box]

Up about 9:30. Had breakfast—did some yard work—tried to get the picnic area into a little better shape—again I found myself getting exhausted very soon. Relaxed to wait for the mail man—he brought the black and white pictures that we’d taken of Debbie last Monday and a new Time-Life art book, The World of Whistler. I looked through this—also read some in Life magazine. I wasn’t hungry—so didn’t have lunch. But I supervised Debbie while she finished hers—Bonnie went off to work. I put Debbie down in her room, she immediately went to take a nap—fell sound asleep. I relaxed for a while, but then got up and wrote letters—urging an end to the war—and giving encouragement to anti-war senators. Wrote to: Kennedy, Brooke [?], Harrington, Fulbright, H. Hughes, Goodell, Hatfield, Church, McGovern, Margaret Chase Smith, Earl Landgrebe, Griffin, and President Nixon. This took most of the afternoon. Also wrote to Mrs. Myers. After Bonnie got home I did some mowing, 6:00–6:30—we had supper, watched CBS news. I spent the evening at my desk, straightening up, beginning work on my doctoral statement. Had snack, watched 11 o’clock news; bathed; Johnny Carson, OBLO, 12:40.

Saturday, 16 May 1970

[Top panel: Debbie 21 months old—we took several pictures in tub, Bonnie putting nightie on Debbie]

Up about 8:00 (ugh!) We didn’t know what time the Albees were arriving so we wanted to be ready. I shaved, had breakfast. But was so groggy that I stretched out. It was a lost morning really, since we didn’t know when they were arriving. I read some New Republic articles and did some weeding in the strawberry patch. The mail man came about 11:00—brought a box of slides. Then shortly thereafter the Albees arrived: Ned, Ann, Mark, Bryan—who is their adopted son (although not legally; he’s been with them 3 years.) Mark is a few months younger than Debbie. We had a nice day together. After lunch we went down to Bearskin Neck. Didn’t spend anything—Debbie knocked over a dish in the House of Glass—broke it—but they didn’t make us pay for it—we offered. Late in the afternoon we relaxed, visited—had tea. Then I fixed supper. After supper we played Tripoli. About 9:00 we stopped, had dessert. Then they prepared to head back to Allston—we agreed to go see them next Thursday. After they left I did the bulletins, worked on preparing the service, practiced the sermon; bathed—more on service; OBLO, 1:25.

Debbie, May 11, 1970

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by David Madison and Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/08/28/davids-diary-may-13-1970/

David’s Diary – May 9, 1970

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Saturday, 9 May 1970

—MUMPS—

Swelling mostly gone—but still some there. Most of the day I felt pretty droopy—spent time in bed—didn’t get up til after 10:00. The first part of the afternoon I spent out in the yard—in the lawn chair, by the strawberry patch—actually got some sunburn! Later part of the afternoon I was very weary and bored: too tired to do anything, yet not sleepy. We had a late supper. I watched TV 7:30–8:30, a CBS news special on the anti-war demonstration in Washington and the student strike in general. Then I typed the stencil for the bulletin. Then had cake and coffee; ran off the stencil, then read a while. Relaxed with WCRB “Saturday Night”—bathed. Read some more—I’m finally under way with B. J. Robert, OT Text and Versions. OBLO

Sunday, 10 May 1970

Couldn’t sleep last night—so I got up and read—until about 2:30. Bonnie got up about 8:00—but since I had no part in the service today I stayed in bed—and since I was up so late, I had no desire to get up. But I did make it up between 10:30 and 11:00. Shaved, I began working again on Robert’s volume. Also put lunch on so that we could have it as soon as Bonnie got home—which she did at 12:30. We ate, then I went to the front yard—read in the lawn chair. After while I went upstairs—napped for a while. Then went outside again—read. Bonnie was very ambitious and had been working hard in the yard. Then she brought Debbie out. So not much studying then. At one point I took a photo of artist Roger Deering who has been painting a scene on Hale St. About 6 o’clock I began supper—steak. After we ate I relaxed—then got to work again on Roberts. We got a call from Becky Bussey—they’re back from vacation. Then Jim called me later and we talked for quite a while. Then between 10:00 and 11:00 we bathed; watched the 11 o’clock news; Johnny Carson, OBLO 12:05.

Monday, 11 May 1970

Up about 9:15; had breakfast. Worked on Robert’s book. Was interrupted by phone calls, then about 11 o’clock Bonnie decided to take Debbie outside, so we all went out into the yard. I finished the roll of colour film and took a whole roll of B + W. About noon we had lunch—the[n] Bonnie left for work, and Debbie was on her own in her room. I worked at my desk—trying to get my sermon going for next Sunday—I spent sometime with Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations—an interesting book. A couple of times in the afternoon I went strolling in the yard, looked over the strawberry patch—also chatted with the artist Roger Deering who has been working on a painting—looking down Hale Street. I made the most progress on my sermon in the late afternoon—stopped about 6:00. Helped with supper after Bonnie got home. Had supper—watched CBS news. After eating I spent time in the yard again—did some trimming of grass out of the strawberry patch—then for a while Bonnie brought Debbie out into the yard. By 8:30 I was back to work again—and spent the evening until about 11:15 on the sermon. Bathed, watched some of Johnny Carson; back to sermon, finished 1:20. OBLO 1:25.

Tuesday, 12 May 1970

A lousy night—had difficulty falling to sleep and staying asleep—so I was in bed til late this morning—not up til after 10:00. I had breakfast, shaved, then did some work in the yard—but I was soon exhausted. During the noon hour I just relaxed—watched the news. When Bonnie went to work I put Debbie down for a nap, which she was ready for and I napped too. Got up about 2:30, had a small lunch, then got to work on my sermon for ordination—got it outlined. Late in the afternoon I took Debbie down to Kaye Patriquin so that I could go to the library—I needed to copy John Saxes’ poem on The Blind Man and the Elephant. Got home, chatted outside with next door neighbor, Rolland Villars. Shortly before 6:00 I came in, watched news. Had supper about 6:30. From 7:30–8:00 watched the special show—5 senators speaking about the Amendment to End the War. Went outside, chatted for a while with one of the men who’ve bought the house on the corner; wrote instructions on how to get here to Ned Albee, went to the P.O. The rest of the evening I worked on the sermon. Watched news; bathed; watched all of Johnny Carson; OBLO 1:15.

Rockport Street Scene by Roger Deering (Image from Invaluable auction house and gallery)

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by David Madison and Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/08/27/davids-diary-may-9-1970/

David’s Diary – May 5, 1970

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Tuesday, 5 May 1970

—MUMPS—in bed, slept, watched TV, vegetated

moved very slowly—in the afternoon while Bonnie was at work—I shaved—hadn’t shaved since last Wed. Filled the tub with water—bathed, shaved in the tub, would have been too tiring to stand at the mirror.

In the evening— Θ —Bonnie did most of the work.

Wednesday, 6 May 1970

—MUMPS—

in bed, slept, watched TV, vegetated

Thursday, 7 May 1970

—MUMPS—

in bed, slept, watched TV, vegetated

Friday, 8 May 1970

—MUMPS—

swelling down considerably—but I was still very weak. While Bonnie was at work in the afternoon I strolled enough in the yard to water the strawberry patch, changed Debbie’s diaper, late in the afternoon put meat on for supper. Such an “active” day tired me out—also in the A.M. and early PM. had to go about arranging a preacher for Sunday: Don McGaw.

David’s diary, May 8, 1970

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by David Madison and Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/08/26/davids-diary-may-5-1970/

Fayette Friday – Fannie Gilchrist #3

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Letter transcription:

Marion Iowa July 1 [likely 1873]

Dear Lena

I am ashamed to write to you after delaying so long, but I hope you will forgive me for I could not help it you know. I want to see you very much. I can scarsely wait until the time comes for me to come home. I do not know when that will be. Just to think I have been here over nine months, it does

[page 2] not seem so long to me, as perhaps it does to you, for I have been so busy, if I had not I don’t belive I could have stayed so long. I remember the morning I started from home as thought it had only been yesterday, you were looking at the cars coming into town, and there was to be an excursion that morning. I do not expect to write a nice long letter like yours, for I am not a good hand at writing letters. This has been a very warm day and is Friday afternoon. I have just come home from school I am sitting on the back porch. It is so nice and cool, Uncle has just had Lattice work put around it. I expect you are having nice times playing Croquit are you not? I would like to be there playing with you. I was invited to go to my Sabbath school teacher’s some evening and play. I

Fannie Gilchrist’s letter, page 1

[page 3] guess I will. Lena I have not been out in the woods this Spring I had several bouquets of wild flowers given to me. Who do you go with now? I mean what girl, I wonder why Lizzie don’t write I guess it is because I was so long in answering her letter. Does Marie Walker live at Mr. Merrill’s now? Can Em and Min play on the Piano yet? Would you please tell them for me Lena, to please excuse me for not writing to them for I could not you can tell them the reasons, and tell them I send my best regards. Have you seen Becca’s sister? And how do you like her? I remember telling you about Emma you know we thought she was going to get married, but she is not that I know of. I guess we are going to have a grand time here on the Fourth, you read the paper I sent Ma did you not? What are [on the first page]

Fannie Gilchrist’s letter, pages 2 and 3

[page 1 top] They going to do there? Have the children put the Croquet set out yet? Mamie says Zella can walk I want to see her so very much. We have such a pretty Park here it is just across the road from our school room, we go there at recess some times we hunt for four leaf clover and sit on the seats and tlk. They have iron chairs and settees and four large bases with flowers in. On the north side of it is the City scales with a little house attached to them and on top of this the band plays in the evening. Have you got many flowers? What do you do to keep your self busy? I expect you have enough to do. How is H. G. M. getting along? I mean the beautiful young lady across the street. Ma said Mr. Behner and Martin’s were not on good terms what is the trouble? How is Annie Quin getting along does she go to our house much now? Did you read her book and is it nice? She said she was going to send me one but did not. Have you heard from Ed lately?

Fannie Gilchrist’s letter, page 4

[page 4] He has not answered my letter yet. Are you reading the stories in the Presbeter? Isent Mr. Trerant mean? I think he is. I have such a pretty new calico dress I suppose Ma showed you the piece I sent her. Is Bell well? What is Ella dong? I have been to two afternoon parties this summer. I expect you will laugh when you read this letter for there isn’t much more than a line on about the same thing. I received your letter and I thought Charlie C was Charlie Coon. I could not think what it meant understand it until I read Ma’s letter. How do you like him? do you think he is prettier than Ed? I think he is. Did he get acquainted with any of the other girls? Could he play Croquet very well? Where did you do down town? Did he say

Fannie Gilchrist’s letter, page 5

[page 5] any thing about me? Lena if I ask you to many questions do not answer them. Is Pauline in C.? or in Indianapolis? I wonder why she does not write to me. Do you correspond with her? How is Mrs. Thomases baby getting along? And what did they name it? I think my pairsol is very pretty don’t you? Did you get you a new one this Spring? I wrote the first part of this letter before school closed. I am having vacation now you said you had so much to tell me I want you to tell me every thing you can think of. Please don’t wait as long as I did. You don’t ask me half enough questions so that when I write I do not know what to tell you about that would interest you. Have you seen Mr. Reppetoe lately? I don’t belive I told you I received a letter from him, but I have not answered it. I guess I have told you all I can

[page 4 margins/top] think of so I will bring my long looked for letter to a close. Give my love to all that may inquire for me. Much long to you all, the most for your self. Good bye please write to me as soon as you can. P.S. I expect Ma will wonder why her letter is so long coming I wrote it Monday but forgot to send it to the P.O. that is all from

Fannie

Envelope addressed to Lena Schofield, Connersville, Indiana

David’s Diary – May 1, 1970

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Friday, 1 May 1970

Today my left jaw (left side—under the ear) is much worse—more pain—it’s almost impossible to open my mouth—so my diet today was custard and soup and 7-up. In the morning Bonnie went to the drug store and got me an ice-bag—which helped to ease the pain. I didn’t have much ambition to do anything—certainly no reading. So I slept and watched the TV—saw some samples of American day-time TV—ugh! Bonnie went about changing many of the storm windows for screens—so I had some fresh air. I was able to get a better idea today of the extent of Nixon’s invasion of Cambodia—and reaction to it. I sure hope that Nixon wasn’t about to “snow” the nation last night like he did last November. Bob Peak called last night—wanted to come up to see us for the evening—but that of course had to be post-poned. Watched TV most of the day after late afternoon. CBS new—and (on chanel 2) also an historical documentary on the U.S. government’s treatment of the Cherokee Indians back in the 1830’s—reminds me of what we’re doing today in Vietnam—Cambodia—Laos.

Saturday, 2 May 1970

On Friday (May 1) I caught up on three days (i.e., Wed, Thurs., Fri)—now I catch up on two days—Sat. and Sunday. There isn’t much motivation for keeping diary when all one does is stay in bed, eating, sleeping, reading. I think it was yesterday that we got the word that the body found here in Rockport by the rail road tracks belonged to Sylvia Brown—the woman who has been coming to our church for several months. It was ruled a suicide. Sylvia was quiet, withdrawn—this was one of those cases where I had calling on her on the list of “things to get done” sometime. The trouble is one never knows when some matters are much more pressing than others. I did get more reading done on Saturday—in Bury’s History of Greece—so far its not terrible interesting. Last night before going to bed I typed out some of the guidelines for Tom to use in the service tomorrow morning—this simple task was exhausting.

Sunday, 3 May 1970

Bonnie got up and got herself and Debbie to Sunday School. Since Tom Raper didn’t know whether he’d had mumps—he decided to confer with me on the phone—which he did upon arrived in Rockport about 10:30. I was very tired—slept all morning—also very weak. My limited diet is getting to me. Soup and custard Bonnie puts through the blender so that I can take them through a straw! Other than my pills—if it can’t go through the straw—I don’t eat it. My fever is gone today—so I have felt more like reading—but again the weakness has been a problem. But the swelling hasn’t gone down—and I must keep careful of that side—icebag, pain medication—no sudden turns of the head, etc.

Monday, 4 May 1970

–MUMPS—in bed, slept, watched TV, vegetated

David’s diary, May 4, 1970

David’s Diary – April 28, 1970

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Tuesday, 28 April 1970

Up about 9:00. After breakfast I went over to the Building Center to get materials for a fence for the strawberry patch—chicken wire and 2X2 posts. Got home and set to work preparing the posts—i.e., using the saw to give them sharp ends. I stayed in the house near Debbie while Bonnie went to the laundra-mat (dry-cleaning to do); Debbie is investigating her dirty diapers these days—after bowel movement—and making quite a mess. When Bonnie got home I returned to working on the fence until lunch time. Then back to work. Shortly after Bonnie left I checked on Debbie—she’d done it again—the screen on her window needed to be cleaned—I hosed it down. I got the mess cleaned up—& Debbie washed—then back to work on the fence—got posts in, but had to stop because the staples were still in the car. So the rest of the afternoon (after shaving) I prepared my Bible class lesson for this evening—the story of Elijah. When Bonnie got home I had about 45 [min.] to work on attaching the wire to the posts. We had supper about 7:00—watched CBS news from 6:30–7:00. The Bible class arrived at 8:00—10 in attendance besides Bonnie + myself. After they left—about 9:30, worked on the annotated bibliography + reading list. Finally finished about 12:30. Bathed, OBLO, 1:05.

Wednesday 29 April 1970

Up about 8.30 or 8:45. The swelling below my left ear had not decreased—I felt faint while eating breakfast. But I decided to go ahead with the day’s activities. I drove to Gloucester and picked up the 25 (approx.) posters—and spent most of the morning running around Gloucester distributing these. When I got home I shaved, then went distributing signs in Rockport—and picked up my shoes at George Marr’s. When I got home I called Dr. Browns office and he told me to come over in about 30 min. So I rested while then went—arriving there at 12:30. He said that I might have the mumps—told me to take it easy. But I decided to go ahead with my plans for the day. Ate lunch, got ready to go; left for Boston about 2:50. Bonnie did the driving. We arrived at BU at just 4:00—Bonnie took Debbie for a stroll along the Charles while I had class, which was over at 5:40. We had a visit with Dr. Beck. Then headed to Medford—arrived at Don McGaw’s just before 6:30. Ate supper. Arrived at the church about 7:30. Got things set up. I gave my Dead Sea Scrolls [lecture]. The discussion following was quite stimulating. We were able to leave for home about 10:45—I was having chills. Went right to bed when I got home; temperature 102.4° —a restless night.

Thursday, 30 April 1970

The swelling was worse when I awoke. There seemed to be no doubt now that I did have mumps—all day long I didn’t get out of bed more than 5 or 6 times. And Bonnie was on the phone a good part of the day making various arrangements. She contacted Tom Raper—asked him if he wanted to do the preaching this coming Sunday—he agreed to. She also had to contact Milton Fuller to alert him that the program this Sunday evening—the Black History film—will all be in his hands. During the day my fever decreased and I was feeling well enough to do a little reading—started on Bury’s History of Greece. Early in the afternoon Bonnie called the Lahey Clinic in Boston to reach the Stoners. They weren’t there yet. About mid-afternoon Dorothy called—I had to get it since Bonnie was tending to Debbie (she’d been investigating her dirty diapers again). I told her what the problem was—I knew they wouldn’t want to expose Joe to any sickness. We had made arrangements for Joe to stay at the Patriquins—but in the early evening we got a call that they were on their way home—didn’t want to take the risk. I slept during the evening; watched 11:00 p.m. news—Nixon’s invaded Cambodia —

David’s Diary – April 24, 1970

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Friday, 24 April 1970

A very lethargic day for the most part. Got up about 8:45. Had breakfast—about mid-morning I ran some errands. Walked to the library, dropped a book in the slot, went to the P.O. (ordered some qualifying books from Blackwells) and changed the wayside pulpit at the church. Came home, puttered at my desk. When the mail man arrived I spent some time with the mail. Bonnie’s morning was spent getting the carpet squares in her study firmly anchored down. She was pushed for time, so I got lunch. She left for work about 12:45. Debbie went down for a nap and slept almost all afternoon. I did some desk work, tried to get my sermon underway—finally gave in to drowsiness and napped. Late in the afternoon I returned to working on the sermon and had a little done by the time I stopped to work on supper. Bonnie was late in getting home and I had supper well under way. We watched CBS news—then about 7:45 we went to see Jerry + Carol Lewis—and their new baby—we spent the evening with them—playing a new game: RSVP—a scrabble type game played with cubes—Jerry + I lost to Carol + Bonnie; came home about 11:00; I worked more on the sermon til about 12; OBLO, 12:05.

Saturday, 25 April 1970

Up about 8:45—shaved, had breakfast, worked on the sermon. About mid-morning I walked down to the library to check Books-in-Print—I wanted to check on qualifying books which I have yet to buy. When I got home Eddie Garcia was here—the owner of the house next door who lives in NYC. After chatting a few minutes, he left. I got back to work on the sermon—finished it—typed the bulletins. Had lunch, then about 1:00 I drove over to see the Hannibals—came home about 2:00—the mail man had left a package: Pritchard’s, Ancient Near Eastern Texts. We got ourselves gathered together—all three of us—and drove to the garden at Fisks—spent from 2:00 to 4:00 working in the garden. I did some fertilizing of the holes for potatoes, helped erect a wooden sign for posting the weeding plan, and did some turning of the earth with a pitchfork—to get out the witchgrass. When we came home we visited briefly with the Garcias—Bonnie began working on supper—I puttered—ran off the bulletins. After supper (watched NBC news with supper—the Chinese have launched a earth satellite) I practiced the sermon, did preparations for the service, did some phoning—and prepared my Sunday school lesson: i.e., read a few chapters in Romans—ugh! Bathed about 10:30—we lose an hour tonight; off to read in bed. LO, 11:08.

Sunday, 26 April 1970

Up about 8:30. Shaved, had breakfast—went to Richdales for pineapple for Oriental Chicken for lunch. Karen Haskell came for Sunday School—we discussed St. Paul, Romans—she has been greatly influenced by fundamentalism. Left for church at 10:30—preached on the Dead Sea Scrolls. Home by 12:30. Started work on the strawberry patch—with Eddie Garcia helping. Had lunch—then back to work on the strawberry patch—we had to start from scratch—i.e., turning the sod over. This occupied me til about 2 o’clock—by which time it was pretty well ready. JYF steering committee meeting 2:30–3:30. 3:30–3:50 conferred with Nutting and Bamforth on committee for discussing common problems. 4 o’clock met the train—picked up Tom Raper. Came home—planted the strawberry plants which Amelia Fisk had given us. About 30 of them. Did some other yard work. We had supper about 5:45—had a chance to get to know Tom a little better. He left for the youth meeting 6:20. I then wrote the article for the newspaper on the Black History film. 7:20 left for the Methodist Men. This met from 7:30–9:30. Took the article to Mr. Drake. Went to Patriquins to get Bonnie + Debbie. We were home by about 10:30. Relaxed, read, bathed together about 11 o’clock OB—read; LO, 12:05.

Monday 27 April 1970

Up shortly before 9:00. Even before having breakfast I left immediately for Gloucester—to order signs for the Black History film. Had breakfast when I got home, shaved, then took my shoes down to George Marr to be repaired. Got home just as the mail man was arriving. Looked through the mail, puttered at my desk, straightened up my study somewhat. I wasn’t hungry at noon time, so we didn’t fix lunch. After Bonnie left for work Debbie and I had lunch. Early in the afternoon I did some work in Debbie’s room. Put a second hook on her window—so that it won’t come crashing down if she’s happen to get it unhooked. Also nailed some blocks in place so that she can’t get the screen open. In mid-afternoon I washed the living-room window facing west. This hadn’t been done since we moved here since it requires unscrewing the storm window. Late in the afternoon I returned to me study and worked on my annotated bibliography for seminar. After Bonnie got home we found footprints in the strawberry patch and warned the kids playing in the yard to keep away from that corner. Had supper about 6:30—watched CBS news. Most of the evening I devote to work on the annotated bibliography. But then after 10 o’clock we did some planning for the fence to enclose Debbie + the Garcia children this summer; bathed at 11:00; watched TV; OBLO, 12:45.