Thursday, 21 January 1971

Up at 9:00. Had breakfast, shaved. My NT reading was I Peter 1-2; OT: Judges 1-5. I was only very briefly occupied with the mail when it arrived. I had mailed the letter to Gary Myers; the return receipt came back today—not his signature, however. I hope he got the letter. Had lunch during the noon hour. For most of the afternoon Bonnie and Debbie were napping—or reading (Bonnie said she napped about an hour.) I made decent progress on my reading. I finished Eissfeldt’s article in OT and Modern Study. Then began a review of Lindblom, i.e., rereading the section on the prophetic literature. I got as far as Amos by supper time. I.E., I am trying to read the text as I go along. I read through the paper before working on supper. Had a very simple supper. 6:00-6:30 read in Amos. 6:30-7:00 CBS news. Senator Kennedy was defeated for Sen. Dem. Whip—regarded as a definite set-back for any presidential try in 72. CBS news says that Nixon + Co. are very happy. But so is Muske, no doubt. But why should Nixon be so happy at the prospect of facing Muske—who already leads him in the polls and seems to have so much more dignity, stature and decency? After TV began working seriously in Hosea. 8:30–9:30 as usual watched Ironside. 9:30–11:00 returned to studying—finished Hosea, then turned to Lindblom’s section on Isaiah; read closely chapters 6–9:7. This was the day I transferred the pregnant guppy to separate bowl. Bathed about 11:30. OBLO c. midnight.

Friday, 22 January 1971

Up about 9:00. Shaved, had breakfast—turned to desk work. I had to get 10 post cards ready to send out to the members of the Monday evening C.O.C.U. group—notifying them that the meeting will be here. Then I wrote the letter to the Chaplain aboard the U.SS. Wasp re: the Favreau family situation. When all of this was done I went to the P.O. Saw Margaret Reilley, had a brief chat. Almost noon when I got home, but I started typing a stencil on the Planned Parenthood bulletin insert; Bonnie called me to lunch. We ate, Bonnie left for work, Debbie went to her room for playing and napping. I did some phone calling (Dunnach + Bussey), finished the mimeo work on the bulletin insert. Also I ran off copies of the new Parish News service stencil. About 3 o’clock I began serious work on the sermon. About 4:00 I put the meatloaf in the oven, then worked on the sermon until about 5:00. We ate as soon as Bonnie got home. 6:00-6:30 looked at the paper 6:30-:00 CBS news, etc. 7:30–9:00 I did my daily scripture reading: I Peter 3-5, Judges 6-8, worked more on the sermon. 9 o’clock—Nixon’s State of the Union address. A collection of banalities. I worked on the PP/WP bulletin inserts—after the address we listened to analysis on 5 and 2 while I finished work on the inserts. Then I did more work on the sermon; finished the very rough draft. Bathed about 11:30. OBLO c. midnight Θ.

Saturday, 23 January 1971

Not up until late—about 9:30. Had breakfast, shaved. During the morning that was left I transcribed the sermon—about the first half of it—then we had lunch. Then after eating I returned to working on the sermon. When this was completed I turned to working on the bulletins—when I finished this, I went out on a call—to Hannibals. Rip seems very eager to get back into the swing of life. He’s planning to come to the next administrative Board meeting—3 years ago I wouldn’t even have believed I’d ever see the Hannibals in church—but now Rip comes regularly. After leaving Hannibals I went to Gloucester—I went to Dunnachs—left off the PP/WP bulletin inserts. Then I dropped off the inserts for Wesley at Busseys—Jim was out; it was this morning that Becky left—i.e., beginning their move to Arizona. I told Bonnie she wouldn’t see Becky Bussey again until after she’s 40. Not at all impossible—Arizona is pretty far away. I got home about 5 o’clock. Bonnie had supper just about ready. We ate—relaxed. I prepared the service, practiced the sermon. Then I iced the cake Bonnie had baked. After this I finally worked up the ambition to do my daily scripture reading: II Peter (all); Judges 9-12. Then I turned to preparing my Sunday School lesson—i.e., read in Mark—I am struck by the heavy emphasis on demons in Mark; bathed about 11:30. Read in bed, Judges 13-18 OBLO c. 12:20.

Sunday, 24 January 1971

Up about 8:15. Shaved, had breakfast, practiced sermon. My Sunday school class arrived about on time: 4 in attendance. I got to the church about 10:40. Preached on: “Adding Dynamic to Decent”—average sized congregation. We got home about 12:40. Vicky told us that Jerry Lewis had called, so Bonnie returned the call. They wanted to come get the bed, i.e., the twin bed which Debbie has been using, which they loaned to us a long time ago. They decided to come around 5:00. We decided while we were having lunch to invite them for supper. I called them early in the afternoon and that was agreeable with them. 1:30–2:30 I relaxed—tried to doze. At 2:30 picked up Winnie + Kay, we went to the Den-Mar for the service—3:00 to 3:30. Saw Esther Longley before it started. Home by 4:00. Got some reading done (my daily NT reading: I John 1-3) but helped prepare supper. The Lewises arrived about 5:00. I went with Jerry to Bussey’s—where we picked up the crib which the Lewises were buying and the dressing table which we bought. Came home, had supper—after which relaxed. About 8:00 I helped Jerry take their bed home. When we got back we saw our Xmas 1970 movie—since Jerry had brought their projector along. After they left I did some reading (OT: Judges 19-21) but was pretty droopy. Bathed before 10:20. OBLO c. 11 o’clock  Θ.

David’s diary, 24 January 1971

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by David Madison and Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/11/30/davids-diary-january-21-1971/

Sunday, 17 January 1971

Up at 8:15. Shaved, had breakfast, practiced the sermon. Prepared to greet my class—only 3—we continued reading in Mark. I got to the church about 10:45. Not a very good turnout—28. Preached on “God the Creator, God the Redeemer.” When we got home we had lunch. My cold still is leaving me fatigued, so I was resigned to resting for the afternoon. I actually went to bed. After Debbie was put down for a nap Bonnie joined me. Θ. About 3:15 we began preparing to leave for Gloucester—for the Busseys’ farewell party. Got there just at 4:00. Quite a large turnout. Jim has been pretty well liked—and the people and Wesley genuinely regret to see him go—especially since they now have to share a pastor with Riverdale. I was asked to speak briefly, and I made a few remarks. After the program was over we stuffed ourselves—so there was no need to fix supper at home. We came home around six. Collapsed. Relaxed—listened to the Boston Pops with headphones. Bonnie went upstairs and stretched out. I did some necessary phone calling, a little reading (Hebrews 11), but then stretched out myself. Actually fell asleep I believe. About 8:00 we prepared to go to Patriquins. Got there about 8:20. We saw movies—several of Drue’s + Cheyrl’s—2 of ours—the very first roll that we ever took—and the most recent. Also showed several boxes of slides. Then sat around enjoying “mug-ups”—for the evening; came home shortly after 11:00; relaxed, read Joshua 1 + 2; OBLO 12:05.

Monday, 18 January 1971

Up at 9:10. Had breakfast—desk work, some phone calls, wrote my Eagle article, wrote my weekly letter to Mrs. Myers. About 11:15 I shaved, then set off on my errands—i.e., to the P.O.  and the Eagle office. Got back home just at 12 o’clock. We fixed lunch. I had an appointment in the afternoon to see Charles O’Reilly—whose wife died last week. Just as lunch was over, he appeared at the door. He was on his way to Maine with his brother, and wanted to tell me this—we’ll have a talk when he gets back. He also gave me a check for $25. I told him that Mr. Mackey had already paid me—but he knew this and wanted me to have more anyway. He was here only a few minutes. About 12:45 Bonnie and Debbie and I left here. We had arranged for Debbie to stay with Virginia and Amy—and went ahead with this plan even though my appointment with Mr. O’Reilly was cancelled. I took Bonnie on to work after we left Debbie off, then came back home. My cold is still plaguing me—so I napped a brief while. Then did some reading: Heb 12-13; Joshua 3-9. Then prepared to leave—had to be at A.G. Hospt. (Children + Family Center) at 4 o’clock—met with John Stewart and Mrs. Favreau—whose husband wants a divorce. This was all concluded about 5:15—Bonnie + I went home, picked up Debbie on the way. Had supper, watched CBS news. 7:30–9:30—I was at St. Mary’s church leading C.O.C.U. group. Relaxed, had a snack when I got home; had a nice long leisurely bath. Read Joshua 10. OBLO midnight.

Tuesday, 19 January 1971

Up about 8:30. Had breakfast, shaved, arrived at Dr. Clapp’s office at 9:15—the front top part of the frames of my glass[es] broke last Friday—and today was the day to get them fixed. I was home about 10:00. Then turned to reading: James 1 + 2, Joshua 11-17. Took time with the mail when it came—a note from Lea. We had lunch about noon. Bonnie left for work, Debbie played in her room and I devoted my afternoon to Mowinckel for the most part—although I did doze off for a while. Bonnie arrived home early—about 4:45. She wasn’t feeling too well—i.e., she didn’t want any supper. I fixed supper for Debbie and myself, but when I went upstairs to get Debbie she was still sound asleep—in the closet—so I just let her be. I ate supper; worked on composing the letter which I’m writing to the chaplain on USS Wasp re: the Favreau family situation. Watched CBS news, etc. Bonnie + Debbie arrived downstairs—Debbie had her supper + bath. I returned to reading Mowinckel for a while, then played with Debbie. Looked at her books—there’s one drawing of a girl in a bikini—I pointed this out to Debbie and she said “bikini” very clearly—so there’s one more word in her vocabulary! Jerry called: Carol has fever of 102°—apparently flu. Had snack, studied til c. 10:00; worked on getting a sermon idea for this Sunday. No bath, OBLO c. 11:05.

Wednesday, 20 January 1971

Up about 8:15. Read James 3-5, Judges 18-24 end.  —although this wasn’t completed til late in the morning. I had a small breakfast when Bonnie + Debbie were in the process of getting breakfast. Shaved. Then turned to reading; this was interrupted by the arrival of the mail man. He brought Newsweek, which I spent some time with. But then I did get some reading done in Mowinckel before noon—at which time we fixed lunch. After lunch I finally finished my review of Mowinckel. Then I moved on to the next major topic—i.e., the Prophets. The first order of business here is Eissfeldt’s article in OT and Modern Study. I read in that until it was time to put supper together. I also read through the pages while working on supper in stages. We ate about 5:30. 6:00-6:30 I got a little more reading done in Eissfeldt. 6:30-7:00 watched CBS news—prepared for the 7:30 meeting—Winnie, Kay, Homer, Sadie. We didn’t get away until after 8:00—because that was when Kay thought the meeting was. It was a rather enjoyable evening—with much commenting and chit chat on various subjects—but the main business of the meeting was accomplished. This was over by 10:00. Bonnie and I had an ice cream snack, then turned to reading—for a brief time. Bathed about 11:00. Read Habakkuk. OBLO  c. 11:45.

David’s diary, 20 January 1971

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by David Madison and Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/11/29/davids-diary-january-17-1971/

Saturday, 9 January 1971

Up at 7:00. Read chapters 1-4 of 1 Timothy, and the first 3 chapters of Numbers. Then shaved—after which I reviewed in Mowinckel until Bonnie and Debbie appeared downstairs. We had breakfast together, then I called the Busseys to find out how the meeting went last evening: Riverdale + Wesley Pastor-Parish relation boards met, Jim announced his resignation and his move to Arizona—and Mac White announced that R + W are now on a 2 point charge, with John Dunnach appointed. Although everyone was surprised and shocked, there was little anger apparently. Right as the phone conversation was coming to an end, Homer Orne came to the door. We had a brief conference on several matters. Shortly after he left the mail arrived and I took time to examine it.  After lunch I turned to working on the bulletins. After finishing these I went to the church to rearrange some of the banners. When I got home Bonnie went to Busseys to buy some of their things which they’re wanting to sell: file cab., lamps. I helped get them in the house when she got home; while she was gone I practiced the sermon, tried to nap. We fixed supper, then in the evening I did a little desk work, but also worked on the service—practiced the sermon again. Also worked on my Sunday School lesson: beginning in Mark—we’ll just read right straight through it. Relaxed, bathed  OBLO  11:20.

Sunday, 10 January 1971

Up shortly after 7:00. Read chapters 5 and 6 of I Timothy, then Numbers 4-6. Practiced sermon. Shaved; Debbie and Bonnie were downstairs by this time. Dressed. Prepared to meet my Sunday School Class. We began Mark’s gospel. The girls are [not] always right on time—in fact tardiness is a problem—so we didn’t have too much time. Read through Mark 1:1-34. Will just take our time and go through the whole gospel. I was able to get to the church by about 10:40. Preached on COCU—“What Does God Require of Us?”—insisting that we have to study the Plan of Union fairly to arrive at the answer to the question. Home and had lunch by 1:30. I stretched out and fell very soundly asleep. Late in the afternoon I got up and did a little studying. But then had to fix supper. Between 6:00 and 6:30 I wrote my weekly letter to Mrs. Myers, then about 6:40 went to the Congregational Church. All the Methodists were there at 7:00 or shortly thereafter, but the Congregationalists + Episcopalians had been told 7:30. So we sang hymns til everyone had gathered. 33 in all: 3 clergy, 20 Episcopalians, 7 Methodists, 3 congregationalists. I, speaking for the clergy, led the meeting—suggested 10 week study, 3 groups—based on the Plan of Union. The surface feeling seemed to be warm and receptive—but tonight’s meeting wasn’t designed to get feelings out in the open pro or con—and we tried to emphasize we had joined together to study—not be persuaded; Bonnie was [at] a play reading all evening; I picked up Debbie from Patriquins about 10:15. Came home, relaxed, had pie, started new batch of bread. OBLO c. 11:30.

Monday, 11 January 1971

[Top panel: called Ann Fisk today to inquire about the Herlihys joining the garden—indefinite; small angel fish died]

Up shortly after 7:00. Read 2^nd Timothy, chapters 7-10 of Numbers. I had a headache. I’ve never been drunk—so I’ve never had a hang over, so I don’t know what that’s like—but I imagined that a hangover couldn’t feel much different than what I felt like! I stretched out on the bed in the front room—I didn’t fall asleep, but I got up about the time Debbie and Bonnie were emerging. After breakfast it was a busy morning. I had a couple of letters to write—to Mrs. Balf (league of women voters re: C.A.M.P. business) and a letter to Cokesbury. Plus finish my letter to Mrs. Myers and prepare my Eagle article. I left the house about 11:50. Went to the Congregational church office to get a sheet xeroxed. Then to the Eagle office, then to the P.O., then home. After lunch Bonnie was off to work, Debbie played in her room. I then made my bread. By the time this was finished (i.e., bread in pans on radiator to rise) I was exhausted—again I stretched out—was dozing when Ed Nutting called. After that I was gradually feeling well enough to study. So I got some work done before Bonnie got home from work. She was feeling so lousy that she had a simple supper in bed—early in the evening she was feeling better. Debbie and I ate together downstairs. Watched CBS news, cleaned up kitchen. 8:00–8:45 paid visit on Barbara Olson + Albert Tarvis—their father very ill; home by 9:00. Relaxed, snacked—no more work accomplished; bathed. OBLO c. 11:05.

Tuesday, 12 January 1971

[Top panel:  called Sears in Boston]

Up shortly after 7:00. Read Titus and Philemon, then Numbers 11-15. Shaved. Then began rereading Johnson’s article on Psalm Studies in Old Testament and Modern Study. This occupied me until Bonnie and Debbie arrived downstairs. We had breakfast, then I turned to this article again until the mail arrived. I spent a few minutes reading some articles in the New Republic. We had lunch during the noon hour, then Bonnie left for work. Debbie went to play in her room. I went back to reading. About 2 o’clock I stretched out for a few minutes and was revived. Then I read the rest of the afternoon. Finished Johnson’s article. Then turned to reviewing. Reread Albright’s chapter on the JE complex and Kitchen chapter on literary criticism. I looked through the paper when it arrived—Bonnie arrived home while I was so occupied. We fixed a simple supper. Then I went back to reading (in Kitchen); at 6:30 watched CBS news, etc. 7:30–8:00 played with Debbie—her favorite request these days is “house—up high” meaning that she wants me to build a high structure with her blocks. Most of the evening I had an upset stomach and was rather uncomfortable. But I finished Kitchen and turned to Kaufmann’s essay on the antiquity of P. [1] Bonnie was out for the evening at Community Chorus Board meeting. I stopped studying shortly before 10:00. Prepared a written statement of my studying for Beck. Bathed. Relaxed, read; OBLO 11:30.

[1] In this diary entry, JE and P refer to the hypothesis that the first five books of the Old Testament, the Pentateuch, were the creation of several authors. The J author used the name Yahweh for God (or, with different vowels, Jehovah—hence the “J”); the E author used the name Elohim for God; the P author represented a separate priestly class. The D author created the Book of Deuteronomy. It’s complicated:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Documentary_hypothesis

David’s diary, 12 January 1971

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by David Madison and Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/11/26/davids-diary-january-9-1971/

Tuesday, 5 January 1971

[Top panel: long distance calls: Cokesbury, Boston Whittemore Cokesbury, Teaneck  Beck]

Up about 7:30—Θ—(i.e., I was beautifully seduced by my wife) so I didn’t get up til shortly after 8:00. I came downstairs, shaved immediately—as I was having my breakfast, Miss Rose Margossian, whom I was supposed to meet at the church at 9 o’clock, called to postpone the meeting because she was having car trouble. So I was able to turn to my reading. I read Paul’s letter to the Colossians; when Bonnie and Debbie came downstairs I had a cup of tea while they had breakfast. Then I started reading in Exodus, chapters 19-24—before this was finished the mail man arrived, with very little. Late in the morning I was on the telephone getting details re: the upcoming COCU study tended to. Had to talk with Bamforth, Nutting, Cokesbury, Boston, Whittemore—and Cokesbury in Teaneck. After lunch Bonnie went to work—Debbie went to play in her room. I tried to get back to studying, but was rather drowsy. I got a phone call from Miss Margossian—so I met her at the church about 2:45—with Debbie. Homer was also there. She is with Action, Inc. and wants to use the church for Head Start if needed. Came home after changing the wayside pulpit. Studied or dozed. I had supper almost ready by the time Bonnie got home. Just as CBS news was almost over—Bob Dawson arrived to work on our electrical problem, i.e., two outlets in dining room not working. He fixed it by 7:30. Also advised us on putting electric heat in back room upstairs. Bonnie went to SS meeting; I played with Debbie (built blocks to the ceiling!) then studied in Mowinckel until about 10:15. Relaxed, read, bathed  OBLO 11:35.

Wednesday, 6 January 1971

[Top panel: 3 photos of cats]

Up at 7:30—came downstairs, read first 3 chapters of Thessalonians while having my orange juice, then turned directly to reviewing Mowinckel. At that hour I was in no condition to plow through Exodus 27.  About 9:30 or so my peace was interrupted by the arrival of Deborah—and we had breakfast together. Bonnie made it out of bed while we were eating. After breakfast I shaved, then turned back to Mowinckel until the mail arrived, then spent some time with it. Read some more until lunch time. During the noon hour I made a walking trip down to Richdales for milk and bread. We had lunch when I got home. After eating I took our Xmas tree (which was out in the yard) + the two trees (discarded in the yard) of our neighbors—a[nd] dumped them over the edge of the wall in the yard—where we have dumped brush in the past—this way they won’t have to be burned. Took 3 pictures of the cats. Sully had managed to climb up into the attic of the garage (using the car as a stepping stool) and was relaxing in the window! Early in the afternoon I made a beginning on the sermon for next Sunday, then about 3:00 turned back to Mowinckel. Becky Bussey dropped in—and she and Bonnie visited upstairs while I read downstairs. Shortly after she left I began getting supper ready. Just as we were preparing to eat, Ed Nutting dropped by with some figures on JYF monies. When he left we ate; watched CBS news. Spent the evening studying; about 10:00 began reading in Exodus, i.e., skimmed chpts. 27-31; bathed; OBLO  c. 10:50.

Thursday, 7 January 1971

[Top panel: 1 photo of cat on radiator]

Up at 7:05. Had juice along with St. Paul; read the 4^th and 5^th chapters of I Thessalonians, then turned to Exodus 32-34. Shaved and began again in Mowinckel’s Psalms—worked reviewing this until Bonnie and Debbie came down for breakfast after 9:30. Ate with them, then returned to Mowinckel until the mail man arrived—spent some time with it. After lunch Bonnie went to Gloucester—to pick up this month’s surplus food and to go to the grocery store. Debbie played in her room, I studied—dozed briefly too. When Bonnie got home about 2:30 I helped her unload the car, then at 3:00 I went to St. Mary’s church. Bamforth, Nutting and I had a meeting to plan this Sunday’s meeting to launch the COCU plan of union study. We met until about 4:35. We have remained very flexible about how to handle Sunday—a lot depends upon how large a crowd turns out. COCU is so remote to most people—they just don’t know what it’s all about—and that’s very unfortunate in view of its importance. As soon as I came home I worked on supper. We ate between 5:30 and 6:00. Watched CBS news. 7:30–8:30 I spent doing some phoning and working further on the sermon. 8:30–10:00 TV: Ironside and Odd Couple. After which I returned to working on the sermon—got about 90% of my rough draft done—the subject is COCU—will the Marrs walk out?! Bathed about 11:30. OBLO  11:50.

Friday, 8 January 1971

Up at 7:00. Read 2 Thessalonians and finished the book of Exodus before turning to Mowinckel. I was tired—previous mornings this week the early hour hasn’t bothered me too much—but it has [been] hard to stay awake; I dozed briefly sitting in Bonnie’s rocker. She and Debbie appeared downstairs before 9:30—then we all had breakfast. I then for back to working in Mowinckel until the mail man arrived. He brought both a box of slides and a movie. We viewed the slides. After lunch Bonnie left for work, Debbie played in her room, and I got to work on the sermon—this was my main preoccupation for the afternoon. I had the rough draft largely done, so it was a matter of producing the final, polished written draft. I was done with this about 3:30. Then I turned to the slides which had arrived today—i.e., cataloguing, numbering, dating, labeling—also had to mount 2 slides that had been returned unmounted. Fixed supper, so we ate shortly after Bonnie arrived home. I was pretty exhausted, weary. Watched CBS news, etc—Spoke to Lewises on the phone. The evening was spent at my desk, getting caught up here and there, making phone calls. I didn’t have the heart to go back to reviewing Mowinckel—which is really rather tedious. I think that the review is certainly helpful—but not very enjoyable or exciting. Bathed about 10:30. OBLO  c. 11:00 Θ

David’s diary, 8 January 1971

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by David Madison and Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/11/25/davids-diary-january-5-1971/