Monday, 12 October 1970

This has been a more leisurely and relaxed day. We got out of bed when we felt like it—at least we stayed in bed until Debbie was too loud to be ignored any longer. I suppose we were all up by 9:00. We had planned to return to the lake to sail, but Marty didn’t feel like it—and the day was overcast like yesterday, though there was not as much fog. Finally we decided to go to a brand new shopping center. So we spent the late morning and early afternoon there. We bought a tablecloth, new sheets—two sets of brightly colored flower prints. Bonnie also bought some flannel for making nightgowns for Debbie. We didn’t get back to P + M’s house until after two—we had lunch—then most of us just felt like collapsing. I napped for a while—as did Paul, Marty, Debbie. Bonnie had energy, however, so she went to a shopping center to do a load of diapers and to get groceries. After she got home, we all came to life slowly—and had a delightful time just sitting around talking. Early in the afternoon I called Sears in Boston and ordered a router set—on sale $25 off!—watched CBS news—then about 8:00 we all went downtown for a Chinese dinner—delicious. Then home after 9:00. P + M headed for bed; I wrote rough draft of a letter to Rev. Scobie re: Harris baptism; OBLO, c. 11:00.

Tuesday, 13 October 1970

A tiring day. We were awake with Paul + Marty around 6:30–7:00 when they had to leave for school. But Bonnie, Debbie + I went back to bed when they had gone. We didn’t get up til about 9:00. We hurriedly dressed, packed, ate breakfast and loaded the car. We left their place about 10:15—we went across town to see the Stoners for a short while. Then after a visit there, and getting gasoline, we were on the NY thruway by about 11:45. We made good time getting home—we stopped a couple of times. We headed directly into Boston—traffic in the city was distressingly heavy. We went to Sears to pick up the router I had ordered. Luckily everything went smoothly. After leaving Sears we headed out of town, went to the N. Shore Shopping Center—we arrived there about 4:45. We were interested in locating a copy of Better Homes + Gardens Handyman’s Book—and we found it. Then we piled into the car again and headed home. We were here by 6:00. We busied ourselves with unloading the car and looking through the mail. I fixed supper for Bonnie, but wasn’t hungry myself. We relaxed, watched CBS news. About 8:00 I then fixed myself some supper. Debbie was in bed early—she was exhausted too. I spent the evening trying to figure out my new router—it’s quite a machine. Bathed about 11; OBLO  c. midnight.

Wednesday, 14 October 1970

Up about 8:30 or so. Had breakfast, then worked on my letter to Rev. Skobe—he baptized (or is soon to) the Harris baby—which I refused to do—I wanted him to know my understanding of the situation. Then Bonnie, Debbie and I went to the Building Center; we got hardware for the kitchen cabinet doors I’m making—but no luck on certain router attachments. We came home, I called Building Center in Gloucester—then I went over there in the car, but no luck there either—went to Sears—ordered a part. Came home, had lunch. Bonnie left for work, Debbie played then slept in her room, and I got back to work on the kitchen shelves over the radiator. It took me all afternoon to get the frame out on, which will hold the doors. The house isn’t true, so that took some planing and some careful fitting. When Bonnie got home from work we called Jerry + Carol Lewis—invited them to come over for dessert at 8:00. We then had supper in the midst of carpentry mess—I continued working before and after supper until the Lewises arrived. We had a pleasant visit with them. While they were here I phoned in the order to Sears for several items which I’ll pick up tomorrow; also called Dr. Beck. The Lewises left about 10:00—then we watched TV as I continued to work on the frame around shelves—final nailing + sanding; bathed; relaxed, OBLO, c. 11:30  Θ

Thursday, 15 October 1970

Not up too early—by 9:30? Had breakfast, after shaving, which I hadn’t done since Monday evening before going to the Chinese restaurant. My main concern was to get the new frame around the shelves over the radiator sanded and varnished—this took me up til about 11:45. Then I went to the dump. Came home, prepared to leave for Boston, had lunch. Left about 1:00—got gas—but had to return—I was about to Ancher Inn when I remembered that I’d left the transfer of credit slips at home. Then I set out again. Got to BU about 2:30—large crowds outside CLA—a bomb threat. The next hour and half I bought Playboy, contacted Beck, checked on grade for one course. Had to see Beck at 3:00 and at 4:00—so glance(d) through Playboy in the interval. After seeing Beck 2^nd time left BU for Sears (also saw Elaine Follis at BU)—picked up several items: anchor bit, aquarium, tool box, house slippers. Headed home in heavy traffic, rain. Got here about 6:15. We ate supper, watched CBS news, looked over our new things. Relaxed, tested new router anchor, watched Flip Wilson. 8:30–9:30 Ironsides. Then I set to work on cabinet above sink, i.e., ripped out old shelves, sanded wall, measured, prepared to start building tomorrow; bathed, watched Johnny Carson; OBLO 12:50 Θ

David’s Diary, October 15, 1970

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by David Madison and Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/10/21/davids-diary-october-12-1970/

Wednesday, 30 September 1970

Up about 9:00. What a tedious day. I had a slight breakfast, then got back to my reviewing. I am so discouraged and worried about this test—I need months yet to study. But still I’m eager to get it over with. I don’t know how I’m going to pass it. I’m afraid that by tomorrow evening I’ll be no further along the road to my Ph.D. It wasn’t difficult for me to be distracted today. I took my time looking through the mail when it came. Bonnie took Debbie out in the morning on errands—one of which was to get fall car inspection. We had lunch about 12:30—I got back to work. About 1:30 Bonnie and Debbie left again. This time they took Carol Lewis shopping down the line—for groceries. Bonnie also came back with a beautiful new bed spread. The[y] didn’t get back til late in the afternoon. I helped her put groceries away—and we fixed a very simple supper of left-overs. Read some more after supper; then watched CBS news at 6:30. Nixon’s in Europe, Nassers sudden death rather steals some of his thunder. About mid-afternoon I went over to the congregational church to sign 75 letters (from 3 pastors re: SS open house on Sunday). I worked all evening on reviewing; also prepared transfer of credit forms; bathed about 10:30—OBLO c. 11 o’clock.

Thursday, 1 October 1970

Up shortly before 9:00. Shaved a two day beard, had breakfast, prepared to leave for Boston—left the house about 10:00; caught the 10:15 train, did a little last minute reviewing while riding in, but then tried to relax. I got to BU about 12:00—I went to the bookstore to buy a copy of Playboy. Then I went to Beck’s office. It turns out that he was unable to have lunch with me; so I went on down to the refectory, found Lloyd Carr, whom I hadn’t seen in ages—so I ate my lunch with him. Then at 1 o’clock, I went up to the library, picked up the exam and began work. It wasn’t too bad; there were some areas in which my answers were weak, but I think I passed. I handed it in shortly after 4:00. Then I checked out a couple of books and headed for North Station. I was able to catch the 4:55 train—just made it. Read Playboy on the way home. Got here shortly after 6:00. David Herlihy was here proudly displaying his honorable discharge papers. We had supper—then the evening was spent relaxing for the most part. We watched TV part of the time—Ironsides—then I began the process of getting some arranging done in my study. About 11:15 I bathed, then we watched Johnny Carson, his 8^th anniversary show—the LO about 1:05.

Friday, 2 October 1970

Up after 9:00. Had breakfast, then shaved—was ready when Jim Bussey, John Dunnack and Gladys Haskell arrived at 10:30—we talked about C.A.M.P. and what it can be doing. Jim disclosed that Mac White will probably consider holding only one Annual Meeting on Cape Ann—that certainly won’t be popular with some folks. We broke up about noon. Bonnie and I had lunch—Debbie was sound asleep. Bonnie left for work as usual, but I didn’t have ambition to do much of anything. I tried to nap a while, did odds and ends, read an article in Playboy on pornography in Denmark—a country which seems to have a much saner approach than the U.S. At 3 o’clock Rev’s. Bailey, Bamforth and Nutting arrived, and we talked about the JYF and other matters for about 1½ hours. When they left I began tending to supper. Bonnie got home shortly after 5:00. Debbie had just gotten up. She’d been napping most of the afternoon. She hadn’t had her lunch, so she ate supper early. We fixed supper, watched CBS news. Don and Lawry arrived about 7:20. We had supper together, had a very delightful evening of visiting and games. First we played Group Therapy—which can be devastating—then we switched to password. It’s hard to give up when you’re having so much fun—but, OBLO, 1:32.

Saturday, 3 October 1970

I was up briefly to change Debbie—and to put her socks and shoes on—she can insist on some pretty weird things and weird hours! As soon as she got them on, I put her back to bed—she was content! and then I went back to bed. Between 9:00 and 9:30 the whole household came to life. We had a leisurely breakfast with Don and Lawry. Then we went to the garden together. We got a heap of stuff to give them. We got back to the house about 11:00—they left very soon. They had to be in Brookline by 12:30 for a Dr’s appt. I then tried to nap, without much luck. About noontime I put the chicken in the oven, then began studying the plans for the deacon’s bench I’m to build. After lunch I shaved, then went over to see Esther Longley at the nursing home. I stayed with her not quite an hour. Then came home. I had planned to do more calling, but just didn’t have the stamina. So I took Bonnie + Debbie along to the lumber yard to get the wood for the deacon’s bench—also picked up a few new tools. When we got home we all sacked out—from about 5:00 to 7:00. Homer Orne’s phone call got us up. Then we fixed supper. I then spent the evening working on sermon and bulletins. At one point we had a grand hilarious time playing with Debbie in her room; bathed c. 12:20. OBLO 12:36.

David’s Diary, September 30, 1970

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by David Madison and Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/10/17/davids-diary-september-30-1970/

Saturday, 26 September 1970

Up about 9:00. Had breakfast, then got to work preparing the C.A.M.P. service for tomorrow night. I hadn’t got very much done when Jerry Lewis arrived with his trailer—to cart away the piano—and he really started demolishing it in earnest, what a racket! Finally it was all stripped down—we kept most of the bigger pieces for scrap lumber. He was just interested in the sound board. What a heavy thing it was. I helped him get it into the trailer, then went to his home to help him unload it. Came home, got back to worked—also called my SS class to remind them that we begin tomorrow. After lunch I shaved, then paid a call—went up to see the Hannibals. I cancelled two other calls, and I’m glad I did—seeing now that I would never have had time. When I got home I got back to work preparing the C.A.M.P. service. When most of this was done, Bonnie and I contemplated the blank wall in the dining room where the piano used to be. I went to the building center—got a bulletin board—mounted it 4X7 feet. Bought a rocking chair from neighbors who were moving. Had supper. Worked all evening on various things: Camp service, Sunday school lesson, painted a red border on the bulletin board. I prepared a fun quiz for my Sunday School class; quit about 12:30. Bathed. OBLO, 1:05.

Sunday, 27 September 1970

Up shortly before 8:00; shaved, dressed, practiced the sermon; my class arrived about 9:30—6 girls—a certain degree of uneasiness—but as the hour passed, with the taking of the fun quiz, things loosened up. We quit shortly after 10:30. I headed for the church; had a brief and not too pleasant conversation with George Marr re: the banners. Preached Part III on the women of the Bible. Got home by 12:30. The Garcia’s were piling into the cars to leave for NY for the winter; we loaned them our cat cage to transport Ming in. After the[y] left we ate lunch; then I had about a half hour to work on my statement on C.A.M.P. for tonight’s service. At 2:00 I went to the church—the 3 clergy were interviewed by an Eagle reporter on the joint Sunday School. From there I went with Ed Nutting to the Congo church to put the evening bulletins through the folding machine. Got home about 3:10—worked on, finished the C.A.M.P. statement. At 3:45 went to St. Mary’s for meeting of the 4 clergy of the JYF. Home at about 5:00. Shortly thereafter Busseys, Dunnachs, and White arrived. We had supper and fellowship together until about 7:15, then we all left for Wesley church. Service was at 8:00. Pouring rain, not too well attended—a tremendous, dynamic sermon by White. We got to Patriquins to pick up Debbie about 9:40. Came home shortly after 10:00; relaxed, bathed; OBLO, 11:40.

Monday, 28 September 1970

Up about 9:00. Had breakfast, then got my article written for the Eagle; I took it over to the Eagle office, came home, began looking over exam reading lists. I wrote a letter to Cokesbury ordering 8 books. I then tried to prepare myself for the mammoth task of reviewing all my reading since June 15. We had lunch shortly after 12:00. Before Bonnie left for work she put Debbie down for a nap—and she slept almost the whole afternoon. About 1:00 I was going to start my review. But I was feeling weary and lethargic from yesterday’s pace. So I napped from about 1:00–2:45. I got up, felt revived, got a cup of coffee, then finally began my review. I worked at it until about 5:00, when I quit to get supper ready; Bonnie got home early, and we ate about 5:30. I reviewed for a few minutes before 6:30, then watched CBS news: NASSER DIED SUDDENLY TODAY—what a shock. And Nixon had audience with Pope Paul—from what Nixon said he seems unable to think except in terms of military might and the power of his office. About 7:30 I turned to reviewing again. After 8 o’clock I called Beck to tell him that I would be in to BU on the 1^st of Oct to take the exam; we had a nice chat. I spent the evening studying. I stopped before 11:00 to watch news; then mailed (drove to P.O.) letter to Beck with the reading list I’ve been working on; he requested it; home, OBLO, c. 11:54.

Tuesday, 29 September 1970

Up about 9:15. Shaved—2 days worth; had breakfast—my main concern today was to press ahead with my review. I had hoped to have two whole weeks to review, but here I’m trying to cram it into 3 days—and I’m not too happy about it. The reviewing is very tedious, and I also find it emotionally draining; there is so much to know, and I’m continually formulating questions in my own mind which I know I can’t answer. In short, I’m worried, nervous. It’ll be a miracle if I pass the test. We had lunch about noon. Then Bonnie left for work. She put Debbie in her room, but she didn’t settle down to sleep for some time. I read downstairs. About 4:30 I began to work on and off on supper. We ate as soon as Bonnie got home from work. I got a little reviewing done before CBS news at 6:30. In the evening Bonnie went down to Patriquins after putting Debbie to sleep, and I continued working. I went through Mowinckel’s Psalms in Israel’s Worship in about 2 hours—which shows just how speedy and inadequate this review is. Today Bonnie mailed a letter to Blackwell’s—I ordered R. H. Charles Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha—I’m tired of being without it. After Mowinckel I started in Lindblom Prophecy in Ancient Israel—I stopped about 11:00 to bathe; Bonnie got home; relaxed; OBLO, c. 12:15.

David’s Diary, September 29, 1970

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by David Madison and Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/10/15/davids-diary-september-26-1970/

Sunday, 6 September 1970

A long day—up about 8:30 after Θ—we didn’t bother with the foam, so if Bonnie ovulates in the next day or two, we might have made a baby—a month or two ahead of schedule. After getting up I shaved, had breakfast, dressed for church, then read for about a half hour after practicing the sermon. Left for church about 10:35. There was a decent crowd, about 40—the Hannibals were back too. I preached on “The Potter and the Clay.” After we got home we changed and drove up to the garden—hadn’t been there since Wednesday—we picked beans, corn, egg-plant, tomatoes. Got home, had lunch, then I got to reading after 3 o’clock. My reading didn’t last too long however; I got sleepy—I stretched out on the bed in the front bedroom downstairs—I was both sound asleep—and yet annoyed by the kids and grandmother next door. I finally very groggily got up about 6:00. Then we fixed supper. About 7:00 I called Mrs. Rapp to check on some details re: Play reading—had a long chat with her. Then I got more reading done. About 8:45 Mora came over to stay with Debbie and to do her laundry. We went down to the Little Art Cinema to see “O What a Lovely War”—it was excellent in spots—but was overly long. I was bored much of the time. We got home about 11:30—visited with Mora and Billy til about 1:15. Bill + I listened to some Wagner + to Anna Russell’s Ring Cycle; OBLO, 1:30.

Monday, 7 September 1970

Up about 8:30—not that I wanted to get up at that (h)our—since we got to bed at 1:30—but Debbie had gone to bed at a reasonable hour and was wake at her usual time. I got out of bed, went downstairs and read in Weiser for a while before Bonnie and Debbie appeared. I dressed, we had breakfast. My main concern for the day was again to get a lot of reading done. If I’m to take my exam on October 1, I can’t fall behind in my reading this month. I read in the morning—being Labor day there was no interruption by mail delivery—or paper boy (actually girl!) in the afternoon. We had lunch about 12:15, Bonnie went to work—her main project for the morning was getting a frame for Van Gogh’s Sunflowers. By 1 o’clock I had settled down for my afternoon’s reading, and aside from checking on Debbie and chatting briefly with Mora as she came and went with her laundry, I stuck to it until shortly after 5:00—at which time I began on supper. We ate not long after Bonnie got home—no CBS news—the damn baseball game was dragging on. In the evening we hung the painting in the living room, but I made progress on the reading. While we bathed we made suggestions to one another re: names for the next baby. Read a while after bathing; OBLO c. 12:15.

Tuesday, 8 September 1970 

Up at 8:45—as soon as breakfast was over I got to my reading—I wanted to finish Weiser before the end of the day—and I did, about 10:15 this evening. I read all morning and all afternoon. We had lunch about 12:15; Bonnie went to work, Debbie played after her nap. There were some interruptions, but nothing major. About the middle of the afternoon Billy McKenney stopped by to say good-bye—he left to return to teaching in New York. When Bonnie got home about 5:20 we set about making supper. We ate, watched CBS news—then we went for a walk—what a joy to have Rockport free of tourists—bear skin neck was almost deserted—we had a leisurely stroll down and back—with Debbie in her stroller. When we got back, about 8 o’clock I called the new D.S. Mac White re: preaching for a C.A.M.P. installation service on the 20^th; he agreed to—will also have supper with us. We chatted for more than 15 minutes—he wanted to find out a few things about Rockport and Cape Ann—since he’s new to the area. After this phone conversation I returned to my reading. Later in the evening Margaret Reilley called from Canada. She’s planning to return between October 1 and 10; what a relief it was to finish Weiser—now on to Eiesfeldt. Bathed together at 11:00; OB Θ+ LO midnight.

Wednesday, 9 September 1970

Up about 8:45. Went to Richdales after 9:00 for some bread. Came home, had breakfast, shaved; then made preparations for going to Boston—I planned to catch the 11:15 train—so I was at the station shortly before then. But the train was late—didn’t leave Rockport until about 11:40. I did some sermon planning and reading for sermons on the way in. When I got in—I went to Park Street station—from there I walked to 100 Summer Street to Baker Play Co—bought 8 copies of Harvey. From there I walked to 581 Boylston Street—conferred with conference treasurer Terry Thomason re: a report which has to be made. Had a nice chat with him. Stopped in Cokesbury briefly—then took the trolley to BU—did various errands, ate lunch about 3:00—registered—or rather signed up as a continuing student. Saw Beck briefly. Caught the 5:15 train home, got here shortly after 6:30. We had supper, watched the news. Then I relaxed for a while. I had read part of Harvey on the train home—I finished it relaxing on the couch. Then I cast the play. Then I went about delivering copies to 5 families—saw Jerry + Carol briefly. Also saw Ornes for a while. Came home, relaxed 10:30–11:30. OBLO c. 11:45.

David’s Diary, September 9, 1970

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by David Madison and Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/10/08/davids-diary-september-6-1970/

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/