Monday, April 28, 1969

Up about 8:30. Had breakfast and then got to work typing the Messiah paper—getting that finished was my first goal of the day. But I didn’t get finished with it as soon as I wanted. Still about 4 pp. to go when I stopped to have lunch. Bonnie & Debbie went over late in the a.m. to see Hazle Lord—home about 1:00. Had lunch by myself. Got back to work after shaving. Finally finished the paper about 3:00. I was babysitting—Bonnie was at WSCS. I finished the footnotes and bibliography by 4:00, then got to straightening up the desk. Bonnie came home with the report that Alice Marr spoke of “underground movement” to close the church. I wrote them a letter trying to explain things. Went on walk to post-office. Home, had supper. About 6:45 I got back to my desk, began work on my Isaiah paper. Slow start—by 11:00 o’clock only into the 9^th verse (chpt 63, beginning at v.7); bathed; off to bed; lights out 12:12.

Tuesday, April 29, 1969

Had trouble getting to sleep last night; still awake at least at 2:00—so wasn’t up so early this morning—up about 9:00. After breakfast I was concerned to get my proof reading done. This took quite a while, since there were 40 pp of manuscript to read + correct (Psalm 110 and Messiah) Finished about 11:15—then shaved, changed clothes, had light lunch; 12:15 headed to BU—got there about 1:15. Took about ½ hour to xerox both papers. Class from 2:00 until 3:15 headed home; arrived Rockport about 4:30. Relaxed, napped before supper; ate supper, then got back to my desk about 7:30. Debby was playing on the floor for about ½ hour. She really gets around. Worked all evening; took a break for pie + coffee around 10:00. I’ve done vv. 7-14 now (Isaiah 63) stopped about 11:30. Bathed; spent a lot of time in the tub—unhurried off to bed; lights out 12:41.

Wednesday, April 30, 1969

Felt lousy for about the first half of the day; didn’t sleep well last night—2^nd night in row—but I had to plod away on the Isaiah paper. By 10 ‘clock hadn’t finished the 63^rd chapter yet. Lunch around 1:00; shaved (slides arrived in the mail—I stopped to look at them) Worked on during the afternoon, during one study break I sowed some grass seed out by the garage. Bonnie went shopping in the afternoon. Debby woke up, stayed in her play-pen for a while, then wanted company and freedom to roam. I worked at my desk and she crawled around the study. I stopped work at 7:00 for supper. 7:30 back to work. The textual problems thinned out near the end, so it wasn’t so difficult. did break at about 10:00.  Finally finished the exegesis of all 24 verses about 10:40—too long 25 pages! a lot of typing—and the conclusion has yet to be written; bathed, off to bed; lights out 11:54.

Thursday, 1 May 1969

David and Debby, March 1969

Up before 8:30. Had breakfast; turned immediately to finish writing the Isaiah paper. Finished shortly after 10:00, then set up to [do] the typing, with the Hebrew typewriter on the card-table next to the desk. Interrupted by the mail man. Took time to read letter from Bonnie’s mother. Then back to work—then worked pretty steadily for the rest of the day—took time out for lunch and to shave, but worked without interruption in the afternoon. Stopped about 7 o’clock for supper, but got back to work by 7:35. Kept on until about 10:00. Stopped for coffee—call from John + Lea—suggesting a gift for the folks 40^th wedding anniversary. Back to work by 10:30. Debby had trouble getting to sleep this evening. She was still up at 11:30. Very sleepy—but also fretful. Finally by 12:00 she was asleep. About 12:00 stopped typing, on the 22^nd typed page. Off to bathe; unhurried. Off to bed; lights out 1 a.m.

Friday, 2 May 1969

Up about 8:00—had breakfast, then got to work finishing my paper—all done, footnotes, bibliography by about 11:00. Then I relaxed for a while, prepared to go to Boston. Had lunch. From 1:00 to 2:00 carefully proof-read the paper. About 2:30 we left for Boston—Bonnie + Debby went along. Got to Boston about 3:30. I xeroxed my paper. We were at BU about an hour—saw Larry Carter; he hadn’t seen Debby before. We left about 4:30. Debby got car-sick on the way home. Arrived here about 6:00. Had planned to go to the show in Lawrence, but we would have had to rush, and we were exhausted; so we had supper at a leisurely pace. I fixed supper while Bonnie fed and bathed Debby. We laid down for a few minutes after supper. About 8:00 we went down to Patriquins. Showed our slides; we came home about 10:15. Bathed, relaxed, read, off to bed; lights out 11:26.

Saturday, 3 May 1969

Allowed myself the luxury of staying in bed until around 10:00. Had a small breakfast—couldn’t really get interested in writing a sermon—went about clearing away the mess of papers on my desk. Phone call from Jim Bussey—he read an inane letter in the paper by Alice Marr about youth and the church. Had lunch about 12:30. Sue Lee brought over a banner she’d made for church. 1:30-2:30 talked with Ornes—visited them with Lucy Patience. Went to the church to see where to hang the banner. Came home, napped, did some preliminary work on sermon. Supper about 6:30. 7:30 went to the church for short conference with Jean Crowell—she’s the organist tomorrow. Home by 8:00—Alan Federick came over to see slides. By about 9:30 I got to work, did bulletin, then ½ of sermon; bathed; did other ½; off to bed at 1:05.

Sunday, 4 May 1969

Up about 8:00—got to work finishing preparation for the service—small breakfast, shaved, dressed; at 10:00 Alan Federick came over in his car—we transported the record player to the church. Need the Medical Mission Sisters record in the sermon. After the service Alan helped me get it back up to the house; he stayed for lunch—from about 2:00–4:00 we all napped. At 4:00 we went over to Sue + Roy Lees. Bill + Jean Crowell arrived. They invited us for supper. Came home around seven; we felt like getting out of the house, but didn’t have any good ideas on where to go + what to do—and I was rather weary. So we killed a couple of hours playing Scrabble! I beat Bonnie—a rarity. After this I read for a while, Bonnie played her accordian. I worked at my desk and the backlog of paperwork. Stopped to bathe about midnight; off to bed; lights out 12:15.

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Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/06/03/davids-diary-april-28-1969/

Monday, April 21, 1969

Θ before arising—up about 8:15, had breakfast. My main project for today was to get the Shechen paper done (Iron I) I worked at it steadily during the day—had lunch around 12:30—but didn’t actually get to writing until late afternoon. Dozed in my chair for a while in mid-afternoon. Had about half of the paper written when I stopped for supper. Got back to work about 8:00—Bonnie went to a meeting—officers of community chorus. I finished writing about 10:00, and had about a page typed when she got home. We then went about getting trash ready for town cleanup tomorrow (cans, branches). Got back to typing, then bathed around 11:30. Bonnie went to bed, I typed some more. Wasn’t quite about to finish—making too many mistakes; off to bed, lights out about 12:20.

Tuesday, April 22, 1969

Up shortly after 8:00; had breakfast (small), then got to work finishing typing the Slechen paper. After this did about one page more on Psalm 110 paper. Shaved; at 10:30 had an early lunch, caught the 11:15 train–got to BU around noon. Had a brief chat with Larry Carter, had a sandwich with Walter Aufrecht.  Went to do xeroxing; from 2:00 til 3:45 had archaeology class—for a few minutes relaxed in Oxnam Lounge. The Isaiah class—the last one. Left about 20 minutes early. But there were no delays on the subway. Was on the train 15 minutes early—but it was late leaving; got home about 8:00—walked home in the rain with leaking shoes. After supper relaxed, played with Debby. I brought Richardson’s Hebrew typewriter home with me today, so did some toying with it in the evening—but rather tired—off to bed early 10:15; read in bed; lights out 10:55.

Wednesday, April 23, 1969

Up not too long after 8:00. Had pie for breakfast. Worked with the Hebrew typewriter, getting the Hebrew inserted into the pages already typed. Then finally got to work typing more of the manuscript itself. Had lunch around 12:30, then shaved, worked clear through until 2:45—had 14 pages done. Left immediately for BU, got there about 4:00. Attended Messiah seminar. Class over c. 5:50. Consulted with Richardson about getting Grad. School clearance for my Cambridge study. Got books from library on Isaiah, headed home, got here about 7:25—had supper, then had meeting at 8:00 (at Brewers) to draw up the questionnaire to be sent to all church members. This was over about 9:30. Came home, had coffee, worked at my desk for a while., bathed about 10:30; off to bed; read; lights out 11:32.  θ+

Thursday, April 24, 1969

David with Debby, March 1969

Up not too long after 8:00. My main concern today was to get the Psalm 110 paper finished; I got to typing after breakfast. There was an interruption around 11:00 when the mailman arrived. Letters from Paul + Marty (they’ve bought a 21 ft cabin cruiser!) and Harrell Beck—advising us to reconsider carefully going deep in debt for European study—discourages us to do so. Around noon fixed hinge on front door. Had lunch, worked all afternoon on the paper—finally, before 5 o’clock it was finished except for footnotes + bibliography. Had to turn then to get ready for the Bible Class. Read hurriedly through Malachi and Ruth, had supper, work a few minutes on footnotes; Bible class arrived at 8:00; 6 in attendance—we did Malachi: this was over by 9:30. Finished footnotes + bibliography—all done! Straightened up my study—bathed, off to bed; lights out after reading 12:25.

Friday, April 25, 1969

Up before 8:30. The main concern today was to get going on the Messiah paper. But after the big push yesterday, my heart wasn’t in it. Anyway I had to spend the morning on correspondence—had to write letters to seminaries [?] for the Joint Youth Group, and re: my ordination. Went to the post office. Didn’t get down to work really until after lunch—I procrastinated, getting distracted by articles in the IDB. [1] But did make some significant progress—at least made a good start. Stopped for supper about 6:30. Watched CBS news. Back to my desk about 8:00. Did more work on the Messiah paper—probably reached the ½ way point. Then straightened up my desk—after pie + coffee—then read thru Meth. History notes (from Dr. Brown’s course) for session—and began on it. But about 10:00 or 10:30 left off of this—Bonnie and I discussed pros + cons of European trip—we would have to borrow 1-2 thousand. Bathed, off to bed; lights out 12:12.

Saturday, April 26, 1969

Up about 7:15—dear Debby wasn’t sleepy any longer!  But I was able to get my sermon done by nine o’clock. Then I did the bulletins. About 10:20 Bonnie, Debbie + I took a walk—to the Post Office, and then to Alan Federick’s; we all come home then Alan wanted to use our vacuum to clean his car. He stayed for lunch. Bonnie poured boiling water into the blue (wedding-gift) pitcher—it shattered, hot water all over—nobody hurt, but we mourn the loss of the beautiful pitcher. Bonnie + Alan washed cars, I napped around 1 o’clock briefly, then got to work again on my paper. In the afternoon Bonnie repaired two seats in the VW. I worked all afternoon on the paper. Stopped about 5:45 to help with supper. Then back to work again. Finally finished the rough draft about 9:00. Then turned to polishing the service for tomorrow; bathed; off to bed at 11:10 (12:10 actually!) lights out.

Sunday, April 27, 1969

Up about 8:15; had breakfast, shaved, did feel like beginning typing on the Messiah paper. Got all ready for church, walked around in the yard and took some pictures of the cat. Off to church about 10:20. Preached another sermon on Wesley and the founding of Methodism. Less than 40 in church. Home by 12:15. Weary after lunch—napped until about 3:00, then got started on the typing. This paper is going faster than the Psalm 110 paper. By the time I stopped for supper around 6:45 I had 7 pages done. After supper went to Methodist men. Becky Bussey came to visit with Bonnie while Jim + I attended the meeting. We didn’t get back until about 10:00. Judge Jodrey gave a long slide show very interesting—terrific photos! After Busseys left I got back to typing, but didn’t get too far, too weary—stopped to go to bed about 11:35. Took pictures of Debby + Bonnie today in mother-daughter outfits; lights out 11:45.

[1] Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible

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Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/06/02/davids-diary-april-21-1969/

Monday, April 14, 1969

Up before 9:00. My main concern today was to get my paper on Gibeon ready. First of all, had to finish reading Pritchard’s book, then turned to various books and articles. We had a late lunch, around noon. In the afternoon I was able to work alone, since Bonnie took Debby over to see Hazle Lord. Late in the afternoon I finally got to writing the paper, but not soon enough, Alan Federick + Pat were having us over for supper. He called about 5:00 saying that dinner was c. 7:00 or 7:30. So I worked until about that time. We got there about 7:20. Didn’t have supper til after 8:00. I wasn’t able to have such a good time since I still didn’t have this paper done. Home by 9:30, got to work. Tired. Stopped to bathe a(t) 11:00. By 12:30 have most of the paper written; off to bed; lights out 12:30.

Tuesday, April 15, 1969

Up before 8:00 and got to work on the Gibeon paper. Had some writing yet to do, then got to the typing. Finished by noon, had quick lunch, shaved electrically, then headed to BU by car. Got there about 1:30, went to do the xeroxing of my paper, the went to class at 2:00. We couldn’t meet for the full two hours today—were out by 3:00. Richardson wasn’t at all upset that I hadn’t even handed in my German exam. From 3:00 to 4:00 just sat outside the school talking with Walter Aufrecht + Don Jones—a beautiful warm day. Isaiah class from 4:00 to 6:00—left early, home here in Rockport by about 6:40. Watched TV, had supper, relaxed, but really too tired to try to concentrate on anything. Watched a Nat’l Geographic program about Polynesia; off to bathe about 9:30. Read, lights out about 11; θ+

Wednesday, April 16, 1969

Debby 8 months old today; got up about 8:00, had breakfast, shaved; at 9:30 had conference with Ed Nutting about merger with Congregational church. He indicated his church would be open for discussion. Home by 11 o’clock—worked on  mimeographing the newsletter for Concerned Citizens, at request of George Gabin. About 12:30 had lunch. Caught 1:15 train to Boston. Got to BU about 3:00, looked into books, had class at 4:00—left about 5:45—caught the 6:40 train home—late getting to Rockport. Arrived home about 8:15, began Bible Class immediately. Over 9:30. Only 5 in attendance. After this did more work on the mimeographing: Didn’t finish until after 11:30. Had a letter from Uhlinger today. Advises: “take it easy”—re: merger. The Methodist hierarchy doesn’t want to give up anything—wants true merge, not a swallowing. But joining with [? Cong….] is just plain sensible—no matter what its called; we must overlook self-interest; off to bed; lights out 12:15.

Thursday, April 17, 1969

Debby with a mirror, April 1969

Cat definitely seems to be pregnant.

Up about 9:30. Did some letter-writing, ordered books from Cokesbury. Went to the Post Office, home again. Didn’t accomplish too much today. Went about getting ready for the Wesleyan Fellowship meeting tonight—had to do some mimeographing. Did a lot of puttering around, didn’t set started on Psalm 110 paper. Later in the afternoon, Bonnie gave me a HAIRCUT, then I bathed, since I didn’t last night. After bath, I decided to take the mimeographed material to George Gabin. Bonnie and I walked over with Debby on my back. Stopped to chat with Alan and Pat about  cleaning his car. Saw Anna and Alvina, stopped to see Syd + Winnie Gamage, came home; I napped; 6:45 picked up Hazel Lord, went to the church—meeting didn’t have many results—a questionnaire to be sent to members. Over around 10:00, picked up Debby at Patriquins; snack; off to bed after 11; lights out 11:15.

Friday, April 18, 1969

Up by 8:30. Had a small breakfast, got to work at my desk—procrastinated actually on getting to work on my Psalm 110 paper. So I got my desk cleared off. About 10:30 I strolled outside, and so did Bonnie; we got involved for about a half hour in taking the old rotten picnic table apart, trimming trees. I got back to work finally. We had lunch about 1:00. In the afternoon I made progress on the paper and finally finished the manuscript by supper time—took break in the afternoon for more tree trimming. Bonnie was doing some raking. Helped fix supper, then by 8:00 got back to my desk. Wrote my sermon—actually went very quickly, then got busy on the bulletins—finished them about 1:15. It started raining in the evening. Will be a good day tomorrow to stay inside and type! Off to bathe about 11:30. Listened to new record ( Med. Miss. Sisters), Joy Is Like the Rain; off to bed; lights out 12:20.

Saturday, April 19, 1969

Up at 8:00; breakfast, went to work on the Psalm 110 paper—typing stage. Tried to make this the day’s project, but progress was slow, had done only about 3 pages at noontime. After lunch I shaved, then made some calls (Rip Hannibal and Lucy Patience) and changed the Wayside Pulpit; was back at my desk typing by 3:45. Made some headway—Bonnie went stir crazy. Debby had been whining and whining—and sewing hadn’t gone right—so I offered to take Bonnie to a show—that helped improve things. We had supper around six, then left Debby off with the Patriquins, then went to the theatre in Worcester—saw Charlie—not a very cheerful film, but at least we got out of the house. Had night snack at Patriquins—home by 10; bathed.

Sunday, April 20, 1969

Up around 8:00 to work on the service, practice the sermon; shaved—last morning that I shaved my sideburns, had breakfast, off to the church about 10:40. Mrs. Marr condemned as “ridiculous” having the girls sing the prelude with guitars. Had 44 in church, preached on COCU. Home by 12:15—had lunch, finally got to work typing and made a little headway. At about 2:45 we all three went over to Alan’s to say good-bye to Pat Harry—took pictures. I had a meeting at 3:00 at Episcopal Church. Lasted until about 5:00—joint youth group decided to discuss further May 11 the placing of a Black Roxbury resident in Rockport for a year. Returned home, did more typing, helped with supper, then at 7:30 had a meeting at Wesley Church in Gloucester. Home from that at about 10:00. Had a snack, relaxed, but then got back to typing; our cat is now beginning to look pregnant—we should have some kittens in about a month; off to bed; lights out 11:12.

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Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/06/01/davids-diary-april-14-1969/

Monday, April 7, 1969

Up shortly after 9:00. Had breakfast, then went to work on my Jerusalem paper; this took most of the day. Got much of it written before noon, stopped for lunch around 1:00. Finished writing about 3:00. Then got to typing. During a study break around 4:00 or 5:00 Bonnie and I discussed Europe again; our on-again off-again trip to England is on again—a nine month stay on borrowed money. Continued working  on the Jerusalem paper, had most of it done when I stopped for supper at 6:30. Watched CBS news. Back to work by 7:30. Finished the paper completely by 8:30, after Bonnie had left for community chorus rehearsal. Cleared up the desk a little, glanced at some material for pseudepigrapha paper, talking with Alan Federick on the phone, got to work on German. Worked steadily at German until about 11:30. I’m not ready for the exam! Off to bathe; off to bed; lights out at midnight. θ+

Tuesday, April 8, 1969

Up about 8:00; shaved, had breakfast, caught the 9:20 train to Boston; was at Klugman’s apartment by 11:10. Worked on German until about 12:00, got to BU by 12:30. Had lunch with Mike Miller, Dr. Lucock [?], Dr. Richardson; archaeology class met at 1:00 instead of 2:00. I presented my supplementary report on Debir, and the Late Bronze report on Jerusalem. At 3:00 when class was over, did xeroxing. At four Bonnie picked me up outside the school. She had come in to town with Pat to see the Gardner museum. We headed home, got here around 5:00. Had tea and relaxed; Pat went home about 6:15. We had supper, watched news. From 7:30 til 8:15 I napped. Then got to work on seminar paper for tomorrow; had about half of it done by 2:00 a.m. Tomorrow will finish—longest passages are behind me; off to bed; lights out 2:10.

Wednesday, April 9, 1969

Up about 8:00; only a bite to eat, then got to work on the paper for seminar. Finished about 10:30, then typed two stencils with some key quotes from the pseudepigraphical books. Finished this shortly before noon; shaved; had lunch, left for BU about 12:40. From 2:00–2:40 had a conference with Dr. Brown to talk about our plans for Europe. 3:00–4:00 read over the seminar paper, then checked at the graduate office about my application for advanced approval of Cambridge work. 4:00-5:45 attended class, drove home, arrived shortly after seven; Bonnie left almost immediately to go to movie with Pat and Alan. Had supper, relaxed, napped; watched TV, then translated German for about an hour. Climbed into the tub—and Bonnie arrived home with Alan + Pat! Finished bathing, we visited; they left about 12:30; off to bed; lights out 1:07.

Thursday, April 10, 1969

Up before 9:30. θ+ before arising. Had a hard time forcing myself to get to work on German. Found things to do at my desk; mailman brought our slides, so we stopped to see them. Had lunch around 12:00. I was left with Debby for the afternoon while Bonnie went to stay with Beck Bussey while Jim took her parents to the airport; Becky’s condition has improved—no miscarriage. I worked on German in the afternoon, although I was interrupted by several phone calls. Stopped for supper around 6:00 – then at 7:00 went to the church to meet with the men’s committee on the building. Started late—didn’t end until about 9:30. Anywhere from 10 to 20 thousand could be spent to fix the church. At 9:30 Mr. Coty + his bride arrived, plus wedding party; we had the rehearsal; I was home by 10:00. Bonnie and I had a snack. I tried to study German some, but rather weary. Off to bed without a bath; relaxed, read, lights out – 11:20.

Friday, April 11, 1969

David with Debby, April 1969

Up about 7:30. Had breakfast, left for Boston, arrived at BU—took the German exam, but there was too much to translate. I didn’t even hand it in—it would have been such a spectacular flunk! So it’s back to work on the Deutsch—it’s going to be a working summer. Had my lunch at the school, then went down to the Copley Square area, browsed in bookstores—then left Boston—went to Lynnfield-Wakefield church to pick up FFR envelopes—but none there. Came on home—here by 2:50. Relaxed, napped. About 5 o’clock we went for a walk—stopped in to see Patriquins—home shortly after 6:00. Watched news, had supper. Was at the church by 7:00—prepared for the wedding—married Henry Coty and Carol McDonald—ceremony at 7:30. From there rushed home—then off to committee meeting at Mrs. Niemi’s house—committee voted to recommend that our church building be sold. Home shortly after 10:00; snack; bathed; off to bed; lights out 11:45.

Saturday, April 12, 1969

Can’t recall when we got up—before 9:00 I’m sure. Changed wayside pulpit, went to post office. In the morning, went to see Kay Patriquin to report on last night’s meeting. Home, shaved, then went to see Sue Lee to tell her about the meeting. We had lunch around 1:00. In the afternoon I wrote letter to Uhlinger, also mimeoed letter to Wesleyan Fellowship, mailed these, went to see Mr. + Mrs. Patience, home again, read some for archaeology. We went to the Kentucky Colonel for supper—that is we brought the chicken on home, after supper I got to work on the sermon—Bonnie went to Community Chorus rehearsal. When she got home we watched movie on TV: Charade—I typed bulletin during commercials! Did not get sermon finished until after the movie was over; off to bed then, lights out 12:55.

Sunday, April 13, 1969

Up before 7:30. Debby woke up early + was bored in crib, so I took her downstairs to allow Bonnie to get some more sleep. Worked on the service—then went back to bed for a while myself. Got up about 9, shaved, dressed, breakfast—off to church by 10:40. Preached on Wesley’s life up to Aldersgate. 46 in church. Home by 12:15—lunch, relaxed, read, napped. Meeting at 3:00 at Episcopal rectory to discuss bringing Black youngster to Rockport for high school. Home by 5:00. Had supper, then back to studying—working on Pritchard’s book: Gibeon. Made good progress in this. In the evening went to the Community Chorus. Bonnie went early—left Debby at Patriquins, then went to join the choir. I went with Alan + Pat. Program lasted til about 9:00, we went to Patriquins, were home by 10:45, I got to work again with Gibeon, about 11:00 stopped to bathe; more reading; lights out 12. θ+

©2017 copyright owned and transcripted by David Madison and Deborah Sweeney
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Monday, March 17, 1969

Up at 6:00. Had breakfast, packed briefcase, shaved, caught 7:10 train. Arrived at BU in time to get the library books in by 9:00. Spent the rest of my time at BU working on Debir—reading articles of Stratum C. Had lunch about 12:00. Ate with Mike Miller + John Waters. Did some xeroxing—continued working on Debir—more material than I had thought, didn’t make as much progress as I had hoped. Left BU about 3:30. Caught the 4:10 train home; dozed on the train. Home by 5:30. Until 6:30 I made phone calls for Wesleyan Fellowship meeting—about 15. 6:30–7:00. Ate, watched CBS news. 7:00–7:45 visited with Mr. + Mrs. Haskell at their home. She will accept office + will come to the meeting on Thursday. Home before 8:00; Bonnie went to choir practice, I translated German + stayed with Debby. Bathed after 11:00; off to study in bed. Lights out, 12:13.

Tuesday, March 18, 1969

Awake before 8:00; θ before arising. Finally got up about 8:20. Had breakfast, shaved. Caught the 9:20 train to Boston; studied German on the train—caught the trolley from North Station, arrived at Klugman’s at 11:00. Worked on German until a little after 12:00—headed for BU. Had lunch with Charlie Whitford. Worked during the afternoon on Jerusalem archaeological assignment. Relaxed, talking with Walter Aufrucht from about  3:15 until class at 4:00. (Isaiah) Left class about 5:50 to go to North Station; was there in plenty to time—was on the train by 6:20. Worked on German; translated almost a page on way to Rockport; home by 8:00; had supper, Bonnie went down to Patriquins, I prepared 2nd newsletter on the Fund; talked with Alan Federick on the phone while folding + stuffing the letter; after 11:00 bathed; off to bed; lights out 12:15.

Wednesday, March 19, 1969

Up at 8:45. Prepared for the Bible Class—after having breakfast and completing the mailing for Mrs. Cooney. Shaved about noon, had lunch, caught the 1:15 train. Went from North Station to Sears, picked up the tripod, then went to BU. Did a few errands and then went to class at 4:00. Read a paper on Psalm 110—although the final form of the paper is yet to be written. I left class early, shortly after five, in order to catch an early train home. Got here about 7:00. Had supper; then set up the camera and the tripod; took two pictures of Debby. Bible class arrived, and Debby certainly entertained them. We read the book of Haggai. Then talked about prophetic religion in general. After Bible Class I drove the car over to Lee’s; Sue drove me back and took the car home—after a chat. I took a photo of our lamp in front of the house. Wrote a letter to Harrell Beck (with news that the Dempster was fouled up); bathed; off to bed; lights out.

Thursday, March 20, 1969

Up around 9:00. Spent time today trying to prepare for the meeting tonight. Ran off some sheets describing the new structure, and prepared my presentation. We didn’t have lunch until late. Alan Federick was over twice today to borrow and then bring back the vacuum cleaner. After lunch—and after finishing preparing for tonight—I went to the post office to mail letters—including one to Beck. Late in the afternoon I worked on German; did this until time to go to the meeting. Covered dish supper, followed by discussion at the church on the future of the church. There was frank and open discussion—and several proposals. Two committees appointed to come back with proposals—generally an encouraging meeting. Didn’t get home until about 10:30. Took Hazle Lord home; bathed; worked briefly on German; off to bed; lights out 11:50:  θ.

Friday, March 21, 1969

Up about 9:00. Very small breakfast; went over to Ornes to tell them about last night’s meeting. Was home again by 10:30. Read the mail when it came, but I worked some in the morning on my sermon. Also made some progress on it after lunch and after shaving.  At 2:00 Bonnie + Debby + I left for Melrose. We arrived at Uhlingers at 3:00. Had a talk until about 4:30—about the church and our plans. Left for Rockport, stopped briefly to see the Busseys. Home shortly after 6:00. Helped with supper, watched CBS news; took a picture of Bonnie + candles. Got back to work on my sermon—on the 23^rd psalm. Bonnie did [not] want to sit at home all evening, so she went to Patriquins. I finished sermon. Typed up the bulletin, then worked on German until about 12:45. Stopped to bathe; Alan Federick’s lady friend Pat arrived from England today; Relaxed; off to bed; lights out 1:35.

Saturday, March 22, 1969

Up about nine—but weary. Had a small breakfast and got to work preparing for the Annual Meeting tomorrow. Had to go over to Homer + Sarah’s to get some figures—we got into a conversation on COCU. [1] Sarah is against it; was home before or about 1:00. Had lunch, back to work on the reports. Had to do phoning; after 3 o’clock went to see Mr. + Mrs. Patience, then went on down to see Kay Patriquin to get figures. Bonnie came down after I’d been there a while, but we shortly came on home and had supper. I went upstairs to nap. By about 7:00 I was up again, working at my desk. I had to cut about 3 stencils + run some material off for the meeting tomorrow. About 10 o’clock I went through the service for tomorrow; then set to work getting my desk straightened up. Finished about 11:30, then stopped to bathe. Bonnie joined me in the tub; she went to bed to read; I studied German about an hour; off to bed; light out at 1:00.

Sunday, March 23, 1969

Up about 9:20. Breakfast, shaved, dressed and off to the church. Had a good attendance—over 40; preached on the 23^rd psalm—more pledges came in; by the end of the afternoon we had pledges for $3,648.00—136% of our Fair Share Goal of 2,670.00 Had lunch when we got home from church; got to work making final preparations for the charge conference. Stretched out for a few minutes around 4 o’clock. Off to the church about 4:15. About 20 at the meeting; Alex Marr was quite upset over suggestion in the air to sell the church building—it became a heated meeting. We didn’t break up until about 7:00. We came back to the parsonage with the Uhlingers. Had supper; they rushed on to the meeting at Riverdale. I went over to wee the Crowells—who seemed to be upset leaving the meeting tonight. We had a chat for about 2:00 hours. Came home—Bonnie had gone to the Patriquins—so I went down there too. Home about 10:00; bathed; off to bed; lights out about 11:40.

[1] COCU: Consultation on Church Union: talks that dragged on for years, aimed at merging major denominations. A colossal waste of time, dubbed “cuckoo” by many.

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by David Madison and Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/05/26/davids-diary-march-17-1969/