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5. 1963

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January 1 - December 31, 1963

(Box 5/Folder 7)

 

January 1, 1963

Lovely warm day. Siddiqua and I slept late. Then we looked at my last summer’s slides. Then she cooked a chicken in the Pakistani way (spices, sour cream, raisons, onions) and I did the rest of the dinner. We invited Claudia. In the p.m. I took her to Huffers and they took her and Noori back to Stillwater. Sen. Kerr died.

 

January 2, 1963

I slept a lot last night, then wrote letters. In afternoon went to women’s guild at Mabel’s. Fine meeting. Foggy this morning, bright and lovely this afternoon. Attended Lodge in the evening.

 

January 3, 1963

International hospitality committee met at my house this p.m. to plan for end of semester break, Jan. 19-22.  Decided on visit to our school. I saw Mr. Leathers and he is very glad to cooperate. Lovely warm day.

 

January 4, 1963

Cloudy with dismal rain falling off and on. Didn’t accomplish much, I am reading for the first time in my life Gibbon’s Decline & Fall (print so bad in my father’s set, it always scared me off.) I find it so interesting I steal time to read it.

 

January 5, 1963

Miserably dark day, not too cold. I wanted good weather for the Chicago folks who are coming tomorrow. Olga Schaefer is down with flu. I took her some tomato aspic. Yippee! Clear strip along western horizon.

 

January 6, 1963

Clear day. Cold morning but warmed up beautifully. Shirley & Ray Worsley & their friends Vince (Butch) and Lee Heying arrived just before ten. I took Shirley & Ray to church (communion service) & the Heyings went to Catholic mass. We are at the cafe to save time for visiting. Then I served fruit cake in the p.m. They left about three. Plan to reach Amarillo. I like the Heyings.

 

January 7, 1963

I drove to Enid to see poor little Mrs. Hawkins. Stopped also to see Vernon Bostick who is in the hospital from a truck accident. Roberta Bostick & I stopped briefly at the room of Clyde Beeby who had a hernia operation this morning. (Spoke to Lodema, Clyde asleep.) Lovely bright day.

 

January 8, 1963

Beautiful warm sunny day. I attended club at Ramona O’Neill’s. Very interesting program. Ida Smith gave biographical sketchs [sic] of several composers and Ramona played selections from their works.

 

January 9, 1963

Another perfect day. I took Sadie Goodnight and drove to Guthrie to call on Mrs. Cromer at the hospital with a broken leg and the Schrages at the Masonic home. While I was in town I bought a pair of dress shoes. Cost $9.00.

 

January 10, 1963

Lovely warm morning. I started to spend the day in Stillwater but before I left town a cold wind swept through. I went on and waited Grace Hammond, who has a broken leg. By one o’clock the weather was so threatening I came home. Reached here O.K. but soon the pavement was covered with very dangerous ice. Very cold tonight.

 

January 11, 1963

Very cold day but ice gone from the pavement (evaporated, not melted). I drove to town once, otherwise stayed at home and wrote letters. The sun peeked out once this afternoon, but it is terribly cold.

 

January 12, 1963

Very cold morning. It was -3° at the coldest time in the night. (This could have been Jan. 11. I am writing late, but I think Jan. 12.) But the sun shone all day and it was appreciably warmer in the afternoon.

 

January 13, 1963

Sunny day, cold but not too cold, I had a good S.S. class, heard a good sermon, In the afternoon went to call on Gladys Hedgecock, who is desolate over Floyd’s death. Mrs. Arnold’s laundry burned down – both fire trucks in the country putting out a grass fire, and our hydrants frozen up.

 

January 14, 1963

Not very cold, I wrote letters. First Republican governor our state ever had was inaugurated today. I think he is a good man, hope he makes a good governor. (I didn’t vote for him).

 

January 15, 1963

I drove to Enid. Had to get a typewriter ribbon. (Thought I had one on hand but unable to find it.) Saw Mrs. Hawkins. Found her worse than usual. Also bought some walking shoes. Cost $12. Still pretty cold in the morning. Lovely in the afternoon.

 

January 16, 1963

Nice day. I worked on press book for the club – and how I hate to paste clippings. Went to lodge in evening and got a kindred job I hate – press reporter.

 

January 17, 1963

Finished press book. Wrote some letters. I have a pain in one side of my back that bothers me. It came on with no cause yesterday evening before I went to lodge.

 

January 18, 1963

My back and side is pretty painful. I got a manuscript by Mrs. Trenholm of Wyoming, upon which I promised to work. It clouded up this afternoon and got very cold.

 

January 19, 1963

A little fine snow was on the ground this morning and it was very cold all day. I thought I would favor the back by staying in. Raymond Bryson (good man that he is) brought my mail. I worked on the MS. This p.m. it cleared up and the sun shone but still cold. My back is much better this evening. Learned that poor old Slim Chapman died.

 

January 20, 1963

Cold but bright. I had a good S.S. class and heard an even better sermon than usual. That young Bob is a wonder! It warmed up much today. I had intended to drive to Stillwater tomorrow but was afraid my back wouldn’t let me. Now this evening it is entirely well. I suppose at my age a storm on the way affects me.

 

January 21, 1963

Beautiful sunny day – also a very happy one for us in Marshall. Thelma Ficken and I drove to Stillwater and picked up six foreign students from Formosa, Pakistan, Jamaihca Jamaica, & Kenya. We took them to our homes first, then at 11 to the school. They were enthusiastically welcomed by the children. They spent the day there and Winnie Branen and Luella Reim took them back.

 

January 22, 1963

Nothing in particular happened. It was nice and warm this morning, but the wind came strong from the north shortly after noon and is now very cold – windows rattling, and my house is well built too. I am working on the MS.

 

January 23, 1963

-3° this morning and a high wind still blowing. The sun came up clear but didn’t help the cold noticeably. I had to use the electric heater and the kitchen oven to supplement the furnace. But it is warmer this evening and no wind. I ate dinner with the Brysons. I didn’t go to lodge – just too cold.

 

January 24, 1963

Cold this morning but clear and still. And after I had been up about ½ an hour my furnace went off. Joe Misar came and put in the necessary piece as soon as he could conveniently and I didn’t get very cold. Used two electric heaters I had got for my mother and lighted the oven. I am very thankful it didn’t happen yesterday or I should have frozen. It (weather) warmed up this evening.

 

January 25, 1963

Sunny but still cold. I worked on a MS for Mrs. Trenholm of Wyoming. She will come Feb. 10 with her collaborator to work with me, I made cookies this evening – want to send some to Floy and John Cobb, who gave me the pecans I plan to use.

 

January 26, 1963

Still cold but clear. I have been glad of the absence of snow, but the wheat would like a deep soft snow. It is getting dry and some is damaged by the dry cold. B.B. Chapman called me with good news. In The publication of my Round Mt. “Tuls article has been held up but the OHS’ Board took action and it will be published soon.

 

January 27, 1963

Had a fine S.S. class, It gets bigger all the time. I think they like the course we are studying a history of the Xn [Christian] church. At church the fine young teenagers had complete charge of the service. It is still pretty cold.

 

January 28, 1963

Still cold. I worked on a slight change I must make in my Round Mts. article. Miss Wright requested I leave out one sentence and I am glad to comply but it necessitated some change. I am unhappy at what the article does to her for she is (most of the time) a fine historian. But she brought this on herself.

 

January 29, 1963

Still cold – oh not zero, but cold. I attended club at Mrs. Stuerke’s and it was one of the best programs we ever had. Frances read a paper on gardening and Winnie demonstrated arrangements of dried and preserved winter materials for bouquets, etc.

 

January 30, 1963

Another cold day, I am working on Mrs. Trenholm’s MS. In the evening I attended a class on Xn education taught by Rev. Bob for S.S. teachers. I enjoyed it very much. Had to miss lodge because of the conflict. My lamented birthday.

 

January 31, 1963

Worked some more on MS. In the evening two lovely girls (Vicky Slover and Mary Ellen Murphy) came and we talked and I showed them pics of Russia. So sweet of them to come. Still cold but moderating. I washed this morning – got pretty cold hanging out clothes.

 

February 1, 1963

Fog all forenoon. Then in the afternoon it cleared off and became warm and lovely. First pleasant day we have had for a week and a half. I have a cold from hanging out clothes yesterday.

 

February 2, 1963

Hard north wind came up last night but it wasn’t terribly cold. It quieted down this afternoon and is not bad. Sun shone all day.

 

February 3, 1963

Cold this morning but a fairly nice day. I had a wonderful S.S. class, heard a good sermon. In the P.M. Jim Edwards called. When he was a young boy he bought my books & sent them to be autographed; now he a remarkable collection of Western Americana. I had not met him before. Raymond Bryson called also.

 

February 4, 1963

Lovely day. Rev. Bob and I went to O.C. to talk with a man in the state dept. of health about a project we have. Got a very ruling that completely blocked our plans.

 

February 5, 1963

Perfect day. I even turned my furnace off this p.m. and it’s still off. I worked on Mrs. Trenholm’s MS. I was tired for I didn’t sleep much last night on account of the bad news we got in O.C. yesterday.

 

February 6, 1963

Another pleasant day. I worked on the MS in the morning, went to guild at Evadean Huffer’s in the p.m., and to lodge in the evening.

 

February 7, 1963

Another pleasant day. Got the MS finished.

 

February 8, 1963

Another warm day – foggy this morning. Lovely Vikki Slover came and visited a couple of hours with me. I wrote some letters (neglected the past few days) and made some date bread to take to the church Sunday.

 

February 9, 1963

Got my hair set and cleaned my house ready for a solid week’s work next week. Also made a jello salad to take to the church. I seem to have a bad cold coming on.

 

February 10, 1963

Taught my S.S. class and heard a fine sermon. About 3 p.m. Mrs. Trenholm and Maurine Carley drove in. I had got a pleasant room for them with the Arrells. I like them very much. In the evening I took them to the church family night. They fitted right in with the crowd. Wendell Harrison and I showed slides.

 

February 11, 1963

The three of us settled down to the hardest kind of work. At noon I ate with them at the restaurant so as not to waste time in the kitchen. I think we are really accomplishing something. We anticipate each other’s thoughts. In the evening I went to the teachers’ study class at the church.

 

February 12, 1963

Club day but I didn’t attend. We worked hard all day. (We put in an 8 to 5 every day.) I hope we are developing techniques that will enable Virginia and Maurine to make a fine book. It is not a book yet – only unorganized material.

 

February 13, 1963

We work hard every day and are completely worn out at night. But it is an exhilarating experience. I didn’t attend lodge. Too tired. We get excellent noon meals at the cafe. They eat there all the time – I, only at noon.

 

February 14, 1963

I am learning to think a great deal of Virginia and Maurine and am taking almost a proprietary interest in the book. I do hope they will manage to make it as good as it deserves to be. Va. is the writer, Maurine the researcher.

 

February 15, 1963

 We shall not finish the MS this week, but they can spend no more time. We have worked today on the hardest chapter, hoping if that one is in shape, Va can write the other by herself with my suggestions as I marked them last week.

 

February 16, 1963

We worked very hard, got over about ½ the MS. It needed another week but Va. thought she understood the technique & she needs to get back. Therefore we quit. The Arrells had a nice supper for us – venison steak (the 2^nd time I ever tasted any). Delicious. Pleasant visit also. I feel rested. Warmish cloudy day. (They paid me $100).

 

February 17, 1963

Maurine left at daylight – going south to pick up her mother whom she left in Texas. Va. went to S.S. with me. Then we went to the cafe for an early dinner with her husband, brother & nephew who had driven down from Wichita. Her brother & nephew went back & she & her husband went to Tulsa to visit relatives. It was a nice day. I am not tired at all. I missed church.

 

February 18, 1963

Fog this morning but it cleared. Lovely warm day. I spent the forenoon getting a permanent, the afternoon writing letters I had neglected while we worked on the manuscript. I am now feeling tired from the week’s hard work.

 

February 19, 1963

Beautiful warm day. I worked some in the flower garden and wrote letters. Worked some on Virginia’s MS – I find it hard to leave it alone. I will not mail it till I am sure she is back home.

 

February 20, 1963

I spent the day in Stillwater, most of the time in the library working on some of the things Virginia failed to do. I also called on Grace and Ruth Hammond and Cherrie Garrett. Ruth’s leg is out of the cast but she must be vere [sic] careful. It was a lovely warm day but about 4 p.m. a cold strong wind whipped in from the north – dangerous fire to the north of Stillwater. I went to lodge this evening.

 

February 21, 1963

Still cold – and the wind is still high. Grass fires over the state. I learned about the one we saw north of Stillwater. It was a grass fire. The fire dept. & volunteers fought it – barely saved college housing units. It did burn some farm buildings and a small college laboratory used for weather research.

 

February 22, 1963

Still cold but warming up. I wrote letters – some to my high school classmates about the alumni reunion May 29. Also I talked with Raymond Bryson about possible ways of changing the Health Dept. rule.

 

February 23, 1963

It warmed up nicely today. Nothing in particular happened. It is very dry. We have had no real moisture all winter.

 

February 24, 1963

Taught my class and heard a good sermon. In the afternoon members of the lodge met at my house working on a skit for the school at Perry. Mrs. Shanks died. She had been in failing health all winter but was down town Sat. a week ago. Had been seriously ill only since Thursday. Apparently it was a cancer. These old women, Just like Mrs. Baugh. Warm day. Raymond Bryson reports good news re Health Dept. rule.

 

February 25, 1963

Warm day. Paper said Gov. Maytubby Maytubby of Chickasaws died. I spent much time writing, to new director of the Assn. on Am. Ind. Affs. giving background of the appointment procedure. If the Chicks. call on us for help we should be ready.

 

February 26, 1963

Went to Mrs. Shanks’ funeral. The pioneers are going fast. I remember her telling me about homesteading in the Cherokee Strip when she was a girl with her parents.

 

February 27, 1963

I went to Perry to the Rebekah school of instruction. Sally and Elizabeth Diedrich went with me. We did well with the special meeting we were asked to exemplify. Eliz and I came home at close of p.m. so we could attend lenten service. The others stayed for the banquet & evening program. Warm day.

 

February 28, 1963

I worked on a lecture on Okla. writing Okla. history I promised to give for Dr. Chapman’s history class. Also did some telephoning to international hospitality committee.

 

February 29, 1963

Feb. 28 March 1 World day of prayer this afternoon. After that there was a meeting of international hospitality committee at my house. We made plans for March 29-30. That will be during spring vacation at OSU.

 

March 1, 1963

March 2 I am writing late but I believe this was the day we got a lovely rain, slightly more than an inch just before daylight. Yes, that is right.

 

March 2, 1963

I worked some more on my lecture. Also reading a MS for Mr. Hinkel.

 

March 3, 1963

I worked some more on my lecture for Dr. Chapman’s class. Taught my S.S. class. Heard a fine sermon. In the evening I called on Mrs. Stuerke whose brother died suddenly at Enid and was buried Friday.

 

March 4, 1963

Worked some on the talk I am to give Dr. Chapman’s class. We got a lovely rain slightly more than an inch just before daylight. We needed it. (I am fairly sure this was the day it rained. I am writing late).

 

March 5, 1963

Tomorrow is a full day so I tried to clean up all details, correspondence, etc.

 

March 6, 1963

This p.m. attended the Women’s Guild. Then drove to Stillwater. Staying with the Chapmans. Jane outdid herself on the dinner. Another guest was Roger Buffalohead, the Brilliant Ponca student I have long wanted to meet. He is fine. This is his senior year. He wanted to start grad work next year. I was on the committee that granted him the Sequoyah Scholarship this year and last.

 

March 7, 1963

Got to bed last night at midnight, up early this morning to speak to an 8:00 class. Then at 10 and 11. Then the Chapmans had took me to lunch – also John Melton, and the young man who made a map of the Round Mts. battle. Drove home in middle of p.m. Tired.

 

March 8, 1963

Raining this evening. Drove to Guthrie this morning to turn in my taxes and apply for homestead exemption. Called on the Schrages – found them fine. Then put in a long p.m. working on a MS, editing it for the Uni. of Okla. Press. Mary Stith has to go to the hospital and they need help.

 

March 9, 1963

I don’t think it rained much last night. I worked hard till 4 P.M. then got ready (changed clothes) and drove to Stillwater. Am staying with Idress Cash. She took me to some Town & Gown plays by Ionesco – silly plays but well acted.

 

March 10, 1963

Had a beautiful drive over home in the clear morning. Taught my S.S. class. Rev. Bob preached even better than usual. In afternoon wrote letters. It was threatening rain by S.S. time. Got down to real raining in afternoon and evening.

 

March 11, 1963

I worked terribly hard on my editing. Ate down town to save time. It cleared up today and the sun shone.

 

March 12, 1963

I took a day off from my work. Club met with me today and I had the program – showed pics of literary settings I made on my trip – Mark Twain, Evangeline country, Lexington, Concord, Plymouth, Boston. Mr. Huffer leveled my yard and straightened up my garden fence.

 

March 13, 1963

I worked hard and got a lot done today. In the evening I went to the lenten [sic] service at the church. Rev.  Bob’s sermon was not so good as usual, I thought.

 

March 14, 1963

Worked pretty hard again. In the evening I saw some slides of Jerusalem and Rome shown by Harold Ahrnsbrak at the Legion hut. Too bad they have covered up so much of original Jerusalem putting a church on some imagined sacred spot.

 

March 15, 1963

Just worked all day.

 

March 16, 1963

Worked all day.

 

March 17, 1963

Just worked all day. Taught my S.S. class, attended church. Went home for dinner with the Schaefer girls. In the P.M. they took their new car (Richard’s used one, good as new) and we went to Guthrie to call on Mr. Crossfield at the hospital. Ruth Cromer, & the Schrages. In the evening studied my lesson for tomorrow evening, got too tired.

 

March 18, 1963

Idress Cash brought her car over for a 1000-mile check-up. (She bought it from Dale Wilson.) She spent the time with me, brought a book to study & I worked on my editing. In the evening went to the class Rev. Bob teaches on Xn ed. for S.S. teachers. Very interesting. As soon as it was over he went to see Mrs. Grassman. She is dying. My head ached all day – got too tired yesterday.

 

March 19, 1963

Mrs. Grassman died at 10:30 last evening. I worked hard all day. Headache all gone. I felt wonderful and worked nine hours instead of the usual eight.

 

March 20, 1963

Another hard day’s work. I attended the lenten service this evening.

 

March 21, 1963

Mrs. Grassman’s funeral was this afternoon. I was working so hard on the MS I didn’t attend. I thought my absence would not be missed – they have so many friends – and while I liked her I was not especially intimate with her.

 

March 22, 1963

I worked 9½ hours today. I have learned something about writers. When I wrote a book I innocently thought it should be in shape to publish – correct English, logical organization, accurate documentation, etc. Well it appears that the writer does not write the book; he only throws a few things together and the publisher writes it.

 

March 23, 1963

March 25 I turned two pages. I mailed the MS this forenoon – that is, the text. Will work more on the documentation. In the afternoon went to club. Our membership so small I can hardly afford to miss. It was at Madonna Enmeier’s. Nita Sue Cassiday showed slides of her visit to the U.N.

 

March 24, 196[3]

March 26 This was our regular club day but we met yesterday on account of a conflict. I worked 9 hours on the MS. Correcting horrible errors in footnotes and bibliography. He never spells a name twice the same way twice, never gives the title of a book the same twice.

 

March 25, 1963

March 23 – turned two pages. More work on the MS – 8½ hrs. It is going to be a book when I get through with it. But I can’t imagine a university prof. sending in such an illiterate MS. I’m getting paid but if I were the director of the Press I’d charge it to him.

 

March 26, 1963

March 24 Taught my S.S. class. Heard a good sermon as usual. (That boy is a wonder.) I don’t remember what else I did. I am writing late.

 

March 27, 1963

Worked on the MS this forenoon. In afternoon attended meeting of DAC. They had invited us and I felt obligated. It was a very fine meeting. At June Earnhearts. Joan Koch gave a very fine report on the current “anti-communist” heroes and their crusade. Went to lenten service this evening.

 

March 28, 1963

I mailed the rest of the MS this morning. Total work 127 hours. Should be 132. I added wrong but will not change it. Oliver Seefeldt is repairing my old window screens. Got part of my house cleaned. Got hair washed and set.

 

March 29, 1963

My house was terribly dirty. I cleaned part of it today. Also my hair was terrible. I got it washed and set yesterday. In the afternoon I drove to Stillwater & got Doris Colon & daughter Myra. She is at Branens [sic]. I had supper with the Branens & showed Mexico slides.

 

March 30, 1963

I slept till nearly eight. Barely up when Oliver came to work on screens. He soon had to quit for we had a lovely shower – and we needed it. I didn’t work much today. Taking it easy. Prepared S.S. lesson and planned Guild lesson for next week.

 

March 31, 196[3]

I had a wonderful S.S. class. (I always do.) Heard a sermon even better than usual if possible. In the afternoon went to a musical recital at the church. A group of children taught by a woman who comes here. I guess her name is Mrs. Lee. The children did fine. 

 

April 1, 1963

I drove to Enid to see Mrs. Hawkins. I told her about my gas well & that I would pay the extra $125 a month (on top of the $140 she pays) so she could stay in the Methodist home. She was completely overcome with joy and relief. I drove out & talked with the supt. It is lovely. I came home & saw Dr. DeWitt & Geo. Voskuhl about moving her.

 

April 2, 1963

Mrs. Hardin called me this noon, said Mrs. H. wanted to see me. I drove up. She had thought it over and doesn’t want to move. She has been there 5 yrs. & has the typical person’s fear of change. It is her right to decide. She does get good care and adequate food though it is a dreadful place to be. I spent much time untangling what I said yesterday. This evening saw young people who are to be confirmed presented to church.

 

April 3, 1963

Went to Guild this p.m. I was the leader. After the meeting I spent some time arranging red bud branches in the vases on the altar. I don’t have any – got them of Mrs. Enmeier. In the evening attended the lenten service at the church. Still thinking how good the confirmads [sic] were in their exam yesterday evening.

 

April 4, 1963

Started to work on something I am to give at an Irving celebration Sunday. But had to take much time off trying to get in touch with Mr. Byler, the new exec. director of the AAIA. Adolphus Goombi called me and told me of trouble his tribe is having and I was trying to arrange a meeting with our attys.

 

April 5, 1963

I got through to Mr. Byler. He will arrange with our attys in Washington so Mr. G. can see them when he arrives. I finished my Irving article and mailed one copy to B.B. Chapman – “Indians Irving saw on his tour.” The galley for my Round Mountains article came and worked on them. It drizzled all day but not much water fell.

 

April 6, 1963

It rained during the night – all added together, a good rain. Today was perfect – sunny, warm, clean, green wheat, blooming flowers, birds singing (only the robins and they, poor things, can’t sing but they try – the migratory birds not here yet). We had a very warm March and so far in April. I reported on a MS for Savoie & mailed it.

 

April 7, 1963

Palm Sunday – Nancy Wilson and Carol Huffer confirmed Fine S.S. class, fine sermon. But I tried to take a pic of the congregation & the two confirmads standing in front just after the service & my flashlight didn’t flash. So disappointed. In the P.M. I went with the Bob Schaefers to Wash. Irving’s Wild Horse camp, to dedication of a marker. I had a short account of the Inds. Irving saw but the mircrophone screamed when I was talking. Same with most of the other speakers.

 

April 8, 1963

Lovely weather. My lilac is lovely. I got my Round Mts. galleys corrected and mailed. I heard the mocking bird singing. This evening I picked all my belated daffodils and went to see dear Mary Potter who must die of cancer. She is as happy and sweet as ever but pitiably thin. Was so happy that she sat out on the back porch and saw the lilac in the yard.

 

April 9, 1963

Lovely day – sunshine, lilacs, and mocking bird. I worked hard on chapter Mrs. Trenholm sent me. This is a sort of postscript of the work she paid me for last Feb., a chapter she couldn’t handle by herself. In the evening I put on gloves and trimmed my old fashioned yellow rose. The rose won the fight in spite of the gloves.

 

April 10, 1963

Worked hard on Trenholm MS. In the evening went to lodge, but no quorum. Lovely bright day.

 

April 11, 1963

Worked on income tax. Finished Trenholm MS & mailed it. In evening went to Maundag Thursday service at the church. Communion service. What a wonderful preacher we have.

 

April 12, 196[3]

Finished my income tax report. When I got all the work done and got to the last line I found I owed no tax at all. Thus my work didn’t help anybody – not even the govt. In the evening went to Union Good Friday service at the Xn church. Mr. York of the Meth. Church preached the sermon. It was pitiable. The good old man is in his dotage. Somebody should protect him against public appearances. I saw Edw. Markham that way once.

 

April 13, 1963

April 15 I started editing “Navahos Have Five Fingers” for the Uni. Press today. It is a beautiful book written by a husband and wife team in Calif. Savoie called this morning, wants the blurb because the catalogue is going to press, and so I had to quit editing and read straight thru the MS. Hot day.

 

April 14, 1963

April 13 I spent the day catching up on letters, etc. Beautiful bright day. My tulips are blooming – always later than anybody else’s because they are on the north side of the house. I got a lovely letter and card from Paul and Dien Wu. Paul even took the baby’s tiny hand and traced a letter to me from her.

 

April 15, 1963

April 14. Apr. 15 on Apr. 13 page. Easter. Beautiful day. Lots of visitors at S.S. and church. Scattered young people back at home. My S.S. class was so big we had to get extra seats. Communion service. I went home with the Schaefers girls and the house was full of Schaefers – the Schneebecks from Colo. Springs, Delmars from Enid and the local clan. In the evening I planted hollyhock seeds that came with my Easter card from the Wus.

 

April 16, 1963

Savoie sent me some biographical material to use in the blurb and I was amazed to learn one of the authors is Thelma Diener, whom I knew at Douglas when I was a young teenager and she a baby. I wrote the blurb and got it in the mail. Hot day. For some reason I am so exhauted so exhausted I am going to bed at seven.

 

April 17, 1963

I was weak all day. I can’t imagine how I suddenly slumped yesterday evening. I had just eaten my supper but there is no possibility of food poisoning. I worked today and went to S.S. teachers’ class in the evening. Hot day.

 

April 18, 1963

It rained last night – a hard shower but brief. Lovely day. I felt much better. I still don’t know what was the matter with me Tuesday evening all at once. Makes me wonder if I should continue this editing.

 

April 19, 1963

Lovely cool bright day. My old-fashioned yellow rose is beautiful. I worked hard on the MS. It will be a fascinating book.

 

April 20, 1963

Another lovely day. I cleaned my house – so worked only 6 hours on the MS. My bridal wreath has been lovely, but is starting to shed its petals. My peony buds are getting big. Iris lovely.

 

April 21, 1963

Hot windy day. I taught my S.S. class and heard an even better than usual sermon. Learned that Loren Stuerke died. His poor mother! She even got a letter from him yesterday – the day he died. Edna and Frake came up from the City and told her. When she heard the car she thought it was Loren driving up.

April 22, 1963

Wind turned to north this morning and it got nice and cool. I went to see Mrs. S. [so many neighbors went in yesterday I didn’t go). Edna & Frake were there. Loren was in the East – Ohio or Ind. – when he died. Arnold dropped dead the same way back in the ‘30’s – in a hotel in Chicago. I worked on the Allen MS. It is fine.

 

April 23, 1963

So cool I even used my furnace It is quite a relief from the hot weather. My peonies are blooming. I have one lovely big bloom in the house. I worked on the MS all day. Terry Allen called from Calif. All the Okla. accent has gone out of her voice.

 

April 24, 1963

Busy day but no work done on the Allen MS. In the morning I spent an hour showing slides to Gerry’s Am. Lit. class; then took a bowl of tomato aspic to the Meth. parsonage to the Stuerke dinner; then with Winne stayed in Stuerke home while the family ate; ate my own dinner; went to Loren’s funeral; in the evening went to lodge. Rained most of morning, turned very cold no rain but cloudy in p.m. at time of funeral.

 

April 25, 1963

Hard shower last night. Cold today but not so cold as yesterday. I spent the day working on the MS. I am unable to find one set of my keys – door, car, garage – everything. Discovered loss when I started to lodge last night.

 

April 26, 1963

I located my keys – left them in the projector room at school Wed. & drove home with the other set. Will never take both sets along again. Dark cloudy day & some rain. Worked on Allen book. Savoie called me and wants the MS at once to start work. I promised to mail it tomorrow.

 

April 27, 1963

I worked fast & furious to get the MS finished. Really wish I could have had another day to check it. Ralph visited me in the p.m. but after an hour’s visit I had to tell him I had to get back to work. Just did get it off on five o clock mail, minus the bib. & some other odds & ends. Cloudy and cool but cleared off in p.m. Lovely weather.

 

April 28, 1963

Taught my S.S. class. Rev. Bob gone – Dr. Hays of Philips preached. Not bad. but not like Bob. Shocking news. Young Marie (36) Pyle died yesterday – a blood vessel suddenly broke in her brain. Her poor little boy tried to revive her by mouth artificial respiration.

 

April 29, 1963

Cool sunny, beautiful day. I did the bibliography and all the rest of the work on the MS except placing pictures and writing press release. I can’t do that yet – must wait for pics and galleys. My flowers are lovely – old-fashioned yellow rose, tulips (late ones), iris, red clematis and great beautiful peonies. I gave an armful of the last to the FFA boys for their banquet tonight.

 

April 30, 1963

Worked on neglected correspondence, etc. Found I must help at the library Thursday. I had planned to do many things that day. Was going to Guthrie tomorow [sic] to see about some business for Mrs. Hawkins but postponed that. Marie Pyle’s funeral today. I did not attend because I didn’t know her well.

 

May 1, 1963

Worked at home instead of going to Guthrie – my only chance to plan a talk I am to make Monday. Went to Guild in p.m. – very fine program. Joan Koch planned it. In evening went to lodge.

 

May 2, 1963

Rained a little last night – sprinkled some during the day. De Anne Ray came from the state library to help Winnie, our new librere librarian organize the books. Winnie wants me to help & I did. We got done about 3:00 p.m. Threw away a whole station wagon load of worthless books. After I got home I cleaned half of my house.

 

May 3, 1963

I got my hair set this morning. Then hurried to get to May Fellowship luncheon at the church. Xn & our church and visitors from Meth. & Catholic. In the p.m. we had a program about race relations. I reported on Jan. interfaith conference at Chicago. Came home and cleaned the other half of my house.

 

May 4, 1963

I went to see poor brave Mary Potter, who is dying of cancer. Sprinkled this evening. Got ready for company. Sent letter about “Grapes of Wrath” to J. Donald Adams of N.Y. Times Book Review. Forlorn hope but the one I wrote in Dec. was lost in long printers’ strike – no paper published for 3 months. In the afternoon Idress Cash came. We spent the evening looking at each other’s European slides. Nice cool day. Warmish day.

 

May 5, 1963

I took Idress to S.S. and church. I taught my class. She left about four. Just then Hazel Hearn called. I went to see her – she didn’t want to leave her feeble old mother – then she and I went to see poor helpless Vernor. We were in h.s. class that graduated 50 years ago. The rain cooled it off – nice cool day.

 

May 6, 1963

I went to Stillwater and spoke at a luncheon meeting of a Ponca City women’s club. It went off well. Also I got my air condition to the car serviced. It wasn’t working. In the afternoon I went to see Mrs. Hubbard. She knew me but is very forgetful. After I got home I called on Ruth Cromer who came home recently. Hot day

 

May 7, 1963

Drove to Guthrie this A.M. to look up record to Mrs. Hawkin’s [sic] farm – found she had ¼ royalty. She thought Lucille had it. It must be sold before she can get old age assistance. (Saw the Schrages. Bought a house dress in Crescent, one in Guthrie.) Drove to Enid this p.m. & told her. She readily agreed to sell. She has only $900+ left. I had her sign check to draw it from savings to checking acct. Warm day but white clouds part of time gave shade.

 

May 8, 1963

Started reading a MS I promised to read for David Parsons. We worked together in the Phillips Collection iIn in the early ‘30’s – he on Osage removal, I on And Still the Waters Run. He has never published his. It is a solid piece of work. Went to lodge this evening.

 

May 9, 1963

I finished reading the MS and made some comments on it – he wanted suggestions. He has done a good job and it deserves to be published. Hot day. It is getting dry. I watered my flowers this evening. My peonies have about quit, also the old-fashioned yellow rose, but all my clematis (white, red, purple) are blooming and my roses are lovely.

 

May 10, 1963

Hot day. I turned my air conditioner on this p.m. Mailed the MS to Dr. Parsons. I have a little mock orange that is a lovely thing. I hope it grows bigger, but it is beautiful as it is. Joe Branen said Mrs. Hawkins has an offer of $500 for her royalty.

 

May 11, 1963

Geo. Voskuhl had a letter from his parents saying his grandmother deeded her royalty to Lucille after they sold the farm. I overlooked it when I went to Guthrie because it was not in the original deed. Also Mr. Branen was so positive she had it. But it was my mistake and I am sorry I worried her about it. Hot day. I worked in the library & got too tired. I’m not standing the heat very well.

 

May 12, 1963

May 14 The Hard shower with much lightning and a few hailstones came about midnight. About ½ inch. We needed it badly. Cooler today. The Marshall Woman’s Club met with me. Winnie Branen gave a fine lesson – showed slides of Jamestown, Williamsburg. Richmond, Charlottesville. Very fine presentation.

 

May 13, 1963

I cleaned my house – just gave it a lick and a promise but I got pretty tired – I’m not standing the heat very well this year. Guess I’ll have to take it easier. This old age seems to be closing in.

 

May 14, 1963

Turn back for May 14 May 12 – turned 2 pages. Cooler & cloudy but didn’t rain. I taught my S.S. class (a fine one) & Dr. Hays of Enid preached. The Kochs away on a brief vacation. In the p.m. I drove to Enid to tell Mrs. H. I was mistaken about the royalty. Didn’t get so very tired because it was cool. Tried to use my air conditioner but found it wasn’t working. Watered my garden. It is very dry. 

 

May 15, 1963

I drove to Stillwater – found my air conditioner had be a hole in the coil so the what-you-call-it leaked out. They can’t repair it till they get a new piece. I saw Idress about our trip & got some little redbuds from her yard. Came home by way of Guthrie so I could check Mrs. H.’s royalty in the county records. Went to lodge in evening. Got pretty tired.

 

May 16, 1963

Spent a quiet day – did some odds and ends of writing. I am supposed to take a trip to Wichita Sat. on church work, but I think I will not go unless I can get my air conditioner repaired. I am not standing the heat very well.

 

May 17, 1963

It turned cooler and perhaps will still be cool tomorrow but I have about decided not to risk the trip to Wichita.

 

May 18, 1963

It was fairly cool and I could have gon [sic] to Wichita but I had already decided against going. I wrote the press release for the Allen book.

 

May 19, 1963

Our annual church service in the woods. Met at a lovely place on Eldon Grassman’s farm east of the old Tarbox place. Soon, after the service started we got rained out – hard, quick shower soon over. We came back and had the rest of the service and picnic at the church. Very cold this evening. I lighted my furnace again. My lilies are lovely.

 

May 20, 1963

Bright beautiful day after the rain. The international hospitality committee met with me and made plans for bringing students over to see our harvest. It was a wonderful meeting. I took a picture of the group.

 

May 21, 1963

I drove to Stillwater to have pics made for passport. Saw Idress and made plans. The piece had not come for my car but as soon as I got home they called me and said it came. I should have called them before leaving town. It sprinkled all the way over. I really need the heater in my car. They removed it to get to the air conditioner.

 

May 22, 1963

Savoie called me and wanted the illustrations for the Allen book and so I sent all but two. I was so busy I neglected my bread and ruined it but it is edible. Then I baked some date bread and put in baking powder instead of soda and it was so bad I threw it away. Altogether I had to miss lodge. It rained last night – cold today, I used the furnace.

 

May 23, 1963

I baked some more date bread this morning. Took it and the bad light bread I made yesterday to annual club picnic at Frances Fickens [sic]. All members there (only nine in club) – happy time, fine meeting. In the evening Daryl Darland and his wife came to see me. I taught Daryl in 1907 and 1913-14. Have not seen him since. He & his wife are fine.

 

May 24, 1963

Rained last night and sprinkled during the forenoon. Another cold day. We have not got much real moisture during this time of rainy weather but even a little helps. The wheat is golden. The harvest will be early. I went to Stillwater in the P.M. and they put the repaired air cond. In my car. I wish I had discovered it was faulty during the year of guarantee. I also made application for my passport.

 

May 25, 1963

Hard rain in early evening, the first hard rain we have had for months. Much thunder and lightning. I mailed questionnaires to 17 churches – a chore I got on my new committee assignment, Kansas-Okla. Conference.

 

May 26, 1963

(I didn’t wake up to hear it. Didn’t know it till later.) (Later learned there was a second big rain abott about midnight. That one had the hail.) There was considerable hail and damage to wheat south of town in the storm last evening. I had a fine S.S. class, enjoyed the church service. Marvin Branen died at noon today – had had heart trouble for years, was taking a new medicine and thought to be much better. Shower this afternoon. We didn’t need it, wheat harvest too close.

 

May 27, 1963

We decided to change date for foreign students visit harvest – wheat not ripening so fast now. I spent most of day working on change. Also cleaned half of my house for company Wednesday. Beautiful bright day.

 

May 28, 1963

Beautiful bright day – birds splitting their throats. I finished cleaning my house. Two young men came to see me to talk books and have me autograph some – Bob Shaw, who teaches history in Tulsa, Jerry Clauson, band director at Medford.

 

May 29, 1963

Lovely bright day. Golden anniversary of my high school graduation. When I think of what the years have wrought! My beloved Harpster family called & Louise gave me a pair of gold candles & sticks and a gold announcement folder. The company that was to stay with me did not come. At our reunion six of our 8 living class members were present & poor Vernor not well enough to risk the noise & crowd. They gave us a re-graduation ceremony. About 350 alumnie [sic] there. They also honored the 20-yr. class. During the dinner we had a hard rain. Some wheat was cut today but of course the rain will stop harvest.

 

May 30, 1963

The road to the cemetery was not bad in spite of last night’s rain. I decorated the 12 family graves with some lovely just-bloomed regal lilies & peonies I kept in the refrigerator. Quite a crowd at the cemetery. I met Ralph there with wreaths & sprays he had bought. He is always so faithful taking care of our graves. Cloudy & sprinkled some but sun came out in p.m. Lovely cool day.

 

May 31, 1963

Drove to Enid, left my car in parking lot & took bus to K.C. Rained off & on all the way to Topeka. Wheat very poor in southern Kans. & as ripe as in Okla. Fields show beginning of harvest but stopped now. I am worried about Okla. harvest also though Okla. wheat is good. Burton met the bus. So nice to be with him & Dorine. Saw Nellie briefly. She leaves work at 9 & Burton met her & took her to her home. Cool here but not raining.

 

June 1, 1963

June 2 – See June 3 Lovely day. We sat on the porch much of the time & watched the birds & squirrels. Nellie here for dinner. Willa & her children came over. Don in Chicago. Willa’s 3 children are fine. Donnie & Martha & children including the baby born May 22 were here, either today or yesterday evening. (I am making entry late. Lovely day but need air conditioner in afternoon.

 

June 2, 1963

June 3 Dorine & I visited this morning while Burton is at work. He is taking some of his annual leave afternoons, but has to work in forenoon. Heavy shower this evening, tornado siren at Independence but nothing happened here. We are enjoying the porch with the birds & squirrels.

 

June 3, 1963

June 1 Saturday. Cool and nice to sit on porch and talk and watch birds and squirrels

June 4, 1963

It is getting warm – summer here. Burton picked up Pearl at the hospital where she is working (I went along) and later Nellie. They had supper here and spent the evening. We had a wonderful visit – the five of us.

 

June 5, 1963

Visited with Dorine all morning. In the P.M. Burton took us for a visit with her parents. In the evening we called on Mrs. Messner, who has moved from this street. She is a lovely person. Hot day. I hope it is not raining in Okla. and that the harvest is progressing.

 

June 6, 1963

I called home to check on something, found the harvest progressing fine – good wheat yield. This is the day foreign students were to visit our harvest. Winnie was in charge in my absence. Hot day. I visited with Burton and Dorine.

 

June 7, 1963

In the forenoon I visited Nellie. She starts work at noon. In the afternoon we picked up Pearl at the hospital. Then Burton took us thru the mail sack depository & we drove to the Hartigs for dinner. Then Don took us on a very plea interesting tour of the power plant where he works. Hot day.

 

June 8, 1963

I started home this morning but the bus time had changed, and so I missed it. I had taken the precaution to check the time earlier in the week. I telephoned home that I should not be able to teach my S.S. class, then spent the afternoon very enjoyably with Burton and Dorine. Hot day.

 

June 9, 1963

Took the bus at 10:45, picked up my car in Enid and reached here at 7:30. Found nearly all the wheat harvested. (There was a rain Sat. evening and again in the night.) Not especially tired. Read my accumulated mail and prepared for bed early. One letter I was glad to get – confirmed hotel reservation in London

 

June 10, 1963

When the P.O. opened this morning got a MS the Uni. Press had sent me to edit. Worked on it but found it too difficult to finish before I leave for England. Will return it. Winnie Branen reported fine success of foreign students’ visit to harvest June 6. Saw long line of trucks on Main Street this P.M. so some combining still going on.

 

June 11, 1963

Sent the MS back to the Uni. Press. Wrote letters, etc. Feel greatly relieved to have a little leisure. No line of trucks on Main Street today. That means harvest is over. Most of the land is already plowed.

 

June 12, 1963

Went to lodge this evening. Met Mrs. Hughes, a new member who was initiated at Enid meeting. She is fine. I had planned to quit lodge at end of month but perhaps I will stay in order to meet these new people.

 

June 13, 1963

[No entry]

 

June 14, 1963

Called on Mrs. Hughes. Chas. Owen, Crescent editor & two other men called about the possibility of our getting the abandoned telephone bldg. for the library – asked me to help Thelma Phelan write a letter. Hot day.

 

June 15, 1963

Went to O.C. with Rev. Bob – was on a committee to examine Mr. Bertholt who wants to be ordained to the ministry. Actually the other members did all the questioning. Very hot day. This evening I am exhausted – not my trip so much, but my house was hot when I returned

 

June 16, 1963

Good rain last night – everybody happy. Delightful cool day. I taught my S.S. class – heard a good sermon.

 

June 17, 1963

Really cold this morning. My back suddenly got a crick in it. I put on a hot pad, then drove to Enid to straighten out some business with Mrs. Hawkins. Back hurt so bad I was afraid I couldn’t drive home but once I got in the car I could manage. Went to the doctor’s office soon as I got home. Had him give me smallpox vaccination for good measure

 

June 18, 1963

My back was miraculously better this morning and is almost well this evening. I am a person who responds well to medical treatment. My father was like that too. Lovely cool day. Thelma Phelan and I concocted the best letter we could asking the telephone co-op to give us the unused office for our library. I hope it works.

 

June 19, 1963

I was ill all day (better tonight) I think if Raymond & Lois Williams and children are visiting here and so my S.S. class held an ice cream social for the congregation so everyone could visit with them. I baked a cake but it fell out of the pan and broke so I didn’t take it. Pleasant social. After that I went to the lodge room – lodge was over but we practiced for initiation.

 

June 20, 1963

Tired today because we practiced till late last night.

 

June 21, 1963

Ill all day (better tonight). I think it was reaction from vaccination. I went to practice at the lodge room – a special practice for initiation June 26. I was really ill when I went there but perked up during the evening.

 

June 22, 1963

Ruth McMeekin [?] from a greatly loved Methodist family who lived here 1903-8, came with her good husband. First time she has been back but she remembers everybody. (Was 8 or 9 when she left.) I set out something for them to eat & asked them to stay overnight. I asked Sadie to come over – then they went to see Mrs. Proctor & Ruth Cromer while I arranged beds. About 9 a severe wind & electric storm struck

 

June 23, 1963

Hard rain last evening and again in the night. We needed it. Also rained off & on all forenoon. Sunny this p.m. I taught my S.S. class – everyone happy over the rain – then I took Ruth & her husband to the Methodist church she remembered so well. (Pitiable congregation and more pitiable service.) We ate dinner and they started back to Calif. Schaefer girls took me for a drive to see Skeleton and strange bank of wheat stubble on a fence south of town.

 

June 24, 1963

I made cookies for a lodge party after the meeting Wednesday. Fortunately cookies do not dry out. In the evening Allie and Lula Cooper came – on their way to Penna. – with their fine daughter Ruby and her pitiable Mongoloid child – 7-year-old Lee. Ruby is wonderful to him. I had not expected them but managed a cold supper, and beds. Nice to see them.

 

June 25, 1963

Allie and family left late in the forenoon. We sat around and talked – had a nice visit. I think it has been 20 years since I saw them. Allie is quite broken. Lula looks well but beginning to be old. Ruby has developed into a fine woman, and so devoted to poor little Lee

 

June 26, 1963

We had lodge initiation tonight. Took in nine new members – or rather 8, for one was initiated at Enid. We did not do too badly though not so well as we did in Crescent. After lodge we had refreshments.

 

June 27, 1963

I fried a chicken and made salad. At 4:30 Winnie and her three grandchildren who are visiting here, Claudia and I went to Stillwater (Winnie took her car) met Siddiqua at the dorm and took her out to the park for a picnic. I never saw Siddiqua look so pretty and she seemed so happy to see us. She will return to Pakistan early in July.

 

June 28, 1963

Got my hair set, took care of a lot of business, and packed all but some morning things. I wanted time to water my garden but didn’t find the time. Virgil Potter was buried today but I didn’t have time to attend his funeral.

 

June 29, 1963

“We” means Idress and me. I am staying with Idress. I finished my packing and did all the things to my house that one does before closing it for a month. Olga Schaefer and Hulda Weber took me to Stillwater. We got our tickets – $602.40 round trip to Glasgow. Mabel Calawell took us to Cliffs for a very nice dinner & Anna Oursler was the other guest.

 

June 30, 1963

Left Stillwater 8:20 a.m. John & Floy Cobb (bless them) met us at the Tulsa airport. Took TWA to N.Y. – BOAC for Glasgow. Left N.Y. about 9 p.m. By the time everybody was induced to drink everything he could think of and they finally let us have our dinner it was midnight by N.Y. time before we got settled for the night.

 

July 1, 1963

Dozed a little before the early dawn ([?] hrs. earlier than our watches) woke us. Landed at Glasgow Penwick at 8:30 – took bus to Glasgow. Took room at r.r. hotel (Central station) and went to sleep. Very tired. Waiting now for 8:30 so I can call Edith. Very cold day.

 

July 2, 1963

Another cold day. Took train from hotel. Had pleasant friendly people in our compartment. Hard rain on way down. – lovely countryside – but clear at Birmingham. Friendly people helped us with baggage. Took bus for Kinver. Edith met us on High Street. Jack and Elsie Miller came over. We spent very pleasant evening. Bed about 11.

 

July 3, 1963

Slept late. Drove to nursery near Kingswinford. Took pics of canal there – then took walk & took pics of canal at Kinver. Lovely countryside. In evening I showed European slides to Edith and Jack and Elsie Miller. Cold with April showers alternating with sun.

 

July 4, 1963

Went to see bookmobile in p.m. I took pic. To a play about St. Kenelm’s spring in church of Kingswinford in evening. The play was very sweet & well done – written & acted by St. Kenelm’s church at Romsley.

 

July 5, 1963

Gladys Edith took me to Knutsford to visit Meriel Leicester. Traveled on Watling St. Took pic of bridge at Ironbridge – where Darby family built 1st iron bridge over Severn gorge. Pic of Newcastle market – Newcastle un under Lyme. Saw Stafford Castle (new ruin on Norman castle destroyed by Cromwell party). Took pic King St. Knutson with Tudor house, church where Mrs. Gaston was married, chapel she attended. built about 1774, chandelier 1768. Cold day, rain off & on.

 

July 6, 1963

Rained most of the day. Very cold. Edith took me to Kidderminster – I saw the market, took pic of house 300 or more years old, home of Mrs. Townsend – also outside of manor house – Harrington Hall. In the evening Edith showed me slides of Scotland and pics she took in U.S. Beautiful!

 

July 7, 1963

Cold day – one shower – cloudy all most of the day. I attended the parish church in the morning. A passing family gave me a ride up the hill. Good congregation – family groups. In the evening Edith took me to service at Enville. Beautiful old church. Fragments of Saxon work in the walls. Four old misereres in chancel – bear baiting, horseman caught in port cullis [sic]. Chancel rebuilt 14th cent. by a priest named Roger de Birmingham. Arcades of nave are Norman – rest rebuilt 14th cent. Fertility hand on wall.

 

July 8, 1963

I went to Coventry. Idress and Mrs. Smith met me at the station. We spent the time till 4 at the cathedral. Then Ella Ward (a very fine person) met us and we too took us to tea at an elegant hotel. We saw the shopping center and walked to the station. I arrived at Kinver about 9:30. Cold day, cloudy most of the time but it didn’t rain.

 

July 9, 1963

Edith took me to Stourbridge Junction to buy ticket to London. Then we drove thru the lovely countryside – went thru Harvington House Hall near Kidderminster, saw hiding places for Catholic priests before Toleration Act of – (forget date) Cold and cloudy but it didn’t rain where we were.

 

July 10, 1963

Another cold cloudy day with showers around, but no rain here. We stayed at home. Edith showed beautiful slides in the evening. In fact she does it nearly every evening.

 

July 11, 1963

Tour sponsored by the Women’s Institute – 2 bus loads, all women but one or two. Edith took me – wonderful day, Worcester, Tewkesbury, Chepstow (and castle), Tintern Abby. Weather fine, showers around but none on us though it rained hard at Kinver while we were gone. Saw Hereford Cathedral. Beautiful.

 

July 12, 1963

Some sun this morning, cloudy and one swift hard shower in the afternoon. Cold! I ckimbed climbed the ledge to the church this morning and took pics. This evening I showed Russian slides to Edith and Jack and Elsie Miller.

 

July 13, 1963

In afternoon went to Chastleton House with Historical Society tour. Went thru Stratford on Avon. Lovely weather, no rain on us, hard rain at Kinver while we were gone. Got back at 10:00, still light in this latitude. showred

 

July 14, 1963

Rained most of the day. In the evening Edith took me to church at Cloverly. Fine choir. Interesting historic church. After service the Rector showed us the parish register going back to 1568.

 

July 15, 1963

Sunshine this morning and I took a long walk & took pics. of countryside. Rained in the p.m. but in the long late p.m. it cleared somewhat & Edith took me for a lovely drive. I got sheep and foot ferry over Severn – also cocks made of baled hay. I showed Mex. pics. to Edith & the Millers this evening.

 

July 16, 1963

Spent forenoon at home. In the afternoon went with Edith to Kidderminster (She had a few errands errands there.) In the evening we went to the Millers – Elsie has suffered all the time from a serious rash but is better now. Cold cloudy day.

 

July 17, 1963

More cold and clouds with occasional rain. Edith took me to Stourbridge Junction and I took the 10:57 train, changed at Manchester Burmingham [sic], came on to London. Came to Kenilworth Hotel. Walked around, got myself oriented, found about tours. Idress came in from St. Ives about ten About five I think.

 

July 18, 1963

Cloudy and threatening rain all day, cool but not cold. We took tour to Stokes Poges, up Thames to Windsor Castle, toured it, saw Runnymede, toured Hampton Court. I hope my pics turn out well. [Alas, I lost them all.]

 

July 19, 1963

July 21 – See July 21 for July 19. Idress ill in bed with her cold. I went to the corner where they found the Roman temple. (Bldgs. bombed out & they discovered it in excavating for the new one.) Hunted around till I found it neatly removed and set up, then walked along Watling St. to St. Paul’s. Good sermon, congregation of tourists. The morning broke clear and it was sunny all day. First sunny day in the whole three weeks.

 

July 20, 1963

In morning took tour to Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. In afternoon to St. Paul’s and tower. Guide mentioned a place on corner of Queen St. and Cannon St. where they found a Roman temple. I will hunt it. Cold and cloudy as usual but no rain. Idress feels a cold coming on.

 

July 21, 1963

See July 19 for July 21 Turned 2 pages – should be July 19 Took tour to Oxford, Warwick, and Stratford. The sun peeped out once or twice and it rained only a little. We are very comfortable in our hotel. It is pleasantly cool, not cold.

 

July 22, 1963

Idress is laid up with her cold. Yesterday evening I canceled the booking for her tours & today I went alone on a wonderful tour to Guildford, Winchester, and Salisbury cathedrals and Stonehenge. Clear day. I took off my coat in the afternoon as I rode in the bus.

 

July 23, 1963

Clear day. Very hot in the bus in the afternoon. I even left my coat at home. Idress still unable to go out. I took wonderful tour to Canterbury – also saw Rochester cathedral, and glimpsed the sea. Saw places connected with life and writings of Dickens.

 

July 24, 1963

Cloudy day but warm not cold. We visited the British Museum. Idress got up and dressed and started out once more. Poor girl! She had to waste 3 days of our trip. In the afternoon I got our tickets to Carlisle. Found all the reserve seats taken because the day we Leave [sic] is Sat. Bad planning on our part.

 

July 25, 1963

We took a taxi to a crafts center near Berkeley Square. Then we separated and I bought some gifts. I saw some films in the India Tourist Bureau. We visited BOAC and confirmed our plane reservations. In the afternoon I went again to the British Museum. We shopped some more around here. Bright warm day but one shower.

 

July 26, 1963

Idress & I went our separate ways. I went to the financial district. A friendly old man told me of the Guildhall Museum, and I saw the statues & aretefacts [sic] found in the Roman temple – also pictures of Roman London. Then I went to Westminster Abbey and took a boat ride on the Thames to Greenwich. Got cold on the boat – hope it doesn’t make me sick.

 

July 27, 1963

Sunny warm day. Feverish time getting on the train with our baggage but made it, thanks to a good porter. Everybody getting out of London on first clear Sat. this month. We came to Carlisle. Got a taxi driver to take us out to Roman wall. He was a fine man. Stopped at an old priory on the way. Staying at Central Hotel. Coventry would have been better.

 

July 28, 1963

Sunny day – warm. Another hard trip. We had not thought of the days of the week, but only the dates of the month when we planned it. Anyhow we had train trip – fine Scottish family in compartment – to Edinburgh. Staying at a very expensive fashionable hotel without even a bathroom. R.A. [?] hotel – Caledonian.

 

July 29, 1963

Bright warm day. Took interesting (but difficult and crowded) tour thru “Royal Mile.” Beautiful. Took train to Glasgow. Staying at railroad hotel (North British), very pleasant and comfortable. Still no bathroom. This is last part of our journey, on our way home.

 

July 30, 1963

Spent a pleasant and restful day on Loch Lomond. Sleepy very early after such a relaxed day. Pleasantly warm and sunny – “a scorcher”, the people call it – about 70°.

 

July 31, 1963

Packed and left the hotel in late forenoon. Took BOAC bus from St. Enoch’s Square at shortly after noon and rode the 38 miles to the Prestwick airport. Checked our baggage and went out to Robert Burnes’ [sic] cottage. Tiresome wait in the evening for our 1:15 a.m. plane.

August 1, 1963

Left about 2:00 – plane late. Liquor and supper (neither of which we wanted). served on plane. Settled down about 3. Headwinds delayed flight and we missed our connection at N.Y., but made breathless shift to another flight – delay at St. Louis – reached Tulsa and waited till 3:45 for bus. The Schaefer girls & Hulda came to Stillwater after me. Very hot day in Okla. I’m tired and sleepy, early bed.

 

August 2, 1963

I went to bed without eating – slept fine, but hungry this morning, so ate at cafe. Later I bought groceries, picked up my mail, partly unpacked, got my hair washed and set, etc. This hot weather is hard to adjust to after Britain.

 

August 3, 1963

Hot day (and I’m not standing it very well). I washed the clothes I got dirty on the trip and finished unpacking and putting away. My house needs cleaning but no time to do it now. I got a telegram of the death of Oliver LaFarge. He will be greatly missed in Indian work.

 

August 4, 1963

Went to church and taught my S.S. class – a fine big class. Heard a fine sermon. In the P.M. went to golden wedding open house of Frank and Melia Ficken – a wonderful couple with a wonderful life. Hot day and I’m finding it hard.

 

August 5, 1963

I am spending what time I can in the cool of the morning cleaning the weeds and crab grass out of my garden and yard. The weather is very hot. My feet have been swelling till I thought I might have some organic trouble and went to the doctor. He said I was O.K. He bandaged my feet & ankles to get the blood started back.

 

August 6, 1963

My ankles had lost some of the swelling this morning. I spent much of the day with my feet elevated. But I have to let them hang down when I type. I will bandage them again tonight. Hot day.

 

August 7, 1963

Nice cool day. Showers went around and it sprinkled some here. I went to Guild. Frances Ticken was the leader and she presented a fine lesson. After Guild I called on Olga, who has trouble with a lame leg. Mabel Bryson was there and told about Charles and Janices’ baby who died at birth while I was away.

 

August 8, 1963

The weather is hot again. The ground is very dry and things are wilting, even the crab grass dying though the yards are green. I have the grass, etc. cleaned out now so that tonight I gave things a good watering. Two boxes of my slides came. They are fine.

 

August 9, 1963

The worst disappointment I ever had in a less – than – tragic matter. The other six rolls of films were ruined apparently because my camera shutter got out of order. I had never before had the opportunity of taking superb pictures and had anticipated great results. I am grieved at the death of the President’s baby. Callie Payne whom I knew fifty-odd years ago called. Gladys Hedgecock brought her.

 

August 10, 1963

Yesterday I started cleaning my house, finished it today. I feel much more self respecting [sic]. I cleaned the yard first because the weeds outside were growing and the dirt inside didn’t increase much. It takes only half a day to clean the whole house but I take it easy in two days, half each day.

 

August 11, 1963

I taught my S.S. class and made a bad job of it – one of my stupid days. Heard a fine sermon. After it, Rev. Bob announced his resignation to take effect Nov. 1. We are all very unhappy about it, but of course we accepted it regretfully.

 

August 12, 1963

I worked on a talk I am to make tomorrow at the State Homemakers’ Conference at OSU – subject, “Okla’s [sic] Cultural Heritage.” This evening we are having a hard shower. We need it very much. There is considerable thunder and lightning.

 

August 13, 1963

I took Winnie and drove to Stillwater. I spoke to the women – was not very well pleased with myself. The large room was packed and the megaphone didn’t work. After that I visited the exhibit Willard Stone had & talked to Mr. Stone. Forgot to say I enjoyed a delightful luncheon with the Willhams, Mr. Stone, and others. Before we came home we went downtown & took my camera for repair.

 

August 14, 1963

Wonderful cool night, beautiful cool morning Blue sky, clear air. I felt wonderful. In the afternoon I needed the air conditioner. I think it will not be so hot again. I worked on a summary of a questionnaire I sent out to Okla. churches from committee on Xn social action. I sent them in May – now made summary of replies.  

 

August 15, 1963

A skunk made things bad for me in the night and I woke with a splitting headache. Another lovely cool forenoon – a feeling of fall in the air. I sent off the questionnaire summary and also a report on a MS I have been reading for Savoie. Went to open house given by Mrs. D Hearn’s children for her 80^th birthday.

 

August 16, 1963

Pages stuck together Aug. 16 -18 on Aug. 18-20 Aug 19 Aug. 19 Lovely cool (even cold) day – cloudy, but cleared off beautifully in the afternoon. I felt wonderful. Worked on a talk I am to give tomorrow.

 

August 17, 1963

Aug 20 Cool and lovely in forenoon, got warm in afternoon. I spoke at a luncheon of the wives of the men who are attending a national poultry growers assn. It went off fine. In the afternoon I had a pleasant visit with Dr. Knight, Dr. Also tried got some leads on agricultural work with Indians. I went to Enid to see doctor, but he thought my hand was O.K.

 

August 18, 1963

Aug. 16 Another lovely cool forenoon. I sent inquiries about opportunities for Okla. Indian youth. Getting ready for a meeting in Sept. Found holes the skunk dug all around the south wall of my house – incredible effort to get under it. Guess when he failed he showed his vexation in the only way he knew.

 

August 19, 1963

Aug. 17 Warmer today and somehow I am exhausted. Slept all afternoon and am going to bed at eight.

 

August 20, 1963

Aug. 18 Taught my S.S. class and heard a fine sermon. Cloudy day, lovely shower this afternoon, cool this evening. We hope for more rain tonight.

 

August 21, 1963

Another lovely fall forenoon – warm in afternoon. I felt fine and could have worked but I wasted most of the day. I did take a jello salad to Roberta Allen, who cut her foot on a broken looking glass.

 

August 22, 1963

Aug. 23 Hot day. High hot wind, miserable day, but O.K. by my air conditioner. I went to the community fair in the morning, also went through the bookmobile, which was stationed there. In the afternoon I wrote some letters to members of Congress regarding the civil rights bill. I hope my S.S. class will vote to send them.

 

August 23, 1963

Aug. 24 Hot sultry day. I worked on my S.S. lesson this morning. In the afternoon I kept the library where I almost melted down. The sun beats down on the little building, the windows won’t open, and there is no electricity for a fan.

 

August 24, 1963

Aug. 25 Cloudy and cooler but it didn’t rain. I taught my S.S. class (a small one) and was rather disappointed at the small number that signed my letters. Heard a fine sermon. In the afternoon drove to Stillwater and picked out some of Idress’s pics to have duplicated. Not so good as the ones I lost but better than none.

 

August 25, 1963

Aug. 26 Another hot day. I retract what I said a while ago: that it would not be so hot again.

 

August 26, 1963

[No entry]

 

August 27, 1963

Still this hot weather. And how everything needs rain!

 

August 28, 1963

We had a nice shower this evening. Could use a lot more but perhaps we shall get it during the night. Terribly hot all day. The rain was a little more than an inch here in town.

 

August 29, 1963

The International Hospitality Committee met with me this evenin morning to make plans for the week end of Sept. 14-15. Coolish Lovely this morning, fairly nice all day. I learned that Elmer Jones shot himself a day or two ago.

 

August 30, 1963

I drove to Ponca City and had interview with Mr. Kirsch & Mrs. Cramton who do extension work with the Indians and with Roger Buffalohead (what a fine young man he is!) in preparation for a conference I shall attend Sept. 22-25 on Problems of Rural Youth. Cool this forenoon, warmer in p.m.

 

August 31, 1963

Nothing in particular happened. It rained a little this evening. I was tired all day.

 

September 1, 1963

Sprinkled a little this morning, fairly coolish all day. I had a fine big S.S. class, heard an even better than usual sermon. In the p.m. the Schaefer sisters took me to Guthrie to visit Mrs. Ed Hearn in a rest home and the Schragres in the Masonic Home.

 

September 2, 1963

Coolish day but no rain. I wish we could have saved the nice weather till school starts tomorrow. I went to see Mary Potter. It is said she has less than two weeks to live. She has wasted away until I should not have known her except for her voice, but she walks around rather feebly and still smiles.

 

September 3, 1963

[No entry]

 

September 4, 1963

I attended Guild at the church. Joan had the lesson. It was fine.

 

September 5, 1963

One day along here – on Sept. 5 or Sept. 4 or Sept. 6 I went to see Mary again. She is so cheerful it breaks one’s heart.

 

September 6, 1963

The international hospitality committee met at my house and made plans for foreign student visitors Sept. 14-15. I drove out in the evening to ask Bob Schaefer to serve as M.C.

 

September 7, 1963

We had a lovely shower this morning. We needed it.

 

September 8, 1963

I had a fine S.S. class, heard a fine sermon. Rev. Bob explained that letter to the Cong. delegation urging them to vote for a civil rights act was on the bulletin board to be signed by all who wished to sign it. Many did. In the p.m. I worked hard typing material for Raymond and Mabel in contest for farmer of the year. Mabel wrote it, I typed it to help. So glad to help.

 

September 9, 1963

I drove to Wichita and back to attend a meeting of committe [sic] on Xn Social Action. Did not get as tired as I expected. I’m afraid we didn’t accomplish much – too much conversation, not enough getting down to business.

 

September 10, 1963

First club meeting of year – luncheon held at E.& R. basement. Good program, Anita Shultz showed pictures of Pacific Northwest. In spite of all my efforts to make my porch skunk tight I found that one managed to dig in. I am sick about it.

 

September 11, 1963

Attended meeting of Guild committee to plan yearbook. Pleasant conversation as well as work. Saddened to learn that Ross Holloway died today. Ross and Edith and Max and Loretta were four of my favorite people. I took all four of them into the Methodist Church.

 

September 12, 1963

Co I have been very busy tying up odds and ends getting ready for entertainment of eight foreign students this week end. In the evening Rev. Bob and Raymond Bryson came to make decisions regarding a nursing home we hope to build in Marshall. At present we are blocked by an unrealistic regulation requiring us to have a resident doctor.

 

September 13, 1963

Went to Ross Holloway’s funeral this afternoon. As he lay in the coffin before the altar railing I thought of the time he and Edith and their two fine teenagers took the vows and became members of the Methodist church – am deeply thankful that I had the privilege of leading them to this decision.

 

September 14, 1963

I went to Stillwater (Wesley Shultz was the other driver) and picked up six fine young men – all recently arrived students – from India, Libya, and Venezuelia [sic]. Nuri Baryan of Libya is staying with me. In the evening we had a supper at the Lions’ Den followed by a program of pics & reminiscences about the Run into the Cherokee Strip.

 

September 15, 1963

I took my boy (a devout Moslem) to visit our church this morning. I taught my S.S. class and Bill Schaefer’s (Bill being away to a church meeting). Fine sermon. At noon I had the Branens to dinner. (My guest being a banker.) Bob Schaefer and Mel Swain took the group back. Very successful visit.

 

September 16, 1963

Fine rain last night and during forenoon. 2.7 inches in all, best rain for a long time. It cleared off brilliantly in the afternoon.

 

September 17, 1963

Claude and Eva Heyer came up to see me. They both look wonderful. Claude has all his doctorial [sic] work done but his dissertation and is ready for a job, preferably one where he can use his knowledge of economics to help Indians.

 

September 18, 1963

I had a good day but a hard one – drove to Watonga & had interview with Mr. Wood & Mrs. Shumer who are in extension work with Cheyenne & Arapahoes. Mr. Wood took me to Rotary Kiwanis luncheon at Roman Nose. Then I drove to Geary & had pleasant visit with the McElhaneys.

 

September 19, 1963

I carelessly let myself take a bad cold. Walked in dew, shoes wet, cold morning. I did nothing – didn’t put on dry shoes. Now I am feeling bad effects. I called on Mary Potter, who is failing fast but still up and about but very weak.

 

September 20, 1963

[No entry]

 

September 21, 1963

Learned that Mr. Vogel died in Enid.

 

September 22, 1963

Taught both my S.S. class and Bill’s. Heard a fine sermon. In the afternoon I packed, ready for early start to Stillwater. I shall not be able to attend Mr. Vogel’s funeral. It will be Tuesday.

 

September 23, 1963

Left about 7:30 – drove to Circle D Motel where I am sharing a room with a fine woman from Athens named Rowena Sprout. The day was crowded with speeches and work groups. In the evening a barbecue and entertainment at Theta Pond, then more speeches. I am very tired.

 

September 24, 1963

Another crowded day. The conference is on “the problems of rural youth in a changing environment.” The Assn. on Am. Ind. Aff. is sending me because one part of it deals with the problems of minority youth. I am not accomplishing much for the Assn. but I did have the opportunity of meeting Dr. Roesser, also heard speech by Brooks Hays.

 

September 25, 1963

Conference closed at noon. I had numerous people to see – got home in late p.m. very tired. It rained last night at Stillwater and Marshall. Learned Wanda Beeby died and was buried. Dolly Potter died at Norman (Ethel was going to bring her up to visit me soon) and Mary Potter dying.

 

September 26, 1963

Mary Potter died last night. She has accepted her illness with beautiful faith and courage. This cancer! A year ago she considered herself perfectly well though perhaps her back was troubling her. I am getting ready for a visit from Katherine Metcalf Saturday.

 

September 27, 1963

They buried the poor emaciated body of Mary Potter today. What a good life she had lived. We were the same age and had known each other since we were young teenagers. Wesley Sholtz conducted the service in a very fine manner. I spent the spare time I had getting ready for company tomorrow. Lovely weather.

 

September 28, 1963

Katherine’s friends brought her up from the City about the middle of the afternoon. They drove back immediately. We had a pleasant visit. In the evening I showed her my English and Canadian pics.

 

September 29, 1963

Coldest day we have had. I taught my S.S. class and attended the church service – Katherine went with me. In the P.M. I took her back to the City. Then I took Marie and Lottie out to the cemetery to Mary’s grave. In the evening I lighted my furnace.

 

September 30, 1963

Really cold this morning. I was glad to use my furnace. In the P.M. I drove to Enid to see poor little Ethel Hawkins. Mrs. Stuerke went along and visited Mrs. Orr. I planned to visit her too but used up all my time with Ethel.

 

October 1, 1963

Went to meeting of library board. Learned the Koch’s have a new boy, born last night about two hours before the deadline that would have forever kept him back a full school year.

 

October 2, 1963

Got beautiful letter from Ethel Bitting telling of her happy morning with Dolly just before she dropped dead. The Fischers are coming to visit me Sunday. I was waiting for the arrival of the Koch baby. I wanted to be sure Rev. Bob would preach.

 

October 3, 1963

We are having lovely weather – crisp in the morning, warm in the afternoon, bright sunshine all the time. But it is getting terribly dry – perhaps not in the fields but bad on lawns and shrubs.

 

October 4, 1963

Nothing in particular happened

 

October 5, 1963

Still nothing happened – only I did get ready for company tomorrow. Our nights and mornings these days are lovely, but I usually do turn on the air conditioner for a time in the P.M. I got a permanent.

 

October 6, 1963

The Fischers came at 9:30. We went to S.S. (I taught my class) and attended church (world communion Sunday); then Martha helped me put the dinner on the table. In the P.M. we looked at my English pics. Le Roy was stationed there during the war & helped with his comments – was especially interested in the restored Coventry which was bombed flat when he saw it.

 

October 7, 1963

Once of those days when I wasted time. No excuse for I was not at all tired because of my active day yesterday. It was all a pleasure.

 

October 8, 1963

Attended club. Went to the school building (in order to use the projector) and saw a very interesting film on cancer prevention and cure, then to Anita’s for the rest of the meeting.

 

October 9, 1963

I drove to Enid to see Mrs. Hawkins. Poor little helpless thing! Then stopped at the East Hill Rest Home to see Mrs. Orr and Mrs. Branen, both recovering from recent operations for cataracts.

 

October 10, 1963

[No entry]

 

October 11, 1963

[No entry]

 

October 12, 1963

I worked on a letter and sent it to the O.C. Times about a rule the state health officials have that forbids us to have a nursing home here. And we need it so much. I hope they print the letter. It might stir the people over the state.

 

October 13, 1963

I had a fine S.S. class The preacher was Rev. John Gradwohl of Abilene. At the close of the service we had a congregational meeting and voted to call him to be our pastor. He will start work here the first of December. It is going to be hard for him to follow one so greatly gifted as Bob Koch.

 

October 14, 1963

I thought I should send the Assn. on Ind. Aff. a report on what I discovered in preparation for the conference at Stillwater and so I did some preliminary organizing of the material I collected. Sort of bringing myself & the Assn. up to date on Okla. Indians.

 

October 15, 1963

I worked at writing my report. Got it finished and am copying it. We are having terribly dry weather – cold at night and so hot in the P.M. I often turn on the air conditioner August & Catherene Burchardt stopped by briefly.

 

October 16, 1963

Got my hair fixed this morning. Finished my report and sent it off this afternoon.

 

October 17, 1963

Went to Hennessey and got my teeth cleaned – all seven are O.K. In the late afternoon I drove to Stillwater. Stopped at home of Rena Penn Brittan. We went to Writers’ Club at home of Geneva Wise. Met several new people – with Rena. It threatened rain this morning but didn’t.

 

October 18, 1963

Did some errands at the college. Got home about noon. Sleepy because of late hours yesterday. Bad day – hot wind blowing like July, only not quite so hot. I slept much of afternoon.

 

October 19, 1963

Made cookies to take to church tomorrow. Celebrating 60th anniversary. It is cloudy this evening. I was going to water my shrubs but thought it just might rain. Pauline Lynch called.

 

October 20, 1963

Rained last night & early this morning – quit by church time. No S.S. Rev. Paul Press preached – mission festival then dinner – then anniversary service in p.m. – then cookies & coffee. Good crowd out – many home coming. It started raining when we left the church about 4 P.M. – still raining.

 

October 21, 1963

It rained a little once but was clear most of the day. Warm and nice. I cleaned my house and it is pleasant to think it will stay clean. The weather has been so hot and dusty.

 

October 22, 1963

The Woman’s Club met with me today. Good meeting. It was a perfectly lovely day – warm, bright, clean. In fact it was a little too warm in the afternoon but I put my fans away yesterday and moved a stand in front of my air conditioner.

 

October 23, 1963

I had a migraine attack this morning – a light one, but I felt bad all day. We are having wonderful weather. Warm and bright and clean. I am going to clean the outside of my house tomorrow – storm windows, all windows.

 

October 24, 1963

Mrs. Shepherd, a new woman in town who wants to work came to help me and we washed the outside of all the windows. It has rained and is still warm and sunny. I must leave the house – cleaning till Woodrow Winburn can do some work for me. I want the plaster removed and sheet rock put on two rooms.

 

October 25, 1963

I made a cake to take to church Sunday.

 

October 26, 1963

Don’t remember what happened. Neglected to make entry.

 

October 27, 1963

Rev. Bob preached his last sermon here – one of the best I ever heard. Subject was Reformation Day – not “farewell.” In the evening we had cake and coffee – a farewell party. A fine social gathering though we are sad about the family leaving. I taught my S.S. class in the morning as usual – fine class. Cold this evening.

 

October 28, 1963

Lynn Atterbery, who is home (at Cherokee) from the navy came to see me. I am pleased that he came but he is so bashful it was hard to talk to him. I had the Kochs at supper. They came in their work clothes very tired from packing and went back to work again as soon as they finished eating. I thought I could help Joan by preparing the meal.

 

October 29, 1963

It froze a little last night – for the first time. I saw it only on the cover to my trash barrel. I saw the Kochs off from the Schaefer sisters’ home. They left about three so tired I am worried about them. They have a long drive to Bob’s parents beyond K.C.

 

October 30, 1963

Children came by for “Tricks or Treats.” I visited Mrs. Hawkins. She is going down – approaching the end, I think. She is interested in moving to a better nursing home. I will help her with my gas well if she decides to go. Hot windy day. Cool in the morning as all our days are.

 

October 31, 1963

More “Tricks or Treats” children. I enjoy them. I worked on a talk I am to make tomorrow at World Community Day service. It is getting cold this evening.

 

November 1, 1963

The WCD service was a good one and my talk went O.K. Subject – Nation Building with reference to U.N. It is cold but not seriously. I suppose there was a slight frost this morning. I didn’t notice it. The wheat is lovely and green.

 

November 2, 1963

I wasted most of the day. Felt tired. Sat up too late last night reading Custer’s Luck. My worst vice. I have been a slave to it all my life and can’t stop – No “Readers Anonymous.”

 

November 3, 1963

Taught my S.S. class. At usual time of preaching service the men were in charge “layman’s Sunday.” It rained several times during the day – April-type showers. Not cold. I am getting ready to go to Wichita tomorrow.

 

November 4, 1963

Cloudy warm day, threatened rain but didn’t, cleared off slightly toward evening. Just the right kind of day for my long drive. But only three of us were there – so no meeting. We talked all forenoon. Then I ate and started back, got here slightly after three. Not too tired but disgusted.

 

November 5, 1963

Perfect day – warm, sunny, clean sky. I attended to a number of odds and ends of correspondence.

 

November 6, 1963

Yesterday evening my throat started bothering me and today I have a disagreeable cold. I thought it wasn’t catching so went to Guild meeting at Hulda Weber’s.

 

November 7, 1963

My cold is bad – perhaps it is flu after all and I should not have gone to Guild and exposed people. If it is flu it is a light case. I read some page proofs of a book Mr. Hinkel is printing – marked some errors I think should be corrected.

 

November 8, 1963

I felt really bad – spent much time in bed – but I mailed the proofs to Mr. Hinkel. Walked instead of driving to town – thought it would be good for me – but got pretty tired.

 

November 9, 1963

No Feeling much better – am well except for getting over my cough, getting up my strength, etc.

 

November 10, 1963

No preaching service. I taught my S.S. class – got along fairly well in spite of not being quite well yet. Had dinner with Schaefer sisters. Other guests the Les Drapers and Richard Webers.

 

November 11, 1963

I drove to Stillwater and had Dr. Freed give me a physical check-up. Last one was 3½ years ago. I am in fine health. While I was there I made plans for my S.S. class to drive over there Sunday for dinner and crafts exhibition

 

November 12, 1963

Went to club at Mrs. Branens. I showed slides of my England tour. Discovered I had lost my Phi Beta Kappa key – tho [sic] it had a safety clasp. Looked throughout the house – too dark to look outdoors.

 

November 13, 1963

Killing frost, first this year. I went out at daylight to hunt my key at all the places where I had got out of the car, but the grass is too thick – like needle in haystack. No luck. In the p.m. I went to see Mrs. Hawkins and talked with director of East Hill Rest Home. She wants to go there.

 

November 14, 1963

Cold day. In the afternoon I took Sadie Goodnight and attended the grave-side services of Anita Darling. A number of friends were there. She died in Kansas, was cremated & her ashes brought here.

 

November 15, 1963

It warmed up beautifully today No furnace heat since middle of afternoon – none this evening. I had planned to clean house and wax floors today with Mrs. Shepherd to help but she came an hour late and when I protested she went home mad

 

November 16, 1963

Hot Warm day. I used the furnace on lowest mark a little while this morning. No heat the rest of the day. I kept the library this afternoon. See back cover.

 

November 17, 1963

I taught my S.S. class (no preaching). Then several families of the class plus the Brysons went to Stillwater, met some foreign student friends there, ate in the mural room of the cafeteria (31 of us in all). and visited the International Crafts Exhibit. Then we all went to the library and saw the fine modern copy of the Gutenburg [sic] Bible. It was a very pleasant occasion for all of us.

 

November 18, 1963

Weather still warm. There was a white frost this morning but the sun shone and the day was perfect.

 

November 19, 1963

Rained all day – about an inch. Nice, warm, quiet rain.

 

November 20, 1963

I drove to Norman today to meeting of Council of Social Concern of State Council of Churches. Thick fog in morning, nerve wracking driving. Cleared off and driving was easy and pleasant on return.

 

November 21, 1963

Cloudy day, threatening rain. I drove to Stillwater, stopped for brief visit with Rena Brittan, went to Writer’s Club at Joan Smith’s, then to Baumgartner home to stay over night [sic].

 

November 22, 1963

Too shocked and grieved at Pres. Kennedy’s death to do anything but sit by the radio. I had driven home about noon, Ramona O’Neill called and told me. I can think of nothing else. It rained last night at Stillwater & Marshall, turned very cold. about nine A.M. Spent the evening with the O’Neills. It helped a little for us to be together.

 

November 23, 1963

Still stunned at the loss of our able, vital young president. Anna and Bess Boyce came by on way to Stillwater and stayed for dinner. Lovely warm day. I can’t think of anything but the president’s death.

 

November 24, 1963

Taught my S.S. class. At church the Guild had charge and it was my part of the service to present the church’s new plan for Thank Offerings. I had dinner with the Schaefer girls and we spent the whole afternoon watching the removal of the president’s body to the capitol and the crowd’s filing by. In the evening Wesley Shultz called and asked me to write a biographical sketch for the memorial service tomorrow. I worked on it until eleven.

 

November 25, 1963

Our service at 11. I watched TV until I had to go to the church (our church). Then I ate at the cafe and went directly to Enid Couldn’t sleep much so got up at 4:30 and made final copy of biography. Not very well written – too tired. I took it to him and he asked me to read it at the service. I watched television at the Schaefers showing the procession back to the White House, then to church. I had to go to Enid in the p.m. to see East Hills Home & Mrs. Hawkins. At E.H. saw the burial at Arlington, then saw Mrs. H. & drove home. Pat & Ramona here this evening.

 

November 26, 1963

Went to club at Ida Smith’s this p.m. – good program by Winnie. Lovely warm day. Things seem to be settling back to normal but people are still sad.

 

November 27, 1963

I went to Thanksgiving service at Xn Church Drove to Almeda Grossman drove to Stillwater and I went along. Picked up three fine young men – Singh and Rao from India, Alam from Pakistan. The first two visiting the Branens but staying overnight with me, the other at the Reims’

 

November 28, 1963

My boys stayed until about ten o’clock; then Joseph Branen came after them. I made the beds, put things back in place, etc. then drove to Stillwater for Thanksgiving with the Fischers. Wonderful family. They also had two foreign students as guests – two fine boys from Formosa. I got back at six.

 

November 29, 1963

I drove to Stillwater and bought some letterheads (200 for my Christmas letters. Everyone too sad to think much about Christmas yet, but it is coming – perhaps with a deeper meaning than ever. In the evening the men at the church served a pancake supper and the council presented the budget budget. The new minister’s family was present

 

November 30, 1963

I wrote my Christmas letter and sent it to Mr. Hinkel for printing.

 

December 1, 1963

I had a fine big S.S. class but did a bad job of teaching it. The church was full to hear Rev. John Gradwohl’s first sermon. The Voskuhl boys moved Ethel Hawkins this morning. George said she was somewhat tired and upset but he was sure she would like it there.

 

December 2, 1963

Cold day. I drove to Enid (took Mrs. Orr) to see Mrs. Hawkins. Found her very dissatisfied, complaining about everything. Apparently she is too ill and frail to be easily transplanted. Anything unfamiliar upsets her.

 

December 3, 1963

Sand Voskuhl went up to see Mrs. Hawkins today and found her still complaining, “not like grandmother,” she said. We are having lovely weather – white frost in the morning, glorious warm sun most of the day.

 

December 4, 1963

Luncheon of the Women’s Guild at the church. I was on the committee but the younger women did most of the work. After the luncheon a very fine Xmas program prepared by another committee, Eva Dean Huffer chairman.

 

December 5, 1963

I believe this was the day my Christmas letters came from the printer. I am writing late.

 

December 6, 1963

Dick and Louise James came over from Stillwater to see me – two young Oklahomans I am proud to know. Louise is Mrs. C.L. Rogers’ granddaughter. I remember when she was born. She is writing about my work as a term theme in her historiography class. I enjoyed them so much.

 

December 7, 1963

I drove to Enid to see Mrs. Hawkins, found her in a very complaining mood (unlike herself) but I told her it was a natural reaction from the upset of removal. Then she came out of it and talked and enjoyed the visit.

 

December 8, 1963

Had a fine S.S. class and attended the church service. In the afternoon I went with Ramona O’Neill to see the Nutcracker with the O.C. Symphony Orchestra and Maria Tallchief and Royes Fernandez. It was beautiful – got back at seven.

 

December 9, 1963

I got my Christmas tree today and decorated it this evening. It is beginning to seem a little like Christmas after all. I got some cards for my S.S. class – prints of some pictures I made – but I am disappointed in them.

 

December 10, 1963

Cloudy this morning, soon sprinkled some. The hospitality committee met with me this morning to plan for vacation. In the p.m. club at Mrs. Stuerke’s. Fine program. When we started home there was ice on the grass and the north side and back (east) of the glass was covered with ice. Dangerous but short visit. Cold tonight.

 

December 11, 1963

Ground was covered with snow this morning. It didn’t seem cold but the snow didn’t melt. Ground still covered. Not a deep snow and no drifts, just an even covering about an inch deep.

 

December 12, 1963

Sunny day and some of the snow melted but the ground is still covered.

 

December 13, 1963

Cold day, some sun, some strips of cloud. Some snow melted but not much. I waxed the kitchen floor.

 

December 14, 1963

Sunny day. Some melting but ground still covered except on wheat fields. For some reason those green fields are now completely free of snow – dry grass still covered. Does growing plant give out heat?

 

December 15, 1963

I drove to church – streets still slick but a good crowd was there. I had a fine S.S. class. Rev. John Gradwohl preached a good sermon. His kind of preaching grows on one – somewhat disorganized but with flashes of insight. Cloudy nearly all day, but warmer this afternoon – snow melting some.

 

December 16, 1963

Sunny day (if I remember right am writing late) and some melting of snow but not much of ground still covered, especially on streets where it is packed.

 

December 17, 1963

Cloudy dreary day, but warmer. Most of the snow is gone. This evening the wind came up strongly from the north and it turned suddenly cold. I hate winter.

 

December 18, 1963

Temperature at 10° this morning but clear. I drove in the afternoon to Stillwater to a library staff party. The people all had to work at their variety of jobs but they came briefly for coffee and visiting. I stayed all the P.M. and met them all.

 

December 19, 1963

Threatening weather, a few flakes of snow. I chickened out on driving to the school Christmas program fearing it would get icy but it didn’t. Some students from O.S.U. would have come over but we were afraid we couldn’t get them back.

 

December 20, 1963

Dark threatening day. This evening my S.S. class put up the trees and decorated the church for the Christmas program – then pie and coffee. Very pleasant.

 

December 21, 1963

Cold and snowed all forenoon, ground covered but not very deep. I suppose after today we will take the black streamers off our flags. I’m not sure whether 30 days mourning would end today or tomorrow.

 

December 22, 1963

Flags still at half mast [sic] – mourning ends tonight. Snowed during the night, pretty deep but scarcely drifted at all, cloudy all day. I taught my S.S. class – pretty good crowd at church in spite of weather. I was able to drive my car, but when I tried to drive it up the incline into the garage it spun wheels – so I shoveled & got it in.

 

December 23, 1963

Bright sunshine all day. I hate snow but must admit it is beautiful. It is just the right kind of snow, white, deep, even, clean, pure, lovely. Our strange burning sunset (or more particularly the afterglow) was even more spectacular than usual with the ground all white.

 

December 24, 1963

Balmy spring morning – with ground covered with snow. Beautiful warm bright day. I never saw snow melt so fast, virtually all gone by evening. I attended Xmas program at church. It was very fine. I could not feel anything looking forward to Xmas this year but now I do.

 

December 25, 1963

Beautiful warm day – snow all gone except in shade. My Newsweek that came this morning said there would be an empty chair at every American table today. True, but somehow I feel Christmas more deeply than ever. Enjoyed a pile of letters that came in the mail. also a pic of Lisa Wu; played the Messiah records; attended a fine service at the church (communion); forgot to cook some beef I had, so ate lunch; spent afternoon writing letters. I have greatly enjoyed my Xmas mail this year.

 

December 26, 1963

Another balmy beautiful day. I answered letters mainly. Cattle grazing on green wheat.

 

December 27, 1963

Weather still lovely. These red skies are not apparent at sunrise but before, not at sunset but after. Even when it is dark and the stars are out there is the deep red glow. It is even in the other direction, to the east in evening, west in morning. I am writing late, don’t remember what happened today.

 

December 28, 1963

Took Hulda Schaefer and went to Enid to see Ethel Hawkins. Found her cheerful like herself. Then went to funeral of Edward Henneke who was a teenager when Edwin married Ida. Burial in Wakomis cemetery. Saw Ida and her husband Ralph after service. Lovely warm day.

 

December 29, 1963

Taught my S.S. class and attended church. In the afternoon went to open house of Carl and Elnora Weber. Dark threatening day, snow falling fast at the time of the Weber reception but none remained on ground. It was the 50th wedding anniversary for the Webers. They looked very handsome.

 

December 30, 1963

Cloudy miserable day. I am doing some things to get ready for foreign students tomorrow. Just a few details.

 

December 31, 1963

Another miserable dark day. Three young men from India came over. Don Huffer brought them. In the evening we had a watch party at the Xn Church – games, pictures, coffee, cookies, sandwiches. At midnight we rang the three church bells. When we started home it was crystal clear and very frosty.