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4. 1970s
5. 1973

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January 1 - December 31, 1973

(Box 5/Folder 9)

 

January 1, 1973

For the first time in starting one of these books I wonder if I shall live to finish it. Or if I shall be mentally or bodily whole when I do. Young Sammy Vogel’s devotional service at S.S. yesterday moved me. I will write some lines of the hymn opposite. Fine bright day. I worked on my Dale article and spent the evening with the O’Neills.

 

January 2, 1973

Worked on my Dale article. I had it about finished and decided to rewrite most of it. Turned cold and cloudy. Getting ready to storm I’m afraid.

 

January 3, 1973

It snowed all morning. The ground was covered and it lay Thick and soft on all the Trees and shrubs. Beautiful! Then about noon big soft white clouds rolled back, and the clean blue sky and sunshine were glorious. The snow soon melted. But tonight the wind came suddenly hard from the north and it is rapidly turning cold. Rewriting Dale article.

 

January 4, 197[3]

It was cold but not too bad. I worked on my article but didn’t accomplish much.

 

January 5, 1973

I finished my Dale article and got it ready to mail. But I don’t know when I can mail it for the ground is a glaze of ice. Ramona (bless her) called me early this morning and warned me not to step out. It is so transparent she was afraid I might slip on the porch without knowing.

 

January 6, 1973

Everything still covered with ice and worse weather predicted. Somehow it makes me feel blue. I never minded bad weather when I was younger but somehow I feel frightened and at the mercy of the elements. I just stay in the house. Today I did some preliminary work on Ch. 9.

 

January 7, 1973

There was about 3 in. of snow on the ground this morning. I didn’t step on it but it looks hard and slick – and ice under it. Irwin called and asked if I wanted to go to church but I decided to stay at home. I found it rather pleasant. And my beloved cousins Ray and Shirley Worsley called for a nice long telephone visit. Cold and cloudy all day.

 

January 8, 1973

Another shut-in day. The sun came out and the white world was beautiful. But there was no melting. Pat O’Neill brought my mail. Some good neighbor usually brings it. I worked on Geronimo, Chapter 9. Had a good day’s work.

 

January 9, 1973

In spite of yesterday’s sunshine, the thermometer this morning said 5°. And it shone today with no melting. I have not stepped outdoors for 5 days. I am working on Ch. 9.

 

January 10, 1973

It snowed about 3 more inches last night but it is not as cold as yesterday. Winnie Branan and Maxine Harak came to my house for a committee meeting. Very pleasant. Winnie put on high boots and walked; Maxine drove. I am not as brave. I am afraid of the ice that covered the ground before it snowed.

 

January 11, 1973

This is the first time I have set foot outside for a week. The sun shone beautifully all day and it was not so cold as it has been, but there was very little melting. Still the snow became soft instead of hard so that people tracks and even dog tracks showed. That gave me courage to drive to the beauty shop. The wheels spun in one place but I had a spade along and dug them out. Worked on Ch. 9.

 

January 12, 1973

The sun shone but its still cold and not much melting. Raymond Bryson came to tell me of the death of Mabel’s brother. I did not go to see her today because I thought she would have phone calls, etc. I will go tomorrow. I didn’t work on Geronimo. Didn’t sleep enough and couldn’t work. I drove to town again.

 

January 13, 1973

Kept library in the P.M. It really thawed today but driving is still difficult – the snow is packed so hard on the streets it is like ice. Only main street has a clear track. I worked in the library. Also called on Mabel Bryson but she was not at home. The funeral is tomorrow. I worked some on Chapter 9.

 

January 14, 1973

Warm melting weather. I went to S.S. and church. In the morning it was still hard to drive – had to use spade one place because wheels spun. In the P.M. I went with Ron Bullock to the funeral of Mabel Bryson’s brother. My beloved Nellie Moorman called from Calif. for a telephone visit.

 

January 15, 1973

Another sunny day with much thawing. I even turned off the furnace. Worked on Ch. 15 [in a sidenote: Did I mean 9?]. I wanted to go to Enid but was afraid I would run into slick streets and parking lots. Called on Mabel Bryson.

 

January 16, 1973

Went to Enid to have my eyes checked. Right 21, left 23. Not good. Warm day. Snow in banks along the highways but otherwise clear.

 

January 17, 1973

Nice day. Finished Ch. 9.

 

January 18, 1973

Nice warm day. Got ready for Chapter 10.

 

January 19, 1973

Worked but didn’t accomplish much. Dr. Cummings called me from Stillwater and asked to nominate me for board of directors of ACLU. I asked Pat’s advice and he said, “Do it.” So I said, “Yes.” I hope I won’t be elected.

 

January 20, 1973

This was a good writing day for me, but I had to keep the library in the afternoon. I didn’t bother to watch or listen to Nixon’s inauguration. Four years ago I listened to his inaugural address with respect although I had not voted for him – but not now.

 

January 21, 1973

It rained all morning. And we don’t need it now. I attended S.S. and church. In the evening I had supper and spent the evening with Pat and Ramona. Not cold, above freezing

 

January 22, 197[3]

Warmish day but cloudy. I worked well today. Saddened at President Johnson’s death. The news came to Walter Croncrite [sic] right in the middle of his news broadcast. Johnson was patriotic and compassionate even if he was good at wheeling and dealing. He would have been one of our greatest presidents if he had not made that tragic mistake about Vietnam. But he tried to rectify it.

 

January 23, 1973

Attended club at Ramona’s. Fine program by Maxine. In the evening Nixon appeared on TV & announced the signing of a peace agreement with North Viet Nam. He studiously avoided any real information but said Am. prisoners will be released. U.S. will withdraw & cease fire Jan. 27. Why didn’t he do it 4 years ago.

 

January 24, 1973

Worked on Chap. 10. Beautiful warm bright day. Whatever good days we get this winter are so many to the good.

 

January 25, 1973

Worked on Geronimo.

 

January 26, 1973

Worked on Geronimo. I am not joining in the rejoicing over the patched-up peace in Vietnam. If we had left them alone in 1954, had pulled out when things began to fall apart, had instead of escalating under Johnson and four years of Nixon we would have saved many thousand lives and got the same terms.

 

January 27, 1973

Worked on Geronimo. It rained last night and was dark and rainy all day. All Marshall is hoping when the names of war prisoners are released today. Stanley Olmstead’s will be there. But I think he was killed when his plane was shot down. On TV this evening was a prayer service attended by the Nixons – the most sacrilegious thing I can imagine. I turned off the dial and I think the good Lord did the same.

 

January 28, 1973

Stanley’s name was not on the prisoner list. There is a little hope but not much. It snowed last night – not deep. I attended S.S. & church. Rodney Huffer spoke about his peace corps work. Very fine. Thirty-five of the church people took me to Enid for dinner to celebrate my birthday next Tues. It was a beautiful party Such fine people. We had a room all to ourselves at the restaurant. Perfect.

 

January 29, 1973

Beautiful, bright day. I worked hard all day but I didn’t get much writing done.

 

January 30, 1973

My birthday. And I did no work at all. In the morning Esther Shelby had asked me to speak to the 1st & 2nd grade. They had a cake with 83 candles. Gave me a present and some sweet letters they had written. In the P.M. I attended club at Murnice Hamilton’s. Fine program by Madonna & Maxine. They sang “Happy Birthday” and gave me a card they had all signed & 2 hakfs [handkerchiefs]. Then two sweet girls from the 3-4 grade room came bringing letters from that room. Beautiful sunny day.

 

January 31, 1973

Tried hard but didn’t get much done today. Didn’t feel well for some reason. A bad start on my 84th year. Miserable dark rainy day. The farmers are having serious trouble feeding their cattle. And Ray Beeby has lost a lot of young calves dropped in the mud.

 

February 1, 1973

Miserable day. Rained all night and kept it up most of the day. I did a good day’s work on Geronimo. In the evening I attended the meeting of the library board.

 

February 2, 1973

It froze a little last night but was a clear bright day. I didn’t sleep much, consequently didn’t work well. But I did finish Chap. 10 and planned Chap. 11.

 

February 3, 1973

I worked well but had to keep the library this P.M. Mary Shank called from Tulsa. Her poor old mother is very feeble and some unprincipled people have tried to get possession of her in order to get her property. It is worse than a Gothic novel. White frost this morning but a nice day.

 

February 4, 1973

I went with Dr. Cummins to O.C. to the ACLU meeting. We started at 11:45, so I stayed away from church. I found I was elected as a director but requested a one-year term. Attended general meeting in the P.M. and directors’ meeting at dinner in the evening. Both meetings very boresome and badly conducted. In fact the whole is badly conducted

 

February 5, 1973

I worked on Ch. 11. Got in a good day’s work. I would have gone to Stillwater today but there were some clouds and I have developed a fear of snow and and ice. But the day turned out O.K.

 

February 6, 1973

Dark, miserable day. I worked on Chapt. 11. Nellie Moorman called from Los Angeles.

 

February 7, 1973

It rained dismally most of the day and is turning cold this evening. I worked hard on Chapt. 11 but didn’t accomplish much.

 

February 8, 1973

Sun shone but very cold. Anyhow there is no snow nor ice on the ground so one can walk and drive a car. I worked on Ch. 11.

 

February 9, 1973

I drove to Stillwater and worked all day in the college library. It was a nice sunny day but cold.

 

February 10, 1973

Lousie Harpster called from Bartlesville and said she and Brian are coming over tomorrow to take me out to dinner. It is there anniversary and I was the one who performed the ceremony. They have had a good life together. Bless them. I distributed through my ms the facts I picked up yesterday.

 

February 11, 1973

Went to S.S. & church. Then Brian and Louise Harpster came clear from Bartlesville to take me out to dinner. We went to Enid. Twenty-eight years ago today I married them. A good day’s work. They have had such a good life together. I should have been taking them to dinner but they took me. Bless them. We had a wonderful visit.

 

February 12, 1973

One of the days in which I didn’t accomplish much. Too many interruptions. One was seeing the tax assessor.

 

February 13, 1973

Our club met this afternoon with Mrs. Griffin in Enid. It was a pleasant meeting and an interesting program by Margaret Perdue. Stanley Olmstead’s navigator was one of the prisoners released Sunday. He called the Olmstead’s and told them the shell struck the cockpit and killed Stanley instantly. All hope is gone.

 

February 14, 1973

Worked hard but didn’t get much done.

 

February 15, 1973

Another day that my writing lagged.

 

February 16, 1973

A good day of writing. I wish I could always feel so well physically and mentally as I have felt today. If I knew the cause I would try to repeat.

 

February 17, 1973

Miserable cold dark day – a few flakes of snow in the air. I did no writing on Geronimo. Worked in the library in the afternoon.

 

February 18, 1973

Attended S.S. & church. Had dinner and afternoon visit with the Schaefer sisters. Spent the evening with my beloved Pat and Ramona.

 

February 19, 1973

Somehow I didn’t sleep last night and had a hard time working. But I managed to finish Ch. 11.

 

February 20, 1973

Fine day of work. But I spent it on rewriting portions of Chapt. 4. In the evening I attended a very encouraging meeting of the Marshall Development Assn. About 100 there – very fine.

 

February 21, 1973

Started Ch. 12. I hope my MS is not going to be too long.

 

February 22, 1973

Attended funeral of Laura Barnes (forget her married name). She was a fine teenager here long ago. Was in my S.S. class when I was a girl myself only older than she was. Funeral at Crescent, burial here in North Cemetery. She lived in Calif.

 

February 23, 1973

A very pleasant experience. John and Roberta Gingerich on their way from O.C. to Topeka stopped by. They were a gifted young couple when I first knew them almost 30 years ago. Now they have matured into wonderful people.

 

February 24, 1973

I did some work on back chapters of my Geronimo book. Part of it came from an important document I got yesterday from the Natl. Archives. This was a wonderful sunny day. I turned off the furnace during the afternoon.

 

February 25, 1973

Attended S.S. and church. Didn’t do much else. Warm, nice day – a change this winter.

 

February 26, 1973

Still working on back chapters. In all previous books I did all my research first, then organized my notes and wrote each chapter complete as it came. With this one I am writing largely from a chronology in my head and sometimes I find something requires me to go back and make additions.

 

February 27, 1973

In the morning I went down to the library and took pictures of the high school freshmen working on an essay for Prairie City Days. In the P.M. I went to club – a movie at the schoolhouse with conversation we couldn’t understand, then business meeting at the library.

 

February 28, 1973

I started to Enid today but turned back before I left town because the weather was threatening. I did waste some time getting ready, etc. The rest of the day I worked on Ch. 12.

 

March 1, 1973

I saw and heard my beloved Marilynn Alcott on a TV quiz program. She won $1100 and as the leader of four contestants will be on tomorrow. She was such a bright girl in college and is now a brilliant woman. I worked some on Ch. 12.

 

March 2, 1973

Watched Marilynn again today but she didn’t do very well. After making $1100 yesterday her take was small today and she lost out to another contestant. I attended the funeral of poor little Anna Alana Anderson at the schoolhouse. She has been a heart cripple since she was 18.

 

March 3, 1973

Rainy day. I didn’t accomplish much.

 

March 4, 1973

Quite a shower last night. I attended S.S. and church, wrote letters, etc. in the afternoon, and spent the evening with Pat and Ramona.

 

March 5, 1973

Rainy day but I drove to Enid to see Dr. Shields. Not good – right eye 21, left 25. He gave me some stronger drops to try out. Has been 2%, now 3%.

 

March 6, 1973

Hard rain last night. Some of us club members went to Crescent to give a terrarium to the children of the head start program. I put away my Geronimo work with Chapt. 12 uncompleted. I worked on my income tax.

 

March 7, 1973

The sun shone! I finished my income tax, had a permanent, and started working on my lecture to be given at Tahlequah April 12.

 

March 8, 1973

I had a whole day to work on my lecture but I couldn’t get started. I wasted the whole day. We had a hard rain last night and it rained most of the day.

 

March 9, 1973

Rainy & cloudy but not much water fell. I did a really good day’s work on my book. Very different from yesterday. The starlings are building a nest in the spout that carries the water to my cistern. I hooked it out.

 

March 10, 1973

Big rain last night, another this morning. 1.9 in. in both There is water in my cellar. I didn’t accomplish much today. Bill Schaefer asked me to teach his S.S. class – too muddy for him to get in – and I worked some on that.

 

March 11, 1973

Lovely day. Taught Bill’s S.S. class. Didn’t stay for church because I wanted to rest. Drove to Stillwater, visited briefly with Ruth Hammond, then attended meeting of ACLUO Board. Very fine meeting. Hard to drive home with the sun low. Forgot to release my handbrake. Probably ruined it.

 

March 12, 1973

Beautiful bright day. Two in succession! Unusual this year. I worked on my lecture.

 

March 13, 1973

Attended club at the library. Would have seen a film at the schoolhouse but the power failed. Tornadoes across the state. We had a hard rain while we were at club.

 

March 14, 1973

The sun shone but there was a high wind. The hy daffodils jonquils and plum and peach trees are blooming. My daffodils aren’t blooming yet because they are in the shade. I worked on my lecture.

 

March 15, 1973

I wrote letters instead of working on my lecture. Tonight I discovered that my water heater has a leak – no dripping but rust that had to be caused by a leak. I suppose it has been leaking for months. I called Joe Miser. He will come tomorrow

 

March 16, 1973

Joe looked at my water heater. Says it could break out any time pouring water on the floor. He arranged for Kenneth Orrel to have a new tank here tomorrow. He doesn’t want to leave it over Sunday. I didn’t get much work done.

 

March 17, 1973

I didn’t get any work done today. Joe Miser installed my new water heater this morning and I had my attention on that. In the P.M. I kept library. I am thankful to have it. The other could have caused me trouble. I had it 18 years. The new one cost 89.48 without Joe’s pay. Beautiful weather.

 

March 18, 1973

Attended S.S. & church. In the afternoon we had our annual open house at the library. It went off very well. Mrs. Sanford and Maxine Austin were down from Enid

 

March 19, 1973

I worked on my lecture but had various other things to do. My jonquils and daffodils are blooming.

 

March 20, 1973

I finished my lecture. A man named Carter was coming to see me today but had car trouble. He lives in Illinois and is on his way to Dallas. The trouble occurred between here and Stillwater.

 

March 21, 1973

Mr. & Mrs. Carter came this morning. They are very pleasant people. Beautiful sunny day. I worked a little on my discussion topic.

 

March 22, 1973

Young Clark Gingerich came to see me and took a tape recording of what I told him about the harm done to Indians in trying to destroy their culture. He is a fine boy, a junior in Univ. of Kans. Roberta and John must be proud of him – so intelligent and socially sensitive.

 

March 23, 1973

I didn’t accomplish much. I worked on a presentation I am to use to start a discussion group at N.E. State College. Subject: What Do the Indians Want? It rained this P.M. and evening. Tornado warnings on part of state.

 

March 24, 1973

I ran out of eye drops so drove to Enid. The doctor changed the strength and gave me a sample to try out. I had planned to see him Monday but couldn’t wait so drove to Enid this morning. Right 21, left 23. In the P.M. I stayed at the library half of the time. It rained all day.

 

March 25, 1973

I taught the S.S. class. Bill and Elsie are in the Bahamas. Met a fine new family, the Normans. A man from Phillips named Flichtner preached. He has a mission in Enid for people, especially the young in trouble. He could have told more about it and less of his rather ignorant beliefs. No doubt he does good work. Cold rainy day, strong wind.

 

March 26, 1973

I drove to Enid to see Mr. Edsall about my income tax. And I bought a dress. It cost $38.00, not so bad as I expected. It is a suit – has a jacket. It cleared off – cold this morning.

 

March 27, 1973

Our club had its annual guest day – a luncheon at the Catholic parish house. Very nice, Esther Shelby’s 1st & 2nd grades gave a play & Teddy Strech & Paul DeWitt demonstrated the contraptions they made for the science fair where they received honors. Maxine Harak presented a fine report on a counseling service at Enid. It is raining again!!

 

March 28, 1973

Helen Carleson spent the morning with me while she asked advice about a book she is writing – her column in the Tulsa paper. In the P.M. Ginger Hitt & Luella Reim came and Ginger made recordings of what seems to me uneventful reminiscences. The sun came out.

 

March 29, 1973

I broke out a tooth (not one of my real ones, a false one) and had to go to Hennessey to have Dr. Binkley repair it. It looked very bad right in front where it showed. This is the fourth day this week that I have got no writing done. Perhaps I can work tomorrow.

 

March 30, 1973

Rained last night and again this afternoon. Genesis 7:11-12. This is the first day I have had a chance to write. Just about finished my symposium chore.

 

March 31, 1973

Hard rain last night. I went back to Geronimo today. I surrendered to the dandelions. For years I have daily cut all plants as soon as a bloom popped out so that none of mine seeded. But seeds blew on from neighbor’s yards. Very bad this year. Today I worked an hour & got them out of ¾ of my lawn. Then I quit. Hereafter they may bloom and seed and spread. I give up. They won.

 

April 1, 1973

The sun shone. I taught the S.S. class (Bill absent), heard a good sermon . There weren’t som so many dandelions as yesterday so I resumed my fight. In the evening I attended an adult study class at the church. Very interesting. We discussed Johnathan Livingston Seagull. Silly book.

 

April 2. 1973

It rained all day. I worked all day on routing tours for Prairie City Days. Mary Shank called this evening from Tulsa. Her poor old mother died Sunday. Jane is worn out caring for her, but she managed to keep her at home to the end and the poor old soul clung to her. No nursing home.

 

April 3, 1973

I had no opportunity to do any writing today. More lost days than writing days. Attended club at Margaret Perdue’s. Good meeting. The sun shone part of the day but is cold. May freeze tonight.

 

April 4, 1973

I went to Enid to pick up my income tax form from Mr. Edsall. Cold day but sunny. No freeze here last night but danger today tonight. It will damage the wheat if it freezes.

 

April 5, 1973

We had a white frost this morning but it soon melted and we had a beautiful sunny day. I haven’t done any writing all this week. Perhaps can do some tomorrow. Too much Prairie City.

 

April 6, 1973

The sun shone again. I had a little time to write and finished Chapter 12 of Geronimo. Most of the day I spent putting clothes in shape for Prairie City Days and Tahlequah.

 

April 7, 1973

Full day but a good one. Mr. Davenport cut down a dead tree and trimmed a live one, also my trumpet vine & hauled away the brush. I cooked for picnic dinner tomorrow. Winnie and I arranged a library display in the drugstore window. Getting ready for Prairie City Days. In the evening Mr. Burch & Olive May called – brought me an orchid. Miserable gloomy cold day.

 

April 8, 1973

Visit from parents of Bob Dixon. Fine people. Bob is minister of Disciples Church here. Snow on grass this morning. It soon melted but it spit snow all day. I couldn’t manage my old time costume so wore modern. Attended S.S. & church. Then basket “picnic” moved indoors to school. Program afterwards. I gave awards to winners in h.s. essay contest. In evening attended discussion group at church about Johnathan Livingston Seagull.

 

April 9, 1973

It froze solid last night. I am afraid it killed my peonies. They were drooping until their heads touched the ground . It didn’t hurt Edith’s. Her house protected them. I spent the day doing some more work on the library exhibit and going over my work for Tahlequah. The sky cleared.

 

April 10, 1973

It froze solid again last night but it warmed up and was a beautiful day. I packed and worked on my discussion topic for the symposium. In the evening went to the square dance. They gave me a beautiful corsage. It is such a joy to see them having so much fun.

 

April 11, 1973

Prof. & Mrs. Tonkin came after me about 1:30. Delightful people. On the way stopped at Muskogee Honor Heights Park, saw unbelievable masses of azaleas – also dogwood & wisteria. Also saw the Batfish. Had dinner with the charming young Agnews. Other guests – the Kings, Halliburtons, and Wycoff. Staying at Oak Park Motel.

 

April 12, 1973

Prof Billy Jo Davis picked us (Drs. Wallace & Spicer Wycoff and me) up for breakfast. Then the meeting I read my lecture. It went off well, then Wycoff showed interesting slides. Sen. Bellmon at luncheon. In P.M. fine paper by Dr. Prucha; then I led discussion on Ind. aims. (Some militants, but low keyed.) Evening banquet with new Asst. Secy. Franklin. (I like him.) Then President’s reception. Tired but it was a good day. Saw Frances Davis and granddaughter.

 

April 13, 1973

Dr. Wallace Spicer talked, no prepared paper. Not so good. Dr. Wallace read a paper. At luncheon Chief Keeler spoke. Fine. Paperbacked Paperback copy of And Still the Waters Run reached me.  Left Tahlequah about 2:00 & young Jim Williams took me home. Enjoyed drive. Going to bed at 8:30.

 

April 14, 1973

Prairie City Days. I conducted tour in the morning to places of community beginnings. In P.M. rode in parade. We were afraid of rain but our luck held. Kept library 4-5. Met many friends during the day. In evening the Fessners called.

 

April 15, 1973

It rained all day, sometimes poured. I attended S.S., lovely palm service at church hour prepared by Esther Shelby. Three girls sang and the little children down to babies barely old enough to form in processional brought palms. In the evening visited Pat and Ramona O’Neill.

 

April 16, 1973

The sun shone. I have so many pleasant interruptions – got nothing done in forenoon. In P.M. wrote letters of appreciation to Tahlequah people. (They were wonderful to me.) Mrs. Lefebvre called from O.C. Will stop by & see me.

 

April 17, 1973

Mr. and Mrs. Lefebvre of O.C. called this P.M. Very pleasant visit. Attractive people. In the evening Gomar Daugherty picked me up and we went to O.C. to a meeting of the ACLU to interview our candidates for the position of Director. Good meeting. We chose Mrs. Shirley Barry.

 

April 18, 1973

Because I had to get ready to leave so early I ate only a snack last evening. Then because I was hungry I ate nuts during the evening. We got back at 11:00. So too many nuts & loss of sleep made me ill during the night. I lay around much of the day. Did no work at all. Beautiful bright day. Lilacs & redbud beautiful in my backyard.

 

April 19, 1973

Hard shower last night. High wind today (100 mi. an hour in some parts of the state, 50 or more here) – air a red haze. I finished letters stacked up and started on Geronimo. No writing. Just trying to straighten out some material Eve Ball sent.

 

April 20, 1973

Nice sunny warm day after the high wind and dust. I had too much housework to do (washing and baking bread) but I worked some on Geronimo puzzles as to who wa was where when. My phone has phone was dead 2 day but in shape now. The man came late this evening.

 

April 21, 1973

At the dinner they had beautiful floral pieces. They gave all us women tickets & at the close they drew for them and I won one. Last night I was almost ready for bed when Vernon & Marilyn Allen and their youngest son came. Stayed till 11. We had a wonderful visit. They had been in a cantata from a Crescent church that gave a Good Friday service but was too tired to attend. Today I went to Hennessey to another dinner. Fine people. Dull program. They have invited me several times before but it always conflicted with our “Prairie City Days. This year it didn’t. Spring is beautiful.

 

April 22, 1973

The church was beautiful with lilies. And I contributed the beautiful floral piece I drew at the dinner yesterday. (After church I sent it to Mabel Bryson, who is ill.) I attended S.S. and church. Communion service. In the evening I visited Pat and Ramona. Nice day.

 

April 23, 1973

After I attended to some correspondence I opened a package that came yest Sat. from the National Archives. (It cost me $107.) It consists of reports of the officers in charge of the Apache prisoners in Fla. & Ala. I sorted the docs. & read some . Found them fascinating.

 

April 24, 1973

Attended club at Madonna Enmeier’s. New member Mrs. Norman. Loren Olmstead described plans to control floods on the Skeleton – up stream ponds or one big dam.

 

April 25, 1973

It rained last night; cloudy all day. I went over material to use in Chapt. 13. The mocking bird is here.

 

April 26, 1973

After I was in bed and asleep last night the daughter of Benedict Jozhe called me. The Chamber of Commerce at Anadarko has bypassed the Indians and is working to get Indian health appropriations to support their local hospital. Today I did some telephoning and will continue to help if I can the Indians if I can.

 

April 27, 1973

I worked on Ch. 13. Geneva Wise called from Stillwater and asked if I wanted to attend the Okla. Fed. of Writers convention next week. I do want to attend. I will ride down with her.

 

April 28, 1973

I wrote some on my book, Ch. 13. But I had to keep library in the P.M. Not many customers customers came and I worked at organizing a mass of material on the Apache prisoners I got from the National Archives.

 

April 29, 1973

I heard the turtle dove today. I attended S.S. and church. Ron has started a very original kind of service – a dialogue between him and Sammy Vogel and then an exposition on the subject of the Deut. confrontation between the choiced choice of life or death.

 

April 30, 1973

Worked on Ch. 13. Heard Nixon on Watergate. All emotion, no truth. God bless America! And me, the President. But it was a good performance. He could do better on the stage. Cloudy day. Tornadoes alert this evening.

 

May 1, 1973

Worked badly today. Didn’t accomplish much. It rained last night. My old fashioned yellow rose is glorious

 

May 2, 1973

Did a good day’s work. Still on Chapter 13.

 

May 3, 1973

I didn’t sleep well last night, so couldn’t write much today. I did pack my suitcase for my trip tomorrow to the Okla. Writers Federation convention at Lawton.

 

May 4, 1973

Geneva Wise came by for me this forenoon. (We ate in O.C.) Then we picked up Geneva Wise Venita Arrington and came on to Lawton. First session of the convention at dinner this evening.

 

May 5, 1973

More convention. The best of all was a lecture last night and a question and answer period today by Hayes B. Jacobs of the Writer’s Digest. I asked him if his school has a correspondence course in professional writing. It doesn’t. If it did I would advise all m talented young friends to take it.

 

May 6, 1973

We started back this forenoon. Very hard rain in O.C. We spent some time there – left Veneta and Geneva brought me home. It was a good meeting mainly because of Jacobs but some half way writers are too shrill.

 

May 7, 1973

My peonies started blooming today. The freeze killed most of the buds and stunted the others but I do have some blooms. Anna Beeby died very suddenly today. We have known each other ever since we were little girls. I loved her.

 

May 8, 1973

Attended club at Pauline Curry’s at Hennessey.

 

May 9, 1973

I turned on the air conditioner this P.M. My peonies are beautiful – not so many blooms or such large blooms as in other years, but beautiful nontheless [sic]. Harold and Dorothy Leake traveling from Idabel stopped to visit me. I was most happy to see them. They are among my dearest friends.

 

May 10, 1973

I didn’t work on Geronimo today. I had to write some letters and I went to Anna Beeby’s funeral. It is getting dry. I watered my lilies this evening. One of them died before I noticed they needed water. I used the air conditioner again.

 

May 11, 1973

Cooler day. But it didn’t rain and we need it. I finished Chapter 13.

 

May 12, 1973

I started on Chapter 14. I am enjoying my iris and my red clematis. Also my peonies though this is not a good peony year.

 

May 13, 1973

I attended S.S. but had to miss church. I attended the board meeting of the A.C.L.U. at Tulsa. Good meeting. Rode over with Stephen Jones and Mary Bane back with Domer Daugherty, all of Enid. Reached home at 9:00. Not bad.

 

May 14, 1973

I wasn’t as tired as I expected to be after yesterday. Got some work done on Ch. 14.

 

May 15, 1973

I worked on Ch. 14. Also drafted a letter to the Okla. Bicentennial Commission, urging them not to use the so-called Viking runes in their celebration. Too gullible.

 

May 16, 1973

Drove to Enid to have my eyes checked. Right 19 (or was it 18?). Good. Left 23. Not so good. The wheat looks wonderful. I doubt that it was harmed by the hard freezes late this spring.

 

May 17, 1973

Drove to Stillwater to attend the dinner of three members of the library staff who are retiring. Two were John Stratton and Josephine Monk. Pleasant party but I am sad to see them go. Am staying at Union Club.

 

May 18, 1973

Worked in the library. Finished up nearly all I needed to do. Came home in the afternoon tired. At the library I made xerox copies of the letter I wrote to the Okla. Bicentennial Commission.

 

May 19, 1973

Directed envelopes to and mailed my letters – nearly 50. Didn’t get any work done on Geronimo.

 

May 20, 1973

Our church had its annual picnic but I didn’t go. I had no time to cook up for it. Also I am tired. Worked all day on correspondence. Got several things done I had wanted to do. Things I had wanted to do for people.

 

May 21, 1973

This evening the edge of a cloud cloud came over and considerable hail fell from the size of marbles to golf balls, but not much rain. And we need rain. I worked on Geronimo this A.M. In P.M. made a salad for club picnic tomorrow.

 

May 22, 1973

We had our club picnic at Kingfisher park. Dinner at noon, business meeting and installation of officers of Mrs. Firestone, state pres., who lives at Kingfisher. Guests were 5 Guthrie Job Corps girls. Very good meeting. Afterward we visited the Chisholm Trail Museum. The wheat shows damage from dry weather.

 

May 23, 1973

We had a lovely rain last night – about an inch. Beautiful cool day, even cold this morning. I changed 2 pages of my Dale chapter. Then worked on Geronimo.

 

May 24, 1973

We had another nice rain. It was very dark but there was no bad lightning or wind or hail. At the same time there were numerous tornadoes around O.C. and one struck Union City and wrecked it. Worked on Ch. 14.

 

May 25, 1973

Worked on Chapt. 14. My madonna lilies are just ready to bloom. Lovely day.

 

May 26, 1973

Ramona and I went to Stillwater to Winnie Chu’s wedding. Her husband is a fine appearing young man from Thailand working on the his doctorate in agronomy. The wedding was in the Methodist church, following Western customs throughout. We saw two of our international girls – Alma from the Philippines, Tatan from Iran. They served at the reception. Tornado struck near Muskogee. Killed 3, wrecked town.

 

May 27, 1973

Went to S.S. & church. My madonna lilies are glorious. I put big vases full of them in church. Many more in my house and yard. We had a hard wind all day and it is cold. I used my furnace.

 

May 28, 1973

This was the official Memorial Day. I didn’t go to the cemetery – had decorated my graves last week because I was afraid it would rain. Last year Mrs. Stuerke spent with me and enjoyed the cemetery visit very much. Now she is not much more than a vegetable. This sentence was written later. She had a stroke a few days after May 28 Memorial day & never recovered. Ralph Cooper spent the P.M. with me. He is far from well. I spent the evening with the O’Neill’s.

 

May 29, 1973

Teresa is not working now. She completed her beauty course, but cannot practice it because of an allergy. And so she came and cleaned half of my house – washed windows, waxed floors – the works. What a superb young creature she is! And what a wonderful housekeeper.

 

May 30, 1973

It rained last night. All my rooms are shining clean – furniture moved & cleaned behind, windows washed, floors waxed. Only the bathroom & hall and back porch need some work, and Teresa will do that tomorrow. Of course I did no writing but I lost only 2 days. Lula, Allie’s wife, and her sister called. Lula came from Oregon to take care of the graves and for a family reunion.

 

May 31, 1973

Good rain last night – 1 in. Teresa finished my house this forenoon. I was not interrupted in my work. Wrote on Chapt. 14. In the evening went to a meeting of the library board.

 

June 1, 1973

I decided to divide Ch. 14, so cut it off and put the last pages as beginning of Ch. 15. It rained today. My madonna lilies are still glorious. Today was a good working day for me. Cool.

 

June 2, 1973

It rained a lot last night. I hope we shall not have a wet harvest. We are now under a tornado alert. There have been several bad ones in the state. I had a rather good day of work on Ch. 15. I hope my manuscript is not getting too long.

 

June 3, 1973

I went to S.S. and church. Wrote letters and loafed some in the afternoon. Madonna Enmeier filled the two vases in the church with my madonna lilies.

 

June 4, 1973

Made some changes in Chapter 14. Didn’t do any work on Ch. 15. We were under a tornado alert this evening. About 6:30 we got the edge of what I fear was a very bad storm. Nothing bad here but it rained very hard for a short time.

 

June 5, 1973

The Poindexters, friends of my young teaching days east east of Douglas visited me. Mrs. P., 94 & feeble and strong, capable Violet from N. Orleans, and Sylvia and her husband Lloyd Jarvis from Washington State. It was a pleasant reminder of my school year 1914-15. Sylvia started her schooling with me.

 

June 6, 1973

The wheat looks ripe but no combines at work yet. Grace Goodman called from the home of the Le Hews, who have moved to O.C. I do not drive so far so we met at Guthrie – she & Beth Le Hew and Lena Hayes the capable director of the Guthrie Job Corps. We ate lunch together and had a long visit. Incidentally Grace helped me buy a dress, which I shall need at Philips in Aug. It is pretty but overpriced $28 plus $3 for alteration and postage.

 

June 7, 1973

I really got some work done on Ch. 15. I still have a big vase full of madonna lilies, but there are no more left. And now my much more beautiful regal lilies are blooming. I picked two big heads yesterday. I picked two big heads yesterday.

 

June 8, 1973

My neighbor in the block, Nora Frank, died last night. I had known her a long time but was never intimate with her.

 

June 9, 1973

My purple clematis is beautiful. Also my Pink Radiance rose. Everything is blooming late this year. I did a fairly good day’s work on Ch. 15. I am afraid my manuscript is getting too long.

 

June 10, 1973

I went to S.S. & church. Alma Friend taught the class. Bill works so hard during harvest he doesn’t want to take time to prepare lessons. Gerry Schaefer became very dizzy yesterday P.M. and they took her to the hospital. I am worried about her. In the evening I visited the O’Neills. My regal lilies are lovely.

 

June 11, 1973

Worked on Chapt. 15. Our weather is not very hot yet. Nora Frank’s funeral was this morning. Probably I should have attended since she lived in my block. But I need the time to write. I am worried  about Gerry. They have not run all the tests yet but so far they haven’t found the cause. She had to stay in bed. So dizzy.

 

June 12, 1973

A little harvesting was done today but the dew lasts so long it can’t start till late P.M. I talked I worked on Ch. 15. For a day or so I have had a lame leg or back.

 

June 13, 1973

A good day’s work on Geronimo. I talked with Gerry on the phone. The tests are not all in yet. I am still uneasy. Mel Swain visited me this evening.

 

June 14, 1973

It rained last night. No harvesting. My back is really bothering me. I got in some good work on Ch. 15.

 

June 15, 1973

My last madonna lily quit today. Our first hot day. They were hauling much grain to the elevators this afternoon. I am still having trouble with that lameness. I got some good work done on Geronimo.

 

June 16, 1973

I finished Ch. 15 and spent the rest of the day incorporating material in the MS that I got from some books I got by interlibrary loan. My regal lilies are glorious. Ray and Shirley Worsley called and we had a lovely telephone visit.

 

June 17, 1973

I attended S.S. and church. Alma made the S.S. lesson very good – Ron preached a good sermon. Cool this morning. They didn’t start combining till late P.M. – still at it tonight. My stiffness still bothers me.

 

June 18, 1973

I started Chapter 16. Still that lameness – actually in my legs instead of my back. The combines were able to start soon after noon, but were forced to stop because of a sprinkle. This is a difficult harvest – bumper crop if they can get it.

 

June 19, 1973

It rained last night – no combining. But late in the afternoon when it sprinkled here, a tornado devastated Frederick. The clouds here were of the kind of that breeds tornadoes. I worked on Ch. 16 – also went back & changed 14 & 15.

 

June 20, 1973

I got a good day’s work on Geronimo In the evening Wesley & Anita Shultz and their two boys, Stevie and Ronnie came to visit me. I seldom see children as bright as those boys are. Stevie asked me questions about writing deeper than most adults could ask. Another harvest day starting in the middle of the P.M.

 

June 21, 1973

All our harvest days start about 3 P.M. or later. The combines are still going now at 9:30 using lights and will continue. This evening the field across the road east took fire, but they the fire truck and all the men who could collect there put it out. It was not that field but the one north – Joe Cromer’s. It is very tall this year, which makes a fire hazard.

 

June 22, 1973

This is the best harvest day we have had. I think they started right after noon and are still going. (It is 9:00 o’clock almost 10:00 – still going. They go till the falling dew stops them.. I worked on Ch. 16.

 

June 23, 1973

The best harvest day we have had. Some of them started before noon I think. And they are piling the wheat on Main St. Started before noon and  by 4:00 it was a huge pile. Must be still larger now. I took a picture at 4:00. I had to work in the library this P.M. Hot windy day.

 

June 24, 1973

I went to S.S. and church. This was the best harvest day yet. Of course some people do not harvest on Sunday but many do. If we have a few more days like today it will soon be over. Actually there has been no harm done – no hail, wind, etc.

 

June 25, 1973

Another good harvest day. And at this P.M. the mountain of wheat stretched a block long on Main Street. I haven’t seen it since. I don’t know what they are doing now. I worked hard on Geronimo but on revising back chapters – not much headway on Chapter 16.

 

June 26, 1973

Another good harvest day. I took another picture of the mountain of wheat piled on Main St. I believe they are not piling it now – perhaps have cars. Mrs. Krause called from Okeene and told me how well the wheat has turned out on my farm.

 

June 27, 1973

Another good harvest day. And another day of writing. Both went off fairly well.

 

June 28, 1973

It rained last night. Not enough to do any good (we need rain) but enough to stop the harvest. Sprinkled all morning. But they did some combining in the long evening. I would have finished Chapt. 16 today but I got a doctorial [sic] dissertation (unpublished) from TCU on the subject of Apache prisoners. So I worked on that.

 

June 29, 1973

We had a real rain this morning. And we really needed it, except for the harvest – which it stopped. I worked on the manuscript I got yesterday.

 

June 30, 1973

There are still no combines in the field, though the sun shone most of the day. I finished taking notes on the manuscript. (I wish the author could find a publisher. It deserves publication.) Now I am going write for some of the documents the author cited.

 

July 1, 1973

I got up feeling fine, but soon had a migraine attack. I don’t know why. These attacks are always light, not severe as they once were . I stayed away from S.S. but attended church. Then just as I sat down to my dinner I had another. I law down awhile, then spent the P.M. writing an evaluation of an Indian book upon which a church official wanted my opinion.

 

July 2, 1973

I did a good day’s work but only on the Goodman MS and some draft chapters Eve Ball sent me of her Daklugie book.

 

July 3, 1973

Same work as yesterday. Most of the harvest is over and the mountain of wheat on Main St. has been removed. Pat O’Neill is still combining.

 

July 4, 1973

I worked all day but in the evening. Harve and Dora Huffer took me out to Don’s for a roast lamb prepared Africa way by Rodney and fireworks. A very pleasant evening but it rained and drove us inside. Not much water fell.

 

July 5, 1973

I went to Enid to have my eyes checked – right 21, left 20. I didn’t think to tell the doctor since it was in the P.M. I had just put a drop in my left one. I usually go in the morning before that noon drop. I bought some material for a formal dress.

 

July 6, 1973

I spent the day getting ready for company. The young Apachatabootras are coming to see Pat harvest his wheat. They had been unable to come during the real rush because they were on their wedding trip.

 

July 7, 1973

Winnie and Apachai came this P.M. Winnie Branen and I took them out to the field where Pat is combining. Pat & Ramona were so nice to them – showed them everything. Winnie A. rode on the combine and rose in with a load of wheat. Had the time of her life. They did not stay for supper but Joseph and Winnie Branen did.

 

July 8, 1973

I attended S.S. and church.

 

July 9, 1973

I worked on some back chapters of my book. Added some material Eve Ball sent me.

 

July 10, 1973

It rained ½ inch last night so Pat got no combining done. He could have finished tomorrow with good weather. I reworked some more back chapters. Winston Wofford, a student I had at West Texas college 40 years ago came to see me.

 

July 11, 1973

Again I worked on back chapters. Put in some changes because of material Eve Ball sent me. It rained nearly an inch last night but I think Pat did some combining in the late afternoon. Everyone but Pat and Ramona needs rain.

 

July 12, 1973

I still worked today on back chapters. But I had to spend the afternoon at the library. Winnie Branen is in the hospital. (Not serious – a little repair surgery) The O’Neills had a good day. Dew this morning but a good P.M. With luck they will finish tomorrow.

 

July 13, 1973

I finally got everything caught up and finished my Chapt. 16. These back chapters I had to include the new material I got from Eve Ball and the Goodman MS. We had a shower about 6:00 P.M. and Pat had to quit combining. He has 10 acres left, could have finished if he could have worked 1 ½ hrs. longer.

 

July 14, 1973

We had a real rain last night, so no harvesting for Pat. But otherwise the rain is fine. And it is beautifully cool this evening. I read and planned material for Ch. 17.

 

July 15, 1973

July 16 I made mistake – wrote a wrong page. I started Ch. 17. It was a pleasant coolish day. I called Winnie Branen at the hospital. She is coming home tomorrow.

 

July 16, 1973

July 15 I wrote on wrong page. I attended S.S. and church. A Methodist minister from Stillwater preached a very fine sermon. I spent the evening with the O’Neills. Pat still has 10 A. of wheat to cut but he may leave it. He got a good harvest. Cool, even cold, day. Lovely this evening.

 

July 17, 1973

I worked on Chapt. 17. Winnie Branen came home from the hospital. Bernita will stay with her a few days. I cooked a chicken for their supper and when I took it over they insisted on my eating with them and I did. Very pleasant.

 

July 18, 1973

Worked on Ch. 17. Attended a shower for Ronnie Schaefer and Julie Kusik. It was at the Catholic parish house and the air conditioning quit We stewed in our sweat. But pleasant occasion anyhow. A lovely couple.

 

July 19, 1973

Worked on Chapt. 17

 

July 20, 1973

Worked on Ch. 17. This was our worst day this year – a high hot wind blowing, everything wilting. Then in late P.M. the wind changed to the north and it rained a little.

 

July 21, 1973

I did a lot of work today but very little on my book. One thing I did was to write a letter to a store in Indianapolis which asked me to help promote an Indian week. I shall go. It is in September.

 

July 22, 1973

It rained last night. I don’t know how much. We needed it. I attended S.S. but not church. Went to meeting of board of A.C.L.U. at Stillwater. Rode over with Domer Daugherty. Good meeting but hard work. I’m glad I didn’t have to drive.

 

July 23, 1973

Lovely cool day. I worked on Chapt. 17, but got tired and had to lie down and sleep. Too much yesterday.

 

July 24, 1973

Worked hard but did no writing. Organized material I got from the National Archives.

 

July 25, 1973

Rained last night and this morning. Lovely.

 

July 26, 1973

Worked some on Chapter 17, but had to work in the library in the afternoon.

 

July 27, 1973

Had an uncommon good day writing.

 

July 28, 1973

Mabel Bryson brought the lovely wife and fine children of Bruce Wishard to call. I had never met Barbara before. She is fine. I had never seen the children either. I worked on Ch. 17.

 

July 29, 1973

Attended S.S. and church. In the afternoon attended to some neglected correspondence, but didn’t catch up.

 

July 30, 1973

Either Shelby and Janet and Joyce Keeton and Bill and Steven brought about a dozen 4-H guests from Iowa to visit me. They are all so fine. Then Mel Swaim visited me. Very pleasant A.M. In the P.M. I worked on Geronimo. In late P.M. we had a good shower. We are having the pleasantest summer I can remember.

 

July 31, 1973

I finished Chapter 17 today. It was a very complicated chapter. Nice cool day. I also got everything ready for a hard day tomorrow.

 

August 1, 1973

Drove to Enid and spent the day with Tibbie Shades’ class on Okla. authors. Very pleasant. I didn’t get as tired as expected because at noon Maxine Austin took me to lunch and then to her house to lie down.

 

August 2, 1973

Fine cool day, even cold this morning. We The thermometer hasn’t reached 100° this summer. I felt fine but didn’t get much writing done on Chapt. 18.

 

August 3, 1973

Worked on Ch. 18. At 5:0 PM 5:00 P.M. Tibbie Shades came after me and all of his “authors” had a bountiful dinner & spent the evening. Scott Momaday, Kent Ruth & Helen, Bill Burchardt and his attractive new wife, Clara. It was a most happy occasion. I had never met Momaday before. He is fine.

 

August 4, 1973

I drove to Enid and Tibbie had us all make some recorded TV interviews for the Phillips Library. Then the students had their pics taken with us. And we autographed books. Then we went to the nearby Disciples church & ate a very bad luncheon. Momaday read a chapter of the book he has started. Very fine.

 

August 5, 1973

Beautiful cool morning. I was enjoying it but got too cool so a bruise I had on my back started hurting – crick in my back. Instead of church I went to bed with an aspirin, electric sheet, and hot pad. That helped but it bothered me all day. In the P.M. I evaluated and wrote some suggestions regarding a MS Harold Leake sent me. My back still hurts.

 

August 6, 1973

My back is better but still has a cramp in it. Arthritis is always lurking if I get a bruise. I should have worked on Chapter 18, but didn’t get far on that. I changed some of my back chapters.

 

August 7, 1973

My beloved Marilynn Alcott and sweet little Anne of New York and her mother-in-law from Stillwater visited me. I worked back chapters. Got some new material from the National Archives last week. My surprise lilies started to bloom.

 

August 8, 1973

Still on back chapters. It is raining a little this evening and there are clouds and thunder all around. I have never had so many glorious blooms from my surprise lilies as I have this year.

 

August 9, 1973

Aug. 12 Wrong page Turned two pages. I attended S.S. & church Ron was gone – a very poor sermon by a man from Phillips. Benedict Jozhe came to see me – he is troubled by business of Ft. Sill Apaches. Mr. Burch and Olive May came to visit Pat and Ramona and they asked me to come and I did and we all had a wonderful visit.

 

August 10, 1973

Aug 13 Had a wonderful visit this morning from Tibbie and Virginia Shades. They also brought me enough food from their farm to last a month. I started on Chapt. 19.

 

August 11, 1973

Aug 9 Turned 2 pages It rained a little here last night. At Dick Clark’s only 2 ½ miles south it rained 1 ½ in. and at Crossfields about 5 or 6 miles south it rained four inches.

 

August 12, 1973

August 10 It rained a little again last night. It keeps the lawn green – and the mowing boy busy.

 

August 13, 1973

Tibbie and Virginia Shades came to see me this morning. How I enjoyed the visit. They brought me food from their farm, enough to last me for weeks. I worked in the P.M. on Ch. 9

 

August 14, 1973

I worked on Ch. 19

 

August 15, 1973

A small cloud with a few big drops of rain and considerable hail this late this P.M. Some thunder around now. I heard Pres. Nixon’s Watergate defense – more lies and false reasoning per minute than I ever heard before. Worse than Erlichman.

 

August 16, 1973

Worked on Ch. 19.

 

August 17, 1973

Went to Enid to have eyes checked – right 19, left 24. Bought some evening shoes – cost $17. Outch Ouch! Got home to find my vacuum cleaner quit. Edith Holloway worked on it but couldn’t find the trouble. Janet cleaned my house as best she could without it.

 

August 18, 1973

Worked on Ch. 19 Ray & Pat Beeby called briefly. I think so much of them.

 

August 19, 1973

Finished Ch. 19. Attended S.S. and church. Wrote letters in afternoon.

 

August 20, 1973

Practically finished Ch. 19. Edith Holloway got my vacuum cleaner repaired till it is same as new. All it needed was a wire new cord. Cost about 8 – half labor, half cord.

 

August 21, 1973

Worked on Ch. 20 but didn’t accomplish much.

 

August 22, 1973

We are having the typical Okla. weather instead of the untypical we had until recently. Hot sun, hot winds, and it is getting very dry here. But only 2 or 3 miles south of us they have had good rains.

 

August 23, 1973

Madonna brought a long skirt she has made for I shall need a formal this winter and this skirt with a hand embroidered Philippine blouse will do nicely. I have been wearing the blouse with a short skirt. My new one cost 19.00 for material $7 to have it made – total $26.00 but it fixes me up.

 

August 24, 1973

The first day this summer the thermometer reached 100° at O.C. No doubt the same here. My lawn, plants, and everything are drying up. Saddened by learning of Dwight Smith’s death.

 

August 25, 1973

I told Mr. Jozhe when he was here I worked on Chapt. 20. Wrote a long letter to Mary Smith. Then I was afraid I left off part of the address, but it was in the drop and I couldn’t get it out. Post office closed on Sat. except brief time in morning.

 

August 26, 1973

I attended S.S. and Church. It is very hot and dry.

 

August 27, 1973

I told Mr. Jozhe when he was here two weeks ago that I would go to a meeting he had scheduled with an agency and a Washington official thinking I might back him up with some history. So Raymond Bryson took me down to Anadarko. But I wasn’t needed. The officials are completely informed and sympathetic. But it was an interesting meeting.

 

August 28, 1973

Worked on Ch. 20 but not very effectively.

 

August 29, 1973

Worked on Ch. 20. It rained a little this P.M. and is nice and cool this evening.

 

August 30, 1973

Blanche Cummings Bacus and her daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter came to see me. Blanche is 2 yrs. older than I, came to Marshall with her parents in 1896. I came 1899. We knew each other through young girlhood. She married Dr. Bacus and her first child was born here. Now a widow. Has lived in Colorado many years. Wonderful to see her

 

August 31, 1973

Finished Chapt. 20. Organized my material for Chapt. 21.

 

September 1, 1973

Started working on Ch. 21. Then got S.O.S. from OU press to give evaluation of a MS they plan to publish. Put Geronimo back in files & worked on it. Worked at the library in P.M. In the evening attended a wedding – lovely Denise Phelan to a pleasant young man she met at OSU.

 

September 2, 1973

Attended S.S. and heard a good sermon by Ron. In the evening my beloved O’Neills came. Good conversation. Also I made ice cream. To my surprise I have an abundance of blooming surprise lilies – Started blooming today. Must be some bulbs didn’t bloom when others did.

 

September 3, 1973

I finished my work on the OU. Press MS. It had horrendous mistakes in it. I indicated corrections. Then I attended to some necessary correspondence. It rained this evening. I hope it will rain more tonight. I took a big bunch of surprise lilies to Clara Schaefer to give Olga in the hospital.

 

September 4, 1973

I worked on Chapt. 21. We had a real rain this P.M. and it was followed by a perfect rainbow – a complete arch. Also in the west a brilliant sunset. It is cool this evening. People telephoned their neighbors, “Look at the rainbow.”

 

September 5, 1973

Nothing in particular happened. I worked on Chapt. 21. Will soon take trip to Indianapolis for the first day of the “Tribute to the American Indian” by the Ayres store there. They are paying my way. A promotion but a good one.

 

September 6, 1973

It was cold today. I could have used the furnace; lighted the oven and wore my sweater. Finished Ch. 21. Started Ch. 22.

 

September 7, 1973

Worked a little on Ch. 22. I packed and attended to other chores getting ready for my trip to Indianapolis. We had a good shower this P.M.

 

September 8, 1973

Ramona took me to the plane at O.C. and I came on to Indianapolis. Staying at the Hilton. Jim Horton and my beloved young Indian friend Gregg Mankiller met me. The Navaho couple Fred Stevens (Sand painter) and Bertha (rug weaver) came on a later plane and we all had dinner together. The Stevens couple are fine.

 

September 9, 1973

Got up late. Had a fine noon dinner at a hotel with Jim, Gregg, Gregg’s parents, the Albuquerque artist, Jane Mabry, and a writer who interviewed me while we ate – perhaps some others. Then Gregg took me to the fine Eagle Creek Indian Museum. In the evening I had a brief visit with the Joe Christians.

 

September 10, 1973

My busy day – radio and TV interviews in the forenoon. I autographed books in the P.M. The Indians danced, demonstrated their crafts, etc. Really good, nothing tawdry. My books sold well and so did the Indian things. In the evening a delightful dinner for the store people & the Indians & non-Indian guests, old time Hoosier food like home cooking.

 

September 11, 1973

Jim Horton took me to the plane and Gerry met me at O.C. and brought me home. Arrived at 7:00. Not too tired, Jim Horton whose job it was to plan and organize the store’s event s very pleased at its success and the Indians are too.

 

September 12, 1973

I unpacked & wrote letters. Blue Clark came up to see me – such a brilliant, handsome boy. He wanted to ask me about a paper he will read at a meeting in Florida in February. He plans to drive and asked me if I would consider going along for I am to read a paper too. I snapped it up. We had a rain this P.M.

 

September 13, 1973

Blue Clark came to see I wrote more letters. Things that had to be attended to on account of my trip and things that had accumulated. I’m writing late but I seem to remember that it rained.

 

September 14, 1973        

Cold day. I got back to Geronimo but not on Chapt. 22. I got some new material from the Library of Congress just before I left and I had to change some of my back chapters – for the better.

 

September 15, 1973

I got on Chapt. 22 and finished it. It was a short chapter and my last. I buried him. But I am going to add an Epilogue. A brief one. Worked in the library this P.M.

 

September 16, 1973

Cold day. I lighted my furnace this morning. Attended S.S. & church. Called on Olga & Clara Schaefer this P.M. Olga has been in the hospital. In the evening I ate supper (bowls of soup) at the O’Neills & spent the evening with them. I enjoyed it so much

 

September 17, 1973

I started my Epilogue but didn’t get it finished. It rained last night and is still cold.

 

September 18, 1973

Worked on my epilogue but still didn’t get it finished. It is still cold. I am enjoying my furnace.

 

September 19, 1973

August and Katherine Burchardt called. I was so happy to see them. We had a brief shower this A.M. Jack Cassiday’s hay barn on fire – I suppose struck by lightning. I don’t know whether the firemen saved it or not. I didn’t have much time to work – had to wash this A.M. – but did some on Geronimo.

 

September 20, 1973

I worked on my Epilogue. It is proving hard. I had expected to finish it in one day. Now I hope to finish it this week.

 

September 21, 1973

Not much happened. I still worked on Geronimo, but did not finish. It was warm enough so that I used my air conditioner for a time in the P.M.

 

September 22, 1973

We had a light shower before dawn. Warm bright day. I finished the first draft of my book. Also kept the library. The high school girl supposed to do it failed to show up.

 

September 23, 1973

I attended S.S. and church. Ron is going to leave in December. Now all this trouble to find a pastor. I had dinner at the Brysons. August and Katherene Burchardt were there. I enjoyed it very much.

 

September 24, 1973

I worked well today. Got well started on the paper I am to read in Florida in Feb. It rained all day. Not much water.

 

September 25, 1973

I didn’t accomplish anything today. Felt languid. In the afternoon went to club.

 

September 26, 1973

Sept. 28, 1973 I think it rained all night and was cloudy all day with occasional light rain. I worked on my Florida paper.

 

September 27, 1973

Sept 27, 1973 It rained all day, most of the time hard. We got a lot of water. I worked on my Florida paper. Got in a good day’s work.

 

September 28, 1973

Went to see Dr. Shields about my peripheral vision. Still O.K. but my cataracts are developing alarmingly. He gave me a date in Jan. for new glasses. Then I had Dr. Johnson, a dermatologist, remove a mole I have had on my cheek for about 10 years. I got home tired. Beautiful bright day after the rain.

 

September 29, 1973

I worked on my Florida paper but didn’t quite finish. Lovely little Kim Cardin brought me great armloads of flowers she grew this year. I still can’t understand her Vietnamese English.

 

September 30, 1973

Attended church & S.S. Had to teach my class, Bill at the state fair. I really enjoyed teaching it once more. Spent the evening with my beloved Pat and Ramona.

 

October 1, 1973

Worked on my Florida paper.

 

October 2, 1973

Learned that Winnie Branen’s mother died yesterday. I told her I would take care of the library Thursday. Worked on my Florida paper.

 

October 3, 1973

Finished my Florida paper and put it away in a file. It was so warm today I used my air conditioner. Learned my girlhood friend Fern Stephenson Mitchell died.

 

October 4, 1973

Worked a little on a talk I am to make Sunday. Fern Mitchell, a girlhood friend of mine, was buried today. I couldn’t attend the funeral on account of the library assignment but I stopped at the church and saw her and talked with her family. Then I kept the library. In the evening we had the library board meeting. It rained last night.

 

October 5, 1973

Finished work on my Sunday talk. Got a permanent.

 

October 6, 1973

It rained last night. I worked on a talk I am going to make at Edmond Tuesday.

 

October 7, 1973

Drove to Stillwater & spoke at Unitarian Fellowship. Told of my native Alaska land settlement. It went off very well. Then had dinner with Bob & Gloria Weber. Other guests Don & Lois Sampson & Dr. Terry (?) Brown Good conversation. In the evening I ate soup with my beloved O’Neills. More good conversation. But I came home early. Tired Warm day. Used air conditioner in my car.

 

October 8, 1973

Worked on my talk for tomorrow. To the English Club at Central State Uni. To tell them of Nixon’s attack on news media and individual dissenters – then join American Civil Liberties Union.

 

October 9, 1973

Drove to Edmond – had luncheon at the Student Union with Shirley Berry, Prof. Stuart, Dan Meador & others. Very enjoyable, then I spoke of First Amendment guarantee of free speech, press, etc. It went off well. We hope for some student A.C L.U. membership.

 

October 10, 1973

I didn’t really go to work. Several interruptions. And now Agnew has resigned. Glorious news. There seems no doubt of his guilt but if he had been a patriotic citizen he would have done it right at first even if innocent Then clear himself in the courts and come back into public life.

 

October 11, 1973

Bright sunny day. Terrible rain in Enid last night. 15.68 in. 12 in. in 4 hrs. While I was watching TV last night re Agnew warnings kept coming in. Here in Marshall we got 1 ¼ in. which we didn’t need. Damage in Enid is terrible and the Skeleton here is flooding the valleys. The crest is not yet. I worked on making my final copy of Geronimo. Got a few pages on Chapt 1

 

October 12, 1973

Very disgusted at the show Nixon put on in nominating his V.P. Went to Stillwater for my annual medical check up. Everything fine. I am very thankful for my good health. I spent the afternoon in the OSU Library checking a few final data. It rained when I started out & all the time I was in Stillwater. Very hard rain as I was driving back. But not much here.

 

October 13, 1973

Worked on the final copy of Chapt. 1, bud didn’t get a full day’s work because I had to stay in the library. Beautiful bright day. Everything green even the trees.

 

October 14, 1973

Attended S.S. and church. In the P.M. I worked much on a letter that didn’t satisfy me. I wrote to the publication of the ACLU of Okla. protesting the national ACLU resolution demanding Nixon’s impeachment. I think he deserves impeachment but such political decisions are not for the ACLU to urge.

 

October 15, 1973

Worked at various things. No work on Chapt. 1. Beautiful weather.

 

October 16, 1973

I am getting ready for a lecture and some other things at Cameron College, Lawton. Then a day of research at Fort Sill. And before that I shall have the joy of a visit with Ray and Shirley Worsley.

 

October 17, 1973

Same work on Cameron, and same beautiful weather.

 

October 18, 1973

Lula Cooper, my cousin Alfred’s widow stopped in briefly. She lives in Oregon (or Washington) but had been visiting her grandchildren in Penna. and her relatives in Okla. No work on Geronimo. Lovely weather. If it will only hold out till the Worsleys come.

 

October 19, 1973

Beautiful weather. I worked to get ready for company. Those beloved cousins are making such a brief visit that I don’t want to work while they are here. Janet really did most of the work (no school because of teacher’s meeting) but anyhow I got tired It doesn’t take much.

 

October 20, 1973

Ray and Shirley arrived a little before noon. Started after work yesterday and stopped at motel on the road. They do not seem tired and we are having a wonderful visit. I had hoped the good weather would last till they got here and it did. Even the leaves are hardly turning.

 

October 21, 1973

Shirley and Ray left at 8:00 this morning. I didn’t go to church. I was tired and am getting ready for my Lawton trip tomorrow. Startling news in morning paper – Nixon fired Cox and Richardson & Ruckelshaus resigned. I can’t see anything now but impeachment. Interesting that I heard Cox’s successor on TV yesterday.

 

October 22, 1973

Dr. Andrus and Dr. David (?) Smith came after me this P.M. Pleasant drive to Lawton. I am staying in the Holliday Inn. Very pleasant. The actions of the president are truly startling. I have a TV in my room to watch. Dr. A. & Dr. B. say impeachment, too.

 

October 23, 1973

I heard ex-Atty. Gen. Richardson for an hour on TV. He was the only honest man in the president’s advisors and now he is gone. I spoke this P.M. then reception by Indian Heritage Club – Yvonne   and they gave me a beautiful “Eye of God “ design. A small pleasant dinner in the evening with dept. & museum & Hist. Soc. people. All went off well.

 

October 24, 1973

I stayed over a day so I could work at the Ft. Sill Museum. Mr. Gage came after me & I spent the day there working hard with Mr. Griswold. Very tired but got a lot done. President changed mind & promised to turn over his tapes with recorded conversations about White House skullduggery. Got scared about impeachment.

 

October 25, 1973

Had a very pleasant forenoon going through the beautiful Plains museum with the fine director, Steve Miller. In the P.M. Dr. Andrus & Dr. Brown took me home. They told me USSR was going to send troops to help Arabs & Nixon called up ground forces ready to go. When I got home & turned on TV found crisis was over. I wondered if Nixon made it up to divert unpopularity.

 

October 26, 1973

Still this lovely weather. Heard Nixon at a press conference. He made savage attack on news media especially TV. Aside from that he was under control. People at Washington think the USSR Crisis was real, not something Nixon made up. But I’m still not sure. I am collecting some material I promised Mr. Griswold.

 

October 27, 1973

Still this beautiful weather. I worked all day looking up and copying material I promised Mr. Griswold. Started to copy my lecture – promised Dr. Andrus a copy so he can Xerox copies for people who want them. Learned Rodney & Mary Huffer have a new son.

 

October 28, 1973

Clocks turned back. I attended S.S & church. In the afternoon went with Domer Daugherty to the home of Shirley Berry at O.C. to meeting of ACLU Board. The National Board made resolutions urging impeachment of Nixon. This was before the last week’s developments. I opposed it I might not be the most erped policy of ACLU to take political action but was voted down so our Okla. affiliate endorsed it.

 

October 29, 1973

Worked all day copying my lecture, Finished it. We had a frost this morning Bright day but crisp.

 

October 30, 1973

Worked on commitments growing out of Lawton-Sill trip. But finally got a little work on copying Geronimo manuscript – dormant for 2 weeks. Cold cloudy day. We have had perfect weather till tod yesterday.

 

October 31, 1973

I had to wash, which killed the forenoon (Too much housework.) But in the P.M. I finally got to work again in that final copy of Chapter 1, so long neglected. The weather is beautiful again. This evening I was swamped by the UNICEF and “Trick or Treats.” What nice kids.

 

November 1, 1973

Worked on Chapt. 1. Beautiful weather. Sunny day but a high wind. Learned that Mrs. Griffin died at Enid.

 

November 2, 1973

Thought I finished Chapter 1 but decided to rewrite two or three pages. Cloudy this morning but it turned out to be a lovely day. Sweet little Kim Cardin brought me a great armful of marigolds & some mums & pinks.

 

November 3, 1973

Joe Christian, who is here visiting his mother called on me. I enjoyed the visit. Joe was a fine little boy and now he is a fine man, besides being a distinguished scholar. He had been to a meeting in Calif. I finished Ch. 1 & got a good start on Ch. 2. Mean, cold, cloudy day. Nixon gets worse and worse.

 

November 4, 1973

My furnace stopped as I was getting ready for S.S. I called Joe Misar and he came and installed a new thermocouple. I was late to S.S. but we had no class because Bill went to conference & forgot to provide a teacher. At church a man from the Philips U. faculty preached. Name-Boring; good sermon. In the evening I ate supper & spent the evening with the O’Neills. Mean, dark, misty day.

 

November 5, 1973

Another cold, dark day. But we have only had one freezing night. The leaves are still on the trees, most of them green. I worked at copying Chapter 2. It sounds interesting because I wrote that part so long ago.

 

November 6, 1973

Another mean dark day. I finished Chapter 2, but have not read it. When I read it I may decide to reorganize and rewrite some pages.

 

November 7, 1973

Another cold misty day. In the afternoon Sam Barnes was buried in the North Cemetery after a funeral at Stillwater. I did not know him well, but his sisters have always been close friends of mine. I intended to drive to the cemetery but Pat O’Neill took me. (Ramona couldn’t go for she was staying with Pat’s aunt.) Pat attended the Stillwater funeral but I didn’t. I worked on Chapter 3 today.

 

November 8, 1973

Made good progress on Chapter 3. Another bad day – cold, misty, ground and grass wet, everything dripping, dark.

 

November 9, 1973

Bob and Joan Koch visited me today. It was wonderful to see them. I had not seen them for ten years but they are the same youthful couple they were when they were here. I love them. The sun shone today! I worked on Chapt. 3.

 

November 10, 1973

Another cold dark dy. I finished my final copy of Chapter 3, and did some preliminary reading and planning of Chapter 4. In the afternoon I worked in the library.

 

November 11, 1973

Attended S.S. and church. Bob preached – the same deeply thought out sermon he preached every Sunday when he was here. I took the three fine Koch children to show them some Indian things in my house. Enjoyed them very much. They are bright and eager and sweet. Then we had a dinner at church. Soon after I got home Sam & Norma Vogel came. Sam wanted to tell me a minister about a minister at Eureka, Kans, whom the council interviewed about coming here. He will preach a trial sermon next Sunday.

 

November 12, 1973

I worked on Chapter 4. We had a nice day – cloudy but cleared up. This evening it is so warm I turned my furnace off.

 

November 13, 1973

Another warm day. No furnace heat. I worked some on Chapt. 4. In the P.M attended club at the library. Marilyn Allen came and brought Ben Brown, a social worker, and Jim Goodrich, an ex-convict to talk about penal reform. Very good. This is Okla.’s biggest problem. I am aware of it but have done nothing.

 

November 14, 1973

A day so warm I didn’t use the furnace even early in the morning. The thermometer went up to 79°, 82° in Enid, said the TV. It didn’t seem as warm as that here but pehraps perhaps it was for I got pretty tired. I worked on Chapter 4. The Schaefer girls invited me for Thanksgiving. So dear of them.

 

November 15, 1973

Another warm day tho not like yesterday. I went to Hennessey to have my root teeth cleaned. The dentist found a big cavity in one tooth. I had neglected it. I won’t let that happen again. I worked on Ch. 4. Almost finished it.

 

November 16, 1973

Another warm day. But I did use the furnace morning and evening. I finished Ch. 4 and started Ch. 5. This sounds interesting to me. So long since I wrote it, it sounds fresh.

 

November 17, 1973

Another warm day, but it is getting very dry. Some wheat is up, but that planted after the night of Enid’s flood can’t come up till it rains. And the rain we got that night is the last drop of water we have had. I finished Ch. 4 – started Ch. 5. I got a good distance on Chapter 5.

 

November 18, 1973

Another warm day. And the ground is so dry that the dandelions are actually dying. I attended S.S. and church. A minister named Prickett preached a trial sermon. Then we had a church dinner in the basement. Such food! I heard the men say they were in favor of doing it every Sunday.

 

November 19, 1973

Warm day but bad weather threatened. I went to Enid, was afraid but went, and the weather remained good. I had my eyes tested, 24 for each. Bad. I had many other things to do. Did all but got very tired. This evening the wind is blowing hard, there is lightning all around and severe storm warnings are out. I am leaving the TV on so I shall be informed. Luella Reeves called long distance and we had a good visit. Bless her.

 

November 20, 1973

It was truly a wild evening -- tornadoes over the state as I watched TV. Hard rain and strong wind here. Today I learned of people killed and destruction at Moore, Blanchard, and Tonkawa. The rain here was 1.19 inch, no serious damage in town, some in the country. It was still warm this morning but got cold during the day. I finished Chapt. 5. Eula Ruth Olmstead called.

 

November 21, 1973

It froze last night (second time this fall) but it was a beautiful bright day. Distressed to learn that postmaster Geo. Beeby is going to a better job at Hinton. He is a good citizen, one of our best. Learned that a small tornado that tore up some farm buildings n. w. of town Monday evening did much damage at the cemetery. Tore up trees and monuments. I worked on Chapter 6. In the evening attended the men’s pancake supper at the church where we voted against calling Rev. John Prickett.

 

November 22, 1973

Beautiful warm sunny day. (Like that day in Dallas ten years ago. How different our national history would have been except for that tragic day.) I wrote my Xmas letter this morning. Had dinner with the Schaefer girls. Wilda Schaefer and Mrs. Murphy there too. In the P.M. we all drove up to the cemetery. It has a path through the center of torn trees and displaced monuments. All of my graves are O.K.

 

November 23, 1973

A cloudy day but warm. I copied my Xmas letter and sent it to the printer. Then I worked on Chapter 6.

 

November 24, 1973

It rained once during the night and all day, about 2 inches I think. I worked on Ch. 6.

 

November 25, 1973

Attended S.S. and church. Dark day with fog and some rain. It has not got very cold. Shirley Worsley goes to the hospital today for some kind of surgery on her arms.

 

November 26, 1973

Beautiful bright day. I worked on finished Chapter 6, but I may go back and change it a little.

 

November 27, 1973

Miserable rainy day. I went to Club in the P.M. Met at the library. Madonna gave program on waste disposal. I didn’t have much time to write but I rewrote one page in Ch. 6 and started Ch. 7.

 

November 28, 1973

Lovely bright warm day. It froze last night but my rose is still blooming. I worked on Ch. 7. In the evening went to a shower at the church for lovely Carolyn Bullock who is leaving. It was a complete surprise to her.

 

November 29, 1973

Another beautiful warm day. I worked on Chapt. 7. Worked hard but ran into difficulties, so didn’t make much progress.

 

November 30, 1973

Finished Chapter 7, only I may go back and change some pages. Another warm bright day. I have been uneasy about Shirley Worsley for a week. Shortly after they returned from Chicago she learned she would have to have surgery in her hand and wrist for some trouble in her arm caused by arthritis. She went to the hospital Sunday.

 

December 1, 1973

Warm lovely day. I spent some time rewriting two pages of Ch. 7 and other back work, then started Ch. 8. Shirley and Ray called this evening. She came home today. Everything seems to be O.K. but her arm will be bandaged and unusable for months. Still they are both in good spirits.

 

December 2, 1973

Was sick last night. (ate too many peanuts) So didn’t go to S.S. Attended church. Ron’s last sermon. Communion Service. Rodney & Mary Huffer’s baby was baptized. Beautiful child. In the P.M. I attended meeting of the A.C.L.U. board in Stillwater. Good meeting. Warm day. No furnace heat except in the morning and evening. No wraps.

 

December 3, 1973

It rained today – quite a bit of water fell. I worked on Chapt. 8.

 

December 4, 1973

Cold rainy day and a few flakes of snow fell. I finished typing Ch. 8 but I must read and correct it and perhaps change it in places.

 

December 5, 1973

Our club drove to Stillwater and had a luncheon in the OSU student union for our three international students The day was bright and beautiful and everything was perfect. I had hoped to work on proofreading Ch. 8, but too tired this evening

 

December 6, 1973

Another cold bright day – not very cold but we have had a freeze the past two nights. My rose was blooming beautifully but now the blooms are nipped. It took me half a day to read and make some changes in Ch. 8. But I got a start on Ch. 9.

 

December 7, 1973

Another frost last night and a bright crisp day. I am keeping too close to my writing to enjoy the lovely outdoor weather. Today I worked on Chapt. 9.

 

December 8, 1973

Another lovely crisp day. I finished Ch. 9. Worked in the library this P.M.

 

December 9, 1973

A skunk near-by made things so unpleasant I couldn’t sleep. I have been about sick all day; didn’t go to church. I did send off some Xmas letters but scarcely made a dent in the pile. Another nice warm day.

 

December 10, 1973

Another bright crisp day. I could hardly keep my hands off Ch. 10, but sent out Xmas letters instead. I have out about 100 – not half. But I will take one more day for them and do the rest evenings.

 

December 11, 1973

I worked a little on Xmas letters but didn’t accomplish much. In the afternoon I went to a club program meeting at the library. Winnie gave the program. The weather has become warm again.

 

December 12, 1973

I worked all day on letters. I think I will do the rest in spare time. It is pleasant to read last year’s letters and answer them but I need to get to my book. It was so warm today I turned off my furnace in the afternoon.

 

December 13, 1973

Another warm bright day. But I have a troublesome cold. I started on Chapt. 10 but because I was about ill, I didn’t accomplish much.

 

December 14, 1973

Cloudy day but not very cold. I had a good day’s work and finished copying Ch. 10. I will have to read and perhaps change it some tomorrow. Raymond & Mabel Bryson bought me a glorious poinsetta [sic].

 

December 15, 1973

Nice bright day. My cold is troubling me. I read my copy of Ch. 10 and changed some words and rewrote a page or two but didn’t feel well enough to start Ch. 11.

 

December 16, 1973

I felt well today but still have my cold, so stayed away from church – didn’t want to infect anybody. I sent out Xmas letters and read a paper written by Blue Clark. He wanted me to suggest changes and I noted a few

 

December 17, 1973

My cold is finally under control. I started Ch. 11 but didn’t get much done. Beautiful warm sunny day.

 

December 18, 1973

Worked on Ch. 11. Warm day but we are expected to get a storm with snow, etc. during the night. The north wind is rattling the windows but it is still warm in the house with my furnace turned low.

 

December 19, 1973

Woke this morning to a howling blizzard. It kept it up all forenoon and the high wind continued all the P.M. to fill the air with drifting snow. No school. Everything stopped in the northern half of Okla. I finished Ch. 11. I am more than half done for the first chapters are the hardest.

 

December 20, 1973

The beautiful sun shone all day but the snow didn’t melt much. I suppose we got only an inch or two but it is badly drifted. Janet shoveled the drift in front of my garage so I could get my car out and it is a pile like a mountain. I got a good start on Ch. 12. I am zipping along in good time these days. I am so thankful for my continued strength.

 

December 21, 1973                      

Nice day and much snow melted but big drifts remain. We got only an inch or two but the high wind drifted it. I drove down town today, the first time I had stepped out of the house. I worked on Ch. 12 but didn’t sleep well last night so made slow progress.

 

December 22, 1973

Another lovely day with snow melting but there are still big drifts. I finished typing Ch. 12, but found myself too tired so loafed instead of reading it. Janet Shelby came by with some tiny children and lined them up in front of my door to sing Xmas carols – daytime caroling. They were so sweet & Janet as sweet as they were.

 

December 23, 1973

Nice warm day but cloudy – may be getting ready to storm. I attended S.S. & church. A Philips prof. named Bryan preached – fine sermon, also communion service. Beautiful Xmas tree in the church. Always before I used to be in the group that set it up & trimmed it but I don’t teach the S.S. class now.

 

December 24, 1973

Miserable dark day but warm. All the snow gone except the big drifts. I did a little work on Ch. 13 – didn’t get very far but am well started. In the evening Gerry came after me & took me to the Xmas program at the church. Very good. Jim Horton long distance for a visit. Such a nice person.

 

December 25, 1973

Nice day. Our snowstorm didn’t come. I had Xmas dinner with the Schaefer sisters. Opened packages and wrote letters thanking people. I didn’t work today.

 

December 26, 1973

I worked on Ch. 13 but didn’t seem to get very far. Pleasant morning but clouded up and got rather cold.

 

December 27, 1973

Worked on Ch. 13. This one goes slow. Warmish Not cold after all.

 

December 28, 1973

Finished Ch. 13 but it took nearly all day. I got only one page done of Ch. 14. So warm I turned the furnace off during the P.M. But even so the drift not entirely melted in my back yard.

 

December 29, 1973

Worked on Ch. 14. It was pretty cold for a short time in mid forenoon. Ice started to form. But it warmed up this P.M. I still have remnants of the snow drift in my back yard

 

December 30, 1973

It rained some last night and we had a miserable dark day. I went to S.S. and church. A minister from Phillips preached. Good sermon. I read all my Xmas letters and put them away. Learned that Abe Clark died suddenly Fri. evening. Poor Edith.

 

December 31, 1973

A little snow on the ground this morning and although the sun finally came out it was cold all day. I stayed in the house – didn’t even go to Abe Clark’s funeral. I could have got out but liked it better inside. I finished Ch. 14 and read Ch. 15 so I can start it tomorrow.