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4. 1970s
5. 1977

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January 1 - December 31, 1977

(Box 5/Folder 9)

 

January 1, 1977

A very cold day. It snowed a little this evening but not enough to do any good. I didn’t accomplish much. Stayed in all day. I seemed to feel that it was a holiday and didn’t settle down to work.

 

January 2, 1977

There was a special service of church, Communion and New Years service in the morning, dinner, yearly congregational meeting. I was getting into my car to start to S.S. when I saw some snowflakes. I got scared & came back into the house. Heard on TV Young, Carter’s choice as ambassador to UN. Very fine. It didn’t snow after all so at noon I started out again for dinner and cong. meeting. Very good turnout, good meeting. Sorry I missed service but glad I heard Young on TV. Spent evening with Pat & Ramona.

 

January 3, 1977

Another threatening day. I had an appointment with dentist of Hennessey. Afraid there would have be an ice storm and would have backed out. But Raymond took h me. Had my teeth cleaned & no cavaties [sic]. I wrote letters the rest of the day

 

January 4, 1977

Cold dark day. I attended club at Margaret Perdue’s. Frances Peach gave the program on present day education. Excellent.

 

January 5, 1977

I wrote letters and got a bit accomplished. I wrote 4 letters to politicians urging support of Equal Rights Amendment (I’m afraid it’s doomed) and to Pres-elect Carter urging him to scrap plans for B-1 Bomber. I’m afraid that cause is lost, too. Cold gloomy day.

 

January 6, 1977

Cold day. I didn’t get much done. Spent time reviewing notes taken in collecting material for Prairie City. Tomorrow some people are coming to interview me on “Pioneer Women” for a TV series on educational channel about women.

 

January 7, 1977

Three lovely young women came up from Norman to record the interview. I don’t know how well I did but anyhow I liked them. Pleasant day. Best one in a week or so.

 

January 8, 1977

It turned terribly cold. Low temperature plus a high wind. I kept library this afternoon.

 

January 9, 1977

Snow on the ground, about 3 in. Terribly cold and a strong wind. We need the moisture but most of it blew off the fields. I didn’t attend church. In fact nobody did. I heard Young ambassador to U.N. appointee, I am greatly impressed. I heard Jimmie Carter Dec. 16 1974 on a Sunday when I didn’t go to church & became a convert. My two favorite programs come at church time.

 

January 10, 1977

Terribly cold. I stayed in all day & read a fine ms. from a young man named Goble, his doctoral dissertation, Raymond brought my mail & I didn’t step out. The sun shone but the snow didn’t melt much.

 

January 11, 1977

Continued reading the ms. Not so cold but not warm enough to melt much. The sun shone. I still didn’t step out.

 

January 12, 1977

Warmer and dismally cloudy. But it’s good to have it warmer. I still stay indoors. This evening I heard Pres Pres. Ford’s “State of the Union Message,” his valedictory. It was typical – a good man with real feeling and no idea what it’s all about. No understanding of events and measures.

 

January 13, 1977

It was above freezing last night and all day. Cloudy and dismal but much snow melted. I worked on the man’s dissertation.

 

January 14, 1977

Beautiful warm sunny day. The snow melted fast. I spent some time outdoors, also drove down town, the first time I have been out of the house.

 

January 15, 1977

Warm and sunny all forenoon. Then at noon it clouded over and became very cold. I worked in the library – didn’t have a single customer. I finished my report on the ms. and mailed in. Couldn’t mail the ms. P.O. closed.

 

January 16, 1977

Cold day but sunny. I attended S.S. & church, Jack preached. Had dinner with Jack and Paula – and of course Kristie. Other guests were Olga and Clara Schaefer. Very pleasant.

 

January 17, 1997

Drove to Enid. First time I’ve been on the highway since that fateful Oct. 1. I saw Dr. Shields. Eyes bad – right 24, left 27. I am 2 wks. late but first day I dared take the drive. It was clear but cold in the morning, warmed up a little in the P.M. Good thing I made it for it is turning colder this evening with threat of bad day tomorrow.

 

January 18, 1977

[No entry]

 

January 19, 1977

[No entry]

 

January 20, 1997

I spent most of the day watching the events of Carter’s inaugural. It was a beautiful and moving experience – this orderly transference of power. We have a great country in spite of its faults. The weather warmed up in the P.M. so that I even turned my furnace off and left it off until 8:00 in the evening.

 

January 21, 1977

I wrote a letter about the need of a just allocation of water for the Pimas and their neighbors of Central Ariz, and sent if off to be mimeographed. Another lovely day.

 

January 22, 1977

I wasted my day. Spent the whole day reading Roots. It is a great book, I think, but I should have worked instead of reading. It was a cold day. Lovely Janet Shelby called Jim Horton called by phone. He says it is very cold in Indianapolis. He was wearing his overcoat in the house

 

January 23, 1977

I attended S.S. & church. Went to Hennessey with the Brysons (Bill & Elsie Schaefer also) to eat Sunday dinner. It rained last night, a little more than ¼ in. but it really helped the wheat. Cloudy this forenoon but cleared of. Lovely warm day.

 

January 24, 1977

I didn’t accomplish much today. Started work on our club history, which is to be sent to district historian, but didn’t get very far.

 

January 25, 1977

Attended club at Winnie’s. Very good meeting. Mary Rouse had the program. Ver interesting. Lovely warm day.

 

January 26, 1977

Worked on club history. (Had some other things I had to write also.) but got history nearly done. In evening attended family night at the church. Young families and droves of small children there. Very encouraging. Looks like a good future.

 

January 27, 1977

Mailed my club history. Lovely warm day but cold wave is supposed to hit us tonight Yesterday the mimeographed copies of my Pima letter came. Loray Dyson of Guthrie made them. She charged only for her materials not her work. Bless her.

 

January 28, 1977

High north wind in middle of night, 10^o this morning, but the sun shone and the day wasn’t as bad as I had feared. I directed nearly all the envelopes for the Pima letters. We don’t have time to do it in advance so they would be ready.

 

January 29, 1977

I mailed the Pima letters today. It’s still pretty cold I have a lovely amaryllis given me by Mary & Max Shank. It was supposed to bloom Xmas but reached me a month late. Now it will bloom for my birthday.

 

January 30, 1977

Attended S.S. & church. Took the amaryllis. Then about 40 of the congregation took me to Hennessey where we had a special room in the cafe to celebrate my birthday dinner. Wonderful people! Don & Evadean Huffer are the ones who plan it.

 

January 31, 1977

Pleasant sunny day, not very cold. I worked on something I have been postponing since October – a biographical sketch for Contemporary Authors (I got their second request in the mail today; so got busy. Got it mailed this afternoon.

 

February 1, 1977

Pleasant sunny day. I drove to Still-water (found 4-lane portion from I H 35 all finished – first time I have driven it since that fateful Oct. 1) to see Dr. Roberts. He is delighted with my recovery. It is supposed to require 6 mo. for an incision to be completely healed. Mine is healed now.

 

February 2, 1977

Worked on correspondence. I have much of that to do, and never seem to catch up. Ate supper (soup, Ramona is a genius at soup) with the O’Neills. We all listened to the president’s fireside chat. We liked it very much.

 

February 3, 1977

More correspondence. In the evening attended a meeting of the Library Board.

 

February 4, 1977

Beautiful warm day. I turned off the furnace in the P.M. and opened a window and a door. Worked on correspondence. More correspondence.

 

February 5, 1977

Beautiful warm day. I turned off the furnace in the P.M. and opened a window and a door.

 

February 6, 1977

Feb 7 Feb. 7 I spent the day doing varuris [sic] things to get ready for the meeting of Club at my house tomorrow. It was colder then yesterday but pleasant. The assessor was here at the bank. That took some of my time.

 

February 7, 1977

Attended S.S. & church. Paula preached a good sermon. Had dinner with the Schaeffer [sic] sisters, Gerry was there, more more herself than I have seen her before. In the evening I spent 3 hrs. watching “Tail Gunner Joe” on TV. It was well done.

 

February 8, 1977

Club met at my house today. We had a most interesting program. Mrs. June Reish, executive director of the Rogan Co. Red Cross described the work of the organization. My plumbing got clogged & I couldn’t get a plumber. But it finally opened up. Warm sunny day.

 

February 9, 1977

Feb. 11 Feb. 11, Got a permanent. We are having a lovely rain. Statewide. Started here around 2 P.M. Steve Unger called from the Assn. on Am. Ind. Aff. about a crisis. Cong. has created a special committee – one bad appointment, 2 good made by Dems. Reps. will name 2 and they’d better be good. I called Senators’ offices in Wash. and wrote and mailed a letter to be mimeographed & sent to my 80 activists in Okla. to work for appointment of Dewey Bartlett.

 

February 10, 1977

Woodrow had to carry mail and do some other thing so wasn’t able to work on my sewer line. But he cleared it yesterday so I am O.K. I wrote letters.

 

February 11, 1977

Fe. 9. Turned two pages. Even though my plumbing started working again yesterday, I can’t trust it. So Woodrow Winburn dug down and found it choked by tree roots. He cleared it but must do more work tomorrow. I stayed out where he was working and ran some erands [sic]. Found the outdoor exercise very pleasant. Lovely day.

 

February 12, 1977

Lovely spring day after the rain.( Rained more than 1 in. Everybody happy.) I learned the Uni. Press is about to start a second printing of Geronimo. So I got busy on corrections. I had supposed I had more time. In the P.M. I kept the library. Spent the evening (and supper with a new Creole recipe) with my beloved Pat and Ramona.

 

February 13, 1977

Another beautiful sunny spring day. I attended S.S. and church. Paul Schler came and carried my amaryllis. It is glorious. Four huge blooms on the stalk. It is so topheavy I couldn’t have  taken it and driven my car. Had my furnace off and the door open all afternoon.

 

February 14, 1977

Worked hard and finished and mailed quite a batch of corrections, about half I think. I had jotted them down hurri hurriedly as I read thru the book but today I found only half of those notes. So I must read the book again unless they turn up.

 

February 15, 1977

The mimeographed copies of my Indian letter came today and I mailed them – these go only to Oklahomans on my list of activists – 71 in all. My 6th grade friend Mike Diedrich came to ask me to talk to the 6th grade tomorrow about the Civil War in Okla.

 

February 16, 1977

I found my list of corrections. I also talked to the 6th grade (lovely children) and ate dinner with them. I called Doris Morris, editor of the Uni. Press and found the book is being bound already. So my corrections are too late. But I made out the remainder and mailed them. They will have to wait for the 3^rd printing. Attended meeting of the Prairie City Days committee this evening.

 

February 17, 1977

I took it easy today. Attended to some cho correspondence. I am distressed to think I didn’t send the corrections in time. The book is full of typographical errors and other things. It did not occur to me that another printing would be required so soon. We have had beautiful warm weather all week.

 

February 18, 1977

Another beautiful day. I worked on a club report (2nd dist. report on international relations. I am 2nd dist. chairman inter. rel.) My amaryllis has lost 2 blooms but the two left are still glorious.

 

February 19, 1977

Another warm beautiful day, Ray and Gladys Six came to see me. Gladys has had a stroke since I saw her last and is sadly changed – one leg damaged and an eye sightless, also very thin. The DeVores called from Edmond. They are coming to see me tomorrow. Almost finished club report

 

February 20, 1977

Attended S.S. & church. Fine sermon by Jack. Enjoyed visit with the DeVores. Dr. DeVore brought 3 crepe myrtles and planted them. Lovely warm sunny day

 

February 21, 1977

Quickly finished the club report. Spent Spent the rest of the day on my income tax, It is so warm I didn’t even turn the furnace on this evening and will leave it off tonight I used it a little this morning.

 

February 22, 1977

Warm day with high wind. It rained a few drops this evening. Our club met at Maxine Harak’s. Good meeting. I didn’t get any work done. I had a dizzy spell this forenoon. I don’t know what caused it.

 

February 23, 1977

I started figuring out my income tax. In The evening family night at the church & lenten service following. This is Ash Wednesday but we don’t celebrate that way.

 

February 24, 1977

Ramona Cheatwood and her husband and Laura Rucker came to see me. They lived here as little girls when their father was school supt. We all loved the family. The parents Clinton M. Allen & Mrs. A. are dead now. I enjoyed the visit.

 

February 25, 1977

I finished figuring my income tax. Had some excitement this forenoon. My kitchen clock made a high singing noise. I thought it was my refrigerator and called Bob Adams of Cresent [sic] to buy a new one. But he has quit selling them. Then I called Bill Rouse but he discovered it was the clock. Had to do some work on my breaker box.

 

February 26, 1977

There was snow on the ground this morning and it snowed all forenoon. Not hard, but steady – soft, wet, no drifting. About ½ inch of water moisture fell, not enough but perfect of its kind. I copied my tax report. Ready for Mr. Edsall. Spent the evening with Pat and Ramona. Fine.

 

February 27, 1977

Attended S.S. & church. Fine sermon by Paula. Ate dinner at Hennessey. Rode over with Brysons & Bill & Elsie Schaefer. Paula & Jack (and Kristie) ate with us. The wheat is beautifully green, the result of yesterday’s snow & sunny P.M.

 

February 28, 1977

Attended to correspondence. In the evening a Choctaw woman, Mrs. Jones, called from Stillwater and talked a long time.

 

February 29, 1977

March 1 More correspondence. Domer Daugherty was passing by and stopped in. We talked mainly about A.C.L.U. matters. He had been to a committee meeting in D.C. Both of us are leaving the board this year

 

March 1, 1977

[No entry]

 

March 2, 1977

Woodrow Winburn had other things to do so after he opened my sewer so it worked he didn’t finish it. Today he started digging hard to cut off some bid [sic] tree roots to get to it. Had to leave on another job before he finished.

 

March 3, 1977

I attended to correspondences.

 

March 4, 1977

Went to Enid. Had a good day. Saw Mr. Edsall about my income tax and Dr. Shields about my eyes – left 25, right 22. Got good for a dress for Prairie City Days and attended to numerous other errands. Woodrow worked on my sewer.

 

March 5, 1977

I didn’t accomplish anything today. Kept library in the P.M. Woodrow worked on my sewer and Bill Rouse put a new breaker in my electric box

 

March 6, 1977

Attended S.S. & church. Also a meeting from 3:00 P.M. to 8:00 working out plans for church. Very productive if carried out. (Sandwiches, salad, & pie for supper.)

 

March 7, 1977

Collected and prepared material for Dan L. Thrapp regarding date of Robert Geronimo’s birth.

 

March 8, 1977

Attended club at Fern Seefeldt’s. Interesting meeting. Winnie gave the program – slides of Hawaii

 

March 9, 1977

Alice Pipla and I took all the books out of the big bookcase in my study. One of the casters had broken and it was tilted forward. We were afraid it would topple. Alice put in new casters and we had everything back. It was a big job. Alice did 99% of the work. In the evening I went with the Schaefer sisters to Lenten service.

 

March 10, 1977

Daffodils are blooming and so are the pear apricot trees and peach trees. I am afraid the frost will get the peaches and apricots.

 

March 11, 1977

Marsh 12 I worked in the library in the afternoon. Spent the evening with my beloved Pat and Ramona.

 

March 12, 1977

March 13 I went to S.S. but no S.S. Jack & Paula are counsellors at a camp. Jerry Schaefer and Beverly Vogel had charge of the church service – a dialogue Gerry wrote about Moses. Bill Schaefer and. Sammy Vogel helped. I went to Hennessey with the Brysons for dinner. Learned that the Tony Schlers have a baby girl, born yesterday.

 

March 13, 1977

March 14 A charming history student from OSU. Maxine Rypkema spent the P.M. with me. After they left Maurine Reece & Jean Godfrey, club women from Crescent, came. Maurine bought five copies of Geronimo. Jean wanted one but I had only five.

 

March 14, 1977

March 15 I had a very happy experience. Charles Sigler and his mother Margaret visited me! Charles is in the National Park Service in Montana and came to visit his mother. They were driving around visiting his boyhood scenes, happened to meet me on the street and I persuaded them to come in.

 

March 15, 1977

[No entry]

 

March 16, 1977

I didn’t get much done today. It was one of the days largely wasted. And I do not have too many to waste.

 

March 17, 1977

I worked on correspondence. This evening heard Pres. Carter to speak to United Nations. Very inspiring to have a president like that. I didn’t make a mistake Dec. 15, 1994, when I became his ardent supporter. He had announced his candidacy three or four days before. He was my favorite candidate after I heard him on “Meet the Press.”

 

March 18, 1977

Nothing much happened I worked some in the garden and found I don’t last long at it. I don’t know whether it is the effects of being shut up so much this winter or whether I have reached that stage in life.

 

March 19, 1977

The second printing of Geronimo came today. None of the corrections sent in had been used. Same typographical errors as in first printing.

 

March 20, 1977

S.S. and church. Fine sermon my Jack. Then Doris Wilkins and her husband called briefly. I had never met Mr. W. I like him. Then open house at the library. It went off beautifully. People from Enid, O.C., Stillwater, Guthrie, & Norman. Sort of homecoming. Then in the evening Jim Horton called on phone. Fine visit with him. Good day all around.

 

March 21, 1977

Sent 3 copies of Hist. of Inds. to Jim Horton to give to friends. Wrote letters. Worked in the garden. My daffodils are lovely.

 

March 22, 1977

Attended club at Winnie’s. Much effort little business. A man from Okla. Natural Gas. Co. came & showed slides on conserving to keep our bills down. If they’d stop robbing us that would help even more! Just now Ramona called to say Pat was in the hospital for surgery. Not serious but painful.

 

March 23, 1977

I didn’t feel well today and didn’t accomplish much. Didn’t sleep much last night thinking of Pat and Ramona. Ramona called this evening. Surgery was this morning and Pat was in great pain all day.

 

March 24, 1977

Wrote and mailed for mimeographing a letter about water rights of Central Arizona Indians, (Pimas et al). Ramona called this evening. Pat was still in great pain all day.

 

March 25, 1977

I directed envelopes today about 120 – so that when my letters come I can mail them. Ramona called this evening. Pat is not suffering so much as before.

 

March 26, 1977

It threatened rain but that was all. I kept the library in the afternoon. Pat had a better day. Ramona drives to Enid every day to be with him and then returns in late evening.

 

March 27, 1977

I attended S.S. and church. The Drapers and Burches were there. They came to my house briefly after church, then decided to have dinner at Hennessey and took me along. It was so good to see them. Pat is much better – over the worst – will be coming home tomorrow. It rained last night Less than ½ inch.

 

March 28, 1977

We had some real rain last night. I am guessing about 1 inch. Pat is home, free from pain, in good spirits. I went to see him. It will be about 4 weeks before he will be doing hard work again. – the doctor says.

 

March 29, 1977

I wrote letters. Went to see Pat again. He was lying down at the time but had been dressed and walking around the yard enjoying the flowers. Floy Cobb called me for a long telephone visit this evening.

 

March 30, 1977

Mr. Glen Worster of Beattie. Kans, , came to see me this morning. I enjoyed his visit. I have heard my parents mention the family. My mimeographed letters came and I stuffed envelopes and mailed them.

 

March 31, 1977

Attended workship [sic] of district of Women’s Clubs. The president, Maurine Reece of Crescent came by for me at 7:00. Fine meeting. I am international relations chairman of the district and it was my job to present that department of club work. Called on Pat after my return. He is improving rapidly.

 

April 1, 1977

Attended to correspondence. Called on Pat in the P.M.

 

April 2, 1977

Worked on correspondence. Didn’t accomplish much.

 

April 3, 1977

Attended S.S. & church. Palm Sunday. Jack preached one of the best sermons I ever heard. In the P.M. Don and Michelle Points and Michelle’s grandmother, Mrs. Stierm came by and stopped in. We had a wonderful visit.

 

April 4, 1977

I didn’t get much done today. Had to wash and that took much of my time. I had ordered a blaze rose and it came today.

 

April 5, 1977

Didn’t get anything done today either. My income tax forms came and signing, checking, etc. took some time. Then I ironed. And in the P.M. Buddy Rudd took me around to check markers for our historical tour in Prairie City Days. 5 are down.

 

April 6, 1977

[No entry]

 

April 7, 1997

Worked on correspondence. In the evining [sic] attended a very moving Maundy Thursday service at the church. Olga and Clara came by for me. People are so good.

 

April 8, 1977

My secret granddaughter sent me a beautiful orchid for an Easter corsage. I worked on correspondences. Alice Pipla, who cleans my house every Friday planted my Blaze rose by the trellis on the south end of the porch.

 

April 9, 1977

Mabel and Raymond gave me an Easter lily. Their two granddaughters Karen and Susie Yelton brought it this evening and stayed and visited a while. They are lovelier than the lily. I worked all day on correspondence.

 

April 10, 1977

Attended S.S. (not much) and beautiful church service. Buddy Rudd’s children baptized – Stephanie and the young baby. Judie Diedrich & Ethel Rudd joined the church. Had dinner with the Timmons family – other guests Bob & Elsie Schaefer.

 

April 11, 1977

Didn’t accomplish much.

 

April 12, 1977

Attended club. Mainly plans for Prairie City Days. Among plans were historical tours. And this evening we learned it is against state regulations to use the school bus. This puts a damper on our tours.

 

April 13, 1977

Wrote important letters, one a recommendation of young Paul DeWitt for a college fellowship next year. I was tired and slept in the P.M. We had a little rain last night but not much.

 

April 14, 1977

Vint Ross took me around and he nailed up the historical markers Buddy and I found missing. Beverly Post took some unused signs and repainted them.

 

April 15, 1977

I found this morning that it had rained during the night – but only about ¼ inch. I worked on various details for tomorrow’s big day. I have changed much during these celebrations. I used to attend everything. Now about all I do is to participate in Saturday’s events.

 

April 16, 1977

Rained last night. Gladys Warren came up & dedicated the park at 10:00. Also Lois Clark & Blue came. They came home & rested and Gerry Schaefer took them to the museum. At noon I had a picnic lunch for Luis & Blue. Gladys went back to O.C. In the P.M. I rode in the parade. Then I conducted a historical tour. Tired this evening.

 

April 17, 1997

Attended S.S. & church. Jack preached Good sermon. In the P.M. I put away my old time clothes & things I had put in the museum. Slept in the P.M. Shower last night, this P.M., and now this evening. Not much water but it adds up.

 

April 18, 1977

More rain. Altogether we have got about ¾ inches when all these light showers are added together. I went with four of our church women to a meeting of the Okla. group at the Kingfisher church. I told my Pima et al. story and a few joined my list of activists. I’m tired tonight. Deeply impressed by President’s energy address to the nation. I pray for his success

 

April 19, 1977

Drove to Enid to have my eyes tested. Good news – right 19, left 22. I did some shopping also. Sunny day with blue sky & white clouds. The rain is over this time.

 

April 20, 1977

Rained last night and thru the day. Not much water. I was tired and didn’t accomplish much. Two events tomorrow. Formal naming of Edmon Low Library at OSU. and my secret granddaughter will reveal herself at a reception at Covington school. Heard President’s energy message to Congress.

 

April 21, 1977

Rained last night --  now it adds up to more than 1 in. Threatened all day. I drove to Stillwater in P.M. for ceremony honoring the name of the OSU library for Mr. Low He & Mamie [sic] & all 3 children were present. Happy occasion. In evening my secret granddaughter, who turned out to be Mona Eggers took me to a reception in Covington high school to a reception honoring the “grandmothers.” Mona is lovely.

 

April 22, 1977

Rained last night & all forenoon. Not much water but it adds up. I met two interesting people, Bob & Gerry Wolf. She is a Creek Indian, lovely, gifted, charming. He a very pleasant person, almost an Indian himself. They brought 3 copies of Road to Disappearance for me to autograph.

 

April 23, 1977

I did some getting ready for Ray and Shirley Worsley who are coming tomorrow P.M. It may have rained last night. I am writing late. We got a little over an inch adding up these small rains. We change time tomorrow.

 

April 24, 1977

I woke up not feeling very well, and I had to change beds, etc, so I didn’t go to church. Felt pretty well by the time Ray & Shirley came. It is wonderful to see them.

 

April 25, 1977

Ray & Shirley left this morning at 10:00. They had been at an Orrel [sic] Roberts meeting in Tulsa. I had a wonderful visit with them. We are having lovely weather. My yellow rose is glorious and my climbing American beauty [sic] has one bloom out. I am tired today.

 

April 26, 1977

My peonies and red clematis started blooming this morning, just one day late for the Worsleys to see. I spent an hour of hard work fertilizing and dusting my roses against insects and felt all the better for it. It was a perfect spring day and I felt fine. Often I can’t sleep at night and feel miserable all day. It was a club day but we didn’t meet.

 

April 27, 1977

 My peonies are glorious. I wish the Worsleys could have seen them. Rumsy Payne called today. I had not seen him since he was a young man in the early 30s.

 

April 28, 1977

Slight rain last night. I spoke to Margie Schweitzer’s class last in the P.M. Bernice Mitchell had me at her home afterwards, & had some friends in. Met a fine person Theda Starr & her young daughter T.J. also her husband, Henry. She a Pawnee, he a Shawnee. Bob and Gloria Weber & their children there also. I don’t drive at night so Earl drove my car and Bernice theirs & they brought me home at 9:00

 

April 29, 1977

It rained a little last night but Enid got 6 or 7 inches. I worked finishing my report on a Ms. for the Uni. of Okla. Press. My peonies are glorious; so is my American Beauty rose. We are having lovely weather. Another slight rain last night.

 

April 30, 1977

Mailed the Ms. and report to O.U. Press. It rained a little today. I started reading a MS for the Uni. of Ga. Press.

 

May 1, 1977

I had a sudden dizzy spell this morning, so didn’t attend church. Slept in the P.M. My beloved Janet Shelby called this evening. She has 2 more weeks of college at Tonkawa – freshman year. She is a darling.

 

May 2, 1977

I worked on correspondence, got everything cleared up ready to report on the Ms. I finished reading it.

 

May 3, 1977

Drove to Stillwater to check with Dr. Roberts. Everything seems O.K. I got pretty tired for some reason.

 

May 4, 1977

It rained last night. Another of those quick light showers. I was planning to listen to Nixon tonight but he wasn’t on any of our stations. Oh well, I don’t care. He’s a liar anyhow.

 

May 5, 1977

I wrote on my report on the Ms. Didn’t finish. Didn’t sleep well last night so didn’t work effectively. A shower with thunder & wind came this evening. I thought we might get a heavy rain, but no. Anyhow it may rain again tonight.

 

May 6, 1977

We got more rain than usual last night – .7 in. Still not enough. The O’Neills took me to see a remarkable rose he discovered in his pasture. Lovely world! My darling Janet brought Debbie a college friend to see me briefly. I finished writing my report on the MS for the Uni. of Ga. Press.

 

May 7, 1977

Kept the library today. Tri-state festival in Enid so high school girl couldn’t serve.

 

May 8, 1977

Attended S.S. (class very interesting) and church (not in my field – about marriage problems – but O.K. – important subject)

 

May 9, 1977

I hoped to get a good day’s work on my neglected correspondence but had to drive to Crescent to get a new filter for my air conditioner and then spent the rest of the P.M. sewing it into the frame. My hands are not very effective any more any more.

 

May 10, 1977

May 10 Went to club at the library. The program wasn’t very interesting. We were all supposed to give Winnie 6 slides but she didn’t have time to arrange them and some were upside down. One lovely feature. Madonna showed 12 magnificent scenes from Yosemite.

 

May 11, 1977

[Not entry]

 

May 12, 1977

I worked on correspondence. Got behind with everything while I was reading the manuscript.

 

May 13, 1977

I got a permanent. While I was in the beauty shop we had a hard quick shower .1 inch. It was good for the land but we need rain. I am afraid we are entering a dry cycle. It is about time. They come about 20 years apart and the last one was in the early 1950s. I really finished my correspondence.

 

May 14, 1977

I had some leisure today – something I seldom have. For about two hours in the afternoon I read a book.

 

May 15, 1977

Ate something that didn’t agree with me yesterday evening (probably too many peanuts), so had a bad night. Didn’t feel like going to church. In the P.M. I had a visit from the two Staton girls, Nellie & Cora, also Russell Caston. And Cora & Russell were married in April. I am glad. They knew each other since they were teenagers at Valparaiso Uni. But they married other people – now dead.

 

May 16, 1977

I sewed all day. Repaired & made over things I’ve been saving up for years. My machine was my grandmother’s in the 1890s. It still sews beautifully. I got a lot done – everything but a blanket with ragged ends. I cut off the ends today but didn’t have time to hem it up. We are on a tornado watch tonight.

 

May 17, 1977

Finished my sewing. Prepared food for club picnic tomorrow. It rained 1.4 in last night. Learned Anna Boyce died Sunday. Not ill very long. She and I have been close friends ever since we were freshmen in college in 1915. She was 2 ½ years younger than I. My generation is going fast.

 

May 18, 1977

Today our club held its picnic as the last meeting of the year. Held it at Government Springs Park in Enid. After our noon meal we held a business meeting, then visited the Cherokee Strip Musum [sic]. Kim Cardin was a guest. She and her husband husband have recently moved to Enid. I miss her.

 

May 19, 1977

It rained from late P.M. on. I think perhaps considerable water fell. Later – it was .8 in.

 

May 20, 1977

Threatening all day. In the evening the TV reported tornadoes all over the state: We listened in apprehension. At 8:25 one hit Marshall. I ran to the cellar. The lights went off. I finally came up when it passed. Went to bed at 10:00 by candle light. Ready to seek refuge again. Another severe storm during the night but no tornado. It rained 5 in. altogether (Written May 21)

 

May 21, 1977

Nobody killed or injured. Damage everywhere. Two trailer houses reduced to rubble and others damaged. Johnson’s Elevator demolished. People cleaning up all day. Many trees down. Light poles broken square off. Two of my trees badly broken. This block got off lightly. Electricity came on at 7:00 this evening. Water still off. Fortunately we have gas. [Water came on later.]

 

May 22, 1977

The clean-up and repair work continued. Small group at church. No S.S. For adults (This was the day we would have had our annual picnic.) My dear friend Gladys Davis and a friend called briefly passing through. Lida Barr came to see if I were O.K. – had learned of tornado, tried to call but no answer. Jerry Burchardt called. Good visit with him. The family came to see if Edith were O.K. and he came across to see me.

 

May 23, 1977

We had a hard rain last night with much lightning. The clean-up and repair goes on. Saturday Ronnie Schaefer (with Gerry and Julie standing by) cut the broken branches out of my Chinese elm and hauled off a big pickup truck load of them. Today I cut off all of my beloved Pink Radiance rose broken down by the tornado. It was filled with lovely blooms and buds. I planted it about 30 yrs. ago and loved it.

 

May 24, 1977

The tornado aftermath continues. I learned this evening that straws were driven into the blacktop on the road to the old Reafquist house. Maxine Harak told me. They stick up plainly visible as one drives it. (like the quills of a porcupine?)

 

May 25, 1977

Vera called me from Chicago (or rather Evanston) for a long telephone visit this evening. It was almost like seeing her.

 

May 26, 1977

Mrs. Eggers took me to Stillwater to speak to a class. I enlisted help for the Pimas and their neighbors to get adequate water for their land. When we returned in late P.M. we saw Marshall had had a shower.

 

May 27, 1977

We had a big rain last night. I wish it would qit quit until after harvest. Martha Dehn called me from Independence to say they will visit me over the weekend. Hurray! I must work though to prepare for them. I decorated the graves I have 14.

 

May 28, 1977

Got all ready for the Dehns, but they didn’t come. Martha said they might not make it till Sunday morning. I waited up for them till 10:30. They had some work to do – that is Donnie did – on their camper and didn’t know how much. All are coming but Ricky.

 

May 29, 1977

This morning when I looked out the camper was in the yard. They got here at 11:00. We ate breakfast – didn’t attend church – and Donnie climbed up my Chinese elm and trimmed off broken branches Ronnie couldn’t reach. Also cut back my old fashioned yellow rose. In the P.M. we viewed tornado damage and went to the cemetery. Wonderful people.

 

May 30, 1977

The Dehns left at 2:00. I couldn’t keep them from washing dishes & moving table, etc. before they left. In the evening the TV reported tornado watch, violent storms, etc. I was uneasy about them. Called them at 9:45 & found they had just arrived – all safe. I love that family. Rain this evening.

 

May 31, 1977

Hard rain & heavy thunder just about all night, but no danger. I rested a little for I was a little tired although Martha and the girls did all the work. Also I did quite a big research job going through my notes to give some information to a collateral descendant of the Creek, Meedadaloke .

 

June 1, 1977

Clear day. I went to Enid to have my eyes checked, Right, 21 Left, 30. It has never been like that during the 7 or 8 years I have used drops. Dr. Shields put in the noon drops (It was 12:30.) And at 2:00 tension was 24. So he didn’t change my medicine. But he is concerned. Bright day with good wind to dry wheat fields.

 

June 2, 1977

Attended meeting of Library Board this evening.

 

June 3, 1977

Saw Bill Schaefer combining wheat. But in most fields the ground is too wet. Had a beautiful visit with my beloved Gerry Schaefer. Had supper with her at 5:00; then she took to see the incredible destruction made by the tornado on the Skeleton straight west. Fortunately no houses in that area and the trees will go back. Also great damage on the Schaefer place but no house there.

 

June 4, 1977

Dr. Jim and Nancy DeVore with their son Bob and Daughter Rosalie came to visit me. Dr. Jim took us to dinner at the cafe and I gave them a personally guided tour of the area Gerry showed me yesterday

 

June 5, 1977

Attended S.S. – fine lesson taught by Jack. Fine church service. Went to Dinner at Hennessey with the Brysons & Paula & Jack. In the evening Glendora Harting came to pick up a copy of Geronimo and stayed for a visit. Fine visit. I love Glendora.

 

June 6, 1977

Worked at odds and ends – correspondence, etc. Kept steady at it but didn’t accomplish much. I am preparing to take a trip to the community where I was born – Beattie, Kansas. A little wheat is coming in but most fields are too wet. Pat O’Neill is going full blast.

 

June 7, 1977

Roberta Gingerich called me from Topeka. We had a fine visit. I worked hard writing letters to the Pardon and Parole Board (5 letters) in behalf of Robert Anderson. It is hard work to compose and write such letters. Lovely day, cool and bright and everything growing. The past few days have been hot. The wheat harvest is going strong today. Ground wet in places, but many combines are at work.

 

June 8, 1977

Cool last night and not so hot during the day but hot this evening. We are having good harvest weather except for a heavy dew in the morning. I wrote letters but didn’t accomplish much.

 

June 9, 1977

Hot day. I drove to Stillwater and brought Prajreabjit Kamchaturas (of Thailand) to see the wheat harvest. I took her to Frances Peach’s farm. She rode the combine, Frances explained planting etc. and she rode the wheat truck to town. Saw weighing, unloading. etc. Mary Rouse took her back.

 

June 10, 1977

Tomorrow Glen Wuester from Beattie, Kansas will come after me to take me to the area of my birth and earliest years. The Marshall Co. Hist. Society is having a tour to Ft. Leavenworth June 14 and I shall join that. Will meet Sister Mary Mark Orr at St. Mary College.

 

June 11, 1977

Mr. Wuester came at 9:30. We ate noon meal at Wichita with his sister-in-law Irene Meyer & her housemate Betty Baird. In P.M. visited my childhood friend, Mabel Clark Collins whom I never expected to see again. Reached Mr. W’s house north of Beattie before dark. I left Beattie shortly after my fifth birthday in 1895 & came to Welcome, south of Manhattan.

 

June 12, 1977

Saw first homestead, Beatrice, Nebraska. Went to Presbyterian Church in Marysville. Rested in P.M. At evening Mr. W. had a dinner at historic Hale House Weaver Hotel in Waterville in to which he had invited about 20 leading members of the Historical Society. Delightful people. Very heavy rain on way back. I was frightened. Got home 10:30.

 

June 13, 1977

Found birthplace in county courthouse, Marysville. Also visited pony express & overland mail station. Drove to Alcove Spring on California trail. Found elderly farmer near Beattie who farms land where I was born. He directed us to site of house in his wheat field. Picked up 2 stones from house. Saw farm where I lived from age 6 weeks to age four, and farm where I lived from age 4 to age 5, when we left Beattie are for Welcome neighborhood south of Manhattan.

 

June 14, 1977

Tour to  Ft. Leavenworth, 5 bus loads. Mr. W. provided his car for me & a crippled woman. Noon meal at St. Mary college where I met Sister Mary Mark Orr, born near Beattie after I left. We have been close friends through correspondence but never met before. At luncheon the Hist. Soc. gave me a citation framed in Marshall Co. walnut. Toured Ft. Leavenworth. Staying tonight at St. Mary college.

 

June 15, 1977,

Spent day visiting Sister Mary Mark Until she retired she was head librarian. No She showed me rare books and told me much of Marshall County history. Also a man named Anthony Willard recorded some of our conversation. Spending the night at the Wamsleys who visited me once in Okla.

 

June 16, 1977

Mr. W. came after me. On return trip we passed the Welcome sites – Fechner house, farm where I lived 1895-99, schoolhouse, Clark house, cemetery, Alta Vista where we traded. At Council Grove ate at historic Hale House, visited Alice Florence, daughter of my 1895-99 friend Lizzie, one of us three. Spending night with Irene & Betty in Wichita.

 

June 17, 1977

Came home by way of Caldwell but historic hotel of Chisholm Trail Days has burned Also last house remaining on trail gone. So I had planned to show to Mr. W. but nothing there. Ate at Hennessey where I showed him site of massacre. Got home tired but happing over a perfect trip to scenes I never expected to see again.

 

June 18, 1977

Woke rested but didn’t accomplish much. Worked in library in P.M. The wheat harvest is not finished – too much dew – and they are piling it on Main Street. No storage in elevators.

 

June 19, 1977

Attended S.S. and church. Not many there. Jack made the S.S. class informative. Paula preached a good sermon.

 

June 20, 1977

I didn’t sleep well last night, so didn’t accomplish much today. Marshall got in the news on Channel 9 – the Okla. news – with pictures of our piled wheat.

 

June 21, 1977

Marshall got in the Okla. news again on Channel 9. Pics of piled wheat and a brief interview by Fred Howard; director of the Co-op elevator.

 

June 22, 1977

Marshall got on CBS news with Walter Cronkite. Piled wheat and interviews with Roy Beeby & Paul Schler, both special friends of mine. Willa Farris (bless her) called from Kissee Mills Mo. It is her 44^th birthday. It doesn’t seem possible she could have reached that age. Lovely light shower this forenoon, again this evening.

 

June 23, 1977

More rain last night. Not much water but enough to help discing [sic] after wheat harvest. But Pat and some others haven’t finished harvest. In the P.M. it cleared off – beautiful blue sky and fleecy white clouds! Cool day. But I didn’t feel well & didn’t get much work done. Le Roy [sic] Crossfield was buried today. Big crowd at funeral. I didn’t go. Didn’t know him very well.

 

June 24, 1977

It rained again last night – not much but it stopped the harvest, or rather the harvest hasn’t started after the first rain. It was a beautiful cool day. At my age the weather makes a great difference in how I feel. I wilt in hot weather.

 

June 25, 1977

A real rain last night – almost 1 in. Pat can’t cut wheat or disk the field so is not working so hard and I spent the evening with him and Ramona. Learned that my cousin Claud Cooper died in May. We were all very close when we were young people. He and Edwin were like brothers.

 

June 26, 1977

Attended church & SS. Fine lesson by Jack and fine sermon also by Jack. In the P.M. Mr. Elmer Lewellen and his wife called to visit me. Lowell Edwards called from Pensacola to tell me Dorothy died in May from cancer of the spleen. She had some pain and took something to relieve it but was active up to the time of her death. I am very sad about it. I loved her.

 

June 27, 1977

Hot day. Rain over. Everything is green and lovely but July is ahead. I didn’t work much. Wanted to be fresh tomorrow. The Blairs are coming from Tulsa to visit me.

 

June 28, 1977

Had a fine visit with the Blairs but Winnie brought bad news, Robert Anderson a prisoner in whom she is deeply interested and about whom I am concerned failed to receive his parole. I had written to every member of the parole board in his behalf.

 

June 29, 1977

Sever thunderstorm last night. The electricity was off for some time. Some rain.

 

June 30, 1977

Lula Cooper came to see me. She lives in Oregon and is visiting relatives here. Joyce Carter (a young woman I like) brought her from Covington. I kept library – no customers. Winnie is in New Orleans. Happy that Pres. Carter decided against B1 Bomber.

 

July 1, 1977

Hard rain last night. It was cool today, even cold in the morning. I had felt bad ever since I came back from Kansas that I was afraid something was the matter with me but I felt fine today. I just don’t stand the heat very well. I wrote letters.

 

July 2, 1977

Went with Ralph & Etta Casteel and Dick Clark to the home of Arthur & Florence White for an afternoon and evening of visiting. Also a fine dinner cooked by Florence. Dick drove his car. It was a happy gathering of old time friends.

 

July 3, 1977

No S.S. Jack is with his mother who is ill. Paula preached a fine sermon. Had dinner with the Kids. Paula there also. In the evening Maxine Sanford and her new husband Howard Spickelmeier and Mrs. Sanford came to visit me. Wonderful visit. I like Howard very much. Glad Maxine married him after Mr. Austin died.

 

July 4, 1977

I wrote letters all day. In the evening Ruth Rusco and Jerry visited me briefly. They had been at Stillwater and were on their way to Dwight’s grave at the cemetery.

 

July 5, 1977

Mrs. Eggers, the mother of my lovely secret granddaughter of the past school year came to see me. She had her tape recorder and recorded an interview with me for a class she has in OSU. She is a very fine person. No wonder she and her husband have such fine girls.

 

July 6, 1977

Learned that Sella Grassman died. I can’t say I am sorry. She has been bedfast many years – about 10, I should say – and has ardently wished for death. She is a few months older than I.

 

July 7, 1977

I couldn’t go to Stella’s funeral be-cause I had to keep the library. The funeral was in the Methodist Church. I remember so well when we were children. The Prince family used to come in a surry [sic]. Among their children were two little girls – Stella and May – now both gone. It is raining this evening.

 

July 8, 1977

Grace Branen’s house and furniture were sold today. It made me sad for it means she has decided she can never live there again. I have known Grace since she was 15 and I was 13. We got real rain last night and it was delightfully cloudy and cool today.

 

July 9, 1977

I slept well last night and felt fine today. Worked in the library this P.M.

 

July 10, 1977

Attended S.S. & church. In the evening we had ice cream and cake and a songfest on the lawn east of the church. There was a good crowd out.

 

July 11, 1977

I started writing the story of Lem Goldsberry’s murder of Pete Bender as I heard it from my parents. The Marshall Co. Hist Soc. has been at me for years to do it. It happened in 1891, and my family was closely involved.

 

July 12, 1977

Worked on the story of Pete Bender’s murder. We are having terribly hot weather. Pat is still (or I should say again) harvesting wheat. Started Sunday after being stopped by the rain.

 

July 13, 1977

This was a happy day for me. Lovely Marilynn Alcott came for a brief visit. But she brought sad news. James’ father A.B. Alcott of Stillwater has become so senile that Mrs. Alcott couldn’t manage him. James and Marilynn came from New York to put him in a nursing home. All are deeply grieved but there was nothing else to do.

 

July 14, 1977

[No entry]

 

July 15, 1977

Dolly Wamsley came to see me. She and Charles are former Oklahomans, who later moved to Leavenworth and they still own a farm north of Perry. She came to look after the farm and then came on to visit me. This is my lucky week.

 

July 16, 1977

I worked in the library this afternoon. We are having terribly hot weather and I am not standing it very well.

 

July 17, 1977

Attended S.S. and church. But felt so worn out it didn’t mean much to me. Came home, went back to bed and slept till 2:00. Felt better. Drove out to the Huffers and Don showed me his fine corn. Here in western Okla. where they can’t raise corn. I Had fine visit with Don and Evadean. I love them! Spent evening with Pat and Ramona. Leaned Mrs. Greer died Sat.

 

July 18, 1977

Attended Mrs. Greer’s funeral at Xn Church. She was found dead in the yard at Frances’ house. Had been weeding flower beds. Had waved at mail carrier shortly before. A good way to go. She was 70 and still active but old age was ahead. Now she will never be old. She was a lovely person. I was not intimate with her but I love Frances.

 

July 19, 1977

Nothing in particular happened. The grass is getting dry and it takes much water to keep my plants from dying.

 

July 20, 1977

A very attractive young woman, Nancy Gilson from the Okla. Journal came to interview me for the Okla. Journal. Also a man to take pics. I am getting ready to go to Jay Friday. Wynona Nelson is coming after me. When I say “getting ready” I mean watering plants so they won’t die when I’m away

 

July 21, 1977

Wrote letters; got ready for my trip. It rained a little this P.M. and is not so hot this evening. But I watered my plants. Afraid it will not rain anymore and that they will die before I return to water them again.

 

July 22, 1977

Wynona and a friend, a pleasant woman named Hazel Lawson came after me. We had a pleasant trip to Jay. I am enjoying the visit in the Nelson home with Ralph and Wynona. It has been a good many years since I was here before. Once with Mrs. Foreman, and once with Cherrie Garrett, both gone now.

 

July 23, 1977

Pleasant day with Wynona and Ralph. Wynona is president of the Delaware Co. Hist. Soc. Which is visiting the county history. She had many duties and details of tomorrow’s meeting. In the evening Hazel Lawson had dinner with us. Nice.

 

July 24, 1977

Attended Methodist Church with Wynona. In the P.M. spoke to the Hist. Soc. About visiting local hist. No air conditioning (the janitor turned it off ) so terribly hot but the audience was very responsive. The Baumgartners were there and took me to their place. Lovely evening visit with them but to bed early. Very tired.

 

July 25, 1977

Slept 9 P.M. to 8 A.M. Entirely rested. Fine visit with Fred and Marguerite, and two young people, Chris Swartz and a young man. At about noon Jim and Minerva Edmondson came & took me home. Pleasant trip. But my house was terribly hot and hard for air conditioner to cool. It was a terrible day – about 110^o here.

 

July 26, 1977

Cloudy all day, and fairly cool. I spent much time watering my roses. Really cool this evening. I turned off my air conditioners and opened the house. But I don’t think it will rain.

 

July 27, 1977

Terribly hot day. I worked on correspondence. Still not so hot Went to Enid. Got eyes tested and got new glasses. Not any radical change. My glaucoma pressure is way up. Dr. prescribed some tablets.

 

July 28, 1977

Hot again. I worked on correspondence.

 

July 29, 1977

July 30 Terribly hot day. I got some real work done on my Goldsberry-Bender story. At 10:00 P.M. just as I was going to bed a strong wind came from the north. I pulled all my plugs fearing an electric storm, even the air conditioner nearest my bedroom. But it was cool, so I did not suffer.

 

July 30, 1977

July 31 A shower this P.M. – ½ inch. I went to church, missed S.S. Martha & Garland Blaine came from O.C. to visit me in the P.M. Then Mary Shanks called on a long phone visit from Tulsa. Then Shirley Hartig called from K.C. saying they were coming to see me. I spent the evening with Pat and Ramona. Happy day

 

July 31, 1977

[No entry]

 

August 1, 1977

Don & Shirley came earlier than they had expected. I had eaten my dinner but hadn’t washed the dishes. But I had most of the food ready for a cold lunch in the evening. Was making potato salad when they came. We had a very happy afternoon talking. They are two fine people. Both girls are married and the boys have jobs in K.C.

 

August 2, 1977

Don & Shirley took me to O.C. where we visited the Cowboy Hall of Fame. More time than I ever spent there. I enjoyed it very much & so did they. We ate in O.C. I patched up a supper.

 

August 3, 1977

Shirley & Don left this morning about ten; I wish they had stayed longer, but their vacation is short. We did a lot more talking all morning till they left. Then I had to change beds, etc. Busy all day putting things back including slides I showed

 

August 4, 1977

I worked all day at odds and ends. The weather is hot but not so bad as July. August is usually better than July.

 

August 5, 1977

Drove to Stillwater to see Dr. Roberts. He wants to see me every three months for five years. He found everything O.K. so far.

 

August 6, 1977

Worked in the library. Had a very busy time – which pleased me. We like to have the library used.

 

August 7, 1977

Attended S.S. and church. Jack preached. Good sermon. Heard disturbing news. Gerry Schaefer has had much pain. Had X-rays. Afraid she has a stomach ulcer – or worse.

 

August 8, 1977

Sewed all day, so got no work done. The sewing went slow because I had to do much oiling, etc. I use my machine so seldom. But I got several repair jobs done that have needed doing a long time.

 

August 9, 1977

I didn’t get much work done today either. Did get some important letters written. I had to wash for one thing and that took time.

 

August 10, 1977

Young Dr. Danney Goble was in Enid and came by to see me. He looks like a boy and is as charming as he is gifted. I had never met him but I read his brilliant doctorial dissertation and gave him some advice on making it publishable. He has a distinguished career ahead of him.

 

August 11, 1977

It rained a little last night and we had a delightfully cool day! In the evening it was even cold so that I wore a wool sweater. I wrote letters.

 

August 12, 1977

Another light rain in the night and a pleasant day. I used the air conditioner briefly in the P.M. I worked on the murder story – Pete Bender by Lem Goldsberry

 

August 13, 1977

Nice shower this morning. The rain of the past few days add up to .6 inches. Not enough but cool day today. Paula called on me this morning. I worked in the library this P.M.

 

August 14, 1977

Attended S.S. & church. Fine sermon by Paula. Dean & Dottie Miller here. Wonderful to see them. Ate dinner at Hennessey with them, the Brysons, & the Bill Schaefers. Spent the evening with Pat and Ramona. A good day.

 

August 15, 1977

Getting hot again. I worked at odds & ends. I have lovely dahlias blooming. Bought the tubers this year. Also my surprise lilies have had a good many blooms. About finished now.

 

August 16, 1977

Started on last copy of Bender murder. Did 3 pages single spaced, 2 carbons. Hot day but shorter than July days.

 

August 17, 1977

A beautiful cool day. I did not use the air conditioner at all and when I worked in my flower garden I didn’t even sweat. It usually runs in rivers. I worked on Bender murder. Finished final copy all but a page or so.

 

August 18, 1977

Another lovely cool day. If we could only get one of those rains that barely miss us. I finished my story. Could have mailed it only it requires a map. I did make the first sketch of a map.

 

August 19, 1977

It rained this forenoon and was cool and cloudy all day. I finished my Bender story but didn’t get it mailed because I needed to make a map. Luella Grassman went to the hospital with a bowel obstruction. I am worried.

 

August 20, 1977

I made my md map and mailed my story. Spent the rest of the day catching up. No rain today. I think altogether what we have got adds up to about an inch. Not nearly enough. I have some lovely dahlias.

 

August 21, 1977

Didn’t sleep well last night. Went to S.S. and church but too tired to benefit much. In the P.M. I slept a while then visited Pat and Ramona. In the evening there was a reception for the teachers and I got ready to go. Then I had a dizzy spell, so stayed at home. Hot again.

 

August 22, 1977

Edith Holloway told me of a family fight across the street yesterday. Part of it happened while I was asleep. Fortunately they had no guns or there would have been murder. Today was hot. I got ready for a visit to the DeVores tomorrow. Packed my suitcase, watered plants, etc.

 

August 23, 1977

Dr. DeVore came after me this forenoon. In the P.M. Nancy took me to the Cowboy Hall of Fame & I saw the lower floor which I was too tired to see when with Don & Shirley. In the evening we saw Mr. Gilberman’s fine collection of Indian art – Dr. Jim, Nancy, Rosalie, and I. It was a terribly hot day and I felt week and exhausted but enjoyed it all.

 

August 24, 1977

Dr. Jim and their son Bob, brought me back this forenoon. It was a lovely visit but I am exhausted by the heat. Edith tells me the family across the street is still fighting. Also somebody broke into the Friend house, Where Alma is alone with only her poor retarded cousin David Bernd. Sweet, gentle Alma! She was terrified. Heard the intruders during the night. But they didn’t harm her. Only stole some money from her purse.

 

August 25, 1977

Another terribly hot day. I do not stand this heat very well. I drove to Hennessey to have my teeth cleaned. On the way back I called on Alma. It grieves me to have anybody frighten one so lovely as she is. She will stay there alone except for David two more weeks.

 

August 26, 1977

Another hot day. And I felt miserably dragged down. Got a permanent. Should have got it before I went to O.C. but couldn’t get an appointment.

 

August 27, 1977

Fortunately I didn’t have to work at the library so added a half-page to my Goldsberry story. Oletha Ruitti sent me some articles from a contemporary Beattie newspaper that changed my interpretation somewhat.

 

August 28, 1977

It rained all morning but not much water fell. I attended S.S. and church.

 

August 29, 1977

I didn’t accomplish much today

 

August 30, 1977

[No entry]

 

August 31, 1977

I am working on a set of pictures furnished by members of our club, to give one of our Thai girls when she gets her Ph.D. and goes home. They are scenes of Marshal and its activities.

 

September 1, 1977

Didn’t accomplish much today I don’t have much strength. I don’t know whether it is the hot weather, my 87 years, or inability to recover fully from the shock of last year’s surgery.

 

September 2, 1977

Went to Enid to get eyes checked – right 23, left 21. The drops no longer hold the pressure down so last time Dr. Shields prescribed some tablets. This is the first test. They worked.

 

September 3, 1977

A Mrs. Donoho and her daughter Mrs. Rodgers and Mrs. R’s nice little girl came up from the City to see me and to buy some books. Attractive people. I kept library.

 

September 4, 1977

It rained all day and was cool. Not much water fell. I got up too late for S.S., attended church I went with Raymond and Mable to Hennessey for dinner. Spent evening with Pat and Ramona. It is still raining.

 

September 5, 1977

Some rain this morning. Cleared off in P.M. Altogether we got .9 inch in all. I worked on arranging Marshall pics for our Thai girl.

 

September 6, 1977

[No entry]

 

September 7, 1977

Went to Hennessey to get a tooth filled.

 

September 8, 1977

A woman from Enid, Mrs. Qualls came to see me, bought three books. Her blind husband is tuning the pianos in our church, so she was in town. Learned Vint Ross died. I finished my pics for the Thai girl.

 

September 9, 1977

Not much happened. I wrote letters

 

September 10, 1977

I didn’t get any work done. Didn’t sleep well last night, so slept till 8:35 this morning, not much time left; had to keep library in afternoon. Lovely, cool day.

 

September 11, 1977

Went to church and S.S. August & Catherene Burchardt there. I was so happy to see them. Also Alden & Luella Grassman. So glad Luella’s recovering so well from her surgery. In the P.M. attended Vint Ross’s funeral at Disciples Church. He was a good man. Marshall will miss him. He was 79 years old. Died of heart failure.

 

September 12, 1977

Lowell Edwards came to see me in the P.M. He was passing thru and stopped. I know he Is very lonely since Dorothy’s death. In the evening that nice boy, Brad Shelby, came briefly for some suggestions on a theme he must write about Indian women: He is a senior at Central State.

 

September 13, 1977

Our club had its first meeting today. A luncheon at Winnie’s. Then presentation of year books & some business. Our beloved Thai girl Prajugbjit[ Kachaturas was there. Frances brought her. All the members were present. And we have two new ones – Irma Pilatees and Wilma Hammar. It rained last night – ½ inch. Cool today

 

September 14, 1977

It was cold today. And I felt so well! My weakness during the summer was due to the hot weather. I prepared a talk I shall give to Gloria Weber’s class Fri. Melvin Swain came to ask me a question and we got to talking and he spent the evening. I enjoyed it very much.

 

September 15, 1977

I worked on a talk I am to make to tomorrow to Gloria Weber’s class at OSU about how I conduct my research

 

September 16, 1977

It really rained last night – more than an inch. Gloria came after me and we ran into a downpour near Stillwater (No rain at Marshall.) My talk was not good. I developed a “crick in my back” this morning and was not up to par. Gloria and Theda Starr brought me back. I’m tired.

 

September 17, 1977

Rode by invitation in Cherokee Strip celebration parade at Perry. Ginger Hitt took me over. Louie Ream & Stanley Hitt took the 1917 T-model Ford in which I rode. Louie was the driver. It was a good parade. It was pleasant to see the admiration for the vintage car (not for me) in the faces of small boys. Lovely weather.

 

September 18, 1977

Missed S.S. – too tired. Attended church. Worked in afternoon on slides I am to show to Gerry’s class in senior high school English tomorrow. Slide of England. They are studying English lit.

 

September 19, 1977

My slide show was perfect. Gerry said it exactly paralleled what I told the she had told them in class. Now the pics will fix it in their memories. Afterwards I called on Nora Miller Adams. I taught her when she was 13 an [sic] I was 17. Hadn’t seen her for many years.

 

September 20, 1977

It rained some this forenoon. Spent the day preparing slides of Okla. Indians I will show at Enid Senior High School Okla. history class tomorrow. I really like to show slides to children. It seem selfish for me not to use my collection

 

September 21, 1977

The teacher’s mother, Mrs. King, came after me. We got behind a slow line of traffic at Bison and couldn’t pass, so got there late. I didn’t finish my slides and wasn’t pleased, but Mrs. King said the student’s liked it. Then I visited Maxine Sanford Spickelmeier and she took me to lunch. Pleasant visit. Mrs. K. took me back in the P.M. Hot day

 

September 22, 1977

I was tired today after yesterday’s activities. Wrote letters. Hot day.

 

September 23, 1977

Another hot day. Wrote letters

 

September 24, 1977

Cooler day. Nice cool evening. I worked in the library in the afternoon. Margherita Neville is coming clear from Tulsa to visit me tomorrow. Bless her! She was in my history class at OSU.

 

September 25, 1977

Margherita came at 10:00. We didn’t go to S.S. but went to church. Then for dinner to Hennessey. She left in early P.M. – about 3:00. It was sweet of her to come so far to see me.

 

September 26, 1977

Attended a woman’s luncheon at the church. Made plans for woman’s work in future. Hot day – 98^o at Enid & O.C., no doubt same here – 105^o in Texas Panhandle.

 

September 27, 1977

Attended club at schoolhouse library. Two women from Guthrie explained project of writing Logan Co. history.

 

September 28, 1977

Worked on correspondence but didn’t get much done. We are having cool morning but when the sun gets high it is very hot – close to 100.

 

September 29, 1977

Hot day. Didn’t get much done.

 

September 30, 1977

Another hot day. But I am standing it better than I did in the summer.

 

October 1, 1977

Had good telephone visit with Cousin Vera. Kept library in P.M. Not so hot.

 

October 2, 1977

Went to S.S. but nobody else there. Enjoyed church service. World communion Sunday. Visiting in P.M. with Pat and Ramona. Cold day. I even used the furnace a little.

 

October 3, 1977

Went to Stillwater for my annual physical check-up with Dr. Freed. Everything seems O.K. but he wants me to take Xrays to be sure. Will do it Wed. This is an ominous date on my calendar. But I feel fine.

 

October 4, 1977

I wrote letter about Indian water rights for mimeo copy and sent it out Attended to correspondence. It was so cold I kept the furnace on all day – but low. It rained some this P.M. I can’t help feeling apprehensive about the Xrays. I hope no symptoms of cancer starting up somewhere.

 

October 5, 1977

At 4:00 started all the unpleasant things. I must do to prepare for Xrays. A bad night ahead. Yesterday I wrote letter about water rights of Central Ariz. Indians and sent it off for mimeographing.

 

October 6, 1977

Raymond took me to Stillwater for Xrays. I am anxious to know what they reveal. Had to get up at 6:00 – no supper, no breakfast. Spent most of day recuperating.

 

October 7, 1977

My mimeographed letters came today. I got all but a few of my envelopes directed. There is no hurry this time. I am just making a report, not recommending any action. Pleasant day. Rained some but sun came out in P.M.

 

October 8, 1977

Got my Xray report. Was somewhat apprehensive but colon & lungs free of cancer. Somehow this was too close to the anniversary to feel comfortable until the report came. Mailed all my letters – 143 in all.

 

October 9, 1977

Attended church, not S.S. Jack and Paula having lay people conduct part of the worship service. I did it today.

 

October 10, 1977

Went to Enid to see the dr. about my eyes – right 19, (or 20 – I’m not sure), left 24. Peripheral vision O.K. Bought a suit. The price scared me. Alas shoes. Another scare. Had to wait in dr’s office from 10:30 (my appointment time) to 2:00. Got pretty tired Then shopping. More tired. It’s turning cold.

 

October 11, 1977

Cold day. Perhaps will freeze tonight. Attended Club. Winnie and I had the program – she about UNICEF, I about CARE which our club supports.

 

October 12, 1977

It did freeze last night. Mrs. Paul Griffy, killed in a car wreck, was buried today. I didn’t attend the funeral because I didn’t know her but Nelle and Cora “Staton” did and stopped by to see me. We are all grieved. In the evening I attended family night at the church. Good food, terrible program.

 

October 13, 1977

Somehow I didn’t get much work done today. Lovely day.

 

October 14, 1977

[No entry]

 

October 15, 1977

[No entry]

 

October 16, 1977

There was a thin skim of ice on the bird bath this morning. I attended church – no S.S. Took pics of children’s choir. Hope they turn out well. Had a delightful visit with Hedgecock descendants this P.M., especially Clare Jackman. We took exam for common school diploma together in 1902. I was 12 and she was 16. Lovely person.

 

October 17, 1977

Two attractive young people came up to interview me for an article in the magazine Oklahoma. In the P.M. Joe Christian came to see me. He is such a fine man who has risen so in science of genetics and yet so unassuming.

 

October 18, 1977

I worked a little on my speech for the dedication of the Cherokee Strip Memorial but got very little done. Had other correspondence to attend to. Lovely weather these days

 

October 19, 1977

[No entry]

 

October 20, 1977

[No entry]

 

October 21, 1977

Audry Olmstead and her daughter Donna and her daughter, Janie came to see me.

 

October 22, 1977

It rained this morning and a little during the day. We are very happy and hope it keeps up. I’m not getting much done on my speech. Too many interruptions.

 

October 23, 1977

Didn’t feel well, so didn’t attend church. It rained again & is still cloudy – nearly 2 in. in all. Exactly what the wheat needed. All the planting is done. Now it will come up and grow. I visited my beloved Pat and Ramona this P.M. Pat has worked too hard. Now he can relax.

 

October 24, 1977

Had a really good day of work. No interruptions. Got my speech all written. Lovely was weather, and we are very happy over the rain.

 

October 25, 1977

Attended club of the Disciples parsonage. Wilma the new minster’s wife is a fine person. (I haven’t met him only briefly.) Maxine Harak gave the program. Very interesting.

 

October 26, 1977

Beautiful weather. Worked on correspondence, etc.

 

October 27, 1977

Got ready for Vera tomorrow. She called this morning. (Bless her.) I am truly looking forward to seeing her. I only hope it will not be storming tomorrow when I got to the Enid airport after her.

 

October 28, 1977

I worked on changing beds etc. (moving out of my bedroom into my study) this forenoon. I went to the Enid airport and picked up Vera in the P.M. It cleared off and was a lovely day. This is the first time Vera has ever been in Oklahoma.

 

October 29, 1977

Had to keep library this P.M. Vera went with me. She was greatly interested in the library. She loves books. Beautiful weather.

 

October 30, 1977

Rained hard nearly all day. Hope Sober & Madeline Peel came after us. Program had to be held indoors. Room packed, half the people had to stand. But they were so happy my speech went off well. Then the rain stopped long enough for us to unveil and view the memorial. Lovely.

 

October 31, 1977

No room to tell yesterday how we enjoyed the return trip. Gerald Sober was on this drive. And Vera enjoyed every minute. Today we spent quietly at home. At noon I took her to the “Blaine City Cafe” which opened today. It is very nice. Lovely day. Tricks or treats this evening.

 

November 1, 1977

At 4:00 P.M. Al Turner came to take us to O.C. to attend meeting of Okla. Image Project. Staying at Lincoln Plaza Inn. Had dinner with Anne Morgan & her husband, Rennard Strickland and some others. It rained hard all afternoon and evening.

 

November 2, 1977

Heard some of the best speeches I ever heard on how to express the Okla Image. Before that, there was a coffee for Ms. Peacock who came from Washington to represent National Council for the Humanities. Vera took plane back to Chicago – didn’t attend meeting. Al Turner brought me home. (Still raining.) Got here about 6:00 P.M.

 

November 3, 1977

Coldish day – not freezing. Clearing up. I think. I spent the day putting things back in place. No room yesterday to say I ate lunch with Ed Shaw, Mary Stith, Danney Goble & a Ms. Smith who teaches history with Danney at Tulsa Jr. College.

 

November 4, 1977

Beautiful day. I got much work done, backlog of correspondence. Also I trimmed all the lovely seeds from my clematis. Spoiled the looks – it was beautiful this year – but I don’t want new plants to spring up on the lawn. I felt fine all day but just as I finished washing dishes after supper I had a sudden dizzy spell.

 

November 5, 1977

Felt light headed so I loafed most of the day. It was a bad dark day.

 

November 6, 1977

Rained a little last night but the sun came out in the P.M.I stayed away from church – still not feeling well. Raymond & Mabel (bless them) brought me dinner from the new cafe. I went back to bed after dinner and now I am well. I spent a little time with Pat & Ramona.

 

November 7, 1977

I still didn’t feel very well, but got some work done. Woodrow Winburn attended to some small things around the house and that took time too. The sun came out in the P.M.

 

November 8, 1977

Club meeting called off till Nov. 15. Quite a rain last night, and rained off & on all day. Something is wrong with my TV. Anniversary of the Debo settlement in Okla. Nov. 8, 1899. And what a lovely warm golden day that was.

 

November 9, 1977

It turned cold last night but the sun shone today and it was not as bad as the weather man expected. Ramona worked in Crescent today and she took my TV and got it repaired. It work fine. I worked on letters of recommendation for Danney Goble but didn’t get them Finished.

 

November 10, 1977

Finished Danney’s letters. Wrote other letters

 

November 11, 1977

Beautiful sunny day. Wrote some recommendations and suggestions for Okla. Image.

 

November 12, 1977

Worked in the library in the afternoon. Ethel Newel came to return some material she had borrowed and stayed and visited. Very pleasant. Warm day.

 

November 13, 1977

Beautiful golden day. At church we had Mission Festival and many former members who have left Marshall were present. A regular Old Home Week. Then dinner & afternoon program by children’s choir. But I had to leave & help serve at Guthrie. Reenactment of stathood [sic] ceremonies on steps of Carnegie Library, dedication of statues of Miss I.T. & Mr Okla. by the sculptor, Mr. Olds. Winnie also helped serve.

 

November 14, 1977

Nov. 13 contd. Frances Haskell was there. She & I are the same age – 17 of statehood. She told me details of the ceremonies. She idolizes her father. I don’t. But I think he was not bad, not so bad as many of his contemporaries.

 

November 15, 1977

Attended Club, postponed from last week because of rain. Film at schoolhouse. Disgusting propaganda by U.S. Chamber of Commerce about how good Big Business is, only hindered by Govt. Then we had the rest of our meeting at the library.

 

November 16, 1977

Sunny but it

 

November 17, 1977

[No entry]

 

November 18, 1977

All the week was uneventful. So no entries. Beautiful golden days. I did a lot of work in my flower garden preparing for winter. Also caught up on much correspondence.

 

November 19, 1977

Another warm day – no my furnace off – but we are told a cold spell is on the way. I dug up my dahlias & backed my roses to get ready. I am greatly moved over Sadat’s visit to Jerusalem. I hope it helps.

 

November 20, 1977

The threatened storm missed us. It was a little colder but a beautiful sunny day. I attended church – communion service. Took Olga & Clara Schaefer to dinner at our new restaurant. In the P.M. called on the Gus Seefeldts whose son-in-law dropped dead of heart failure & was buried today. The Seefelds [sic] were not physically able to make the trip.

 

November 21, 1977

It was cold today, the first really cold day we have had. It was a still sunny day but cold. I worked on correspondence but didn’t accomplish much.

 

November 22, 1977

Nice sunny day. Not cold. I drove to Enid. It is not quite time to see Dr. Shields but I was afraid I’d run of eye drops. Also I had several things to do. I bought me sweater. I’m trying to save gas.

 

November 23, 1977

Foggy all morning, clear in P.M. part of the time, some clouds. I didn’t get much work done.

 

November 24, 1977

I ate Thanksgiving dinner and spent the P.M. with Olga & Clara Schaefer. Wilda Schaefer and Mr. Murphy were there also.

 

November 25, 1977

Pleasant day and I worked but didn’t accomplish much.

 

November 26, 1977

Spent the P.M. (or much part of it – at the home of Jack & Paula Timmons, who invited me to visit their friends from Tyler, Texas. In the evening Shirley Worsley called for a lovely th telephone visit. Cold day but sunny. Not bad.

 

November 27, 1977

Water off this A.M. Norman De Board repairing a break in the line across the street. I got some water from the Schaefer girls. Heard a fine sermon by Paula. In the P.M. started writing the Debo story for the Logon Co. History. Lovely warm day,

 

November 28, 1977

Cold day. Finished the Debo story, all but copying. Mr. Harold Brown came to buy a book and we had a pleasant visit. He is a fine man.

 

November 29, 1977

Attended club at the home of Frances Peach. Maxine Harak gave the program, one of the best I ever heard.

 

November 30, 1977

I had to write secy. minutes (Mary Rouse absent) for Club, also the report I always write for the newspaper. Started my Xmas letter but didn’t get far. In the evening attended the pancake supper given by the man of the church. Budget presented. Fine meeting.

 

December 1, 1977

Lovely warm day. An attractive girl named Norina Le Marr from the Guthrie paper came to interview me. Darling little Angie Gebour talked to me from K.C. to thank me for a birthday present I sent her. I wrote my Xmas letter. Hope to take it to printer tomorrow.

 

December 2, 1977

Warm day. I drove to Enid to have my eyes checked by Dr. Shields. Right 20, Left 21. Also bought Xmas letterheads & took them to Domer Dougherty to print. I had a good trip. Traffic and parking not bad, but hard to find things in the crowded pre-Christmas stores.

 

December 3, 1977

Lovely warm day. I worked in the library this P.M. Learned Pat O’Neill has been sick all week. Nothing serious but he has to stay inside. Ramona is to take me to the City tomorrow. I told her to call it off but she says Pat doesn’t actually need her.

 

December 4, 1977

It rained off an and on all day, but warm. I didn’t attend church. We left at 11:45, got there at 1:00. Fine party. Many people came, many books sold. Then we were given a very pleasant dinner in a meeting room at Blvd. Cafeteria. Got home at 8:00. Then my furnace quit – and Woody Winburn had to install a thermocoupler [sic]. Finished at 11:00 . Fortunately a warm day.

 

December 5, 1977

It turned cold this morning. I’m so glad Woody got my furnace in shape last night. I tried to work but didn’t accomplish much. Raymond brought me a lovely poinsettia [sic].

 

December 6, 1977

Sunny but cold. Water in birdbath was frozen solid all day. I got slides ready to show Gerry’s Am. Lit. class Thursday. Wrote recommendation for Danney Goble.

 

December 7, 1977

Cold in morning, warmed up in P.M. Attended luncheon at church. We had invited a number of guests, men & women living alone or old, Very pleasant. Then I drove to Crescent and got a poinsetta [sic] for Pat & Ramona for Xmas.

 

December 8, 1977

Bright warm morning. I was getting ready to start to Covington when it clouded over and temperature dropped. Gerry & I decided I’d better not go. Then the sun came out but it became bitterly cold. I worked on a club program I am to give Tues. Then Domer Dougherty brought my letters on his way to the City and I sent out 19 19. It is very cold tonight but no snow or sleet.

 

December 9, 1977

Sunny but terribly cold day. I got a permanent. Worked on program I am to give at Club Tues. Sent out no Xmas letters.

 

December 10, 1977

It warmed up a little today. I worked on the program and got a few letters ready to send. I put up my Xmas decorations this evening.

 

December 11, 1977

Went to church. Fine sermon by Jack. Sent out Xmas letters in P.M. bu but only 5 in all. In evening Schaefer girls came after me to attend program of Xmas songs at church – adults, children’s choir, bell choir. Very good.

 

December 12, 1977

Ill all night – cough & sore throat. Felt very bad this morning but perked up a little during the day. Mean, cloudy day but not cold. I stayed in. Edith got my mail.

 

December 13, 1977

Beautiful day – sunny, warm. I felt better than yesterday but not well enough to give my program at club – also didn’t want to expose others My royalty from OU Press came today – a little more than $8,500. Geronimo brought in 6,000+ and Hist of Inds. 2,000+.

 

December 14, 1977

Didn’t feel as good as yester-day. I worked on letters but haven’t quite reached the first 100 yet.

 

December 15, 1977

I drove to Covington and showed my slides to Gerry’s two classes in Am. Lit. But I shouldn’t have done it for I was really ill when I got home & went right to bed. Still I was tired of putting it off from day to day. No letters written today.

 

December 16, 1977

I felt better but still far from well. Wrote some letters but barely passed the 100 mark. The main letter is printed but I write a brief personal message on each.

 

December 17, 1977

The swelling is going out of my throat but I am weak and dizzy. Slept much of the P.M. I have missed all the Xmas programs, etc this year. I did get some more letters off.

 

December 18, 1977

Didn’t attend church. Jack & Paula had open house this evening at the parsonage. Ramona asked me to spend the evening with them & I told her I had been sick all week. Pat came to the phone & insisted I see Dr. Freed tomorrow. Said I must have an infection. Flu or a cold wouldn’t hang on so.

 

December 19, 1977

I called Dr. Freed. No appointment but they said they would wedge me in. Pat took me over in the P.M. The dr. gave me some antibiotics. My lungs are not affected, which is good. Pat & Ramona were right. It was some sort of infection, not flu or cold virus.

 

December 20, 1977

I am feeling better but it goes slow. My letters go slow, too. I have sent 180 so far. Of course none yesterday.

 

December 21, 1977

I feel very much better today. I should have gone to see the doctor sooner. I am still making slow progress on letters, but but I finally made it to 200 today. The dear children from my church caroled for me (and no doubt others) this evening. There was a van load of them, some mothers along with Paula leading.

 

December 22, 1977

I am feeling much better. But I had to go back to bed this P.M. I do it every day. I have more than 200 letters sent out now. I’m sorry to be so late. Two lovely caroling groups came by and sang to me today – one of children, the other slightly older. Bless them.

 

December 23, 1977

I stayed up all day. Other days I have gone back to bed in the P.M. And I finished my letters except some I shall need to answer which may come in later. I sent 239 in all. Have a few left for emergencies. Beautiful warm sunny day. I turned the furnace off all afternoon.

 

December 24, 1977

I worked at odds and ends. The day was so sunny and warm that I turned off the furnace and opened a window and doors from middle of morning to after sundown. In the evening enjoyed the Xmas eve program at the church. The only one I have attended this year. It was very sweet.

 

December 25, 1977

It turned colder but was sunny and still. Had Christmas dinner with Pat and Ramona. Just as last year one of the Messel young men with his wife and baby dropped by to visit Pat and Ramona. This is Sunday but we had no church service.

 

December 26, 1977

I wasted time today. Didn’t accomplish much.

 

December 27, 1977

Attended club at Fern Seefeldt’s.

 

December 28, 1977

My beloved young friends, Max and Marcia Odell, who are working in Botswana, Southern Africa came to see me. Brought their baby born in Botswana and Marcia’s sister who is a student at Uni. of Okla. Wonderful visit. Lovely warm bright day

 

December 29, 1977

Worked a winding up some 1977 business. It rained a little last night and was cloudy all day. But warm.

 

December 30, 1977

Dec. 31 More dark rainy weather only very little of the water we need. But tonight the wind turned to the north and it became very cold. Five years ago when I started this book I had my doubts about finishing it but unless something should happen to me before the bells ring at midnight – very unlikely – I shall have finished it.

 

December 31, 1977

Dec. 31 is on previous page. Will add that I kept the library. And will remark again that I am finishing this five years after all. Dec. 29-31 were warm days with clouds and rain but little real water.