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5. 1983

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January 1 - December 31, 1983

(Box 5/Folder 11)

 

January 1, 1983

Well I filled the 1982 b 1982 1978-82 book at some surprise to myself. It seems fairly certain I shall not finish this one. Today I worked on a recommendation for Michael Green at Dartmouth college. It was a dark gloomy day, not too cold. Winnie Branen and Clara Schaefer called me for pleasant visits. I am somewhat uneasy about a lameness in my back.

 

January 2, 1983

Sunday. Our pastor, Ted, came this morning for a communion service Raymond was with him. He gave me a summery of his sermon. Very good. It was the annual meeting day of the congregation. Buddy Rudd elected president, A fine young man. Gerry Schaefer resigned as treasurer & Luella Grassman was elected. Dinner at the church. They sent me a big plate of food. I haven’t been at the church for two years. Lovely day.

 

January 3, 1983

I finished the recommendation for Mike. Ramona will type it tomorrow. It is late – should have reached the college today but I worked as hard as I could. I called the dean & he said it should arrive by the last of the week it will be OK. It goes to Dartmouth college in New Hampshire. Miserable cloudy, cold day.

 

January 4, 1983

A miserable cloudy dark day. Ramona typed my recommendation and mailed it. They were to receive it yesterday but I failed to make the date. Gerry came by briefly to pick up a biographical sketch she is going to copy for me. It is a joy to see her even briefly

 

January 5, 1983

It cleared off beautifully this P.M. Even got warm so that I turned off the furnace for a while. Ramona typed  I called Dr. Wright at Dartmouth college & told him my paper on Dr. Green went out yesterday. He told me that was plenty of time. I worked on things I have been neglecting

 

January 6, 1983

A beautiful warm day. I worked on a pile of things I have been neglecting. One was thanking the Indian Rights Assn for an award they gave me at their Centennial dinner in Dec. They sent me a beautiful necklace mad with a medal by an Iroquois silversmith with an Iroquois seal.

 

January 7, 1983

Another lovely day but not quite as perfect as yesterday. I worked some more on the pile of neglected things, but the pile doesn’t look much smaller. Raymond came for a very pleasant visit. The amaryllis he and Mabel gave me has a great head of glorious blooms. It had a bunch for Xmas but he & Mabel were away.

 

January 8, 1983

Another warm, bright, blue and gold day. But I am not feeling as well as I might wish during this lovely weather. Annie Seefeldt has been in the hospital but is now back home. It is pleasant to see her light in the window across the street.

 

January 9, 1983

Sunday, another warm, bright day. But I am losing ground both physically and mentally. Too many birth days. Anyhow I am free from that painful back trouble so far.

 

January 10, 1983

Still another lovely warm day. I turn the furnace off for the middle of the afternoon. I worked some on the letters but didn’t get much done.

 

January 11, 1983

Even warmer than yesterday. Up to the 60° all over the state. Jan. is our worst month and the number of bad days left grows fewer. Mrs. Smith packed cotton seed around my roses. The Enid paper says roses have suffered no harm from the cold days.

 

January 12, 1983

Another warm day. My TV has gone bad and I have not been able to get in touch with the repair man, who lives in Hennessey. He is always out on repair jobs.

 

January 13, 1983

The day was almost unbelievably warm – clear sky, bright sun. I turned off furnace all P.M. & evening till 8:30 and opened up door & window from 3 to 6. Other doors & windows have storm glasses – hard to open. I managed to call TV man. He will be here tomorrow.

 

January 14, 1983

Warm day but not like yesterday and the wind blew so it was disagreeable. I was all [sic] all day. The man came to repair my TV. Nothing wrong. The lamp that fastens it to the aerial card had come loost. All loose. He simply snapped it on. I should have known how to do it myself but my mind and memory are failing. He charged me only 5 for the trip from Hennessey He charged

 

January 15, 1983

Colder but a lovely day. I felt well. Nothing happened.

 

January 16, 1983

Wilbert & Fern Seefeldt celebrated golden anniversary Colder but sunny and pleasant Sunday. Not much happened. Raymond called of course. He always does. Mabel has been ill with a cold but Raymond said he was well enough to attend church

 

January 17, 1983

A little colder today but not bad. Raymond got a man to help him and they dosed up and a big crack in the wall under my por back porch where the wind blows through and makes it cold. The cold comes into my kitchen, where the door fits loosely. I think this will help.

 

January 18, 1983

Cold, dark, cloudy forenoon I went back to bed right after eating my dinner (as I always do) and when I woke at 3:00 the ground was covered with snow. It hasn’t snowed since but is cold. I hope it won’t kep keep Selma from coming tomorrow. I don’t want her to risk falling if it is icy.

 

January 19, 1983

Cold, dark day, a little sprinkling of snow. It seems really cold tonight Gloria Weber was to come and meet me this morning. Spoke at Phillips, diamond jubilee celebration yesterday evening & stayed over-night, planned to stop here on return trip, but decided to go straight home. I called her & found she got home O.K.

 

January 20, 1983

Not too cold – 35° in P.M. and much snow melted. But another storm is on the way. I got a birthday telegram this morning from Sandra Cadwallader of the Indian Rights Assn. So nice of her.

 

January 21, 1983

It cleared off in the forenoon & was not very cold but another storm hit us in early P.M. No snow here but deep snow over the eastern half of the state. It’s getting pretty cold this evening. Had a fine (rest?) with my dear friends Don & Evadean Huffer this morning. They have made plans for my birthday. Then Fern Seefeldt came with some fine pictures of her & Wilbert’s golden anniversary celebration Sunday.

 

January 22, 1983

Snowed all night. Cloudy all day. Not terribly cold. Even thawed a little in the P.M. Blanche Bacus died Jan. 11. Got letter from her daughter today. Daughter & son-in-law had brought her to their town this winter, put her in a good rest home & visited her every day. She was 95. Fell & shattered hip, went  into a coma and died. She remembered Marshall since 1894. Now my 1899 memory is the oldest.

 

January 23, 1983

Beautiful sunny day. My thermometer registered 20° this morning but the sun warmed it up and most of the snow melted in the P.M. It never drifted – just a soft even cover. I suppose about 4 inches here. I even turned off the furnace in the P.M. Jim Horton called me for a long visit this afternoon. (This is Sunday.)

 

January 24, 1983

It was warm today – in the upper 30’s at sunrise. I turned off furnace in P.M. The snow is gone except a few small spots in the shade. Nothing in particular happened. I am starting to work a little on corrections in Geronimo and A Hist of the Indians.

 

January 25, 1983

Cloudy, dreary day but above freezing from early morning on. I think it is getting cold tonight. Raymond came to see me. He needs to invest some money that is coming due at the end of this month. He has done some repair work on my back porch. He is so good & so is Mabel.

 

January 26, 1983

Rained last night. Then a sprinkling of snow fell. But the ground didn’t freeze. It was 30° this morning. Cold, dark, windy day. Raymond came this morning – attended to investing some money for me -- $41,000. I hope I shall have all I need for expensive time ahead.

 

January 27, 1983

Cold, gloomy day. The cafe has changed hands A new purchaser, Mrs. Colene Randlett, will take over Sunday. I shall miss Margaret Ools. She is a lovely person. Her husband became ill and she had to change her plans.

 

January 28, 1983

Dark, gloomy, windy day but not cold. Since I did my research on Geronimo I find I made errors about the Apaches for my Hist. of the Inds, but it did not occur to me to compare the two till recently. Now I am working to correct them, using short work periods and all my strength. I hope I shall be able to finish it. The Amaryllis Gerry gave me is blooming beautifully – for my birthday.

 

January 29, 1983

Dark, miserable day, but warm. I even have the furnace turned off this evening. My grandfather and his brother – the only one of the family I knew – lived to be 92, If I live till tomorrow I shall outlive them and all the relatives whose life history I know. I haven’t been well recently but I slept well last night and feel wonderful today.

 

January 30, 1983

My birthday. My church and some other friends had dinner for me at the cafe. It was a beautiful experience for me to see all those dear people. And Maxine Sanford Austin came from Ind. and spent an hour with me before dinner. Violet Poindexter and Sylvia called me by telephone form Texas – on their way to N. Mex. I got tired but it was a lovely experience. Don & Evadean Huffer & Raymond and Mabel did all the planning and the whole church helped. Warm day but dark & cloudy.

 

January 31, 1983

I didn’t have room to tell that lovely Gerry came briefly to see me yesterday. Her cousin died at Edmond and so she could not came [sic] to my birthday dinner as she had planned, so she came to tell me. Bless her. So sweet of her. Today was cloudy but warm. Then we had quite a shower in the P.M., and a slight sprinkling of snow came later. It’s getting cold

 

February 1, 1983

It snowed during night and forenoon, not about 4 in. Soft but drifting. Not very cold but seemed so because of high wind. Selma couldn’t dig out her car, so didn’t come. I felt fine so got along O.K. – wore pajamas & bathrobe all day. Selma walked here in P.M. (2 blocks) and brought bread and milk & cafe brought my noon meal. So I am O.K. Getting pretty cold this evening.

 

February 2, 1983

It was windy, dark most of day but above freezing and much snow melted. Roads & streets still bad. Selma managed to walk here & cafe brought my noon meal. (I can’t eat more than half – use rest for supper) Is supposed to get very cold tonight. Another snow storm is on the way. Will get here Friday.

 

February 3, 1983

Written morning of Feb. 4. Warming day. Much snow melted. Worked on changes in Hist of the Inds. In evening became very dizzy – heart missed every 5 beats. Called Selma. Mr. Nier brought her. She put me to bed. Slept O.K. but woke Feb. 4 still feeling ill.

 

February 4, 1983

After the last snow storm cleared, the new one came today. Snowed off and on most of the day. Not snowing this evening but I think another is coming. I felt bad all day but managed. Selma made it here this morning it to help me start the day. I don’t expect her tomorrow.

 

February 5, 1983

Selma did come this morning. It stopped snowing during the night, was dark and cloudy all day, but about freezing all P.M. and much snow melted. Two of these 3 snows have been wonderful for the wheat – the middle one drifted and the fields didn’t get any. I felt really well today. I have recovered from my attack of Feb. 3.

 

February 6, 1983

Sunday. I didn’t feel very well but not too bad. It was a miserable raw, cold dark day but above freezing for a time in the P.M. and some snow melted. I got some work done on corrections for Hist. of the Inds.

 

February 7, 1983

 Lovely day, bright, sunny. Cold this morning. It said 11° at Okla. City. Selma didn’t look here. Perhaps not so cold. Got up to 37° in P.M. Much snow melted. Was 16° in Enid this evening. I slept well last night and felt fine. Will try to go to Enid tomorrow to see Dr. Shields. It was time last week.

 

February 8, 1983

Went to Enid to see Dr. Shields. Had to go. Highway clear but much of Enid still still blocked by snow. We managed but difficult. Above freezing all day. Drifts melting. Foggy & dark but safe. I am terribly tired. Poor Selma. The trouble fell on her. Right eye, 18; left 22. The Worsleys sent me a lovely box of grapefruit.

 

February 9, 1983

Another dark, gloomy day, but warm (32° at 7:30) soon above freezing & snow melted. Raymond brought me an stov electric stove he got in Crescent yesterday. I have needed it a long time. The one I have is unsafe unless I am watching it – cord too weak. And if my furnace had quit on a bad day I couldn’t use it at night, The new one cost 35.00. Having it is a form of insurance.

 

February 10, 1983

The sun came out this P.M.! Blue sky, golden sunshine. It was above freezing all night. Most of the snow is gone here. Of course not in the great drifts we saw on the road to Enid.

 

February 11, 1983

Cloudy and turning cold but no storm coming. Gloria Weber spent the forenoon with me planning more recordings. I love Gloria. And after my P.M. nap my beloved Louise & Brian Harpster came. Bless them. I married them 38 years ago today and they always plan something nice for me when I should be doing it for them. Bless them. They came over from Tulsa, even brought me a lovely plant.

 

February 12, 1983

Written Feb. 13. Another cloudy, dismal morning but cleared off in P.M. Warm. Turned off furnace late P.M. and evening. I was ill all day. Perhaps got too tired Feb. 11 – or failed to sleep at night.

 

February 13, 1983

Beautiful day – blue sky, golden sunshine all day. I felt well but still weak. Raymond called as always on Sunday. In the P.M. a fine phone visit with Jim Horton, now in Fla. My beloved Connie Cronley sent me a lovely box of chocolates as a valentine. Came yesterday. Selma brought it this morning.

 

February 14, 1983

Another warm, lovely day, I got one part of the corrections in my Hist of the Inds. finished today and even managed to type a little to report the changes I want. It was terribly hard and left me exhausted. (heard?) that Gladys Hedgecock fell and broke her hip. She was staying in the Crescent rest home. Also Robert Blakey was buried today.

 

February 15, 1983

Another warm day. Did without furnace all forenoon. Got a little cooler in P.M. Cloudy and dismal but no rain. My hip has been lame several days. Today really lame enough to trouble me walking. I hope it doesn’t mean back trouble coming on.

 

February 16, 1983

Another warm, lovely day. My hip still hurts. I am always afraid I may be ready to start one of those painful back spells but I hope not.

 

February 17, 1983

Warmest day yet – I had the furnace off all day from about 9:00 A.M. to about 7:00 P.M. I am enjoying the lovely chrysanthemum Brian and Louise brought me and the beautiful cyclamen Raymond and Mabel gave me on my birthday.

 

February 18, 1983

Felt bad all day and became really ill in the evening – my thinking blurred and my heart missing beats. I finally asked Selma to come and help me get to bed. Writing Feb. 19

 

February 19, 1983

Slept fine last night and I feel well today only weak. Have started having Selma check by phone each evening. Been doing since my previous attack some days ago. Warm day – furnace off all fore day except early morning. Still off this evening.

 

February 20, 1983

Sunday. It rained last night with much thunder. Raymond came this morning – greatly worried about a lump on edge of Ollies breast. Had a lovely telephone visit with Nellie Moorman. Also Ramona O’ Neill came to see me – lovely and beautiful as ever. It was cooler today and cloudy.

 

February 21, 1983

Writing a day late. Rained off and on all night and all day. I was ill – kept feeling worse all day – giddy and heart missing beats. Felt so bad in the evening I asked Selma to come and help me to bed, I have needed some new shoes and Winnie came to see me about getting some for me. I tried hers on and they just fit.

 

February 22, 1983

Got up weak but kept feeling better all day. Cloudy this morning but sun shone in P.M. Winnie went to Enid and came back with my shoes. They fit perfectly. They have a low heel & I don’t like that but I think I will keep them. They cost $81.00. Jack Beeby has been in the hospital for months. Today they were to remove his spleen. I haven’t heard from him

 

February 23, 1983

They operated on Ollie Bryson Yelton yesterday. The lump was a cancer and they removed the breast. It spread to her underarm and that was malignant too. They will give her chemotherapy. Mabel and Raymond worried but people do recover and they hope for the best. Warm day but cloudy and dark. Jack Beeby has had spleen removed

 

February 24, 1983

Ollie Yelton still has a bone scan ahead. I hope no malignancy there. It turned cold today – was 34°in late forenoon. Perhaps lower now. Wind in north. I am never (or seldom) well these days But I am working on corrections I want to make for my Hist. of the Inds.

 

February 25, 1983

I felt surprisingly well this morning but it was the day for Selma to wash and set my hair, so I got pretty tired. Had good company this P.M. – Jack and Della Thomas who had a day’s work in the City and stopped by as they came by at 4:00. It was cold this morning but beautiful and sunny and warmed up.

 

February 26, 1983

Coolish day. Very grieved to learn of Domer Dougherty’s death. Also Goldee Smith – schoolmate when we were 10. But we were never intimate. She was same age as I am. Lived in Kingfisher.

 

February 27, 1983

Warm day. Cloudy but cleared off. Beautiful. Sunday Raymond stopped to see me. Good news about Ollie – first we have had. Bone scan shoed only a small spot on her rib. The cancer in her breast was so deep even the doctor couldn’t feel it so it wasn’t discovered till another lump came under her arm. I was ill all day. Hurt a rib and it pained me so I couldn’t sleep last night.

 

February 28, 1983

Warm (high 60’s) sunny day I hurt a rib (floating) rib Feb. 27 and it has pained me greatly. Ill Saturday Sunday, better today, but rib still sore as a boil. I had hoped to finish work on Hist. of the Inds. in Feb. but this trouble prevented me. And soon I must work on my income tax.

 

March 1, 1983

Warm day, up to 70° in parts of the state – close to it here. Had a lovely visit from Clara Schaefer. Max Shank sent me an amy amaryllis Easter bulb, I still miss Mary greatly and think often of Max. I finished my correcting in my Hist. of the Inds. of the U.S. but they need to be typed. Had hoped to finish in Feb.

 March 2, 1983

Hot day – 83°in O.C No doubt the same here. I worked on my income tax. Surprised at how fast it went. I have kept it in shape all through the year and that helped. I can’t work much at a time. I was ill today. My damaged rib pains me greatly.

 

March 3, 1983

My side ( a rib I think) still hurts badly. The day was warm. Clouded up and rained in afternoon. Rough weather all over the state. Tornado in southwest corner at 6:00 P.M. but apparently dispersed without doing damage. Raymond & Mabel have returned from seeing Ollie. She left hospital Sunday and is doing fine.

 

March 4, 1983

Rained during night and most of the day. I don’t know how much but I think a great deal of water fell. It has been warm throughout. I hope my side will stop hurting when the rain stops. I felt bad today but worked a little on my income tax. I have it in such good shape it doesn’t require much work.

 

March 5, 1983

Sunny beautiful forenoon. Then a new storm moved in and it started raining – but not much. It is still warm. June Caston called. She and Russell wanted to drive up to see me in the P.M. But my lame rib and the surrounding hip and chest pained me so much I wanted to stay in bed. She was very sweet about it but I am terribly sorry I felt I had to ask her not to come.

 

March 6, 1983

Sunday. Raymond Bryson stopped by and stayed for a very pleasant visit. How could I get along without Raymond and Mabel?

 

March 7, 1983

Alternate sun and clouds, warm and cool. My rib didn’t hurt. I hope trouble is over. Martha Blaine called. Asked if she and Idress Cash could come tomorrow. But I have doctor’s appointment, so they will come Wed.

 

March 8, 1983

Bright day, but colder than usual. I was supposed to see Dr. Freed but I was ill all day so called office and set next Monday.

 

March 9, 1983

Felt better today though weak. Could have seen the doctor yesterday if I had felt so well then. Had a wonderful vist visit with Martha Blaine and Idress Cash. Idress is only four years younger than I, but much more active. Still, every year counts at that age. At this date in 1978 I was active in everything.

 

March 10, 1983

I felt fine today. Got all my revision of my Hist. of the Indians finished except I want to write a brief new preface. There was a frost this morning. Bright but coldish day.

 

March 11, 1983

Felt pretty well today. Worked a little on the new preface. Ice on water pools this morning, warmed up in afternoon and evening.

 

March 12, 1983

Didn’t quite freeze last night. I felt fairly well. Jim Horton called for a pleasant visit. He is still in Florida. I have my income tax all organized. Now putting everything together for Mr. Tagge.

 

March 13, 1983

Sunday. Raymond came by this morning as usual on Sunday. It was a really warm day – 74° in the P.M. I felt fairly well. I hope I can see Dr. Freed tomorrow. Was too ile  ill last week – had to make a new appointment.

 

March 14, 1983

Writing March 15 Felt rather bad this morning but thought I could see Dr. Freed. Managed O.K. And he pronounced me O.K. But after I got home I kept feeling worse. Had to call Selma to get some supper for me and help me to bed. It got pretty warm – up to 80° in P.M. and that may have pulled me down. Air cond. was unplugged & I couldn’t plug it in.

 

March 15, 1983

Slept wonderfully last night. Felt O.K. but weak this morning. Used air conditioner in P.M. Severe thunder storms in state this evening. But not here yet. Kept feeling better all day. Even finished my income tax.

 

March 16, 1983

Warmest last night at midnight. Then started getting cold. Raw wind blowing hard from north. Pretty cold this evening but not freezing yet. Dark & cloudy all day. I felt fine in morning but now my back hurts. Ramona brought me a lovely daffodil. But she is prettier than it is.

 

March 17, 1983

Raw, cold, cloudy, windy day. I felt had and spent most of day in bed. Feel much better this evening. Back still hurts. Pat brought me some, Ramona had made. Appropriately green, It is so good to see Pat. I do love Pat and Ramona.

 

March 18, 1983

Gloomy, cloudy day. Cold but not freezing. Selma took me to Enid to see Mr. Tagge about income tax. I felt fine this morning – even my back didn’t hurt – but got pretty tired, Etta Casteel broke her her arm. I am so sorry. These old people break so many bones.

 

March 19, 1983

Learned that Annie Seefeldt’s daughter’s husband died of a heart attack. His name was Cramer – a large scale farmer and Hereford man in the Douglas area. This was a cold day (not freezing) rained off and on, some snow, but it melted before it touched the ground. The roads were blocked in the Panhandle – also the Texas Panhandle.

 

March 20, 1983

Sunday. Raymond (bless him) stopped in for a brief visit when he took Mabel to teach her S.S. children. It was pretty cold and will be far below freezing at night. And spring is supposed to be here just before midnight today.

 

March 21, 1983

Cold day but the sun shone. My jonquils have started blooming. The freeze didn’t seem to hurt them. Nothing in particular happened.

 

March 22, 1983

Cold, cloudy day. Hard freeze this morning. Katherine Christian became violently ill. Was taken to hospital. Cause undetermined. I believe this happened yesterday.

 

March 23, 1983

Dismal, cloudy day, rained much of the time. I was ill. Spent much of the time in bed. Feel better this evening. Katherine Christian was operated on this morning. Found stones in her gull bladder and gangrene had set in. Can’t understand why it delayed making her ill earlier.

 

March 24, 1983

Cloudy day but not so cold as yesterday – 35° this morning, up to 40° in P.M. I am trying to finish changes (corrections) and a new preface for my Hist. of the Inds. but I work so slowly and with such great difficulty.

 

March 25, 1983

What a strange March. Another cold spell, with rain, wind, even tornado watch in southwestern part of the state. Thunderstorms here and there. A hard rain and wind here but no thunder. I finally finished all the corrections and a new preface for The Hist. of the Inds Selma will type the preface.

 

March 26, 1983

Another dark rainy day, some snow, which packed against the window panes but panes but soon melted. High wind. Much water has fallen all over the state (here also) these past days. I am getting my corrections of my book ready to send. Katherine Christian is doing fine.

 

March 27, 1983

Palm Sunday. A cold (not freezing) cloudy day with a strong raw wind. My final corrections on my Hist of the Inds are in the envelope ready to go. I also wrote a new preface, and Selma typed it yesterday. The corrections I typed myself. They were too technical to trust to anybody else except Ramona, who is too busy for me to bother her. It was terribly hard for me to do this typing. I have not used the typewriter these past feeble years.

 

March 28, 1983

White frost on everything this morning. Sun shone all forenoon and warmed up. Got cloudy – another rain coming. Selma took me to Crescent to get a permanent. I stood it fine but was terribly tired when I got home. Still am. Learned my dear Crescent friend Inez Jones had a stroke sometime ago – still helpless

 

March 29, 1983

Rained off and on all day – I rested some from my yesterday’s effort. Nothing much happened.

 

March 30, 1983

Warmer than usual. Sunny this P.M. Gloria Weber was to come this morning to take a recording for a New York Historical Project using my professional experience as typical but I was not well enough. Things are getting green in spite of the frosts.

 

March 31, 1983

Warm day, sunny. I got my income tax reports ready to mail. They came several days a go from Mr. Tagge but didn’t send it because I wanted to keep the money in the bank to draw interest till Apr. 1 The bank now pays interest on checking accounts. I was surprised that the tax bill was so small. Mr. Tagge is good at finding all the deductions. These are legal but some were always overlooked.

 

April 1, 1983

God Friday. Not cold but a high wind blowing all day – even this evening. It rained all forenoon – My window to the garage fell out and broke, Kenneth Orrell was going to fix it but couldn’t find one to buy – had to make one. And he put it in this morning! The open place was on the north and that strong of north wind and rain would have ruined everything in the garage. I am so happy he got it fixed just in time.

 

April 2, 1983

I failed to make entry and now I forget everything that happened. My memory is deteriorating rapidly these past two or three months.

 

April 3, 1983

April 5 Gloria was coming today but I was not well enough. Raymond and Mabel got home from St. Louis where they spent several days. Charles and Janie have moved there and they enj enjoyed Charles’ Easter service in the new church. Janie has a very lovely parsonage. August is at home now and can move his toes a little I fing [sic] Raymond & Mabel gave me the Easter lily. Had it at church, then to me.

 

April 4, 1983

Apr. 6 Gloria came today and we planned interviews etc. for a film sponsored by the Institute for Research in History of New York. About my work etc. Martha Sandlin is coming from New York for Prairie City days. It is a group of real scholars and Ms. Sandlin has won many awards for such films. Used on Ed. T.V. in schools, etc. It is a legitimate project and they are working seriously at it. I felt well today and the weather was not bad.

 

April 5, 1983

April 3 Turned two pages 1983 Easter Sunday. A white frost this morning, but the sun shone, there was no wind and it was a beautiful day. Rev. Ted, lovely Karen, and darling little Meagan came at noon and brought me an Easter lily, the gift of the church. and my beloved Brian and Louise Harpster passing by stopped to visit one this evening. They had been at Ponca & returned this roundabout way.

 

April 6, 1983

April 4 Failed to say yesterday that the beautiful Easter lilies that Max Shank sent me put out its first bloom exactly on Easter. It has two flower stalks and will bloom a long time. The president of the Uni of Okla. called me – said the university is awarding me the highest honor they can give, I think at commencement. It rained all last night and all day today. Cool but above freezing.

 

April 7, 1983

Another cloudy, gloomy day. They have had snow to block even the main highways these past days in the Panhandle when it rained on us. We are told it will snow over half the state tomorrow. A strange April. My daffodils are still standing up lovely as ever. I felt fairly well today. Nothing in particular happened.

 

April 8, 1983

Cloudy this morning – much rain this P.M. and it’s getting cold this evening. Gloria Weber with Aletha to take the recording spent the morning with me. I have trouble thinking thinking of what I want to say and hesitate and stammer some but Aletha is so good at editing she takes out all those places and it doesn’t show that my brain is failing.

 

April 9, 1983

It cleared off this P.M. They promise us a clear day tomorrow. I felt bad today. My beloved cousins Ray and Shirley called. They will be leaving Texas April 22. I hope the weather in Chicago will be warmer then. It has been so cold this spring.

 

April 10, 1983

Sunday, Raymond came by as usual. Lovely day. I am not very well these days.

 

April 11, 1983

Hot day. Up to 80° all P.M. and evening. Used air conditioner. Ill all P.M. Gloria Weber is bringing over tomorrow a woman from New York who has come out to visit our Prairie City Days, which starts tomorrow. She is making a recording about me & spending much time on it. Truly I think there is not much interesting about my life and career.

 

April 12, 1983

Gloria Weber brought Martha Sandlin, the New York girl. She is fine. We made plans for the interview later in the week. She will interview people around here during these days. Also take pictures of farms, etc. It was a warm day but not so hot as yesterday. Mr. Smith came and cut dead branches, etc. off my shrubs & Mrs. S. mowed my lawn.

 

April 13, 1983

Cold, cloudy day. Ramona came this morning. Anne Morgan had called her re publicity about the award OU has voted for me at commencement. But the rules say I must be there to receive it. I don’t think I can but Anne and Connie Cronley will help in every way. So I haven’t positively declined it.

 

April 14, 1983

It froze last night on the puddles It was a cool, bright, lovely day – all day. But I was ill and spent most of the day in bed. And I had planned to have Selma wash and set my hair for the interview tomorrow. I don’t sleep these nights – have these things on my mind – and it makes me ill.

 

April 15, 1983

Gloria and other Stillwater participants and the New York group came this morning. It took them two hours to set up their TV and movie equipment and my house bulged with it. I felt fine and got through the interview fine. I am greatly relieved. There was frost last night but the sun shone and it turned out to be a lovely day.

 

April 16, 1983

Written Apr. 17. This was Prairie City week and today was the parade. I was very tired from yesterday, but managed to ride in it as usual. (Missed last year.) Selma was at hand to help and Louis Ream drove the antique Ford as usual. It was a beautiful day. I got very tired but Selma helped me get to bed. I didn’t stay to see the parade. Louis took me through and brought me home.

 

April 17, 1983

Sunday. Pleasant day. I felt surprisingly well. Raymond called this morning as usual on Sunday. Everyone says the parade was very good. Dearth of floats but much antique machinery and riding clubs.

 

April 18, 1983

Lovely, bright, crisp day. Gloria and Martha Sandlin came to tie up some loose ends. Martha will be back in the summer.

 

April 19, 1983

between 15 and 17 Miserable, cold, rainy day. Selma took me to Enid to see Dr. Shields. Right eye, 15; left, 15½. He has been having me use more drops to bring the left one down. The termite man made his inspection while I was gone – Raymond was in charge. Learned yesterday evening from Anne Morgan that they have made a final ruling for me that I need not attend commencement to receive award. But I will go if I can

 

April 20, 1983

Cold this morning but the sun came out in the P.M. and it warmed up considerably. I didn’t feel well but not very ill. Nothing in particular happened

 

April 21, 1983

More rain. Not very cold. Anne Morgan sent me an autographed copy of the new interpretation of Okla by her and her husband. New Views of the Forty-Sixth State. Essays by various people. She wrote one – on Okla. literature. So sweet of her to send it. I was going to order it this week.

 

April 22, 1983

Cool day, some sun, rain, thunder storms. Now Rain here in P.M. and again in evening. Tornadoes over the state. No serious harm done I think. Vera Long came to see me. I love Vera.

 

April 23, 1983

A clear bright day. I got a letter from OU president Banoroski about the commencement where I am to recive [sic]the citation. There is a luncheon, etc. and complicated logistics. I just don’t think I can manage it. And now I wish I had never even considered attending for the publicity will be released tomorrow. I will think about it and consult Anne Morgan.

 

April 24, 1983

Sunday. A beautiful sunny day. I was not well but several nice things happened. Raymond called in the morning as usual on Sundays. Then Clara Schaefer called in the P.M. and Nellie Blanche Moorman called on the telephone from Los Angeles. In the evening two sweet high school kids called – a boy and a girl. Such a nice day. The publicity about my upcoming OU citation was in the paper.

 

April 25, 1983

Another beautiful day. And the most wonderful thing happened. Carl Albert read the story about the coming OU award and he called and talked to me about half an hour. I have always admired him so much – not only for his distinguished career in Congress but for the sensitivity and breath of his intellectual outlook

 

April 26, 1983

Warm day. I used the air cond. in my study. Nothing much happened.

 

April 27, 1983

I failed to make an entry in the evening and now (Apr. 28) I can’t remember something important that happened. My memory for recent events has failed much these past months. I can see the failing failing capacity of my mind as clearly as I could a deteriorating hand. But I do remember that in the evening our whole state was on a tornado watch.

 

April 28, 1983

No damaging tornadoes last night. I wrote to President Banowski [sic] today telling him I appreciated the elaborate ceremony prepared for awarding the citations but saying I am unable to participate – academic procession, etc. – the whole thing. Learned my beloved Ramona’s mother had cancer surgery on her colon last week. I am so sorry. But I recovered and I hope she will.

 

April 29, 1983

Another day of warm afternoon and violent storms over the state (Not a sprinkle here.) Nothing much happened.

 

April 30, 1983

Warm day. I was ill and spent much time in bed. But I had a fine telephone visit from Jim Horton and another from Shirley and Ray who are back in Chicago after spending the winter in Texas. It was hot this P.M. and evening.

 

May 1, 1983

Warm day. Sunday. Raymond came by for a brief visit this morning. And Maxine Austin came in late P.M. for a long lovely visit. My beloved Cora Caston and her husband were at Marshall. She called from May Jette’s when I was sound asleep and I just couldn’t get up, so I told her I was in bed. Somehow we never can connect.

 

May 2, 1983

I felt surprisingly well today. It was warm and pleasant. Winnie Branen called this evening. What a useful citizen Winnie is How could this community manage without her?

 

May 3, 1983

I felt well. Lovely weather. Happy day all three living children of Allie and Lula Cooper with a husband and wife and a son (and 3 of Lula’s relatives Perry and Ft. Worth) from Oregon and Calif. came. And each of the three had bought every one of my books they could get – 9 for some, 10 for one, for me to autograph. I autographed 2 sets of books – too tired for 3rd And they are not rich. Some managed out of print first printings for which they paid plenty.

 

May 4, 1983

Gloria and Letha Aletha came this morning to record my reminiscences. The topic was the two white collar WPA projects I worked on. It was a warm day – in the 80s during P.M. and early evening. I autographed the books for Aline Helin. I got too tired yesterday. Did 2 sets, left one.

 

May 5, 1983

All the cousins came for Aline’s books. So I had another lovely family visit. Aline’s husband is not living. (I remember that young couple so well.) It was another warm day – above 80° all over the state – 84° in some places. The trees are finally starting to leaf out after the cold spring. And the dandelions!!

 

May 6, 1983

Hot day – up in the 90°s in some parts of the state – low 80°s here. Dr. Burr, assistant to President Banowsky [sic] called. He and the Pres. are coming here to give me the citation. Will come May 18. I am overwhelmed. Must start planning.

 

May 7, 1983

Warm night, and morning but turned cooler. I asked Ramona to come and advise me about planning President’s visit if she had time. She came and not only suggested plans but volunteered to get help and take it over. I am so relieved. Of course she can’t do it if her mother needs her, but she will get someone to do it in that case. She does not know how her mother may respond to chemotherapy

 

May 8, 1983

Sunday. A beautiful day – not so warm as yesterday, but sunny. I felt well. It was a quiet day. The Brysons were out of town, so Raymond didn’t come call call. I managed to write a few letters but it is very hard for me to write. So this space might as well be blank.

 

May 9, 1983

Another beautiful day. But nothing to write about. It was a good day for me, though.

 

May 10, 1983

May 10 I asked Ramona’s advice about the president’s visit and she (bless her) took over. She will enlist Mabel she has to go to Enid. May 11 Hard rain (with some thunder) in the P.M. More predicted. Ramona enlisted Mabel and Raymond in plans for President’s visit. Raymond came to see me. They are delighted. Raymond said he would drive to Enid to bring President from the airport. I have not learned yet whether we can have the parish hall for the ceremony (the one in charge was out of town or something) but I suppose we can.

 

May 11, 1983

I missed May 11 entry May 12 Tornadoes all around west of Hennessey from Bison area to Enid and on northeast. I don’t know whether to go to bed or stay up and watch.

 

May 12, 1983

May 13 Tornadoes last night did no harm. Most touched down only briefly. M Pleasant day. But this evening tornadoes are worse than last evening. No harm yet but I am watching TV. There were teriffic terrific rains and hail yesterday evening. Probably this evening, too.

 

May 13, 1983

[No entry]

 

May 14, 1983

Tornadoes last night hit few houses but rain and hail did much damage. Today one of happiest I have had for all these past five years. Gerry brought Bob and Joan Koch this morning. I felt wonderful and visit was perfect. Cool day. Storms all gone. Ramona’s mother is doing fine. But Ramona has suffered much from a bad tooth.

 

May 15, 1983

Sunday. Lovely day. Cool. Raymond stopped in as usual. Our beloved Bob was to preach this morning. I would have made a big effort to go to church but I must save myself for Wednesday.

 

May 16, 1983

Lovely weather. My roses are blooming and the first peony came out today. I felt fine, And had a wonderful visit with my favorite boy, Michael Diedrich, who has grown up and will graduate from college high school tomorrow. The weather will turn bad tomorrow and (worst of all) Wednesday. I hope, it will not spoil plans for President Banowsky’s [sic] visit Everybody is so wonderful about the whole occasion.

 

May 17, 1983

Lovely day – all my flowers blooming. But torn a does all around us tonight. I am going to bed. I hope I can sleep. I must rest for tomorrow. I hope the tornadoes don’t hit us. Later: They hit in places in northwest Okla. but did little property damage & none to people.

 

May 18, 1983

Beautiful bright day. And the meeting with President Bankowsky [sic] and his OU party at the Catholic parish hall turned out to be a perfect occasion. He is a very likeable person, and volunteers had made perfect plans for seating etc. After he gave me the citation, our women served beautifully from Mabel’s golden anniversary silver. There were 74 present. Some friends from Enid, Stillwater, O.C. and Tulsa. It was the most perfect occasion I have ever seen.

 

May 19, 1983

Another lovely spring day. And I am still overwhelmed with gratitude for all the good Marshall people did to make yesterday’s visit of the president memorable. Much work went into their preparation. Even the Catholic congregation would not take the usual reasonable fee for use of utilities etc Said happy to do it. And those people who drove clear from Tulsa!

 

May 20, 1983

I was ill all day. I think it was not the reaction from Wednesday’s celebration, for I recovered yesterday. But I had a very happy visit with Susie Huffer Buckingham came and her daddy. Don. She will soon rejoin her husband in Germany. They now have two baby boys. She likes Germany. I enjoyed their visit so much.

 

May 21, 1983

A bright, beautiful day. But it rained three inches last night. I felt wonderful. Did much long distance telephoning on reduced week end rates thanking people who came Wednesday. I thanked them then but I called again to thank them again I am so grateful.

 

May 22, 1983

Sunday. Pleasant day. But I was ill. The annual picnic of my church was today but the ground was too wet to got to the timper so they had it in town on the football playing field. It is a nice place and I hope they were not too disappointed. They brought me delicious sampling of the food – enough for dinner & supper today and tomorrow

 

May 23, 1983

Sunny day – no rain. I was ill all day. I get too hot or too cold at night and it makes me ill. Last night it turned cold about midnight and I turned on the furnace. Then it got hot and I woke up ill. My skin does not function to regulate body temperature effectively.

 

May 24, 1983

Another sunny day. Temp. in low 70°s. And I was ill. But something lovely happened. Violet Poindexter and Sylvia Poindexter from New Orleans came to see me. I taught those lovely little girls in county school in 1914-15, and they have grown into such love fine women.

 

May 25, 1983

Another nice day. But there are thunderstorms in the southern half of the state this evening. I got some work done organizing memorablia [sic] of May 18, thanking people, etc.

 

May 26, 1983

Written later – I was ill all night, and really ill all day. I don’t know – the cause. Dizzy and my nose bled seriously once. I did not dress. Stayed in bed most of the day. Selma came once to see if I was O. K. (I was asleep and didn’t see her.) And once in the evening to settle everything for the night.

 

May 27, 1983

I slept from 8:30 to 8:00 last night. (Selma came at 7:30 but let me sleep. She is so good.) I woke well but very weak, but got better every minte minute all day. I don’t know what made me so sick yesterday. Raymond put the fan in my back porch window so now it will carry off some of the heat from the kitchen air cond. He is so good.

 

May 28, 1983

I felt well enough today to let Selma wash and set my hair. It was a warm sunny day with thunder storms predicted. There were many of them last night with hail and wind but no tornadoes. Storms came close but missed us.

 

May 29, 1983

Sunday A beautiful bright day. Cool this evening We had a thunderstorm Last night – 1 inch of rain, no hail, strong wind. Selma took a long trip to a family reunion today in southern part of state. Got back safely – not even tired. Raymond came by this morning before church. These came back late this evening to take my artificial flowers to decorate my fifteen graves in the cemetery when he decorates his. So good of him. I used to use natural flowers but I can’t do it any more. So good of Raymond to decorate my graves.

 

May 30, 1983

Memorial Day. It started raining in the night in the night and rained all day. It cleared off first before sundown. Turned cold I used furnace. It rained all over the state. Hard on the Memorial Day services and the family visits. I failed to state that two women I once knew but could not identify came, with a pile of books for me to autograph yesterday

 

May 31, 1983

Sunny day, but cool – got up to 66° in P.M. I had a day feeling about average. Tried to work on some corrections of errors I found in Geronimo index.

 

June 1, 1983

Another cool day, but it clouded up this evening and got warm so I used the air conditioner. Raymond came this morning with the artificial flowers from the cemetery all boxed up ready for next year. Of course he picked up his own also. He and Mabel use real flowers mainly. I asked him about the trip to the graves of Mabel’s people at Watonga Monday. He said the graves were near the road and they dashed through the rain and placed the flowers without getting very wet.

 

June 2, 1983

A thunderstorm made a lot of noise and came close at 4:00 last night but didn’t quite reach us. The day was sunny and warmer than usual. Nothing happened.

 

June 3, 1983

Warmer today – sunny. Gloria and Aletha came over and did some recording of my experiences. Raymond learned from Alice Alice Pipla that the wet weather weather had caused some mold on my roses so he came and sprayed them. What a good man he is!

 

June 4, 1983

Nice day. Warm. Nothing much happened. Lovely Ramona brought me a rose.

 

June 5, 1983

A little rain and much thunder last night. Bad storms in state this evening but not here. This is Sunday.

 

June 6, 1983

Sunny day. Cool this evening. No air conditioner. My blaze rose is lovely. Nothing much happened.

 

June 7, 1983

Sunny day. Not very hot. I felt fairly well. Winnie Branen came for a long visit this evening. She brought me some custard and fresh strawberries. She is such a lovely person.

 

June 8, 1983

Another sunny day. Temperature in upper 70°s. The whole spring is abnormally cold. I had a bad night and was ill all day. Feel better this evening.

 

June 9, 1983

Sunny day but violent weather is expected. I felt well today. No news.

 

June 10, 1983

Sunny day with threat of bad storms. This evening they are here. All western half of state under tornado watch. Serious storms in west. Tornadoes seen around Weatherford. Serious storm moving to O.C. One starting near Hennessy – north part of Rogan County alerted. We are in its path. I am watching TV.

 

June 11, 1983

Cloudy this morning, sunny this P.M. The tornadoes that hit the ground last night missed inhabited places. The storm from Hennessey (no tornado) hit us shortly after I went to bed. Two inches of rain, severe thunder, no hail. More is expected tomorrow.

 

June 12, 1983

Sunday Raymond came to see me as usual. I think so much of Raymond and Mabel. And Pat brought me a rose and stayed and visited a while. I love Pat and Ramona. I feel well today, much better than usual. The sun shone most of the day but bad weather is predicted for tomorrow.

 

June 13, 1983

A wild night. Severe storms with tornadoes all around. None right here. It began about 5:00 and is continuing. I have been ill today. The rose Pat brought me yesterday is still lovely. Later – no harm done by tornadoes.

 

June 14, 1983

Pleasant day. Selma took me to see Dr. Freed. He seems to think I am O.K. In the evening Mr. John Patrick Orr drove up from Guthrie to take some pictures of me for an article he plans to write for the Leader. I was too tired for an interview.

 

June 15, 1983

Warm, sunny day. I felt ill but let Selma shampoo and set my hair. It didn’t seem to make me feel any worse.

 

June 16, 1983

Another sunny day. We are having strange weather this year. April weather in the summer. Even the “hot” days the temperature remains in the 80°s. High 80°s on the “hot” afternoons. I still use the furnace in the mornings.

 

June 17, 1983

Another pleasant day, but violent thunderstorms all over the state this evening. Expected all night. Gloria and Aletha spent the morning taking recordings. They are involved in the New York project. Dr. James DeVore called. He and Nancy will be visiting me Sunday. So nice!

 

June 18, 1983

Another sunny day. This is a strange season. We are having April weather in June. Apparently last night’s storms did no serious damage. Threat of tornadoes tonight. Clara Schaefer called. I enjoyed the visit. I love Clara.

 

June 19, 1983

Hot day. 90° over the state. Same here no doubt. Sunday. My beloved friends, Dr. Jim and Nancy DeVore came to see me this morning. Two young high school students came this evening – Roger Bowling of Douglas, Sherri Howard of Marshall. I appreciate their visit so much.

 

June 20, 1983

Warm day. Nothing to write about. Oh yes! Some wheat was brought to the elevator today.

 

June 21, 1983

Warm day. Above 90° in Enid. No doubt same here. Harvest has really started.

 

June 22, 1983

Another warm day – 92° in Enid. Those sweet high school kids Sherri Howard and Roger Bowling came to see me this evening.

 

June 23, 1983

Hot day. I felt bad. (When I say hot I mean 92°, The really hot weather is not here yet. Nothing much happened. But I have lovely contacts with people. Today it was a good letter from Gerald Forbes.

 

June 24, 1983

We had a slight shower this evening with much thunder. My two young friends Roger and Sherri called.

 

June 25, 1983

I felt really well today – the best I have felt for weeks. No wheat was harvested today. It rained last night here and here and all over the state this evening. Nothing violent anywhere – just hard showers.

 

June 26, 1983

Sunday. Raymond came for a brief visit this morning. It is always so good to see him. Warm day. Storms this evening. All this half of Okla. is under a tornado watch. One rain passed over us – some thunder but nothing violent. But it is becoming violent as it approaches Stillwater, Perry and Perkins according to TV warning. I am going to bed.

 

June 27, 1983

Rained again las night. No wheat harvested today. Bad storms over this state again this evening. But no serious damage has been done. We are again in a tornado watch. I was ill today. Winnie Branen (bless her) came for a lovely visit this evening.

 

June 28, 1983

News of the violent storms throughout the state yesterday evening. We got a hard rain but that was all but much damage elsewhere from hail and terrific straight winds. By 10:30 it seemed we were being missed and I went to bed. I felt surprisingly well today. Same evening of storms but I think less violent than yesterday evening.

 

June 29, 1983

Sunny calm day (not terribly hot – mid 80°s) and an evening with no storms and a calm night ahead. I felt bad today but nothing serious. Nothing much happened.

 

June 30, 1983

Another warm day – up to 92° at Enid. No doubt same here. And an evening one can go to bed safe from violent storms. I felt well today. But my mind has been failing much these past months. I really wish I did not have such a good heart. Too much time for my mind to deteriorate.

 

July 1, 1983

Hot day – lower 90°s. I was ill. Had to call Selma to get my supper and do up the evening routine. Raymond called. Nice visit. Clara called & we had a telephone visit. I am worried about her. Her back is paining her and I am afraid she has my trouble. (But my last attack was in the fall of 1981.)

 

July 2, 1983

Hot day – up in 90°s. Not much to write. I felt pretty well. In fact well enough so that Selma could shampoo my hair.

 

July 3, 1983

Sunday. Hot day. Up in the middle 90°s over the state. Raymond called as always on Sunday when he doesn’t stop by. He and Mable will visit the children and other relatives in St. Louis next week. Will see their great grandchild. I was ill all day.

 

July 4, 1983

The first time I ever failed to put up my flag. I thought it might rain and I can’t take it down. (Selma could have put it up.) I felt fine today. My beloved Ray and Shirley Worsley called me for a long telephone visit. The fields are drying now and the harvest is progressing. There is not much Fourth of July celebration in a wheat country.

 

July 5, 1983

It was cooler today – middle 80°s. And I felt fairly well. I am sure the wheat harvest is progressing rapidly these past few days. Some fields were not harvested – the farmers accepted the new government program of accepting stored grain as compensation for the reduced acreage. The O’Neills are not harvesting any but of course working the ground.

 

July 6, 1983

Warmer, but not the usual July weather – in the 80°s. I felt bad today but better this evening. Nothing happened.

 

July 7, 1983

Same kind of weather. Same kind of feeling not very well But it is Thursday and Alice comes on Thursday to clean the house. I always enjoy her presence. She is such a fine, intelligent, and attractive person. I am so fortunate to have her and Selma.

 

July 8, 1983

Same kind of weather. Nothing happened. I have learned that the Smith family is leaving. Mr. S.  has been working for Helen Bostick servicing oil wells 7 business has declined so little work. The family has been mowing my lawn. Now who will do it?

 

July 9, 1983

Same weather. Hot, but in 80°s instead of the usual July 90°s or 100°+. This is usually our worst month. The wheat harvest is about over. Mabel Bryson (bless her) had some fish they caught in their pond so she brought me my dinner today. Not just a delicious fish but a whole delicious dinner. Rather she prepared it & Raymond brought it

 

July 10, 1983

Hottest day yet. Up to 94°. But I felt well. Missed Raymond. This is Sunday but he and Mabel have gone to St. Louis. Will see great grandchild.

 

July 11, 1983

Sad news from the cousins from the west coast who visited me May 3 & May 5. They started back home immediately from my house. On their way Melvin died of heart failure. He was a fine man, badly crippled from arthritis. Somehow they failed to tell me – too grieved and shocked. Today Aline (his sister) called from Oregon and asked if I had been told. I love that family

 

July 12, 1983

I had intended to have Selma take me to Enid today to see Dr. Shields. He has been away and has just returned. But I was Ill all day and couldn’t go. Warm day – low 90°s. Perhaps – we shall not have a really hot summer.

 

July 13, 1983

I slept fine last night and felt well today but I was so weak from yesterday that I could not go to see the doctor. He will be out of his office tomorrow so I will try Friday. My beloved friends, Brian and Louise Harpster came to see me. One of our usual warm days – upper 80°s – not like the usual July.

 

July 14, 1983

I felt uncommonly well today but this afternoon a long black band with a ball on the end appeared before my seeing eye. I called Selma but the eye appeared outwardly O.K. It became a mass of large black spots but continued. I will see Dr. Shields tomorrow. Winnie Branen called this evening.

 

July 15, 1983

Selma took me to see Dr. Shields. He said My eye was normal this morning. He said what happened yesterday occurred often and was not serious. I am so relieved. As to pressure – right eye (the seeing one) 19; left, 22. It rained a little last night (not much) cloudy today. Temperature in 80°s I felt O.K. but very tired tonight.

 

July 16, 1983

I felt well today – well enough for Selma to wash and set my hair. My boy, Mike Diedrich, came to see me. The fine Smith family who have been mowing my lawn are leaving. A family across the street will take over. Name is Dickson, boy named Bobby.

 

July 17, 1983

Sunday But I didn’t see Raymond. His sister Frances is visiting them. I got some fine photographs from a member of President Benowsky’s [sic] party when I received my University of Okla. citation. He sent a few extras which I will give to people. The weather is getting warm.

 

July 18, 1983

Hot day – upper 80°s. And I was ill all day. Feel better this evening. Nothing happened.

 

July 19, 1983

Hot day - 94° at Enid. No doubt same here. Raymond came for a fine visit. He always comes Sunday (or phones) but last Sunday he and Mabel and Frances and her husband were enjoying the golden anniversary of their graduating class at the men’s agricultural fraternity at O.S.U. Today he told us all the news of his trip to St. Louis

 

July 20, 1983

Hot day. And it must be getting pretty dry. I was ill all day. Failed to write yesterday that Mike Green called me from New Hampshire to say he would be in Okla. one day July 31 & would stop by to see me. His wife will be along and I shall meet her. I am very happy about it

 

July 21, 1983

Hot day. But I felt fine. Nothing happened.

 

July 22, 1983

Hot day - 100° in Enid. Probably the same here. Roma came to visit me. Lovely as ever. Selma went to a church meeting in her old home. The whole week end with relatives and friends. I am glad she is going but I’d hate to have her know how I shall miss her. I shall be O.K. May Jette Van Hauen will take care of me.

 

July 23, 1983

101° in Enid (and no doubt here) today. And unlike Okla. summers it is not dry and scorching and we have hot (72°) nights. I talked to Shirley and Ray today. I often do, but this time it was about our African friend, Betty Mubiru. She and I have been friends since my trip to Africa in 1958. Her husband was murdered by Idi Amin.

 

July 24, 1983

Sunday. The Schaefers had a reunion at church today. Clara brought the lovely daughter of Leone & Carl (Leo (Luann Slaton) to visit me briefly before church. Jim Horton called me for a good telephone visit this P.M. and Ramona brought me some cake and an interesting magazine article article about stone fence posts. Hot 100°s.

 

July 25, 1983

Hot day but below 100°. I felt well. Selma is back again. She had a very happy trip to her childhood community near Duncan

 

July 26, 1983

Hot! 104° at Enid. I felt pretty well. My beloved young friend Blue Clark called. He will bring his mother, Martha Blaine and Rella Looney to visit me next week. I had a long, beautiful telephone visit this evening with my dear cousin Dorine in Kansas City. I should say “ Independence.”  

 

July 27, 1983

Hot. 103° at Enid – higher in some places over the state. I did not feel very well and didn’t accomplish anything.

 

July 28, 1983

The cafe has brought me my hot noon meal during all these feeble years. It closed and the drug store brought it. Today the drug store served for the last time. Now I must find someone to prepare my noon meal. I can eat snacks for a few days but not permanently. Hot day as usual.

 

July 29, 1983

A few drops of rain fell this morning and it was not quite so hot today. Upper 90°s. Nothing to write about.

 

July 30, 1983

It rained! one inch! And got cooler. There was some lightning but not severe and I left the air conditioners on. (Perhaps it was a risk but I needed them.) Mabel (bless her) brought me a fine dinner. Selma’s daughter and her two little girls arrived from Colo. for a week’s visit. Mike Green did not pay me the expected visit. Little girl had appendix surgery.

 

July 31, 1983

August 1 entry July 31 is missing Another hot day. But July is usually our worst month, and this ends it. I felt pretty well. Winnie Branen came to see me this evening.

 

August 1, 1983

On July 31 page.

 

August 2, 1983

Weather still hot. 100° at Enid. Blue Clark and his mother came up from the City to see me this forenoon. Wonderful visit. He intended to bring Rella Looney also but it was not possible for her to come. And And Martha Blaine is out of town so he couldn’t bring her. Elsie Schaefer (bless her) brought me a wonderful dinner because the cafe is closed.

 

August 3, 1983

Hot day. Shirley and Ray called me from Chicago. They are starting tomorrow on a trip to Superior. Wis. where Shirley was born and Ray spent all his young life. Clara Schaefer called for a telephone visit. She came back from her Colo. trip earlier this week.

 

August 4, 1983

It has not been so hot today – in 90°s instead of 100°s, over the state. Not much to write about. I am waiting for Elsie Schaefer to talk to her husband who was in Colo. about bringing my meals. If they decide not to do it, the I will consult someone else. Mabel sent Raymond with my meal

 

August 5, 1983

Elsie Schaefer (bless her) brought me a lovely dinner today Temperature in 80°s rather than 100°s. I felt surprisingly well today. today. Elsie’s Schaefers husband thinks their living schedule is too irregular for her to commit herself to bring me meals. He farms and is probably right in his reasoning. We are looking for some other person. Clara Schaefer came to visit me, also Selma’s lovely daughter Cathy.

 

August 6, 1983

Another 100° day. We finally got somebody to bring my meals – Ila Marker. A Mr. Lowman from San Marcos, Texas came to see me brining Geronimo for me to autograph. I felt bad all day today. Very pleasant rain this evening – no wind, no electricity – about ½ inch.

 

August 7, 1983

Sunday. Raymond came by to see me. I felt fine today – better than for a long time. It was cooler today – got down to about 90° this P.M.

 

August 8, 1983

Not so hot. Ila brought my dinner today. I am so glad we found her. Winnie visited me this evening. I felt well today.

 

August 9, 1983

Not so hot – 94° in Enid. I felt well all day. Ramona brought me some canteloupe [sic]. Winnie came to see me. Clara called. She was crying. Her sister, Leone, was in the hospital with a blockage of the heart – whatever that means. Clara had just spent a happy week with her but found her far from well. I am still eating from a loaf of bread she sent me.

 

August 10, 1983

No so hot – still in 90°s but high 90°s. I have not heard from Leone. I called Clara but she was not at home. Got letter from Gloria Weber. They are coming Friday for one of those recordings of an interview.

 

August 11, 1983

Hot day – upper 90°s at Enid. Clara said it was 102° by her thermometer. Learned that Leone’s heart stopped at 2:00 last night and they put in a pace setter. She seems O.K. so far. I am so sorry for Clara. Clara has just returned from visiting her.

 

August 12, 1983

Hot day. 104° at Enid. 107° here. Gloria Weber and Glenna Mathews & Glenna’s fine son. David, came to see me this morning. No recording, just some questions. Pat came this P.M. to renew my house insurance. We talked of the heat and he said he would drive to Enid to buy me a fan. But we figured out a better way and he will come tomorrow to fix it.

 

August 13, 1983

Not so hot – 102° here. I felt better. Pat and Ramona came and moved my furniture and put up their fan I borrowed from them. It will help a lot if we have another day like yesterday. Leone Schneebeck has had a permanent pace setter placed to replace the emergency one and she is getting along fine.

 

August 14, 1983

Hot day. Even with the fan it was 80° in my living room. This is Sunday Annie Seefeldt celebrated her 90th birthday today. She lives across the street. Her daughter brought me cake and punch. Also Pat brought me some watermelon. The church had ice cream and cake this evening and Mabel wanted to bring me some. But I said I better not. Nellie Blanch Moorman called me from Calif. Good day!

 

August 15, 1983

Hot! 103° at Enid. Probably 105° here. My three interviewers from OSU (Gloria, Glenna and Aletha) came this forenoon. I felt fine but got tired. And the heat in spite of air conditioners. They will come again Friday.

 

August 16, 1983

Hot. 107° at Enid. Probably more here. But somehow I stood it pretty well. Better than yesterday. But I did have a mild migraine attack this morning.

 

August 17, 1983

Not quite so hot. But hot. Nothing to write about. Feeling not so well.

 

August 18, 1983

Not so hot today. And a hurricane hit the Texas coast. People are remembering the one that swept Galveston shortly after 1900. But the protective systems apparently worked. It swept the island but killed nobody. Great damage at Houston. It will bring us violent and rain tomorrow. We need the rain.

 

August 19, 1983

Coolish day. And some rain here, The remnants of the hurricane have reached us. It may rain over the state. Gloria, Glenna, and Aletha spent the morning here making recordings. Gloria will take off for her Harvard law course soon. Clara Schaefer gives me good news about Leone. She is out of the hospital, well but weak.

 

August 20, 1983

It rained 1.2 inches last night and more during the whole forenoon. The Gulf storm did terrible damage to Galveston and Houston – one of the worst that ever hit that area. Even as far north as Dallas but here in Marshall it did only good. The highest temperature at Enid today was 85°. It is expected to bring rain and cool to Indiana and Ohio. Jim Horton called me for a good telephone visit.

 

August 21, 1983

Sunday. Warmer than yesterday but still not so hot as formerly. And I felt fine. I am working on an up to date revision of my biographical sketch and writing ideals for a new printing in Contemporary Authors. Wrote effectively today

 

August 22, 1983

The hot weather is back. It was 100° or over throughout Okla. today – 98° at Enid (coolest place). Nothing happened.

 

August 23, 1983

The wet ground helped keep the air cooler. Also the shorter days help. Today the thermometer here reached 90° -- much better than 105°. I got a fine letter from my beloved cousin Willa Farris. I hope she and Don will be coming to see me.

 

August 24, 1983

Today my beloved cousin Shirley was to have her eye surgery. I am sure she got along. O.K. and will be greatly benefitted. This removal of the clouded lens and a plastic implant is a great boon to older people. Shirley seems young to me but she did have a cataract.

 

August 25, 1983

It was cooler last night and I slept fine and felt fine today. It was not so hot this evening. The days are getting enough shorter so that it helps. Of course I could be cool by sleeping in the room with the air cond. but I can’t stand to have it hit me.

 

August 26, 1983

In 90°s instead of 100°s but pretty hot. The shorter day helps, especially in the evening. Learned that Desda Cused to be Desda Potter, now in nursing home fell and broke four ribs 2 weeks ago. Was in hospital but is getting along O.K.

 

August 27, 1983

Hot day but in 90°s instead of 100°s. And I felt well. Louis Lois Roberts brought her aunt Katherine Meyers Caton from Calif. to see me. I knew her when she was a beautiful gifted little girl about 1910-13. She is a fine attractive elderly woman now. Good to see her again. Shirley and Ray called from Chicago. Her eye surgery turned out to be a miracle. Sight improves everyday.

 

August 28, 1983

Another hot day (90°s) but a short one. It really helps for the days to be shorter. This was Sunday. Nothing much happened. I called Martha Dehn and had a long visit with her.

 

August 29, 1983

I believe last night was the hottest yet. But the day was in the high 90’s instead of hundreds. A Mrs. Meyer called from Perry to say she wanted Geronimo for her son for his birthday. He has a Prairie City which I autographed for him and loved it. I had one Geronimo which I got ready to send. His birthday is Sept.1.

 

August 30, 1983

Hottest day we have had since the Gulf storm that shattered Galveston and Houston brought us rain and one cool day. It was 106° in Enid, about the same here. Selma took me to Crescent for a permanent. Juanita takes care of the hair of the old women at the Crescent nursing home and knows how to give cold waves, etc. I can stand it better with her

 

August 31, 1983

A cooler day – only 89 at Enid. In 80°s over the state. It even sprinkled a little this morning. I was very tired from the heat yesterday but I rested and perked up today. I had wanted to go to Enid to see Dr. Shields but was not quite equal to it.

 

September 1, 1983

Another cooler day – in 90°s throughout the state. I am greatly shocked at the Soviets shooting down a loaded passenger plane that flew over their base near the Shakalin [sic] Island. I dread the boost it will give to the John Birch and kindred fanatics to clamor for revenge.

 

September 2, 1983

Another cooler day. But I do not feel very well.

 

September 3, 1983

Another day in the 90’s. And the sun goes down earlier. I called my beloved cousin, Willa Farris, this evening. I am so happy to know she and Don plan to visit me. And she said the first week in Oct. would be best because it is their wedding anniversary.

 

September 4, 1983

It has got hot again 100° or close to it all over the state. This is Sunday. Raymond stopped by as usual on Sunday mornings. All three of Selma’s boys have been with her today. The one in Colo. Springs came after a car she had, and the other two (from Tulsa & O.C.) came to see him.

 

September 5, 1983

It rained a little early this morning. In high 90s during the day. I listened to Pres. Reagan’s speech to the American people about the plane. I never listen to him because he lies so shamelessly but this was an exception. His speech writer did a good job and I think a truthful statement. He finished it by a plug for his military buildup

 

September 6, 1983

Hot. Back in 100’s. The Russians admit they shot down the plane. Express regret over the deaths. Said they thought it was a spy plane, not a passenger. A spy plane had been in the area though not in the Soviet air space. The Americans, Japanese, & Koreans have brought it before Unitted [sic] Nations. Lovely Alma Friend came to see me – a delightful visit.

 

September 7, 1983

Another hot day. And I felt uncommonly well for some reason. But I didn’t accomplish anything My father’s birthday. He was born in 1862.

 

September 8, 1983

Hot day but in 90°s. I felt pretty well. My old fashioned clematis is bursting into glorious bloom. It is too early if I have my dates right but it has become mixed in the weather. Alice has been watering things this year. Last year the watering was neglected and many things died.

 

September 9, 1983

Hot day but in 90’s. And I feel well. The evenings are cooler since the days are shorter. I have nothing to write but all is O.K.

 

September 10, 1983

Hot day but a cooler one seems to be on the way. Possibly even rain. Nothing happened.

 

September 11, 1983

Sunday. Raymond came by on his way to church. It rained 1.7 inches last night. We are all so happy about it. And it was a little little cooler today. Last night when I was getting ready for bed I became very ill – chest pains, heart weak, irregular, fluttering. I had to call Selma to help me undress and get to bed. Apparently I had got too hot. Feel better, slept well, only a little weak today.

 

September 12, 1983

Selma took me to Enid to see Dr. Shields. We thought it would be a cool day but thermometer got up to 89° and we had a very long wait in the reception room. I got terribly tired. Didn’t get home till        . My right eye pressure was 18, left 23. Winnie came to visit me this evening.

 

September 13, 1983

It started raining the latter part of the night – rained all over state. 1½ inches here. Then it turned cold I did not use an air cond. all day – used electric heater part of the time. It is a great relief. I hope fall is here at last. My old fashioned clematis is glorious.

 

September 14, 1983

Cold last night – 56°. But the sun shone and it got up to 80. I even turned on one air cond. in the P.M. But it was lovely outdoors. I went out on the front porch and walked around, something I have not done all summer because it was so stifling hot. I certainly enjoyed the fresh clean air and the greening lawns.

 

September 15, 1983

Warmer today but still pleasant – I used both air conds. in P.M. Joe Vculik came to see me about renting my garage. I told him he could use it – no rent. He has done so many things for me. He protested, but after a while he said O.K. if I cou would call him when I wanted anything done. I said he could trim my little walnut trees after the leaves fall. He will do it exactly right. I had a long pleasant visit with him.

 

September 16, 1983

Warm again but no so hot as before. Nothing happened.

 

September 17, 1983

Hot day – high 90°s. Nothing happened.

 

September 18, 1983

Hot day. Sunday. Rev. Ted and Raymond came with communion service. They told me Mabel got a severe burn a week ago which still troubles her. And Luella Reim had a skin cancer removed from her nose. That troubles me for it was deep. I am sorry about both of them.

 

September 19, 1983

Cooler day, cloudy, down in mid 80°s. Record cold in the north (in 20°s), expected here tomorrow but not so cold as that. Had pleasant telephone visit with Clara. She visits me often. If she doesn’t come she phones. Good Clara.

 

September 20, 198[3]

The cold hit us about 2:30 after breaking many all time records in the North. Here high wind, lightning, rain ¾ in. cold – highest was in mid 60°s in P.M. I thought I would manage with electric heaters and my oven, but Alice (bless her) moved the furniture back out of the way and started the furnace. The sun came out and it got up mid 60s in P.M.

 

September 21, 1983

There was some frost here last night. The thermometer on my porch registered 40° when Selma came at 7:30. All time records broken all over area between Mississippi River and mountains. Sun came out and it was a beautiful day. In 60°s in Okla. Luella Reim called for a telephone visit. She has had a painful time with that skin cancer.

 

September 22, 198[3]

Cold morning – lovely sunny day up to mid 70’s in P.M. My memory is failing rapidly. I have forgotten much of the events I experienced and much of the history and geography I learned but most of all the names of even class friends and words I need

 

September 23, 198[3]

Same lovely day as yesterday. I had to use the air conditioner during the late P.M. I am trying to bring up some neglected correspondence and some files but writing is very difficult. I can work only a few minutes at a time.

 

September 24, 1983

Warmer day. I used the furnace the latter part of the night but not at all today. Used air cond. in study all P.M. Weather is very important to me these days.

 

September 25, 1983

Sunday Raymond came to see me Mabel is about well of her burns. She attended church today. It was a cloudy day – not very hot (80s). I slept all night with now air cond. or furnace. Same today. I called Shirley and Ray. Shirley’s eye is doing fine. She is not ready for glasses yet, but she sees better than for a long time

 

September 26, 1983

Warm today – high 80°s all over the state. My beloved cousin, Nellie’s daughter, Willa Farris called. She and Don will arrive Sunday. Will stay at Crescent motel. I made reservations. They will visit me Mon. & Tues. forenoons. This is the celebration of their wedding anniversary. So sweet of them. My dear friend Clara visited me this P.M. (after my sleep) Brought disturbing news from the Christian Church Disciples.

 

September 27, 1983

Same weather as yesterday. The sun is warm and golden, everything green from the rains. Went to Stillwater to see Dr. Freed. He found me O.K. Of course the brain brain is deteriorating rapidly these past months but he can’t do anything about that. This was my mother’s birthday. Born 1865.

 

September 28, 1983

Another beautiful day. In 80°s, sun golden. I felt O.K. but extremely weak. Got too tired waiting in doctor’s office yesterday. I think, Albert Pipla has been in the hospital with a heart attack. But he is much better and expects to come home soon. No surgery.

 

September 29, 1983

Another lovely day. In low 80°s in P.M. Got a letter from New New York from Martha Sandlin. She and a coworker are coming soon to do some work on that documentary film.

 

September 30, 1983

Another lovely day. But I was ill all day. Learned that Edna Wilbur died. The obituary said named her sister Katherine as a survivor survivor. Only one left of that big family. She lived in Texas. Katherine lives in Enid.

 

October 1, 1983

Another lovely day. And I was ill all day. Feel better this evening. My clematis has quit blooming. But the seeds will be as beautiful as blooms

 

October 2, 1983

Sunday. Raymond called this morning. I suppose my beloved Willa and her good husband are snugly sleeping in the motel at Crescent where I arranged for them to stay. I had a long telephone visit with my beloved Shirley and Ray Worsley.

 

October 3, 1983

I had a wonderful visit all forenoon with Don and Willa Farris. They had to leave at noon because I have to go back to bed in the P.M. They planned to visit the Cowboy Hall of Fame, the capitol, and Hist. Bldg. in P.M. Raymond came to meet them and to mark a map to show them the route. It rained last night .3 inch.

 

October 4, 1983

Had another lovely forenoon visit with Willa and Don. They enjoyed the Cowboy Hall of Fame at O.C. Spent all yesterday P.M. there. Today they left at noon for their trip back to MO. This visit was celebration of their 33 wedding anniversity [sic]. So generous of them to do this for me instead of my doing something for them. Lovely day, warm & sunny.

 

October 5, 1983

Beautiful day but cooler. I used the furnace in forenoon, air. cond in P.M. I am happy that Lech Walesa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. I became so interested in the Poles when I visited them in 1958.

 

October 6, 1983

It rained hard this P.M. Is cold. I have the furnace on. Martha Sandlin called me from O. C. this morning. She is here working abo on that documentary TV about me. Of all people, my life being entirely uneventful. But she is a very fine intelligent person. Born & reared in Oklahoma.

 

October 7, 1983

Learned Blanche Gibson Kagin died yesterday. I have known her since she was three years old, taught her when she was about eight, loved her very much. She was here when Pres. Banowsky [sic] gave me my citation with three other students of that loved “Crackerbox” school including Joseph Branen. Cloudy cool day. Heavy rain this forenoon.

 

October 8, 1983

Cool and cloudy all day – rained about noon. Blanche was buried at Covington today. I wish I could have attended the funeral. Joseph and Winnie went. Winnie came to see me afterwards.

 

October 9, 1983

Sunday. Nothing much happened Raymond usually drops by Sunday morning before church but he has flu coming on, so just called Mabel has just finished a very light attack. They take flu shots but have flu, only very light. My shot prevents it entirely.

 

October 10, 1983

Lovely day. I felt much better than usual. I have learned that Margaret Ools will open the cafe Oct. 23. This makes me wonder what I will do about my meals. I want to go back to the cafe but I don’t can’t to ditch Ila. I talked to Margaret about Ila but she thinks the family can manage without hiring anyone

 

October 11, 1983

Stormy day. Only a quiet rain here at Marshall this forenoon. Got a letter from my friend in Uganda. A person at the school where she works has been stealing letters from Shirley and me. Stole $60 in money Shirley sent her -- $20 or $40 from me She & her children reduced to one meal a day.

 

October 12, 1983

Learned this morning that the train crossing Main Street Killed [sic] Kenneth and Mary Ficken and their young daughter. They were on their way to see a grade school football game in which their boy was to play. He is the only one left of that fine young family. The whole community mourns. It breaks my heart. Martha Sandlin and Barbara Abrash are in Okla. from New York to work on their project. Spent the forenoon with me.

 

October 13, 1983

I had a bad night – was thinking of the tragedy of yesterday – and was ill all day. Felt so bad in the evening I had to call Selma to get me something to eat and get me to bed. Poor Selma. Slight frost last night.

 

October 14, 1983

This was the funeral of the Ficken family. They were buried in the North cemetery. The town is already starting the plan for a light at the crossing. Floyd Oliver called briefly. He lives in Ark. – haven’t seen him since he was a young boy in 19-teens. Wonderful visit with lovely Roberta Allen. New York girls here all forenoon working on their TV program.

 

October 15, 1983

I felt pretty well today. It was a warmish (in 80°s) day. Mary Huffer came by for a few minutes to bring me some Children’s National Geographic books to examine as a possible present for my namesake. I love Mary. And Winnie (bless her) brought me some delicious soup for my supper. Or rather she sent Joseph with it.

 

October 16, 1983

Sunday. Warm day. I used air cond. all P.M. It is still on. Raymond, that good man, came to see me this morning as usual. He brings Mabel to teach her S.S. class, then stops at my house before church. There is no adult S.S. class in our church.

 

October 17, 1983

It rained last night – a real rain. Cloudy and rather cool all day. Winnie Branen called – much disturbed over the hoary lie being circulated that UNICEF is a communist plot. The local Disciples preacher is doing it. He may be good but ignorant – has got his congregation stirred up over the coming fulfilment of the Biblical book of Revelation.

 

October 18, 1983

Started calling the fine women who are members of our local UNICEF committee to warn them of the. Gave them some information I had about UNICEF so they will be ready if the opponent carries out their his attempt to oppose it. I believe it rained last night. Not sure I am writing

 

October 19, 1983

Rained over Oklahoma all night and all day I saw Dr. Shields at Enid. My sight has been failing since last spring. Glasses will not help. A condition twisting horizontal lines. No cure. Will not make me blind but may stop ability to read. Tension O.K. – right 17, left 20. Peripheral vision O.K. Got terribly tired.

 

October 20, 1983

Rained all night and morning I was ill all day. Got too tired yesterday

 

October 21, 1983

Oct. 20 Still not recovered from my trip to the doctor’s office. Heavy rain over the state – also here – serious flooding in Okla City, Norman, Chickasha, other places. Enid escaped – got rain, no flooding. Rained

 

October 22, 1983

Oct 21 More flooding over the state – Shawnee area and Guthrie hardest hit. Rained all day here but not so bad. Had a call from Dorine. Wanted to know if I was O.K. Heard about Okla. especially Guthrie on TV. I had a wonderful long visit with her.

Oct. 22 Ray & Shirley called from Chicago area to ask if flood had hit me – saw Guthrie on TV. Lida Barr of Dover came to see me. Fine visit. And my beloved Pat O’Neill brought me a lovely rose and stayed to visit

 

October 23, 1983

Deeply Concerned about the terrorist destruction of the U. S. Marine dormitory in Lebanon. In this one area I approve of Reagan’s policy in of the War Powers Act – but his Middle Cast policy is O. K. The sun shone today but Jim Horton called from Florida and Nellie Moorman from Calif. to ask if the floods have harmed me. They knew Guthrie was not far from here. So sweet of them

 

October 24, 1983

Another beautiful sunny day. I was not very well – not really ill, but had a slight migraine attack.

 

October 25, 1983

Felt well today. Beautiful sunny weather. Crisp in morning. Warm in P.M. I notice some trees (my walnuts) are turning yellow. All are still green but the walnuts. The president has sent marines to Grenada. Perhaps it was justified. I have no confidence in him, but at least he has not done it secretly as in Nicaragua.

 

October 26, 1983

Another lovely fall day. And I felt well. Two troubles to worry about – Nicaragua Lebanon and Grenada. But good news for Marshall. We will get a crossing signal where the train crosses Main St. We pay 10%. I think we can do that. When the Rouse boy was killed our part was $75,000, which was simply impossible.

 

October 27, 1983

The same beautiful weather. I still have the air cond. on now at 9:30 P.M. but will soon turn it off. It is cool outside outside but the house got warm when the sun shone on it and it takes a while to cool off. I’m not able to open the windows. A TV man from Tulsa conducted a long distance interview with me. He is very ignorant.

 

October 28, 1983

Warm, sunny day, but cold clouds and rain are on the way. I felt fine. V.O. Patee died. I never really knew him but I think a great deal of his wife, Lou Fay. He had a cancer. Has been ill a long time.

 

October 29, 1983

It was cloudy most of the day and rained in the afternoon. I think from the looks of the puddles it was quite a rain. Nothing much happened to me personally. I felt fairly well. Same troubles in Granada and Lebonon [sic]. I think marines are needed but not the secrecy as conducted by Reagan.

 

October 30, 1983

Sunday. Raymond called this morning for a pleasant visit It was workday at the church After service the people ate a snack, then worked all P.M. getting everything in shape for anniversary celebration. Good fellowship and much accomplished. Fred & Marguerite Baumgartner came for a wonderful visit with me this forenoon – had been at Morrison. They live near Jay.

 

October 31, 1983

Selma took me to Enid today to see Dr. Dedrick, the dentist. He found my teeth in good shape – only I needed some slight filling. I am tired and Selma is with me to take care of “Tricks or Treat” visitors.

 

November 1, 1983

Warm day. Rained all morning. Cloudy all day. I felt bad because of yesterday. Clara Schaefer called for a pleasant telephone visit. She reported a full church yesterday and a very busy and happy work day. But the men are still working today, laying carpet on the basement floor

 

November 2, 1983

Warm day. I felt well. Lovely Ramona brought me a rose. She says their rose garden is doing fine – better than for several years. The weather is just right for roses. Even my own poor little sun-loving roses are blooming a little. But they have been neglected five years – since May, 1978

 

November 3, 1983

Warm day. Used air cond. all afternoon. This is Thursday, the day Alice Pipla always comes to clean my house. I am so fortunate to have this fine intelligent woman, who is also a close friend. She has become more helpful in personal ways as I struggle with failing memory.

 

November 4, 1983

Cloudy day. And it started turning cold this forenoon. I have had the furnace on all the time from noon on. More trouble in Lebanon. Everything quiet on Granada. If only we had an honest intelligent President to proceed from now on. Raymond called this morning, the men are still working hard on the church.

 

November 5, 1983

Cold, cloudy day but no rain. Nothing happened. I am becoming more forgetful recently. It is becoming troubling. Tomorrow the church is celebrating its 80th anniversary. Also Margart [sic] Ools is opening the cafe again.

 

November 6, 1983

Dark, coolish rainy day. And my church was celebrating its 80th anniversary. But Raymond tells me it was packed – home coming from distant members. A beloved former pastor – Rev. Mr. Schler from Calif. A whole day of reunions. I wish I could have attended. Jim Horton called me for a fine telephone visit. He will spend the winter in Florida

 

November 7, 1983

Cold, dark day but no rain. I was ill all day. Had a bad night. It was warm. Perhaps I should have turned off the furnace.

 

November 8, 1983

Miserable dark day but no rain yet. My dear friends Paul and Norene Schler brought George Schler (Paul’s brother) and his wife to visit me. Rev. George was the beloved pastor of St. Paul’s church – his first pastorate. Now lives in Calif. It was and preached Sundays sermon. He is now much older – very fine. It was a wonderful visit.

 

November 9, 1983

Miserable dark cold with a high wind. I called Pat O’Neill to put the storm door on my back porch screen. And while he was here I had a sudden dizzy spell. He had to leave and so called Ramona, and stayed till she got here. I soon recovered.

 

November 10, 1983

Lovely, sunny day, but cold. Pat and Ramona picked all their roses, knowing they would freeze tonight. Pat brought me a beautiful one and stayed and visited. I love Pat and Ramona. It will freeze hard tonight.

 

November 11, 1983

On Nov. 13. Turned 2 pages November 13 page Lovely day. Cold last night but above freezing. This is Sunday Raymond came this morning before church. Then after church Albert Enmeier came by to pick up something I was going to send to Kay at Stillwater. And I had canceled my order to the cafe because I had good leftovers from Mabel’s dinner yesterday but the cafe brought a piece of pie because I like pumpkin pie.

 

November 12, 1983

Another cold day. But bright and sunny Mabel Bryson sent me a lovely dinner. They caught some fish in their pond and she brought me a beautiful fish and all the rest of a dinner prepared as only Mabel can cook it. She is so good. I called Shirley and Ray this evening. Shirley is very happy about her eye surgery and transplant

 

November 13, 1983

Nov. 11 page. For Nov. 13 on Nov.11. Last night we had the first real frost. The ground was white this morning. Previously a few people have found small frozen patches in their yards but no real frost. This time it was real. It was a sunny day, but cool. This is the last time Ila will bring my dinner. The cafe still opened again last Sunday.

 

November 14, 1983

Dismal cloudy forenoon, sunny P.M. Not very cold. Raymond came and took my fan from the porch window. Now closed for winter. Ray and Shirley called from Chicago suburb. Have heard from Betty in Kenya. Her letters have been stolen but she gave the address of a friend in Kenya. She is near the border Uganda is still disorganized

 

November 15, 1983

Cold night and forenoon, warm P.M. I was ill most of the day. Nothing much happened.

 

November 16, 1983

Frost again last night. Lovely day. Glenna Matthews came to see me. Brought along Adelia Hanson, great granddaughter of pioneer Marshall merchant R.J. Castor Adelias grandfather, who is a sculptor in New York used to spend summers here with his grandparents when he was a child. He remembers the experience well – visited me with Adelia a few years ago.

 

November 17, 1983

Warm lovely day after crisp morning. And much happened for me. Had quite painful chest pains in the night – weak this morning. Then Alice, who cleans my house Thursdays found some animal had dug under my porch with clear entrance to get under the house. I thought it was a skunk. Called Joe Vculic. He told me an armadillo and will proceed against it. Then Woodrow came and put new part in my furnace

 

November 18, 1983

Felt fairly well today. Joe Vculik (bless him) came this morning to inspect my front porch to see if the armadillo had tried to dig out. No sign. Apparently he was outside yesterday forenoon when Joe blocked up the hole. Joe will come back and inspect it again tomorrow.

 

November 19, 1983

Dark, stormy day but not very cold. It rained a little here, severe thunderstorms in some parts of state. I had a bad night last night and was ill all day. Two students of Rennard Strickland of Uni of Tulsa had planned to come to see me but I had to telephone them not to come.

 

November 20, 1983

Sunday. Sunny, beautiful day. These beut days are so warm I do without the furnace all P.M. and sometimes all evening. Raymond came by this morning. I felt especially well all day. But I never feel as well as I did a few months ago.

 

November 21, 1983

Sunny day, very warm. At 9:00 P.M. I have my furnace turned off – It was off all day except for a very short time in the morning. But a very bad winter storm is said to be on the way.

 

November 22, 1983

Warm day but stormy. Tornadoes and bad thunderstorms in the state. It rained a little here. It is rapidly getting colder this morning evening. Clara Schaefer came for a good visit. I was not very well today. Shirley and Raymond sent me some grapefruit from the Valley.

 

November 23, 1983

Cold night and a very thin coat of snow was on top of the grass this morning. It soon melted but was cold all day. We are supposed to have a hard frost this morning tonight. Nothing happened.

 

November 24, 1983

Thanksgiving Day. I certainly have much to be thankful for in the goodness of people. There was a heavy white frost all over the grass this morning. The sun shone and it got warmer – up to 60° in the P.M. I called Dorothy Leake and had a nice visit with her. She is only young one year younger than I, but is still active. Writing a book.

 

November 25, 1983

Warmer day. I even turned off the furnace when the sun shone in the P.M. Alice Pipla covered my roses with cotton hul hulls – that is the part next the ground. The Blaze on the south side of my porch was even blooming after the hard freeze night before last.

 

November 26, 1983

Miserable dark but not cold yet. It has rained much of the P.M. and evening. Pat O’Neill came to pick up a copy of the St. Paul ‘s church history I wrote and stayed for a wonderful visit. I love Pat. Talking with him I found I had misspelled the Grassmann name. Serious error. I’m distressed about it but glad Pat found it. My error is inexcusable. I told him to correct his copy.

 

November 27, 1983

It was a bad day but not so violent as expected. It was cold and dark all day. Started snowing in the P.M. The ground is now about half covered with a thin white coat. This is Sunday. Nellie Blanche Moorman called from Calif. So sweet of her.

 

November 28, 1983

Cold this morning – 24° on my porch, but sunny and it warmed up a little. In the P.M. I got some material together for Martha Blaine who is writing a history of the Pawnees. I did some work on the Pawnees in 1957 – wrote a report on their school for the AAIA and investigated some police brutality by the Pawnee City police.

 

November 29, 1983

It was 24° again this morning but warmed up during a sunny day. Nothing happened.

 

November 30, 1983

Cold morning but got sunny and warmer by P.M. – another storm is on the way. This cold spell came so suddenly that we didn’t get the open places under the house closed. One has to crawl under the porch to do it. And this morning Alice Pipla (bless her) came and did it during the cold stormy morning. I am so fortunate in the people who help me

 

December 1, 1983

Nothing happened. Another cold night and cold morning, warmed up a little in the P.M. when sun shone.

 

December 2, 1983

Cloudy day but warm. and this afternoon while I was asleep it rained. I don’t have much to write these days except except weather. But I did feel well today.

 

December 3, 1983

A dark, dismal, rainy day, not very cold but getting colder this morn evening. Roscoe Rouse called from Stillwater to tell me that Edmon Low died. He and Mamie had been living in Florida but as his heart started to fail he came to his son’s home at Tulsa and died there. He was 81. His life had been important and creative. I had looked forward to the final return of the couple to final retirement at Stillwater

 

December 4, 1983

A lovely day. 29° in the morning but warm in P.M. Sunday. Raymond called before Church. Had a good trip to St. Louis Shirley & Ray called from Chicago. They had a nice trip to New Jersey but very bad weather on way home. Had an accident but no harm to them and little to car. Maxine Sanford called from Enid for a good telephone visit. Vera Long came by and brought me a blooming Christmas cactus. It was a pleasant day for me. But I have lost much vitality these last days

 

December 5, 1983

A miserable dark day but no moisture fell and it was not very cold. Nothing happened. I am still enjoying the beautiful Christmas cactus Vera Long brought me. I think she started it herself. It is in a small pot, a small plant.

 

December 6, 1983

Very cold day but clear so Selma took me to Enid to see Dr. Shields. No parking close so had to walk ¼ block & was exhausted. Got terribly tired. Had to call Selma in the evening to fix me some supper and help me to bed. Pressure; right eye, 13; left. 19. Pretty good.

 

December 7, 1983

A beautiful day. We should have taken our Enid trip today but weather man expected storm. But I slept 11½ hours last night and became completely rested. Felt wonderful all day – better than I have felt for months. Thought perhaps the exertion of the walk helped me yesterday. So spent some time walking around in the house

 

December 8, 1983

Very warm, sunny day. Cris Breckmaster brought my dinner from the cafe wearing a very scanty dress and no coat – or any wrap at noon. I was ill all day. Still ill.

 

December 9, 1983

Another warm, sunny day. Cris came at noon with a coat but she did wear a less scanty dress. I felt much better today. Nothing to write about.

 

December 10, 1983

Another warm, sunny day. Sometimes it freezes at night, often it stays above freezing, but it gets warm in the P.M. My house has a flattish roof and when the sun hits it I turn off the furnace. Nothing I had chest pains at bedtime last night and again during the night.

 

December 11, 1983

Cold day – sun shone in P.M. but still cold. Raymond came this morning before church. I am not very well these days.

 

December 12, 1983

Cold day, though sun shone. Pleasant things happened. Raymond brought a lovely poinsettia from him and Mabel. Winnie Branen has spent much time on a project for a new printing of my Prairie City which went out of print last summer and today she came to confer with me about it. And this evening some lovely carolers came and sang to me. People are so good.

 

December 13, 1983

It was very dark and stormy though the thermometer said only 32° this morning. Expected snow & sleet but it only rained. We braved the weather and Selma took me to Crescent for a permanent. Just as we got to town we ran out of wet pavement. And it cleared off and the sun shone this P.M. We are so glad we took the risk.

 

December 14, 1983

Cold day but sunny. I talked to Mr. Drayton, editor in chief of Uni of Okla. Press about possible printing of Okla.: Foot-loose and Fancy-free in time for 1889 celebration I like him so much. Also talked about a MS Dorothy Leake has submitted. I wish he had been there when they published my Geronimo.

 

December 15, 1983

Cold day. My beloved Alma Friend came to see me. I am receiving many lovely Christmas messages which I cannot answer. Raymond stopped by briefly to pick up a couple of my books. I was autographing to Mable’s [sic] nephew Bruce and family.

 

December 16, 1983

There was a real snow last night but it came from the south and hit only north Texas and the southern part of the state Okla. But it was very cold here, though sunny. It will be really cold tomorrow. I am afraid we shall have a cold winter. It seldom snows so early as this. Clara came to visit me. Good Clara.

 

December 17, 1983

The storm didn’t reach us today but it is on the way. It was cold today but sunny all day. My beloved Gladys Davis called me from Colorado this forenoon.

 

December 18, 1983

The thermometer on the porch read 6° this morning and the ground was covered with snow. The sun shone off and on but it stayed cold. I do not remember any time in Okla. when it became so cold before Christmas. I think perhaps it did on a recent year after I became a semi invalid. I Today was Sunday. I wonder if anybody went to chur church

 

December 19, 1983

It was 0° on my porch this morning when Selma came. This evening at 5:00 the TV said it was 4° at Enid.

 

December 20, 1983

It has snowed off and on ever since the snow the night of Dec. 18 and of course none has melted. It was very cold today but not quite so bad as yesterday. It is not very deep – I suppose 2 in 3 or 4 inches and even, no drifts. It is really really lovely if one likes snow.

 

December 21, 1983

No relief from the cold weather which has been severe ever since we found the ground covered with snow Sunday morning (Dec. 18). The thermometer on my porch stood at 1° when Selma came this morning.

 

December 22, 1983

This is the first day of winter and it fits the season. I have seen December since 1899 – 89 of them – but never before such a spell before Christmas. Porch thermometer 0° when Selma came probably -2° earlier. But the sun shone though it was 4° at Enid the warmest time in the day. It is 3° now at 5:00 says the TV. Of course no melting, amid no immediate prospect of improvement.

 

December 23, 1983

Thermometer at around 0° when Thelma [sic] came. The sun shone later but didn’t do any good. Her stepson and family came in from Colo. Springs this evening to spend Christmas with her and Steven came from Tulsa. Paul will come later. How good of her to continue with me.

 

December 24, 1983

Wonderful visit with Geo Beeby – he came in forenoon My thermometer said 0° when Selma came but earlier Pat O’Neill’s thermometer said -2. (His said -4 two or three days ago. It was 4° in Enid at 5:00 P.M. though the sun shone. That good Jim Horton called for a fine telephone visit and my beloved Pat O’Neill came this P.M. and stayed about 1½ hours. I love Pat and Ramona. They invited me to dinner tomorrow. (Pat would help me to the car) but I decided I better not go.

 

December 25, 1983

It is probably close to 0° outside this evening but warmer in the house than it has been for a week. Selma’s son and family left. I hope they have no trouble. Pat came to bring me some cake and stayed awhile. Mabel sent me a wonderful dinner. Raymond and Cindy brought it. Clara called for a good visit. She said the church was packed last night for the Xmas program. People have been so good to me all week

 

December 26, 1983

It was 10° this morning on my porch when Selma came. Had been colder but not like previous nights. And there is much difference between 0° and 10°. My house was not warm only near the furnace – no icy bathroom, bedroom and kitchen. It seemed wonderful. Records have been broken through the entire central U.S. – prairies, plains, south [sic].

 

December 27, 1983

It was a cold day by usual standards 15° when Selma came this morning, got up to about the same in the P.M. – but a warm day to us this year. It seemed wonderful to be in a house with no cold corners. I have found that furnace heat travels in straight lines, goes not curving into corners. But it is predicted to bring terrible weather tomorrow. The worst yet. I talked with Shirley Hartig this evening.

 

December 28, 1983

Terrible weather – not so cold as some days but a high wind. The air was filled with snow, picked up from the around or falling from the sky I don’t know which. It was unsafe for Selma to get out – car drifting and too windy to walk. The cafe managed to bring my noon meal. I am thankful I have a telephone, water, electricity, and gas. Many towns are without. Roads virtually impassable.

 

December 29, 1983

Beautiful sunny day if one like winter. Selma managed to come today. My thermometer registered 2° at about 8:00 A.M. – got up to 17 in Enid (said TV) in P.M. This is the 13th day it has remained below freezing. My K.C. cousins Don and Shirley Hartig planned to bring their granddaughter, my namesake to visit me but the roads are almost impossible Perhaps at Easter.

 

December 30, 1983

Another bright day – warmer but still below freezing (2 solid weeks.) Nothing much happened

 

December 31, 1983

The year redeemed itself at the end. The thermometer [?] stood at 20° when Selma came this morning and in the P.M. it reached 34°!! Above freezing! Much of the snow evaporated – no water or sign of thawing, but patches of the ground cleared, and the vacant house next door got a clear roof. The sun shone all day.