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5. 1984

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January 1 - December 31, 1984

(Box 5/Folder 11)

 

January 1, 1984

Well I made 1983, but I fear if I still live through 1984 some changes will occur. From the spring of ’83 I failed rapidly in body and mind – especially mind. It is difficult for one to think clearly. This was another warm day. Sunny and bright, cold in morning up to 40° in P.M. Raymond called for a visit this morning – brought me a big basket of fruit.

 

January 2, 1984

Another day above freezing and thawing in P.M. – pools of water. We usually have cold weather at this time of year. Now it is lovely. But it is hard to recover from the terrible weather we had in December. I cannot seem to regain my strength or my mental capacity. In fact Glenna is taking her to new Mexico.

 

January 3, 1984

Colder last night, mid 20°s and a white frost when Selma came, but sunny and up to 55º in P.M. The snow is melting everywhere except where drifts are deep. Joe Vculik [sic] called to say he was ready to trim my trees but I always go back to bed in the P.M. so said “Wait till morning Joe is such a good neighbor

 

January 4, 1984

It got so warm this P.M. that I opened up my front door to let the crisp fresh air in the room where I was sitting. But it did freeze last night. Of course I turned off the furnace when I opened up the house. My good neighbor, Joe Vculik [sic] trimmed my trees.

 

January 5, 1984

It was still below freezing when Selma came this morning, but the sun soon warmed it up. It was still 71° at 5:00 P.M. in Enid, and I had my furnace off here in my house and the door open. There are pools of water, no snow except in shade. But Alice tried to push some sticks in the ground to mark a spot and the ground is frozen hard far down. Queer weather – very cold when it should have been warm now warm when it should be cold.

 

January 6, 1984

This was the warmest day of all. I don’t think it was down to freezing during the night, the sun shone all day, and when I looked out in mid forenoon all the snow even in the shade was gone. I had my furnace off all day except brief by morning and evening. But I was really ill all day.

 

January 7, 1984

Another warm day – window and door open, furnace off. Even tonight I shall leave furnace off. Strange weather! And not much happens but weather to write about.

 

January 8, 1984

Warmish night, warm day, sun, blue sky. Sunday. Yearly meeting at my church – dinner at noon. Wish I could have been there. In morning Rev. Ted came with communion service – Raymond and Sam Vogel came with him. In the P.M my beloved Gerry Schaefer called for a lovely visit. Bought me an amaryllis bulb. Good day for me.

 

January 9, 1984

Warm all night. Rained during night and all forenoon, cloudy all day, started turning cold by noon, not freezing this evening but cold spell is on the way. Nothing happened.

 

January 10, 1984

Crisp and cold but a lovely winter day – in the 20°s during the night, sunny all day – 35° in Enid at 5:00. I did not feel very well. And I am losing my memory rapidly.

 

January 11, 1984

Another lovely winter day, morning in low 20°s, up to about 39° in P.M. Pat O’Neill came for a wonderful visit.  Brought me three volumes of his new Britannica for me to see. They have adopted a new method of helping the reader find all references to a subject – a sort of glorified index. Pat left the three books with me to examine.

 

January 12, 1984

Miserable day but not very cold – 32° on my porch when Selma came, below freezing all day. Snowed off and on all forenoon, in P.M. it evaporated. Learned that Geneva Wise of Stillwater has bone cancer, but doctors seem to have got it under control.

 

January 13, 1984

Cold day, but sunny, below freezing all day. Nothing to write about.

 

January 14, 1984

Cold day, cloudy and sunny by spells spells. A man from Tulsa named Robinson came to see me. He is an artist paints historical pictures, so is interested in history. Is taking courses at Univ. of Tulsa and Univ. of Okla. He had a long wait. Came at 2:00, met Selma at the store and she told him I slept till 4:00, so he waited around town two hours. Pleasant person.

 

January 15, 1984

When Selma came this morning my porch thermometer read 20° and the ground was white with about 2 inches of snow. Stayed below freezing all day but not very cold. No more snow. My cousin, Bruce Dehn called from Kansas City this P.M. saying he and Gitta Gitte would be here tomorrow in late P.M. They live in Rapid City, S. Dak. I made reservations for them in Crescent motel.

 

January 16, 1984

It was cold this morning but beautiful and sunny. In the P.M. much of the snow melted. My cousin Bruce Dehn and his wife from Rapid City, S. Dak visited me this evening. Wonderful visit. They are on their way to visit her sister in Texas. I love Bruce and Gitta [sic].

 

January 17, 1984

Cold dark morning, started snowing about noon – 3 or 4 inches in P.M.  it was 16° at Enid on 5:00 TV, colder now. I think Bruce and Gitte got to Teas Texas destination ahead of the storm. Their route was I35 to Waco area. The storm didn’t reach so far south. I think Selma will be unable to get here tomorrow.

 

January 18, 1984

Selma has a cold she didn’t want to give me and I didn’t want her to be out in the cold anyhow. It cleared up by noon and the sun shone but it remained cold. I managed wore my pajamas and bathrobe all day, left hair uncombed, no bath, scrap of bread for breakfast. But the cafe brought my warm noon meal. Joe Vculik [sic] came & shoveled snow from porch and a path.

 

January 19, 1984

Cold night, -5° here this morning. Sunny P.M. but below freezing – at 5:00 on TV it was 20° at Enid, probably colder here. Elsie Seefeldt came and got me up, and dressed, breakfast etc. this morning. Selma is afraid she would give me her cold. So good of Elsie and I did appreciate it. Raymond came with some income tax business and stayed for visit.

 

January 20, 1984

Cold day, but sun came out. It stayed blow below freezing – at 15° at 5:00 on TV.  My electric stove bought less less than a year ago ago quit. I have used it very little but I need it in my living room on cold days like this.

 

January 21, 1984

Another cold, sunny day. Warmed up in P.M. but below freezing I think. Raymond discovered he had to get something done in Crescent so he could could take my stove. Got it repaired, so it is O.K. Raymond is so good. I really needed it this evening, was glad to have it.

 

January 22, 1984

In the sunny P.M. I think the weather got above freezing. The snow started to melt. Ray and Shirley Worsley called me for a lovely visit. It is -22°­ in Chicago.

 

January 23, 1984

It was not above freezing yesterday, but today it was. At 5:00 PM it was 40° at Enid. The snow melted and formed water. About half the ground is bare. Bill Schaefer had a car accident, is in the Enid hospital. Probably some ribs are broken, but they think his injuries are not serious.

 

January 24, 1984

I have been fighting a cold several days. Today I was really ill. (Went to bed at 8:00 am writing this Jan 25.) Warmest day yet.

 

January 25, 1984

 Feel better but still ill with cold. This day was even warmer than yesterday. Pools of water instead of snow. But some spots of snow remain where it was deepest and in the shade. Velvie Bridal brought a book for me to autograph. I was asleep when he phoned and I told him to leave it with Roberta Bostick. I have known him many years.

 

January 26, 1984

My thermometer said 40° is when Selma came this morning. I feel much better this evening. I hope I am recovering from my cold. John Drayton of OU Press called this morning. They have made arrangements with Princeton Press to publish And Still the Waters Run next fall. I am very happy about it. Did all the work I had strength for making some small corrections.

 

January 27, 1984

This morning I woke weak but free from my cold. I had been wondering if I could attend the birthday dinner my church has for me every year but this morning I told Evadean we could go ahead. They have planned it for next Sunday. I lost a tooth from my dentures. I don’t know when – possibly swallowed it. Another warm day.

 

January 28, 1984

Warmest day yet. Snow gone everywhere. I am still without heat at 9:30. I called Woodrow Winburn to see If he could unscrew the trap on my lavatory where the tooth may have dropped. It was so tight he was afraid he would break it and he can’t get a new one on Sat., so he will try again Monday. Raymond will take the tooth to the Enid dentist if we can find it. Otherwise I may have to go toothless while the repair is done in Okla City.

 

January 29, 1984

Sunday. A warm beautiful day. And more good friends than ever came to my birthday dinner at the cafe – more than 80. The Huffers and Brysons were in charge and my church was at the center but many other friends came. Maude Drey Daugherty came from Waukomis (Raymond Drey’s widow brought her). She is a year older than I. Also Florence Jones who is just my age. Both much more active than I. Makes me feel ashamed. Of course I am tired now.

 

January 30, 1984

My birthday. Beautiful warm day. No furnace heat except in the morning. Glen Wuester called for a telephone visit from my earliest home in Beattie, Kans. And Vera Long came for a lovely visit. Woodrow took my lavatory trap apart and no tooth!! But he said the joint was holding only by a thread and it might have fallen apart, so needed a new one.

 

January 31, 1984

Lovely, sunny day. The TV gave Enid and O.C. temperature as 60° at 5:00. My beloved cousin Nellie Moorman called me from a Los Angeles suburb for a birthday visit. The amaryllis Gerry Schaefer gave me bloomed yesterday – exactly on my birthday. It is beautiful – 3 light pink flowers – 7¼ inches across.

 

February 1, 1984

Warmest day yet, 70° at Enid at 5:00 TV news. Not expected to get down to freezing in Okla. tonight. Raymond got my dental plate with the missing tooth this evening. He has an appointment to have his teeth cleaned by our Enid dentist at 8:30 tomorrow morning and will take my plate. I may have to eat liquids for a time.

 

February 2, 1984

Warm day but not so warm as yesterday. Raymond got my tooth dentures back. The dentist had a tooth that fit. He and Mabel had to wait on it but they did. (They are so good.) Brought it back in late P.M. so I had real food for my supper. Gerry stopped by to see the amaryllis she gave me. I am so glad she got to see it. It has five glorious blooms. They measure 7¼ inches across, four very faint pink.

 

February 3, 1984

Another warm day. I am still enjoying my lovely amaryllis, I have a very beautiful chrysanthemum given me by Raymond and Mabel. They had it on my table at the cafe Sunday. I hadn’t room to write about it in my entry for that day but I have enjoyed it all the time. It is a sort of light pink.

 

February 4, 1984

Warm day but threats of a change for tomorrow. It is getting cold tonight. I am still enjoying my beautiful amaryllis and chrysanthemum even my Christmas poinsetta [sic] (gift from Raymond and Mabel) is still beautiful. But I have not done so well with a Christmas cactus Vera Long gave me.

 

February 5, 1984

Sunday. The sun shone but a hard wind blew from the north and it was cold. Raymond came by for a brief visit when he brought Mabel to teach her S.S. class. We were fortunate to have my birthday dinner on that beautiful day a week ago. Of course it is normal to have some bad weather in February.

 

February 6, 1984

Cold weather hit us last night. 15° this morning at O.C. – probably lower here. But it was sunny and warmed up during the day – 61° in Enid at 5:00. I autographed a book for Velvie Bridal. He had left it at the cook and Roberta Bostick brought it. I have known Velvie since we were young – he several years younger than I. He now lives at Crescent.

 

February 7, 1984

It was rather cold this morning but the sun shone and sun shone and it turned out to be a beautiful warm day. I am working on an interview Martha Sandlin wants me to have with Ramona. She gave me some topics.

 

February 8, 1984

It rained all afternoon, but not much water fell. It is still not cold. Still working on some facts for that interview. I have known for some weeks that Dr. Perry of Washington was very ill – Thelma kept me informed. Today she told me it was lung cancer. Thelma is a close friend of mine, her husband, Dr. Perry, is a fine person.

 

February 9, 1984

Clear, warm beautiful day. Martha Sandlin called me from New York this morning. She is getting ready to come out and finish the work on that TV project. I have much to do to get ready.

 

February 10, 1984

Lovely, warm day but we are to have an April thunderstorm in early morning. Glenna Matthews called from Stillwater. She was so delighted she had to tell me as soon as she heard it. They have received the grant to pay for the TV program about my writing career. I don’t think it very interesting but they are putting much skill into it.

 

February 11, 1984

I believe this was the warmest day we have had. It rained last night but I heard no thunder and the sun shone here. But there were thunderstorms in the eastern half of the state and the whole eastern half is under a tornado watch this evening. Queer weather.

 

February 12, 1984

Violent tornadoes from the storms in eastern Okla. yesterday are now forming tornadoes in Louisiana and further east. Lovely day here. Sunday. That good Raymond called just before church, and Shirley and Ray called from their Chicago suburb for a lovely telephone visit this afternoon. (Both have severe colds.)

 

February 13, 1984

Lovely warm day – above freezing all night, hot in P.M. Selma took me to Stillwater to see Dr. Freed. He found me O.K. I have failed much this past year but only what is to be expected when one reaches the 90’s. Of course I am very tired this evening but I really enjoyed the familiar landscape.

 

February 14, 1984

Warmest day yet. I turned off furnace and opened window in morning (only window not with storm sash for winter). In P.M. I went out on porch and read thermometer It was 74° in Enid at 5:00. No heat this evening. Ramona came to plan interview for tape recording. Mabel brought me a lovely house coat (sort of sweater) for St. Valentines present. Two dear people – Ramona, Mabel.

 

February 15, 1984

Warm day but unpleasant. Strong wind. Have had my mind on Russia much since Andropov’s death and Chernenko’s succession I was there in 1958. Kruschev was crude and I was unaware of his capacity to learn but I have long been convinced that his rule was the most hopeful period in Russia’s whole history. Khrushchev in fact the only hopeful period. We had many pleasant contacts.

 

February 16, 1984

Warm day. Selma brought me a sprig of her apricot tree with maturing buds. No apricots this year! They will freeze. Aletha came from OSU with her recorder and Ramona interviewed me on my writing methods. I don’t think what I said was important and I got pretty tired. But I done my darnedest.

 

February 17, 1984

There was frost on the ground when Selma came this morning about 7:30 but it turned out to be a very warm sunny day. The TV weather man says it will storm in early morning later – high wind and snow over much of the state tomorrow.

 

February 18, 1984

We missed the bad weather – terrible winds, much much damage in the south, blizzards hit only the northern border. Here it was warming but very windy. Bad weather now east of Okla. Martha Sandlin called from New York. Will be here March 7 or 8, stay 2 weeks. I had expected her next Wednesday.

 

February 19, 1984

February weather – not unseasonable warmth. Pleasant day, sunny, but cold. Sunday. I felt well and managed to write some long neglected letters. It is getting pretty dry and I am becoming uneasy about a fire hazard in the tall dry grass in the yard of the vacant house next door.

 

February 20, 1984

More like a normal Feb. day but it warmed up in the P.M. I had a bad night – have been troubled much recently with a new condition – tendonitis Very painful. And I didn’t feel very well today either. Got a little writing done.

 

February 21, 1984

Warm sunny day I am working on a few corrections for And Still the Waters Run for the new printing next fall by the Uni. Of Okla. Press. Had trouble because my most convenient light quit. Bill Rouse is working on it. Also it is always very hard for me to write.

 

February 22, 1984

Lovely warm day. And I felt fine. It was 71° at 5:00 at Enid said TV. A copy of the 7th printing of my History of the Indians came today. The first paperback. They did a lovely job. Used some changes I made last year. The seventh printing of that book is much more accurate than the first one in 1970. I have sent several corrections during the years. Bill got my light repaired.

 

February 23, 1984

It turned somewhat colder today. Selma washed and set my hair which always tires me seriously so I didn’t accomplish anything in my work on Waters Run

 

February 24, 1984

I spent most of the day recovering from my hair shampoo etc. yesterday, so didn’t accomplish much. Not so warm but a very pleasant day. Getting very dry. I hope it will rain Sunday, a cloud is on the way.

 

February 25, 1984

Warm day but cloudy. Martha Sandlin called this morning. She will come March 5, stay till March 20, Jim Horton called me this P.M. How good he is.

 

February 26, 1984

Sunday. We had rain (much rain) thunder and cold weather last night. Very dark, and high wind all day today. It may have snowed but if so it melted as soon as it touched the ground. Strong wind tonight and getting colder. But after all it is winter.

 

February 27, 1984

It was not so very cold but seemed so because of a high wind. It was dark and cloudy but I think no snow fell. I finished making a few corrections needed for the new printing of And Still the Waters Run. I am so feeble in mind and body I have to work slow.

 

February 28, 1984

Storm has passed east of us – violent snow storm over vast central and eastern U.S. Learned cafe this closes March 1 – Margaret losing money. But I think Ila Marker will bring my meals. Sad news – Dr. De. Perry died of lung cancer. I got note today from Thelma telling me I sent him flowers plant shortly before he went to hospital. So glad I did it just when I did. Mac Odell called me very briefly from O.C. airport just in the minutes before boarding plane as he passed through on a trip. So glad to hear his voice.

 

February 29, 1984

Cold last night, heavy frost this morning, warmed up during the day (sunny). 40° in Enid at 5:00. I worked on income tax. Little to do. Kept it organized all through the year. Margaret changed her mind – will keep cafe open till May. I had to tell Ila of change

 

March 1, 1984

Cool night but bright sun warmed it. I turned off furnace in P.M. Raymond came and helped me with income tax re payments he made Selma on Social Security and unemployment. Said he would take me when have my appointment with Mr. Tagge. Good Raymond. I am still embarrassed about Ila. I told her I wanted her to bring my food and she planned to start today. Then I had to tell her not to bring it.

 

March 2, 1984

Warm day (almost hot), lovely blue sky (one of the levers in my breaker box quit this morning turning off all the lights in my house except the refrigerator which is on another channel. Fortunately Bill Rouse was free to come and replace it. I am so grateful. Clare Schaefer came for a lovely visit this afternoon.

 

March 3, 1984

Clouds alternating with sunshine. But I think it didn’t rain. I felt bad much of the day – too hot last night for good sleeping. We have good news from Paul DeWitt. He was very seriously injured but apparently no permanent damage. Hed Head badly damaged but no harm to his brain.

 

March 4, 1984

It was cold last night and cool today. A Mr. Morgan called – wants to see me. The Turner Broadcasting Co. will make films – one for every state and he wants to get my opinions, etc. about Okla. I will help him as much as I can, using Okla.: Foot Loose, etc as basis. My mock orange is blooming beautifully.

 

March 5, 1984

Another sultry day, but no rain. This was vacant and I started a June entry by mistake. Went to bed well March 4. Soon became very ill with a new flu virus that has hit Marshall hard – we call it intestinal flu. Ill all night – pain in bowels and naused seated nauseated. Called Selma in the

 

March 6, 1984

morning and they took me to the Stillwater hospital. Stayed abo about a week. Brought me home but my recovery was very slow. It Selma

 

March 7, 1984

took care of me. About the time I got sick a new doctor came to the community – Dr. Woods and his wife Alicia Woods, who

 

March 8, 1984

has completed her medical course but is serving her year as hospital intern. They are osteopaths. They live in Stillwar Crescent.

 

March 9, 1984

Dr. Brown Woods has offices in Crescent and Covington but serves Marshall community. Makes house calls. I believe her hospital internship was in

 

March 10, 1984

the osteopath hospital in Enid. When I was in the hospital at Stillwater they gave me a thorough examination and xrays [sic] and everything

 

March 11, 1984

I was O.K. except for that flu. And Dr. Freed lectured me on thinking of hospitalization when I was perfectly well. But I did need care. And Dr. Freed

 

March 12,1984

was too far away unless I did go to the Stillwater hospt hospital. He had surgery himself the day after I left. I did not improve at home – too old to

 

March 13, 1984

recover quickly from that flu. Then my throat and lungs began to hurt. I called Dr. Woods. Told him I was Dr. Freed’s patient but

 

March 14, 1984

needed help closer home. He sent me to Enid Memorial hospital [sic] for a day’s diagnosis. Very ethical. Wouldn’t charge me for the call. Raymond took me. It snowed on the

 

March 15, 1984

way. Dr. Alicia stayed with me all day. Selma with me all day – also Mabel Bryson. They said my lung trouble was caused by drops

 

March 16, 1984

Dr. Shields was giving me for eyes. Gave me something to inhale. And it really brought me out. At least I think that was what

 

March 17, 1984

did it. I began to feel better right away. I see I didn’t start writing in my diary till April 24. I was ill all spring. On April 15 Paul

 

March 18, 1984

De Witt who had a good TV job in Tucson got thrown from his motor cycle and seriously injured. Poor Selma was called at 6:00 A.M. She had always feared planes had never ridden on one, but

 

March 19, 1984

she took the first plane out which didn’t leave till that evening. Through that terrible day Elsie stayed with her. (It was

 

March 20, 1984

Sunday.) Raymond and Mabel took her to the O.C. airport at O.C. There she met her boy Steven from

 

March 21, 1984

Tulsa and Paul’s girl friend whose parents brought her to O.C. They had to go by way of Denver, were delayed by

 

March 22, 1984

various plane snafus and reached Tucson Monday morning. Paul was very badly injured but

 

March 23, 1984

made a miraculous recovery though there are is some minor surgery still to be done. Elsie Seefeldt took care of

 

March 24, 1984

me while she Selma was gone except for two days when she was ill and May Jette Van Hauen

 

March 25, 1984

took her place. Looking ahead at my entry I see that Selma returned May 25. Steve brought her back and

 

March 26, 1984

also Paul. Paul stayed a few days then took the plane back – more surgery but all good news.

 

March 27, 1984

He soon went back to work.

 

March 28, 1984

[No entry]

 

March 29, 1984

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March 30, 1984

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March 31, 1984

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April 1, 1984

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April 2, 1984

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April 3, 1984

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April 4, 1984

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April 5, 1984

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April 6, 1984

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April 7, 1984

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April 8, 1984

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April 9, 1984

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April 10, 1984

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April 11, 1984

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April 12, 1984

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April 13, 1984

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April 14, 1984

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April 15, 1984

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April 16, 1984

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April 17, 1984

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April 18, 1984

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April 19, 1984

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April 20, 1984

[No entry]

 

April 21, 1984

[No entry]

 

April 22, 1984

[No entry]

 

April 23, 1984

[No entry]

 

April 24, 1984

Elsie took me to Covington to see Dr. Woods. He found me greatly improved. Beautiful sunny day – warm in P.M. so I used the air conditioner. Pat brought me a lovely tulip and stayed for a short visit this evening.

 

April 25, 1984

Pat O’Neill brought me a lovely tulip. Ellen Roelse (maiden name) brought Opal Cutter (maiden name) who lives in Colo. to visit me. I taught Opal in 1915. Surprisingly young and active. So wonderful to see these lovely little girls of long ago. Hot day. Used air conditioner

 

April 26, 1984

Another hot day. Thundering this evening. I am really recovering from my bout with flu. Thanks, I truly believe, to my new doctors.

 

April 27, 1984

Lovely day – bright, sunny. All Marshall is concentrating this week on Prairie City Days, but I am not active in the celebration anymore. Had lovely phone visit with Martha Sandlin this forenoon. Parade tomorrow. I will ride. People so good and they want me to.

 

April 28, 1984

Al & Myrtle Juhlin came to see me (also They have moved to Stillwater (now retired) brought Betty Stratton. Came just as I was waiting for to be taken to parade so visit short. I did ride in the parade but came home as soon as my car went through. Lost much of my afternoon sleep. Very tired. But I owe it to the people who plan the celebration.

 

April 29, 1984

Sunday. And the start of daylight saving time. Clara Schaefer tells me there was a small congregation at our church. And there was a very heavy rain during the service. The sun came out later but it is cold this evening.

 

April 30, 1984

Lovely day. Elsie washed my hair. Selma was intending to wash it March 5 but they took me to the hospital instead. And it has not been washed till today. My head was scabby and my hair was falling out. Today was the first time I felt like having it washed. It didn’t hurt me. I am getting well.

 

May 1, 1984

It rained today and was not so hot. I continue to feel pretty well. Glenna Matthews called and said she would bring bring a woman (Deborah Gardner) from the Institute for Research in History next Monday. She is on her way to New Mexico and is stopping by to see Glenna.

 

May 2, 1984

Warm (not hot) beautiful day. There were terrible tornadoes a few days ago south and southwest of Tulsa. Destroyed little towns, killed people. My dear cousin, Nellie Moorman heard of them and called me from Calif. To know if I was safe. So sweet of her. I told her the day was beautiful – no storms, and the ones that came recently were far away.

 

May 3, 1984

Nice day. Alice tied up my peonies. They are getting big buds and the heavy heads lean down to the ground and get dirty when they bloom.

 

May 4, 1984

Another warm day. I used the air conditioner in my study. Nothing in particular happened.

 

May 5, 1984

Sunday. Raymond came to see me this morning before church. He brought an article – a very fine one – about him and Buddy Rudd in the Polled Herford publication to let me read it. It rained hard during church and as the people were leaving.

 

May 6, 1984

This is May 6 on May 5 page. I left out May 4 and put put May 5 on may 4 page

 

May 7, 1984

I was ill all day but pleasant things happened. Glenna Matthews brought Deborah Gardner – a very fine person from N. York who is working on the film – to visit me this morning. This P.M. Mac Odell called from Massachusetts, gave me family news about Marcia and the children and encouraging report about Botswana in Africa.

 

May 8, 1984

Pleasant day. And I felt well. In fact I feel so well on my best days that I seem improved over my pre-flu feelings. I called Selma De Witt in Tucson this evening. Also talked with Paul. Paul is recovering from his terrible injuries For a time I secretly feared that his brain was permanently damaged.

 

May 9, 1984

Another lovely bright day. My old fashioned yellow rose is glorious. I did not feel very well today. Nothing much happened.

 

May 10, 1984

Hot day. I am so grateful for air conditioning. I felt well. Nothing much happened.

 

May 11, 1984

Hot day. The air cond. Is still on at 9:00 P.M. A geography prof. named Jerry Croft of OSU came with his Okla. geography class of 15 members called. Fine group. Also Martha Sandlin called from New York.

 

May 12, 1984

Another warm day. I had a good telephone visit with Gillett Griswold. He called from Montana where he now lives. After he retired from being director of the Fort Sill Museum he went there to live. I had supposed he was still living in Lawton. He had learned of the film project project from Martha Sandlin and called to congratulate me. So nice of him.

 

May 13, 1984

Sunday. Bright, warm day everything must be lovely outside but I don’t see it. My old fashioned yellow rose is lovely – peonies started to bloom. Rev. Ted came with communion service – Raymond with him. Shirley and Ray called for a telephone visit this P.M. People say the wheat is all headed out, lovely and tall.

 

May 14, 1984

Raymond came and set put the fan in the back porch window. It will soon be warm enough to need it. Mr. Henry, a member of the legislature from Shawnee (and a friend of Dr. Scales) called. He and some other friends want to place a portrait of me in the capitol. I know of several women who deserve it as much as I do, and at least one (Kate Barnard) who deserves it more.

 

May 15, 1984

Warm day. Still using air conditioner after 9:00. Got letter written in Excellent English from a man in Bavaria (West Germany. Greatly interested in American frontier history and Indians . Has Geronimo – wants Hist. of the Inds. He is very well informed.

 

May 16, 1984

Warm day. I felt bad – better this evening. Alice (bless her) came and did a lot of work in my yard with the flowers. My peonies are lovely – not so huge as usual but big. My red clematis that has been hung for years is coming out strong and started blooming. The crepe myrtles died for most people with that hard freeze but mine is sending up new shoots from the roots.

 

May 17, 1984

Roscoe Rouse, director of OSU library called in answer to a letter I sent him. He will come here soon to pick up the original MS of And Still the Waters Run. Hot day. My flowers are beautiful as I view them from the windows.

 

May 18, 1984

Warm day. Flowers beautiful when I look out the windows. I wish I could see the lovely wheat fields. But I have much to be thankful for.

 

May 19, 1984

We had a real rain early this morning. Pat O’Neill brought me a lovely rose and stayed for a brief visit. He told me the American beauty & Blaze roses on trellis trellises on my front porch were blooming gloriously I hadn’t known it. He helped me out and they are lovely.

 

May 20, 1984

Sunday. Nothing much happened. My church was to have its annual picnic today but it threatened rain so I suppose they had it in the church. The rain yesterday caused my beautiful peonies to bend their heads but they are still lovely.

 

May 21, 1984

Hot day. This morning Dr. Roscoe Rouse came from the OSU library to receive my original MS of And Still the Waters Run and accompanying material. The library will receive any books and papers at my death but I want to make sure about this one. Aletha Hollis came to record my account of the problem of publication Vera Long came to visit me this evening – good, kind Vera.

 

May 22, 1984

Warm day but it rained this evening. Raymond called me this evening. He and Mabel just got home from Rita’s wedding – Sat.  in church at Champaign, Ill. where she and the groom just graduate from university Then visited at St. Louis. Poor August still the same. Glen Joseph Malaska buried here today – had been ill a long time in a Perry hospital.

 

May 23, 1984

It was a little cooler today. Martha Sandlin called from New York for a long interview about the film she is working on. Nothing else happened.

 

May 24, 1984

I felt bad today. Raymond called this P.M. to discuss some matters of business. Nothing else happened.

 

May 25, 1984

Uneasy about my exam so Elsie took me to Enid to see Dr. Shafer Dr. Shield Last day before his vacation. Right eye 18, left eye 22. Said for me to see him after his return middle of July. Back at Marshall found Selma, Paul, and Steven. Steven drove out and brought them back. Elsie and I talked briefly with them but I do not know what their plans are. I ate with Elsie at the cafe – too late (their busy serving hour) for them to bring my dinner as usual. I got terribly tired.

 

May 26, 1984

M HS alumni reunion. So several called. Raymond brought Arlo Wishard this morning. Then in the P.M. Pearl Griffin Lounsbury, Velma Clem Payne, Mavin Clem Foor, James and Emma Kerr, and a very scholarly scholarly and charming group who graduated in the 1930’s when I was away and hardly knew them (4 or 5 of them). Selma came to take care of me getting up etc this morning. Lovely to have her back though grateful for Elsie.

 

May 27, 1984

Sunday. Raymond came and got my artificial flowers to take to the cemetery. So good of Raymond. In the evening my beloved Pat O’Neill came with a lovely rose and stayed and talked a while. Pat and Ramona are such dear friends. Not so hot today. Getting cool this evening.

 

May 28, 1984

It turned cold today. Had to use the furnace in the afternoon and evening.

 

May 29, 1984

A Mr. Morgan called from the City. Turner Broadcasting Co. is preparing a series of programs one for each state, and he is doing Okla. Wants to see me – I said come Thurs. He thinks I can help him and so do I. He Knows [sic]  Okla.: Footloose & Fancy Free

 

May 30, 1984

Went through Foot-loose to see places still valid. I hope I am well enough to see him tomorrow. Want to warn him against Edna Ferber, Steinbeck, and Oscar Ameringer.

 

May 31, 1984

Mr. Morgan came this morning. He He is fine and the project he is working on is creative. I think I really helped him – he is from the East – but I got pretty tired. Pat has found a nursery that deals in old fashioned roses. He got an American Beauty and this evening he brought me the first big lovely bloom.

 

June 1, 1984

Hot day. I felt bad all P.M. But I sent off a lot of checks for good causes. I have been delaying them for many months because of other things I had to do. Now I am sort of caught up and could attend to them. The American Beauty rose is truly beautiful

 

June 2, 1984

I felt fine today and caught up on some bank business I had neglected. I wish I could see the wheat fields. I couldn’t see much when I went to Enid to see Dr. Shields. Everyone says it is very tall. And we shall have a late harvest.

 

June 3, 1984

Jesse Roberts died of the cancer he has been fighting for many years. He and Bonnie were close friends of mine. Fine people. I am grieved over his death. I was really ill this P.M. but will be O.K. tomorrow. My beloved Lonie Beth Rawlins called me. She and Joe’s brother & wife are coming to see me Tuesday. I am very happy about it. Lorie and Joe (now deceased) came to see me once years ago.

 

June 4, 1984

Lovely day, but warm. We have had no really hot weather yet. I am happy to think I shall see Lonie Beth tomorrow. I have loved her since she was a little high school freshman my first year in West Texas State (1924-5). I felt O.K. today.

 

June 5, 1984

A fortunate day for me. My beloved Lonie Beth Rawlins came to visit me with her husband’s brother and wife from Bartlesville came this morning. Lonie Beth lives in Calif. And she and her good husband, Joe, (now deceased) came to visit me about 15 years ago. Then in the P.M. my dear friends, The Harpsters and on the evening, Teresa Bostic (forget married name) and Cecilia’s young daughter. Poor Jessie Roberts was buried today. He and Bonnie were so fine. He had been fighting that cancer 20 years.

 

June 6, 1984

Selma took me to Crescent for a permanent Saw the lovely tall wheat and at every farmhouse trucks, combines etc being made ready. With binders, the wheat would be ripe for harvest, but it has to be dead ripe now with combines. Jack and Della Thomas brought some books for me to autograph, and stayed for a visit. Wonderful.

 

June 7, 1984

It was a very windy day and I think the warmest we have had. The kitchen was so warm when I went out to eat supper that I turned on the kitchen air conditioner – the first time this year. It was in the lower 90s in afternoon. Nothing in particular happened today.

 

June 8, 1984

Hot, but not as bad as yesterday, because the wind didn’t blow so hard. Aletha came to record some information I gave her while Martha Sandlin listened on the telephone from New York and asked me questions We got along fine. Aletha listened to phone, asked me the question and I answered.

 

June 9, 1984

Warm day as usual and a hard shower in the evening. Raymond came briefly this morning. I felt well today but wasted the time when I should have done some of my slow-moving work. Selma called while I was writing that last sentence. Says her rain gauge shows .6 inch. Hope we don’t have a wet harvest.

 

June 10, 1984

Pentecost Sunday. Rev. Ted brought me the communion service. He always reads the Biblical passage and given a brief outline of his sermon for the day. Raymond was with him. So I felt I had been to church. He has new baby boy born last week. In the evening Leo and Edna Draper now living at Perry came to see me. Wonderful visit. Happy day. Warm day – not too hot.

 

June 11, 1984

It was a little cooler today. We haven’t had any hot summer weather yet. Two days (and perhaps a few others) reached low 90’s. I did not feel well today. And nothing in particular happened.

 

June 12, 1984

Nothing much happened. But it was a pleasant day.

 

June 13, 1984

We had a hard shower this P.M. Not good for the wheat harvest ready to start. Winnie Branen called this morning. I did enjoy her visit. She is so fine. Later – the rain was almost three inches.

 

June 14, 1984

It was warm today. No rain threatened. I would have put out the flag but can’t handle it any more. I felt well but didn’t accomplish anything.

 

June 15, 1984

Warm, sultry day. I have seen Okla. summers since 1900 and never saw sultry weather till last year. Now again. Is our climate changing? I felt well today. Nothing in particular happened. Harvest has started, but not in full blast. Too moist except in P.M.

 

June 16, 1984

Another sultry day, but they are doing considerable harvesting in the afternoons. I called Ray and Shirley today. They will be here Friday. I can hardly wait.

 

June 17, 1984

Sunday. I hear there was a small crowd at church because of the harvest. No rain, so no doubt they got in good work after the fields dried in the forenoon. I felt well, but had a bad nose bleed. It makes me uneasy. And cleaning up after it made me very tired.

 

June 18, 1984

Warm day – some clouds. Hard thunder now at bedtime. I hope it doesn’t rain here on our harvest fields. It seems east of us in the hilly country.

 

June 19, 1984

It did rain just at bedtime. About ½ inch I think I hope it dried up enough this morning so they could harvest, but it was cloudy and I am afraid there was no harvesting today. I was quite ill all forenoon but feel much better this evening.

 

June 20, 1984

Failed to make entry. Now (June 21) I can’t remember anything to write. My memory has failed greatly.

 

June 21, 1984

 

I felt well today except when it got hot in the P.M. I think it was our hottest day. Very hot and sultry this evening. Ray and Shirley are coming tomorrow. I am so happy about it.

 

June 22, 1984

Ray and Shirley came at 8:55. Wonderful visit. When my dinner arrived I went to the kitchen to eat it and they went to the cafe where I had arranged a table for them with the Brysons. Selma, and Don and Evadean – who came just as they were from the harvest. Then they went to Stillwater to visit friends – will be back Tuesday. Hot day – about 99° I think.

 

June 23, 1984

Another hot day. Good harvest I think think. Pretty thunderous looking tonight. I felt fine today. It was 101° at Enid – no doubt the same here. First time it went over 100°.

 

June 24, 1984

Sunday. It was cooler today. A good day for harvesting and people do harvest on Sunday. Raymond called briefly on his way to take Mabel to teach her S.S. class. Great pleasure this P.M. Violet and Sylvia Poindexter (Sylvia Jarvis) who live across Lake Ponchatrain [sic] from New Orleans called. I taught them (lovely little girls) the winter of 1914–15  and we have remained close ever since.

 

June 25, 1984

It was cooler today. And it didn’t rain! So some harvesting must have been done. Martha Sandlin called me from New York for a lovely conversation. She is working hard to get the premier opening of the film ready by the last of this year.

 

June 26, 1984

It rained most of the night last night and was cooler today. I had a lovely visit with Ray and Shirley and all forenoon. Then they started back to Chicago. So sweet of them to come all this way to see me. And of course they have their close friends in Stillwater.

 

June 27, 1984

Learned of the death of Leo Draper. I am so grieved about it. He and Edna visited me so recently. Such a happy visit. He was sick all night. At 4 A.M. Edna took him to the hospital and he died there. Heart failure, I suppose. They lived at Perry. It rained this P.M. – ½ inch. And a little more this evening. I felt fine today.

 

June 28, 1984

Hot day. It almost got me down at one time. I went in to study where the air cond. was and came out of it.

 

June 29, 1984

Cooler day – much cooler. Shirley and Ray called from Chicago. They had a good trip home. I had a bad night, was ill all forenoon – came ough out of it in the evening.

 

June 30, 1984

Not so hot today – at least I did not find it so hard to keep the house cool. Raymond sprayed my walnut trees this morning. He is so good. Then he came in and visited briefly. Ramona told me – I asked her on the phone – that they have got along fine with their wheat harvest. Are nearly done.

 

July 1, 1984

Not so hot. And it didn’t rain! Also most of the harvest is done now. It is Sunday but people harvest on Sunday. Nellie Blanche Moorman called me from her California home. Wonderful visit. She lived in our home for a number of years after her mother died.

 

July 2, 1984

Hot day, but not too bad. Shirley Worsley called to tell me how timple simple a little surgery turned out to be. I have been an easy and very happy about it – and by her voice I know she was too.  One never knows what a little lump might be. Clara Schaefer called or a lovely visit. I hear firecrackers popping across the street.

 

July 3, 1984

Hot day and hot night. But I felt pretty well and managed to keep my house comfortable. Not much happened

 

July 4, 1984

July 6 I turned two pages – put July 4 on July 6 page. Here is July 6. Hot day – 104° at Enid, probably same or worse here Learned later it was only 100 here First time it has been above 100°. But I managed O.K. with air conditioners. Felt Felt O.K. A thunderstorm this evening – ½ inch rain. Harvest is all over now men working the ground

 

July 5, 1984

Hot, sultry day, sultry night. But I got along pretty well. Selma left this P.M. (also Martha and the young girls) to a church meeting. But Elsie will take care of me, so I am O.K.

 

July 6, 1984

July 4 Nelda Beebe from the Enid News came to interview me. I seldom meet anyone I like so much at the first meeting. And Selma brought her daughter Martha, whom I have known all her life and Martha’s two delightful yound [sic] girls to visit me briefly. Martha has been visiting Selma all week – lives in Colo.

 

July 7, 1984

Had a wonderful visit with Gloria Weber and Glenna Matthews this forenoon. No recording – just a happy visit. Elsie Seefeldt is taking care of me when Selma is at her church meeting. Hot day.

 

July 8, 1984

Sunday. Hot but not so hot as yesterday. Had a happy day. Raymond called this morning briefly. Clara Schaefer and Ethel Newell for a longer visit in the evening. Then Don and Evadean Huffer followed. All people I love very much. The Huffers are going to West Germany in a week to visit Susie and her soldier husband and two baby sons.

 

July 9, 1984

Another hot day. And I didn’t feel very well. Selma is back – tired I think. They got up at 5:00 this morning and Martha and the girls started back at six. I am getting reader [sic] for Charles Banks Wilson to paint my portrait tomorrow.

 

July 10, 1984

 

Hot day. Mr. Wilson came. He is fine, and Mr. Robert Henry came also. He is the member of the legislature who wants to put my portrait in the capital. (He and Penny Williams). I like him too. He reads books. Mr. Wilson did no painting. Just talked. Is coming back tomorrow. He will take some photographs. Then paint from all he has collected in his visits.

 

July 11, 1984

Hot day. Not quite so hot as some. Mr. Wilson came and I sat for him the whole forenoon. He did not paint. Made a very careful pencil sketch with every line in place and will paint from that. He showed it to me and I liked it very much. Then he took some careful photographs.

 

July 12, 1984

Not quite so hot. Ramona brought the fan I borrow every summer. And when Alice came to clean today I had her push back the dining room furniture. But I forgot to have her get out the extension cords etc. So it will have to wait till Sat. I plan to go to Enid tomorrow (Friday) to see Dr. Shields. He has been away since the day I saw him last – May 25.

 

July 13, 1984

Hot day. Failed to make entry. Writing July 14. I don’t remember that anything anything happened. Oh yes, Martha Sandlin called from New York.

 

July 14, 1984

Another hot day. And I don’t remember that anything happened today either.

 

July 15, 1984

Hot day. The weather is around 100° these days (high 90°s or low 100°s), not terribly hot. This is Sunday. Raymond and Mabel were at a Farmhouse Fraternity reunion so Raymond didn’t contact me this forenoon. Perhaps they went to church in Stillwater. That is where they met more than 50 years ago. Ramona brought me some huge, beautiful tomatoes from their garden.

 

July 16, 1984

It rained last night – cloudy much of day. And much cooler. I didn’t even turn on my kitchen air conditioner. Selma took me to Enid to see Dr. Shields. Right eye 21, left 24. I had appointment in October for test of peripheral vision but he moved it to August.

 

July 17, 1984

I believe it was cooler today also. I felt well and accomplished quite a bit on some pictures I have taken from my kodak [sic] album and written a running about them from 1890 through family history and my on [sic] biography from 1895 on.

 

July 18, 1984

Not terribly hot day but hot evening. Dorothy Cosby Cozart came to see me. Brought friend named Ruth Freeman, whom I liked very much (very pretty, too).

 

July 19, 1984

Hot day. Nothing much happened. But got call from Marilyn that she will come and see her Saturday. Very happy about it. (I mean Marilyn Sewell.) Lives in S. Car. Visited her several years ago but haven’t seen her since.

 

July 20, 1984

Got call from Charles Banks Wilson. He will come Monday. And things have piled up until I have neglected having my hair fixed. But he couldn’t wait till Tues. Bringing a newspaper photographer and an artist from Tulsa.

 

July 21, 1984

My beloved young student friend Paul Wu called from Tulsa on his way to Tucson. He and his lovely wife and family will settle there. He is now old enough to retire from his job in his West Virginia college. Then Marilyn Sewell of South Carolina came to visit me. Once she lived with her parents across the street from our home. I saw her last at the graveside services when she brought her mother back for burial near Ponca City and years before that visited the family at their S. Car home. My good day!

 

July 22, 1984

Sunday. Joseph and Winnie Branen are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary today. Of course I couldn’t attend. In the evening Rev. Dean Roy Miller, his wife Dorothy (whom I taught in high school), and Catherine Burchardt (all dear friends) came to see me. Wonderful visit.

 

July 23, 1984

Charles Banks Wilson was here, brought Glen Lawrence, a skilled photographer of Tulsa. They are very considerate but I got pretty tired. Fortunately I felt especially well. It was a warm, bright day – not a cloud. Perhaps our unseasonable rains are over. Joe Vculek brought me some tomatoes.

 

July 24, 1984

No rain. A quiet quiet day – no company. And I felt pretty well – not too tired after sitting for my portrait yesterday.

 

July 25, 1984

No rain. But it wasn’t quite so hot as usual. Aletha Hollis came from Stillwater and spent the morning taking recordings for that TV commercial.

 

July 26, 1984

Another hot day – but really we have had a mild July (the worst month of the summer usually.) I had a wonder [sic] telephone visit with Shirley and Ray Worsley. They have been on a visit to their children and called upon their return.

 

July 27, 1984

(Written July 28.) Felt bad all day – worse in the evening. My chest pained me, my heart beat became irregular and the veins on my hands hard and extended I called Selma and she helped put me to bed.

 

July 28, 1984

Slept well all night – woke this morning well but weak. Rested in afternoon. O.K. this evening. It has not rained for some time. Weather hot but but usually in upper 90°s or perhaps just over 100°. Not bad for July.

 

July 29, 1984

Sunday. I was not well today – pretty weak. I don’t know why. I feel better this evening. Clara Schaefer has returned from a visit with Leone and Carl in Colo.

 

July 30, 1984

Cooler day. When Mr. Ools brought my dinner from the cafe he said it was like a fall day. Bonnie Roberts came to visit me this morning. She is very brave and active but has changed much in looks since her husband’s illness and death. I think a great deal of Bonnie.

 

July 31, 1984

I felt better today than I have felt for a long time. It was not so hot today. My fan on the back porch quit. This means trouble in hot weather. Wonderful news. Some people in Tulsa (including friends of mine) have formed a publishing firm and want to publish a new edition of Prairie City, which went out of print recently. Wanted to come and see me but I directed them to Gordian Press who holds the copyright.

 

August 1, 1984

Vera Long came to see me. She has been in my thoughts and prayers for weeks. Her husband has a cancer on his brain. Terminal. He is in a rest home in Enid, able to get up, dress, go to the dining room for meals. She goes to see him every day but got too tired so stayed home today. Raymond did some work on it and got my porch fan started. It was cooler today. And our worst month is past.

 

August 2, 1984

Cooler day. And I felt fine, Raymond brought Janie to visit me. I have known and loved her since she was born. She has been visiting her parents. She and Charles now live in St. Louis and have a granddaughter. She looks so young and lovely.

 

August 3, 1984

I didn’t feel very well today and didn’t get much work done. I am trying to get some facts organized for recording. The Institute for Research in history [sic] wants them. Aletha Hollis will come and record the statement, but I have not been ready. My work span is very brief and which I could once do in one day now takes weeks.

 

August 4, 1984

Hot day – but this summer has been less hot than usual – up in 90°s – never at 100. Ray There was a slight shower with one clap of thunder this evening. We need rain. Ray and Shirley called – good telephone visit. And Vera Long did not visit her husband in the Enid nursing home today. She called and talked by phone. And Maxine Maxine Sanford Austin called from Enid. She has had singles and suffered great pain for over a year and is now going to try new treatment in Colo.

 

August 5, 1984

Sunday. Raymond did not call or come to see me before church, so the he and Mabel must be gone. I felt well and worked on my summary of Geronimo for Martha Sandlin.

 

August 6, 1984

I felt bad today and I did not finish the summary today as I had intended. I called Aletha and she will come Frida Thursday.

 

August 7, 1984

I felt well today and almost finished the summary. I think it is getting ready to remain rain tonight. Much thunder.

 

August 8, 1984

It did rain – 2½ inches and it came down my furnace pipe to the floor of my study, the second time it has ever done this. It was a hard job to mop it up as it spread out. I got my summary finished today though I felt bad. Alice Pipla came to clean my house today. Tomorrow they start for Alaska – she & Albert, the first trip they have taken since they visited Albert’s brother in Arizona this early in their marriage. I am so glad they are going. They deserve it.

 

August 9, 1984

Letha [sic] came and recorded my Geronimo summary. Of course we had to turn off the air conditioner but fortunately it was a cool day. Ramona (bless her) brought me a big sack of tomatoes and stayed to visit briefly.

 

August 10, 1984

It was cooler today but I felt bad. We had a very hard rain this evening. Some water – just a little came down the pipe of my furnace. I will have to get someone to see if the pipe cap is stuck so it doesn’t turn with the wind.

 

August 11, 1984

I felt wonderful today. A couple named San Marcos, Texas visited me this morning. They brought two books for me to autograph. I enjoyed the visit very much. Then in the P.M. I had a lovely telephone visit with Dorene [sic] Halsted from Independence, M.O. It was a cool day. Rained a little this evening. The man writing a TV program about Okla. was to come and get help from me but got detained. Hopes he can come tomorrow.

 

August 12, 1984

Sunday. Had a bad night, very ill this morning but better during the day. Raymond stopped in before church. Good Raymond. The man writing the TV program couldn’t come. I’m sorry for he is from outside the state and needs all the help we Oklahomans can give him. He is very earnest and capable and the state programs in the series are good. Charles Banks Wilson called from Miami for a long discussion about the painting. And my beloved Pat O’Neill brought me some watermelon and stayed for a long, fine visit. My good neighbor Joe Vculek brought me some tomatoes. Had happy day even though I still feel bad.

 

August 13, 1984

I felt fine. And it wasn’t so very hot. I did some chores (like writing letters) I had been obliged to put off. A young woman with a nice voce voice named Martha McGaw called and arranged for an interview. I put her off till Aug. 29.

 

August 14, 1984

I was ill today but managed to get a little work done on some corrections I want to make for the next printing of Geronimo.

 

August 15, 1984

Heart bothered me for a time last night but it finally perked up and I went to sleep and felt pretty well today. I went to sleep and felt pretty well today. I wrote a rather detailed letter to Betty Mubyru [sic] in Africa and did some work making corrections for the next printing of Geronimo.

 

August 16, 1984

Aug. 19 Sunday. Sorry I turned the wrong page and missed this one. Raymond called before church as usual. (Sometimes he phones.) Cooler today and this evening. August is usually better than July. Mrs. Pond called from Medford. Wants to come and bring an Indian friend. I think perhaps Friday.

 

August 17, 1984

Aug. 16 Felt pretty well. Worked on corrections for fourth printing of Geronimo. That book had so many kinds of bad luck and came out with so many errors it was impossible to correct them all. Martha Sandlin called from New York. I gave her so much information about the Dust Bowl in High and only the Panhandle & Harper Co. is in High Plains but schorching [sic] heat and drought in Okla I got pretty tired.

 

August 18, 1984

Aug. 17 Very bad night. Felt very bad all day. I had an appointment with Dr. Black Woods. Would have called it off except for Selma’s sensible advice. It is better for him to see you on a bad day. So I went. I hope he will help me with several problems. I like him so much.

 

August 19, 1984

Aug. 18 See Aug. 16 page for Aug. 19. I had a wonderful night’s sleep and felt O.K. today only weak. I am sure I did right to see the doctor yesterday. He gave me some antibiotics and I think even the beginning doses helped. I seem to have an infected sinus.

 

August 20, 1984

Hot day. And I found the P.M. hard to take. If the air conditioner or a fan hits me with a breeze I ache; if I turn it off I become weak and drowsy. I didn’t accomplish much. It doesn’t bother me except when the wind is in the south. And it is often in some other directions.

 

August 21, 1984

Another hot day. These days are getting hard for me in the P.M. I have slept fine and feel fine all A.M. Have to go back to bed and sleep O.K. but by 2:30 or 3:00 it gets hot and I feel bad all the time after that. It rained a little this evening, but it is still hot.

 

August 22, 1984

Selma took me to Enid for my annual eye examination. I felt well and the tests turned out fine. Peripheral vision very good. Everything else good. I have had trouble reading sometimes but is apparently caused by my not feeling well, getting too hot for ex. pressure – right, left. Of course I got pretty tired but I suppose I shall rest tonight.

 

August 23, 1984

Same kind of day but I notice the kitchen cools off early in the evenings because the sun goes down earlier. I can turn off the kitchen air conditioner by supper time. At least I did tonight.

 

August 24, 1984

Pleasant company. My good friend Mrs. Pond of Medford whom I have known from Woman’s Club Days and her pastor, a creek Indian named Cook who likes my Road to Disappearance. He brought it for me to autograph. I seldom meet anyone I like so much. I talked too much and didn’t listen to him and learn as much as I should have done. He has been very active in Creek affairs. I called Winnie to come also because she has been associated with Mrs. Pond in club work. Mrs. P. is still active in serving her community but is somewhat crippled physically.

 

August 25, 1984

I felt O.K. Nothing much happened. It certainly helps these evenings to have the sun go down earlier.

 

August 26, 1984

Sunday. I felt O.K. Worked on a story for Sister Martha Mary McGaw of the Catholic Sooner, the diocesan paper published in O.C. She has a very pleasant voice. She is coming tomorrow. Raymond did not call or come today. He and Mabel must be out of town.

 

August 27, 1984

Sister Martha Mary McGaw came this morning. She is a very fine person and she can really write. (She left me some copies of the Catholic Sooner with some of her articles.) Raymond called me briefly while she was here. He liked her too. It rained a little this evening and thundered mightilly [sic].

 

August 28, 1984

Learned that Leonard Young died in his sleep night before last. Poor Virgie. She has carried so much responsibility and her sister Gladys these past years – and now this. She seems so alone. Selma took me to vote in the primary election. Interesting to drive through main street but sad to see all buildings on south side empty. Same weather as usual but shortening of daytime helps.

 

August 29, 1984

Two dear friends – Anne Morgan from Norman, Connie Cronley from Tulsa made the long drives to meet at my house. So sweet of them. Such a wonderful visit I had with them. Same kind of weather. Thundering this evening.

 

August 30, 1984

It rained a little last evening after I went to bed. Same day today, but its shorter and that helps. Leonard Young was buried today, Poor Virgie. And I learned that Mabel Bryson had surgery on her left hand Tuesday. Crippled by arthritis. She had it on her right hand some years ago and it helped very much. She had it done two days ago.

 

August 31, 1984

Same kind of day. Hot in P.M. but shorter morning and evening and that helps. Nothing in particular happened. I felt well.

 

September 1, 1984

Deborah Gardner of the New York group who is working on the TV film is at Stillwater with my friend Glenna Matthews and this forenoon Glenna brought her to visit me. I enjoyed them very much. Same sort of hot day but shorter and that helps. I felt fairly well.

 

September 2, 1984

Sunday. But Raymond didn’t come as usual. He and Mable [sic] went to Ollie’s yesterday. Mabel still has much pain in her hand. They have to cut deep. It was a cool day. Kept only one air conditioner going and that one on low. It rained all forenoon. Shirley and Ray called me for a lovely telephone visit this P.M. and Clara Schaefer came to visit me. Very pleasant.

 

September 3, 1984

Another cool day. Not Jack and Della Thomas called me for a fine telephone visit.

 

September 4, 1984

Another cool day. It does get hot in the afternoon so that I use both air conditioners. I felt well. Nothing in particular happened.

 

September 5, 1984

I was ill today. Another cool day Learned of the death of death of Bex Logsden across the street. I knew her but not very well. She has been ill a long time and in and out of the hospital. I wish I could have done something for her.

 

September 6, 1984

Hot in the P.M. – cool most of the day. I felt fine. Nothing much happened.

 

September 7, 1984

Windy and hot in P.M. Raymond came by this morning. Mabel saw the doctor yesterday but he decided to have the stitches in another week. She has perked up considerably from the surgery and has discovered ways of doing housework with her hand protected by a water tight bag.

 

September 8, 1984

Cloudy much of the day. Alice Pipla called me this morning. It was good to hear her voice. She and Albert got home from Alaska yesterday evening.

 

September 9, 1984

It could rain. I closed the porch windows. I have been having trouble for the past four days that I think could be kidney stones. Only a guess. But I do remember when my mother passed one.

 

September 10, 1984

I had still more trouble with what I think is a kidney stone trying to come down. I will talk with the doctor about it tomorrow. I thought surely I would pass it but it has been troubling me five days. Hot in P.M. but sun goes down early.

 

September 11, 1984

Same kind of day, I talked with Dr. Alicia Woods today. Will see her or her husband tomorrow. But I have had less discomfort today. Alma Friend (bless her) came to see me this P.M. And Charles Banks Wilson came this evening to plan the final setting for my picture.

 

September 12, 1984

Same kind of weather, gets very hot in afternoon for September. Selma took me to see Dr. Woods. My trouble was a bladder infection. He gave me some tablets he is sure will stop it. I had always supposed the bladder was high in the abdomen and that a stone would have to go some distance to work its way down. But there is no distance at all so it couldn’t have been a stone.

 

September 13, 1984

Same kind of hot P.M. But everyone is shorter. Alice came on her usual day to clean my house. She and Albert had a wonderful trip to Alaska – bus all the way except Fairbanks to Barrow by plane. They got back Saturday. I love Alice. It was a great joy to see her. And Albert is such a good man.

 

September 14, 1984

Same kind of day. But this evening there is a cool breeze from the north. The doctor’s medicine is already helping me, but it makes me a little light headed.

 

September 15, 1984

I felt well – really well – today. My discomfort (and pain) over the bladder trouble has disappeared but I still have a good many tablets to take to finish. It turned cold last night. I used the electric stove nearly all day. Vera Long came to see me. Her husband has been going down very fast. He has cancer of the brain. Vera is so tired. It is very hard on her. She had been caring for him at home, but he is now in a Enid nursing home.

 

September 16, 1984

Cold most of the day, but I used the air conditioner in both study in late P.M. and early evening Hadn’t room to tell yesterday that a copy of Waters Run came from OU Press. Happy to have it home after almost 50 years. Too hot to publish here in 1937. It is my most important book. This is Sunday. Raymond came and visited a little while before church.

 

September 17, 1984

Still cold. It was 46° by the thermometer on my front porch when Selma came this morning at 7:30. Pretty cold for Sept. I’m glad I have the electric stove. Rained a little this P.M. I went to Lions’ Den and took a flu shot. Big crowd waiting. I had to wait 1½ hours before they got to me. Always before Dr. Freed gave me the shot when I went for my annual checkup. This time it is the state health department. I have worked for weeks on corrections and changes for next printing of Waters Run. Today I finished – ready to mail.

 

September 18, 1984

Cold this morning but it warmed up this P.M. so that after 3:30 I used both air conditioners I voted today – runoff primary but none on my party ticket. The main issue was “liquor by the drink” now sold only in liquor stores. I think it will carry but I voted against it. I know the big hotels constantly sell it with meals, but most eating places do not. And I believe in enforcing the law rather than repealing it.

 

September 19, 1984

Cold this morning but warned up during the day. Charlee Banks Wilson called. He will be coming Friday and Saturday forenoons. I left fine today.

 

September 20, 1984

Same weather – cool morning, hot P.M. The town is repairing the streets by dressing of tar (asphalt I suppose) and gravel. They did both of my streets – front and side – this morning. It was very smelly for a time but fine now.

 

September 21, 1984

Not so hot as usual this P.M. I talked on telephone with Moxine [sic] Sanford Austin today. She suffers much from after effects of shingles. Dr. Freed gave me tablets to prevent that – said he could do nothing to cure shingles but could prevent that excruciating pain that follows them. Her doctor didn’t do that. Charles Banks Wilson is coming tomorrow.

 

September 22, 1984

Charles Banks Wilson came to work on my picture this morning. He is so very fine and intelligent and considerate but I got terribly tired.

 

September 23, 1984

Sunday. But Mr. Wilson ignored the day and worked on my portrait. And I cannot attend church so Sunday is O.K. as a working day. I like Mr. Wilson so very much for his intelligence and sensitivity of feeling. He tries so very hard to bring out the real character of his subject did his (or her) contribution to society I did not get very tired.

 

September 24, 1984

Hot day. Even the morning was warm Nothing happened Failed to record yesterday that the Enid paper carried the obituary of Rachel Patrick’s husband. I met him once, but I loved Rachel and I grieve for her.

 

September 25, 1984

It turned very cold last night – I think Mr. Ools said it was 4:00 A.M. It had been very hot yesterday with a strong wind blowing. He said the wind changed suddenll suddenly to the north and it became all at once. I had a hard time keeping warm but I used an electric stove. I can’t start the furnace. I will have Alice do it when she comes Thursday. It is very complicated. Raymond was here this morning but I told him I could get along O.K.

 

September 26, 1984

It was colder today than yesterday because the sun didn’t shine much of the time. Albert Pipla is in hospital – lungs filling up. I am uneasy about him. He is in in no pain but he had a heart attack a year go ago. I need my furnice [sic] but it was so hot Monday. I had to move my keep my dining table by the furnace so I could use my air con. and a fan.

 

September 27, 1984

Cold and it rained off and on all day. Total ½ in. Badly needed because it is time to start wheat planting. They were waiting for rain. I had expected Alice to light my furnace when she came (she comes on Thursday.) But they were going to give minor surgery to Albert today so she went to Enid. Alma and I tried to light the furnace but couldn’t manage it. So I called Woodrow Winburn. So good to have a warm house. I haven’t learned how Albert is.

 

September 28, 198

Still cold and cloudy. I don’t know whether it rained or not. Altogether Altogether we got about an inch – which we badly needed. It seems so good to be in a warm house since Woody lighted the furnace.

September 29, 1984

 

Cold but the sun came out and I used the air cond. in the late afternoon. Ray and Shirley called for a lovely visit. It is very cold in Chicago. But in spite of the cold here the roses are blooming in my flower garden here.

 

September 30, 1984

Sunday. Roses still blooming, but it was cold this morning. The Enid paper said it sno snowed a little in the Panhandle yesterday. The son of Floyd Combs came to see me. Floyd was Edwin’s age. Isabella was nine and our farms joined. We four played together through all the years after we came to Okla.

 

October 1, 1984

I was not outside of course but I think it was not so cold as yesterday. I felt O.K. Nothing much happened.

 

October 2, 1984

The warmest day we have had since the cold spell started. But I felt bad. Part of the trouble was a skunk that made things very unpleasant during the night. I think he is under the house – found a broken place in the lattice work under the front porch. But Mr. Ools the night watchman is determined to shoot him when he comes out tonight.

 

October 3, 1984

Warm day. Selma took me to Crescent to see Dr. Woods. I have a skin cancer on my nose that he noticed the first time he came to see me (I had been unaware of it). He recently told me it should be removed and I wanted him to look at two other places on my face. (Only innocent marks). Also to make arrangements to see a skin specialist in Enid.

 

October 4, 1984

It was cloudy all day but didn’t rain. Nothing much happened. Mr. Ools the saw the skunk on the back of my lot during the night but he ran into some lilac bushes on my alley and he was not able to shoot him.

 

October 5, 1984

Same as yesterday. I felt bad. Too much skunk odor.

 

October 6, 1984

Felt better today and my beloved neighbors, Roberta Bostick brought two very fine people from Alabama to visit me. Mr. and Mrs. Denney. He is a historian she a nurse – a retired couple. In the P.M. my dear Clara Schaefer came to visit me.

 

October 7, 1984

Mabel and Raymond brought me a lovely red amaryllis in full bloom when Raymond brought Mabel to teach her S.S. class. Lovely Mabel. Then our minister and Raymond later brought the communion (World Communion Sunday.) made me feel I was in the loved congregation. In the P.M. Clara visited me In the evening I listened to the Mon Reagan-Mondale debate. Reagan told only on [sic] big lie at a time when Mondale had no chance to refute it.

 

October 8, 1984

Selma took me to Crescent to get a permanent. I got pretty tired. This skunk is asserting himself this evening. I do hope they kill him befo before he holes up under my house for the winter. If he does I am afraid I can’t live here through the cold weather.

 

October 9, 1984

Great news! Mr. Ools shot the skunk. I hope it is my skunk and evidence points to him. Lesser news. The governor has appointed me as one of his newly launched Okla. Women’s Hall of Fame. It rained a little this morning.

 

October 10, 1984

Selma took me to Enid today to see Dr. Kusch about a skin cancer on my nose he took out a piece for analysis. Rodney Huffer came this P.M. to bring me some cattails. I loved Rodney when he was a boy (and still love him) and he remembered that I liked cattails. He told me of a prehistoric grave he happened to find and brought to the attention of archeologists [sic] from O.U.

 

October 11, 1984

Tonight I tried to listen to the debate between the two vice presidential candidates but I could not understand much that Geraldine Ferraro said. When hearing fails the loss is more a matter of pitch than volume and women’s voices are pitched too high So I got very tired straining to hear for more than an hour and learned nothing. The governor’s office tells me I have been chosen to the Okla. Women’s Hall of Fame. Warm day. (got letter from governors office confirming phone call Oct. 9)

 

October 12, 1984

It was cloudy today and cooler. Could have rained but didn’t. And we need it badly for wheat sowing. Alice cleaned my house today. (Her regular day was yesterday.) And she and Selma burned cedar to clean my cellar and one closet from skunk odor. I am hopeful that the skunk killed 2 days ago was my pest.

 

October 13, 1984

Evadean Huffer came this morning to pick up my typewriter, with stand, etc. I had planned for it to go to her at my death, but since I can’t use it anymore I thought she might as well have it now. She stayed for a long delightful (for me) visit. Also brought me a loaf of her delicious home baked bread. I love Evadean. I spent the P.M. (after my sleep) going through my photographic slides to give which I have long planned to give to the DeVores Now I learn they will visit me tomorrow.

 

October 14, 1984

Sunday. Raymond came as usual, before Dr. Jim and Nancy DeVore came to visit me at 11:00. I suppose they attended church first. Wonderful friends. I gave them nearly all of my photographic slides except those I have already given away. Hugh O’Neill (Pat) came this P.M. with some watermelon I had a wonderful visit with him. Cool rainy day. It rained 1.2 in. the past two days.

 

October 15, 1984

Got report from Dr. Kusch. The spot on my nose is a cancer. I was unable to get appointment this week but will have him remove it a week from today. These skin cancers are not serious. I have been relatively free from skunks troubles today, but my back porch and back closet still chokes one with the odor. The cedar smoke did not last Cold this evening. I have the furnace on.

 

October 16, 1984

It rained last night. I don’t know how how much. Quite a rain and muc much thunder. Then this evening it turned very cold. I wanted to go to Enid to see Dr. Shields but was ill. Will try to go tomorrow. I feel OK this evening.

 

October 17, 1984

Very light frost this morning. Selma took me to Enid to see Dr. Shields. Pressure in right eye 17; left 28 to 30. He gave me new drops to try, said to come back next week or week after. He is greatly concerned about left eye. Had bad luck – people ahead of me had to wait two hours – got pretty tired. Selma is so good.

 

October 18, 1984

Merk and Martha Swartz came to see me this morning. I taught Merk when he was a freshman in Enid High School in 191819. They now live in Stillwater Cushing. Wonderful visit. Also Barbara Abrash called me from New York. Says they are getting along well on the film. Warm day – I used the air cond. In my study in P.M. and evening

 

October 19, 1984

I felt bad all day. Got nothing done. Nothing happened. It warmed up today – sunny – used the air conditioner in my study. But it is cold this evening and is raining.

 

October 20, 1984

Rained all night last night but not much water fell. Hard for the farmers who have not finished wheat planting. Too dry so they waited. Then it rained and but hasn’t quit to let them plant. It was cold and dark all day – now turning very cold. Had good visit with Jim Horton on phone. Had been worried about him because I had not heard from him and tried to call him and failed.

 

October 21, 1984

Cool dark day – no rain though. Charlie Ward and his son and grandson with wife came to see me. Mr. Ward is younger than I but old – lived in this this area all his life; his son attended the country school I once taught but after my time; grandson fine, expert in technology in famous valley near San Francisco & his wife came from Mass. All fine people. I listened to Reagan-Mondale debate this evening.

 

October 22, 1984

Selma took me to Enid for Dr. Kusch to remove the skin cancer from my nose. Then to Dr. Shields to test the pressure on my eyes left eye with the new drops. Down to 24. So continue the new drops. My beloved Dorine, Burton Halsteds [sic] widow called for a long beautiful telephone visit this evening. Dismal cold cloudy day.

 

October 23, 1984

It cleared off this afternoon and got warm. At 9:30 P.M. I still do not have my furnace on. I felt bad all day. Perhaps yesterday was too hard.

 

October 24, 1984

Sun shone beautifully in A.M. but rained in P.M. – a hard rain I think. (I was asleep but lots of water standing in low places.) I felt fine. Cleared up some correspondence. Hard for me to write but I managed.

 

October 25, 1984

It didn’t rain today. Not very cold. The amaryllis Mabel gave me has 4 lovely, huge, red blooms on a new stalk. It had 4 blooms when she brought it. They lasted about a week. Then this new stalk came up and it now has 4 blooms. Skunks are still in Marshall. Selma saw one that ran under our church parsonage today. The building is vacant. Pastor Ted lives in Okla. City.

 

October 26, 1984

Cloudy dismal day. I felt well. We have had an invasion of skunks this fall. They come in from the country to find winter quarters in town. The night watchman set the boys to killing them. They killed 18 reported to him – probably many more. And probably men have killed fully as many – especially Ernest Earnhart. Many are still out at night.

 

October 27, 1984

Cloudy this morning, but it cleared off and got warm. I used the air cond. in the P.M. and I still do not have the furnace on at 9:00 P.M. About our skunks – they still come out and run around at night but when really cold weather comes they will hole up. And besides the asphyxiating odor there is the danger of rabies. They are not likely to bite people but they bite cats and dogs who bite people

 

October 28, 1984

Sunday. We set our clocks back to standard time today. My amaryllis is the most beautiful one I have ever seen – 4 brilliant red blooms, each one 7 inches across on its one stalk. It was blooming when Mabel brought it. Now it has a second stock [sic] of blooms. Children collected for UNICEF – decided on today instead of Halloween. Martha Sandlin called from New York.

 

October 29, 1984

A beautiful day, golden sunshine, blue sky – warm, but crisp. I did not use the air cond and at 9:00 P.M. do not need the furnace. This is the kind of weather we expect in October. I felt well all day but didn’t accomplish much.

 

October 30, 1984

Miserable cloudy day but warm. Raymond and Mabel came by briefly. I wanted them to see the amaryllis they gave me. It is the most beautiful one I ever saw. Some woman in Enid raises the bulbs and furnishes them to the seed store. I used to buy lily bulbs at that same store. (Regal lilies)

 

October 31, 1984

Halloween. I used to enjoy these invasions of “Trick or Treats” children but I am not up to it now. Not able to prepare treats but I entt gave each small visitor a dime and a nickel to buy something. One can’t buy much for 15₵ but they didn’t object. Twenty-nine came. I got sweet 16-year-old Rhonda Streck to answer the door.

 

November 1, 1984

Cloudy but no rain. Warm during most of the day but turning cold this evening. The walnut tree I planted some years ago in front of my house is beautiful with its yellow leaves – yellow as Colorado aspins [sic]. All trees have especially thick leaves this year.

 

November 2, 1984

Frost this morning – not so light as Oct. 17 – a real frost. Cold in forenoon got warmer during day. Bright sunshine. Vera Long came by for a visit this morning Her husband is failing fast and she looks so bad I am afraid she will not live as long as he does. She is very brave but her heart is broken. This evening is the time our Okla. Woman’s Hall of fame honors its inductees. Of course I can’t attend there are four of us. One is Jean Kirkpatrick Ugh! The other two are fine people.

 

November 3, 1984

It was a pleasant sunny day. No frost this morning. I even turned one of the air conditioners for a few minutes in the P.M. because the sun got the house too warm. Raymond, that good man, took my window fan down and stored it in a closet. We still have a few skunks but mine is gone. The boys killed it.

 

November 4, 1984

Sunday. It was a beautiful sunny day, the kind we used to have throughout the fall before this new climate of the past 2 or 3 years. I finally finished a long letter to Joseph Brandt. He lent me such a fine letter when he learned of the TV they are making. I owe my entire writing career to him.

 

November 5, 1984

Beautiful fall day. My roses are still blooming. I am thinking about election tomorrow Only a faint hope of a 1948 (Truman) miracle. Reagan is the worst president we ever had. Harding and Arthur were sots but they had some sincere feelings. Nixon was a crook but he was intelligent. Reagan is only a good actor – no brains, no conscience, entirely untruthful, completely selfish – in a dangerous world.

 

November 6, 1984

Lovely weather. Voted today. Expected bad election results (only a faint hope for a miracle) but on TV tonight I found it even worse than my most unhappy judgement. I love my country, but I shall be leaving it in a bad way. Perhaps terminal. Good people are so important. A good actor can fool them. All the time. Lincoln was wrong.

 

November 7, 1984

Had a surprise party this evening. Glenna Matthews told me she was taking two friends to a dinner at Enid and they would visit me on the way. It was her birthday party and a fine young women [sic] in the history dept. at Phillips joined the three from Stillwater – brought me a carsage [sic] – also recording of speeches when I was inducted into Woman’s Hall of Fame.

 

November 8, 1984

A really warm day. Sunny. Martha Sandlin wants me to put on tape immediately a history of Marshall. I am trying but it is too hard a job for me. Of course it must be brief and that makes it harder.

 

November 9, 1984

Really warm day. I kept one air cond. on all the time from 3:30 to about 6:00 P.M. I felt fine. Worked on my Marshall history. Aletha is coming Sunday to record it. Sorry I have to do it Sunday. I can’t go to church anyhow but she could.

 

November 10, 1984

Worked on my Marshall history. Didn’t get my notes in good order to present. Not enough time and my short work periods It is turning cold.

 

November 11, 1984

Sunday. Aletha Hollis came shortly after 9:00. Stayed till 12:30 recording my Marshall story. I got terribly tired and didn’t do a good job. Had not really got it too well organized. Stammered and repeated a lot. But she is good at editing. She brought her husband and a history student. We had a hard frost this morning. Sunny but cool all day.

 

November 12, 1984

Cold morning (no frost) but warm, sunny day, Selma took me to Enid to see the dentist – teeth fine, but one small filling had fallen out – the only filling he had to do. Found a skunk has clawed away the cla place in the porch lattice and is no Raymond filled and is no dou doubt now settled under the house. I am very unhappy about it. I really think the first skunk was shot.

 

November 13, 1984

Failed to make entry and now I can’t remember much that happened. I have become very forgetful. I know it was a warm beautiful day. The skunk didn’t announce his presence in the skunky way but no doubt he is under my house.

 

November 14, 1984

Warm, bright day. (When we went to Enid Monday we saw the lovely greening wheat fields.) But I was ill all day. Winnie Branen came this morning. I enjoyed the long, lovely visit. My roses are still blooming.

 

November 15, 1984

Brenda Peck brought her daughter, Amy Cooper to see me. Amy is in the 7th grade and wants needs to make a report on a writer in her class – so she came to see me. Seems like a nice little girl.

 

November 16, 1984

It has been colder the past two days. Nothing much happened today.

 

November 17, 1984

It rained last night and off and on all day. Real water fell – quietly but more than an inch. It was more than an inch this morning and rained a lot after that. Good for the wheat. A few people have just finished planting. Three people died. Irma Hearn, Gladys Hedgecock, and “Buck” Long. All I have long known.

 

November 18, 1984

Cold cloudy day and some rain. Raymond came before Sunday School as he usually does on Sunday. It had rained 1¾ inches by that time starting early yesterday morning or perhaps in the night before morning. Wonderful for the wheat wheat. My beloved Nellie Moor Moorman called me from California. She is O.K.

 

November 19, 1984

Still dark and cloudy. Mr. Long’s funeral was today. I am so sorry for Vera. She looks so feeble that I was afraid she would die and leave him. But his decline was very swift – cancer of the brain. A year ago he was in robust health.

 

November 20, 1984

Joseph A. Brandt died Nov 1. He had written me a beautiful letter Oct 24, congratulating me on several honors that have come to me recently I answered by a long letter telling him I should never have had a writing career except for him as publisher. (Something I never told him before but it is literally true). It is so hard for me to write that I didn’t finish it till Nov. 4. Today I got letter from his wife. Sallye, whom I have never met telling me of his death. She said she cried as she ready any letter because he missed reading it. So do I. He lied [sic] instantly without pain. His sight and hearing were failing – his mind and spirit clear as ever.

 

November 21, 1984

White frost – real frost – yesterday and today. Today the wet ground was frozen. Both days were bright and sunny but cool. Margaret Ools (bless her) sends my dinner from the cafe every noon. Mr. Ools is the one who usually brings it. Today she sent my dinner – and a whole pumpkin pie – for the 4 days the cafe will be closed. This was a gift. People are so good.

 

November 22, 1984

Thanksgiving Day. Truly I have much to be thankful for. The goodness of people. Yesterday when Margaret sent my dinner she sent an extra whole pumpkin pie for me to eat while the cafe is closed 4 days. Then Clara Schaefer brought me a fine dinner from her own kitchen. And Selma would have brought dinner but I told her about Clara. It was a frosty morning but a beautiful bright day. My “Goldilocks” rose is still blooming.

 

November 23, 1984

Lovely, bright day. My rose is still putting out buds.

 

November 24, 1984

Nothing in particular happened. I am afraid it is getting ready to turn cold.

 

November 25, 1984

Warm day – roses still blooming. Beautiful chrysanthemums in my garden and in front of my porch. Sunday. Raymond and Mabel are in St. Louis. But Pat O’Neill came for a good long visit in late afternoon.

 

November 26, 1984

I failed to make entry and now I have forgotten what happened.

 

November 27, 1984

Another bright day – but cooler. Martha Sandlin called me this morning from New York – we had a long conversation. She is working hard on the film.

 

November 28, 1984

Lovely sunny day. Woodrow Winburn put a new thermocouple in my furnace. I can’t trust one to last more than a year. This fall I asked him later than usual to do it because of the late wheat planting. Then when he did finish his planting late in November I forgot to ask him. But the day was warm and it is O.K. I was afraid the weather would turn cold and cause a problem in installing it.

 

November 29, 1984

Lovely day. The sort of weather we expect in an Okla. fall. If anything in particular happened I don’t remember it this evening.

 

November 30, 1984

My furnace went off at about 11 o’clock last night. Woodrow had put in a new thermocouple he got at the Co-op. Did the same a year ago and it quit. He put in an old one he had on hand and it stayed. We thought that individual Co-op one was defective but it seems the brand is. I put in a miserable night but the weather is mild. Woodrow came this morning and put in another old one. I hope it stays. Woodrow is such a good man.

 

December 1, 1984

Lovely day but it turned cloudy before night. I hope it is not getting ready to storm. Vera Long came to see me. She still looks ill. She is such a loving person. Now I know what happened to Skunk no. 2. He got under my house but has not bothered me since. Now I know. He was eating the cat food at the Cardin place across the street and Mr. Cardin shot him. Now I know I am free of skunks.

 

December 2, 1984

Sunday. First day in Advent. Communion service at church, and Rev. Ted brought communion to me (also to Annie & Hattie Seefeldt and probably other shut-ins) Raymond came along. It was a cool day, but warmed up in P.M. Sunny, blue sky.

 

December 3, 1984

Selma took me to Enid to see Dr. Shields – pressure in right eye 18, left 21. New drops are working O.K. I got pretty tired – slept soon as I ate dinner – slept till 5:00. Now rested this evening.

 

December 4, 1984

Snowed off and on all day and cold. At first it melted when it touched the ground but this evening the ground is covered. Alice (bless her) came in forenoon and crawled under the porch to block the openings in the foundation. I forgot to ask her in good weather. Albert helped her. Had a long visit with Martha Sandlin in New York. Business about the TV

 

December 5, 1984

Beautiful morning – soft snow about 4 inches deep spread evenly all over ground and on branches of trees and shrubs. (I don’t like snow but it was lovely.) Some more fell during forenoon. But ground was warm and much melted. Sun came out and more warm and much melted. Sun came out and more melted in P.M. Streets & walks now clear. I suppose this is just right for the wheat.

 

December 6, 1984

Beautiful day – blue sky, bright bright sunshine, no wind. It was cold but most of the snow melted except in shade. Jim Horton called from Indianapolis. Soon to leave to spend winter in Florida.

 

December 7, 1984

Warmish day – sunny. All the snow melted except one patch in the shade of Annie Seefeldt’s Seefeldt’s house under the thick foliage of her cedar trees. A woman called me from Oregon – mixed blood Creek – likes my Creek history. I felt O.K. but my rapidly fading memory causes a problem.

 

December 8, 1984

Warm day – but not so warm as a year ago. The sun shone in a blue sk sky, but I had the furnace on (low) most of the day. Got letter from Wynona Nelson. I love Wynona and have been in their home several times but they we write only at Xmas. Now she tells me Ralph died in May. I feel very sad about it. I liked him very much.

 

December 9, 1984

Sunday. Lovely day. Used furnace (on low) for about 2 hours in the morning – turned it off all the rest of the day until about 8:00 P.M. Martha Sandlin called from New York. Will be here just before Xmas. Last time to interview me. Won’t have the picture done till about May. I am trying to keep up with the Xmas letters that must be answered.

 

December 10, 1984

Warm day. Did without furnace all except early morning and late evening. Spent some time writing what I know of my Debo ancestors. My cousins, Bruce and Getta [sic Dehn found some Debos on the border territory fought over by French & Germans, now in West Germany that I really think were left there when my young grandfather and his brother emigrated They made contact with them and asked me to write what I knew

 

December 11, 1984

Warm day, but partly cloudy. Selma took me to Enid to let Dr. Kush [sic] see the place on my nose where he removed the skin cancer. All O.K. but he wants to check again in June. Has terrifying stories of how harmless skin cancer sometimes erupt. I am receiving lovely Xmas cards and letters and I am unable to answer them!

 

December 12, 1984

Very warm day, but but I think it has started to get very cold this evening. Nothing much happened. I felt well.

 

December 13, 1984

It rained today with snow mixed with it. No snow lay on the ground and it wasn’t terribly cold. I felt O.K. Nothing happened. I have just finished all I know of my Debo family history to send to two families my cousins met in the Rhineland. I think it is our family – 3 came to U.S. I stayed at home.

 

December 14, 1984

We are threatened by a severe winter storm but it hasn’t arrived yet. Cloudy and rather cold today. Martha Sandlin called from New York. She is coming with a photographic crew Wednesday to take some pictures she had planned to take in March but I was ill with flu.

 

December 15, 1984

Miserable dark day. It rained, but no snow. And never got down to freezing. I had a very happy forenoon. Glenna Matthews came over from Stillwater to visit me. She is taking a year off to write a book – will be in Calif. Only real visit I ever had with her. Always before there was recording for the TV program. Then my beloved Pat came for a fine visit.

 

December 16, 1984

Beautifully sunny day. And so warm! We missed the storm. This was Sunday. Raymond called. Also I had a good telephone visit with Martha Sandlin in New York and Connie Cronley in Tulsa. Also a man from California called. Interested in my book Geronimo. Asked me a question I couldn’t answer but I told him of some Apaches who might know.

 

December 17, 1984

Beautiful warm sunny forenoon. Then clouded up and now tonight it is turning very cold. Raymond brought me a beautiful poinsettia [sic]. The New York crew is coming tomorrow evening. Will be here the day after to take photographs and finish up. Would have done it in March but I was ill. Wish the weather had stayed good.

 

December 18, 1984

Miserable dark day. Even snowed once. Al and Myrtle Juhlin came to see me this morning. Grand visit. They have retired and moved back to Stillwater after many years in Illinois, still young and active. The New York people are now in Okla. Will be here tomorrow for the last work with me on the film. Staying in Stillwater.

 

December 19, 1984

Miserable dark day – cold but I think warmer tonight. The N.Y. people came. Took no pics but planned everything ready to start tomorrow.

 

December 20, 1984

Another miserable dark rainy day. The N.Y. people – Martha Sandlin and a fine young man named Tony Forman – also Aletha Hollis from Stillwater came and took pics of Selma and me all forenoon. I got pretty tired. Rested in the P.M. Tony is a photographer.

 

December 21, 1984

Too busy and tired to record. Lovely bright day. Rest of N.Y. crew came.

 

December 22, 1984

Same as yesterday. Lovely brief visits with Kent and Helen Ruth from Geary and Dorothy Leake from Missouri. Lovely day. Beautiful warm day.

 

December 23, 1984

Sunday. But we worked till 1:00 P.M. and again about 5:00 to 9:00 P.M. Got pretty tired.

 

December 24, 1984

Cold dark day. Cold. More hard work. Film crew patient and considerate but I got terribly tired. Crew left late. Got to my P.M. bed at 3:00. Jim Horton called from Fla. So good of him. Paul De Witt came briefly. So good of him. They celebrated Xmas today. Paul leaves early Xmas

 

December 25, 1984

Still busy. It cleared off beautifully but is still cold. The crew is leaving tomorrow. We worked most of the day today. Stayed till midnight.

 

December 26, 1984

It was midnight yesterday before the crew quit working. They worked till 2:00 P.M. the so-called forenoon. Then a “short, easy” sketch in the after. So lasted till midnight. Then Selma put me supperless to bed and they moved out. They were very considerate but the mechanics of making my house into a studio was hard work and took much time. Today I rested and feel surprisingly well this evening.

 

December 27, 1984

Rainy cloudy day but warm – that is, not cold. I am still weak from my ordeal with the TV crew, but not ill. Vera Long came for a fine visit. She does not look so tired as she did during the last weeks of her husband’s illness. Raymond also called – picked up a lamp he had loaned the TV crew, and stayed for a visit. Warm. My furnace is still off at 9:00 P.M.

 

December 28, 1984

All afternoon and evening it was warm without the furnace. I had to keep the window open. Charles Banks Wilson was here all forenoon photographing books he wants for background and my Zuni turquoise pin and necklace (Selma wore them for me so didn’t have to work) also a certain position of my hands holding my glasses. Just odds and ends outside the actual portrait, which he did earlier.

 

December 29, 1984

Miserable dark, rainy day. Started out warm – furnace off all morning. (We don’t need the rain.) But now this evening it is getting cold. Nothing much happened. I still feel weak from the hard work with the TV crew.

 

December 30, 1984

It continued to get colder during the day. Snow fell and Sunday. Dark dismal day, not terribly cold. I called Jim Horton to thank him for a huge box of grapefruit he sent me, and we had a fine visit. He is in Florida for the winter. Told me about visiting the Miccosukee Indians.

 

December 31, 1984

Started getting cold this morning and kept on. Snowed this P.M. (not deep, hardly covered the ground) and some sleet. Will go down to 20° soon – probably there now.