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5. 1986

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January 1 - December 31, 1986

(Box 5/Folder 12)

 

January 1, 1986

Another lovely day. But I did not feel very well and I am afraid I shall not be able to do a recording for Aletha who is coming tomorrow. People are so nice to me – still sending me cards and making long distance calls.

 

January 2, 1986

I felt fine today and did fairly well with the recording by Aletha although I was too ill yesterday to prepare for it. Aletha is coming again tomorrow. I read in the Enid paper the obituary of Leota Windler.  It said she died Monday (Dec 30) I am very sad about it. I have known her many years. She and Fred left Marshall after he retired from his grocery store and settled in Okla. City to be near their 2 daughters and their families.

 

January 3, 1986

Lovely day. Aletha came for recording, and so far as I know we have finished. Selma brought me the news that the cafe has closed. Raymond also came and told me said they would have to find somebody to bring my meals. I called Ila Marker who did it during another time when we had no cafe and she will do it again. Raymond also told me Ollie is in the hospital at Tulsa and he and Mable [sic] are going to see her. I am worried. I fear that cancer is not responding to treatment.

 

January 4, 1986

Another nice nice day. I tried to catch up on some of the things I had let slide while I was working on the TV documentary. This P.M. Winnie came to see me, I gave her all the National Geographics I had on hand for her to put in our city library. Then we had a very pleasant visit.

 

January 5, 1986

Sunday. I planned to do considerable catch up work but I did not feel very well and didn’t accomplish much. It was another lovely day. Had a wonderful telephone visit with my beloved Dorine Halsted. I think she was on the phone an hour. I tremble to think of her bill.

 

January 6, 1986

Another lovely day. Mr. De Clerck called from Enid. His wife has been wanting to meet me so he is coming here (bringing her) to have me sign my will Wed. I have a notary and witnesses ready to serve.  Very sad news. My beloved friend, Inez Jones who lives in Crescent has had a massive stroke. I am greatly grieved about her.

 

January 7, 1986

It turned very cold during the night, and although the sun shone it was cold all day. Mr. De Clerck is coming tomorrow. I wish we could have had better weather. The night and tomorrow is expected to be worse than today. But, I am glad to say, no snow, Raymond came and stayed quite a while this morning. He is going to Denver to a cattle sale.

 

January 8, 1986

Ed De Clerck came with my will. Brought his lovely wife who has always lived among Indians and is greatly interested in them. Roberta De Board came to my house as notary. Selma served as hostess – also witness. And Joe & Opal Vculek came as witnesses. Big day’s work for everybody. Such good friends. I got tired. Took us about 2 hours & I got back to bed late in P.M. Got pretty tired.

 

January 9, 1986

I wrote a letter to Betty Mubiru explaining that I wrote a will yesterday explain – that I am leaving what is left of my property (except my books & papers & files to OSU) to educate her children. Of course I may have some catastrophic illness that would use it all up. Pleasant weather.

 

January 10, 1986

It was really warm today. And I was ill. That will and the involved explanation to Betty was too hard.

 

January 11, 1986

Warmest day yet. I tried to catch up on some business I had to let slide while I was working on that will.

 

January 12, 1986

Sunday. Warm day. Learned this morning that Inez Jones, who lived in Crescent had a massive stroke Sat. and died. They took her to the hospital and she died. This was yesterday. I have known her most of her life. Knew the family since I was 10 years old before she was born. Am deeply grieved by her death. Her husband died young and she brought up her five children alone. I love them too.

 

January 13, 1986

Warm day. Ramond [sic] is back from Colorado. He came to see me this morning and we talked about my will which he or Don Huffer will have to carry out and about the birthday dinner my S.S. class and other friends give me. Now the cafe is closed He and Don and Mabel and Evadean will figure out something.  I am so grateful to them

 

January 14, 1986

Another lovely day. No matter if we should have some bad winter weather later we have at least escaped the storms we usually have soon after Christmas. Inez Jones was buried in one of our Marshall cemeteries today. I wish I could have gone to the service. But I am not able any more.

 

January 15, 1986

Another warm, lovely day. This is the day Alice Pipla comes to clean my house. She is a good friend besides bing [sic] an efficient worker. It is always a happy day for me when she comes. But today was a sad day too for Inez Jones was buried beside her husband in our south cemetery. I wish I could have been ther [sic] at the graveside service.

 

January 16, 1986

Another lovely day. Raymond Bryson and Don Huffer have made plans for my bir birthday. The cafe is closed, so no Sunday dinner. We will have a reception at our church Mon Sat. morning, Feb. 1. The Council Oak Books people called me this morning. Will bring a man from Tulsa for a TV interview Next Monday.

 

January 17, 1986

Winnie Branen came this morning, and we had a long lovely visit. Winnie is much younger than I but she is getting old, though still active. Joseph, who was 6 when I was his teacher at age 17 is really old and in many ways helpless. (Memory failing etc.) I love Winnie and Joseph. This was a lovely, warm day. I did some real work.

 

January 18, 1986

Another warm day. I “work” at some thing every day – today it was my income tax – but I am pretty feeble and don’t accomplish much. I have lost much in physi physical strength and also in memory of names of people and technical terms these past months I think my reasoning is still clear.

 

January 19, 1986

Another lovely day. This is Sunday. Good Raymond Bryson came to see me before church as usual. I worked on my income tax. Just about everything is now organized. Shirley Worsley called me this afternoon for a lovely visit. I think Ray was not there. I told her about my will and talked too much. She was preparing something for a dinner at their church.

 

January 20, 1986

Holiday in honor of Martin Luther King. I am sure he deserved it. Bu But I really wanted the mail – also the bank today. It was a very warm day. I tried to work at some things I have had to neglect Didn’t accomplish much but I think I have everything ready to see the income tax man.

 

January 21, 1986

Cooler today but a lovely day. The people who were coming to record a TV program failed to come. I was not at all well so it was probably fortunate. They called me in the middle of the forenoon after I had been expecting to hear from them since 7:30. They will come tomorrow. A baby here

 

January 22, 1986

Another lovely day. Both the Council Oak Group women came and a very fine young man with the machinery and a very fine young woman to conduct the interview. She asked me very thoughtful questions that I found difficult to answer but I hope they are good a editing out my pauses and stutterings.

 

January 23, 1986

Another lovely day – like fall.  All these days of good weather subtract just so much from our winter for spring will arrive on schedule. I am giving Raymond a list of people from out of town who should be invited to my birthday celebration Feb. 1. I am furnishing him their names and addresses. Just finished today.

 

January 24, 1986

Another really warm day. Worked on a list list of friends to give Raymond so he could invite them to the reception for my birthday next week. Then I made out what I hope will be the last list of errors and suggested changes in the third hunting of Prairie City

 

January 25, 1986

Vera Long came by for a long lovely visit. It’s getting cold this evening. A son of the Cherokee Strip pioneer Brown family came with his wife to visit me this forenoon. Dephana Dishman brought them. They live in Oregon or Washington. Dephana’s mother, Jessie Beeby was his aunt. A couple approaching a hardy old age. Then in the afternoon a lovely arrangement of red carnations came from Crescent sent by Martha Sandlin and Barbara Abrash of New York.

 

January 26, 1986

Sunday. It is working up to a very cold spell. I wish it had waited one more week. Raymond came for a very pleasant visit before S.S. Connie Cronley called from Tulsa. She and Anne Morgan and Nancy Anthony plan to visit me on my birthday (Thursday). And my hair needs to be washed and set and several other things done. Easy to plan except for this expected zero temperature. We really need one more good week.

 

January 27, 1986

Cold day and really cold this evening. I worked pretty well today at a problem that just now appeared from my income tax. Learned that Fred Windler has donated a very fine wheel chair Leota had to the Marshall ambulance service. People he knew in O.C. tried to buy it at a fabulous price but he said he would give it to Marshall instead. So like Fred.   

 

January 28, 1986

It was rather cold last night but the sun came out today and it is an even warmer than usual evening. I am trying to get a few thing off my hands to be ready for the birthday celebration.  Good people are doing so many lovely things for me I can hardly get time to thank them.

 

January 29, 1986

Greatly shocked at explosion of space shuttle. I did not learn of it until I saw this morning’s newspaper because I do not see well enough to watch TV. It was a warm day today but is getting cold this evening. I worked at getting ready for visitors tomorrow. Selma washed and set my hair. Connie Cronley, Anne Morgan, and Nancy Anthony are coming to celebrate my birthday.

 

January 30, 1986

My 96th birthday. It was a lovely day really warm in the P.M. Some dear friends came to visit me this morning – Connie Cronley from Tulsa, Anne Morgan from Norman and her efficient secretary at the Kerr McGee Foundation from O.C. Nancy Anthony mother of and Mrs. Hightower mother of Mike Hightower of O.C. It was a happy occasion for me. But a letter came this morning that touched me more than any other death of recent years. My first friend, Mabel Clark Collins has died. We were five years old when we started school in Kansas and have been very close all these years since then – 1895. Somehow it cut off a vital part of my life to learn that she is gone. I saw her last in 1997 at her home in Junction City, Kans.

 

January 31, 1986

And so today I am 96 years and one day old. It was a warm day. I had the furnace off nearly all day. Just now turned it on at 9:20 P.M. We are having summer this winter. Don Huffer came to see me this forenoon to make arrangements for my birthday reception tomorrow and stayed to visit. He brought a loaf of bread

 

February 1, 1986

The reception was beautiful. I have lost much strength since the capitol ceremony in April, but I could see what a perfect meeting it was. Marshall people always work do things so well. They put a lot of work into it. And it was a pleasure to me to see the beautifully refurbished church basement – carpet, windows, walls everything new and elegant. I had not seen it before it was done after I stopped attending church. It rained a little.

 

February 2, 1986

Sunday. A warm day. And this evening it rained a little, the first rain we have had for 3 months. But nothing was really suffering. The ground was so thoroughly soaked. I rested last night and felt O.K. but rather weak today. I spent spent a little time writing “Thank you” notes, but mainly rested.  Everyone is very happy about how well everything went yesterday.

 

February 3, 1986

It was warm today.  My house is full of beautiful flowers – plants and arrangements people have given me for my birthday. The people who planned the reception Saturday left them in the church so they could be enjoyed at the Sunday service. This morning Selma planned where to place them in my house and I enjoyed them all day. How good people are. Winnie Branen came to see me this evening.

 

February 4, 1986

Another warm day. At 9:00 P.M. my furnace is still turned off. I am working on the aftermath of my birthday celebration – thanking the fine people who did so much to make it memorable.

 

February 5, 1986

It has become a little colder today. I am trying to thank people for my birthday but writing is hard work for me and very slow. Jim Horton called this P.M. for a wonderful visit. He is such a kind and generous person.

 

February 6, 1986

It turned cold last night and has been cold all day. I finally got in touch with Edward De Clerck and straightened out the few uncertainties in my will. There was one typo which I corrected and initialed and Mr. De C. had learned the zip code of an organization in the will has been changed a few days ago. I made the changes, got the three witnesses to initial them and Joe Vculek took it back to the safe deposit box at the bank. Now all is done.

 

February 7, 1986

Snowed this forenoon – about 5 inches. Soft, no wind, just what the ground need needed. It quit in P.M. & started again this evening. Still no drifting. I have bad news the Drs. who started at Crescent have sold out to some other osteopaths. So now I must pick out a new doctor, also a town with hospital and intensive nursing home care. The two Drs. Woods came just at the right time for me last year wh years ago.

 

February 8, 1986

It was cloudy most of the day and is getting pretty cold this evening. I am greatly disturbed over the sale of my doctors’ practice in Crescent. The change is very sudden and I may need a doctor before I get one. The O’Neills and Brysons are working on a solution.

 

February 9, 1986

Sunday. I think it snowed part of the day. It was cold. And it did snow last night. It is soft and even – no drifts. The farmers are glad to get it. It has been a long time since it rained. Raymond came to see me and we talked about a doctor for me. I worked on autographing Pra copies of Prairie City left from Saturday’s party.

 

February 10, 1986

It snowed during the night – probably all night, also in forenoon. Then in the P.M. it cleared off and the sun shown shone. The snow is over. I don’t like snow but this was the best snow I ever saw, very different from the violent storms typical of Okla. It fell softly and evenly and every bit will soak into the ground. It snowed off and on about 4 days, melting off and on between times.

 

February 11, 1986

The sun rose clear and bright this morn morning and remained clear all day. It was really cold in the morning but much of the snow melted in the P.M. Our Okla. climate has completely changed the past 4 years. Instead of violent blizzards we have soft quet quiet snow and warm weather instead of hot winds we have sultry days.

 

February 12, 1986

Another beautiful, bright day. Cold but warmed up some in P.M. Much snow melted in places where the sun hit. Still there in the long shadows. Bill Schaefer had a very serious heart attack yesterday I didn’t learn about it till this morning. I doubt that he will recover. The Schaefers die young. I had a good talk with him at the my birthday reception Saturday. He seemed in excellent health.

 

February 13, 1986

It was cloudy today but warmed up some. I haven’t heard anything new about Bill Schaefer. Got an affectionate letter from Ashley Alexander. He has read some things about me in the paper and apparently thinks I am worth cultivating. He is the most unprincipled person I have ever known.

 

February 14, 1986

It cleared off today and most of the snow melted where the sun shown shone in the P.M. But the shadows are so long this time of year that much of the town is in shade and the snow is still there. Sylvia Jarvis and Violet Poindexter called me for a nice visit from their home across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans. They are such dear friends.

 

February 15, 1986

Today it warmed to above freezing in the P.M. The first time since the cold struck. All the snow melted except in the shade but of course there is much shade throughout the town because this is the season of long shadows. Bill Schaefer is recovering rapidly. Surprise to everybody and we are all so happy. Pat O’Neill came to see me this evening. Fine visit, and lovely Ramona sent along some fruit cake. I love the O’Neills.

 

February 16, 1986

Sunday. It was really warm today – the first day it has been above freezing since the first snow fell Feb 7. The snow all melted today even in the shade. Every bit went into the ground where it was needed. The wheat is happy and so are the farmers. Raymond came to see me this morning before church. Good Raymond.

 

February 17, 1986

Selma and I had all our plans made to go to Enid to see Dr. Shields. Ready to start when his office opened at 9:00. I called and the receptionist said he would be out of the office all week. Flu, I suspect. So no Enid trip. It was a very warm day. A good day for the trip. Bill Schaefer is still improving. I am very happy about it.

 

February 18, 1986

Another warm day. My furnace is still off at 9:00 P.M. Gentle, little Margaret Ools came to visit me this morning. And this evening Myrtle Barnes, the youngest of the Barnes family, who grew up and married and lives at Stillwater came to see me. She has lived away from Marshall since she was a small girl – now she and her husband celebrated their golden wedding anniversary a year ago. I was so happy to see her.

 

February 19, 1986

Warm day. Furnace off all P.M. & evening. Not much happened. I try to work in straightening up my business and correspondence but don’t get much done Losing strength all the time but not sick.

 

February 20, 1986

It turned cold today – not as cold as during our days of snow we had start starting a couple of weeks ago. It may reach that low point eventually. The Council Oak friends called. They want a man from Enid to take my picture tomorrow. Recently I got a royalty check from them for 855.89 Pleasant surprise.

 

February 21, 1986

I spent some time waiting and getting ready for the Enid man who wanted to take my picture. He was to call me early this morning. I found out later he was from the Enid Morning News, had written an article and wanted a photograph. I finally called Council Oak Books at Tulsa and he said he had decided not to call come – had found a picture. Didn’t tell them or me. They are disgusted and so am I that he failed to tell them or me. It was not so cold today.

 

February 22, 1986

I see I failed to explain this in previous entries. Early last week I learned my doctors had suddenly decided to move away from Crescent. I told my troubles to Pat and Ramona. Hoped I could get their doctor in Enid but they said he is getting old and is taking no new patients, but they said they would ask him to recommend a doctor.  Pat saw him today yesterday.

Sunny day. Getting warm. I could not talk with Pat or Ramona yesterday. They had an evening engagement. But Ramona brought me some wonderful news this morning. Pat talked to their doctor yesterday and he agreed to take me. He is getting old and not taking new patients, but he said he would take me. He is also the doctor of Raymond and Mabel. I am happy to have him.

 

February 23, 1986

Sunday. The day was lovely and so warm I would have used the air conditioner if it had had its beginning of the season checking. In the after late afternoon I had two happy visits on the telephone – one from my beloved cousins Ray and Shirley Worsley in the Chicago area, one from Jim Horton from Florida. And good Raymond came by before Sunday School.

 

February 24, 1986

The doctor’s office called. I am to see him (Dr. Hinson) tomorrow at 10 AM. And eat or drink nothing from 10 this evening on. I have had an increasing swelling in my feet and ankles for months. The past few days my right hand tingles and swells. It is time something should be done. I saw Dr. Alicia Woods for chick [sic] last fall but the swelling did not bother her.

 

February 25, 1986

Hot day. Selma took me to Enid to see Dr. Hinson. I like him very much. He was in the Enid High School when I taught there but was not in my class and I didn’t know him. I weighed 120 pounds while my normal weight is 110. I will start the medicine to get rid of the water tomorrow. Unpleasant prospect. I seem to be in pretty good general health.

 

February 26, 1986

I took my new medicine today – one tablet this morning. I expected results to begin immediately but they didn’t. Perhaps it takes more than one capsule to start action. It was a hot day. It’s 9:00 P.M. and my furnace is still off.

 

February 27, 1986

The wheat fields are beautifully green around Marshall. Not so far advanced around Enid. The two little white tablets (one each morning) are having their effect. My feet and ankles are losing some of their bloat. I can see that the process will be slow rather than sudden and violent. My dear friends Merle & Martha Swartz sent me an amaryllis bulb for Easter. I taught Merle when he was a freshman in Enid High School in early 1920s.

 

February 28, 1986

It turned colder today but not terribly cold. And not much happened. The swelling is going out of my feet very slowly but I can see slight change. (Not just feet – feet and ankles and (some – lower half) of the calf of my legs.)

 

March 1, 1986

March came in like a lamb today. According to the proverb I heard in my childhood it will go out like a lamb lion. The proverb included a reverse. “If it came in like a lion it will go out like a lamb.”

 

March 2, 1986

Selma weighed me – have lost 8 lbs. Fluid. Sunday. Good Raymond came as usual before S.S. Warm day. After the new milder winter (after northern Kansas) of 1899-1900 this “My first Okla. spring. (I was ten years old.) And on March 2 I found my first wild flower blooming 86 years ago. I was very excited about it, even remembered the date. It was one of those tiny blue flowers that were so common in the prairie grass. It was a new kind of flower to me. Two reasons for my excitement.

 

March 3, 1986

Warm day. No furnace Furnace turned off all P.M. and evening, still off at bedtime. It is raining a little this evening.

 

March 4, 1986

Bright sun, blue sky, warm day. Nothing happened. I am trying to pick up some correspondence I have neglected.

 

March 5, 1986

Warm day. I tried to work on business but I am easily tired. Selma told me something that grieved me very much. Carl Schnebeck has died. His wife, Leone, grew up here and although they lived many years in Colorado Springs they are greatly loved here. She is the sister of Clara Schaefer. Clara and Wilda. Wilda of course is driving. She is Albert’s daughter. Clara and Hulda started to drive out there at once. The Schaefers are all such fine people. The Schaefers celebrated their 50th anniversary a few years ago.

 

March 6, 1986

The paper said it would be colder today but I don’t see much change. Of course I am in the house and can’t tell much about the weather. The sun shone. Sky was blue

 

March 7, 1986

Not much happened except that it is getting cold.

 

March 8, 1986

It has been colder today. Nothing much happened. My hya daffodils are blooming beautifully. I don’t know how long they have been out. I happened to see them today through a window. My flowers don’t do me much good anymore.

 

March 9, 1986

Sunday. Raymond came to see me as usual before S.S. Good Raymond. Warm day. Became so warm in late afternoon that I turned on the air conditioner in my study. I had not intended to do it till the man came to check it. [I don’t think the cooling part responded – only the fan.] it didn’t respond. It will not go on till a higher temperature is reached. I didn’t think of that.  Only the fan went on. I had already planned to ask the man to come Wednesday.

 

March 10, 1986

The day was cooler. I called the air conditioner man at Crescent to check my fan air conditioner but he can’t do it till the weather gets warmer. Only the fan goes on, he says, till the weather warms up. I will see Dr. Hinson tomorrow. Vera Long came to see me.

 

March 11, 1986

Selma took me to Enid today for my appointment with Dr. Hinson. It was raining when we left Marshall but had cleared in Enid when we arrived. The change in my weight was only 2 lbs. But I seem to be improving. The March 2 loss was when I first got up. (The This was after I had gone to Enid with my feet hanging down as I sat in the car.)The doctor explained several things that had bothered me, especially the tingling in my hand. It is a form of arthritis – he can’t change it.

 

March 12, 1986

It was cooler today but it didn’t rain. I don’t know how much it rained in Marshall yesterday. Not much in Enid. Nothing much happened today.

 

March 13, 1986

I managed to do some work that I have had to let pile up. Nothing else happened. I did have a migraine attack while I was eating my supper. I have had these off and on all my life but in these last years there is no headache – only the moving bands of color.

 

March 14, 1986

There was a frost this morning but it was a sunny day and warmed up. Selma took me to Enid to have my eye pressure checked by Dr. Shields. We had a lucky day – good weather, not a very long wait. Strangely enough the pressure was exactly the same as last time right 18, left 21, on Dec. 16.

 

March 15, 1986

Nothing in particular happened. My good friends Sidney and Ruth Brown of the University of Okla. Are coming to see me tomorrow. I worked on my piled up letters.

 

March 16, 1986

Sunday Sidney and Ruth Brown came up from O.C. & spent the morning. I did enjoy the visit. I think the steeple fell off their church in Norman because they were absent. But they brought me sad news. Rosalie Dale (widow of Dr. E.E Dale) died yesterday

 

March 17, 1986

My young cousins, Lynn & Cindy Gordon, spent the morning with me. They are third cousins – Ralph Cooper, my only living first cousin is Cindy’s grandfather. I meant on my mother’s side. Shirley Worsley, my father’s niece is also my first cousin – also Tildens. They are fine. Married Married very young – sensible and steady. I had not met them before but they had kept in touch through letters letters. They live at Davis. He works for Conoco.

 

March 18, 1986

Things happened at my house this forenoon. Mr. Jacobs from Crescent checked, oiled, etc. my two air conditioners, and McCools from Enid checked my house and garage for termites (none there). Raymond, bless him, was here and helped – also Selma stayed. So I had little to do but was tired. Anyhow I am now ready for summer.

 

March 19, 1986

It is turning cold this evening.  All day I have felt better than I have felt for many months. I don’t know whether it is just a happenstance or whether the doctor’s medicine is having its effect.

 

March 20, 1986

Frost this morning. I had a bad night and felt bad all day. Better this evening. Glanced at my income tax. I think it is all ready to go. Raymond will take me to see Mr. Tagge tomorrow and help me make out the tax.

 

March 21, 1986

Raymond took me to Enid to see Mr. Tagge to make out my income tax. It was a beautiful day and the drive through the greening wheat fields was a real treat. He did not go on 74 as Selma always does and I saw familiar roads I had not seen for several years. It was a real nostalgic drive. The income tax was easy. I had it organized. Felt fine.

 

March 22, 1986

It was warm this P.M. and I used the air conditioner in my study. It was enough to cool off the house. It is cold this evening. I have the furnace on. I thought I had the furnace on but it is off. Just right at 9:00 – no furnace, no air cond. Not much happened. No furnace on from this evening This morning was the day for Selma to wash and set my hair & I slept the early part of the P.M. Then tried to catch up on some business.

 

March 23, 1986

Sunday My good friends and neighbors, Joe & Opal Vculek came to see me this morning to show me pics. etc. of their Caribbean trip. I enjoyed it so much. Also Raymond came as usual.  He and Mabel will be gone a week. Ollie is having the cancer behind her eye operated on. Her breast cancer was so deeply hidden it was not discovered and it spread. This was a warm day. I used the air cond. while I slept this P.M. Woke up feeling fine.

 

March 24, 1986

My beloved friend, Dorothy Leake came to see me this evening. Her son, Dr. Benjamin is taking her on a thre-day [sic] visit to beloved places in Okla – Idabel, Durant, Okla. City, Norman. She is 92 and alert and lovely. It has been many years since I had seen her. And Ben was a youth. He has now retired from his job on the faculty of the Uni of Mo. Dorothy still keeps up her work in botany, her husband, Harold died a few years ago.

 

March 25, 1986

It was warm, but an unpleasant windy day outside. Nothing in particular happened. I am still thinking how wonderful it was to see Dorothy Leake. She is beautiful at age 92, so bright-eyed and slim, and active.  And Ben is so efficient and helpful – (to me, Dorothy needs no help.)

 

March 26, 1986

It was warm today. I just now (8:30 P.M) turned off the little air conditioner in my study. Nothing much happened today.

 

March 27, 1986

Nothing in particular happened today. I have lost much in vitality and strength these past few months. I sometimes fear that I shall not be able to care for myself much longer.

 

March 28, 1986

Warm day. Turned off the air conditioner at 9:00 P.M. Pleasant morning with Roy Beeby. He brought me pic that was supposed to go in new edition of Prairie City, but somehow another was substituted. Will be properly placed in 3^rd printing. He now owns the farm my grandmother bought in 1899. Is greatly interested in history and physical features. I tried to draw on 1899 maps showed some some landmarks but got too tired to finish. He will bring a picture taken from a planned try, again.

 

March 29, 1986

Warm day.  I had two lovely visits this A.M.  That warm-hearted, generous Jim Horton sent me an Easter corsage.  He doesn’t know I can’t attend church.  So I called my beloved Janet (Shelby) who married Mike Murphy a few months ago, to come and get it.  Hadn’t seen her since her marriage.  She is lovely.  Gave it to her.  Jim will never know.  Then a little girl called to ask about a Marshall history her mother and some others are writing.  She lives at Douglas, the granddaughter of an old friend.  Name is Renee Shore, 13 years old.  Are of the finest young girls ever met.  

 

March 30, 1986

Easter Sunday. A white amaryllis sent me by Merle & Martha Swartz bloomed in full lovel loveliness this morning. Got its calendar exactly right. Rev. Bob brought communion service – my beloved Luella Reim came came with him. (Raymond and Mabel are away.) Then Jim Horton called from Florida. (I concealed the fact that Janet would wear it to church instead of me.) All this happened before 11:00 A.M. People are so good to me.

 

March 31, 1986

Warm day. Not much happened. But Gerry Schaefer on way home from teaching at Covington picked up her mail and there was a letter from our beloved Nieves de Leon (Forget her married name) just after Marcos made his inglorious exit. She named nobody but her letter was so happy we both cried. We had worried about her and her family for these last few years.

 

April 1, 1986

Cooler today. It rained a little last night about midnight. Not much happened today. Winnie called this evening. She is greatly upset over an ignorant minister her church has. Her penalty for being intelligent, socially sensitive, and concerned about people and issues.

 

April 2, 1986

Rained last night & all forenoon. Cloudy all day. The wheat is very happy about it. Raymond and Mabel came home after being away a week and a half. Went to see Ollie who had surgery to explore the cancer behind her eye they have been treating with therapy Everything hopeful.  Her son came and stayed with her and they went on to St Louis to see Janie and Charles & then all went to Illinois to visit the two daughters. Raymond came and told me all about it.  Ollie has gone back to teaching. The Tulsa doctors hope to save her eye.

 

April 3, 1986

I felt especially well today. And because I felt so bad yesterday my considerate Selma let me sleep till 8:00 when she came at 7:30 at the time I am supposed to get up. And I accomplished quite a bit (for me) in writing long neglected letters etc. during the day. It rained another forenoon – probably ½ inch. Good for the wheat.

 

April 4, 1986

[No entry]

 

April 5, 1986

Apparently I forgot to make an entry yesterday. Probably nothing much happened. Today it turned off hot in the P.M. The little air conditioner in my study couldn’t handle it, and I turned on the big one in the kitchen. The little fan is still on but I went out on the back porch to close the windows and it was cool out there. I forgot something important. I am fairly certain I saw Halley’s comet at 6:00 A.M. I stayed up all night to watch it in 1910. This morning I forgot to put on my glasses but I think it was the comet I saw in the southeast.

 

April 6, 1986

Sunday, Raymond came as usual this morning. He brings Mable [sic] to work with the children in the S.S. and stops to talk with me. I had pleasant visits this P.M. after my sleep. With my beloved cousins the Worsleys in Chicago, and with my dear “little sister” who lived in our home in her childhood from Los Angeles. Then I called Margaret Camp in Albuquerque.

 

April 7, 1986

Warm day.  I still have the air conditioner on, and when I went out on the back porch to close the windows for the night I found it was warm outside. Lovely Ramona came today with some newspaper articles she and Pat had been saving for me. They do not come to see me often but are always at hand.

 

April 8, 1986

I had a good day but nothing in particular happened. I read something beautiful in an obituary by Dee Ann Ray about a prominent library official which was published in the library journal. She ended by quoting Rabindranath Tagore – Death is not extinguishing the light; it is putting out the light because the dawn has come.

 

April 9, 1986

Cooler day. Dr. Scales called me from Winston-Salem, North Carolina for a long and very pleasant visit. I enjoyed it so much. He was thinking of the unveiling of my port portrait at the capitol one year and one day ago. He was the principal speaker on that occasion.

 

April 10, 1986

It was cooler today but it got warm. I felt bad all day. But I got everything organized for an appointment I have with Dr. Hinson tomorrow. The medicine he is giving me is really driving the swelling from my feet. It clears up at night though some of it comes back after I sit up during the day.

 

April 11, 1986

Cloudy. Threatened to rain but didn’t. Selma took me to Enid to see Dr. Han Hinson. He continues the same medicine. Had me take an electrocardiogram. (Heart not bad) also I got some prescriptions filled. Added up to 100 for the day besides 17.00 for the trip. But my finances are O.K. so far.

 

April 12, 1986

Warm day. Phone call from Bruce Dehn. He and Gite are in Texas. Will come by to see Monday in late P.M. I became very faint today after finishing my supper. (Felt O.K. till this struck me.)  Perhaps I got too hot. Will start getting ready for bed. It is 9:00. Still feel weak.

 

April 13, 1986

Felt pretty weak all day but am about normal this evening. It is Sunday. That good Raymond called before church as usual. There is a bad storm west of Enid. Hope it doesn’t reach us.  Generous thought! Hope it hits somebody else.

 

April 14, 1986

My good cousin (second cousin) and his lovely wife Gite from S. Dak. came to visit me late this P.M. They had been on a tour through senic [sic] places in Colo, Utah, the Grand Canyon and her sister in Texas and came by to visit me on the way home. We had a wonderful visit. I love Bruce and Gite. It was a cool day. I did use the air conditioner in the P.M. Felt O.K. Over my setback of two days ago.

 

April 15, 1986

Frost this morning Nothing much happened here I can’t hear the TV news anymore, so I learned only in today’s paper that President Reagan had attacked Libya for Khadafy’s acts of terrorism. It is my considered judgement as a historian that Reagan is the worst of our presidents but I don’t blame him for this. But it is probably illegal and perhaps unwise.

 

April 16, 1986

Another frost this morning The day went off in a pleasant way but nothing in particular happened. My good Selma De Witt got me up as usual, my lovely capable Alice Pipla cleaned my house, my capable Ila Marker brought me a warm noon meal, and Selma checked with me at 8:50 P.M. all as usual. All fine people, all good company.

 

April 17, 1986

I was ill today. I am afraid this coming summer will be hard to take.

 

April 18, 1986

I had a good night’s sleep and felt will today. Autographed some books for a man in San Marcos, Texas who is strongly interested in my life and work. (I don’t know why. Likes to read I think.) He and his wife came to see me once. A fine couple. His name is Lowman

 

April 19, 1986

Mr. Lowman’s brother who is in Okla. on business of his own came and picked up the autographed books. He stayed a while to visit. I liked him very much. It rained today. I don’t know how much. It came while I was asleep. No thunder. When I woke up I was surprised to see the pools of water.

 

April 20, 1986

Sunday. Raymond as usual dropped in before church. I felt well and got some work done. Mainly I finished some letters. It is hard for me to write and long ago I had to stop typing. Gave my typewriter to Evadean Huffer.

 

April 21, 1986

Raymond (good man that he is, came and put the fan in my porch window. He has a very busy week but he said he thought it might get hot. I learned that the parade on Prairie City day (next Saturday) will be in the P.M. So I can’t ride in it. Impossible at that hour. I am sorry for I owe it to the good Marshall people. Only once before have I failed

 

April 22, 1986

This is our historic date – the date when Sylvan Rice staked his claim in the new Indian Territory, opened to homesteaders. There he built his store and named it Marshall. But we forgot all about it in our preparations for Prairie City Days. It was a pleasant day, and I felt well.  Got a letter from Betty Mubiru in Uganda. She has been in the midst of things unspeakable the past months, but she and her children have been spared.

 

April 23, 1986

My roses are blooming on the porch – the American Beauty on my my north trellis, the Blaze on the south one. Also the red clematis has started blooming on the trellis north of the house. The men cleared the cleaned Main Street this evening for Prairie City Days now shrunk to two day celebration Friday and Saturday.

 

April 24, 1986

Warm day. I still have the air conditioner in my study going at 9:10 P.M. Shirley Earnheart who is in charge of the Prairie City Days parade came this morning to take a recording of my regret that I am physically unable to join the parade. I mad made a brief statement to that effect and of my appreciation of the celebration and my affection for the people.

 

April 25, 1986

My beloved Pat O’Neill came this morning with a book he wanted to give to Dr. Hinson & wanted me to autograph, and he stayed a long time. How I enjoyed the visit. Prairie City Days starts this evening (two days this year but great preliminar preliminary preparations. Two Program at the school house this evening.

 

April 26, 1986

This was the big final day of Prairie City Days. Sally Dennison came from Tulsa from Council Oak Books and a pleasant young woman to take a recording. She wants to get a Prairie City story on TV.  I gave her the history of our celebration – how George Beeby started the idea in 1969 and made recording of some things she wanted to use. The rest of the day I spent as usual. They spent most of the forenoon with me.

 

April 27, 1986

We had a good rain last night, and we needed it. I am so glad it didn’t rain at parade time yesterday. Raymond call came to see me this morning. (It is Sunday.) This This morning we set the clocks up an hour for Daylight Savings. I’m afraid not many got to church. The Prairie City Days street dance closed at 12:00.

 

April 28, 1986

Clara Schaefer brought her sister, Leone Schne Schneebeck to visit me. Leone and Clara grew up on the farm joining ours on the west. A very fine family. Leone’s husband died recently. They had lived many years in Colorado Springs. She is here now visiting Clara. They were the younger children much younger than I. The Schaefers are very fine people.

 

April 29, 1986

Forgot to mention that I talked with Mr. Draper of Uni of Okla. Press today. They plan to publish a new edition of Foot-loose this year to catch the publicity of my projected TV documentary this coming fall. I had already made some extensive additions which Ramona typed and sent them last fall. Today I worked on some typo errors that need correction. Did some effective work.

 

April 30, 1986

Bad day for me. I broke a treasured letter opener I have used for years – beautiful wood carving by my friend. Then Alice Pipla who cleans my house on Wednesday found that a water pipe in my bathroom was falling apart and starting to leak. Called Woody Winburn for advice. He thought it would hold up for some time, but needed repair as soon as possible. I called a Covington plumber who is coming tomorrow. I hope it holds up till he gets here.

 

May 1, 1986

A good plumber named Phibrook came and repaired and checked my plumbing. It was not as serious as we thought, no leak, water came from sweat on a sultry day. But the float in the flush tank was damaged and he replaced it. (It had been causing an inflated water bill.) Failed to record yesterday that B.B. Chapman called from Florida & we talked about an hour. I tremble at his phone bill. We had written but I had not seen him or heard his voice for many years.

 

May 2, 1986

Tomorrow I will have Raymond, Don, and Pat here to tell them about my will etc. But I was unable to make planned preparation because of my plumbing troubles. I worked hard on it today but my work is incomplete. I expected to write something to give them but didn’t quite finish. But I hope I can manage.

 

May 3, 1986

Pat couldn’t come today for the conference I had planned. but [sic] Raymond and Don came and I got along fine. They will serve in succession on my affairs – Raymond is serving now with power of attorney, then if he is unable to serve the other Don, or if he can’t serve Pat. I took them through power of attorney, guardian, executor of my will. Took me 1½ hours.  Such fine men, honest, helpful, totally good.

 

May 4, 1986

Sunday. Good Raymond called as usual before church. Nothing much happened. I had a pleasant visit with Dorine Halsted.

 

May 5, 1986

I worked hard in the short stretches I can work on some things I forgot to mention to Raymond and Don about my future. Small details I forgot. Things they will have to take care of. Emptying my house when I leave it, etc.

 

May 6, 1986

Hot day. I had the last last of conference with my three alternative choices of power of attorney, guardian, executor of my will with Pat O’Neill, who was unable to attend with Raymond and Don May 3. Good friend Pat. And he brought me a wonderful white rose.

 

May 7, 1986

It rained today while I was asleep in the afternoon. I don’t know how much – not much I think. Selma tells me it didn’t rain. I thought the ground looked slick. My mistake. I worked on an article my beloved Connie sent me about my undistinguished career. It was so flattering I practically lapped it up (Connie believes it. Bless her.) She wanted me to correct any errors and I did correct a few – dates dates etc. Small ones.

 

May 8, 1986

Written may 7 We had a violent wind and rain in the evening, and just as I finished my supper and straightened up the kitchen the electricity went off. I got my flash light to have by me in case of need and sat in the dark tha till 9:15. No harm done here but I learned by the morning paper that Edmond had a tornado. As I sat in the dark I kept thinking how fortunate I had finished my supper. (There was nobody killed but much wreckage in Edmond.)

 

May 9, 1986

I slept all night undisturbed by the hours of darkness. Worked today on autographing books that have waited since Prairie City days. And this evening we had a real rain – nothing violent. It is cooler than usual but I still have one air conditioner on.

 

May 10, 1986

It rained al afternoon and much of the evening. I think we got a lot of water. I think it is too early in the season to harm the wheat. The harvest will be very early this year. They expect it to begin in May. I remember only one harvest that ever did that. It was years ago. Just the last two or three days of May. Learned later. It rained 2½ inches.

 

May 11, 1986

Sunday. Raymond and Mabel are at Ollie’s. So Raymond didn’t come this morning as usual on Sundays before Sunday School. I spent the day autographing books. Tried to write a personal message in each. Writers appreciate readers.

 

May 12, 1986

Nothing in particular happened. I felt well and got in some good work at my slow pace autographing books, writing a few letters, etc. Happy to know Bill Schefer [sic] is back home after heart surgery. I was afraid he would die.

 

May 13, 1986

Again not much happened. I think it rained a little this morning. Ila Marker, who brings my noon meal, said it did, but perhaps at their farm, not in town.

 

May 14, 1986

It rained most of the day. And And it was cool. It thundered and I even pulled the plug on my study air cond. and didn’t use the big big one in the kitchen at all. I worked on answering piled-up letters. I will ty sleeping tonight without the air conditioner.

 

May 15, 1986

It didn’t rain today. I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow for I have an appointment to see Dr. Hinson. We shall have an early wheat harvest this year. I don’t know about the 1890s, but certainly the earliest since then. It had already started in southwestern Okla. until yesterday’s rain stopped it. I hope we don’t have a wet harvest.

 

May 16, 1986

Selma took me to see Dr. Hinson. He told to take only ½ of the tablet I take once a day to keep down the swelling in my feet and ankles. He has it under control. Sad Said come back in 2 months. It was a cloudy day – big clouds ready to form a thunderstorm but they didn’t do it.  The wheat is heading. I am fearing a wet difficult harvest. I got very tired. I am so grateful to Selma for making things easy as possible.

 

May 17, 1986

It didn’t rain today and is really cold this evening. I did some planning on two books that need some corrections – my Creek History, The Road to Disappearance, and my Oklahoma: Foot-loose and Fancy Free. The latter one will come out in a new edition this coming fall.

 

May 18, 1986

Sunday. Our pastor came this morning with the communion service. (It is Pentecost Sunday.) Raymond Bryson came with him. In the P.M. and evening I worked hard on a change I want to make in Okla.: Foot-loose which I have just learned will be published in a new edition this fall. I am like the farmers who cut wheat on Sunday. A rush job.

 

May 19, 1986

Sunny day.  No rain, but people are getting worried about harvest. I worked hard on that paragraph in Foot-loose.  I must count spaces and make new one fit. Difficult work.

 

May 20, 1986

Sunny day. I got my paragraph finished if I counted spaces correctly. I will check tomorrow. The original paragraph was based on some official army statements which were false – also some biographical statements about Allan Houser also false. I had to eliminate them and fit the real facts into the blanks. I really worked hard today.

 

May 21, 1986

It didn’t rain but I am afraid it is getting ready to do it. They say the wheat fields are soggy mud. I finally finished my Allan Houser paragraph and got it ready to mail.

 

May 22, 1986

It turned out to be a hot day, probably what the ground in the wheat fields needed. And it didn’t rain! I felt really good. Started work on another paragraph in Foot-loose.

 

May 23, 1986

It was cloudy part of the day but didn’t rain. I finished changing the other paragraph in Foot-loose.

 

May 24, 1986

Yesterday’s entry will do for today.

 

May 25, 1986

Sunday. It rained a little last night but not much. I think it didn’t do much harm. Raymond, that good man, picked up my box of flowers (artificial) saved from last year to decorate my 15 graves when he and Mabel decorate their family graves this evening. (It didn’t rain today.) My beloved cousins, Shirley & Ray Worsley called for a long beautiful visit. The screw holding the bow to my glasses came out so I spent some tiresome hours until Selma was able to repair them.

 

May 26, 1986

It wasn’t very warm today. Clara Schaefer came this afternoon for a very pleasant visit. I love Clara. She brought a book (Prairie City) for me to autograph for Vernon and Sherry Ficken. It rained a little this evening. Clara told of one farmer south of town who is running his combine. The earliest harvest I have ever seen in Okla. Clara saw him working his combine.

 

May 27, 1986

Selma took me to Enid to see Dr. Shields . My eyes are O.K. Right 18; left 21. It threatened rain but not a drop hit us. We had good luck – didn’t have to wait a minute for the test. Raymond came in late P.M. with the flowers from the cemetery, and stayed to visit. And Vera came this evening for a visit. Forgot to say we saw some wheat fields on the way to Enid where some combining had been done. No doubt more was done this P.M. Earliest harvest since I saw my first one in 1900. 86 years

 

May 28, 1986

It didn’t rain today. I suppose some wheat was harvested in the P.M. I worked on the job I always dread – checking the bank statement, which came today, against my check book records for the month and plan everything in my Income Tax data for 190 196 1986. We haven’t had seriously hot weather yet.

 

May 29, 1986

Another day without rain. I hope the ground in the wheat fields is drying up. Vera Long fell at her door yesterday evening just as she was coming in the house. She bruised her knee badly and Elsie Schaefer took her to her doctor at Enid. She is in a wheel chair now but expects to be up in a few days. It seems she suddenly lost consciousness and fell.

 

May 30, 1986

It rained last night – real rain. No harvesting today. Don Huffer and Rodney Huffer came by briefly to bring me a loaf of delicious bread from Evadean. Don said he harvested some wheat yesterday. He says the ground is hard – the combines don’t sink; it is only the wheat that gets wet when it rains. So if it would quit raining the harvest would progress.

 

May 31, 1986

It didn’t rain today. The Fred Brysons are celebrating their golden wedding anniversary today and tomorrow

 

June 1, 1986

Rain last night This was the celebration of the 50th wedding anniversary of Fred and Thelma Bryson. Celebrated yesterday and today. It was a gathering of the Brysons. I remember those children so well. Raymond, the oldest was about 12 or 13, down to little Elizabeth when their mother died the winter I was in Chi Chicago 1923-24. Their father brought them up so careful carefully and we loved them all the way. Fred and Thelma met in college just as Raymond and Mabel did.

 

June 2, 1986

It rained off and on all P.M. and evening. Bad for harvest.

 

June 3, 1986

It rained all forenoon. No harvest, I heard from Mr. Drayton of the OU Press that he got the two paragraphs I worked on so hard to get them into the proper spaces on the pages of Foot-loose. He says they will announce in the catalog at the end of this year. The new printing

 

June 4, 1986

It rained all afternoon. I think much water fell. No harvest. I got a notice from the Internal Revenue Service that I have failed to pay $74 I owe. I called Raymond and he will straighten it out. I have the canceled check. But it may be $100 short.

 

June 5, 1986

It didn’t rain today. I worked on some important writing jobs. Got one finished – a letter of recommendation for a very deserving person.

 

June 6, 1986

It didn’t rain today. I worked on Foot-loose. It will be published soon. I needed to change a statement about sultry weather. Our climate has changed and we now have it. I will put in a footnote.

 

June 7, 1986

I didn’t rain today. My boy even managed to mow the lawn. I worked on getting Foot-loose ready for the new edition.

 

June 8, 1986

Sunday. It didn’t rain last night or today. My “little sister” Nellie Moorman called me from Calif. Her voice sounded so sweet. She lived in our home several years when I was a young school teacher and she was a child.

 

June 9, 1986

Again no rain. Blue sky, soft little white clouds spattering it. I wonder if they managed to harvest some wheat this P.M. The cancer on Ollie Bryson Yeltons [sic] hip or perhaps rib (I’ve heard it both ways. The Tulsa doctors had been giving her chemotherapy for the one behind her eye. Now they have to double the dosage. The Bryson’s have gone to help her. They are seriously meant to say this cancer has started growing. It had been dormant while they concentrated on the one behind her eye.

 

June 10, 1986

It didn’t rain today. I wonder if the they were able to harvest wheat.

 

June 11, 1986

It didn’t rain. And it was cooler today, and the back porch is cool now. Perhaps they can really cut wheat tomorrow.

 

June 12, 1986

Sunny all day – no threat of rain. I suspect much harvesting was done this P.M. Anne Morgan and Nancy Anthony were coming up this week to see the harvest . Raymond who has retired and so is free was going to show them around. It is really worth seeing. But the rain has interrupted it and Raymond and Mabel are with Ollie. They have really looked forward to it.

 

June 13, 1986

It didn’t rain. There was some real harvesting done this P.M.

 

June 14, 1986

Raymond came to see me this morning. The visit of Anne and Nancy has been called off. Raymond absent – harvest blocked by rain – and they couldn’t come yesterday or today. Raymond thought this one good day would almost finsh finish the harvest. And then it rained afternoon and evening. Much rain. No harvest now for several days. At 9:00 P.M. its [sic] still raining.

 

June 15, 1986

It didn’t rain. I even saw Joe Vcuik [sic] mowing his lawn this P.M. Today I mailed the last page in Foot-loose I plan to change. I have done three. Very hard for me in these feeble days. I have to count spaces so the new material will fit. This one was about the change in Okla. climate the past few years – p. 8 in the book.

 

June 16, 1986

It didn’t rain today. Yippee Yippee! I started work on some new material I wrote in 1981 to bring Foot-loose up to date. Ramona typed it for me. I think I can finish it with little change effort.

 

June 17, 1986

It didn’t rain. I suppose most of the wheat is now harvested. Ramona came this morning to bring me a copy of the manuscript she typed for me in 1981 to add an addendum to Foot-loose. I wrote in 1981 but there was so [sic] hurry because Pat had a serious heart attack and by-pass surgery just as she was ready to type it. So she typed it only recently to get it ready for the present new edition in progress. Ramona is lovely as ever.

 

June 18, 1986

It didn’t rain today. I had a very happy visit this forenoon from Glenna Matthews and a Stillwater friend whose name I can’t remember – the daughter of a man I knew when he came to stay summers with the R.J. Castors at Marshall when he was a small boy. Glenna has been in Calif. working on book. She came back to resign from her job in the history dept. of OSU. She is a fine scholar. Her two children are in Calif. and she wants to be close to them.

 

June 19, 1986

June 20 It didn’t rain today. Most of the wheat is harvested now. Pat O’Neill has a lot to do and one or two who plant large acreages also, but most are done. I have been thinking of Glenna’s decision to leave Okla. I shall miss her. I did some detective work and figured out it was she who first suggested to the Institute for Research in History to make the TV documentary about me. Yesterday I asked her and she confessed everything else started from that. Capitol portrait, etc.

 

June 20, 1986

I forgot to make entry June 19, and made June 20 entry on page for 19 because it was blank. I don’t remember what happened June 19.

 

June 21, 1986

It didn’t rain. And its [sic] getting pretty hot. I started work on the material I wrote in 1981 to bring Foot-loose up to date, and which Ramona typed for me. I think I can soon finish have a few small places I want to change and a few decisions to make.

 

June 22, 1986

Sunday. Raymond did not come this morning as he regularly does before church. He and Mabel must be away. I got a letter from Betty Mubiru in Uganda. Her dear old father died very suddenly after a normal day of associating with his friends at the church related institution where he had been living in Kampala.

 

June 23, 1986

It rained last night. Selma said her rain gauge showed 1.1 inch. I wonder if that is true. Only a few big wheat growers have not finished harvesting. Dephane [sic] Dishman had a serious operation today – had her gall bladder removed. I worked on Foot-loose.

 

June 24, 1986

Hot day. No rain. I felt well. Worked on Foot-loose. Got an interesting letter from a Semrad daughter-in-law. I taught all the children from Wenceslas to Annie. Her husband was then too young to go to school – or perhaps not born yet. It was 1907.

 

June 25, 1986

Warm day. It didn’t rain. I worked on Foot-loose. About finished.

 

June 26, 1986

Ruby Thompson and her fine husband and their gentle retarded son from Oregon came to visit me this morning. Ruby is the granddaughter of my cousins, Alfered (Allie) and Lula Cooper (no deceased) and I have known her since she was a small child, growing up in Okla. I enjoyed the visit. It didn’t rain today. The O’Neills have much wheat still to harvest.

 

June 27, 1986

It didn’t rain. But the O’Neills still have much wheat to harvest. I got everything finished in revising Foot-loose. I hope I got everything right. But Mr. Drayton to already working on it. I hope he has just started, so he has not seriously needed the latest work.

 

June 28, 1986

Really hot day. No rain. I had Selma mail my Foot-loose revision this morning. I got it done late but I hope not too late.

 

June 29, 1986

Sunday. I’m writing June 30. Had a bad day and a good day. The air cond. in my study suddenly quit this morning and the one in my kitchen is crippled. I spent a terrible day. But good day because of the goodness of people. Raymond spent all P.M. getting new air cond from Don Hoffman at Crescent & helping Don put it in. And at the worst Selma took me to her house. The house was still hot when I went to bed – 86 in my bedroom & I went to bed without changing my clothes.

 

June 30, 1986

Good day both ways today. Mr. Jacobs from Crescent came and repaired my other air cond. So now I have both working. And he is not only a good man at his trade but a very considerate, kindly person. And I felt surprisingly well after yesterday.

 

July 1, 1986

It rained last night. I am so sorry for the O’Neills. Their fields always got the worst of the rains and much is still unharvested & weeds are coming. Mr. Jacobs came and repaired my limping air conditioner today. Now I have two whole ones. But the one Don Hoffman and Raymond put in my study Sunday is too low and he has ordered a stronger one. But I got along O.K. today.

 

July 2, 1986

Hot day no rain. I had greatly loved visitors today. Ethel Gibson Hubbard from Covington whom I taught as a beginner in 1907-8 came with the Poindexter sisters I taught in 1914-15. Violet, about 9, Sylvia a beginner. Sylvia is widowed, Violet a capable business woman never married. They now live in pleasant retirement across Lake Ponchartraen [sic] from New Orleans. Wonderful visit.

 

July 3, 1986

It didn’t rain today. Sun shown but lovely fleecy white streaks of clouds scattered over the sky. My Goldilocks rose is blooming beautifully. “Everblooming” roses bloomed only in spring in Okla. – too hot in summer. But these last years our climate has changed. We now have sultry weather. Joe Vculik [sic], good neighbor across the alley, brought me some tomatoes from his garden, then stayed for a long lovely visit. I love Joe and Opal.

 

July 4, 1986

Hot day. No rain. This is the Fourth of July. But I can’t put up my flag as I always liked to do on patriotic occasions. Selma could put it up for me in the morning but there would be nobody to take it down if it rained or at sunset. And I didn’t see any of the Statue of Liberty ceremony  because I can’t hear well enough to use the TV. Still it was a good day thinking of these things.

 

July 5, 1986

Very happy morning. Bob and Gloria Weber and their college student son, Mark, and daughter, Karen came to visit me. Then in the P.M. the electricity almost petered out for about fiv five hours – weather very hot. I sat still and somehow didn’t suffer too much. I don’t know the cause. It was still very warm (about 88ᵒ) when I went to bed. I am writing this on July 6.

 

July 6, 1986

I feel surprisingly well today after yesterday’s experience with no air conditioning. This is Sunday. Nothing in particular happened. The Brysons are at Ollie’s so Raymond didn’t stop by as usual on Sundays.

 

July 7, 1986

Last night about midnight I woke very dizzy and remained dizzy about 4 hours. During the time I even went to sleep once but woke dizzy. Then it passed off and I slept naturally till morning. I was well today but very weak. Ila brought my noon meal as usual but Selma had to come and set it out. This evening I have managed by myself. I hope I will be O.K. tomorrow.

 

July 8, 1986

I felt O.K. today but I am losing strength all the time – and now my memory for words – unfamiliar words, that I do not use often and the names of people even of close friends. Raymond came to see me this morning. He and Mabel have been to see Ollie. There is ominous news about her cancer.

 

July 9, 1986

Had a pleasant surprise this morning. Connie Conley wrote and article about me for the magazine Tulsa. I knew about the article but I made the cover – a fine copy of my capitol portrait. It surprised (and pleased) Connie too. I called her this evening. This P.M. I k P.M. I had a visit from Mrs. Voskuhl of a family living northwest of Marshall, her daughter, whom I taught in high school during World War II, and her daughter, a beautiful girl who has just finished college. They live in Houston, Mrs. V in Hennessey.

 

July 10, 1986

Don Hoffman came and put in my new air conditioner this morning. Raymond of course, helped. It is much better than the one he left with me a week ago. I was really comfortable today. The weather is very warm – in the 90’s – no rain. Vera Long spent the evening with me. Very pleasant. Selma is going to a church meeting the next 3 days. I shall miss her. May Jette Van Hauen will take care of me.

 

July 11, 1986

My new air conditioner is giving out so much more coolness than the temporary one I had that my house was pleasant all day. It now gets up to almost 100ᵒ in the afternoon. Selma left early this morning. May Jett is conscientiously taking her place.

 

July 12, 1986

Another hot day – no rain today. I hope Pat has his wheat all harvested. Noting in particular happened. Albert Pipla was to have surgery a day or two ago but the doctors [sic] son son was injured in an accident and he had to care for him. Prostate trouble and a small cancer. Of course one is always concerned but his chances of complete recovery are excellent.

 

July 13, 1986

Sunday. It rained a little this morning but was sunny all day. The handle broke off the faucet to my sink this morning, so I can’t use it. Not serious, only the hot water cannot be used. I couldn’t get the plumber but I can manage. Selma is supposed to return home this evening though we haven’t heard from her yet. Later – she called me while I was getting ready for bed.

 

July 14, 1986

It was so good to have Selma back this morning. Mae Jette is a good person and very conscientious in taking care of me, but I am getting so I am perhaps babyish about Selma.

 

July 15, 1986

I suppose Albert Pipla was operated on today for prostate trouble including a very small cancer. The doctors expect the complete elimination of the cancer since it has barely started – he rates 1 on the 1 to 5 scale they have – but one is always uneasy. Hot day no rain today.

 

July 16, 1986

Hot day. Ramona was here this morning to discuss new edition of Foot-loose of which she did the typing. They finally finished their wheat harvest.

 

July 17, 1986

Hot day. Everybody now is wanting rain. The Internal Revenue Service is all excited about $84.00 I paid them (or rather Raymond did) on Selma’s Social Security.

Later. Raymond found in his records that he paid only half the required amount. He corrected it and now all is well – I hope.

 

July 18, 1986

Hot day. No rain, nor prospect of rain. Selma took me to see Dr. Hinson this morning. I am so grateful to him for taking me as a patient. I got tired of course. Then in the P.M. the electricity went off. I was asleep but the electric clock recorded the time. Off about two hours. It got pretty hot. I stood it O.K. But did have a migraine attack this evening.

 

July 19, 1986

Another hot day. No rain. I was ill all forenoon. But I ate my dinner – hard work swallowing it and went to my P.M. siesta Rested and felt O.K. Yesterday was just too hard.

 

July 20, 1986

The weather gets up to 100ᵒ or close to it and I don’t get the house much below 80ᵒ. This is Sunday. Raymond called as usual just before church. Charles and Janie are here, also Ollie. I am worried about Ollie. She is pretty well – drove here from beyond Tulsa, but her cancer has started to grow. Her original cancer which spawned the others

 

July 21, 1986

Not quite so hot, or so it seemed to me. The Brysons are all gone. Raymond and Mabel drove over to Ollie’s home to help Ollie when she takes her treatment at Tulsa. The treatment makes her sick. They will stay with her till she recovers – possibly until next Monday. This forenoon Raymond came and did some work around my new air conditioner. When Don Hoffman installed it he left cracks all around it and outside pest came in.

 

July 22, 1986

Chaotic day. In the morning Selma took me to Crescent for a permanent. Then after a hasty lunch I went back to bed as usual. (I had told Ila not to bring my noon meal because I might not get home in time) I woke up at 3:00 and at 3:25 the electricity went off for about an hour. Of course the house got very hot. Then when the electricity came on it became very dark and we had quite a rain. Things have now settled down.

 

July 23, 1986

Hot day. I am making entry a day late – do not remember anything in particular happening. It was the day for Alice to come to clean my house. I love Alice so this is always a pleasant experience for me.

 

July 24, 1986

Another hot day. No rain but thunder storms do occur enough to keep me watching ready to turn off my air conditioners. I got a letter from Evette Haley whom I knew at Canyon, Texas many years ago. He is much younger than I and is still writing.

 

July 25, 1986

Another hot day with no news in particular.

 

July 26, 1986

Same as yesterday. But I am fortunate in having good friends, good care, and good health except except for being very feeble. I am grateful that I can see to read and I am making corrections and revisions in my books for the next printing. This will end my work.

 

July 27, 1986

Another hot day. It is Sunday, but Sunday has become just like any other day to me. I can certainly understand why people who do not attend church feel about Sunday. Raymond did not drop by this morning before church. He and Mabel have been with Ollie all week.

 

July 28, 1986

Another hot day. Winnie Branen came by to see me this morning. I love Winnie. I saw by the obituary page in yesterday’s paper, that Jessie Avery died in Calif. She was about 2 or 3 years younger than I. We were good friends

 

July 29, 1986

This was a very hard day 107ᵒ Had an appointment with Dr. Shields but something delayed him (I am not blaming him) but I didn’t get home till 2:30. My peripheral vision is O.K. – my sight unchanged, but the pressure in my left eye was up in the 30s which it has never reached before. (right eye 18). He wants me to come back in August – meanwhile more drops in that eye.

 

July 30, 1986

Another hot day – breaking records – or matching records of the terrible summer of 1936. (I believe that is the right date – the heat didn’t break that year till Sep. 21 it rained.) and my kitchen air conditioner quit. I closed the door and shut off the north half of my house and stayed in the south half by the air conditioner in my study.

 

July 31, 1986

I telephoned Don Hoffman at Crescent and he installed a new air cond this morning. Raymond (bless him) helped. It was a hot day but not so bad as the last two. Then the wind blew my storm door on my front entrance loose and slammed it against the house but didn’t break the glass. Joe Vculek came and fixed it. Good Joe.

 

August 1, 1986

Perhaps it was not so hot today. Anyhow I have 2 new air conditioners, and today was free from problems. They cost me about 1,000 1200 but I had to have them. Raymond wrote the checks and I haven’t added them yet. They were almost 1200 plus telephone calls to Crescent.

 

August 2, 1986

Had a lovely long telephone visit with Shirley & Ray Worsley. Other things happened but I forget. Am writing late.

The University of Kansas Press sent me 8 complimentary copies of the Okla. Guide of 1941 edited by Anne Morgan. They restored an original essay on “History” I wrote when I was director and substituted an ignorant one that has embarrassed me for 45 years because people would think I wrote it.

 

August 3, 1986

Sunday Raymond came for a visit this morning before Sunday School. And this evening Pat O’Neill called I had told Ramona I wanted to give them one of my 8 restored guides. I did enjoy Pat’s visit. I love Pat and Ramona.

 

August 4, 1986

I think it was not so hot today. I didn’t step outside the test it. Kathie Shores came to see me this P.M. about 6:00. She is writing a history of Marshall. She is a very bright young woman – has the makings of a real scholar. I should like to see her future career. Her bright little daughter, René was with her and I met her tall young son briefly. Kathie is the granddaughter of Ethel White.

 

August 5, 1986

It rained last night. I don’t know how much. Later: it rained 1¾ inches Today I worked on some advice to my guardian if I should become helpless and need one I held a conference with Raymond, Don, and Pat and this follows it up.

 

August 6, 1986

Two of my favorite people visited me today: Gerry Schaefer this forenoon, Alma in late P.M. just after I got out of bed at about 3:30. My lucky day. Gerry brought a letter from Nieves (forget married name) a Filipina girl we loved very much when she was in school at OSU – she is now in Calif. visiting some relatives.

 

August 7, 1986

Apparently I forgot to make entry My mistake. I had the wrong date

 

August 8, 1986

Aug. 7 Nothing in particular happened. Pat O’Neill came to take care of my insurance and stayed and visited a while. It is always a pleasure to see Pat. I worked on some directions to my handling my property after my death or in case of prolonged illness.

 

August 9, 1986

Aug. 8 It rained last night. I don’t know how much. I worked today on some small connections for the next printing of Geronimo.

 

August 10, 1986

Aug. 9 It rained this forenoon – I don’t know how much and was cloudy all evening. Nothing in particular happened.

Aug. 10 Sunday. One telephone outlet quit today. The other two are O.K. But it takes me a while to reach them when I am in my living room.

 

August 11, 1986

Lovely day. No thunderstorm. I didn’t succeed in getting my telephone outlet repaired. It is very inconvenient. But I am feeling O.K.

 

August 12, 1986

The telephone man came this morning and put in a new instrument in the dead outlet to replace the dead one in the living room outlet. So glad to get it. Now it is right at my hand when I am sitting in my regular place on the divan in my living room. And soon after I had two lovely long distance calls from Frances Davis and Maxine Austin. Just like seeing them. So glad the phone was working.

 

August 13, 1986

Gerry Schaefer called me this morning to tell me that Nieves (I forgot her married name) from the Philippines will he here tomorrow. She was a lovely young student at OSU years ago and spent spent much time in our community – was like a daughter to Bob and Gerry Schaefer. Now she is a young grandmother.

 

August 14, 1986

Gerry brought Nieves to see me today this P.M. in late P.M. (after I had finished my P.M. sleep. It was wonderful to see her. She really had a home at the Schaefers (It was 26 years ago) and many friends in Marshall. Next to the Sch [sic] I was the closest to her. She spent much time at my house. It was wonderful to see her again. It rained one inch today.

 

August 15, 1986

Don Huffer stopped by to pickup a magazine I got for him (had good pictures and an article about me by Connie Cronley – also her article made the cover with a fine copy of my capitol portrait, He stayed and visited and Evadean sent me a loaf of her good bread. He and Evadean have returned from a reunion of his World War II ship comrades.

 

August 16, 1986

Nothing in particular happened happened. I am working in correcting errors – typos, mainly – in Geronimo. And I discovered one child of his that had puzzled me – rather the historian. Don L Trapp, did and published some newspaper articles of 1886.

 

August 17, 1986

Sunday. Raymond Bryson came as usual on Sunday morning. Good Raymond. He is terribly worried about Ollie. But she has started teaching. (Schools for some silly reason start in August.) She teaches only half-time. This was a hot day. Both air conditioners can’t keep my house below 80ᵒ at 9:00 P.M.

 

August 18, 1986

Hot but not so hot in the house Ila Marker has been bringing my meals but she works in a Hennessey cafe and they have changed her scheduled so she will not be able to do it during the rest of august [sic]. I am fortunate to have Dovie Cardin to take her place. Ila will not be here from tomorrow on.

 

August 19, 1986

Nothing in particular happened. I am still working (very slowly and inefficiently) one corrections for Geronimo Ramona came by late this P.M. for a copy of a book I had borrowed and visited quite a while. It is always so good to see Ramona.

 

August 20, 1986

Gerry Schaefer brought Nieves again this morning. It is wonderful to see her after 26 years. She and Gerry have had a full week. It seems impossible for them to crowd in so many things. It is hot these days. (Gerry retired from teaching at the end of the 1985-86 term.

 

August 21, 1986

A terrible thing happened in Edmond early yesterday morning. (I learned of it this morning in the Enid paper because I do not hear well enough to watch TV) a postal employee came to the post office as coworkers, clerks, & others were starting the day, killed 14, wounded 6 others, then shot himself. He went through the building, shooting everyone he found

 

August 22, 1986

Hot day. I’m close to the end of my hard work on Geronimo. Could mail it tomorrow but the bank is closed on Saturdays and I have to go to the bank to have copy made. I can’t use carbons.

 

August 23, 1986

Raymond brought Mr. Weber to see me this morning. He served a few years ago as pastor of the Disciples Church here. He and his family now live in his home state of Pennsylvania. I don’t know how he happened to be back in Okla. We had a pleasant visit. He and his family live in Penna., his home state.

 

August 24, 1986

Sunday. Finally finished corrections and some revisions to Geronimo. Can mail it tomorrow. I hope it is not too late for the next printing. Found Mr. Weber is was on the way from Pennsylvania to visit relatives in Calif., and stopped by here to visit friends from his days as pastor of the Disciples church.

 

August 25, 1986

Went to Enid for Dr. Shields to check my left eye. He found it still too high. Right was 20 He doubled the dosage of the tablets I am taking and told me to return in two weeks. I recovered surprisingly from the fatigue of my trip in my afternoon sleep & feel O.K. this evening.

 

August 26, 1986

I voted in primary election today. Don Huffer took me to the Lions’ Den on Main Street where the election was held. Selma’s car got very hot yesterday because of a leak in the water hose so she couldn’t take me. I had everything written down, had worked getting it ready – but could not read it easily under the lights overhead – so delayed Don a long time from his busy farm schedule.

 

August 27, 1986

Our lovely Nieves came briefly to bid me goodbye today. And she cried just as she stood in the same room and cried when she stooped to kiss Ronnie Schaefer (10 years old) 26 years ago. She is leaving, I suppose, left, on the plane at Okla. City about noon. I shall not live to see her again I suppose but we said we should meet in another world.

 

August 28, 1986

Today was cool. I did with only my study air conditioner to furnish enough coolness for the whole house. Roberta De Board came to notarize a statement I made as to my long uncomplicated ownership of my farm so they could start drilling for oil. I have a gas well there but there is no oil there.

 

August 29, 1986

It was cold – I mean cold this morning. Selma got out an electric stove and warmed the living room. In the afternoon I used a little air conditioning and this evening I have one turned on low. July is always our worst month – except in 1936 when the heat never stopped till Sept. 21 – when it rained.

 

August 30, 1986

It was cloudy and so was cooler but not so cold or the past few days. My beloved cousins Ray and Shirley called. They are going east on a two weeks- trip to friends and children. They always let me know if they are going to be away and tell me how to get in touch with them if anything happens, Bless them.

 

August 31, 1986

Sunday. It rained most of the day. Raymond stopped in to see me as usual before Sunday School He and Mabel are driving to Ollie’s home this week to take her to the doctor at Tulsa and stay with her over the coming week end. Ollie is teaching half time at the year. I am worried about her for the cancer in her breast has started to grow. But I am glad she is teaching for I suppose that helps.

 

September 1, 1986

Cool today but not cold. We didn’t use air conditioners or electric stove either Bill Rouse came and repaired the switch on my overhead light in the living room. It is a joy to watch Bill work. He is so quick and efficient. He cleaned out the overhead fixture but that didn’t help. Then he put in a new switch and that did it. Bill and Mary Rouse are among my very best friends. I love them both.

 

September 2, 1986

Got letters today from my Uganda friend, Betty Mubiriu. Air mail, July 10 and August 5. She and her young husband were so happy until Idi Amin overthrew the government and murdered her husband. We were afraid to write a single letter during those 10 years of his misrule. Then after his overthrow she has managed so bravely with her 3 children. Now the coup and dangers I have tried to help her.

 

September 3, 1986

Got letter from Betty Mubiru today yesterday. She lives in Uganda – her husband and his brother were murdered by Idi Amin. (I see I told it in yesterday’s entry. I had her letter on my mind today because I answered it today sent her some money. Read in the Enid paper of the death of Dr. Shield’s [sic] wife. I am very grieved about it. He has taken care of my eyes so many years. Saved my sight in treating glaucoma

 

September 4, 1986

Cold day but I did use one air conditioner in the P.M. Not much happened.

 

September 5, 1986

The sun shone this P.M. and evening. It was good to see it. And I used a little coolness from air conditioning. My Goldilocks rose is blooming and my old fashioned clematis blooming beautifully.

 

September 6, 1986

Same as yesterday.

 

September 7, 1986

Sunday. Our minister, Bob Alpers, came this morning with the communion service. He brought Tony Schler along. (Raymond usually comes but he and Mabel are with Ollie who had her cancer treatment this weekend.) I had not seen Tony since he and Sherry were first married and he had grown in maturity until I didn’t know him. He is now president of the congregation, taking his father’s place in leadership.

 

September 8, 1986

Dr. Shields wanted me to come to Enid today on account of the trouble with my left eye. So we got ready. He is such a conscientious person I though he would be back. But I called his office at opening time and he will not be there all week. I do not begrudge him the rest – perhaps with his distant son and daughter. It may console him. I am so grieved over his loss. It was a perfect day cool but sunny.

 

September 9, 1986

Not much happened. Pleasant day. I used the air conditioner a little. I have never before seen my old fashioned climate so beautiful as it is this fall. In full bloom and so far extended and gracefully arranged on the fence of my flower garden. I wonder if Alice trained it or if it just grew that way.

 

September 10, 1986

It was warmer today. I used both air conditioners. I had a good conversation by telephone with John Drayton – editor in chief of Okla. Uni. Press about some additions I made in 1981 to Foot-loose, but sent to him only recently. They are bringing out the new edition this fall.

 

September 11, 1986

Warm day – of course not hot like July. I used air cond. I was ill this morning. Felt better after my P.M. sleep. Had a very good talk with Mr. Drayton, OU Press editor in chief. My material for new printing was in plenty of time.

 

September 12, 1986

Selma took me to Enid today for an appointment I had with Dr. Hinson. He has decided the swelling of my feet is caused by salt! So no no more salt! And I have always liked slat and scooped it up! But I guess I can do without it the rest of my life.

 

September 13, 1986

Pleasant day. Raymond came for a few minutes this morning. He and Mabel have been with Ollie all week. Took her to the doctor at Tulsa. The treatment was hard on her so they stayed stayed till she recovered. I am afraid that cancer has got her.

 

September 14, 1986

Sunday. It rained this afternoon. Raymond came as usual. He and Mabel are terribly worried about Ollie. Of course the illness she had last week was caused by the treatment, not the cancer. She plans to teach tomorrow. (She is working on half time this year.) If she is still ill this evening Raymond and Mabel will go back. Otherwise Mabel has to get some new glasses at Enid tomorrow.

 

September 15, 1986

Selma took me to see Dr. Shields. I was supposed to go a week ago but he was out of his office haf a that week. He found the pressure in my ey left eye still up – to 30 – and my right also too high 21. He gave me some new me drops and said to come back soon. His schedule was crowded and I didn’t get home till 2:00 P.M. Pretty worn out. Hot day. (I got home about 1:00 – got to bed at 2:00) Selma – bless her – helped.

 

September 16, 1986

Voted in Run-off Primary. Only 4 on my ticket (Democratic) – all state officials. And in every case it was a matter of “Anyone but” – “anyone but Mike Turpen” – “anyone but Cleta Mitchell” – “anyone but Hamp Baker.” But I shall have some real persons to vote for in the general election. It rained this morning – cloudy all day.

 

September 17, 1986

Evadean Huffer called to tell me that Brian and Louise Harpster are coming to visit us tomorrow. They will be at my house tomorrow morning. Evadean and Louise were rooming together in Okla. City while they worked at Tinker Airfield in World War II. Both boys were in the war. The two couples married when the war ended. The two families have been friends all the years since and I love all of them.

 

September 18, 1986

Very warm day – actually a summer day. I had a wonderful visit with my beloved friends, Brian and Louise Harpster.

 

September 19, 1986

Very hot day. And somehow I was ill all day. Nothing in particular happened. I am very thankful I have Dovie Cardin to bring my meals. It is not possible for Ila Marker to bring them any more. Her mother who lives in Pampa, Texas is not well and she needs to be free if called on to help her.

 

September 20, 1986

Hot day. I am reading a doctoral dissertation left here a year ago by a very able young faculty member of the state college at Goodwell. Somehow I neglected it until yesterday I noted his giving it to me on the entry above for 1985. I am so sorry I failed to read and report on it.

 

September 21, 1986

Sunday. Raymond came before church this morning as usual. Ollie was able to teach this week after her treatment and so Raymond and Ollie [sic] did not go back to care for her. They did care for her a few days last week after her treatment.

 

September 22, 1986

Not so hot. But I used both air con conditioners. I almost finished Mr. Brown’s dissertation. He did a good job.

 

September 23, 1986

I called Bill Rouse too check on the wiring of my kitchen air conditioner. He found it O.K. and then he stayed and talked quite a while I love Bill and Mary. Today is exactly a year since La Donna’s husband died of cancer on the brain. Their baby was born at Xmas time after 6 years of marriage with no children, and they were so happy about it. Then he became ill and died.

 

September 24, 1986

For many years I have been hearing of hurricanes from the Atlantic hitting the eastern U.S. named for women, later for men & women. Today for the first time  heard of “Newton”, from the Pacific starting from the Gulf of California and traveling northeast across N.Mex. and hitting Okla. It hit us this forenoon with very strong winds from the southwest. I think it is dying down now. Or passing on.

 

September 25, 1986

Nothing much happened. But I am trying to catch up on a few things

 

September 26, 1986

I got Dr. Brown’s MS all ready to return to him. Spent 2 days writing him a detailed letter about it. And I had forgotten it entirely and would never have thought of it again if I had not glanced up at my 1985 diary entry on Sept. 19. My memory is getting bad.

 

September 27, 1986

I had a happy telephone visit with my beloved cousins, Shirley and Ray Worsley. They have been away from home about 3 weeks visiting son John in Vermont and points between. They always tell how to keep in touch with them when they are away. So good of them. But if anything were to happen to me it would be too bad to spoil their trip by calling them back. They are too good, and I love them.

 

September 28, 1986

Sunday. Raymond came as usual before Sunday School. He says the farmers are needing rain badly. Many planted wheat in Sept. intending to use for pasture and not harvest it and the seed is still in the ground.

 

September 29, 1986

It rained all night (in fact I think it started before I made last nights’ entry) and all day. Total 4½ in. I think it has quit now. I think I see the stars. I am afraid 4½ inches is too much enough – not just to bring up the wheat but to cause floods throughout the state.

 

September 30, 1986

It was cloudy all day but I think we had no rain. The paper is full of towns flooded, major highways closed by swollen streams, even tornadoes throughout the state. Ramona was here briefly on an errand. She said her gauge here in town showed 6½ inches of rain instead of the 4½ reported by Selma and I am sure the O’Neills would have it right right. Pat is shut off from some of his wheat fields by swollen streams.

 

October 1, 1986

It was cloudy all day but it didn’t rain and tonight it is clear. The stars are shining. I had an appointment with his dentist in Enid tomorrow but I called it off. I was afraid it might start raining again.

 

October 2, 1986

It rained all day. A lot of water fell. I don’t know now much. The Mulhall family that purchased our grocery store some time ago finally quit but the bank president who holds their note vows he will keep it open. He employed Ernie Vculek to restock it and is looking for a manager. We need that store.

 

October 3, 1986

I don’t remember whether it rained this forenoon. I think it did. And it was cloudy all day. Warm and sultry this evening. All our telephones wer were off about an hour this forenoon and we are still cut off from long distance. But we are promised relief by Sunday from this week of flooding. I hope it is true. Okla. has had up to 25 inches of rain in some areas this week. Average for the state is 32 inches a year.

 

October 4, 1986

It was cloudy today but it didn’t rain. The wind turned to the northwest and it was cold. I didn’t use air conditioner and even used the furnace in the morning. I am hoping the rains are over – or will be tomorrow. And our Marshall phones got connected with the outside world this P.M. The blockage was at Kingfisher which has been flooded by the Cimarron and two creeks.

 

October 5, 1986

Sunday. It was cloudy and cold but didn’t rain. Warmed up in P.M; so I even turned on air cond. I hope bad spell is over. There are 10 inches of water in the cellar under my back porch. Raymond came this morning as usual on Sunday. He said he would find a way to pump it out.

 

October 6, 1986

It was a clear day! No rain! Selma took me to Enid to see Dr. Shields Good news! The new drops really worked on my  ailing left eye – right 18, left 21. So everything is under control. It is heartbreaking to see the newly planted or ready-to-plant wheat fields ravaged by the floods of last week. Raymond brought a man and pump from the elevator to pump the water out of my cellar. My cellar is under my back porch

 

October 7, 1986

A beautiful day – blue sky, golden sunshine, sparking atmosphere – like an Oklahoma autumn ought to be. I can’t think of anything in particular that happened. And I didn’t accomplish much.

 

October 8, 1986

Cloudy all day but it didn’t rain I hope we are not starting another spell like last week. Alice Pipla says they kept a very careful record from Sunday evening on and their gauge showed a total of 18¼ inches here in Marshall, I had a lovely telephone visit with Penny Williams this morning.

 

October 9, 1986

It rained all forenoon and was cloudy all day. I hope we are not starting on another week of flooding. Pat stopped by to see me this morning. He was on his way to Kingfisher. He showed me a three line letter he was getting ready to mail to Republican member of the legislature who had addressed him as “Dear Fellow Republican,” Said he had been addressed by a few undeserved titles of appreciation and by many uncomplimentary ones, but never as a Republican. We really laughed over that letter. I love Pat.

 

October 10, 1986

Cloudy all day but didn’t rain. At least not here. Ramona came this morning to pick up material for the new edition of Foot-loose. Also she took home the big fan I borrowed all summer. She stayed and talked a while. I love Ramona.

 

October 11, 1986

It rained all morning and was cloudy all day. We are afraid we are in for some more of what happened to us last week. It is very cold this evening. I have the furnace on (on low) and it is still cold in the house. My beloved  cousin, Nellie Moorman called me for a visit this afternoon. Her mother and mine were first cousins. She lived in our home in her childhood after the death of her mother.

 

October 12, 1986

Sunday. Our pastor came with the communion service. Raymond came along. It turned very cold today – not freezing cold but cold. I am so glad I had Alice light my furnace last week. I can’t get down to do it any more. Heard from Adelia Hanson in Stillwater. Her father the son of Chester pastor is coming tomorrow from New York. Will be seeing me this week.

 

October 13, 1986

Beautiful day – like a typical autumn day before our change of climate in the 1980s – blue sky, golden sunshine, sparkling atmosphere. Had a lovely telephone visit with Dorine Halsted who called me from Kansas City. Talked to Adelia Hanson. They will come over on Wednesday.

 

October 14, 1986

Another beautiful true Okla. fall day.

 

October 15, 1986

Adelia Hanson brought her father to see me this morning. She had sent me two superb pictures of Marshall on its new townsite in the spring of 1903. (I gave one to Roy Beeby.) I asked Roy to come for our meeting this morning. We studied the pictures and identified all the buildings we could. It was very productive but I became very tired. And I still am this evening. It was another perfect fall day.

 

October 16, 1986

Another beautiful fall day – the kind we always had before our weather changed in 1980. Gerry Schaefer has been home from Germany a week, but I didn’t know it. She has been ill the whole time since her return. So I didn’t know she was back.

 

October 17, 1986

Another lovely fall day. It got so warm in the P.M. I even turned on one of the air conditioners after I got up at about 4:00 o’clock from my sleep. David and Cathie Cardin bought the grocery store. Will take possession Nov. 1. I am so glad David is the son of Dovie who brings my meals. I mean Dovie and her husband, Bill Cardin.

 

October 18, 1986

Another beautiful Oklahoma (before 1980) fall day. Vera Long came to see me this morning. We had a long happy visit. She has not been able to come during the rain and mud. I used one air conditioner all late P.M. and early evening. It was really warm.

 

October 19, 1986

Sunday. Raymond came this morning as usual. We had a good visit. Lovely weather. I used one air conditioner all late P.M. and evening. I started a letter to Council Oak Books suggesting the substitute one of the superb pictures Adelia Hanson gave me for a lesser one in the next printing of Prairie City.

 

October 20, 1986

[No entry]

 

October 21, 1986

I see a blank Oct. 20. I apparently forgot to write, and I don’t remember that anything happened. I know it was a clear day. But it was cloudy toda this morning, rained this P.M., and is raining now. The farmers were expecting to replant their ruined fields starting about now. Now they are flooded again.

 

October 22, 1986

It was cloudy and threatened rain, but it didn’t rain much. I had an appointment with my dentist, Dr. Dedrich, at Enid. Selma and I debated about it but finally decided to risk rain and rising streams and go – and it didn’t rain much and I’ve made it safely. He didn’t have to fill any tooth and we made some decisions about one that really should be pulled.

 

October 23, 1986

No rain last night and today. It was cloudy but cleared to be a typical (before 1980) lovely Okla. fall day. The leaves are starting to change change color. Before our climate changed in the 1980s this used to be the most beautiful time of the year. (My cellar has water in it again.)

 

October 24, 1986

No rain. Sunny afternoon. I don’t remember that anything in particular happened except that I left the door of the refrigerator adjar [sic] at noon. Nothing thawed out when I discovered it. I hope it didn’t ruin the refrigerator.

 

October 25, 1986

Nothing in particular happened. The refrigerator is O.K. And very little ice melted so nothing spoiled.

 

October 26, 1986

Sunday. Warm day. Had good visit with Raymond this morning. He and Mabel have a new great grandchild – Rita’s first, a boy. Named Raymond. He didn’t tell me that last but somebody did. We set back the clocks today. My bedtime is ½ hour late and I am sleepy.

 

October 27, 1986

Beautiful fall day. Had a nice visit with Bill Rouse this morning. I needed a new pie piece put in an electric switch and then he stayed and talked. In the P.M. my beloved Ramona cam came and brought me some apples they got from Colorado. I worked today makig making out a slate of how to vote next next Tuesday. It is very complicated but I think I have everything ready.

 

October 28, 1986

Another beautiful day. I worked conscientiously in the short time I have (with going back to bed in the P.M.) but I always get farther behing [sic]. But some of the work was pleasant – autographing books. I try to write something in each one that the owner will like but that takes time with my present handicaps. so warm I used air conditioner

 

October 29, 1986

Another beautiful fall day of the original (before 1980) Okla. kind. Several things happened but I’m not feeling well this evening so will not write them. (Trivial things.)

 

October 30, 1986

Another beautiful day. I have been making plans for election Tuesday – also Hallowe’en tomorrow evening. Small responsibilities for stronger people but hard for me. (Hard to write this evening.)

 

October 31, 1986

Hallowe’en passed quietly. There were parties at the Catholic and Disciples churches for the children and the “Tricks and or Treaters” were few – only about 15 at my house, I gave each a dime to buy a candy bar or stick – no chance to bake or shop. I had bright young Andy Streck to help me. Couldn’t have managed without.

 

November 1, 1986

Our lovely weather seems over for a time. It was cloudy today and tonight it is getting cold. Our store starts under new ownership today – young David and Kathie Cardin. They have two babies and have made a play pen for them also an area in the store for their comfort so Kathie can work in the store. I hope they succeed.

 

November 2, 1986

Sunday. They had a service at the Disciples Church celebrating the founding and my beloved friend Velm Velma Payne of Enid was there. She was determined to see me before she left (bless her) and so she woke me from my afternoon rest. She did not know how badly I needed it. We visited but after she left I had to get Selma to get me some supper and put me to bed. I don’t have much strength.

 

November 3, 1986

I rested last night and got along fairly well today. It rained all P.M. and evening but not much water fell. I hope it didn’t slow up wheat planting seriously.

 

November 4, 1986

Rained all night and much of the day – just as the farmers were hoping to start wheat planting to repair that week of floods. Too bad. And today was election day and I am greatly worried about that. Selma (bless her) took me through the rain to vote. People (how good they are) helped me cross the rivers running down the street in front of the polling place. And of course she voted too.

 

November 5, 1986

 

 It cleared off and turned out to be a lovely day. I was happy over some of the election news. Unhappy about having to put up with no-good Nickles as Senator 6 more years. Worst we ever had except Robert T. Owens and his settled policy of robbing Okla Indians. Nickles is just no good. And although I cannot listen to the TV I am very happy at the report the Democrats gained control Senate. That will block Reagan’s dangerous plans.

 

November 6, 1986

A bright lovely fall day. But of course the recent rain spoiled the wheat planting that could have been finished this week. I am deeply thankful that Democrats won the Senate in the election. Now Reagan will be blocked I hope in some of her dangerous policies. I’m sorry our bad Senator was reelected but he now belongs to the minority party so he can do little harm. Especially to the courts.

 

November 7, 1986

Cloudy day. Threatened rain but didn’t. I had a bad night last night ad was really ill today.

 

November 8, 1986

It was a warm day but I am afraid it is the last one for a time, for a terrible cold spell is predicted. Winnie Branen called with a letter from a very capable woman (judging from her letter) who is working on a history of Marshall. I was able to prevent her from making a serious error. How would Marshall manage without Winnie?

 

November 9, 1986

Sunday. It was a lovely fall day – not the cold spell predicted. I am afraid that will come tomorrow. The Brysons were not in church today. They went to help Ollie over the regular treatment for her cancer. She and the doctors are making a brave fight but I am afraid they will lose.

 

November 10, 1986

Selma discovered that the drain to my sink was leaking. She called the water man “Pete” Noonan and he repaired it. It caused much trouble and excitement but it is happily ended. He didn’t charge anything – it came in his day’s work, but I am very grateful – ordered an amry amaryllis bulb for the family. It rained today and is turning cold.

 

November 11, 1986

First freeze last night. Raymond Bryson came to see me this morning. We had a good visit. He and Mabel have been away talking Ollie to Tulsa to the doctor and then taking staying with her until she regains her strength after the treatment. But she is still teaching part time, taking her Tulsa trips on Fridays.

 

November 12, 1986

It has turned terribly cold this evening. We have had plenty of warning and have worked to get everything ready for winter – “we” being Raymond, Selma, and Alice – with me trailing. I have the furnace on “high” and Alice put winter covers, etc. on my bed, and Raymond took the fans out of the porch windows and closed everything. I dread the winter.

 

November 13, 1986

A beautiful sunny fall day but the thermometer on my porch registers 10° at 7:00 when Selma came this morning. Then in late P.M. it clouded up. We have never had such cold weather at this time of year in all our history. Ramona typed a letter for me to the British Library. They want permission to get a microfilm copy of Foot-loose from the Library of Congress.

 

November 14, 1986

Cold day but very pleasant – sunshine, etc. Selma my British Library letter. The Uni. of Okla Press will take care of it. I called the Press & sent them the letter. I have been troubled about my hair which needing needed cutting. Found Ladonna Hakin has license and helps people like me who need home help. So today she came and cut it. Charged only three dollars. I didn’t tell Selma. She will be surprised when she combs my hair tomorrow morning.

 

November 15, 1986

It was a beautiful day. And not very cold. Vera Long came to see me this P.M. after I got up from my sleep. She looks wonderful. I have not seen her look so well for years. And the doctor told her she was in better physical condition than she has been for many years. We had a very pleasant visit.

 

November 16, 1986

Sunday. Raymond didn’t come to see me as usual before church. I am worried about Ollie. Got letter from Ruth Lowes telling me of death of Mattie Mack. I do not grieve. She and Alec have been so low mentally and physically for sometime. Alec does not even realize that she is dead. But this P.M. Shirley and Roy called from the Chicago area that our cousin Pattie Donovan has had surgery – 3 cancers, both breasts. Not showing in arms yet. But I am pretty worried. Why these?

 

November 17, 1986

We planned to see Dr. Shields in Enid today. (We need no appointment for these brief checks of my eyes). But it was foggy and the fog thickened. I have never seen but one fog as dense. We drove a few blocks but before we left Marshall we turned back. It started to clear a few minutes before noon. Selma’s TV said it stayed in Enid all day. It was not very cold. I could see virtually nothing but Selma said she could see a few rods ahead, but had to drive very slowly.

 

November 18, 1986

It was a beautiful fall day. Raymond (bless him him) came to see how I was. They were with Ollie Sunday but she is doing O.K. I got my check for book royalties from OU Press. It was $1988.14 I have done well on royalties this year. And I needed it for I had to dig into my savings because of air conditioning fail failures and low farm income. I have not had to do that before.

 

November 19, 1986

It was a pleasant day. Nothing in particular happened. The farmers are starting to get back at their wheat planting. I have an appointment with Dr. Hinson Friday and we are promised good weather ahead. I hope we get it.

 

November 20, 1986

Such a beautiful day! Blue sky, golden sunshine, so warm I did without any furnace heat nearly all day. Selma had a long drive and I worried about her – 136 (272 there and back to visit her brother who was at another sister’s home on a quick trip from New Jersey. She made the return 136 miles after dark. But she made it O.K. and called me when she reached home. Gloria Valencia-Weber called me this morning from Stillwater. She has been at Harvard getting a law degree. She will be over to see me Saturday.

 

November 21, 1986

A beautiful fall day. Selma took me to Enid to see Dr. Hinson. Everything fine. But I became very tired. We got back early, Selma put out dinner for me and I went to bed early. Feel quite rested this evening. There was frost on the ground this morning but the day was warm.

 

November 22, 1986

I had a wonderful visit from Gloria Valencia-Weber this forenoon. She and her husband are back from from study at Harvard. She has a law degree. I had an unexpected experience this evening. As I was putting  out my supper had chest pains, and almost no pulse at all. Called Selma who came and past the food away (no supper) and now I feel O.K.

 

November 23, 1986

Sunday. A beautiful fall day – not very cold. Raymond came as usual for a short visit before church. I felt a little weak this morning but improved during the day. I will try to go to see Dr. Shields tomorrow. I have learned that he will retire at the beginning of 1987. I hardly know how I can get along without him. He discovered my glaucoma many years ago and has kept it from daming [sic] me

 

November 24, 1986

Beautiful fall day – frost this morning but bright sunshine. Selma took me to Enid to see Dr. Shields – right eye 18, left 24. Last time I shall see him after all these years, for he is retiring at end of year. He discovered my glaucoma about 35 years ago when I went to get some tests for new glasses and has saved my sight. He is retiring young – in his 70s I think. He is a very fine person.

 

November 25, 1986

It was a dark rainy day but not very cold. Woodrow Winburn put a new thermocouple in my furnace. I have to get a new one every year – one will last only half the second winter and I don’t want to change in the dead of winter, perhaps on a very cold day. And the trouble is that some of the new ones don’t work, but I hope this one will. Woody thinks it will.

 

November 26, 1986

A lovely, warm sunny day. Vera Long came by to see me this morning and brought me some delicious fruit and nut bread. Vera looks wonderful these past weeks – better than I have seen her in years – and she says better than she has for a long time. She must be taking the right medicine.

 

November 27, 1986

Thanksgiving Day. Beautiful fall day. Anne Morgan called me this morning for a pleasant visit. Also it gave me a chance to consult her about writing a Foreword for the new edition of “Foot-loose” I had been intending to write and ask her about it.

 

November 28, 1986

Another beautiful day. Nothing in particular happened Raymond and Mabel are visiting Janie and Charles and poor helpless August and Catherene in St. Louis. I am glad they had good weather for the trip. They stopped at Ollie’s home and took her along. I learned that Etta Casteel died. She was a dear friend of mine.

 

November 29, 1986

Another beautiful fall day. So warm that at 9:25 P.M. I still do not have the furnace on.

 

November 30, 1986

Etta Casteel was buried today. She was a dear friend of mine for many years. I saw her grow up. This is Sunday. My pastor, Bob Alpers came with the communion service this morning. Rodney Huffer came along. Rodney was my favorite teenager when he was growing up and I still love him. In the late P.M. I had a long telephone visit with my beloved Ray and Shirley Worsley. Then my loved cousin called from California – Nellie Moorman who lived in our home after her mother died. Then Olive May Burch and Edna Draper came to see me. A full day.

 

December 1, 1986

It seems we are to have some cold weather. Selma told me this evening (she always always calls me before bedtime to check whether I am O.K.) she told me it snowed in the afternoon while I was asleep. Of course it melted as soon as it fell. When I saw the wet street I supposed it had rained. I sort of dread the winter. I am working on a revision of And Still the Waters Run.

 

December 2, 1986

Nothing in particular happened.

 

December 3, 1986

Nothin Lovely day. Raymond called. He and Mabel have returned from Thanksgiving at St. Louis. Poor August very low and Katherine [sic] showing the strain. They have nurses around the clock. Raymond and Mabel took Ollie along – quite a family gathering. Raymond will have surgery at Enid Monday Tuesday. It grieves me.

 

December 4, 1986

I called the office of Dr. Miller of Enid – Dr. Shields gave me the names of three eye doctors – one of whom I should consult hereafter since he is retiring at the end of this year. Yesterday Raymond and Alice Pipla spoke very highly of Dr. Miller so is my doctor now. He was not in his office when I called today but his receptionist gave me an appointment in January.

 

December 5, 1986

I turned two pages and put Dec. 5 entry on Dec. 7 – left this page blank. Dec. 7 Sunday. Raymond dame to see me as always. It made me sad. He goes to Enid tomorrow for surgery. He will drive up there. Mabel will go along and stay overnight. They have rooms at the hospital. This was a cloudy day – some rain – turning cold this evening.

 

December 6, 1986

It It was cloudy all day but not cold. Pat O’Neill gave me a very interesting article in the Oklahoman about Harold Castor. I called Roy Beeby to tell him about it so he could get a copy. Pat Beeby answered the ph phone so I told her. She came and got it and will copy it – also will try to get original. It was in last Sunday’s paper.

 

December 7, 1986

Dec. 5 The weather is still not cold – it was cloudy much of the day. I am working on reports to the Medicare office of doctor’s expenses I have paid during the year and am now seeking reimbursement.

 

December 8, 1986

I am thinking of Raymond who no doubt drove to Enid to St. Mary’s hospital for the operation tomorrow. Mabel went with him and will stay overnight at the hospital rooms available for relatives. My thoughts and prayers are also with Gerry Schaefer. I learned this morning evening that she has been very ill and has still not entirely recovered. I called to ask her a question about English usage and she told me. I am greatly worried about her.

 

December 9, 1986

Good news this evening about Raymond. I had been afraid they might find a cancer (or the suspicion of one) but they reported everything fine. I asked Jo Ann Cassiday as soon as I woke in late P.M. and she had not heard but called me later. Then in the evening Mabel (bless her) called. She came home this evening. Cold day and getting colder.

 

December 10, 1986

It cleared off and was a beautiful sunny day. Nothing in particular happened

 

December 11, 1986

Cold day but pleasant. I am still happy that Raymond got along so well with his surgery. I haven’t heard from him the past two days but I am sure he is fine. My beloved friend, Vera Long, came with three books for her grandchildren she wanted me to autograph. I knew their father well when he was a small boy growing up at Marshall.

 

December 12, 1986

Lovely day – sunny crisp but not sun so very cold. Selma met Mabel Bryson in the store and learned Raymond is even walking a little.

I was really ill this morning – had a bad night, felt better after my P.M. sleep but still a little weak. Had a bad night last night.

 

December 13, 1986

Lovely fall day. I felt O.K. – well enough for Selma to wash and set my hair this morning. Nothing in particular happened. Enjoyed hearing Selma’s experince experience when a tornado destroyed the schoolhouse. Two very young girl teachers behaved like veterans. Took all the children to a cave that had been constructed, called the roll and saved them all. I would have put that story in Prairie City if I had known it when I wrote that book.

 

December 14, 1986

Sunday. Another lovely fall day. (At least I think so looking out the windows, for I never open a door or step outside. I missed Raymond’s usual Sunday visit, but I am very happy about his recovery. This evening while my supper was warming up a friendly Negro came to my door with some sweet little children lined up singing. I thanked them but couldn’t couldn’t take time with them for fear something would burn in the kitchen. I don’t know who they were or why they came to Marshall.

 

December 15, 1986

It was cloudy most of the day and I think it rained. It was not cold. Nothing in particular happened. I wrote some important letters. It is very hard for me to write.

 

December 16, 1986

Warm day. Not much happened. I wrote some important letters. And writing is a very slow and difficult process for me these days.

 

December 17, 1986

Warmish day. Cloudy part of the time. I made three corrections (only three) needed in Waters Run and sent them to the OU Press. Have just read through the book. I had sent them before but somehow they weren’t used in the next printing. When I read the book I found no new typos. Raymond called me from home. It made me very happy. Says he feels fine but not allowed to drive for 10 days.

 

December 18, 1986

Another warmish day. But I didn’t feel very well.

 

December 19, 1986

Lovely fall day. I felt O.K. but didn’t accomplish much.

 

December 20, 1986

Another bright, warmish fall day. Selma said there was a white frost on the grass when she came this morning at 7:30. I am getting cards with written messages from scattered friends – also telephone calls. I am trying to thank people who are giving sending me presents. People are so good.

 

December 21, 1986

Sunday. Raymond, of course, did not come as usual. It was cloudy and rather cold. Nothing in particular happened.

 

December 22, 1986

It was cold and cloudy today. The town has recently put up street markers. Gives us quite a city appearance. I already knew the names of several streets – learned them when the town was laid out in 1902 – but but nobody else did. (mine are Oklahoma and Market.) The good women of the Disciples Church brought me a big box of candy and cookies and manges [sic]. Good friends.

 

December 23, 1986

Lovely bright day. Raymond brought me a lovely poinsetta [sic]. Carried it in himself. Mabel, of course drove. He is not permitted to drive for 10 days. I am certainly enjoying the Xmas letters and cards. And tonight the carolers came. People are so good. And even at Xmas time I am happy to see Ronald Reagan’s insincerity exposed. He has lied so long and got away with it.

 

December 24, 1986

Kent and Helen Ruth called me for a Christmas greeting and we had a pleasant visit. Two people I love very much. And I have been enjoying Xmas cards and letters, but I can’t answer them My beloved Ramona came with a big basket of fruit and a pleasant visit. The O’Neills hope to finish planting their wheat today or tom if not, tomorrow (Christmas).

 

December 25, 1986

This started as a typical Okla. Christmas day – golden sunlight, blue sky, warm. In late P.M. it clouded up but is still not cold. Clara Schaefer came to see me this forenoon. She and Vera Long are having their Christmas dinner together (Our church had an all-out celebration of Clara’s 81st birthday recently – a complete surprise to her.) Glenna Matthews called me from Calif. for a pleasant visit. It has been a pleasant day. I wish I were strong enough to answer all the lovely cards and newsy letters.

 

December 26, 1986

Another lovely Oklahoma fall day. I know the winter solstice came a few days ago but it is still fall in Okla. We usually have a real beast of winter shortly after Christmas. I suppose that will be here soon. I am not looking to it with pleasure.

 

December 27, 1986

Another pleasant day – foggy in the forenoon. Colleen Randlett came with some books for me to autograph. The family owned and operated the cafe two or three years ago. I did not know them very well. Colleen is a Cherokee, very pretty so interested in Indian history she enjoyed the technical material in Chapt 1 of my Hist of the Indians which she brought for me to autograph.

 

December 28, 1986

Sunday. Missed Raymond today. But I am happy he is getting along so well. Martha Sandlin or Barbara Abrash called me for a lovely visit this morning. (I believe it was Barbara but I have forgotten.) In the P.M. Dorothy Jean Miller called me from Minnesota. Soon as I hung up Shirley and Ray called from Chicago area. Good visit but Shirley is having trouble with her wrist. Lovely warmish day – foggy in morning – lovely sunshine the rest of the day.

 

December 29, 1986

Another warm beautiful day – not even any fog in the morning. But I was really ill. Felt better after my afternoon sleep and feel fine this evening.

 

December 30, 1986

Another lovely fall day – and I was entirely well. Nothing in particular happened. My bank statement for December came and I worked on that.

 

December 31, 1986

Another warm, beautiful golden day. I enjoyed it but not much happened. I am interested in the fact that the good actor (and nothing else) who is president of the U.S. is getting to the place where he can’t lie his way out.