April 23
Laura M., age 16, North Carolina
April 23, 1998
English part of comp. test. Sucked. Casey was all dressed up ’cause it’s opening night of the play. He’s “technical director.” (Head techie.) Me and Zach went 2 the mall. Took him 2 Crozier’s. Me and Eddie played racquetball at 4:00. Won a game, lost a game.
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
April 23, 1997
Normal day. Mike was really huggy. In Biology Zach told me that his dad punched him this morning. He cried quite a bit (for Zach). I was shaking, it upset me so much. He said he wasn’t going to go home today. I love him… :( Driver’s Ed. Went to Dad’s. Becca’s birthday. I got upset with Algebra.
Mark S., age 36, North Carolina
April 23, 1989
Slept til ~7:15. Straightened house. Dropped off tape at West Variety => to office to get nurses’ work schedule stuff; Sandra called Sandra Stammely to tell her we on the way to hospital. To Rex by 9:00 => to L&D; Sharon Stephenson came by. Juanita Styles = “our” nurse; Dr. Hendrick our anesthesiologist. Sharon came by to examine Sandra. Newspaper. W.O.J. came by. Talked to Juanita re her upcoming separation. Rebecca Blanks born at 1:18 P.M.; W.O.J. attended. Weight = 7 lbs. 0 oz., length = 21 in. Phone to Emily and Sarah, SS1, Heather Stammely (Sandra out), Mom. Took Rebecca to nursery. Phone to Renita, Wendy, Ray Karaus (SS1 had already called him). Took Rebecca to recovery room to bond with Sandra => she breast fed; phone to Sandra Stammely. Saw Mike Yarborough in recovery room. To Sandra’s room with Rebecca => Tom and Sandra and Melanie came by, then Emily and Sarah and SS1. Sandra back from recovery room. Emily and Sarah held Rebecca. Sandra Stammely had talk with tearful SS1. Sandra, with nausea and vomiting => everyone left. Phone to Lynn Deathridge, Steve and Cherise, V.S.S., Dacia, Druscie, Karen Hicks. Pam and Doug and Peggy Blanks came by. Phone from Kenny and Sandra Stammely. Phone to Trudie, Cindy Jenkins, Mildred, Neill, Beckers, Craig Dupree, Hilda, Tom Basik, rest of office staff, Becky Bowles, Trish Dowty, Debbie Roland, etc. Helped Sandra with breast feeding, etc. Nurses’ work schedule. Medical journal. Introduced Nancy Jones, R.N., to Rebecca and Sandra; Janice Winstead to take Rebecca to NNN briefly for weight check. T.V. news, “M.A.S.H.”. More medical journal. Rebecca slept all night.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
April 23, 1960
Warmer than yesterday. Planning for Cooks to eat with us also Jim. Cooked leg of lamb and made blueberry pie. Did some cleaning all thru. Lo stayed down for lunch. Watched TV after eating at cabin. Set clocks ahead so ready for morning.
Marcy S., age 19, Missouri
April 23, 1944
Cloudy but mild. Up at 10 and listened to Mr. Weaver’s Burrall talk in Mary Jo’s room. “Making Life make Sense when you’re tired of trying.” Hit home and gave me some ideas. Sun out when we first got up but rained about 10:30. Then nice off and on. Betty and I went to church at 12. I wore Easter outfit. Good dinner. Studied in afternoon. Betty slept. Typed my book report. It was just too easy. Probably did it wrong. Didn’t go to supper. Wrote 4 letters in evening. About 8:30 went to Tuck for Betty, Mary Jo and Jane. About 10 Betty and I went in their room and I told them in detail the story of “Phantom Lady” (fun) with Betty’s help. To bed late.
Marcy S., age 16, Tennessee
April 23, 1941
Rainy, cool. Long-winded speaker in chapel. Preacher. Practiced music in gym in English. Fun in history. Had to memorize and write Covenant of League of Nations. Test in typing. Made 94. Gave back six cents to each book club host. After school I went home and practiced one hour. Went so fast. At night Mom, Dad, and I went to the Webbo and saw Charlie Chaplin and Paulette Goddard in the “The Great Dictator.” Nearly died laughing, although it wasn’t as funny as “Modern Times.” Very good at last. Talked with Mary a bit. She looked so tired. Raining when we went in and came out. Nice.
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
April 23, 1888
I helped some about the washing this forenoon. This afternoon Willie and I went to Dexter and Kate went as far as her folks. I received the typewriter, and the canned fruit by express. We were only gone 2 hours. I have been studying Volapuk tonight, and writing out the exercises with the typewriter.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
April 23, 1887
Helped Kate until about 9 o’clock this forenoon and then I went home, shaved, washed my head etc. I helped a little about cleaning the room Kate and I used to occupy. After dinner I got ready and went to Dexter, driving the pony. It was a cold ride, the wind blew hard from the southwest too. I called at the Leader office and subscribed for the paper. Saw a good many people I am acquainted with. I went to the Doctor’s office and got some things for Kate. I took supper at home tonight and then came over to spend the night with Kate. The Dr. was here this morning to see Nellie who has a sore throat. I had him see Kate and the baby too.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
April 23, 1863
I have been crocheting on a little sock for the babe today. It will be very nice when done. Mattie is knitting Zona a pair rail road stockings. We spin a little occasionally through the day. Zona is not well yet, has a little fever nearly every day but still keeps going about. Matt & Betsey sleep upstairs. Pinck on his trundle bed. I moved one of the beds out of Matt’s room into the other room for Boyd & Moore. They are getting along slowly with their gun stocks.
*(Fear in North Carolina: The Civil War Journals and Letters of the Henry Family, Eds. Karen L. Clinard and Richard Russell, used with permission.)
Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina
April 23, 1862
I spent part of the evening at Mrs. Fanning’s yesterday. Mary Taylor came after some meat & Hanes came after me. I heard from Madison today. They are taking the tories prisoners. Oh that they could see the error of their ways before it is too late for them & their families.
*(Fear in North Carolina: The Civil War Journals and Letters of the Henry Family, Eds. Karen L. Clinard and Richard Russell, used with permission.)
Samuel P., age 36, London
April 23, 1669
Going to rise, without saying anything, my wife stopped me; and, after a little angry talk, did tell me how she spent all day yesterday with M. Batelier and her sweetheart, and seeing a play at the New Nursery, which is set up at the house in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, which was formerly the King’s house. So that I was mightily pleased again, and rose a with great content; and so by water to White Hall, and there to the Council-Chamber, and heard two or three causes: among others, that of the complaint of Sir Philip Howard and Watson, the inventors, as they pretend, of the business of varnishing and lackerworke, against the Company of Painters, who take upon them to do the same thing; where I saw a great instance of the weakness of a young Counsel not used to such an audience, against the Solicitor-General and two more able Counsel used to it. Though he had the right of, his side, and did prevail for what he pretended to against the rest, yet it was with much disadvantage and hazard. Here, also I heard Mr. Papillion make his defence to the King, against some complaints of the Farmers of Excise; but it was so weak, and done only by his own seeking, that it was to his injury more than profit, and made his case the worse, being ill managed, and in a cause against the King. Thence at noon, the Council rising, I to Unthanke’s, and there by agreement met my wife, and with her to the Cocke, and did give her a dinner, but yet both of us but in an ill humour, whatever was the matter with her, but thence to the King’s playhouse, and saw “The Generous Portugalls,” a play that pleases me better and better every time we see it; and, I thank God! it did not trouble my eyes so much as I was afeard it would. Here, by accident, we met Mr. Sheres, and yet I could not but be troubled, because my wife do so delight to talk of him, and to see him. Nevertheless, we took him with us to our Mercer’s, and to the Exchange, and he helped me to choose a summer-suit of coloured camelott, coat and breeches, and a flowered tabby vest very rich; and so home, where he took his leave, and down to Greenwich, where he hath some friends; and I to see Colonel Middleton, who hath been ill for a day or two, or three; and so home to supper, and to bed.
*(The Diary of Samuel Pepys M.A. F.R.S., edited by Henry B. Wheatley F.S.A., London, George Bell & Sons York St. Covent Garden, Cambridge Deighton Bell & Co., 1893.)