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 August 1

Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
August 1, 1997

Up at 8:30. Em picked me up at 10:00 and we went over to Eddie’s. Got in rented car and drove to Asheville to stay for the weekend at the Pisgah Inn. Thought about Chris all the way here and haven’t stopped yet. We napped and ate at the restaurant here. Very good. Watched “Mad About You.” We all (including Nikki) went on hike until dark. My stomach’s been hurting since Wednesday. I think I’ve been thinking about Chris too much.

Mark S., age 38, Tennessee
August 1, 1993

Up ~5:30 A.M. Packed van. Moved Oriental rug upstairs with Sandra; she still mad at me. “Bye” to Sandra about 6:10 => to Nashville with Emily and Sarah; medical journal enroute (E & S read to me.) Lunch in car ( PB&Js that Sandra made); “ABC” game with E&S; drove through Harriman, TN (where Mom grew up); listened to Lake Wobegone on tape player; to Red Roof Inn in Nashville ~4:10. Phone to Tom Blanks at our house; phone from Sandra. Diary. To Holiday Inn at Briley Pkwy with E&S; played foosball, “putt-putt” and ping-pong in lobby with kids. Banquet to honor Scottish dancers (sat with Sarah, Jo Moore, Pat Johnston, and Barry, Karen and Toby McNeill); talk, drinks, watched kids dance after dinner. Back to Red Roof Inn ~11:00. Phone from Sandra.

Crisis, age 19, London
August 1, 1980

Awake at 12pm. To Ilda then to Adrian at Rough Trade. To Ilda’s – drinks galore. 8pm we three all drinking at Ilda’s and Marlo comes in – oops. Me and Adrian wait for Ilda at pub then Ilda to Piccadilly. Me and Adrian to my place then Piccadilly. Hello Maddy (Ilda’s friend). To Kevin who’s quite berserk then to Alan. To Scala but not yet open. To Golden Egg for tea then back to Scala. Good time methinks. The Au Pairs are absolutely fabby. Ilda home 5am then silly film about “The Monster on the Campus,” however I enjoyed it. Au Pairs, Mekons, Ralph and the Ponytails, and a group from Finland, don’t know their name.

Anna L., age 75, Illinois
August 1, 1960

A good day. Did a big wash. All dried except my rugs. Lo took Carrie’s money to her and we out to feed the cats. Suky came home. Came home Lo to bathe. Geo came so came downstairs for a bit. Ironed too thot Tuesday would be hot and was. Over to Mrs. B.’s for coffee.

Marcy S., age 20, Tennessee 
August 1, 1944  

Promised to be a lovely day. Misty blue, fresh sky in morn and sweet air. Pop drove Mrs. Margrave, Jane and I down. I typed a paper and about 10 the witnesses came and Mr. H. called me in. There were 5 of them and we didn’t finish till after 12. I had 27 pages of notes. Mr. Frank Jones was there and he asked if I remembered him. He used to bring our milk when I was little. Judge Stone was the other solicitor and he cross-examined. I was so nervous at first but concentration soon calmed me down. One old fellow had a long flowing mustache and talked with his hand over his mouth. He rivaled Judge Stone who mumbled a blue streak. Mr. H. had to keep slowing them down and telling them to speak plainer. Twice Mr. H. had me read back parts of my notes and it just happened that I could decipher those parts! So made quite a favorable impression on the men. Staggered home at noon, really exhausted. Back again at 1 and spent most of afternoon typing my notes. Mr. H. wanted me to wait so as not to tire myself but it’s better to type them while they’re still fresh. He seemed very pleased that I didn’t get nervous — he just didn’t know! Clouds came up and soon the blue sky and sun were blotted out. I said one last prayer for a clear evening and then the rain came — in torrents — and I resigned myself. Crops are more important than a hay ride anyway. It was coming down in sheets at 5 and I couldn’t leave. Called Mum but the car was in the garage and she couldn’t get it without drowning. Pop was out of town. So I waited and finally it let up a little. I departed and ran up to Youngs’. Mr. Young seemed to be the only one home and he loaned me an umbrella. He’s so nice and funny. Fun going home. It had nearly stopped and the blue sky was coming in the last. Everything looked so fresh and green. I fooled around, talking to Mum. Called Kay and Mrs. Massey answered. She said the man decided not to take the truck because it looked too much like more rain but we’d go next week. Supposed to meet at club room at 6:30. Then Kimmie called to say she wasn’t feeling well and couldn’t go but to come by for Pan. So I took a bath while Mum put up lunch and left about 6:30. Still cloudy but clearing. Met Pan and Kay just leaving. Met Mrs. McCluen and her 17-year-old cousin from California, Marcia Nufer, in front of city hall. Introductions ensued and Marcia went up with us. Miss Walker was there and had borrowed a table, which was covered with paper towels! Soon Betsy came and then Ella. Betsy and Pan went down and bought a water melon and we all chipped in. Then I went with Ella to Chases’ to get a cake. I was the only one who had brought a drink. Men passing in cars whistled and flirted. They’re so silly. Ella confessed to me that she had been so lonesome the last few weeks — missing Clay. Oh corn! She says it’s been just like falling in love all over again and she felt that way just before Clay’s mother died. I told her not to think things like that. About 7:30 we spread our eats out on the table and went to it. Kidded and had fun. Marcia has seen a lot of movie stars and told us about them. She’s very nice and friendly. Kay kept asking me questions about Stephens. We cut the watermelon and it was pretty awful. Pan and Betsy went after the former’s record player. We cleaned off the table and then set to work hanging the red curtains. Ella put up the window ones with Kay and I helping. Pan and Betsy jitterbugged and were a scream. Betsy showed me a step and Kay ditto. I actually caught on. Ella and I danced some fox trots. Marcia showed Pan a new step. We all had fun. When the curtains were up — the room really looked different — we all sat around the table and played “hearts.” Great fun. Miss W. had the lowest score and I was next. Pan and Betsy and Kay are so cute and funny! We played till after 10:30. Then closed up shop and left just as Mrs. Melvin called to see where Ella was. Ella and Marcia went same direction. Betsy went on up the hill and we left Pan and Kay off. I walked with Miss Walker around by Carsons’ where she stays. The moon was so bright and there were low misty clouds. So beautiful! Home about 11:00. Mum didn’t approve of the late hour for “working girls.” I hate to even admit it, but tonight all the old inferiority feelings came back and I came very near surrendering myself to the old despair. But when I got in bed I took firm hold and went off to sleep feeling I had gotten the better of the old devil in me.

Henry S., age 25, Michigan 
August 1, 1887  

I have worked at home today.  Took care of baby some this forenoon so Kate could do the washing.  I hoed in the garden considerable; it was a good day to kill weeds, for it was very hot. I went up town after supper to mail some letters and get the mail.  Bought 4 qts. of red raspberries of Charlie Fitts’.  Mr. Huntington rode home with me.  I received a letter from ma, she seems to be feeling very lonesome and her letters make me feel as though I ought to be there with them to help them in their old age, which is coming on to them, but I can’t help it now as I see I can last here.

*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)  

Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina 
August 1, 1862  

I got a letter last Thursday from Dora. They were all well at Mr. Neilson’s. They will be over some time this month on their way home. I would like to go with them if I can conveniently. I see nothing new in the papers. I sewed some on Jinnie’s dress. Mr. Henry & I went to Till Morris’ this evening. T. Morris got home last night. He says Tom Night is dead. Old W. Night got a letter today confirming it. Poor fellow. There was some other men went along with us. J. Tinsley & another man from Transylvania came to buy wheat. Jim cut his foot right badly last Wednesday. Stepped back on the scythe blade.

*(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 35, London 
August 1, 1668  

All the morning at the office. After dinner my wife, and Deb., and I, to the King’s house again, coming too late yesterday to hear the prologue, and do like the play better now than before; and, indeed, there is a great deal of true wit in it,1 more than in the common sort of plays, and so home to my business, and at night to bed, my eyes making me sad.

*(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.)

Samuel P., age 27, London
August 1, 1660

Up very early, and by water to Whitehall to my Lord’s, and there up to my Lord’s lodging (Wm. Howe being now ill of the gout at Mr. Pierce’s), and there talked with him about the affairs of the Navy, and how I was now to wait today at the Privy Seal. Commissioner Pett went with me, whom I desired to make my excuse at the office for my absence this day.

Hence to the Privy Seal Office, where I got (by Mr. Mathews’ means) possession of the books and table, but with some expectation of Baron’s bringing of a warrant from the King to have this month.

Nothing done this morning, Baron having spoke to Mr. Woodson and Groome (clerks to Mr. Trumbull of the Signet) to keep all work in their hands till the afternoon, at which time he expected to have his warrant from the King for this month.

I took at noon Mr. Harper to the Leg in King Street, and did give him his dinner, who did still advise me much to act wholly myself at the Privy Seal, but I told him that I could not, because I had other business to take up my time.

In the afternoon at, the office again, where we had many things to sign; and I went to the Council Chamber, and there got my Lord to sign the first bill, and the rest all myself; but received no money today. After I had signed all, I went with Dick Scobell and Luellin to drink at a bottle beer house in the Strand, and after staying there a while (had sent W. Hewer home before), I took boat and homewards went, and in Fish Street bought a Lobster, and as I had bought it I met with Winter and Mr. Delabarr, and there with a piece of sturgeon of theirs we went to the Sun Tavern in the street and ate them. Late home 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.)

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