August 18
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
August 18, 1997
It was pretty good. I saw Chris after 1st period and he gave me a hug. I'm switching my English class so I can be with all my friends and Chris. I hope I can... :) Eddie picked me up and took me 2 work. 3-close, didn't get done 'till 5:30. Blah. Came home. Ate dinner. Did some homework. Got in shower. Talked on phone some. Did more homework. Blow-dried hair and did some more homework. School has hit me hard.
Marcy S., age 20, Tennessee
August 18, 1944
Gradually cleared and turned out to be a beautiful day. Not hot either. Set alarm for 6:15 to get up and practice but went back to sleep till 7. Didn’t do a thing all morn but go to the P.O. at 11 — and I could have sworn it was only 10!! Stopped by Kim’s and left umbershoot. Planned to go to Max’s this p.m. Mr. H. was in conference most of the time. Cashed last week’s check at the bank and Ray said let’s go to the show tonight. I told her I’d seen it. I waited for Pop in the car at 12 and finally had to go after him. Met Kay again and told her about the hike. She can go. Good dinner. About 12:30 the ’phone rang and Mum answered. It was Mary Jane calling from the station to see if she could come this week-end since she had to leave for home a week from Monday. So Mum told her Pop would be down for her. Stuff happens, eh what? I had been planning to stop by Max’s after work and listen to “Rhapsody in Blue” but said I wouldn’t since M.J. was coming. Mum said to go ahead, that M.J. could meet me down there. I then said that I’d call from Kimmie’s so M.J. would know when to come down. Well, Mum blew up and thought it was silly for me to stop by for Kimmie when she lives so close and just carried on about how I practically live at Kim’s, etc. etc. Well, I appealed to Pop to make Mum see reason but he took Mum’s side. I got mad, too, then and shouted what I was going to do. Mum is just jealous of Kimmie, that’s all, and I think it’s silly! My goodness! Can’t I have any friends without antagonizing Mother??!! It was a beautiful noontime, though and too gorgeous to be at outs with anyone so I perked up. The man at Maxwell’s — Roscoe? — waved and a man by the P.O., who is in our building — went out of his way to speak and I felt wonderful! Fairly busy in p.m. Mr. Pearman came in twice and was friendly as usual. The sky gradually cleared till there wasn’t a cloud and it was so bright blue and green and wonderful after all that good rain!! Off at 5. Went over to dentist’s and Mrs. Adcock got my umbershoot for me. Then I went up to Kim’s to find her in the tub. Called Mum and told her Mary Jane could start — she was still cold. Mother gets me! Mrs. Young said she wouldn't wait supper for Kim but that she’d be down in about 15 minutes. I went on down. A girl was there listening to records — George hovering near as salesman. I looked at books and things and then went over to the library and got Into the Valley and So Little Time. Had more than gotten back to Max’s when Mary Jane walked in. I knew her but she’s certainly grown up and changed. Red hair, freckles and glasses but pretty. She nearly keeled over at sight of the giant George. Kimmie popped in a minute later and introductions ensued. George put on “Rhapsody” and I pored over the music. Ohhhh! it’s beautiful! Then George played some other records for us. About 6 Kim had to leave for supper. George wanted us to wait for him. The next thing Mary appeared and I paid her for the bra and more introductions ensued. It was late so we decided to go on, slowly, and George could catch up with us. But the last minute rush started just as we left so we didn’t have much hope. Left Mary at corner. The late afternoon was so bright blue and beautiful! M.J. and I talked going home. Alice Ann called out “Hi, Pattie Anne” in the customary volume as we passed. Mildred Lane was on Mother Lane’s porch and came running out. We talked with them a few minutes. On home to find Pop there and supper just about ready. Mum was distant at first but soon thawed out. Pop had to leave for Wartburg. Mum, M.J. and I sat around and talked till almost dark. We persuaded her to stay until Wednesday. After the dishes we all walked down to the Patton Hotel where Mum wanted to call on some new church people but they weren’t home. The night was as clear and bright as the day. On the way home we stopped in and visited with Mother Lane. Asked her to go on picnic tomorrow. She’s 80 but seems so much younger. She’s just loads of fun. Stayed till 9:30. When I got home I called Kim and we made arrangements for tennis in the morn. To bed fairly early. Mary Jane is so sweet and natural. I wonder if other people think I’m natural.
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
August 18, 1887
Irvie went over into Eden to canvass this forenoon. I commenced to dig in a place in the woods where I thought there might be water within a few feet. Irvie and I both dug this afternoon but I gave up the business when we got down 12 or 14 feet and no water. After supper we went to grubbing and cleaning up back of the shed. Irvie is helping me a good deal about my work.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
August 18, 1871
Last night Phillip was wild with fever. I cannot write what I suffered. To day he is quite sane, but so weak. Washed this a.m. and baking now.
*(kansasmemory.org, Kansas State Historical Society, copy and reuse restrictions apply)
Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina
August 18, 1862
Mr. Henry started this morning for Richmond. I shall be so very lonely. I miss him so much. He is so fond & loving when with me, which makes such a blank when he is gone. If he should go in the service of the Confederacy, I really believe it would kill me. I have been so dependant on him. I shall often wish for him even this short trip & if he had to stay a year at a time I should be a lunatic I really believe. I trimmed Jinnie’s hat today. Before dinner I made Zona a hoop also. Mr. Edd Ham took dinner with us today & went on to Asheville. Dr. Peake’s family all well. He is going to join Morgan’s men so he said he is not worsted by camp life at all, only a little sunburnt. I have the headache a good deal badly tonight.
*(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 18, 1668
Up, and to my office about my great business betimes, and so to the office, where all the morning. At noon dined, and then to the office all the afternoon also, and in the evening to Sir W. Coventry’s, but he not within, I took coach alone to the Park, to try to meet him there, but did not; but there were few coaches, but among the few there were in two coaches our two great beauties, my Lady Castlemayne and Richmond; the first time I saw the latter since she had the smallpox. I had much pleasure to see them, but I thought they were strange one to another. Thence going out I met a coach going, which I thought had Knepp in it, so I went back, but it was not she. So back to White Hall and there took water, and so home, and busy late about my great letter to the Duke of York, and so 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.)