August 23
Mark S., age 50, Pennsylvania
August 23, 2003
(At Emily’s apt. in Philadelphia) – Up ~ 10:00. Diary. Phone fr. Sandra. Phone to Royce Skinner (Andra’s hubby) => he told me Sandra (Stammely) @ home => phone to her => told her “I’m sorry” re Andra’s death yest. Talked to Em after she got up. Walked solo to Stellar coffee shop for coffee & bagel & newspaper; cell phone to Em => she met me @ coffee shop. Walked to Independence National Historical Park in downtown Philly with Em => to Visitor Center; watched 30 min. film (“Independence”) by John Huston & looked @ exhibits; tried to call Sarah while in line for Liberty Bell (she not home); played Blackjack on cell phone & tried to program nos. into “phonebook” (no luck); viewed the Liberty Bell (took pix). Lunch with Em @ Will & Duffy’s (I had Philly cheese steak). Toured Carpenters’ Hall, Philosophical Hall, & Independence Hall (where Declaration of Independence & Constitution were signed; pix) with Em; long walk back to Em’s apt. T.V., talk with Em; diary. Met Em’s neighbor from upstairs (Karen). Cooked bologna for bologna sandwhiches for supper. To Steely Dan concert @ The Tweeter in Camden, N.J. with Em (after missing turn in Philly) => FABULOUS show within view of Philly skyline beside Delaware River; Em pointed out Mars (closest to Earth it’s been in thousands of years); much beer. Em drove back to Philly => parked car => we walked back to her apt.; I cooked an omelet for myself. Walked to Ten Stone (bar) with Em for night-cap; talk at bar. “Home” ~ 1:30 => slept on sofa.
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
August 23, 1960
Up at 8:30. Went 2 work from 10-close. Came home. Showered. Listened 2 music. Did homework. Phone. Nap. Dinner. Home alone from 4-7. Could’ve called Chris, but didn’t. :)
Marcy S., age 20, Tennessee
August 23, 1944
Up at 6:30 and practiced. Hot, but nice day with hazy summer clouds. No work all morn. Mr. H. had a boy come to clean up the office. It certainly needed it. I learned part of my missionary talk for tonight. Mr. H. let me go at 11:30. Lovely noon time. Seemed more like early morning. Was all through dinner by 12. So took a nap till 12:30. Back at 1. Mr. H. had gone out to try a case. The boy was cleaning my office so I sat in Mr. H.’s and read my book. Called Mary and we talked a few minutes. Mr. H. returned. Mr. Littleton from the bank came up and as he was leaving he told Mr. Harris he was mighty lucky to have Miss Pattie — and Mr. H. said yes, I was the best stenographer in the whole state! Hmm! Did one paper. Mrs. Harris came in around 5 and we talked. Just about sneezed my head off. Met the Hudsons up at P.O. and we made plans for the show tomorrow night. On home. Hot. Mum and I had another argument about my being out every night and being so easily led by people — Kimmie at present. Parents can be so obtuse at times. Then Mother said she was afraid to go to the doctor ’cause he would make her go to bed and she just couldn’t. Talk about my being silly!! Well, she never has taken care of herself so I don’t suppose she’ll start now. Mum said it would be fatal if I got a crush on a boy at Rochester — I agree! But it isn’t likely if I have enough to do to keep my mind off such foolishness. Mum was talking to Mrs. Sadler yesterday and Mrs. S. said that when Mr. S. found I was working for Mr. H. he said he wished he’d known I was available before ’cause he wanted me for a private secretary!! Oh, heck! the pay would have been more, the hours shorter, and Kay was there!! However, I dare say I’ve gotten better experience in a lawyer’s office. Took a bath and Mum and I talked. Woke up at 6:25 and flew madly around. Grabbed sandwiches and was off for the church supper. Met Kimmie on her way up — here I’d told her to be on time and I was late!! Borrowed eating utensils from her ’cause I’d forgotten mine. On up to church basement where 2 long tables were set up, decorated with pretty late-summer flowers. And a third one bedecked with food! Mrs. Winston welcomed me like an old friend and I kidded with her as if she were Kimmie. Nancy Speed was there. We 3 sat outside till they were ready. Poor Nancy was so nervous — she had to give a poem and was sure she’d forget it. Went in about 7, got our plates and served ourselves. Mrs. Kirkpatrick was ever so friendly. Mother Lane and Mrs. Julian were having fun. Little Nancy Rodgers was there with her grandmother. Quite a few people but not as many as expected. We sat at one of the tables and stuffed. Everything was so good. Poor little Nancy, though, could only down a few bites. She was so scared! The Sigmons arrived and Mr. S.’s nephew, a very interesting young man. They sat across from us. Then the Ahlers entered in a body with more food. Followed by Ella, a meat loaf and Jack Whittaker. After a 2nd glass of tea-punch Nancy and I went outside and she recited her poem again. We went back to the table and the program got under way. Mrs. Rodgers gave a short talk and prayer and then the collection was taken. Next thing I knew I was on the program. I really wasn’t scared and kept my voice down very nicely, I thought. I tried to read as if I were talking to them and everyone seemed interested. Then Nancy arose and apparently didn’t trust herself cause she read most of the poem, bless her heart. Ella was next. She whispered to me beforehand that she didn’t see how she’d get through it, she had the cramps so bad. She half-read and half-told two missionary stories which were announced as short but turned out to be pretty long. She gave them very well. And that completed the program. Lots of people thanked me and spoke of how well I had done!! Then we gathered up our debris and left. Just a little after 8:30. Nancy and I walked down to Kimmie’s and the former called home only to find that her parents had gone to the show. So we fooled around at the piano and Nancy just about wore Kim and I to a frazzle. She asked me when I was going to get married!! A thought, that! :) A little after 9 we walked to town with her. Met Pan and Betsy returning from a quiet evening at Marcia’s and laboring under the delusion that it was an hour later. Left Nancy in their car. Kim walked home with me, with Pan and Betsy trailing close behind. We sat down on our curb and rested our weary bones. Light in Ashley’s room. Heard George and his bass horn. Betty and Pan yelled and he emerged. We all kidded. Then Clure came out and joined us. The girls left and George walked with them. Clure went in to see Mum a few minutes. Pop had just gotten home. I got to bed early for a change. I wonder if the best is yet to come — on the Ashley front — everything seems to point that way, but I don’t know. My affections have cooled considerably. Guess I’ll live!
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
August 23, 1887
Kate did her washing this forenoon and I stayed in to amuse the baby and practice penmanship. I put some sods around the cistern and sowed some grass seed there too. Commenced to extend the road in the clearing out to the rest of my wood piles. Fixed the stoneboat for drawing wood. Have been reading out loud this evening – my voice is not in good condition, someway, it seems weak. It is real cool tonight.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
August 23, 1871
Set the house to rights, made yeast, then went to the garden. Gathered two dozen late cucumbers—a cantilope and a mellon—and came back J. R. came with corn and we had dinner. After wards I comed and changed my dress and sat down to write letters. Later—Messers. Smith, Stafford and Jake came. They teased Philip; told him “You wont keep your housekeeper long.” “My gun is loaded” was all he answered, as he pointed to where his gun hung.
Jake is going to town, so I gave him letters to mail—and sent a lot of mellons along for them and Mrs. Lane. One of Philips steers died, they think of Texas fever. It is such a pity. He was a good worker — Now the yoke is spoiled.
*(kansasmemory.org, Kansas State Historical Society, copy and reuse restrictions apply)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
August 23, 1862
Willie seemed better yesterday but still has fever. I sent Charlie after Dr. Hilliard this evening. Willie is not worse nor better. I think it is worms as his bowels are not very loose. We had a good season of rain this evening. I believe it rains every camp meeting here. The camp meeting at Asbury’s Campground began last Thursday. I shall not go at all as Willie is not well & the buggy has not come back from Greenville yet. Parker took it there with Branton & co. & I hear today that the horse they worked to it (Hutsell mare) is give out down on the river. I must send for them this week. I have knit a little today, all I have done. I was down at the mill this morning & came by Mrs. Night’s. She has a fine son born this morning. She is doing very well.
*(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 23, 1668
(Lord’s day). Up betimes, my head busy in my great letter, and I did first hang up my new map of Paris in my green room, and changed others in other places. Then to Captain Cocke’s, thinking to have talked more of what he told me yesterday, but he was not within. So back to church, and heard a good sermon of Mr. Gifford’s at our church, upon “Seek ye first the kingdom of Heaven and its righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” A very excellent and persuasive, good and moral sermon. Shewed, like a wise man, that righteousness is a surer moral way of being rich, than sin and villainy. Then home to dinner, where Mr. Pelling, who brought us a hare, which we had at dinner, and W. Howe. After dinner to the Office, Mr. Gibson and I, to examine my letter to the Duke of York, which, to my great joy, I did very well by my paper tube, without pain to my eyes. And I do mightily like what I have therein done; and did, according to the Duke of York’s order, make haste to St. James’s, and about four o’clock got thither: and there the Duke of York was ready, to expect me, and did hear it all over with extraordinary content; and did give me many and hearty thanks, and in words the most expressive tell me his sense of my good endeavours, and that he would have a care of me on all occasions; and did, with much inwardness, —[i.e., intimacy.]— tell me what was doing, suitable almost to what Captain Cocke tells me, of designs to make alterations in the Navy; and is most open to me in them, and with utmost confidence desires my further advice on all occasions: and he resolves to have my letter transcribed, and sent forthwith to the Office. So, with as much satisfaction as I could possibly, or did hope for, and obligation on the Duke of York’s side professed to me, I away into the Park, and there met Mr. Pierce and his wife, and sister and brother, and a little boy, and with them to Mulberry Garden, and spent 18s. on them, and there left them, she being again with child, and by it, the least pretty that ever I saw her. And so I away, and got a coach, and home, and there with my wife and W. Hewer, talking all the evening, my mind running on the business of the Office, to see what more I can do to the rendering myself acceptable and useful to all and to the King. We 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.)