August 6
Dan W., age 20, Kentucky
August 6, 2011
Wake — 1050 Bed — 0100 Chill. Dad + I dug through a lot of boxed-up kitchen stuff to outfit me for UI; we practically assembled a full kit out of things that hadn’t seen use in years. Finished “The Green Mile,” which maintained a surprising emotional heft with the death of John Coffey. Cooked a Mediterranean-style pilaf, which did not go over well, and some carrot-orange bread, which did. And read over 200 episodes of “Darths + Droids,” a takeoff on D+D and Star Wars handled with an effusive nerdy love for both subjects. Good to rest before back-to-back concerts!
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
August 6, 1997
Up at 11:00! :( Debated on whether or not to call Chris and decided not to, thank God. Chilled until about 1:30, when Dad picked me up. We all drove to Boone. When we got here we went to Tijuana Fats’ for drinks. Came back and chilled some on the couch until dinner. Thought about Chris a lot today. Saw 2 signs: the pole on a bridge said “CHRIS” (with a backward C) and a Buick parked beside us. Played Scrabble.
Susie M., age 23, North Carolina
August 6, 1991
Sitting on my bed, 8:00 a.m.—George Winston playing the piano for me (cassette recording)—it’s morning and I had such a difficult time getting out of bed—why?? morning is my favorite time of the day—the ground and trees are damp this morning from the dew and a morning fog is covering the treetops and the houses outside—walked outside in my silky robe, heading toward the backyard, and I heard Elizabeth on the porch next door speaking to her cats—she came over and handed me Ferdinand—she said she‘d love to have another kitty yet it just wasn‘t practical but if she could, she‘d have 500 cats—I giggled and took Ferdinand from her and noticed as she took a couple quick glances at my silky robe—she‘s so beautiful, youthful looking—I wonder what her story is, why she lives alone— was she ever married at any point in her life? She was wearing a light blue top with ric rac trimming around the neck and a pair of green shorts— I really want to get to know her but I‘m not sure how to go about it— her house is so beautiful—overflowing red impatiens nestled under the trees and on the porch— a row of big yellow daisies along the walk, a beautiful hand made bench on her porch……and inside I‘m sure she has some treasures—
In the backyard as I was checking my laundry, I looked over and saw the other old lady who lives in the house on the right—blue housecoat and a straw hat—so sweet, so unreal for some reason—like an old English Oma plucking roses for teatime—I stopped in the yard for a few moments, watching her through the bushes but she didn‘t see me— I don‘t know why I get so delighted in seeing old ladies—old ladies with their cats, old ladies in their gardens—old ladies are so beautiful!!!! so, I came back inside , sat down on the floor, put some old lady, cat, garden music on and felt so good—one of those sudden moments of realization— although I wasn‘t sure what I was realizing—maybe I was simply realizing life and so I had to write about it and so I did.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
August 6, 1960
Made pie, asked Mrs. B. to eat lunch with me as Lo ate down town. Washed quite a bit, got things ready for eve. meal. Lo cooked steaks, Jim and the cooks ate with us. So hot there we stayed until 9:00.
Marcy S., age 20, Tennessee
August 6, 1944
It rained quite hard during the night and every time I woke up it was cloudy and dreary looking. My left ear was so full I could barely hear — most unpleasant. At 8 Mrs. Young woke us and Kimmie and I got up. The sun and blue sky were trying to chase away the clouds and everything looked green and fresh and clean. Kim. and I dressed and went down to breakfast. Pan eventually joined us — in body but not in spirit. We feasted on waffles and I do mean feasted! Mrs. Young kept bringing them in and Kim. and I kept gobbling them up. We got off for Sunday school about 9:45. It was clearing but there were still plenty of rain clouds around. We were a little late. Mr. Ahler took Sunday school 'cause Pop left for Nashville — Legion convention — this morn. We three went in Miss Mellie’s class. We told her beforehand we’d have to leave early. The lesson was on temperance. We quietly departed about 10:30 and walked down to the Christian Church. Were actually early. Mrs. Mary Anna Jean Davis was there — she’s going to teach out at school this year. She looked so pretty. Everyone was greeting her. We went in and sat with Betsy. Mary sat with hubby. The new minister made his debut. Name Weaver. Youngish, short, blond. Gave fairly good sermon but raised his voice too much and talked in abstractions. After service Mary joined us again. I felt ever so good — life and the future seem very promising at the present. The result of my thinking her [?] Friday night — and Rochester and Buffalo are pleasant thoughts. We stood outside at the top of the steps and talked. Miss Staples and I exchanged a few words. I could hardly hear a thing and felt very silly. Bette Rose Harding came up and greeted me like a long-lost friend and extended a very hearty invitation to “come up and see us.” I nearly dropped my teeth. We made it to the sidewalk finally and then all piled in Mary’s and Horace’s car and drove up to Kimmie’s. Mary, Pan, Mr. Young and Horace sat out on porch and read funnies. Kim. helped her Mother and I hovered around. Dinner was eventually served — oh yes, I called Mum to see how she was faring — all was going well and she was having a wonderfully restful day all alone. I was placed next to Horace with the other 3 girls across from us. Yummy dinner and we all had fun. The men folk adjourned to the porch after the feast and we women sat around and talked. Mrs. Young and Mary discussed the bank and possibilities of Mary’s getting the job. Mrs. Young is so sweet — oh, everybody is! I loved the whole wide world! Mrs. Young wouldn’t let anyone but Pan help with the dishes. Kay came down and we all went out in the front yard where Kim. took pictures of all and sundry — poor Horace being featured in just about every one. Then we sat out there and talked. Betsy came up, dressed for tennis and soon Bob S. and another boy. Pan joined them and they set out for the courts. Horace left us, in gales of laughter, and went up to the Arnolds’. Mary suggested going out to Swan Pond for a swim so we went up to Kimmie’s bedroom to get my suit case. Then Mary got interested in the annual and I in some old letters of mine that Kim. had saved. Out in the yard they all said I wrote the most interesting letters. Kim. said she used to read mine to all the girls at school and Mary said Horace always got a kick out of reading them. Oh, gee! Well, letters are about the only things I like to write. Meantime dark banks of clouds had come up and it looked very much like rain. About 4 we left. Mrs. Young wouldn’t let Kim. go in swimming and Kay couldn’t but Mary and I left them to change their clothes and she drove me home. Mum came out to the car and they talked about the picnic, etc. while I put on my suit, quicky-quicky. Then Mary and I drove down to the apartment only to find it locked and remembered that Horace had the key. So we drove up to Arnolds’ and Horace came out. Mary and Sarah also came and we talked. Wanted them to go, too, but they couldn’t. Sarah’s husband is very nice looking. Kay (in shorts) and Kim. joined us and we drove down to the apartment where Mary put on her suit. There was a sudden sharp shower and then the sun came out. We piled in the car again and drove out to Swan Pond, out past Joneses’ to a place where there was water on both sides of the road. It was raining with a vengeance then but Mary and I bravely went forth. The water was nice but the rain cold. I’ve always wanted to go swimming in the rain. Presently it stopped and blue sky and sun reappeared. Kay came down to the muddy beach and played with a tiny dead fish. A man loaned us 2 inner tubes and Mary and I had great fun. She says that their (she and H.) greatest vacation ambition is to build a cottage at Oliphant and spend their summers there. At first I thought I wouldn’t try anything fancy but since the rain soaked my hair I thought I may as well finish the job. Kay was quite impressed with all the strokes I knew. She said my overhand was very smooth. Glad to hear that. Mary and I nearly wore ourselves out and when Kay informed us it was 6 we came out without a murmur. I curled my hair on the way back. It had all cleared just about but was muggy and steamy. Let Kim. and Kay off and Mary drove me home. Mum and I had supper and I dressed for church. My hair was still wet and completely devoid of curl but I went merrily down to Kimmie’s. She, Pan and I walked down to Methodist church. Mr. Brewster had a headache so Mr. Briggs preached again and it was such a short sermon that I was left with open mouth when he abruptly terminated it. After church we talked to Margaret and Roby and Made arrangements for the show tomorrow night. Roby and I beat each other up again. The Hudsons wanted to drive us down to the Christian church but we thought we’d benefit more by walking. Church was just over. I asked Miss Ivy about the knitting needles and she said she’d get them. Kay and Betsy came out and we talked. They thought my hair looked pretty!!!! Mrs. Massey was very sweet and friendly. We went over to the Hills’ and Mis Ivy got the needles for me. Pan and Betsy went down to the diner. Kay, Kim. and I followed after but decided we weren’t hungry so went up to Kim’s and rested on the porch. Mr. and Mrs. Young were out for the evening. Kay and I inevitably got off on Stephens again. About 9:30 we set out for my house. As we were passing Mother Lane’s, Mum called out that she was there. I asked them in and we had cake and fruit juice. Pan called to say she’d be right up, with instructions for Kim. to wait. We read the funnies. Mum came. But no Pan. Finally Kim. gave up and they set out for home. What a day! My ear was most uncomfortably full but otherwise I was on top of the world.
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
August 6, 1887
Went to the creek for water this morning before breakfast. There was a little dew last night. The day has been very pleasant and comfortable. I hoed fodder corn this forenoon. Had to go up town this afternoon to attend the meeting of the County Agricultural Society. They have put me on as supt. of one of the fruit divisions. Stopped at Neill’s as I came back and Jessie gave me some apples and currants. Kate received a letter from Nellie, and I a postal from Irvie who is only about 4 miles out in the town of Homestead.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
August 6, 1871
Baked up all my flour yesterday, went up to I in p. m. Should have gone before, Several of the family have the ague. Their roof leaks – and that is bad. We have so many mellons, my limbs and head ache.
Hope I am not getting the ague. P got flour. Did not get any letters last eve. The Cowskin creek is so high, no one can cross. There are three streams to cross to get to Wichita The Ninnescah – Cow skin and Arkansas, and usually one or the other are high. It has been cool for two weeks, and we have had much rain. The crickets are so bad. When I turned my bed tick, there was a handfull in the corner, next the wall.
They eat holes in cotton goods. Lost a handkerchief up near the garden. When I found it, it was full of holes, and they were having a hop on and around it.
*(kansasmemory.org, Kansas State Historical Society, copy and reuse restrictions apply)
Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina
August 6, 1862
Faced another skirt today. Mr. Henry gone up Hominy today. We had a little rain this evening, not enough to do any good. Mr. Henry will not be back tonight as it has rained. Atheline sleeps in the house tonight. I sold some butter last Friday at 25 cts. per lb, 4 lbs. I was up a good deal last night with my teeth, had to smoke them before they got better.
*(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 6, 1668
Waked betimes, and my wife, at an hour’s warning, is resolved to go with me, which pleases me, her readiness. But, before ready, comes a letter from Fitzgerald, that he is seized upon last night by an order of the General’s by a file of musqueteers, and kept prisoner in his chamber. The Duke of York did tell me of it to-day: it is about a quarrel between. him and Witham, and they fear a challenge: so I to him, and sent my wife by the coach round to Lambeth. I lost my labour going to his lodgings, and he in bed: and, staying a great while for him, I at last grew impatient, and would stay no longer; but to St. James’s to Mr. Wren, to bid him “God be with you!” and so over the water to Fox Hall; and there my wife and Deb. come and took me up, and we away to Gilford, losing our way for three or four mile, about Cobham. At Gilford we dined; and, I shewed them the hospitall there of Bishop Abbot’s, and his tomb in the church, which, and the rest of the tombs there, are kept mighty clean and neat, with curtains before them. So to coach again, and got to Lippock, late over Hindhead, having an old man, a guide, in the coach with us; but got thither with great fear of being out of our way, it being ten at night. Here good, honest people; and after supper, 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.)