August 7
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
August 7, 1997
Up at 9:00. Ray made pancakes. We packed up and left to go on a hike to the Pisgah National Park. Cool. There was 2 waterfalls and a rope swing and slides. Didn’t get in. Then we drove and came to the Grove Park Inn. Blah… It’s very yuppy and much too big. We just chilled and then me and Becca went swimming for about 30 minutes. Came 2 room and showered. Went out 2 eat after calling Mom. Really want 2 see Chris.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
August 7, 1960
Woke up at six, raining thunder and lightning. Later cleared off. Carrie came after church. Lo painted chair. After taking Carrie home went to cabin and worked quite late, so hot. Porch had gotten so wet had things to dry. Fortunately it was very windy.
Marcy S., age 20, Tennessee
August 7, 1944
(m) Well, it happened. I guess swimming yesterday brought it on. To work at 8:30. Did a deed and then Mr. H. left for Wartburg to be gone till noon. I went over to Dr. Hill’s and had my ear blown out. Everything sounded so loud. Betsy was there, helping her granddaddy. It was a clear, hot August morn. Just as it should be. Back to office where I stood it as long as I could. Finally called Mum and told her I was coming home — with a bad case of the cramps. Left about 10:30. Thought I’d never make it home. I lay down on Mum’s bed and she went over to see what Dr. McClure would recommend. Aspirin and hot water bottles, which I was immediately afflicted with. By noon I felt considerably better but rather washed out. Good dinner. Pinned my hair up and looked a sight, but it was cool. Clure was leaving just as I was so we walked down together. Mr. H. didn’t come in till nearly 2:30 but he had returned from Wartburg at 10. So I explained my absence and he was very solicitous about my health. I read the Wodehouse book and nearly died laughing. We did a few papers. Left at 5. Deposition tomorrow. Felt as if cramps were coming any minute but they never did — the aspirin, I guess. Mum persuaded me to lie down. Which I did, in her room, and nearly went to sleep. Lovely and hot out. I love August days. Supper and bath and about 7:15 I left for town. Stopped by Kimmie’s. Mr. and Mrs. Young left for show and Pan waited for Betsy. About 7:30 Kay, Kim. and I walked down to Princess and found Margaret and Roby waiting for us — per usual. Got 5 seats together. I sat between Margaret and Roby and Roby and I held hands — tut! tut! Saw Ida Lupino and Paul Henreid in “In Our Time.” Excellent. Best picture I’ve seen in ages. The presence of P.H. might have had something to do with my enjoyment of it! Ida Lupino was splendid, as was the whole cast. Out about 10. Kim. didn’t like it but the rest of us did! Said ’night to Hudsons and walked up to Kim’s. Mrs. Young suggested watermelon so we all went into kitchen and feasted. Just as we were finishing up Pan and Betsy arrived and put on another show. Kay, Kim. and I set out for my house and soon B. and P. caught up. Beautiful night, though hot. More Stephens. There was a light in Ashely’s room for the first time since he left and I nearly burst into song. We made enough noise in the front of my house. All parted after wonderful evening. Found Mum on the porch, cooling off. Got ready for bed in the dark. To bed about 11. Saw George go in direction of Ashley’s room and then heard faint murmur of voices. I knew he was home and was happier than ever!!
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
August 7, 1887
Neither Kate or I went to church, we both had touches of headache, and it was a warm day. I succeeded in reading a good deal in my news papers today and it was something I was in need of, as I am getting behind in the news of the day. Went over to Neill’s and took over some things belonging to them this afternoon. I have written a couple of letters and ought to write more, but think I will go to bed instead as I must get up early in the morning to go to the store to work.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina
August 7, 1862
Mr. Henry came this morning & brought us a basket of peaches, very ripe soft peaches. He is a dear kind husband to me & such a fond father. He has gone to Asheville today, did not get back till we were at supper. He brought me some smoking tobacco for my old teeth. I cut & sewed some on a shirt for Jim today. Very warm.
*(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 7, 1668
Up, and to coach, and with a guide to Petersfield, where I find Sir Thomas Allen and Mr. Tippets come; the first about the business, the latter only in respect to me; as also Fitzgerald, who come post all last night, and newly arrived here. We four sat down presently to our business, and in an hour despatched all our talk; and did inform Sir Thomas Allen well in it, who, I perceive, in serious matters, is a serious man: and tells me he wishes all we are told be true, in our defence; for he finds by all, that the Turks have, to this day, been very civil to our merchant-men everywhere; and, if they would have broke with us, they never had such an opportunity over our rich merchant-men, as lately, coming out of the Streights. Then to dinner, and pretty merry: and here was Mr. Martin, the purser, and dined with us, and wrote some things for us. And so took coach again back; Fitzgerald with us, whom I was pleased with all the day, with his discourse of his observations abroad, as being a great soldier and of long standing abroad: and knows all things and persons abroad very well — I mean, the great soldiers of France, and Spain, and Germany; and talks very well. Come at night to Gilford, where the Red Lyon so full of people, and a wedding, that the master of the house did get us a lodging over the way, at a private house, his landlord’s, mighty neat and fine; and there supped and talked with the landlord and his wife: and so to bed with great content, only Fitzgerald lay at the Inne. So 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.)