August 8
Dan W., age 19, Kentucky
August 8, 2010
Wake — 0930 Bed — 0034 Mom, Dad, and I started the day with a quick run to the Reds Hall of Fame. Dad had seen the bobbleheads they were giving away sell for $50, so we all got one, then doubled back to take in the exhibits. I was surprisingly entertained; the 1990 World Series exhibit caught me up with an era of which I knew little, and the whole place had that indefinable inspiration of the national game. Sounds cheesy, but when people place stock in the mythos, it really does live. Screwed around the afternoon until we headed to KC’s graduation party. Excellent catered Mexican, but the crowd was as usual on both sides of my age range. I tried to make polite conversation but realized how little I actually care about most of the people… Wandered listlessly until some nighttime capture the flag, then Dad and I headed home.
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
August 8, 1997
Up at 9:30. Got dressed and went shopping with Sandra and Becca ’till 12:30. Got nice pair of used cords and a cute top that shows my back. Came to inn and baby-sat Becca. We went to the pool, I showered, played video games and watched “Rosie.” We went 2 “The Laughing Seed” for supper and it was so good. All vegetarian place. Went 2 a cool shop. Came back and had dessert at Dr. Cook-out. Played pinball. Played cards. Every time I see a Buick I smile. :)
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
August 8, 1960
Cleaned den thoroly so much to sort and move. Almost all day at it except for some cooking. Thot Charlotte’s kitten was gone but had moved it to the wood pile again. Brenda moved hers to the window wall outside bath.
Marcy S., age 20, Tennessee
August 8, 1944
Very hot and sultry. Fairly busy in morn. Mrs. Goodman was in again with more property troubles. Mr. H. has fervently expressed the wish that she would sell all her land and end his troubles. Good lunch. Mrs. Bowman drove me back. Went to Pop’s office and got mail from Jean. Met Kay and walked up to corner with her, since I was back early. Then met Betsy. She had gotten some mail too. We talked a minute. She’s going tonight. Letter from Miss Good Smith, another card from Jean Mac, letter to all from Betty’s parents, and a card to Mum from Mary Jane, accepting invitation to come for a visit soon. She’s with her granddad at Crab Orchard. Busy after lunch. About 3 Mr. and Mrs. Clinton came, Judge Ellen and Judge Stone and we took Mr. Ellen’s deposition. Clinton’s is postponed till Thursday. I read over my notes but will wait till later to type them. Very hot. Left a little before 5. Went to library and got Code of the Woosters, having finished the other. To Golden Rule for a cake and to Acme for some things. Visited with Mrs. E.E. Jones there. To P.O. and then home, loaded down. Practiced a little, cleaned up and dressed. Mum put up my lunch. Getting cloudy and hazy. Sun a red ball in the sky. Dressed in slacks and pajama shirt! About 6:30 Mum and I left. Talked to Mrs. Mildred a minute. She has a seat that we can have for our Y.W.C.A. rooms. Lovely evening like Oliphant. Mum went on down to the show and I stopped at Kim’s. Kay came down and she, K., Pan and I set out for library. Mary drove by and stopped. She had been to see Dr. Neergaard and he says no working for 2 months, else she’ll be laid up a year! So no bank, I guess. There was quite a gathering on the library steps. Mary Lou hailed me with, “I know what time you went home last night.” My laugh doing the betraying act again! Miss Walker introduced me to Miss Betty Belk, the new sponsor. Marcia was there. Betsy, Nancy Wallace, June Smalley, Josephine Livingston, Marguerite Miller, Jo Rutherford and others. The truck was waiting but no hay or anything resembling hay was to be seen. No could get. We waited till 7:15 and then all piled in. Kim. and Mary Lou sat up near front all nice and cozy. Pan, Betsy and Kay stood up and very nearly blew away during the course of the ride. We stopped by the city hall for a red light and I looked up to see Nancy, June, Mildred Norris and a Strunk girl talking to — Ashely!! They were sitting at the very back — the most popular seats. I nearly disgraced myself at first sight but got things under control in time. He didn’t see me. They waved 'bye to him when we started on. My cup was overflowing. We went flying and bumping along and the cloudy sky was so lovely with pink-tipped clouds here and there. It was glorious. We picked up 2 boys in a jalopy who trailed us, showing off, all the way out there, where Miss N. invited them to leave us alone. We parked just beyond the bridge out past Bowman’s where Mum, Pop and I came last summer. All piled out and went across road to water’s edge where the swimmers found a fairly nice, though muddy, spot to take a dip. Kim, Mary Lou and I took a walk on the rocks under the bridge. Followed by Josephine L. and another girl. Saw a dead turtle. Walked around under bridge where we sat ourselves down and turned our attention to throwing rocks in the water. Kim and Mary Lou were sharing a rock and I got one of my fiendish ideas which I immediately carried into effect. viz. knocking their heads together. Well, you should have heard the crack — I feared for a moment for their recovery but when I saw them coming out of it I just overflowed with sincere apologies. They proceeded to beat me to a pulp but all in a spirit of fun! :) We took the road going back. There was a glorious breeze and the cloudy sky was so near. We followed the crowd down to the beach — composed of mud and pebbles — where Miss Walker was coaxing a fire from a pile of sticks and papers. Kim, Mary Lou and I sat down on a big log and opened our picnics. I was starved. It was dark by then and the wind made waves on the lake. Others joined us on the log. Betsy had an inexhaustible supply of “Cline” sandwiches which she was begging people to sample! After filling ourselves to capacity we put the lid on with generous pieces of watermelon. Then we cleaned up and put the fire out. I was elected to fill my coke bottle from the lake and administer the final dousing. It was dark and I didn’t gauge the distance right — with the result that I just waded in a few inches and came out with muddied feet. About 9 we all piled in the truck and started back. Kim, Mary Lou, and I sat up near the front again and we all sang all the way. It was so much fun and I felt so warm and friendly and happy. Got back to library all too soon and unloaded. Kimmie and I insisted upon walking Marcia home. Kay and Mary Lou joined us and we had a gay time. We’re going to go on a hike some afternoon and bowling or skating before Marcia leaves. Left Mary Lou at her house and Kim. and Kay walked on up with me. I felt so good. Oh, this has been a wonderful day! Ashley is back and everything is perfect! Lovely, cloudy night.
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
August 8, 1887
I got up early this morning and went to the creek for water. Went to the store after breakfast, and have been working there all day. When I went after my mail tonight, I found Irvie’s satchel there, so I brought it home with me and found him here. We have been having a good visit this evening. It has been a pretty hot day and is very smokey, so much that is hurts my eyes.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
August 8, 1871
Brother says, we will move soon. Felt well this a. m. Gave the cabin a good cleaning. The cat had dragged a rabbit under my bed, and eaten a part. Tom is a nice pet, but sometimes he is a nuisance.
Later I took the tub to the river, and washed the colored clothes. In p. m. went up river, on this side, and found two qts. of plums. Tired and dizzy when I got home.
*(kansasmemory.org, Kansas State Historical Society, copy and reuse restrictions apply)
Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina
August 8, 1862
Mail brought no news of importance. The Confederates fired into the yankee fleet a short time ago at night & did them some harm. Stonewall Jackson has gone to the Valley again to attend to Pope. I finished Jim’s shirt & began Atheline’s dress. Mrs. Fanning cut out the cloth yesterday. Jim & the children began to cut fruit today to dry sweet apples.
*(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 8, 1668
Up, and I walked out, and met Uncle Wight, whom I sent to last night, and Mr. Wight coming to see us, and I walked with them back to see my aunt at Katherine Hill, and there walked up and down the hill and places, about: but a dull place, but good ayre, and the house dull. But here I saw my aunt, after many days not seeing her — I think, a year or two; and she walked with me to see my wife. And here, at the Red Lyon, we all dined together, and mighty merry, and then parted: and we home to Fox Hall, where Fitzgerald and I ’light, and by water to White Hall, where the Duke of York being abroad, I by coach and met my wife, who went round, and after doing at the office a little, and finding all well at home, I to bed. I hear that Colbert, the French Ambassador, is come, and hath been at Court incognito. When he hath his audience, I know not.
*(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.)