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December 1
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
December 1, 1997
World AIDS Day. Good day. Me and Zach went home with Ashley. Mom went 2 Renée’s on accident, but she wasn’t mad. Came home and did homework. Ate. At 5:30, me and Mom went 2 Raleigh for AIDS Walk and church thing. Good choir! Home at 9:00. Did rest of homework in bed.
Marcy S., age 47, North Carolina
December 1, 1971
Last night I was thinking about the old question: Is it a matter of enjoying life if I could or if I would? I would if I could, or I could if I would? That can really get confusing, but I decided it was probably the latter. Because every time something good and hopeful and exciting comes along, I either reject it completely, or put off acting upon it — instead of saying yes! and latching on. I’m letting despair and boredom dominate my life. I seem determined to reject all of God’s great gifts. All of a sudden I realized how stupid I’m being — and how hard I’ve been working just to be miserable! “My yoke is easy and my burdens is light.” Now I know (just as I’ve known many time before and lost) what my part is — not to make any great effort to be worthy of God’s love, not to hand everything to God in a neat package, but simply to accept. God gives; we accept His gifts. And our lives are changed, transformed by the glorious power of His love and joy and peace.
Marcy S., age 14, Tennessee
December 1, 1938
Didn’t practice. Went to school. No chapel. Usual classes. Home for dinner. Back to school. Same classes as usual. At 2:30 I went to the old building for my expression. Mrs. Moore and I went into the auditorium and practiced my dancing. After school we had a class meeting in Mrs. Geasland’s room. Not many stayed, and the teacher didn’t like it. Charles Lynn Maxwell acted smart and had to stay in 4 hrs. for Miss Goodwin. I hope she makes him stay too. Mary and I went out front when it was over. A dark, foreign-looking man was across the street on stilts, advertising “Valley of the Giants” at the Princess today and tomorrow. After watching him for awhile Mary walked up near the old building with me. Just as we were parting who should come by in the car but Mother who had been selling tuberculosis seals and was on her way to town. We drove Mary home and then M. went to King Dobb’s to see Mr. Waterhouse. I did some lessons. Then on to Cates where we both went in and got some goods and trimmings for the hanger covers I’m going to make the girls for Christmas. Then we stopped up from the Post Office and M. went back and mailed a letter. Then we stopped up a little farther and M. went to see a lady who had lost her Mother but she wasn’t home so we drove on home. I studied and practiced and after supper and the dishes I worked on the hanger covers. At 7:30 I got ready for bed and at 8:00 Mother and I sat in the living room and listened to Major Bowe’s Amateur Hour. Quite funny and very good. A cute little colored boy was awfully funny and he sang “A Tisket, A Tasket.” I sewed. When it was over I went to bed. Daddy home late. In good mood thinking of movies tomorrow night.
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
December 1, 1887
Kate’s thumb was so bad this morning that I went up and got Dr. Taylor and had him lance it. I think that will help it if anything will and she had less pain since. It has moderated a good deal today and looks stormy tonight. The baby’s cough seems to be getting stronger today. Mrs. Morrow came and stayed with Kate this afternoon.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
December 1, 1862
I cut Charlie, Hanes & Lonzo two shirts each this morning. Made one of Lonzo & began his other one. I got a letter from Mr. Henry this evening written in a pamphlet. Vic brought it. He is very well, wants the waggon to start up there to him Thursday. It has been raining a slow rain nearly all day. Atheline at work out today. Fannie does the cooking. Mr. Boyd came this evening. He has not done the loom yet. He is a very slow workman but a good one.
*(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 34, London
December 1, 1667
(Lord’s day). Up, and after entering my journal for 2 or 3 days, I to church, where Mr. Mills, a dull sermon: and in our pew there sat a great lady, which I afterwards understood to be my Lady Carlisle, that made her husband a cuckold in Scotland, a very fine woman indeed in person. After sermon home, where W. Hewer dined with us, and after dinner he and I all the afternoon to read over our office letters to see what matters can be got for our advantage or disadvantage therein. In the evening comes Mr. Pelling and the two men that were with him formerly, the little man that sings so good a base (Wallington) and another that understands well, one Pigott, and Betty Turner come and sat and supped with us, and we spent the evening mighty well in good musique, to my great content to see myself in condition to have these and entertain them for my own pleasure only. So they gone, we 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.)
Samuel P., age 27, London
December 01, 1660
This morning, observing some things to be laid up not as they should be by the girl, I took a broom and basted her till she cried extremely, which made me vexed, but before I went out I left her appeased. So to Whitehall, where I found Mr. Moore attending for me at the Privy Seal, but nothing to do to-day.
I went to my Lord St. Albans lodgings, and found him in bed, talking to a priest (he looked like one) that leaned along over the side of the bed, and there I desired to know his mind about making the catch stay longer, which I got ready for him the other day. He seems to be a fine civil gentleman.
To my Lord’s, and did give up my audit of his accounts, which I had been then two days about, and was well received by my Lord. I dined with my Lord and Lady, and we had a venison pasty. Mr. Shepley and I went into London, and calling upon Mr. Pinkney, the goldsmith, he took us to the tavern, and gave us a pint of wine, and there fell into our company old Mr. Flower and another gentleman; who tell us how a Scotch knight was killed basely the other day at the Fleece in Covent Garden, where there had been a great many formerly killed. So to Paul’s Churchyard, and there I took the little man at Mr. Kirton’s and Mr. Shepley to Ringstead’s at the Star, and after a pint of wine I went home, my brains somewhat troubled with so much wine, and after a letter or two by the post I went 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.)
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