December 10
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
December 10, 1997
My crush was lessened a bit today ’cause Justin wasn’t as affectionate or something. Went 2 Ashley’s with Zach and Renée. Dressed up at school and got tons of compliments. Mom came. Did homework. Dad came. Ate 2 much. Did homework. Showered. Talked 2 Karen. So eager for a guy…
Marcy S., age 14, Tennessee
December 10, 1938
Up late. Went to music lesson at 9:30. Came back and did usual work. Then went up to Helen’s. Stayed in the house with her a little while because she’d just had a bath. Soon, though, we went out. George came running down from the park. We acted silly a long time and when we finally did play right Mother called me. (Just as George and I had thought of a good plan.) Dusted and set table. Daddy came. After dinner and the dishes I called George on the telephone and when he had cleaned up he came over. Daddy brought the car over and G. and I drove to town with him. I got G. a book for Christmas. He waited outside while I shopped. Stores very crowded. We looked all over for blue ribbon at the right length but couldn’t find it. Going home I told G. a story. He was in a very silly mood. When I got home I said good-bye to Mother and left for Mossip. George walked all the way with me. I told him another story. Only Ella came. We went with Miss Fowler up the road by Mossip and gathered some wood. Then went to Mossip and got more wood down in the basement. Then back to cottage, where Miss F.’s room is. We looked at some of her pictures and then made flowers out of crepe paper to put on paper plates. About 5:00 we roasted (or rather Miss F. did while E. and I worked) our weiners and marshmallows. E.’s mother ’phoned about 5:30 so we had to put things away and leave. Miss F. and I walked quite a way with Ella and then Miss F. walked way across town to Mother Lane’s with me. I got home at exactly 6:00. Too full for any supper. I returned the Johnstone’s fuses and then practiced. By 7:15 I was through so I read till 8:30 when I washed the dishes and went to bed. Nice day. Cool.
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
December 10, 1887
I finished copying the College literary society’s constitution in the secretary’s book. Helped Kate some about doing house work. Teaching only two more weeks in this term. I hope I can get through this winter all right, and then I think I will go to school some more before teaching again. It appears like a storm tonight.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
December 10, 1862
I made Willie’s other skirt today. I sewed some on it last night. I went to Presley’s this morning to get him to make the rest of the negro shoes. Hanes went along with the sole leather. He says he will make them as soon as he can as he has a sick child. A heavy frost this morning but no wind. Betsey Jamison came this morning & began to weave. The stripes run round the skirt. It is blue mixed (light) & black. She is weaving now. I want to get the children a dress each made this week if she gets enough wove to cut it out. It breaks a great deal. Boyd did not get the temples done till late this evening. An old man named Hunter stays here tonight. He is nearly dead with cancer. He is an awful sight. I could not look at him. He is hunting a cancer Dr. that is in this country about Cathy’s Store I think. He will leave soon after breakfast in the morning.
*(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 10, 1667
Up, and all the morning at the office, and then home with my people to dinner, and very merry, and then to my office again, where did much business till night, that my eyes begun to be sore, and then forced to leave off, and by coach set my wife at her tailor’s and Willet, and I to Westminster Hall, and there walked a good while till 8 at night, and there hear to my great content that the King did send a message to the House to-day that he would adjourne them on the 17th instant to February; by which time, at least, I shall have more respite to prepare things on my own behalf, and the Office, against their return. Here met Mr. Hinxton, the organist, walking, and I walked with him; and, asking him many questions, I do find that he can no more give an intelligible answer to a man that is not a great master in his art, than another man. And this confirms me that it is only want of an ingenious man that is master in musique, to bring musique to a certainty, and ease in composition. Having done this, I home, taking up my wife and girle, and there to supper and to bed, having finished my letters, among which one to Commissioner Middleton, who is now coming up to town from Portsmouth, to enter upon his Surveyorship.
*(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.)