July 10
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
July 10, 1997
Up at 10:40. We colored for an hour and ate and watched “90210.” Dad took us to the pool. Stayed til 3:30. Renee’s mom got us. Showered. Watched story. Eddie picked me up. Took Lucy with me. When she first saw Nikki she started to walk away! :) But they started to get used to each other. We played a little bit of chess. Eddie cooked chicken. T.V. Came home. Lucy was sick. Talked to Ashley and Amanda.
Laura M., age 14, North Carolina
July 10, 1996
Volleyball camp. Alex came over. We all (Shannon) got bored so we started to drink. Shannon went overboard. Sol came over — they made out. Me and Alex went in my mom’s room and did the same. Took a nap. Bitched out Shannon. Went to Showbiz Pizza with Dad, etc. Watched Forrest Gump with Bryan.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
July 10, 1960
Such a rainy gloomy day. Carrie came after church. Lo had gone to the sale and didn’t get back till about 5:00. Carrie and I ate alone and when Lo came took her home; very chilly had burner on all day.
Marcy S., age 20, Tennessee
July 10, 1944
A hum-dinger, as Mum predicted. We were quite busy in the morn. I slipped next door once and said Hi to Pan, Betsy and Ann Ray who were busily making bandages for Red Cross. The room was full — mostly younguns. The morning flew. Pop home for dinner. The afternoon was even busier. Pan popped by once before band practice and I went to the door — fortunately Mr. H. was in conference. She was very sweet. I don’t feel out of place with her any more. It was so hot but there was a nice breeze which blew the papers all over and made me almost forget that I was a lady once! :) I didn’t get through till almost 5:30 and I was practically exhausted. But I like busy days. Mr. H. was very apologetic for having kept me over time. He’s all back to normal now and he’s so nice. Passed Alice Ann and parents at Dr. Neergaard’s and she was lifting up her voice. Mr. Waterhouse picked me up so I missed some of the hills. The front porch had been freshly painted. Pop had gone to Knoxville to a meeting. Mum and I took baths. There was a package for me from Greta — a lovely jewelry box. We had a nice cool supper. It’s so nice out but oh it’s so dry!!!! I got dressed at 9 and about 7:30 left for Red Cross. Stopped by Kimmie’s. Mrs. Young was lying down on the davenport, feeling quite under the weather. Kim. was upstairs dressing so I went up. Then she had a grand hunt for her glasses but we finally got off. Saw Ashley walking down by the Meth. Church. He looked over but we were too far away to speak. He went in the Harriman Cafe. The others had just gotten there so we really weren’t so late. The sun was a red ball in the sky. The Rockwells, Mrs. Melburn, McCluen and another lady, Miss Blanche Roberts, K. and I completed the gathering. K. and I worked together and some of the gauze was awfully hard to manage. We made 41 in a little over an hour. Made 180 in all, I think. Mrs. McCluen hooked me into knitting a helmet — knowing how I follow directions, the war will be over by the time I get them figured out. We left about 9:15 and went down to the bowling alley for drinks — Kim. and I. Ashley was sitting on the sidelines with Chas. Walker and he said “Hi” — I said “Hello” and that was that. We got orange drinks and sat down. Kimmie couldn’t drink all hers and had to buy some stale crackers to take away the taste. Ashley disappeared — he’s very good at that. We left about 9:30. Stopped by Kim’s and got Pan. They walked home with me. Pan is so sweet and affectionate. We had fun. Mum and I went to bed about 11. I was happy because Ashley was back. It started to rain but didn’t last long — I held my breath. It was so lovely lying there by the open window. Pop got home about 12. Oh yes, this afternoon the woman who works for Dr. Carr came in and while waiting to see Mr. Harris, she told me about the Council meeting tomorrow night and she’s going to suggest to Dr. Carr that they get me to take the notes in shorthand — a big lawyer from Nashville is coming and it would be quite an experience. Oh, I’d be scared to death. She said not to tell Mr. H. yet. And Mrs. Walker called at noon to see if I could stay with Alice Ann tomorrow night but I said I had another engagement — the show. But that can’t be an excuse to get out of this! Before going to sleep I thought about God and Christ. [In upper margin: “The losses at Saipan were heavy — I’m so afraid Jim was there.”]
Marcy S., age 17, Ontario
July 10, 1941
Some time in the wee smas I awoke to the unpleasantness of curlers and the fact that Mary was also awake. In trying to remedy my affliction I banged my elbow so hard against the wall that I thought surely it had gone through to the kitchen. Then Mary and I held a short conference which resulted in my getting out of bed and rubbing Mary’s sunburnt back with powder. We both decided to remove our curlers to enable sleeping better.
[In the margin: “Once in the early dawn I woke up to a bright light shining in my face -- I thought Mary was there with the flashlight but it turned out to be the space between the wall and the curtains and the light was the sky.”] The next time I woke up it was light and I could hear voices in Mother’s room. Mary’s bed was empty and I realized I didn’t have much longer to sleep. In a few minutes the alarm clock went off and Mary came in and woke me the rest of the way. It was a little after 7:00. We were dressed and through breakfast in no time. Then we did our hair. Mary’s looked so pretty and mine looked nice, too. Mary and I exchanged some jewelry and she insisted that I wear her new brown silk blouse with my sharkskin skirt. We forgot and put our hose on and had to take them off to go out on the beach and pick grandmother some yellow flowers. We got a lot.
We had planned to leave at 9:00, then 9:30 and finally we got off at 10:00. First, however, Mr. Dawkes and Ted came over to say good-bye. He kissed Mary and told us to behave. Just as Mom and I were packing the last things in the car, I saw a garter snake slithering through the pine needles nearby. Mary and Mother hurried to see it and Mom didn’t believe it was a garter snake. So we called Mr. Dawkes and he came over, followed by Ted. He said it was a garter and he picked it up -- bare-handed! -- right behind its head and brought it closer for us to see. It stuck out its red tongue and looked very dangerous. Then Mr. Dawkes put it down in the grass and showed it to Ted. As soon as he saw it wiggle he was after it and they had a good chase under the pine trees until Mr. Snake retired to a hole under a tree where Ted could not follow but only stay near and sniff. He was so cute and we got very tickled.
At last Mary and I got settled in the back seat with the lunch and various other things and Mom at the wheel. We were sure the old bus wouldn’t start, but after about five attempts at starting it, all was okay and off we went. It was fun driving into Wiarton. Just outside of the city (about two miles) we asked a bread man the way to Kemble. Mr. Dawkes had told us to go that way to Owen Sound because of the beautiful view of O.S. bay it afforded. We turned off onto a gravel road and drove and drove. I pretended I was Lester and that Mary and I were engaged. I spoke in a deep, affected voice and we embraced and discussed our wedding, honeymoon, etc. and had so much fun. As we neared the bay the pine trees on either side of the road were more beautiful than ever but I didn’t forsake my man’s voice to admire them. Mother accused me of not appreciating the beauty.
Upon reaching Owen[?] Sound, we took car to garage. [In margin: “Went to bank with Mary. Man asked her all about Tennessee, etc.”] Then Mary and I went shopping tent-cent stores -- looked at jewelry. Bought note paper and dark glasses. Met Mother. Went to shoe shop. Mary and I both got tan canvas shoes -- just alike. Clerk dropped twenty-five cents down stairs. Funny.
Mary bought dress shoes -- white -- Went to other shoe store in search of bathing slippers. Coming out of one, Mother didn’t see step and fell down on her side. Ruined nylon hose. Hurt knee. Damaged dignity. Young man in shop helped her up and in store where she rested a few minutes. Then to car to leave parcels. Started to rain. Got to china shop where bought Catherine Tindall’s wedding gift. Lady very sweet. Terrible thunder and lightning. Got cookies at bakery.
Drove out to Harrison Park and had lunch. Mary so sweet and pretty. Then out to see Grandmother and Miss Moore’s. I didn’t go in. Mary and I sat in car and man came and talked to us. Miss Moore’s brother-in-law. Gave us box of pins. Drove on to Wiarton. Shopped. Mary and I went in each drug store (three) at least twice. Bought films, pins, etc. and an orange ring. (Razor for Daddy -- funny.) Bought milk. To Blue Water park for supper. Good sandwiches. Got ice cream cones.
Back to Oliphant. Dark. Looked at purchases and to bed.
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
July 10, 1888
We drew some hay this forenoon, and 1 load tonight. We raked and cocked a considerable this afternoon. I took Kate to father Queal’s just after dinner. They are going to stay a day or two. I feel dizzy tonight, but hope to feel better in the morning.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
July 10, 1887
I arose with a headache this morning and have felt miserable all day. Neither of us went to church. I went up stairs and slept for a long time this forenoon. We have had strawberries 3 times today, but they are getting pretty thin and will soon be all gone. I found some ripe black raspberries in the woods today; they were good size, too, for wild fruit. Went over to Neill’s a little while this afternoon to borrow a Doctor book for Kate. We rode down to water Jimmie tonight. It has been two weeks since I have heard from home and I want a letter.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
July 10, 1871
Last Saturday I walked way past Lanes, down to Marklies, Mr. M – had told Philip he would be away over Sunday, and his wife was so timid, so P suggested I go and spend the night with her. She was so glad to see me, she could talk of nothing else for a while.
They are only half a mile from the trail. Sunday a. m. we saw coming over the divide a great heard of cattle and some hours later another heard. They crossed the river and moved on toward Whichita.
While we were eating dinner, we heard a noise, and some two dozen oxen had come over the river and were in her garden— We yelled—and with a broom tried to drive them away — Then they went to a corn patch, and it was not safe to leave the house—as they get cross— and their immense horns are wicked looking. Mr. Rose told me he had seen steers whos hornes were five and six feet from tip to tip. He also said they were driven north— butchered, and the meat packed in their own hornes—and shiped to Chicago, Such yams I hear a plenty. Well it was 4 p. m when some men came riding a crost the river for the cattle, and in that time they had nearly destroyed two acres of corn.
I had promised to go to the grove where we had the picnic, and help organize a bible class, but it was so late before it was safe for me to leave, that I went direct home. J. R had been sick. Jake had been down and took him up with him— I have not done much to day.
Looks like a heavy storm was coming.
*(kansasmemory.org, Kansas State Historical Society, copy and reuse restrictions apply)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
July 10, 1863
I made Lonzo a pair pants today & went with Mr. Henry after rasberries. We gathered a nice chance. Mail brought no news. We hear this evening that Vicksburg has fallen & we are all sorry of it yet we feared it sometime. This war will last a long time I fear. Very warm today & bright. Our garden is doing finely. Beets large enough to eat & plenty beans & potatoes.
*(Fear in North Carolina: The Civil War Journals and Letters of the Henry Family, Eds. Karen L. Clinard and Richard Russell, used with permission.)
Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina
July 10, 1862
Mr. Henry came after one o’clock. P. Roberts is dead from sickness. His remains will be burried in Asheville as soon as they come & they are on their way. His wife started to see him but missed the corpse some way. I helped about dinner, gathered beans & after dinner sewed on Jim’s pants. My teeth have been troubling me again, aching. Harrie will spend several days with us. He is improving a little.
*(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
July 10, 1667
Up, and to attend the Council, but all in vain, the Council spending all the morning upon a business about the printing of the Critickes, a dispute between the first Printer, one Bee that is dead, and the Abstractor, who would now print his Abstract, one Poole. So home to dinner, and thence to Haward’s to look upon an Espinette, and I did come near the buying one, but broke off. I have a mind to have one. So to Cooper’s; and there find my wife and W. Hewer and Deb., sitting, and painting; and here he do work finely, though I fear it will not be so like as I expected: but now I understand his great skill in musick, his playing and setting to the French lute most excellently; and speaks French, and indeed is an excellent man. Thence, in the evening, with my people in a glass hackney-coach to the park, but was ashamed to be seen. So to the lodge, and drank milk, and so home to supper and 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.)