July 12
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
July 12, 1997
Up at 8:30. Worked from 9-close. Dad picked me up. Came home and showered. Slept. Ate pasta and talked to Karen. Started period. Watched “Real World” with Dad and Sandra.
Laura M., age 14, North Carolina
July 12, 1996
Volleyball camp. Alex came over. We kissed once. He left around 3:00. Me, Kathy, Shannon, and Bryan went to Podgers for pizza and 2 movies. (Babysitter, Species.) Kissed Alex and more — new stuff. Kathy, Bryan and I came home. Tried to sneak out — couldn’t. Awake at 3:00.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
July 12, 1960
Woke up at 5:00 so at 5:30 got up, put in two screens. Man came and finished working on burner and Mr. L. came to help with tank. Then the fun began for me, such dirt. After Loie went I started scrubbing floor, not 100% but got the worst grease etc. so as not to track it up stairs. Couldn’t do all I wanted to as I too tired. It was warm and very humid.
Marcy S., age 20, Tennessee
July 12, 1944
(m) Mum got me up before 7 to iron a dress. It was getting hot even then. I left for work about 8:20. There was a heavenly breeze and there were dark clouds floating around. Maybe it will rain today. Up by Tarwater’s I just happened to look back and there was Ashely down by Mother Lane’s. I got butterflies and then soared to the clouds. It was glorious the way the wind blew my hair. I walked straight down by the Bothwell’s as usual and turned the next corner for town. A little boy in a yard said “Hi” and I said “Hi,” too; he looked so cute. I wanted to look back again but knew I couldn’t. Then a few minutes later I heard Ashley speak to the little fellow. Down by Roberts’ I heard him very close behind and I nearly broke into a mad run. And here I thought I had matured so much!! He crossed the street at the Baptist and then we almost met at the Roane St. corner. A girl who probably works in the same office spoke to him and then he turned around and I looked away. I could have shot myself. As he was waiting for a car to pass to cross the street, he looked again and — I’ll hate myself all day! — I suddenly became interested in a store window. He went into some building near the Acme Drug and I went on up to the office. Oh! why do I do things like that?? The next time I’ll be friendly if it kills me!! The morning just flew and we were pretty busy. Wrote Mary Lamm. Met Martin at noon and walked up to P.O. with him — we talked about the Christian Education picnic. Pop drove me part way home. Letter from Kathleen — she’s in Cardiff now (in the Wrens). Fairly busy in afternoon but I wrote 2 letters (Kathleen and Miss GoodSmith). Mr. H. dictated a paper and got the defendant and complainant and c.d., cross c. all confused. I was in the dark, too, but changed them around as best I could. He read it and didn’t say anything so I suppose I guessed right! Cloudy but no rain. About 3:30 or 4 it cleared. I got off a little after 4:30. Mum was just closing up the Red Cross rooms. I went to the P.O. and then Pop and Mum picked me up in the car. Let Mum off by Marshes’ to see a lady and Pop dropped me at Mrs. Shaefer’s. We visited a few minutes and it was so easy to talk to her — I felt so myself, relaxed and at ease. Soon 3 ladies came to call. Two of them seemed to know me and were very friendly. I put on an act but I’d never even seen them before to my knowledge. Mrs. Shaefer wants to to re-type her will but she won’t have it ready till tomorrow. I walked home and it was lovely, hot and breezy. Pop was reclining in the front yard. I took a bath and washed the lunch dishes. Mum came. Margaret called and wanted to know if I’d fallen in last night. I explained and was quite the martyr about it all. :) Then Kimmie called and we made arrangements about Red Cross. Had a good supper. Then I played the piano — I must practice more. I felt so wonderfully free and happy — Mum and Pop talking at the supper table, a glorious breeze blowing the Waterhouses’ trees outside the dining room window — sinking sun — music — and in spite of this morning, I am improving! Got dressed and about 7:20 went down to Kimmie’s. Kidded with Pan, Ann Ray and Betty Bowman till K. came out. We walked down to Red Cross rooms. There were 6 of us finally — Mrs. Hill, Farmer, Nee [?], Bardill, and K. and I. We made 220. It was so hot up there. Kim and I made 69 together. Left about 9:30. Kim. walked up to Marshes’ corner with me. On home. Sky overcast. Pop was sitting out in the yard. I went in and did the dishes and to bed. So sleepy. About 11 it started to rain and Mum came in and pulled down the shade by my bed. Then I got waked up and couldn’t get to sleep for a long time. Rain stopped and it was hot. I wonder what Ashley thinks of me — if anything.
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
July 12, 1888
Willie cut the last of the hay this forenoon. We raked and cocked some this forenoon. It rained some this afternoon so we could do nothing at haying. I went over to father Queal’s to see Kate and baby, staying to supper. Rode to Dexter with Mr. Adam after supper to mail a letter and got the mail. Had a ride home with John Williams. Kate and Una came home tonight. It has been very cool today, a great change.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
July 12, 1887
It looked very much like rain this morning and I fixed the cistern to catch water, but although it threatened all the forenoon, and sprinkled at times, it did not rain. Hoed a little in the garden, but loafed in the house more. Put brush to some peas and poles to some tomato vines this afternoon. Did some repairing of brush fence, up in the woods. Picked some raspberries and some strawberries. Went up town tonight, Fred rode up with me. Kate and baby went over there and stayed while I was gone. It has been very warm and continues so this evening.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
July 12, 1871
I am out of sewing. The river to high to go to Roses, and it is too far walk to Springers to get some stiching done. P- has had a touch of ague again. Fixed some plums to dry. Wrote a four page account of the picnic. Will send it to a W- paper.
*(kansasmemory.org, Kansas State Historical Society, copy and reuse restrictions apply)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
July 12, 1863
Late breakfast this morning as usual on Sunday & late dinner too. Mr. Henry has gone off to the Stradley place. Harrie is asleep. The children at play. My head feels badly. I am affraid I shall have another spell of sick headache soon. I suffer a great deal with it. I generally take pills. Sometimes it relieves me, at others does no good at all. The babie’s neck is healing some I think. It still looks red & raw in some places. I think we will have rain this evening as ’tis cloudy. We had a shower yesterday evening & some heavy thunder. I will stop now. I want to read my bible some.
*(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 12, 1862
Sewed some on John’s pants, did not finish them as I had headache & toothache both after dinner. I took a nap in the evening. It has been very pleasant today. McDowell’s Battalion is ordered to march next Thursday. Harrie belongs in that, also Jim Parker & a great many of the neighbors. Poor things. I pitty their families.
*(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 12, 1667
[…overnight took some pills] which work with me pretty betimes, being Lord’s day, and so I within all day. Busy all the morning upon some accounts with W. Hewer, and at noon, an excellent dinner, comes Pelling and W. Howe, and the latter staid and talked with me all the afternoon, and in the evening comes Mr. Mills and his wife and supped and talked with me, and so to bed. This last night Betty Michell about midnight cries out, and my wife goes to her, and she brings forth a girl, and this afternoon the child is christened, and my wife godmother again to a Betty.
*(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.)