July 22
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
July 22, 1997
Up at 10:00. Showered and blowdried. Ate breakfast and packed. Went to work from 12-close. Went to Courtney’s right after. Renee was already there. We got dressed and Sarah J’s mom took the 3 of us, Melissa, Jessica, and Sarah to Phish! It was awesome — even though it poured. They played Stash, Bouncing Around the Room, Simple, Harry Hood, and Down with Disease. AWESOME. Three of us stayed at Courtney’s.
Laura M., age 14, North Carolina
July 22, 1996
Bryan called me at 8:30! Showered. Watched Rosie on T.V. Took a nap till 12. Went to Applebee’s with Em. I had Los Tres take-out. Mowed lawn. Went to Eddie’s pool for 45 minutes. Finished mowing. Ate dinner with Mom, Kathy, Em. Watched Olympics. Talked to Karen.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
July 22, 1960
Woke up sort of sick. Cold on my chest and head. Didn’t sleep well again last night. Beastly hot so closed everything so was cool inside and quiet. Went to Mrs. B’s for coffee earlier. Wrote to Mary Ann and [?]. Didn’t feel too much like it so only did two. Because cloudy, thot we’d have rain but blew over. Lo cleaning corral, and I helped a little would have finished if it hadn’t looked so stormy.
Marcy S., age 20, Tennessee
July 22, 1944
Another beautiful day. Cool in morn but warmed up. Mr. H. left on the 9 o’clock bus for Clinton to be gone till 2. So I had the office to myself. Finished L.M.A. and took care of a few people who came in. Left at 12 and met Pop with the car. I went to the Acme to do some shopping and then we drove home. Mum had dinner ready about 12:30. Just as we were sitting down Mum mentioned a bottle of sun tan lotion I’d gotten at school and then Daddy reminded me how much it had cost them to send me to school this year in a tone of voice that makes me see red. So I spoke up and told Mum — who had used the same tone — that if it was going to be such a burden I’d stay home and work and not go to school anymore!! Then Mum got that silent, martyred look and it moved me to raise my voice and exclaim “It isn’t fair! Just like your consenting to my going way out to Washington next year and then lamenting it all the time!” Or words to that effect. Mother arose and with handkerchief to nose departed to the bedroom and slammed the door. Daddy glared at me and ordered me to leave the table. I said “I’ll gladly do it” and departed to my bedroom, feeling as I always feel after a blow-up — full of the most dreadful remorse and regret. Not that I was sorry this time for what I had said because it isn’t fair to keep bringing up subjects that have been settled and closed. If they must be discussed, then let us all talk it over and be done with it. But we have never been a family to talk things over. I wanted to once when Mum and Pop had a bad blow-off but Mother said no, it would only make things worse. We have discussed some things — at least Mum and I — and I thought at the first of the summer that things were going to be different and they were for awhile — because I had a new understanding of Mum. Mother returned to the dining room a few minutes later but I sat in my room and would not allow myself to cry. I felt discouraged and down to the depths but not hopeless — it’s funny but I haven’t had that dreadful hopeless feeling for months. I summoned my courage and returned to the fold. I apologized to Mum for upsetting her and Daddy said “That wasn’t a very nice thing to say” but Mum “shhhhed” him and said she was tired and shouldn’t have brought up the subject. So we had a quiet meal. I was ashamed of Daddy — when a person apologizes you should never reproach them again. But I guess he is tired, too. Just before dessert Arnold Clark came to see Pop and Pop wanted Mum and I to say he wasn’t here but we wouldn’t. He was rather abrupt with the poor man and I felt sick. They went off together later, though. I did the dishes, had a facial and lay out on a quilt in the back yard, clad in the briefest of briefs. Very hot in the sun. About 3:15 I took a bath and went down to the Meth. Church. Margaret was just finishing her organ practice so I took over and played Daddy’s hymn until Margaret knew it by heart, too. About 4:30 Pop came and we practiced together. He left and Mrs. Neergaard came. Margaret and I parted and I went to the 10-cent store. Met Pan and Betsy. Home about 5:30. Mum and Pop out in back yard — former drying her hair. She was rather distant to me and that made me feel worse. I know she’s tired but she could at least act as if my apology had been accepted. But Mother never gets over things quickly. I sat out on the front porch and read my diary for part of last summer — about Mary’s wedding and Cecil. I can laugh at myself now although it isn’t a derisive laugh. And I really and honestly think I have come a long hard way since last summer. “Facing myself” then was only the beginning. I’m sure — and this is perfect honesty with myself — I could talk to and have fun with Cecil now. About 6 I went in to get supper. Mum was ironing and to get her to thaw out I brought up the subject of Betty — I felt as if I had to talk to someone although we’ve thrashed it out pretty thoroughly. I felt as if someone had flattened me with a road-roller. Mum was very sympathetic and understanding and she thinks I might talk to Mrs. Geasland before deciding definitely about Washington. Ever so often I catch myself feeling down and out — for no apparent reason — but when I think for a minute I know what it is — it’s getting to be a haunting hurt — a very bad thing to be afflicted with. Mother thinks I choose friends too hastily — trust them too quickly. I confided things to Betty that I couldn’t even tell Mary and from things she said, I think she betrayed me. Will I never learn?? The more you trust a person the more you expect of them in loyalty and honesty, etc. I felt better after we’d taken that problem through the mill again and so I had supper. Margaret called and we arranged about meeting at town. I called Kimmie. Mum and Pop had supper later. I did the dishes and dressed, lifting up my voice in song because I felt almost at peace with the world. Ashley was in the bathroom and I thought if I timed it right I might be able to walk to town with him — silly girl! I departed about 10 of 8 and stopped to talk with Clure in her yard a few minutes. No Ashley appeared though so I walked on down. Lovely evening. Still warm. Found Margaret waiting at the P.O. We walked around to the library and surprised Roby “roaming in the realm of books.” We all walked up to Kimmie’s. The girls had told “Dopey” (their pop) to come for them at 8:15 but K. and I persuaded them to stay till 9 so Margaret tried to call her mother but the line was busy. She finally got her but too late to stop her pop. They unbuttoned my dress down the back, unbeknown to me, and would have let me parade through town in that condition, if they hadn’t been overcome with laughter. I could have shot them! We four went down and found Mr. H. parked by the Meth. Church. The girls instructed him to wait and we went on down to the Acme. More people at town! We got a table at the back and ordered drinks. We were all sucking our various “ades” up the straws, stopping it with our tongue and then letting the juice out in a stream. We threatened each other but no harm was done. I was overcome finally though and aiming mine at Roby, let go, expecting the liquid to spray her in the face. Instead it went all down the front of her dress! Well! I could have turned myself up and spanked me! Roby gasped and I feared for a moment she was going to cry! I was flabbergasted 'cause I really hadn’t thought it would hit her! Well, they all burst out laughing — at the look on my face I discovered later. Even Roby. I apologized profusely and commanded her to send me the cleaning bill ’cause the dress had just been cleaned!! Why do I get such fiendish ideas?? At about this point I turned around and Ashley was standing with his back to me right behind my chair. We left a minute later but he had vanished. Back up to Mr. H. and the car and they wanted us to go home with them but we couldn’t. Made plans for tomorrow afternoon. I tried to get Roby to promise not to tell her mother. They were still laughing about the drug store episode. Kimmie and I walked back to town to look for Pan. Went down to skating rink. Saw George and his horn advancing up the street in direction of church and orchestra rehearsal. We gave up the search and went up to Kimmie’s. Went up to her room and looked at some snaps. Then helped Kimmie paste them in an album. About 10 we went downstairs and she gave me some juice. Sat out on porch a minute and then Kim. started to walk to corner with me. Orchestra rehearsal was just breaking up and we saw George and Bobby Rutherford across the street. George yelled out and said he’d walk home with me if I'd go down to the bowling alley with him for a drink. Kimmie couldn’t go so I joined the boys and we walked down. It was much cooler and I was about to freeze. There were a lot of people at the alley and while we were standing at the counter awaiting our turn, Ashley came up. George hailed him as “Slick” and introduced Bobby. He spoke to me and asked how I was, in that way that makes you feel your state of health is the most important thing in the world to him. He had missed the bus to Knoxville but is going to Memphis soon for about 2 weeks. My heart hit my heels. Then George asked him about Arabia and he said yes, it was all settled and he’s going Sept. 1st. I guess my eyes were saucers and my mouth Mammouth cave when I exclaimed “Arabia! Whatever for?” and he replied “To work.” He left us a minute and I asked George — he and Bobby explained it was some kind of construction or supply work. I said to myself, “This is the end — take yourself in hand — this is what you get for falling for him!” Meantime George and I had gotten 7-ups — on George. Ashley rejoined us and we commented on various and sundry things — the time, hamburgers, etc. Ashley was right behind me and I could see him through the mirror looking at me ever so often. He looked rather old and tired, I thought. He isn’t so very handsome but there’s a fascination about him — which he is very well aware of, no doubt. When, with an effort, I finished the 7up to the last drop, he asked if I were used to drinking from a bottle and I said “no” — he laughingly said that was very obvious. For some strange reason I couldn’t face him — the fact that I’m sure I looked a mess by that time probably had something to do with it! — and kept my face averted. George’s patience (?) was finally rewarded with a hamburger and we left. Ashley preceded us and waited outside. I walked between G. and A. He told George if he didn’t stop eating such things he’d have ulcers of the stomach when he (G.) was his (A.’s) age. George asked why? how do you know? And I put in, “The voice of experience” and looked up at Ashley, laughing. He said said “Yes.” Bobby left us at the corner and across the street Ashley said he had to have something to eat before going home. He wanted us to go to the diner (I think) with him, but George felt it was too late. He asked me to come and I gave the same excuse. He saw I was shivering — I was so cold I could hardly talk — and offered me his coat. I thanked him and refused. Then he tried to persuade George again and I looked at George but he was not to be moved. It was late but I wanted to go so badly. I think he knew for he asked me again but, of course, I couldn’t so I said “No, thanks” again and he said “Suit yourself” and I gaily said “I’d be an icicle by the time I got there” and then we went our different ways. George and I raced up to the Meth. and I was worn out! and still cold! We talked and kidded and had fun. G. is a fine boy with great possibilities. Once he said “I thought for a minute that wolf was going to get you” (or something like that) but I assured him that I was not afraid of wolves, being acquainted with their ways. He said Ashley was really a wolf and I said “In his humble opinion?” and G. said “wellllll, yes.” — but in others’ as well. Home about 11. A beautiful starlit night but too cool. Mum and Pop just going to bed. I thought I’d have a good cry and give myself a much-needed lecture but somehow I couldn’t cry. There have been 3 hurts today and they’ve all gone deep — I wish I’d grow up!
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
July 22, 1888
My ear begun to ache this morning, and I thought it was all up with me on going to Detroit tomorrow, but ma made some ointment of Balm-of-Giread buds and I am feeling well tonight that I think I shall be able to go. There is to be an eclipse of the moon tonight and I have set the alarm so that we will wake up to observe it. Stayed at home with Una today and pa took care of her this evening. We had some splendid ruins today, and things are looking very fresh.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
July 22, 1887
It turned cool today with quite a breeze from the north. I have been at the store all day. Was making out an itemized account all my spare time. I begin to get interested in listening to the telegraph instrument again. I like to work at the store pretty well, but my place don’t improve when I am away. A person can’t do two things at one time. Got home later than usual tonight.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
July 22, 1871
Put off writing yesterday until evening, then I had bread to set—and beans to shell, then it was too late. The mellons are almost ripe. The boys are working at my dug out. It is near our garden. Went up this p.m. to where they are working, then to the garden, and brought eatables home. Philip spoke to me about the old dress I had on, I like to please him so I will wear another. Mr. Rhas been to the post office— we have one at the ranch now called Clearwater I believe.
He is calling, and the boys have gone a crost the river. He is horse back, and on account of the quicksand it is dangerous to cross at night with a horse. Two letters for me.
*(kansasmemory.org, Kansas State Historical Society, copy and reuse restrictions apply)
Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina
July 22, 1862
Sewed on Hanes’ apron. Finished one. Was very sleepy after dinner but did not indulge in a nap. Mr. Henry went to Asheville after dinner, did not get back till dark. He brought a wounded soldier home in the buggy & three discharged soldiers. Joyce was wounded in thigh & foot. He walked on crutches.
*(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 22, 1667
All the morning at the office. Dined at home, and then to White Hall with Symson the joyner, and after attending at the Committee of the Navy about the old business of tickets, where the only expedient they have found is to bind the Commanders and Officers by oaths. The Duke of York told me how the Duke of Buckingham, after the Council the other day, did make mirth at my position, about the sufficiency of present rules in the business of tickets; and here I took occasion to desire a private discourse with the Duke of York, and he granted it to me on Friday next. So to shew Symson the King’s new lodgings for his chimnies, which I desire to have one built in that mode, and so I home, and with little supper, to bed. This day a falling out between my wife and Deb., about a hood lost, which vexed me.
*(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.)