May 2
Laura M., age 16, North Carolina
May 2, 1998
Up at 9:30. Went 2 Bec’s softball game. Cute. We all went 2 “Peak Week” in Apex. Had lunch. Showered. Went 2 Courtney’s and helped her get ready for prom. Beautiful girl! Went 2 Née’s. We were so bored! Took Karen home. Ash spent the night.
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
May 2, 1997
Up at 11:00. The phone woke me up and it was Courtney. What a great way to wake up! I wanted to spend the day with her but I’m grounded. SHIT. Me and Em hung out the whole day. I mowed the lawn. Sandra picked me up at 6:00. We picked up Dad at his office. Ashley and Karen R. ate dinner with us and Ashley spent the night. I had a MAD head-ache. Me, Dad, Sandra watched “Pretty Woman” on T.V. I love that movie!
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 2, 1960
Decided to start washing until Edna picked me up to go to church to cleans refrigs. Were there about an hour. Not difficult. Clothes drying fine as it was so windy. Finished and so tired lied down for a while. Later Ole came, was still here when Loie came. She took him home as he was pretty tired. Then she mowed, looks fine. Cooked here while she mowed as we were late. Cats hungry. Later the ponies were turned out and did they ever have fun running.
Marcy S., age 19, Missouri
May 2, 1944
Lovely warm day. Betty didn’t go to lunch. Practiced in afternoon. Then went to library and read Time. At 2 met with advisers. Made appointment. Have to write letter to Miss Good Smith telling how we have achieved the goals we had when we came to Stephens. At 2:30 Betty and I went to travel office and told lady our route. Betty didn’t go to dinner either. Jane was sick — we all tried to persuade her to go to infirmary but she wouldn’t. I finally talked Betty into going to the show. Just as we were leaving we met Joan and Jacq who were going to the same place. Had to wait for Jacq and then for Betty Reiser. Got started at long last and went to Hall. Stood in line and then had to sit downstairs instead of in the balcony. Sat way at back. Saw Robert Taylor and Susan Peters in “Song of Russia.” Very good — loved Susan Peters. Out about 10. Sprinkling but still warm and springy. I walked over to P.O. and mailed a letter when we got back. As I came back towards Wood the door was open and there were lights inside and voices and it was gently raining and the sky was so near and the trees so leafy and green and the smell so good. I felt wonderful — and I loved it. Jane better. To bed late. Can sleep tomorrow.
Marcy S., age 16, Tennessee
May 2, 1941
I hope I’ll never forget today -- don’t suppose I shall. Beautiful and warm first thing in morning. Walked to school with Helen. At the side entrance we saw Ella and Clay talking. When we reached them Ella beckoned to me and said, “We have a proposition to discuss with you.” Upon my asking what it was, she referred me to Clay who said, “Earl asked us to ask you to go to the banquet with him tonight.” I nearly fell over, my knees were so weak! Helen let out a yell of triumph or joy or something and Clay and Ella laughed and wanted to know my answer. When I had sufficiently recovered, I told them to tell him I would go, because, really Diary, I couldn’t tell him myself. It was so funny. Helen rushed down to the Sophomore room to broadcast the good news and I ran into Mary Louie and spilled it. When we went into the room Early was sitting at his desk with his hand resting on his head and his face as red as could be. Later Ella informed me that it was all arranged and that Earl would be by for me in time. All the rest of the morning I felt very important because someone (even if it were Earl) was taking me to the banquet.
We saw the Health Parade start from the old building at 9:30. It brought back so many nice memories -- the years when I was in the Health Parade seem ages ago -- as though I were living in a different life now. It was cloudy during history class and I got worried, but by noon it was nice again. I prayed that it wouldn’t rain till tomorrow. At noon I told Mother the wonderful, shocking new and she teasingly told me I shouldn’t have accepted if he didn’t have the courage to ask me himself. But she said it was okay for me to go with him. Ella and I exchanged significant glances during the course of the afternoon, and everybody seemed to be looking at me in the halls. Whether the news had gotten around (which it undoubtedly had, thanks to Helen) or whether my done-up hair attracted the attention, I don’t know. Just as we were leaving Earl turned around and said that he would keep his Christian Education promise tonight by taking me home and would be by about 6:45. Ah! Clay and Ella informed me after school that he would be by for me. Heavenly days! I was a wee bit scared it was too good to be true. My first date! Which reminds me: at noon Blanche and Mary Joe stopped me in the hall and asked me if I had a date for tonight and when I answered yes and they guessed Earl, I started laughing. They joined in, but admitted they didn’t see anything so funny. It was the word “date” -- I’m not used to it.
Helen went down to Mrs. Moore’s with me after school to borrow a wrap for tonight. Baby Glenn is so sweet. He quite embarrassed his mother by solemnly staring at me practically the whole time we sat there visiting. Every so often, however, he would smile his adorable smile, which saved the day. It didn’t bother me, though -- the staring, I mean. Helen went on to town and I went home to take a bath. Then did my nails and went up to Helen’s to see about the flowers. She had just made a lovely corsage for Henrietta Wilburn. Mrs. Wilburn helped us pick some pink rose buds and of course Barbara was along, too. Then we went up to Mother Lane’s for some yellow rose buds. I furnished the fern and lilies of the valley. About 5:30 I started dressing and was soon arrayed in my dearest white lacy dress. I don’t mean to be vain but I did look lovely in it -- not a bit like my usual self, as Helen observed later.
P.S. Fifth period Mrs. C. had us all in the gym helping with different things. I practiced my piece on the piano. Jr. Martin said he didn’t blame me for going with Earl.
P.S. I phoned Mary the last period and told her the glad news.
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
May 2, 1888
Have been helping Kate fix up the room I am going to have for a den with my pine and fixings in. We also fixed up the book box for a book case, the home as it was when we had it up north. There was a very hard frost last night, freezing some plants on the south porch.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Kate S., age 25, Michigan
May 2, 1887
Henry has been comfortable today. Baby has cried all day as I cried. [?] and ma found two [scabies?] on her hands at supper time. It rained this morning. Henry made a telegraph.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
May 2, 1871
Left Red Oak Shelter the 25th. On the train that night, the next at Cottonwood Falls, next at Wichita, and the next at McLains ranch, and then here the 29th. Had no chance to write in journal until yesterday, when I wrote until tired. . . .
This house is about 14 by 12, built of cottonwood logs, which grow along the river. The furnature consists of a bed, stove, table, two stools, boxes used for cubbards, a bench an dtrunks. My trunk and bundle came up today. The water has gone way down—no trouble to cross now.
Mrs. N is a gentlewoman from Ohio. Illy fitted for a pioneer life. She longs for the time they can pay for their claim, and move to town. This is a new settlement. A year ago I understood there were no white woman within 15 or 20 miles. Last winter the Osage Indians camped along the river. Their tepees are still standing, I have been told.
*(kansasmemory.org, Kansas State Historical Society, copy and reuse restrictions apply)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
May 2, 1863
I have done several things today. Finished Fannie’s chemise, first parched some coffee. Sam & others killed two hogs yesterday. Atheline done up the lard today. Fannie baked some loaf bread & molasses bread this evening. Sis Matt & I went to meet Mr. Henry this evening. He went to Asheville after Matt’s earring this evening. He forgot it. We rode down to the stables. He got 5 lbs. of sugar today for 7.50, 1.50 per lb. Dear sugar. Harrie is in Asheville, gave out at Knoxville, Tenn. Poor fellow, he has come back to die I fear. The two Matts went to church at the Academy today but did not stay for preaching as they saw a cloud coming. It did not rain any of consequence here. Our garden is backward, needs rain. Betsey went home last Thursday evening. The two Matts sleep upstairs in this room. Pinck & Willie on the trundle bed & Mr. Henry, Willie, the babe & I on the big bed.
*(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
May 2, 1862
Mail came. I got a letter from Sister Jane. She has a daughter born 8th April, is not doing so well, is going home as soon as she is able, wants me to go with her. I would like to go if it is compatable with Mr. Henry’s interests. Atheline still sick. I read till dinner & then made Willie a dress. I have made two of an old gingham skirt & am going to make one of my pink calico dress I brought from Salem, also Zona one of that & Willie one of yellow muslin, a part of a skirt Lou gave me for Zona & me of a skirt Matt S. gave me to fix a dress of one with & there was some left.
*(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 36, London
May 2, 1669
(Lord’s day). Up, and by water to White Hall, and there visit my Lord Sandwich, who, after about two months’ absence at Hinchingbroke, come to town last night. I saw him, and very kind; and I am glad he is so, I having not wrote to him all the time, my eyes indeed not letting me. Here with Sir Charles Herbert [Harbord], and my Lord Hinchingbroke, and Sidney, we looked upon the picture of Tangier, designed by Charles Herbert [Harbord], and drawn by Dancre, which my Lord Sandwich admires, as being the truest picture that ever he’s saw in his life: and it is indeed very pretty, and I will be at the cost of having one of them. Thence with them to White Hall, and there walked out the sermon, with one or other; and then saw the Duke of York after sermon, and he talked to me a little; and so away back by water home, and after dinner got my wife to read, and then by coach, she and I, to the Park, and there spent the evening with much pleasure, it proving clear after a little shower, and we mighty fine as yesterday, and people mightily pleased with our coach, as I perceived; but I had not on my fine suit, being really afeard to wear it, it being so fine with the gold lace, though not gay. So home and to supper, and my wife to read, and Tom, my Nepotisme, and then 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.)