October 15
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
October 15, 1997
Got caught on the trail with Mike b-4 1st period. It was really cold and I wore my yellow dress like an idiot. Ashley also got caught making fake notes in E-hall. Ms. Aldridge made us sit with her at lunch. Went 2 Renée’s. (Chrissi was there!) Dad picked me up. Had OYO dinner. Did homework and watched “90210.”
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
October 15, 1960
Baked pie and prepared things for eve. Cooks to eat with us. Jim very owly, mad at Helen. Lo asked him to stay and eat with us but he was too ornery. Late getting home Sat. nite.
Marcy S., age 47, North Carolina
October 15, 1971
This little bit of self-understanding came through a magazine story I was reading in the dentist's office a few days ago. The woman was remembering her childhood (as an only child) — how her father’s and mother’s moods would change from morning to night or from one day to the next, and especially their silent moods when she thought she had done something to anger them. Sometimes she was afraid to go out and walk down the street because everyone she met might fall silent when they saw her. Later her parents separated and she learned that they had only stayed together when she was a child to give her a home. I think the same might have been true of my parents. Not knowing how they were going to react or be from one day to the next, and feeling no doubt that I was to blame, I guess that could account for my inability to really trust another person. And my fear of rejection — and acceptance because I was afraid to trust the acceptance. That’s it!!
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
October 15, 1887
Went up town this morning to mail a letter and do some trading. I stopped at the College building to see how my class room was being fixed, don’t think it will be ready for my use for over a week yet. Hitched up and went up town just before dinner and got 25 heads of cabbage, 10 Doz. eggs and some other things. Have been helping Mr. Huntington pick apples this afternoon. There was a heavy freeze last night.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
October 15, 1862
Mr. Henry went to the top of the hill this morning with J. Russell & Fergerson as they staid here last night again. It fatigued him a good deal. He waited up there to see Dr. Thrash till near 11 o’clock. I have quilted a little today. Mr. Henry went to the mill this evening & took a chill. He was freezing for awhile with the fever. It alarmed me a good deal. He was sitting before the fire & I had to call George to help him to bed. It soon wore off. A man came to stay all night about 8 o’clock. I was ready for bed but put on my clothes. He got his supper & went to bed. He is from Haywood.
*(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
October 15, 1667
Up, and to the office, where, Sir W. Pen being ill of the gout, we all of us met there in his parlour and did the business of the office, our greatest business now being to manage the pay of the ships in order and with speed to satisfy the Commissioners of the Treasury. This morning my brother set out for Brampton again, and is gone. At noon home to dinner, and thence my wife and I and Willet to the Duke of York’s house, where, after long stay, the King and Duke of York come, and there saw “The Coffee-house,” the most ridiculous, insipid play that ever I saw in my life, and glad we were that Betterton had no part in it. But here, before the play begun, my wife begun to complain to me of Willet’s confidence in sitting cheek by jowl by us, which was a poor thing; but I perceive she is already jealous of my kindness to her, so that I begin to fear this girle is not likely to stay long with us. The play done, we home by coach, it being moonlight, and got well home, and I to my chamber to settle some papers, and so 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.)