April 17
Mark S., age 51, North Carolina
April 17, 2004
Up ~6:30. Made Rebecca’s lunch and cooked omelette for her => talked to Sandra and Rebecca in kitchen. Took Rebecca to bus stop at Fuquay-Varina Elementary School. To office in F.V. to do charts from yesterday; listened to and watched “Imus” while doin’ ’em. Home ~8:00. Talked to Sandra (she back in bed). Finished tilling flower bed from last night. Got wheelbarrow from under house => pulled weeds from garden path, etc. Spread one bag of topsoil on tilled flower bed. To Walmart in F.V. with Sandra to get more topsoil (16 bags), tomato plants, etc. => Sandra and I put bags of soil in Mazda (and argued re. how to do it) => home with Sandra. Argument re. how to arrange bulbs => she said (when I apologized for being “ill”) “You’ve been ill all day.” Phone from Ray => he and Shellie going to Charleston tonight => we made dinner date and chess move. Spread all 16 bags of topsoil on flower bed; went in and apologized to Sandra (“I’m a butt”) => she said “We all are.” Worked topsoil into flower bed with hoe (back-breaking!). Finished garden ~11:30. Talked to Sandra. Read in Beatles 40th anniversary magazine. Phone from M.H. re. two “low-ball” offers on old office building. Lunch with Sandra (left-over lasagna and salad) after packing for mountains. “Bye” to Sandra => to Walmart in F.V. to buy jeans; saw Jane Phillips with grandson Jack (~18 months old); *drove solo to Boone; diary, medical journal en route; phone to Peavey to see if Laura there (she’d just left) and from Laura and Ray. To Boone ~4:30 => to Arby’s to change clothes in bathroom (put on new jeans) => to Koyote Kitchen to wait for Ray and Shellie and Laura (Ray picked her up); studied portable chess set and made move while waiting. *Ray and Shellie and Laura came ~5:15 => dinner, talk, beer with ’em outside; Ray made chess move; “bye” to Ray and Shellie after dinner => they to Charleston to see Julie before she leaves for 3-month trip to Japan, SE Asia, and Spain. Talked to Laura => she told me about Peavey finding the missing $500 in her glove compartment; talked to Laura re. being on her own financially after May => she cried, fearful of adulthood => gave her “pep talk.” *To Portofino’s with Laura to meet Peavey => pool (8 ball) with Laura vs. Peavey and Adrian (P’s roomie) => they won 4-2; watched Peavey and Laura beat two local drunks; Cutthroat with Laura and Peavey => I won. To Boone Bowling with Laura and Peavey => bowled with them => Laura won x 2. Laura drove back to her house => “bye” to her and Peavey => to Karauses to spend night; fell asleep watching Sports Center on sofa in living room; woke up ~2:20 A.M. => to bed; Dylan never came in.
Laura M., age 22, North Carolina
April 17, 2004
Dad came up today at around 5:00. Ray picked me up and we then picked up Shellie from work and met Dad at Koyote Kitchen. He and I stayed seated at our outside table after Ray and Shellie left, as I had a beer to finish. I had to cry a little when Dad told me all the things I’ll be paying for come June. “Health insurance, car insurance, rent, food…”
“I know, I know.” When I let him see some tears he said some nice words, which he usually manages to do in emotional situations. He told me that I was a lot smarter and a lot stronger than I think. He also reassured me that I have a free place to stay if I need it. “I know you don’t want to live with your parents, but you always can.” I told him thanks and that I wasn’t afraid of hunger or homelessness. “I know that those aren’t options. I just don’t want to risk discontentment. I don’t want to hate my job.”
I also informed Dad that the $500 he gave me for whatever month, that I thought had been stolen from my car actually wasn’t stolen at all. It had been in my glove compartment the whole time! Peavey found it the other day, and thinks the envelope must have gotten stuck on this little metal shelf above the box, because I definitely searched that thing many times and never saw it or the shelf above. Peavey says the envelope was right on top. When I told that to Dad his immediate reaction resembled disgust, and then he got happy and told me to pay up, and I told him (warily, thinking we may not be on the same page) that I thought I could just keep it for May. He automatically agreed, thank God. Then that’s when he told me about June and all the new expenses it will bring. I told him I was glad to have Peavey and hope that we can stay together for many reasons, but one being his adult abilities. He can help me find good insurance and even teach me how to do my taxes.
After finishing our conversation, Dad and I met Peavey and Adrian at Portofino where we drank 2 pitchers and played something like 6 games of pool. Adrian went home and the rest of us went bowling. I beat Dad and Peavey in both games. By then it was about 10:00 and Dad dropped us off at my house, then went back to Ray and Shellie’s. I will see him again tomorrow.
Laura M., age 16, North Carolina
April 17, 1998
Good day at school. Came home and watched T.V. Me and Jon went 2 bank and chilled here. Worked from 5:30-9 w/ Doug. Casey stopped by. I love him. He makes me laugh. Jon came and then Les came. We stopped by the school and saw Casey. Went 2 Née’s. NO PARENTS. Née was wiggin’ out. Lots of peeps there. Me, Courtney, Liam, Andy, Travis, Thor took Liam home. Think I like Casey. (Jon’s w/ us.) Went 2 Waffle House and saw Casey! :) Had 2 take Malia 2 get her friends out of a ditch.
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
April 17, 1997
Field trip to beach! It wasn’t all that, but it was fun, I guess. We rode buses to Wilmington, frolicked on the beach, went on a LONG boat ride, went to Burger King and came home at 7:30. Saw Ed Halprin at my school. Mom picked me up and we gave Zach a ride home. Took a shower (I felt grungy). Talked to a few people. Karen got $2,000 from her parents! Talked to Ashley and Renee some. Did homework. I’m sleepy.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
April 17, 1960
A gloomy rainy Easter Sunday. Up quite early G.B. came before 7:00. He and Lo to cabin to check. Lites on and everything O.K. Fed ponies and cats and home. We went for Carrie. Came home and found Karen talking with G.B. We had brot a lily and a lizard that came up Helen’s drain. Helen all to pieces over it. K.J., Lo and I out to do up dishes and work. M. and P. up and had their coffee etc. Carrie came after church, we ate rather late. Took Carrie home. Folks went home at 9:00. Talked insurance for hours. Called Maggie and Zella also Aunt Mary.
Marcy S., age 19, Missouri
April 17, 1944
Cloudy and cool again! Had tennis in gym. Jane told us that Mary Jo gave her a bawling out last night for going on the bus - said she expected such things of some girls but not of us! Piano lesson at 2. Then typed program for recital and took it to Miss Good Smith for her ok at 4. Thence to Mrs. Kaler. Went to library but couldn’t find any of my philosophy books. Back and started to study history. Betty came and read the letter from her mother that I had brought from P.O. Her parents say she can come to visit me in June!!!! I hit the ceiling and Betty and I made more plans. Didn’t do much studying from then on. To dinner at 6:30. Came back and after much debate and indecision decided to go to show. Betty and I went to Uptown and saw Loretta Young in “Ladies Courageous” about the Wasps. Very good! Out about 9:15. Went to bus station for rolls. Came out and it was raining hard. Soaked by time we got home. I took hot bath but fully expected double pneumonia by morning.
Marcy S., age 16, Tennessee
April 17, 1941
Nice, hot, like summer. Left my glasses and book at practice last night. Cummins kept them for me. Bobby, Cary and Grandma gave a skit from the play in elementary chapel. Another test in English. Made 96 and a half on Latin exam. Mom went to P.T.A. It was cloudy after school and sprinkled a bit. Took tickets to both Lanes, accompanied by Helen and Barbara. When Helen went to her music lesson, Barbara went home with me to see “Wakin” (Mother). Then we went walking again. At first visit to Mother Lane’s Barbara took a dancing fit and nearly danced the rug away -- at the same time yelling like a little Indian. Once she turned around and fell over a stool, smack on her face. So funny. Rained about suppertime. World so green and fresh. Practiced from 6:30 to 10:00. Ah, tomorrow.
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
April 17, 1888
It has been rather cool today, with some frozen rain squalls. I went to the swamp this forenoon and prepared a small patch of ground for some onions, with which I am going to experiment. We unpacked the last barrel of goods today, and found that nothing had been broken in the moving. I transplanted some currant bushes this afternoon, and did some other tinkering jobs, feel pretty tired tonight.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
April 17, 1887
Fred and I went to church this forenoon. It was pleasant, but the wind has felt chilly all day. We did not stay to Sunday school, but came home and went to Fred’s sugar camp to see if there was going to be so much sap that he couldn’t take me to Frankfort in the morning, but there will not be and I am going to start if possible. I went up and called at Mr. Waters a little while this afternoon to say good-bye. Stopped at Mr. Cases as I came back and had a little sing. Charlie Fitts was there. I spoke to James Case about the private telegraph line between our houses and he seemed to favor it. I hate to lose all I have learned about it. Think we could put up a line for about $11 a piece.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina
April 17, 1862
I went up to the hotel garden & got some lettice for dinner. It is a beautiful, warm, bright morning. Brought down some lillies & a few other things to set out in the yard. I made Mr. Henry’s drawers, got done before night. Atheline sewing on her chemise. Willie running about generally. The other little ones joyful & happy. I hope my own dear husband is getting along well. May he be happy & protected is my daily prayer.
*(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
April 17, 1669
Up, and to the office, where all the morning. At noon at home to dinner, and there find Mr. Pierce, the surgeon, and he dined with us; and there hearing that “The Alchymist” was acted, we did go, and took him with us to the King’s house; and it is still a good play, having not been acted for two or three years before; but I do miss Clun, for the Doctor. But more my eyes will not let me enjoy the pleasure I used to have in a play. Thence with my wife in hackney to Sir W. Coventry’s, who being gone to the Park we drove after him, and there met him coming out, and followed him home, and there sent my wife to Unthanke’s while I spent an hour with him reading over first my draught of the Administration of the Navy, which he do like very well; and so fell to talk of other things, and among the rest of the story of his late disgrace, and how basely and in what a mean manner the Duke of Buckingham hath proceeded against him — not like a man of honour. He tells me that the King will not give other answer about his coming to kiss his hands, than “Not yet.” But he says that this that he desires, of kissing the King’s hand, is only to show to the world that he is not discontented, and not in any desire to come again into play, though I do perceive that he speaks this with less earnestness than heretofore: and this, it may be, is, from what he told me lately, that the King is offended at what is talked, that he hath declared himself desirous not to have to do with any employment more. But he do tell me that the leisure he hath yet had do not at all begin to be burdensome to him, he knowing how to spend his time with content to himself; and that he hopes shortly to contract his expence, so as that he shall not be under any straits in that respect neither; and so seems to be in very good condition of content. Thence I away over the Park, it being now night, to White Hall, and there, in the Duchess’s chamber, do find the Duke of York; and, upon my offer to speak with him, he did come to me, and withdrew to his closet, and there did hear and approve my paper of the Administration of the Navy, only did bid me alter these words, “upon the rupture between the late King and the Parliament,” to these, “the beginning of the late Rebellion;” giving it me as but reason to shew that it was with the Rebellion that the Navy was put by out of its old good course, into that of a Commission. Having done this, we fell to other talk; he with great confidence telling me how matters go among our adversaries, in reference to the Navy, and that he thinks they do begin to flag; but then, beginning to talk in general of the excellency of old constitutions, he did bring out of his cabinet, and made me read it, an extract out of a book of my late Lord of Northumberland’s, so prophetic of the: business of Chatham, as is almost miraculous. I did desire, and he did give it me to copy out, which pleased me mightily, and so, it being late, I away and to my wife, and by hackney; home, and there, my eyes being weary with reading so much: but yet not so much as I was afeard they would, we 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.)