August 22
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
August 22, 1997
Came early 2 drop off schedule-changing stuff. Didn’t see Chris all day. He left after 2nd lunch. Went home with Ashley. Paged Chris. He said he wanted to come over but I told him not to. He asked if I was still “his bitch.” W/E. Came home. Watched story. Dad picked me up. Went and got Amanda and Ashley. Had nachos at Dad’s. Went 2 football game. Then DQ. Geoff was there. Hmmm… Amanda and Ashley came home with me. We watched “Look Who’s Talking.”
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
August 22, 1960
I up and did some washing before any one up. Folks went to the city; the girls, too busy entertaining!
Marcy S., age 20, Tennessee
August 22, 1944
Hot a cloudy. M.J. slept late. I felt very good for some unexplained reason. It was a lovely morn. Didn’t have any work all morn. Mr. Sadler came in once and was friendly. Off at 12. I met Mildred Lane at the Baptist church and we walked up to the Presbyterian where Mum and Mary Jane were waiting. Passed Mr. Sadler who had carried M.J.’s suit case most of the way!!!!! Old Sour-Puss must be softening. I said ’bye to M.J. She was so sweet — Mum said later she didn’t want to go. Mum walked on down to the train with her and Mrs. M. and I on up the hill. She thought I was still going to Washington. It’s so easy to talk to her now. Good lunch all by my lonesome. I had the very nicest feeling. Cloudy and lovely. Met Mr. McCarter up by Cummins’ on the way back and he instructed me about buses for Sunday. Met Mum returning up by M. Lane’s. Fairly busy in p.m. Started So Little Time. Went by Mary’s at 5 but no one home. Then to drug store for a little item. Saw Ashley in the back talking to one of the boys. Met Mary Lou and Miss Belk across the street. Walked up with M.L. Stopped and talked to Miss Jessie Shields a minute. Then a Mrs. Martin who has an apartment in her house called us in for some watermelon. She knew me though I didn’t know her. We feasted and it was yummy. M.L. is so funny! When we left Mrs. M. gave us each a pomegranate. Played piano when I got home. The August hay fever has claimed me again and I felt pretty awful. Mum and I sat out on the porch awhile. Mrs. Rodgers came by. Good supper. Mr. Waterhouse drove Ashley home. Mr. McCarter came by with plans for me to leave Saturday night and Helen would meet me in Knoxville. That’ll be better. Bath after supper and nearly sang my head off. Very cloudy and it was almost dark when I left for the Y.W.C.A. musical jamboree at 7:45. Passed Youngs’ and saw them at supper so knew they were just back from Chattanooga. Met Marcia by city hall and we went up to the rooms together. Miss Belk, Kay and Marguerite were already there. Marcia and I talked. You know, it’s queer, but at first Marcia didn’t seem attracted to me at all and now she treats me like an old friend. Presently Jane Smalley and Mary Arnold came. Then Pan, Betsy, Doris M. and Kimmie. The latter looking as if she’d seen better days! We played some cute musical games and then wore ourselves out with the Virginia reel. Mary Arnold was my partner. We collapsed thereafter and cooled off with punch. Then sang some rounds and about 10 Kim and I left. Stopped by her house to see pictures she took of us a few weeks ago. I didn’t look a bit like myself! Which is quite alright, so long as I don’t look any worse! Mr. and Mrs. Young were in bed. Kim walked up to Marshes’ with me and we parted. On home and to bed about 11. Pop away. It’s silly but I felt very close to Ashley — not far away — and different as I usually do.
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
August 22, 1887
It was raining when I woke up this morning and has been at it almost all the day. The drouth [sic] is now broken and I hope will stay so. We have got some water in our cistern now. I practiced writing some this forenoon. Began to work up stairs finishing off the wood work, this afternoon. I went up town this evening to mail letters. I ordered a stove for use next fall and winter. Walked back with Mr. Huntington. Have been writing some this evening.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
August 22, 1871
The day has been warm, the sun will soon set. I am sitting on the wood pile. The view from here is beautiful. In front is the meadow with its tall grass—and a few buffalo wallows, which are filled with sunflowers.
Acrost the river with its fringe of trees—is the Igmire dugout. That is the only sign of civilization in my circle of vision. Then toward the right, a little back of the river are the sand hills and a clump of cottonwoods.
While farther on are Philips big trees—and the cabin which we cannot see from here. Still farther on are his corn and mellon field. While still farther on is the branch, with scrub trees, which shuts off the view of the North house, where the men batch, and be yond that is another branch and brush, which cuts off their view of Lanes—Springers and Merkels.
“Beautiful for situation” this certainly is.
*(kansasmemory.org, Kansas State Historical Society, copy and reuse restrictions apply)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
August 22, 1862
I received a letter from Dora today saying they would be here sometime this month. I wish they would come to chase away some of the long weary days that Mr. Henry will be away. He will be gone some three weeks. I think Dora is a kind sweet disposed creature & Matt is so full of life. I hope they may stay sometime. Nothing of importance only Stonewall Jackson has had a fight in valley in Va. We whipped as usual.
*(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 35, London
August 22, 1668
Up betimes, at it again with great content, and so to the Office, where all the morning, and did fall out with W. Pen about his slight performance of his office, and so home to dinner, fully satisfied that this Office must sink or the whole Service be undone. To the office all the afternoon again, and then home to supper and to bed, my mind being pretty well at ease, my great letter being now finished to my full content; and I thank God I have opportunity of doing it, though I know it will set the Office and me by the ears for ever. This morning Captain Cocke comes, and tells me that he is now assured that it is true, what he told me the other day, that our whole Office will be turned out, only me, which, whether he says true or no, I know not, nor am much concerned, though I should be better contented to have it thus than otherwise. This afternoon, after I was weary in my business of the office, I went forth to the ’Change, thinking to have spoke with Captain Cocke, but he was not within. So I home, and took London-bridge in my way; walking down Fish Street and Gracious Street, to see how very fine a descent they have now made down the hill, that it is become very easy and pleasant, and going through Leaden-Hall, it being market-day, I did see a woman catched, that had stolen a shoulder of mutton off of a butcher’s stall, and carrying it wrapt up in a cloth, in a basket. The jade was surprised, and did not deny it, and the woman so silly, as to let her go that took it, only taking the meat.
*(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.)