July 11
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
July 11, 1997
Up at 6:30. Worked from 7:00-2:00. Ashley and Amanda came to work and walked home with me. Stayed until about 4:00. I showered, blowdried. Watched story. Dad came and we got my pay check cashed. Two of us went to dinner at McGregor. Then to see “Men in Black.” Good! :) Never called Chris. :( Don’t have the balls. Came back. Watched some T.V. and played cards with Dad.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
July 11, 1960
We were surprised that furnace men came to start on converting to gas. Worked all day and got pretty well done. In the A.M. Hoddy and Harold stopped in. In the P.M. Ole came. Stayed most of afternoon. They had been to Bob’s. Told about that. The men were coming back Tuesday to finish and did.
Marcy S., age 20, Tennessee
July 11, 1944
Another hum-dinger with a nice breeze. Had another fairly busy morn at the office. Once Mr. H. caught me writing in my diary and wanted to know if I were writing a book! Well, it’s practically the same thing. Dr. Carr called about a stenographer for the council meeting and I held my breath. But Mr. H. came in and told me that he wouldn’t let them have me because I’d probably have to work from 4 to 10 or later and it would be too much of a nervous strain and not worth the extra money. He’s so thoughtful and considerate. It was a great relief! I met Pop and walked home with him for lunch. It was so hot!! I was just wilted — not to mention my white organdy blouse! We still have to use the back door 'cause the front porch isn’t dry yet. In the afternoon I finished Guadalcanal Diary. Mr. H. and I had an awful time with an interest problem but we finally — between us — figured it out. I went to the P.O. for him once and the sidewalk came up and hit me in the face — it was terrific. He let me go about about 3:30 because he had to go to the council meeting at 4. I went by the library and left GD and saw Pan and Ann Ray. Went up by Kimmie’s. Mr. Y. was asleep on the davenport so I sneaked by and went upstairs where K. was painting herself and a book case a bright blue. I was so hot I couldn’t stand still. I departed about 4 after we’d made arrangements for the show. Alice Ann and a girl were sitting out in the yard as I passed and when I spoke to her she smiled her sweetest and said “Hi!” Ooohhh! I love her!! Mum was trying to escape from the heat in sleep and Mr. Pridemore was stationed directly outside the bathroom window so no bath. My hair was beginning to look dreadful so I decided to wash it. Which operation I performed in the dishpan. Then I sat outside on the hill between Waterhouses’ and ours at the front and dried it a bit. Then I went in and curled the front and came out again, sat in the blazing sun and curled the rest. Then I just kept chasing the sinking sun around until there was hardly a sunny spot left. I had a halter on and was getting my back browned as well as my hair dried. I then had the brilliant idea of going over to the departed Reeds’ back yard and finishing the job. It was lovely and summery back there and I sat or lay in the deep grass in the warm sun for about 45 minutes and dreamed about the good times we’d had in that yard. And now the old manse is vacant again — the Reeds left early this morn. Poor Mr. R. — last night his wife was laying him out at the sop of her voice. She says she has to yell at him because he’s deaf but since no one else has to lift his voice when addressing the long-suffering man, it is my private opinion that Mrs. R. is the sole cause of his “deafness.” About 6 I went home, feeling so free and happy. Took bath and then we had a good supper. I called Margaret and we arranged for meeting at the show. [In lower margin: “Mr. McCarter came and left a birthday present for me — a huge wooden compact.”] About 7:15 I left and walked down to Kimmie’s. There were dark clouds in the west and I prayed for rain. The Youngs were at supper so I sat down in the swing, not making my presence known for fear they’d hurry. Well, about 7:40 Pan came out and when she found me there she gave me a good bawling out ’cause they’d finished supper ages ago and were just sitting around talking. Well, how was I to know?! :) I will the next time anyway. Then Kimmie came out and gave it to me, too. About 7:45 they were ready and we went down to the Princess. Some men whistled at us. No sign of Marg. and Roby. We were sure they couldn’t be that late so we went in the Acme and Kim called their house. The boarder said they’d gone to the show. Then the ticket girl told us they’d gone in. So we got our tickets and found a seat near the front — it was crowded and we couldn’t see the Hudsons. Saw Mickey Rooney and the Hardy family in “Andy Hardy’s Blonde Trouble.” It was so cute and funny. Martin came in with an Adkisson girl and sat in our row. He gets around! Out about 10. It seemed so warm out after the air-conditioned theater. Kim and Pan walked up to Stowers’ with me. They were throwing a party. As I passed George’s he was fooling around by the porch steps and when he recognized me, he announced that I’d missed the spectacle of the Roman candles he’d made. I went over and examined the debris. Just then Ashley came out and said “Hello” so very friendly-like and I returned the greeting in my most cheerful tones. He said one of the candles had gone off in his hand. I asked George if he were through for the night and he said “Yes.” Ashley was stripped to the waist and looked very he-manish! I went home, did dishes and to bed. [In upper margin: “The house had a strong odor of gunpowder — the after effects of G.’s Roman candles, which Mum enjoyed.”] Beautiful starlit night — the rain passed us by again. I was absurdly happy. This is so silly! I thought about God’s being Love.
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
July 11, 1887
I put the last course of shingles on the barn this morning. Helped Kate do some washing this forenoon and cultivated some in the front yard. I went out to pick raspberries just after dinner, but met with no good success at it, so quit, got enough for our supper though. Used my wheel hoe in cultivating in the garden this afternoon. It has been another decidedly warm day. I drove up for the mail tonight and Kate and baby went up and called at Mr. Waters a while. I got a letter from ma. I think she is very lonesome, and I wish I lived there again.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
July 11, 1871
Baked. Slow raising and took me all morning. Plenty of rain last night. The storm must have been terrific out on the prairie. Philip saw a hoarder who told him a heard of 2000 cattle had stampeeded in the night and scattered in every direction. Not likely they will ever find them all. I am so glad they never come this way.
*(kansasmemory.org, Kansas State Historical Society, copy and reuse restrictions apply)
Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina
July 11, 1862
Mail brought but little news. Watson Cannon is wounded severely in the breast & some others. I do not know them. I finished Jim’s pants by dinner. I feel very badly today as I had toothache so bad last night I did not sleep well. I took a nap after dinner. My teeth pained me a good deal late in the evening but after supper they got easy. Harrie & Pinck go fishing after dinner & after breakfast every day. They are fishing for the jack, said to be just below the dam. Willie is not at all well.
*(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 11, 1667
At the office all the morning. After dinner to the King’s playhouse, to see an old play of Shirly’s, called “Hide Parke” the first day acted; where horses are brought upon the stage but it is but a very moderate play, only an excellent epilogue spoke by Beck Marshall. Thence home and to my office, and then to supper and to bed, and overnight took some pills…
*(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.)