October 25
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
October 25, 1997
Busy. Went to writing workshop from 9-4:00. Good. Mom came. Got home and packed and Courtney came. We went to fair with Clay from 6-8:30. Saw Tim, Mike, Sean. Me and Courtney went 2 Coyote Café at 9:00 4 dinner. Went 2 Melinda’s and each got a shirt. At Courtney’s house at 11:00. Andy and Thor came by. Her kitty B is so cute.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
October 25, 1960
Baked brownies for K.J.’s box. Loie sent it at noon. Went to Carrie’s to get sheets, cases and towels to wash. As usual had to do some herself, just can’t cooperate. Gripeing [sic] of course. Not warm enough but will not turn on other radiator. Mrs. B. came over in P.M. Had taken everything in even clothes line. We had cake, ice cream — coffee. Then the rain came. All went in our car to cabin.
Marcy S., age 47, North Carolina
October 25, 1971
Last visit with Pickett and a very meaningful one. Hope I can remember at least some of the good, strong, hopeful, positive things he said.
The leap of faith — when I’m afraid to make a friendly gesture or the first move in a relationship (we were talking about Nettie), don’t sit around waiting for the Lord to free me of hang-ups, but act — say something like, Lord, you promised to be with me so here I go — don’t let me down!
Faith and love are often actions before they become feelings — if I had waited until I felt like going to visit at the rest home I’d probably have never gone. Don’t wait for feelings to be right before acting.
It’s not impossible for God to change my feelings of inferiority and fear and insecurity, etc. while I wait passively for Him to do it — but I think that most of the time at least He wants me to jump right into the situation and boldly expect Him to give me the strength, courage, or whatever I need. This is responding to God, not me on my own.
Christ died for me, Pattie Simpson — He loves me that much. And even though I feel so “not ok” deep down inside that I can’t really accept or believe that, He’s going to convince me some day. He’s going to win in the end.
The Eucharist is an offering of ourselves, with all our burdens and hang-ups. I can take my albatross (Jimmy, sex, parents, husband, not ok feelings) to the altar and let Christ take it. “Come unto me all ye who travail and are heavy laden and I will refresh you.”
Marcy S., age 47, North Carolina
October 25, 1971
Will I ever learn — or rather remember — that other people need appreciation and support, too? That I’m not the only insecure person in the world. For every small step forward I seem to take ten big ones backward. But getting depressed about it won’t help. I’ve just got to make a greater conscious effort to be sensitive to other people’s feelings and needs.
I was thinking so much about the goofs I made playing the organ this morning and hoping someone would say a kind word to me that I never even thought to tell the choir and guitarists how great the anthem was. And then when I spoke to Charlie about the children smoking in the chapel I forgot to tell him what a beautiful sermon he had preached.
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
October 25, 1887
Things were pretty well frozen up this morning and I am afraid our apples will many of them spoil soon in consequence of it. I went up to the college this morning but found that my room was not ready and I could not teach today. I came home and went at the cellar and have worked hard at it all day. I have it nearly ready for the roof. It has continued to freeze all day and I may be getting the cellar too late.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
October 25, 1871
Mr. Stafford came to plow, but his plow would not work, so he went home. His sister Mrs. L had come along to spend the day, and was cheated out of her visit. I got a pie baked before they left, and we enjoyed eating it together. Mr. Rose came in time for pie. He was full of fun, and told many rediculous things that had happened since he came to the river. One new comer complained of his bad luck hunting. “You must wiggle your gun man. Wiggle your gun when you shoot.” The poor innocent believed. We drove down to the garden with them, and got four pie mellons & a watermellon for them.
*(kansasmemory.org, Kansas State Historical Society, copy and reuse restrictions apply)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
October 25, 1862
I have made me some cloth shoes today. I was not needing them but made them to try the pattern. They do not fit very well but are very easy. I put some old soles to them. They are very warm as I made them of jeans out & in. Mrs. George Jones was here a short time this evening wanting leather for shoes. I feel very sorry for her, she looks so desolate & I think she feels so too. Mr. Henry is a great deal better & I am very glad of it. He has got so he can eat with some relish. His mouth has got well. He sent Hanes to Asheville yesterday for the mail. No letters at all came & the papers have nothing new in them.
*(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 25, 1667
Up, and all the morning close till two o’clock, till I had not time to eat my dinner, to make our answer ready for the Parliament this afternoon, to shew how Commissioner Pett was singly concerned in the executing of all orders from Chatham, and that we did properly lodge all orders with him. Thence with Sir W. Pen to the Parliament Committee, and there we all met, and did shew, my Lord Bruncker and I, our commissions under the Great Seal in behalf of all the rest, to shew them our duties, and there I had no more matters asked me, but were bid to withdraw, and did there wait, I all the afternoon till eight at night, while they were examining several about the business of Chatham again, and particularly my Lord Bruncker did meet with two or three blurs that he did not think of. One from Spragg, who says that “The Unity” was ordered up contrary to his order, by my Lord Bruncker and Commissioner Pett. Another by Crispin, the waterman, who said he was upon “The Charles;” and spoke to Lord Bruncker coming by in his boat, to know whether they should carry up “The Charles,” they being a great many naked men without armes, and he told them she was well as she was. Both these have little in them indeed, but yet both did stick close against him; and he is the weakest man in the world to make his defence, and so is like to have much fault laid on him therefrom. Spragg was in with them all the afternoon, and hath much fault laid on him for a man that minded his pleasure, and little else of his whole charge. I walked in the lobby, and there do hear from Mr. Chichly that they were (the Commissioners of the Ordnance) shrewdly put to it yesterday, being examined with all severity and were hardly used by them, much otherwise than we, and did go away with mighty blame; and I am told by every body that it is likely to stick mighty hard upon them: at which every body is glad, because of Duncomb’s pride, and their expecting to have the thanks of the House whereas they have deserved, as the Parliament apprehends, as bad as bad can be.
*(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.)