Author: David Haldeman

Wednesday October 24th 1979
Dinner with Jordans and Heckers and then took Jordan’s to “The Sunshine Boys” at the Palace. Bob Babich and Ray Anderson but not their usual brilliance. Play too slow paced- about two old actors at odds who end up in the same retirement home.
Got a parking ticket for parking where curb was yellow!
Bernard called to order 3 roses for his three-month anniversary. Said he needed to make amends and that he was happiest when he was printing. Has retired but runs print shop for Harding High. I refrained from saying “We told you so.”

Tuesday October 23rd 1979
To Altrusa dinner meeting. Richard Wu- native of Canton, China who was sent to Hong Kong where his father was when he was 11 and who now teaches at Eber Baker School spoke on women in China then and now. Interesting personality. Left early to go to Bowen House to reception that Carroll had planned for home tour hosts to present the plaques to put on their houses. I had to ask to say anything to them!

Monday October 22nd 1979
Sarah rode with me for our trip to Augusta, Kentucky on Route 8 on the Kentucky side of the river. Had to go downtown to cross river as the I-275 bridge is not quite finished. Photographed it with the nets under that have saved several lives. Stopped at a dam that controls water level for navigation. Sarah is a delight. Talked constantly all the random thoughts that went through her mind.
Had picnic in historic Augusta. Brick houses facing river built in 1794. Wind so strong it blew our sandwiches off the table. At Maysville the kids started on for Charleston and Pipestem Park tomorrow and I headed home through West Union and on Route 348 to 23. A gorgeous Road for scenery but twisty and narrow but no traffic. Made it from Maysville to Marion in 3 and 1/2 hours and just got to shop in time for the flower arranging class I’m teaching for Artisans Guild- only six out of 12 there. Beat when I got home at 9:30.

Sunday October 21st 1979
Left for Cincinnati about 10:30. Warm, partly sunny day but the wind last 2 days has blown most of the leaves off- only had two days of good color. David was raking leaves when I arrived and Josh and Sarah were buried in them. The playhouse, with cement floor and brick construction with an L- wood framed windows and plastered and painted walls, is adorable. Sarah so proud of it and her daddy who did it is too.
After brunch we took a ride up the Ohio River to New Richmond. Had time for sandwiches before going to “Oliver!” David finally realized ambition to play in the pit orchestra that he had had since 1962 when we saw it on Broadway. He also hosted his employees and we went to LaRosa’s for pizza after. Had Reno slides and their movies when we got home.
Made recording of David playing Bach on the player piano he has restored. Has harpsichord attachment. Bed at 1:30 AM on living room sofa.

Saturday October 20th 1979
Four Weddings so I sent Mary Walker to the Green Camp one. When I got back from 1:30 wedding Laura was making up the flowers. 19 attendants! One carnation and streamers that we had decided was not legitimate. They had called saying the grandmother would have money at the church. I was upset because half is to be paid before wedding and especially black ones. But Mary and I went up to decorate and deliver no grandmother but a Sondra Doaty gave me a check for $100 (about half) and her grandmother’s address on 463 Grant St. Something told me to check it out- white trash live there and never heard of Sondra Doaty who turned out to be the bride- not the name it was ordered by. With also a fictitious address and phone number. The 4:30 wedding was held at 5:45 and as the bride came back up the aisle three of the attendants arrived. She passed out the 19 “bokays” like confetti and when I told her her “grandmother” was not on Grant Street she said her mother would pay- Mrs. Dozier- who said she wouldn’t- she didn’t want all this fuss for a wedding. So we are out $208 dollars- is the check good?

Friday October 19, 1979
[No entry]

Thursday October 18th 1979
Up at 7 and into shop by 9 to meet Chris who went with me to give talk to 100 Nazarene women. Very attentive group. Had Chris do about 4 arrangements and I did six. $10 fee and I gave her $5. Sold about $25 worth.
Stopped at Snow’s and got two dozen daff bulbs for Howard to plant near road on the lower level. About $5 a doz. retail. When I got back to shop Kass said mother called that she had been burglarized last night. So I went up and she gave the whole story. Took purse and 3 flashlights from her bedroom and she didn’t hear a thing. Had cut screened-in laundry area and taken things out of refrigerator. Left half a bottle of wine.

Wednesday October 17th 1979
Priced Gold Medal shipment mostly silk flowers. Some back ordered Christmas after Kass, Dave and I got back from Columbus. Had gone to the Columbus Gift Mart to buy but the market days were only Monday and Tuesday. But found several salesman in so didn’t do too badly.
Lunch at the Forum and dinner with Mary and Kenny.

Tuesday October 16th 1979
249 single-spaced typewritten pages- estimate 36,000 to 40,000 names. The ones picked up last night at Tri- Rivers included the Crums- the whole family that worked so hard on alphabetizing. Got the envelope mailed to Jody and called her to tell her to raise order to 2,250- will give us 850 extra books to sell and the last 200 will only cost $8.25 each for total profit of about $10,000.
Lillian and I ate at Ponderosa and then to board meeting. Board went on record to support my decision to order the extra 200. Gary Barnhart brought refreshments.

Monday October 15th 1979
Worked on index all day checking typing against the envelopes of names. Found two envelopes that hadn’t been finished so typed them. At 4:00 Jean Potts called saying girl had brought back her slips and so I picked them up at 6. Stopped at Isaly’s for supper and ate with Margaret and John Cottrell. Margaret’s mother lives at Community Nursing Center and weighs 300 pounds.
To Camera Club where Mrs. Frech spent 1 and 1/2 hours showing her work and 1/2 hour on preserving photos for our “ancestors”! Taped it for Al Tozer who is in Mexico.