Author: David Haldeman

Monday, February 2, 1976
[No entry]

Sunday, February 1, 1976
[No entry]

Saturday, January 31, 1976
[No entry]

Friday, January 30, 1976
[No entry]

Thursday, January 29, 1976
Low 30 Hi 61 – wind 10-15 Sunny.
Sessions started at 8 with intro. Randolf reminds me of what Kent could have been. Covered light heat, humidity, feritlizer, soil & watering. About 135 florists registered. After lunch at McDonald’s next door loaded into buses for tour of Bamboo Gardens – where new varieties are being developed by Bob McColley – who showed us around – Florida Cactus – thousands of grafted cacti from Barzil & Japan & Oakdell, Inc. – Very clean operation. Dinner with Bill Ardell of Spfg & Wayne Hill Florist brother-in-law. Entered plant naming contest & enjoyed question & answer period.
Called Smith’s to say I wouldn’t be up tomorrow.

Wednesday, January 28, 1976
Planted chlorophyllum for David Bratten that Gertrude Cole gave me. Left Bratten’s about 11. Took 92 instead of 275 & got into Tampa- a mess but finally onto Rt. 4. Off at Lakeland & ate lunch in the Polk Co. Park Howard enjoyed. Through Lake Alford & past his 2 residences. Then checked into Sheraton Jet Port at 2:30 & took off up 441 to Plymouth & the Plymouth Citrus Co-op where Byron [Smith] is Plant Engineer. Same Byron except grey. Toured plant & then met Marcie – a doll. She rode with me 15 mi. north to their mobile home in a orange grove. Dinner in Mt. Dora at Turners. Back to motel about 10:00.

Tuesday, January 27, 1976
Light rain PM Cloudy temp 67
Bath & washed hair. Vivian & I sat on Patio, but cloudy & cool & hair didn’t dry. Very relaxed day waiting for Berea College people to call & thank David for his 17 years of contributions. About 4 drive North through Largo to Clearwater. Stopped at Kapok Tree Inn & Restaurant. Very Italian – fountains, statuary, etc. Drove to Clearwater Beach & then to the Garden Seat Restaurant on S. area of old Mansions on Gulf. French Onion Soup, Red Snapper & Mocakulia Ice Cream – all ate too much! Kathi called – 552 N. Greenwood has a contract for me to sign at $15,000 & she has interviewed a Cheryl ?? for the bookeeping job. Bed at 10:30. Called Byron Smith.

Monday, January 26, 1976
Gorgeous weather about 75 and sunny.
Did loads of laundry & toured yard with David [Bratten]. Sure lots of bugs & disease to fight in Florida. Friends visited & after light lunch Vivian & I took off. Took box to Greyhound to ship – 50# – cost $11.00 – 2 to 3 day delivery. Then out on pier – very windy on top. Many gift shops. Then to Palm Shore Retirement Apts built by America’s Baptists & visited Ruth Mather. To Posedas Flower Shop – very snooty & then to Johnstones & they were cordial. Designer from Carriage House in Steubenville came out. Shopped in Tyrone Mall – bought at jersey long robe $17 & Valentina’s Supper & TV. Called David to wish Happy Birthday.

Sunday, January 25, 1976
Esther & I to Flea Market. Bought an 1890 Silver Dollar for $6.50 Then to Oscar Sherer Park North of Osprey – flock of field sparrows (?) & little blue heron. Took Kentucky Fried Chicken home for lunch. Made recordings of Esther & Carl. Carl showed me his tool collection & packed my box to ship. We cut Croton all over the neighborhood & picked up tillisandi from the church lot across street. Left about 4:30 & drove through constant traffic to 1048 40th St. NW in St. Petersburg – David & Vivian [Adams} new residence. Delicious roast for dinner & we caught up on 2 years.
Bed about 11:30.

Saturday, January 24, 1976
Kathi called. Judy “trying out” a new job this week. I told Kathi to consult Mary K Mills.
Temp 66
Toured Carl’s yard & inspected every croton plant. Visited his sister Marie in her Mobile home near & then drove to Venice Gardens to see the Eldon Beers house. Lovely – on a canal, but they aren’t here. Genevieve sick. After lunch Esther & I went to beach near pier. Found lots of small shark’s teeth. Laughing & Ring Billed Gulls – Mergansers, Piping Plover, Pelicans. Cafrl made tape for Historical Society of his reminiscences of Marion from 1890 through 1920. Took him to Eagles & I went to beach to watch sunset. Then Esther & UI to Eagles to play Bingo. Cal “called”.