Author: David Haldeman

Friday, April 3, 1970
David called me at 5 top see Bennett’s Comet – Beautiful & big – aimed right at shack. Worked from 10 to 3:00. Edith Keeler & Vera Stull out just as I got home.

Thursday, April 2, 1970
Water within 2′ of top of septic tanks across road.
Callie [cat] 4 kittens 2 tiger 2 yellow tiger.
2 1/4″ rain – river rising all day. Flooded in from the W. Wind, I guess. Started in to work about noon but car stalled & blizzard so turned back. Didn’t feel very peppy. David stopped by for movie shots of flood.

Wednesday, April 1, 1970
Blitzen (long haired grey & whiote male – Hobart’s kitten from last spring)
gets beaten up every night by a grey cat down the road. He’s a pitiful sight. David stopped by.

Tuesday, March 31, 1970
Kent out. Walked down by pond and saw snake – garter.
Thelma Brocklesby stopped in to see if I was OK. My house is a mess. I don’t feel like doing anything. Worked on bird lists. This is the day Dr. Axthelm said I’d be able to drive Kathi to Mississippi. Was all I could do to drive to his office*

*[in Caledonia]

Monday, March 30, 1970
Don’t feel like doing all the things I thought I’d do if I was ever sick. Just getting something to eat & bathed is a day’s work. Tired of reading – Mary & Rocky out.

Sunday, March 29, 1970 Easter
On sofa all day. Weather miserable. Didn’t feel like coming home until 5. Mary drove my car out. First time I’ve been alone since operation.

Saturday, March 28, 1970
David & Hink & Gregg & Bettie did great job on deliveries.
Worked from 10 to 4 with time out on sofa. Dr. Axthelm called at 4 & wanted me to bring home a lily when I came! I told him I wasn’t able to go home. Mary took me back to her house.

Friday, March 27, 1970 Sunny only 43
Mary took me in to work about 10. I was just able to answer phone & that’s all. She picked me up at 3 & took me to her house for night. She & Kathi have made this whole thing bearable.

Thursday, March 26, 1970
Kathi has taken such good care of me I sure hate to see her leave. Almost forgot to take Dizzy! Left at 4:30 – car packed completely. David started deliveries at shop. Mary stayed all night with me.

Wednesday, March 25, 1970
Worst day since catheter came out. In bed all day – flat on my back. Don arrive about 4:30. He & Rocky moved color TV to my bedroom. David stopped on way to Mansfield Symphony Rehearsal & on way back. I sure paid for doing what Dr. Axthelm said I could.