Author: Trella Hemmerly Haldeman Romine

Tuesday, July 22, 1986
The day I looked forward to 4 years ago- realizing I would be 70 when it came wondering about my physical capacity when I regained my “freedom”. I realized my primary goal: Dave was in one school for 4 years. We were up at 4:30 so he could be at Recruiting Office in Marion at 5:00. Riley took him to Columbus only one from Marion. Physicals over by 7:30! and whole day to waste until plane at 5:45 for San Diego. I mowed rest of upper lawn. Picked up Oleta and Lucille and Mary. Spent hour at OHS- research on Sandusky Plains.

Nice boy Chip Green from Van Wert carried orders. Dave should be landing about now 12:15.

Monday, July 21, 1986
Worried about Hademan’s- no one heard from them since July 13th.
Fried eggs for Dave’s breakfast on deck with me. Then he cut Bishop’s weed around star magnolia and mowed the banks. I went to Marion at 11:30 to take my Chautauqua story to the Star and picked up print of prairie marker and identifying Prairie flowers on negatives.

To Fairfield engineering to confer with Dave Gatshall on Prairie brochures. Deposited my $1,500 back in money market- Hemmerly’s didn’t need it for van. Picked corn at Crum’s. Pot roast dinner for Dave and invited Mary out. He and Oleta came at 7:00 after we ate. 11:30 and he’s finally packing clothes from his closet. Kathi called.

Sunday, July 20, 1986
I wrote Chautauqua article- weeded patio beds- made flower arrangement for [illegible]

The hours dwindle as July 22nd approaches and Dave sleeps them away getting in at daylight night after night spent with Oleta. I have no respect for either of them even if they will be apart for 6 months.

He sorted a few of his clothes into piles and informed me he had everything ready although his closet and drawers are full of clothes. He went to Wood Valley to say goodbye to Chris Opp but he’s working in Galion. After a lunch of spaghetti he went to say goodbye to Amy Lovell. Back with Oleta about 6:30 and put a load of clothes in washer and off again.

Saturday, July 19, 1986
[No entry]

Friday, July 18, 1986
[No entry]

Thursday, July 17, 1986
[No entry]

Wednesday, July 16, 1986
[No entry]

Tuesday, July 15, 1986
Reworked Prairie brochure and made a new paste up. In at 3:30 to take Prairie film to Meijer’s. At shop at 4:00 to confer with Kass about truck lettering.

While there Emill Cool brought back copy of SOP manuscript. So sorry he didn’t get contract. To Mary’s at 5:00 to go to dinner with her and David and Vivian Bratton at Han’s- David’s treat. Mary will take them to Columbus tomorrow for flight home. To Ppal and Kensel Clutter’s- has Royal catch fly and purple coneflower blooming. To his “Grand Prairie Prairie”. Hot tramping. Then to their house to rehash brochure and eat raspberry cobbler.

Monday, July 14, 1986
Weeds grew to 2 ft while we were gone in vegetable garden. Dave weeded one row while Lou Whitmer of the Star interviewed me on the deck about the Prairie Conference. Then I went to Claridon Prairie and shot one roll of black and white film and took to the Star for their July photo page. Got more film and shot 24 color- flowers and grasses and only got halfway along prairie.

Had steak and broccoli from garden for supper.

Sunday, July 13, 1986
Took all day to pick up and sweep the house. Mary and David and Vivian Bratten out about 3:30 for a cookout. Dave cooked sausage and hamburgers and we ate on upper deck but mosquitoes drove us in.

David called from Glacier National Park. Saw a mountain goat. Haven’t been to Banff yet so they are behind schedule. Told him about his canoe being stolen.