January 1986

New Year's Day: Clara Williams arrived at 5 pm. After David put to bed we had steak stir-fry supper. She brought champagne.

2 Clara & I spent the day together. Drove her to "see" Pea Ridge, Lost Bridge Village, the Military Park. Took her to lunch (good catfish) at Battlefield Restaurant. Dinner of Cincinnati chili

3 Clara left 7:30 am. Noias stop by on their way out at 11 am. Wengers arrive for lunch at noon--then Cal has to run in to help Dad off pot! Back for 1/2 hr. then on to take Dad to dentist. Returns late afternoon. I'm feeling low--kind of "trapped" Alone. Supper of steak stir-fry on fettuccini--Then to Dad's and Mother's for company. Till 9:30

4 Took a walk upon arising to gather kindling & watched Fred feed the cows--David fascinated. Had Dad & Mother out for dinner of catfish & hushpuppies.

5 Attended Fellowship Bible Church in Bentonville. Good sermon on Servanthood by Dr. Jim Walters of John Brown University. Saw John Grant. Liked the church. We'll return sometime. Left David with Dad & Mother. Then returned after church & stayed with them until 2 pm. Came home for naps & a supper of chicken, slaw, French fries, & black-eyed peas. Did not go to see Bleak House 'cause David & I felt so lousy.     Clara's 69th birthday.

6 Am so tired! Am I pregnant? Clara & Dad B. say no - the eyes would tell them. Went to Dad's mid-morning with David. Made ww bread. Had clam chowder with Cal for lunch. Returned here for naps. Made mac n' cheese & returned to be with Dad--made dinner for all of us. Home at 8:30. Cal taught me cribbage (Dad had tried, but David interrupted too much.) Pinky called.

7 Supper of steak, rice, broccoli, acorn squash

8 Cal gone all day on errands & helping Dad. I feel the isolation of the place very keenly. Chicken & fettucine for supper. 

9 Went to Rogers with David to run errands. Robt Cupp came over to have lunch with Cal. Dad fell on his return from dr. & Cal had to run over at dinnertime to help him Then Cal left for Quorum Ct. mtg. Chili & Nachos.

10 Took a 2.4 mile walk in the afternoon after a cry. David so much to handle and "getting to me." Cal took me to Mary Maestri's for a nice dinner.

11 Cal took care of David most of today so I could work--painted chairs blue, made meals, cleaned, napped, read a little & did a bit of desk work. Sandi called to tell me about Belinda. Lord, heal them. And we're wondering if I should go to help Gretchen or if Mother should--Cal & I would stay with Dad. We're so tired--just want to live our own lives. But Lord give us guidance & strength.

12 Decided not to go to church. So tired! Napped during David's nap. Dad had needed us, but they'd thought we'd gone to church so they didn't call till later. Took a long walk--discovered the ravine we see out our bedroom window. Cal stayed w/ Dad while Mother walked with me out here. Then in to Pea Ridge. Home at 7 pm. Poignant dream about Mom & family. 

13 Dad called me in to P.R. Went early with David, but he doesn't settle down well for naps. Dad officious & cranky--I wonder why I came!? Tension builds & builds. Then Cal stops for lunch with mail from Daddy--pictures of Mom--how I miss her! And poem by Pinky. I break into grief & go home. Sleep afternoon after cry. Clean after spaghetti supper while Cal covers a meeting.

14 Stayed home with David. Painted "The Mentor." Took David in to Dad for short visit. He is so busy trying to work that he's lousy company. Make chicken 'n pasta salad for dinner but Cal never comes home--takes Dad to hospital with hernia. Home at 11:30. I called Bev.

15 Have an early lunch w/ Cal. Make "Never fail sweet rye bread" & it fails miserably. That & Lentil soup & Cal goes to cover another meeting. Work on Laurie painting.

16 To P.R. for steaks w/ Mother & Dad at 5:30 & then on to Rogers for Bible study at McAlisters'. David delightful. Bev calls us.

17 Clean all day after a long walk up White Oak Holler in a.m. So, so tired! Wayne & Sandy Weatherford for dinner. Made B.C.C. Savory R. C. Hens. Very good. Strawb. shortcake for dessert. I fell asleep before they left--they'd stayed for a Kirk story.

18 Rain. Got up early with David so Cal could sleep in. Joe Miletits came to talk about insurance & stayed till noon. French onion rice soup. Short nap. Then the sun came out & we drove backroads to Bentonville. Beautiful. Walmart & Oscar's (for paint). To Mother's & Dad's for a short visit. Then back here. To Brightwater Methodist Church to cover a social for the newspaper--I went to keep Cal company & David loved the music...

19 Did an ANSWER preg. test this a.m. at 5:15. Read results when I got up to nurse David at 6:30. Positive. To F.B.C. Very happy with this church--think we'll stay. Spent day with folks. To Roaring River State Park. Then BBQ at Pea Ridge. Electricity went out & we chased down the story for Dad's whim. 9 p.m. & I'm exhausted! Cal's staying up to read, but I'm going to bed!

21 Dad taken to hospital mid-day. Cal home part of day, sick. Register cars.  

22 Mother called from Fayetteville at 1:30 a.m.--Dad very bad. Cal rushes down. Arrives an hour before Dad dies. Later autopsy showed it was a subsequent heart attack. Cal brings Mother back here. After morning naps she & Cal spend the day with Brother Dan making plans Bert, then Bev, stop by. DeDe comes by at dinnertime. Mother stays with us.

24 The girls arrive at 10 p.m. Together at Mother's until past midnight. Bev & Gretchen stay with us. David never nurses. WEAN

25 Funeral 10 a.m. Return here for lunch, then long lovely hike. Then chatting around fireplace. Barnetts stop by. Then to Mother's. Supper & view video of service. Boys return with us & Bev stays at Mother's. David has hard night.

26 To Mother's by 9:15 for breakfast, tree trimming, & family time. Return to our home after the kids leave at 11:00 am. Mother cleans while we nap! Return to Mother's. I make supper. Then shower me & David. We go through florist cards with Mother. 

27 Write CK. John K calls. Says Griswolds are back in B.S. Morning nap. To mother's late afternoon. Made supper. Watched Passage to India with Cal. Daddy sent flowers to Mother. 

28 Called to see if flowers from "Art" were Dad's. Yes. And found out Marcia is expecting a baby in October! To B'ville with David in afternoon: License, register vote, Walmart. Organized Mother's linen closet, Made roast for dinner at Mother's. 

29 Mama's day off! Paint Laurie's portrait. Wrote letter to Clara and to Laurie. Letter from Aunt Edie. Mother here for Taco salad supper. Shared symp. cards & Elis. Eliot article. David to his own bed at bedtime for the 1st time in 5 days!

30 Dinner at Mother's 6:00. Bible study. 

31 I made Salmon dinner at Mother's house. Then we watch To Have or Have Not.

In February David has learned to crawl, Greenlees' house burns down, my great-aunt Edie dies, my recently widowed father comes to visit...