Miles Franklin pocket diary, 1952

December 1952

Tuesday 9

Cold day again. Went to Carlton to bank & P.0 & told Mrs Chapman to send for a big dish of peaches that I picked. Win & Maisie dropped it in at 9 & I gave them a few dozens too. Mrs A. brought me nice dinner again. Finished reading The Naked Island. ['The Naked Island' underlined]

December 1952

Wednesday 10

Fine day windy at night. Fit for nothing but to prepare the dinner for Mrs A. Made a hash with potatoes - picked & cut beans, picked & stewed peaches. Had strength for no more. Nasty cough - the poisonous linctus stops yap but takes appetite. Beatrice called up. Coming next Wednesday. Managed to write to mentor Wms. & Jno Casson

December 1952

Thursday 11

Perishing. Sat in winter clothes plus a coat. Began on the thing for Pixie. Wrestled with the peaches again to destroy the fly. Witzerman called to say he had read P. on Parade ['P. on Parade' underlined]. Good job he did not want to inspect the fruit trees till I get them cleaned. Mrs Andresen gave me dinner again. I stewed peaches for her & Arthur. Did some watering. Wild, dry, gale of wind. Mrs Bennetts brought cookies. Pixie telephoned.

December 1952

Friday 12

Heavy showers in afternoon. Went to town to Permanent Trustee abt. the new tenant for 327 Penshurst St. Then to Newsreel a little shopping & cd just crawl home, so weak my limbs wd. scarcely go. Cough still comes in paroxysms. Glen rang up for a long call. She is not well. Mrs Andresen gave me nice dinner again. I gave her £1. towards groceries. Had on grey coat & skirt in winter woollens.

December 1952

Saturday 13

Fine day but not warm. Worked well on Pixie's demand. Was just going to house-clean when Joe arrived. He mowed front while I scraped up a tea of stewed peaches toast & lettuce & honey. He stayed till I was exhausted at 10.40. Before his arrival Nell Jordan telephoned and she never knows when to ring off.