Miles Franklin pocket diary, 1954

January 1954

Saturday 23

Nice warm day again. More work with figs & a tiny bit in garden. Florrie telephoned that she was no happier yet. I telephoned Les Rees.

January 1954

Sunday 24

Norman's Death day. Muir & Marjory very kindly came at 10.30 & took me for the day to Coonardoo with their 2 lovely children Kim nearly 3 & Jo [Merri?] 7 mths. & brought me home again at 10 to 9. I listened to radio till 11 - feeling grief for Norman freshen as Bach's Air was played as it was after he died 12 yrs. ago.

January 1954

Monday 25

Nice warm day again I did some laundry & more work on the figs. I was too slack to rouse to work. So rang Pixie she asked me to go to her [‘to her’ repeated] to see the Queen come in. I took Mrs Morgan some figs.

January 1954

Tuesday 26

Nice warm day again. More teetering with figs. Heard Mackaness on Australia's cultural flowering. What an extensive mediocrity he is. Charlatan, Dymphna calls him. Of course he is a Dr. of Litt.

January 1954

Wednesday 27

Lovely summer day again Walker rang up put him off till tomorrow. Went to town via bank. Went to BD. Took her figs. Went to [Leica?] & Shepherd - Heinemann's rep was there. to G.P.O. & home by 4.30. Mrs Andresen in to telephone. Caddie arrived at 9 but I was in bed & she went too & snored so that I cd not sleep except in short shifts & not at all after 4.30 a m.