Miles Franklin pocket diary, 1954

January 1954

Thursday 28

Nice warm day but in evening cool breeze & shower. Got Caddie's breakfast & she left at 9. Walker came at about 11. I gave him a light lunch - gave Ollie more figs. Teetered with figs & made some more jam. Myrtle White rang up. She is over at Marie's: they invited me for 5th & 6th [pusc?]. I may go.

January 1954

Friday 29

Warm day with intermittent showers. Cooked a dinner for Walker but he did not come because of rain, so I took to writing letters. Louie Somerville rang up again, clear & sensible. I was glad to hear her again: still sane. Long complaints of Amy's neglect & snobbery. Glen telephoned too & wd not take no for an answer, & it distracts me. I cannot get a moment to write. Everill telegraphed that she is on the way by Sat week. Heaven help me, for no one else does. Rain ruining all my labor on bagging figs.

January 1954

Saturday 30

Nice warm day. Walker came early & kept me on a string till 5 o'clock. Had to get his dinner & tea twice. He talks & talks. Olly gave me beans in return for figs. I got some of the figs in the bags & made more jam. Glen telephoned postponing her appt for Monday, which was a great relief as I said I had already apportioned Monday.

January 1954

Sunday 31

Cooler day laced with showers. Great waste of wet figs. I changed a lot of bags as the weather cleared. Dal called in for an hour's chat & told me Burgy is to speak on air tonight & use the article I sent him from the Listener. Did some letters & ran telephone message for Mrs A.

February 1954

Monday 1

Warm clear day. Did a par or two over again in chap XI Essay & wrote to Frank Eyre. Much work with the figs. Washed out the kitchen & did a line of starched laundry. Rang Pixie about tomorrow. Hot bath & to bed when pain again came in my neck.