Miles Franklin pocket diary, 1953

January 1953

Wednesday 14

Got a letter from dear old Uncle Gus enclosing a cheque for ten pounds. Went to Permanent Trustee to pay Norman's share from Downing estate. Took double sunflowers to Beatrice Davis. To Newsreel. Shopped in McIlraith's & home. Did 2 or 3 lines on Pixie. Ruth telephoned about taking the desk to Lena. Frank Trist met me at entrance to Permanent Trustee Co. & chatted about Margaret's irritations on her Hawkesbury Novel.

January 1953

Thursday 15

Went to butcher. Grey day. Heavy showers in afternoon. Worked on Pixie's Demand again. Wrote to Uncle Gus. Mrs Morgan came in before tea for ½ hour. To borrow more books.

H̶i̶s̶ ̶w̶a̶r̶m̶,̶ ̶s̶o̶u̶l̶l̶e̶s̶s̶n̶e̶s̶s̶ ̶i̶n̶c̶r̶e̶a̶s̶e̶d̶ ̶m̶y̶ ̶b̶l̶u̶e̶s̶.̶ ̶R̶a̶n̶g̶ ̶G̶l̶e̶n̶ ̶&̶ ̶g̶o̶t̶ ̶L̶e̶n̶ ̶F̶o̶x̶ ̶f̶o̶r̶ ̶a̶ ̶f̶e̶w̶ ̶m̶o̶m̶e̶n̶t̶s̶.̶

January 1953

Friday 16

Chilly day again but fine. Took plums to Mrs Morgan to the people opposite & to the Ukrainians. Worked on Pixie's. In evening Julia D-B Moore called up for quite a chat. Went to Carlton for D.D.T spray stuff & to get bread.

January 1953

Saturday 17

Chilly day again with suggestions of rain. Worked on Pixie's Demand. Gave plums to Mrs Coates. Sprayed trees for flies. In evening telephoned Frank Clune in St Vincent's. His coarse soullessness increased my blues. Rang Glen and got Len for a few minutes' chat.

January 1953

Sunday 18

Fine sparkling warmish day. I started work on Pixie's D. till Phyllis telephoned she was coming so that was the end. I turned to housecleaning & had lunch. She & Jack came at 3.30. I gave them afternoon tea & they took Lena's desk & big framed photo of Grannie. Glen telephoned in morning. Figs ripening & I have to tie bags on them. They are delicious. In evening telephoned Ruth to tell her that the desk had gone. Hope I can get on with writing tomorrow