Miles Franklin pocket diary, 1953

November 1953

Monday 30

Got up at 5.30 because K.S.P. was unnecessarily fidgetty about getting away & no taxi available. So Del & Arthur came. A. to carry her parcels to train & Dels to see her right into Canberra train. I cleared up the house & was so tired that I lay down from 10 to 11.30 Got up had some lunch and went to town. Sent a ̲S̲w̲a̲g̲g̲e̲r̲ for Mrs M from Morgan's B.S. Went to Newsreel, shopped & took the chart of old timers to Beatrice & home by 5.15.

December 1953

Tuesday 1

Warmish day. Found my dear little hen dead. She had tumbled over & I had not found her in time. Only 3 left now. Florrie rang up & said convict women ̲w̲e̲r̲e̲ flogged. I began again on my essay. Ruby Brydon rang up to say Jack had come to her on Sunday. Has been 5 months with the Franklins at Brindabella. Looked terrible, unshaven & hair long. May & Winnie called in evening & I gave them in pots growing cuttings of lavender & double purple fuchia [fuchsia]. Had a cup of tea with Andresens & to bed at 11. Slept till 5 a.m.

December 1953

Wednesday 2

Woke at 5 & got in ice at 5.30. Put some corrections in first 6 chaps. Ethel Neely Norris rang about municipal voting. I called on Mr Bennetts to inquire about his wife. Telephoned Nell Jordan. Delys telephoned about coming tomorrow. Did not hear from Caddie, thank heaven, as I was too tired for any more effort.

December 1953

Thursday 3

Nice warm morning: over 90° in my writing place so I tackled the last chap of essay wh. has lagged so long. But as Delys is coming early I was too distrait to get a grip. So turned to housecleaning and irrigating the garden & slaved till 3 p.m. Delys brough[t] a leg of mutton that I had to bake with potatoes & she did the beans. They left at 7.30 & I did the washing up completing a busy, long day. I telephoned Pixie in morning. Did the inevitable line of washing

December 1953

Friday 4

A really hot grey day. Larry B rang to say his bro Allan died today. I rang May B.. I looked through last chap - It does not satisfy me. In afternoon I went to Hurstville to post packets & took Ruby Bridle 2 regale lilies, a giant l̶i̶l̶l̶y̶ daisy and newspapers. Invited Mrs Morgan to morning tea & she stayed too long wasting my time. I had a grand hot bath & went to bed to a delightful warm night.