Miles Franklin pocket diary, 1953

December 1953

Saturday 5

Turned cool of course. Got up early & tried to finish Essay. In early afternoon went to Carlton Pub. School to vote in Municipal elections. Otherwise alone all day. Frank Ryland came & left me a new rake as a Christmas present but did not come in. Was on his way to the Crosses.

December 1953

Sunday 6

Warmish day. Worked on essay. Dal telephoned during afternoon. My one lily regale filling the house with ecstasy of perfume.

December 1953

Monday 7

Humid heavy day. Did some typing & a few letters. F. Ryland telephoned & wanted to come but I put him off for Dal who ran in only for ½ an hour about 4 to get me to autograph a Swagger for Evatt, as a school prize. Vic driving him. He brought a nice cake, I took ½ in to Arthur. I gave him the only fig of the early crop - a big beauty just properly ripe.

December 1953

Tuesday 8

Nice day mildly warm. Went to Kirribilli Mem. College. Dr Booth just able to crawl on two sticks. Thin & unbelievably shabby in a rag bag hat. Annette McLelland also, skimpy & smelling in need of a bath. Also there old Mrs Rutherford, & Jessica Lee Baxter and daughter & granddaughter & Bertha Baxter Atkins. Also Miss Warby. Only 6 graduates. I was called on to make a speech. It made me unbelievably sad as there at Elsiemere & just round the corner at Keston I was unbelievably high spirited 50 years ago. A. J. Mac. alive. I wonder if Grace Martin Spooner is still alive. Went to Newsreel & a few errands & home. Delys telephoned.

December 1953

Wednesday 9

Worked a bit on essay. Irrigated the garden, did a line of laundry. Telephoned Dal. Arthur called at 8 with all sorts of goodies that will save me from the labor of shopping, not to say some expence.