Miles Franklin pocket diary, 1954

January 1954 Sunday 3

The coldest Jan day for six years. Rain some of the time. I ran a telephone message for the Andresens. Dal dropped in a little after 10 & stayed till a little after 12. I gave him coffee, short bread & walnuts. I returned to winter clothing & still was so perished I had to add shawls & turned on the radiator before going to bed.

January 1954 Monday 4

Grey day threatening rain chilly but not quite as cold as yesterday. Dal rang up early urging me to get the play MSS ready for A.S. I pottered after getting up late. Went to butcher for chops & cherries & had first substantial meal since Friday at Ruth's. Went to town in afternoon shopping at A. Hordern's & elsewhere & then to Maureen's wedding at St Phillips. Met Stanley McK there & we walked together as far as St James & had a talk. The strictures returned and cd. hardly get to the church. My jaws ached & my limbs felt as if ligatures were on them. ̶W̶e̶n̶t̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶N̶e̶w̶s̶ ̶ Home by 7.30 Did a bit of ironing.

January 1954

Tuesday 5

Sunny day, warming up, but wore woollens & grey suit. Went to town to meet Laurie Collinson & cousin Eric, a deaf young Jew tailor from London, & they took me to lunch at Cahill's. Thence I went to Newsreel, shopped & got home at 4.45. Went to Bank on way in. Telephoned Howie & Mary B. & Phyllis* in morning. In evening Phyllis telephoned me to go to her on (*& Uncle Gus, bless him) Sat for Aunt Lena's birthday. Ruby Brydon also telephoned in morning. Finished the ironing at last.

January 1954

Wednesday 6

Grey chilly day. Went to the butcher. Did a tiny bit in garden. Quite alone all day so telephoned Ruth (she has gone to Newport), May Bridle (got Leslie); and the New Theatre for tickets. Did a small laundry. Dan Clyne had a long telephone chat with me. I wrote to Bishop Burgmann. Meant to start on play ̶S̶a̶y̶ "The Dead must not Return", but could not force my will to it. One wearies of always pulling up stream without acceptance, let alone returns of a material nature.

January 1954

Thursday 7

Felt too limp to tackle the play so wrote to Jean Devanny instead. Arthur called in at 5.30 for coffee & to bring me goodies and stayed an hour. I was delighted to see him & gave him some plums. Cold day with occasional showers. Went to Carlton to Dodds and Bank. Washed four pairs of white buckskin gloves - fiddling task, & took spots off suits. Wasted day. & my days are now growing fewer and feebler.