It's Raining Today

Here in California it rained today! We definitely need it but for me, humidity affects my M.S. symptoms and usually brings a lot of pain. Isn't it funny how so many of the things we need, hurt so bad.

On with the story:

7-7-73 Saturday

I just got back from a sleep away camp!  It was a surprise.  I won a scholarship from the Methodist Choir and got to stay at Mount Misery in Cherry Hill.  It was a real long ride and we were out in the boon docks somewhere.  I missed my first softball practice, which was today 'cause I got back too late.  I don't know why they call camp Mount Misery; it's a real nice camp.  They have an absolutely beautiful natural cathedral; the seats are tree trucks sunken into the ground and the cross was made out of two huge tree trunks lashed together.  We had service every morning and each evening.  On the last day there was a Water Festival and all the camp counselors were covered in oil and the campers tried to catch them and throw them in the water.  It was a lot of fun.  I was happy to get home again though; I was still real worried about Karen.

  

7/8/73 Sunday

Billie Jean King did it!  She won Wimbledon's singles title for the second year in a row, then she went on to the win the doubles with Rosemary Casals!  Mom and me were yelling so much, dad had to come to find out what was going on.  When he found out that we were making all that noise over a tennis game, he just shook his head.  Dad really didn't care about sports at all.  Today he was restringing a violin bow using real horsetail hair.  I watched him do it once and it takes a lot of patience, dad says it takes tenacity.  Sometimes he called us nuts because we always watched sports. 

Karen came home today and is laying down in our room.  She's feeling much better, but mom said she's gonna have more treatments that will help her get well.  She loves our room.  I have all my books in alphabetical order in my bookcases and she's got all her stuffed animals and dolls.  George takes up almost as much room as Karen does on her bed. 

Karen told me she would be going for a treatment tomorrow at the hospital.  I wished I could go with her, but mom says I can't.  I have to stay with Mrs. Digory. I told Karen I would be thinking of her and praying for her.  She asked me to pray that it doesn't hurt too much and I promised I would and I will.   

It's looking like Pop's legs are going to be amputated because they turned something called gangrene.  I was happy 'cause that meant he could never, ever go down to the basement again!  God was taking away his legs and that saved us all.  I'm glad mostly 'cause Karen feels bad enough.  I don't know what would happen if Pop hurt her now.  He's going to be home at the end of the month, probably, but he can't hurt anyone now.  Karen and I both prayed thank you to God.

 7-13-73 Friday

Today after work, dad began setting up a new swimming pool that he had brought home.  We were all excited; we've never had such a big pool before.  Today, dad and Walter started digging a round circle for the bottom of the pool. The rest of us did whatever dad needed, which mostly was to stay out of his way.  Mom knew just what to do.  She got some ice pops and called all the girls to the front porch.  The deal was that we could have the ice pops if we stayed in the front yard and left dad alone.  Of course, we all agreed.  Mom sat down with us on the front steps and had her own ice pop.  It was such a nice summer evening and I was so happy that Karen was home and looking so much better, plus, we were gonna have a new pool!  The summer was looking much better.  Bye for now.

7-17-73 Tuesday

Today I was the winning pitcher and batting star!  I only allowed one hit in 7 innings and I hit two singles and a home run.  My coach Debbie was real proud of me.  At first she didn't want me to be the pitcher and wanted me playing the inn field, but I was the best pitcher she had.  I really like pitching and I have a real good fast ball.   Mom came to the game tonight and was very proud of me, too.  Mom told me she used to play softball and she was the pitcher, just like me.  I didn't know that.  She came with the team to Carvel for ice cream after the game; all the teams do that.  Next week we'll be playing in Elberon and mom can't go so she asked Debbie to pick me up and she will.  Debbie asked mom how Karen was doing, but then they walked away so I couldn't hear any more of their conversation.  I really wish I knew what was going on, but the grown ups are only talking to grown ups, nobody's talking to us kids.  I've asked and asked but I get no answers.  At times like these I sure wish I was a grown up! 

 7-25-73 Wednesday

I'm so stupid sometimes.  I musta thought that I was safe 'cause Pop wasn't home yet, but I forgot about Pedro.  I was leaving grandma's house when he saw me.  Pedro nodded to Roger, his enforcer, and Roger ran over to me, grabbing my arm.  "Do you want me to dislocate your arm again?"  he asked me.  Of course I didn't want him to do that again, so I said no.  "Then you better get in to Pedro's house right now."  I hesitated for a moment, so he began twisting my arm until I said okay.  He didn't let go and walked with me right up to Pedro's porch and in to his house; only when I was inside, did he let go.  Pedro handed money to Roger and told him to go.   Pedro took me back to the bathroom.  I was getting pretty good at not feeling or thinking anything.  I just looked out at all the trees in bloom through his bathroom window until he was done.  Then he did something different.  He took me in to his bedroom and laid me on the bed with my pants and underwear off.  He told me he wanted to try something new and he wanted me to tell him if I liked it.  He wanted to kiss me down there, but I really didn't like it and I told him so.  I was so glad when he let me up; I pulled up my pants and ran out of the door.  I have to remember to be very careful whenever I go to grandma's house.  I know it's gonna be difficult, but I have to figure out some way to avoid Pedro and Roger.  I can't trust Walter either.  It really stinks when your own neighborhood is filled with such monsters.     

  

7-27-73 Saturday

Tonight was the Never On Sunday show.  It was a lot of fun.  Connie and Ken were dressed like babies in a crib and they sang, Everything You Can Do I Can Do Better.  When they got to the verse, Any Note You Can Hit I Can Hit Higher, Mrs. Hoplock, the soprano, who was hidden behind the crib, hit her high note and everybody broke up laughing.  We got to sing a silly song made up of silly songs - it was dad's creation.  We got a lot of applause, but I was glad to be done so I could sit and watch everybody else do silly things.  The night ended with refreshments and lively conversation downstairs in the dining room.  All us kids ran wild in to the back part of the basement where the one old-fashion soda machine was.  For 50¢ you could buy a bottle of Coca Cola.  Everybody got a soda and we went back to get something to eat.  When I got back to the dining room, I saw Karen was the center of attention and I was happy for her.  So many people were praying for her, I think it's making her feel better.  I just love seeing her smile again.  I grabbed another piece of cake for her, hoping to fatten her up some, and she ate it too.  Just to make me happy, she said.  I didn't care why, I only cared that she eats more.  Well, it's late now, so Good night.