February 13

Meeting Wilma Mankiller yesterday was quite an experience.

1965

I went to the Library for stuff on Napoleon and Waterloo. I waited for 3 hours for Dad to come and pick me up. Three boys, about 9 or 10 years old, came up and shot at me with squirt guns. I finally caught one of 'em and slapped him around. Oh, how I itched to do that! I bought a 45 cent pattern for stuffed animals and some foam rubber stuffing. I already got 2 orders for a horse and a cat. I made myself a dog - his name is Pudgey Mutt. He's so cute.

Comment 2023

Just to reassure y’all, I have not slapped anyone around since 1965.

1997

I have followed this new habit for six weeks now. Like putting a new block on a tower, I placed it gently, then waited with anxious breath to see if the tower would fall. It hasn’t. It’s trembled now and then, but I do have time for exercise and reflection every day now! It seems like a minor miracle. Now I want time for music or work — creative time — several times week. How do I get it? One possibility if obvious; get up earlier. Evening is not a real productive time, and I should probably go to bed  earlier, anyway. I will try…in bed by 10:30, and up by 7. (Watching TV in bed until 11:30 doesn’t count!)

Meeting Wilma Mankiller yesterday was quite an experience. My first reaction was “She looks so ordinary.” But isn’t that the point? Her message was “If I can do it, anyone can.”

Comment 2023

What an afterthought of an entry!

Wilma Mankiller, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation (1985-1995), had given a lecture to  students at the University of Maryland. As representative of one of the sponsoring programs, I was tasked with meeting her at the airport and being her driver/guide during the visit. Because her flight arrived late in the afternoon on a weekday, I picked up my teenage daughter at school and brought her with me. In her early fifties, Mankiller looked not only “ordinary” but weary and physically weak. Years of health issues - kidney disease and other serious conditions - had not prevented her from devoting ten years to service to the Cherokee Nation. 

And there was I, in my late 40s, making yet another attempt to get organized, be productive, and have some space in my life for - what? Perhaps for joy.

1979

It’s not every day that one is granted a reprieve from one’s own bad habits. Today, miracle of miracles, there are no classes due to snow. So I may redeem myself yet! I am tempted to lounge around still more, but there is a lot to do. Luckily, it’s a variety of chores, so I won’t get bored. At least I can catch up.

It’s uncomfortably hot in here, which probably contributes to my lack of energy.

(A to-do list follows. 8/9 are checked off. I didn’t dust.)

1983

We had about 18” of snow this weekend. Jim’s spent the time shoveling, while I’ve been amusing Kiddo. She’s started protesting when I put her down or leave the room. It’s hard for Ji, who feels rejected, and hard for me, as I feel guilty when she cries. And it’s hard for Kiddo, who wants what she can’t have. Part of life, I know. But still.

2013

This month is whizzing by at a frightening rate of speed. I got everything on my list done yesterday (except for a non-urgent phone call), but I’ll admit some of it was done superficially. Today is filled with student appointments, so my next writing window is tomorrow.