KC's entries for January 1967 begin ...

JANUARY 3 TUESDAY  (Where something is found, there look again) 

    Many things have happened today.  I’ll try to tell them in order. 

    First of all, of course, is the fact that school has started again after an 11 day vacation. 

    Sister Rose Maxine gave us back our tests, taken on Dec. 16.  There were 3 marks; contents: 89, spelling: 100, and neatness: A+.  So that was pretty good! 

    She also gave us our French books we made.  She gave me an A+ and told me in her note it was excellent work!  That’s pretty good, too! 

    Jane gave me my Christmas present; stationary.  It has a very pretty designed “K” in the middle.  The colors are blue and white. 

    I finally mailed my letter to Randi.  I guess from now on I’ll have to pay 15¢ a letter.  Only one thing - I put it in the wrong box!  I hope she gets it. 

JANUARY 4 WEDNESDAY  (What man has made man can destroy — German) 

    Tomorrow we are going to have an oral French test.  We can pick out any 5 sentences we want to read out loud. 

    Tomorrow morning I have to get to school early and do my English.  I forgot to bring the right book home. 

    Helena brought up some homemade bread and chocolate-chip cookies. 

    Next week is the start of the exams.  I forgot about them entirely, I was so busy thinking about the “High–School Entrance Exam”. 

    Jack Ruby, the man who shot Lee Oswald, died yesterday from cancer, although tonight’s newspapers say it was a blood clot. 

    Tonight I’m going to watch the “Munroes”.  Mum says I can stay up and watch the Bob Hope Chrysler Theater.  That’s ending at 10:00. 

    I had my seat changed today.  I sit between 2 boys. 

    Late note: Stanley Baker was great! 

JANUARY 5 THURSDAY  (Who shall decide when doctors disagree?) 

    Today we had the oral French test.  Sister Rose Maxine asked us  5 questions and I had almost all of them right. 

    Sister Noreen asked us if we would prefer to have our own graduation dresses or buy the ugly blue one in the catalogue.  Mommy said she would rather make me one.  It has to be white if it is your own. 

    Daddy gave me some gold paper on a roll.  When you write on it over paper it comes out gold on the paper.  It is very expensive and there is lots of the gold paper. 

    Mommy found my ring today behind the fridge.  It is real gold with a bloodstone in the middle.  It has 3 initials on the inside, “V.M.A.”  I will tell what that is about tomorrow. 

    I went over to Janet’s again after supper and came home to watch “Jericho” at 7:30.

    Tomorrow we go to Mass. 

JANUARY 6 FRIDAY  (Choose an author as you choose a friend — Roscommon) 

    Today is Epiphany.  Father Bill came and blessed the classroom.  My science paper had holy water all over it!

    We went to Mass and Holy Communion.  A few days ago I made another resolution and I hope I keep it. 

    I think I will tell about the ring tomorrow.  Right now, considering it is 5 minutes of 11 at night, I feel rather tired. 

    Helena made some banana-oatmeal cookies, which are very good and remind me of banana cake. 

    We have two exams Monday, Religion and Science.  I will have to study very hard. 

    Tomorrow we are going to make popcorn. 

    I think I will say my prayers and go to bed.  I am so tired! 

JANUARY 7 SATURDAY  (Sell not thy conscience with thy goods) 

    That business about the ring is this: The “V.M.A.” stands for Virginia M. (I don’t know what the “M.” is for) Archibald, (there is an n between “i” and “b”, I forgot).  Apparently Mommie's Aunt Nellie worked for some sort of rich lady as a “companion”.  Now, the rich lady gave Aunt Nellie the ring.  It appears that the ring had been in the family a long time, and belonged to the rich lady’s mother or grandmother (more likely grandmother) when she was little.  Mom says it was very fashionable to have something like that long ago.  She says it is over a 100 years old. 

    She found it stuck in the refrigerator because that’s where I threw it when I was little, when I got mad for some reason.  It’s been there ever since until now. 

JANUARY 8 SUNDAY  (He is well paid that is well satisfied — Shakespeare) 

    I studied Religion and Science for a good part of today. 

    I went to Mass and Holy Communion in the morning, with Eily. 

    Mommy made German brownies.  They look and taste like Marble cake. 

    Tomorrow we are going to have our Science and Religion exams.  I have studied hard for both of them.  Our French exam is on Friday the 13th, and the High-School Entrance Exam is on the 28th, a Saturday. 

    I hope to do my best tomorrow; at least I have studied hard.  I enlisted God’s and St. Thomas Aquinas’ help, ‘cause I am sure gonna need it! 

JANUARY 9 MONDAY  (Never injure a friend, even in jest — Cicero) 

    Today we had the Religion and Science Exams.  I came out highest in the class on the Religion, I don’t know about the Science.  Maybe tomorrow will tell…

    Tomorrow we are going to have our Math (ugh!) and Geography (ugh!).  Geography probably won’t be too bad but Math is ugh!  ugh!  ugh!  I’m really going to have [to] study hard. 

    Signing off at 4:13.  K.C. 

JANUARY 10 TUESDAY  (Success makes a fool seem wise) 

    We had Math and Geography today.  The Geography I am pretty sure I only had one wrong, about Lake Mead. 

    In the Math I know of 3 I had wrong. 

    It sure is hard on me but the results are worth it.  Tomorrow we have Spelling, Music, and English. 

JANUARY 11 WEDNESDAY  (Travelling teaches toleration — Disraeli) 

    The Spelling Exam which was diocesan would have been okay if I hadn’t developed an awful headache.  It wasn’t migraine but it was pretty annoying. 

    I know I got about three wrong in Music. 

    The English was okay but some of it she never taught us. 

    There were three essay questions on “Evangeline”, written by Henry W. Longfellow.  Sister Noreen told us she will take them as part of our Literature marks. 

JANUARY 12 THURSDAY  (What three know, everybody knows — Spanish) 

    Today was Literature, and History.  We also had half of our Reading test, which is just one of those Catholic Messenger things.  I don’t know, but I think I got them (Vocabulary) all right.  At least I looked up the doubtful ones and they seem to comply. 

    Sister Genevieve came in twice and said, “John Cleary and Kathleen had a 98 in Geography.” 

    In spite of the headache, I came through with a 94% in Spelling, highest in the class.  Since no one got a 100 or 99 in Geo, I guess 98 is the highest too. 

    Tomorrow is French and I have the feeling I’m going to have competition, Gaynor and Curran-wise maybe even Jane Carney. 

    I just have to study hard. 

JANUARY 13 FRIDAY  (The study of vain things is laborious idleness) 

    Finally, the last day of exams.  We had Reading, French, and art. 

    My score on Reading [level] was10.8 and on vocabulary 11.9. 

    On the French I think I did okay; maybe I even got a 100. 

    Art was allright.  We had to do that 3 King’s Crowns thing.  It was rather pretty when it was done. 

    We went to the Library and got some wonderful books, even a Howard Pease which I had never read. 

    This is the day that last year I moved into my bedroom. 

    Sandy came and we had a real nice visit. 

    Later report on French: I didn’t get any 100, but an 85.  On the other hand I got an A for French. 

JANUARY 14 SATURDAY  (A weapon is an enemy, even to its owner — Turkish) 

    Today has been a very interesting day.  I went to Janet’s for supper.  We had spaghetti and meatballs, home-made, with Vienna bread, and for dessert we had strawberry ripple (ice cream) and brownies.  The whole meal was very good and very filling! 

    Afterwards we played records.  It was something different anyway. 

    Daddy went to Sparks with the crew and bought me this red pen I am writing with. 

JANUARY 15 SUNDAY  (Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today — Chesterfield) 

    Nothing much happened today of interest.  Just another day, except that we went to Mass. 

JANUARY 16 MONDAY  (The first blow is half the battle — Goldsmith) 

    Monday is always a icky day.  Today wasn’t anything spectacular. 

JANUARY 17 TUESDAY  (Better an empty purse than an empty head — German) 

    Today was great.  I watched the “Invaders”.  It really was pretty good.  This is only one of the new programs on T.V. that is any good. 

    Last night I drew some Snoopy pictures on my book covers.  They were a real success in school today.  Several boys want me to do some for them… 

    Right now I’m reading “City Boy”.  It’s a real good book, by Herman Wouk. 

JANUARY 18 WEDNESDAY  (Even the sea, great as it is, grows calm — Italian) 

    Supper was great tonight.  Delmonico potatoes, steak, and lemon pie.  Delicious! 

JANUARY 19 THURSDAY  (When one will not, two cannot quarrel — Spanish) 

    I watched the last episode of “Jericho” tonight.  It was really quite good and I am going to miss Don Francks. 

    I finished my report on Luther.  Some of the things he said were quite outrageous and I heartily disagree with him.  But as the writer Daniel Rope says, it is impossible not to feel some pity for him.  The poor guy  strikes me as being a little mixed up.  His ideas of no free will are ridiculous. 

    Some other time I want to write about U.F.O.’s.  There was a real picture of a dirigible on Jericho. 

JANUARY 20 FRIDAY  (Rags are royal raiment when worn for virtue’s sake — Campbell) 

    Today was pretty creepy as far as days go, although Sister Noreen said my paper on Luther was very good, and it had a lot that the others up to then didn’t have.  After that, too.  My hands were shaking, but I spoke up loud.  Sister Noreen knew it, too, I can tell. 

    “Time Tunnel” was pretty good tonight.  It took place in 1915 during World War I.  The Italian Army was marching against the Germans.  There is an old villa, with the grave of Nero.  The Germans occupy the villa.  The ghost of Nero is out to get the count who owns the villa.  Nero’s ghost has the power of taking over a body.  Etc., etc., etc.  The count tells the ghost to destroy the Germans and gain his lost honor.  In the end Nero’s ghost chokes the German commandante and an Italian soldier walks in and shoots the German.  So the wind starts blowing, which is supposed to mean that the ghost takes over the soldier (Mussolini). 

JANUARY 21 SATURDAY  (By the work we know the workman — La Fontaine) 

    That Mussolini yesterday was the Italian soldier who rose up in the ranks to be later called “Il Duce”.  I guess Nero’s ghost was supposed to be in Mussolini… something like that. 

    Today I went to Michelle Bowes’ sister’s wedding with Jane Geraghty.  Very nice.

    I left Jane making a papier-maché bracelette.  Ho Boy! 

    Gonna watch “Get Smart” tonight… D ull, D ull, D ull . . . My whole life is ... (yawn)  I think I’ll go paint ... 

JANUARY 22 SUNDAY  (He who does not advance recedes — Latin) 

    Nothing much happens on Sunday.  I just want to mention the fact I got some Snoopy paper in a notebook.  Nice. 

Mom & Dad went to see “Zulu”.  [Quoting her Dad:] Man, that was a movie!  It had class.  British.  Best movie I ever saw. 

JANUARY 23 MONDAY  (A good example is the best reason — Fuller) 

    Nothing spectacular.  Got a new English nun, Sister Joseph Clare.  Nice.  Young.  I hope she’s permanent.  Sister Edwardine has evaporated. 

JANUARY 24 TUESDAY  (Living on trust is the way to pay double) 

    High school exam Saturday.  Two Richard Parkes books.  Invaders tonight.  Report later.

    Invaders was pretty good.  I’d say right now it was the program that captured my interest most. 

JANUARY 25 WEDNESDAY  (Before you mount, look at the girth — Dutch) 

    I got my report card today.  It was all A+, A, and B.  I even got an A in French, which was quite unexpected.  I have a B in Math which is better than last time’s C. 

    I have in Geography A, way times better than that last C.  I stayed the same or went up in everything except music, B+ to B. 

    I got A in Religion. 

JANUARY 26 THURSDAY  (A smart reproof is better than smooth deceit.) 

    I had a chance to talk with Sheila (she went to the 8th grade last year and was a good friend of mine.)  I asked her about that high school exam test and her spontaneous reply was “easy”.  She says that English is hard (good thing I’m pretty good in that!)  Math is babyish (I sure hope so) and that also there is Spelling and something like comprehension. . . .

JANUARY 27 FRIDAY  (Best safety lies in fear — Shakespeare) 

    We had to say our French report today in front of the class.  John Lombaldi fumbled it so I only had to say 2 lines.  Still it made me mad . . .  I hope I get another chance.  Sister Noreen kept us after today for 15 minutes. 

    Tomorrow I take the High School Entrance Exams. 

     Three astronauts got themselves burned up.  Ed White, Virgil Griffin, and some rooky astronaut.  It was at the Apollo thing.  It was flashed on during “Time Tunnel”.  Ed White was the guy who walked in space for the first time.  Griffin was one of the first astronauts.  They were both nice guys.  I don’t know anything about the rooky.  It’s awful sad. 

    I sit beside John Cleary now.  He’s ok, and he’s smart. 

JANUARY 28 SATURDAY  (In a calm sea every man is a pilot — German) 

    I took the exam.  It was hard & easy. 

    I got a letter from Randi.  She told me where Løkken is.  I am saving her letters.  I wrote a return letter to her and mailed it today.  I hope she gets it soon. 

    Colette Flaherty, Jayne Carney, Christina Kerrgand, Jane Buckley were there at Fontbonne today.  Colette* was in the same room I was. I hope Jane 

                                      * No, she wasn’t, it was a girl that looked like her. 

Buckley and I both get into Fontbonne. 

    Today was very tiring for me. 

    Tomorrow night I can watch Walt Disney. 

    I finished reading my book.  The pictures by Robin Jacques are beautiful.      Elizabeth Coatsworth wrote it, “The Hand of Apollo”. 

JANUARY 29 SUNDAY  (What’s past help is beyond prevention — Massinger) 

    Nothing much today. 

JANUARY 30 MONDAY  (Make a virtue a necessity) 

    Jane and Carol took the test at St. Clare’s.  They had to take Science, which I didn’t. 

JANUARY 31 TUESDAY  (A man is not better than his conversation — German) 

    We went to see a Fu Manchu movie [The Brides of Fu Manchu].  Daddy and me. 

    It was very good.  There were a lot of vintage cars. 

    Quite interesting. 

FEBRUARY 1 WEDNESDAY  (The household is a school of power — Emerson) 

    There isn’t anything spectacular today.  Tomorrow I have to stay home, because I have to go to the eye-doctor. 

FEBRUARY 2 THURSDAY  (Better buy than borrow) 

    I went to the eye-doctor and my eyes are better.  The doctor says they should be getting worse but they aren’t. 

    We went to Jordans and picked out glasses.  They are brown and are pretty square in shape. 

    It really is wonderful to know that my eyes are getting better where they should be worse. 

FEBRUARY 3 FRIDAY  (They conquer who believe they can — Virgil) 

    Nothing new.

FEBRUARY 4 SATURDAY  (More is meant than meets the eye — Milton) 

    Hmm.  Today is positively, absolutely, definitely, uninteresting! 

FEBRUARY 5 SUNDAY  (A good conscience is the best law) 

                          ↑ Right !                         (yawn!) 

FEBRUARY 6 MONDAY  (A man of courage never wants weapons) 

    School — — — Blaah!. 

FEBRUARY 7 TUESDAY  (To an echo you own the pleasure of hearing yourself talk — Congreve) 

    Nice old storm came around today.  Had to come home from school early.  Very nice . . . 

FEBRUARY 8 WEDNESDAY  (A crooked stick will have a crooked shadow) 

    Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. 

    Stayed home today because of snow Day off 

FEBRUARY 9 THURSDAY  (The discontented man finds no easy chair — Franklin) 

    The quote above applies to me at times.  If I don’t like something, I get all fussy until I set it right.  Sometimes I do the stupidest things . . . getting out of bed at 11:00 at night to remake my bed because it isn’t comfortable.  Crazece (crazy) man I am!  

FEBRUARY 10 FRIDAY  (Who can enjoy alone? — Milton) 

    We went in town today to get my glasses.  It took me a while to get used to them.  Everything was very slanted, at first.  They’re ok. 

    Mommy bought herself a fancy birthday cake in Jordan Marsh’s. 

    We went to the Union Oyster House and got some fish cakes . . . yum! 

FEBRUARY 11 SATURDAY  (One thought fills immensity — Blake) 

From St. Augustine

“Things that are corrupted are deprived of some goodness.  But if they were deprived of all goodness they would be totally without being.  For if they might still be and yet could no longer be corrupted, they would be better than in their first state, because they would abide henceforth incorruptibly. 

    What could be more monstrous than to say that things could be made better by losing all their goodness? 

    Therefore, as long as they are, they are good. 

    Thus, whatever things are, are good.  And evil is not a substance because if it were a substance it would be good. 

    For either it would be an incorruptible substance, …

FEBRUARY 12 SUNDAY  (I am nothing, but truth is everything — Lincoln) 

…that is to say the highest goodness, or it would be a corruptible substance which could not be corruptible unless it were good.

    Lincoln’s Birthday, and by the way, I hope I can read that above ↑ 

FEBRUARY 13 MONDAY  (Important principles may and must be flexible — Lincoln) 

    My Valentine house was well received.  Sister Noreen is going to keep it. 

At least it was something different. 

FEBRUARY 14 TUESDAY  (Whoever lives true life will love true love — Browning) 

    I got my picture taken today in school.  Sister Amandies came in with Sister Henry (she’s the nun from Africa, to take the picture of the Valentines for the missions that we made.  So I had to stand up with the house in front of the blackboard, under the bulletin board, where Sister Noreen put the Valentines and get my picture taken.  I always seem to get my picture taken!  Last year I had my picture taken in the Science Museum. 

FEBRUARY 15 WEDNESDAY  (One man’s fault is another man’s lesson) 

    Today is Mommy’s birthday.  I told her I’d do a picture for her, whatever she likes. 

FEBRUARY 16 THURSDAY  (Fetters even of gold are heavy) 

    Nothin’ hot today!  Would you believe it?  

FEBRUARY 17 FRIDAY  (Better a coward than foolhardy — French) 

    Letter — Randi. 

    Randi seems to be answering regularly.  It is interesting to have a penpal in Norway, but in many ways she is just the same as an American. 

    Letter — Marina Crane 

    I also now have the address to Marina Crane a girl in Newfoundland. 

FEBRUARY 18 SATURDAY  (Who can control his fate? — Shakespeare) 

    Vacation time.

    Winter Vacation starts today, hurray! 

FEBRUARY 19 SUNDAY  (He that will conquer must fight) 

    Nothin’ new for you! 

FEBRUARY 20 MONDAY  (Eyes can speak and eyes can understand — Chapman) 

    Daddy brought home a World War I record — about World War I and their music.

FEBRUARY 21 TUESDAY  (A hog upon trust grunts till he’s paid for) 

    Went to the movies and saw Michael Caine in “Gambit”.  It was very good and so was Shirley MacLaine. 

    She is pretty in a strange sort of way. 

FEBRUARY 22 WEDNESDAY  (If we are wise, let us prepare for the worst — Washington) 

    We went to another Michael Caine movie.

    It was “Funeral in Berlin”.

    It was a very good movie. 

FEBRUARY 23 THURSDAY  (Comparison is not proof — French) 

    Michael Caine is a very good actor, he has a certain style of his own.  Really very good. 

    Love the way he talks. 

    Oh yes, he’s very good.  Ah, so good. 

    Not to be maligning character, you know, but I’m not sure M.C. is one of the best of people.

FEBRUARY 24 FRIDAY  (A cheerful look makes a dish a feast — Herbert) 

    Bleaaah . . . !. 

FEBRUARY 25 SATURDAY  (Don’t pull hard enough to break the rope— Portuguese) 

    Right you is, baby! 

FEBRUARY 26 SUNDAY  (Eat to please thyself, but dress to please others— Franklin) 

    Tomorrow Back to Polish Madhouse..

FEBRUARY 27 MONDAY  (A dream itself is but a shadow— Shakespeare)     

    I have never described my school, so I will now. 

    It is a private school, run by these polish nuns.  In fact the principal’s mother, Mama Mïckey lives there and can hardly speak a word of English, I guess.  It’s a big place, fancy, and they kick you out if they don’t want you.  Money is their number 1 thought but they are basically very nice.  Except for one.  Umm… 

    I have to wear a blue plaid uniform and a navy blue blazer, navy etc.  Kneesocks, blah, blah. 

    It’s been a pretty nice school, although I’ll be leaving this year.  It’ll be kind of sad.  I’ll miss the kids but not anything else. 

FEBRUARY 28 TUESDAY  (Don’t look for five feet on a cat — Don Quixote) 

    I must confess I haven’t been keeping up my diary very well so I may write in the past tense at times.  I promised that I would finish it, though, so I will. 

MARCH 1 WEDNESDAY  (Who ventures nothing has no luck — Spanish) 

    My Confirmation day is Mar. 16.  Yesterday I had to start lessons at St. Anne’s.  There are a lot of public school kids there.  Nice, some of them. 

MARCH 2 THURSDAY  (He knocks boldly who brings good news — Italian) 

    I have to go to Latin School tomorrow. 

    I’m going with Carol, Jane and Michelle Bowes on trolley.  Dad will take us part way. 

MARCH 3 FRIDAY  (Beware the fury of a patient man — Dryden) 

                                        Big Day

    Today I go to Latin school take the test come home and find some mail on the T.V. for me.  Grampa working upstairs.  Mail from Fontbonne and St. Clair’s [sic].  I open the St. Clair’s letter.  I was accepted, !, into their high school.  Now Fontbonne.  Tear open the letter cautiously, nervously.  Look inside; open up paper.  Wham! right in the face.  I not only got in I won a partial scholarship ! 

    Everyone was so excited and happy and I remember Daddy didn’t think I could get in. 

    The big thing is Mommy will have it a little easier on the pocketbook. 

    I’ll have to work like a dog next year I suppose. 

MARCH 4 SATURDAY  (Silence is more eloquent than words — Carlyle) 

    Janet has eloped off to Marilyn.  No particular bitter feelings against her.  Unfortunately I can’t stay friendly with a person for long.  About the only ones are Jane and Carol.  It’s not a question of fighting, just lost interest on my part and hers. 

MARCH 5 SUNDAY  (True friendship is a plant of slow growth — Washington) 

    Nothing spectacular.  

MARCH 6 MONDAY  (Praise a fool and you may make him useful — Danish) 

    I’m reading Winnie the Pooh to Eily. 

MARCH 7 TUESDAY  (Where is a workman without his tools?) 

    Today is St. Thomas’ feastday so I skipped the Invaders. 

    We had today off because of snow.  This seemed to have the Hand of God in it because last night I didn’t go to bed until 5 minutes past 11. 

    Jane is full of woeful tales because she hasn’t heard from Holy Cross.  Ahh . . . ! 

    Actually what I’m writing now is sometime later than Mar. 7 because I don’t think I wrote enough before.  St. Thomas Aquinas is just about my favorite saint, although there are plenty of others I like too.  I read a book about him by L. de Wohl, which I picked up rather by accident… and so…  But really, he has helped me often.  Sometime I think I’ll write about this more but not now. 

MARCH 8 WEDNESDAY  (Where sense is wanting, everything is wanting — Franklin) 

    You know I constantly write about the things I’m getting or I got and I constantly* write (well, sometimes constantly write) about God.  Sounds like Janus-like (two-faced).  It’s not, or, I mean, I’m not. 

    I got… a new green coat from Grandmother which cost $40.00 and is beautiful.  I also got new blue shoes.  The coat was just what I had in mind. 

             * You know, I’ve been reading back and there’s hardly any 

               reference to God.  But I think about him a lot. 

MARCH 9 THURSDAY  (Who’s angry at a slander makes it true — Jonson) 

No 

   No 

      No 

         No 

            No 

               No 

                  No 

     No 

 No 

    No 

No 

  No 

     No 

No 

           No 

      No 

 No 

    No 

No 

  No 

     No 

                               No 

                          No 

                     No 

                 No 

            No 

       No . . . 

         yawn

MARCH 10 FRIDAY  (“No” and “Yes” cause long disputes — Danish) 

● ● ● ?

MARCH 11 SATURDAY  (Better not be at all than not be noble — Tennyson) 

                  H I C K U P ! … pardon me !

MARCH 12 SUNDAY  (Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability — Bacon) 

    Today is March 12 !   Do you know what that means?   It means it’s March 12 !

MARCH 13 MONDAY  (A penny saved is a penny earned — English) 

QUIET

MARCH 17 FRIDAY  (Faults are thick where love is thin — Howell) 

                           HAPPY ST. PATRICK’s DAY !

I’m writing this on April 22 because I haven’t kept up my diary very well. 

    Truly I felt as I described on the opposite page [March 16].  I have never felt so before in my life.  I can see in myself changes which seem so natural as to have been always there, yet I certainly know they were not …  God has not told me what he wants me to do, except, of course, that I’ve got to keep on being good and also (very important) getting better. 

    Being good … you might say, what kick do you get out of that?  Plenty of kick!  You’ve got to be on guard every moment to keep from sin … and the battle in yourself … you can feel them so deeply.  But you’ve got to love God.  If you don’t ➔ [continued on the next page...]

MARCH 18 SATURDAY  (An evil life is a kind of death — Ovid)

there doesn’t seem much purpose in trying to do good.  There is a long siege on oneself before you can actually be good … First you have to try to do good and it isn’t easy.  Really you need both though, being and doing.  How can you be good and not do it or do good and not be good. 

    A bad person who does good intentionally must be good..  Or not? 

    Yes because if he does good for bad reasons then how can that be good, but rather bad. 

    Really that is a lot of baloney and maybe … never mind. 

    I’ve got this thing about thinking but I don’t want to write about it.  Ignore my idiocy. 

MARCH 21 TUESDAY  (Patience is the companion of wisdom — St. Augustine) 

    Sunday is Easter.  I really don’t know which from my point of view is the greater holyday:  Easter or Christmas.  The Church (I think) takes Easter.  I guess they’re right, because that is the time when Christ gave His greatest, final proof, of being God, and he overcame death by rising back to life.

    Tomorrow we only have ½ day.  We have Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and next Mon. and Tues. off. 

    I had to do a book report on the last book I got out of the school library.  That book happened to be “The Restless Flame” by Louis de Wohl.  Isn’t it grand, boys! ?

MARCH 22 WEDNESDAY  (’Tis by our quarrels that we spoil our prayers — Mather) 

    Today we got out of school at 10:45.  We’ve had quite a bit of snow today and it seems quite possible that it will be on the ground on Easter Sunday. 

    I went up to the Hyde Park library to get some stuff about Beethoven.  I got 3 pages full. 

    I’ll have to recopy it, though. 

    I’m reading a good book right now, The Ark — by Margot Benary–Isbert. 

    The last one I read was very good, “Moon Eyes” by Josephine Poole. 

MARCH 23 THURSDAY  (Success is a result, not a goal — Flaubert) 

    Today is Holy Thursday. 

MARCH 24 FRIDAY  (To err is human, to forgive divine — Pope) 

    Today is Good Friday. 

    Somehow I cannot bring myself to deep sorrow, though I love God very much and I am honestly sorry for my horrible sins. 

    Perhaps sorrow for my sins is greater [KC later added “better” above “greater”] than sorrow over Jesus’ death.  [KC later added “Isn’t that what He said on Calvary!”]

    I find it hard to write about; that is to form the words, about the change in my life, since last year.  The biggest thing is, one minute, one way, the next minute, another. 

    I find it difficult to believe in or understand anything I don’t have direct proof of, something I can’t see, or at least reach by a definite conclusion of facts. 

    I believe in God, I always have, yet I could not feel or understand God’s love, or know what it is like to love God.  One is always [continued on the next page...]

MARCH 25 SATURDAY  (Delicacy is to love, what grace is to beauty) 

 … being told to love God, yet I had never been able just to turn it on, like that.  Yet now in my 13th year I love God very much. 

    I have sinned, very badly, and I’m not just saying that as some repentant sinner looking back on his sins and seeing how horrible they are.  I am speaking direct truth as is my wont. 

    Many doors have been opened to me.  Things I never could understand come to me quite naturally, now. 

    I dread my written words; they cannot give feeling, yet what I write is true. 

    Loving God is feeling from the heart; when two are close it fills the whole body . . . it is impossible to explain.  Only he who loves God can understand, [continued on the next page...]

MARCH 26 SUNDAY  (Ring, joyous bells of Easter, death hath not conquered Life — Sangster) 

 … yet he needs no explanation, having found the fullest of knowledge and understanding. 

[Sometime later, KC then added the following] Looking back — You know when I read what I have written above I feel funny inside, like I didn’t write it but somebody else did.  And yet I mean it, and mean it sincerely. 

    I think God has always been with me, only I didn’t know how to contact him and now I finally have.