Memoir Monday, July 28, 1967

For most of the last part of July and well into August, I did not go back down to the Verde. In most ways that was good.  I wrote almost daily, although a lot of it was drivel and hardly entertaining!  Anyway I covered most of this week from July 24 through the 28th. I will condense some of the rambles but try to cover anything of interest or significance. 

Monday, July 24 

Good morning. So far it looks like a pretty day in Flag. I came up on the bus last night. I don't do such a prosaic thing as commute between country and town or home and school . I move from life to life, from world to world. The bus is my time machine that takes me on that strange journey. When I got in,  Colleen was out . I took my time about getting cleaned up and finally turned in about 12:00. I did wash my hair but brushed it dry instead of rolling it. 

It's dinner time now and it rained this afternoon. I hope to tell you, it really rained. And we had an electric outage too.  I got my free record--Catrina Valente-- and my black riders which really fit.  They are already hemmed up and are super  sharp. They are more practical than purple and go with a lot of things to make neat outfits.  I guess tomorrow I'll have to go to town, rain or shine. No new ironing jobs. I hope I get some more. However I guess I can do without any extra work tonight. 

A note: with the water shut off, bathing in Clarkdale was hardly possible. I could stand it for two days or nights and did but it felt good to wash the dirt and sweat off! I was so fiercely disgusted with the folks for just squatting there as they were. It made no sense to me at all and I knew it was not going to end well. I dimly recall Charlie Mike had an altercation with Dad and got punched in the face, allegedly for 'sassing'. I could feel his rage and hate but he did not do anything right then. Still I knew it was not going to get better. It was amazing he stayed with them as long as he actually did. 

July 25, Tuesday

I found a book in the library on colors and personalities relative to certain colors. I had too many favorites so my analysis was confusing. I loved turquoise but that tended to be a fave of  narcissistic and really not the nicest people. Oh my! My other faves lilac, lavender and other purple shades were better . Well I also liked some pink and bits of red, clear light yellow and for neutrals black and white, maybe beige and dark navy blue, but not gray. Silly really but I got wrapped up in that for awhile. I was analyzing everyone!

July 26, Wednesday

I had a busy day planned and got an early start, doing a number of small tasks before going to Math and between it and Econ. I was already planning ahead on sorting and consolidating my stuff. I had way too much and I was thinking about storing it for the three weeks between the end of summer sessions and the start of the fall term. I  had already chosen the Mayflower warehouse as the best possibility. It was not far off campus, up near the railroad depots. I was still undecided about what I'd do for those three weeks. That would not be fun in Clarkdale for sure. (Little did I know! But no spoilers yet.) I kind of wanted to go to California and Uncle Dan had mentioned it. 

In a peeve, I said something not very nice! "If anything gripes me it is these moony couples to whom parting for an hour or two for class is a major tragedy. They cling to each other, gazing with mournful eyes and wait until the very last minute to part."  I had not seen Jim since April and Dusty since May! How these kids exist, I can't see. Either they'll get to where they couldn't stand each other or the partial intimacy would be impossible to bear.

I went shopping and bought two pairs of sandals and looked at the new offerings of jackets since cold weather would come sooner than one might wish. I picked a favorite but held off on the purchase. I also got a pink sleeveless shell that would go with my in-progress suit (it was light canvas weight fabric, white with roses printed on it.) It would also work with the new black bell bottom riders.  

July 27, Thursday

I chided myself for the silly habit of writing a little in my now loose-leaf journal notebook and then more on a page in my math folder. It had become a temporary habit. I was still uncertain about going down for the three weeks but at that point had heard almost nothing from the folks and was clueless. It was stressing me out and I was worried about what was going on, hearing nothing. I sensed the ledge they lingered on was crumbling away minute by minute which was close to the truth. ,

July 28, Friday

Damn, it is cold as a tomb in this accursed library this morning. After a long hour I am practically frozen. I was hunting for Vance Packard's books but only found one. I had an idea for a paper about him.  There was an econ test at 11:00 which I hoped I could zip through and go. I have head nothing from the Valley so did not know whether to expect they'd be up for me or not.  There was something about going to look at a place in Garland Prairie which I opined would be knee deep in mud after several heavy rains. (Probably another last chance bit of ranch hunt, and pointless as always.) I considered trying to talk Colleen into going somewhere on the weekend if I was staying, sharing gas and driving with her. I'm not sure where, now.  She was on and off with her boyfriend. I just realized she was not a summer student but a full time regular one also taking classes to speed it along as I was.  I also learned that Campbell would be the Honor Dorm and considered that good news since I was basically planning to be housed there in the fall and I did much prefer the north/east side of campus as being closer to town and just more my style.  Maybe I'll hear from Jim today, but I don't expect it. He is probably still in Tucson. I should get busy and do my Santa Fe report for econ and start the one on Vance Packard, called "The Latter Day Socrates" which I thought quite clever. It will be some kind of extra credit effort, I expect. I had to get out of the cold so started off to check the mail and then to the 11:00 class.  It was easier first session when they were back to back instead of at 7:30 and 11:00! And I did not go down to the valley after all. 

Photos?  Geez. I took none at that time and what applies? I'll just throw something in for eye candy I guess.  Hmm, how about that one? Just out of my collection of hero inspiration pix much later than 1967! Even a more a mature guy--which I always liked anyway!  Then Zhan in an old picture, before he was a big star on Dark Winds; this one inspired my hero in Rez Dogs and Scooter Trash, one of my JBS novellas. 

  

Memoir Monday July 21, 1967

This week was a mixture of a little momentous and a lot routine. This whole summer was a bumpy roller coaster for the most part and ended up spelling an end to several things, mainly my ties to the Verde Valley and the Morgan family "situation" by the end of the year. 

There were journal entries for  July 17 and July 21 plus a supplement on July 19and 20. It is much more coherent to go thru them chronologically and end with Friday July 21 which is the day this memoir section  is supposed to be for. So without further ado, 

July 17, 1967, Monday

Here I am all registered for a second session with everything paid off and all that. It was a wild weekend. I had helped Lynn move out on Friday afternoon after my finals. Then she decided to go to California so I put her on the train and kept her car. Train was late. It was neat waiting at the depot but I wished it was me going. So, for the whole time I had the car. It took me a little while to to get the feel of the automatic but it drives like a dream. Saturday I went to Outfit Alley but nothing was there so I then drove up to the Snowbowl. It is so beautiful up there. Sunday I drove out to Lake Mary and also the corrals where Dusty and I had been. 

My new roomie arrived. She is Coleen Ruark, kind of kookie --from California--but not bad. She has boyfriend troubles. Who doesn't? In the evening I watched TV and saw two westerns and part of two other movies. That way I was able to sleep. Friday evening I had cleaned the room and changed sides. This morning I got through registration so easy and and fast it was fantastic. Then I went shopping and got my iron and ironing board and a couple of other goodies. After lunch I napped and after supper I went and bought gas for the sweet chariot. Of course a little Lark won't be so hot but I'd be tickled to have a car come fall.* Classes start tomorrow. What a bash, I can't believe 7:30! But I'll make it.  I am going to try to earn back the price of the iron and board and then I want to save for a trip...and maybe some other things like a sewing machine. Coleen's asleep. She got drunk last night after she had a fight with her guy so she's been sick all day. Well, see you around, probably.  I'm trying to shake the blues but not having too much luck. I wish Dusty would call but I have to be patient. I just miss and want him so much. (*Note--Uncle was thinking of lending me a car but that never worked out.) 

July 19, Wednesday 

Second day of second session already. Where have the good times gone? I got up late this morning and have been running like hell ever since.  I just snatched a mad quick bite of breakfast and took off for math. That class really surprises me. I think I am going to like it. We're beginning on logic which is just fascinating. Tomorrow we will have our first daily quiz . In Econ I do not find Burglund as interesting as Anderson was but I still think I can make a 1 unless his tests are awfully tricky Yesterday I got a trunk or footlocker. I am sure it will be useful. I've got to put up some little ads and see if I can at least earn back the price of my iron and board.. Once they have paid for themselves perhaps I'll try for a sewing machine since Mary said she'd have a typewriter. I just wish Dusty would call. Of course he wasn't sure that he'd make it or when if he did go to Winslow. I can't get impatient but I do... 

July 20, Thursday

Here I sit in the library rather befuddled after 90 minutes of attempting to understand logic. I believe I am beginning to get the feel of it but I dare not get left behind or I'd never catch up. Got an unexpected letter from Jim yesterday. He is in Tucson now as both his parents are going in for operations. That is pretty tough. Also a note from Mom. She said Charlie Mike is working and the Boss will be up for me tomorrow. Lynn got back this morning. I was surprised and relieved that she was okay. She said she had a wonderful time and departed with her car. Mom said Grace and Ruth's house burned. I as really shocked. Hate to be paranoid but with Uncle Dan's feud with Wendell Robie and Dad fighting half the world, anything is possible. In a way I'll be glad to go down home but I fully expect to be miserably hot and one never knows what will happen. I just wish they'd get enough cash to bug out of that stinking pest hole.  There is No Use at all in staying as far as I can see. 

July 21, Friday

Friday again already and I guess I am going home. I'm also in business ironing So far I have made $2.50. My equipment cost me $17.00 so I have paid off 1/7th of it.  So far so good. If I can clear some profit I'll take nothing for my time because I would just be messing around. That $2.50 will presently buy my bus ticket back since I do not want to break my $10.00. Wonder if Charlie Mike will get to come up today. I don't think he has to work on Friday but he may have chores to do at home. I am glad he has a job and am sure he is too. If only Mom could get back to work... (fat chance) I hope Dusty does not call while I am gone but doubt he'd go to Winslow on a weekend. I wonder if AT&SF will take him back?  Sure have not got much mail lately. Nobody loves me anymore (tee hee) except Jim--but he might. Really and not really!

Pictures: The Flagstaff depot as it was in 1967. I might have parked Lynn's Chevy in that row of cars. Then La Posada which was both a famous Fred Harvey era hotel and later the AT&SF Headquarters for the Winslow Division.  This was a later photo, about 2015. It was still used by the BNSF for offices and admin work at that point. I know it is a hotel again now also.

Memoir Monday, July 14, 1967

July 14, 1967

Another fast week but I actually covered it better than I realized. Besides the normal journal entry I found a few pages not in the notebook, which I wrote at another time and then just stuck into the bundle . I used a second steno pad like the one I got when I began to keep a journal again after the 1966 summer blow-up and in it recorded Jan 3-July 21.  While at home I sometimes wrote on loose paper and stashed it in my purse or a folder; I did this in spare minutes elsewhere also. I covered July 12 and 14 some that way. 

First July 14, since that is the official day. It was Friday.

Ain't I got fun? This has been quite a day. Took my two exams this morning. The stat one was really a booger but I think I did okay.on the Econ. I then helped Lynn move all afternoon and   was in the midst of cleaning and rearranging the room when she burst in. She had decided to go to California after all. So I had to practice driving the Impala some. It took awhile to get used tot the brake and the automatic but otherwise, no sweat. I saw her off on ATSF #1 (San Fran Chief) which was 1 1/2 hours late and watched the Super Chief and El Cap through. Then I drove out to the airport road and back just for fun. I can't believe how neat! It is mine until Tuesday morning. I guess Monday I'll get some money which will help as I have to gas it up again but she was willing to let me drive it. I just can't afford to get caught without a license is all. That would be bad news, It is after 12:00. Guess I'd better get some shuteye. Jim's letter came today and I also heard from Laura. I have swapped sides of the room just for a change. I hate monotony!

Now back to the perhaps most significant day of the week. 

July 11, 1967, Tuesday

Summer session(s) are nearly half gone already.  The first five weeks ends this Friday. Roxie, Larry and Steve were there over the weekend with June Annette. She is a sweet little girl. I gave her two rides on Buzzie. There were no major fireworks for the two days. Surprise? Thankful!! I drove to Camp Verde Saturday morning and then delivered a subpoena to John McMillan on Sunday. The folks brought me back to Flag Sunday evening. I'm hoping to stay up this next weekend. Lynn will be leaving and I will probably have a new roommate. Exams are Friday. I think I'll make a 1 in Econ and hope for a 2 in Stats if I am lucky.  I think I'll call Jim tonight. May also call the CofC and find when the Appy Show is, if possible. Then I'll call Dusty over the weekend. Make it person to person on Sunday and hope maybe I can catch him though it is very iffy. Doubtful on an old phone number.

It rained cats and dogs yesterday. I find that terribly depressing but one has to learn to endure all sorts of things. Roxie gave me $5.00 and I got $5.00 from Mama Witt so maybe I'll go shopping in the PM today. Generally that will raise my spirits out of the dumps for awhile.  Looks like since 1965 that summer is a lonely time. Last summer sure was. I hope Dusty is not sick but I wouldn't be  surprised if he is.  I cannot forget and mark him off although I almost try sometimes. At times I may go part way but it won't work, We have been too close. I swear it really almost seems like I have been married and now divorced. Roxie tells me to have fun and catch a good husband. That's what everyone says. They'd all be awfully mad of I did marry Dusty wouldn't they?  They might approve of Jim. As for Forester Ray, I am not sure. But that is not for real anyway. I'll just drift until some old lecher decides he likes my looks or something. God, what an attitude to have. But I really do not feel I am mistress of my fate. 

Later, after 10:00 p.m.  Guess who I just talked to on the phone about an hour ago!!. It sure does not pay to give up on that man, does it? He is working as a carpenter at a mine near Kingman and living out there in a camper. He said he might be over this way sometime this summer going to Winslow for another investigation and hearing. I guess they may take him back in awhile.  At least he is well, has a job and has not forgotten me. It is just not easy to get to town and a phone. But he called, he really did. Sure,  I am crazy to be elated but I am, anyway. Yes, I do love him. 

 On July 12 I wrote mostly about Dusty and the phone call. That was a very high point in the mostly rather meh summer. I did go shopping at Sprouse Reitz to get the rest of the fabric I had earlier found a remnant of as I had plans to make a multi-piece outfit with it. I was also considering buying an ironing board and possibly doing some for hire to pay for it. I also expected my next roommate to be showing up in any day. I also decided to go ahead and call Jim and chatted with him for awhile. He was staying at the high school, I think, maybe a kind of caretaker? Also getting up very early for some reason. I'm not sure what he was doing.

Explaining needed? Not much. June Annette was my Uncle Dan's eldest. She was about ten at that time.  I have no idea how John McMillan was involved in the ongoing Morgan madness; I do not want to know!  CofC was Chamber of Commerce and of course would have a schedule of special events around Flagstaff.  I have to laugh now at that 'catch a good husband' advice. That was still so prevalent! Actually the main reason for many girls to go to college?!  Nobody was very liberated yet. It grated on me a bit even then as that was not my main goal. An MRS was not a degree I sought. And so far few had impressed me as potentially worth the effort.The Laura I mentioned was an old pen pal I had almost quit writing.  Sadly at this point I did not know how long it would be before I was to speak to Dusty again. So many things did not go our way so we lost track of each other for months. Talk about star crossed lovers; some things seem to be ...fate? karma? just DTBL?  I still felt there would be other places and times and I do even to this day.  I know what I believe

Two photos,  one old, really both are. Dusty and me as I tried to remember us through some lonely times and Lynn's nice car. It was a Chevy Impala and probably no more than a year old. I was looking forward to getting my own--someday. That took three years more.

Memoir Monday, July 7, 19667

 As I said last week, this was a period that did not get much recording,. In fact, there is only one entry in the journal between  June 26 and July 11.  It is fairly long and covers quite a bit of territory so that will have to do,. My memory supplies almost nothing in addition, so what is there is what we share. .

July 6, 1967

Where did the good times go?  Last week was just okay, neither good nor bad. Friday I went home. It was a wild 'vacation'. I do believe the first week of July is dangerous for us. Last year I sported a black eye. This year we got into a tussle with Bazok on the 1st. He moved to Payson the next day.Then the Boss got arrested on the 3rd for 'assault with a deadly weapon' involving a halfwit named Grady Glover. Looking back it really seemed unreal.  Today was the preliminary hearing before JP Murray with Kemp Williamson attorney for the state. Being a key witness, I got the once over, almost like on Perry Mason but I must have done okay because His Honor (no sneer intended) presented an opinion of no probable cause. The Boss had to return to Prescott to officially sign out of jail and I left before he returned. The hearing lasted from 2:00 until 6:30. I just floated in a fog of exhaustion up the fifty mile route on the bus. My old "grandpa" Louie was the driver and he let me off at the south gate. Lynn was out so I showered and fell into bed.

It seems like Monday now,  but no, it's Thursday--all day today. Roxie and the boys are due over the weekend so I guess I shall go down and see them. I am so tired. Don't guess I slept a total of 24 hours in five nights. But now I've got a week's studying to do in a day and a half so I can't loaf much. If I am too exhausted I may take a nap after lunch but I have to spend  the evening at the library.  I hardly rode a bit, only bareback to the river but I got several sewing projects done. My turquoise shirt came out really nifty and the skirt/chaleco outfit is neat too. I have to go and get an absence excuse from the Dean's office directly and proceed to classes. I should have loads of mail anyway.

All that is confusing without any explaining,I expect. It even seems muddled to me! So let me fill in what I can. I mention the black eye which now  supplies a basic date for the final chapter of abuse that I spoke of last summer, the time where I 'sassed" and was hit in the face and knocked across the kitchen. So that was between July 1-3 in 1966. Hmm.  Who in the blazes Bazok was I have not a faint clue. Then name rings no bell and may have been a nickname or a intentional misspelling?  And I honestly do not really remember the other incident at all. I think I just erased that part of my mental tape. I suspect some confrontation, probably out at the pasture--no as we had no stock there anymore so where?  I am sure a threat or two was made but nobody got shot at or even close. Of that I am sure, and I think I did  testify absolute truth on that so the case was dismissed.  Roxie was my aunt, the sister just younger than Dad, and the boys were my cousins, Larry and Steve Tackett. As I said last week, the water was shut off and Charlie Mike and I took the horses to the river to drink. I slightly recall the clothes I mentioned making. They are long gone and I don'tthink I even have any scraps of that fabric. I got the missed assignments caught up and made any lost progress up in the two classes, so all ended well there.This would have been about the third week of the five week summer session.  I ended up getting A or 1 in both the Stats and Econ 1 classes. a nice surprise!

Photos??   The Old Jail in Cottonwood. I think the JP court was held there at this time. Next two views of the river bottom to show how it changed from about 1959 to 2021! When we watered the horses there in 1967 it was much closer to the 1959 view. The last is just a train near Kingman--not relevant and added in error. Does not want to delete!