Archivist’s Note

Hello,

Patience’s diary was transcribed in advance up to March 15th, 2022. The College Archivist has moved on to a new opportunity and there will be a delay in new diary transcriptions going up for the forseeable future as the process for hiring a new archivist is under way.

Please check back periodically on the status of the transcriptions.

Thank you.

*Wednesday, March 15, 1978

Jean up and off at six – I had a couple of cups of coffee + then went back to bed. Felt pretty awful – Jackie called at nine o’clock – We made lunch date for 12:30. The Chevy wouldn’t start so I had to take the Bronco. Filled it up. Bought manilla[sic] envelopes and paper and had copies made of Madame Zelda. Took it to the Corben Village P.O. and sent it off to McCall’s. [crossed out words] Jackie and I had lunch at a funny little Greek restaurant – very good + we sat outside. Parted company at 2. Went + picked up photos of the house – pretty poor – bought some vitamins – home around 3 – did laundry + paid bills. Don Allison (an extra), Blue Cross, Iverson. Jimmy called from Washington – had made reservations for me on Thurs the 23rd from N.Y. to Lebanon. Hack called to say he’d be in around 11 o’clock. I went to Hamburger Hamlet for supper and laid in stores for Hack. Called David Enelow and Dick Erdman to get their final opinions on scene possibilities. Hack here at 11 – He had a call from Lon Trepoli – an Evgray investor – am beginning to think his name being listed is a mistake. We drank + talked + I gave him another $500 – Dick White still hasn’t paid him. We went over my coupon book + then went to bed + made love. 

Tuesday, March 14, 1978

Woke fairly early – Caught up diary – called Peggy to tell her about Chuck Neighbors. Looked over manuscripts + decided to retype Madame Zelda’s title page + then I couldn’t stop. Re-did the whole thing with quite a few minor re writes. Especially in the first marriage flashback. Ended up cutting about 150 words and I do think it’s alot[sic] better although it took almost all day. I changed the 4th of July weekend to Labor Day to buy a little time and wrote cover letter to Helen DelMonte of McCall’s. Was called by some radio station to say I’d been selected to win $400 worth of services for only $19.95/100 I listened and to my surprise it is a good deal. The guy brought the coupon book over at 3 o’clock – auto lubes, wheel alignments, oil changes, etc. etc. movie tickets, lunches etc. It will be great for Hack. Jean Apple came over at 5 o’clock and we sat here + drank waiting for Hack’s call. Which didn’t come. Fortunately I had two TV dinners. Jean designed a needlepoint for me for Bob Iverson – “Being involved does not necessarily mean being involved in a mess.” – It’s gorgeous. Mary called + Jean spoke to her. Jackie called + said I could tell Jean about her situation. I started some laundry but didn’t finish it. Jean stayed over on the couch.

Monday, March 13, 1978

Hack left at 7:30 – Will try to come back here Weds. evening. How I hope he does. I called Mary Haas and she’s going to have a little gathering for me on St. Patrick’s eve. Asked who I’d like to see + we came up with Mary Parker + Cordelea + Ben and David Kitchen + Norman Poser + I just couldn’t think then – Druscilla + Dick will be away over the weekend – I called Mary Jean + will go to [crossed out letters] Irvington to see them on Saturday. Spoke with Jackie. Went out about 10 o’clock to bank first where I took $1,000 out of savings + put it in checking acct. then I went to the B’Way + bought some purses and to May Co. where I got a rain coat. Came home + changed wallets. Saw Lottie who said the rain coat was okay for length (it feels too long to me.) I’m going to go over to her place tomorrow with my boots on to get the proper impression. Chuck got out here about 5:30 – Suffering from “climate shock” – He brought everything back and gave me a list of where the stuff had been. We had a good time together and it was totally pleasant. Maurine called while he was here + they’re going to get together. She’s got a reading for me for the Old Glove at 10:30 AM on March 30th – I get back in to L.A. at 1:20 AM!! Don’t have any idea of what I’ll try. 2 min. comedy – 2 min. tragi-com, Christ! I’ve never done Shakespeare. After Chuck left I called David in Berkeley and Dick Erdman + then Dick Kneeland – I’m going to see him in Boston on the 29th – I’d He’s doing Equus now and is so pleased with it. I’m to call David + Dick E. back Weds. for their ideas. At the moment Kate’s final speech in Shrew seems to be a good one. I went to bed at 11 o’clock –

Sunday, March 12, 1978

Awful day in most ways – and I was cranky as hell – Had not really wanted to go to Canyon Lake in the first place but decided to go ahead after talking with Mike who gave Hack directions – I called Drue before I left and she said she’d make reservations for me at Ho Jo’s  We stopped at Winchell’s for a doughnut + took off a little after 10 o’clock  We got to Corona around [11:45] and Hack tried to establish contact with Mike. We hung around there for about half an hour or more. Lady on phone told Hack take #71 – Service station attendant told Hack #91 – Well we went next to Riverside + called again. Came back to Corona – Stopped at a realty place – nobody ever heard of Box Canyon. Hack called again + the lady said “Railroad Canyon” – Got all the way to Rancho something or other. We stopped + ate + left at 2:45 – I was really at that point to go home but we finally got to Canyon Lake + drove around looking at the sites. Very ultra active. Not my dish of tea at all but obviously a good investment and I’m ready to go. I was getting frantic about the time – We left Mike at 4:30 and had a hairy drive back with me complaining the whole time. Mike left his folder of business cards in the car. We stopped in Hollywood to call Maurine + say we’d be late – then home. I called Drue – reservations confirmed – message from Chuck – called him + he’s coming here tomorrow evening. Message from Mary [Haas] – no time to return it. Forgot to call Bill Tregoe – Wrote Maurine’s card – Hack called Henry about Mike’s cards  Then Jack in the car + the 7 ways to pick up Maurine. Went to the Fish Shanty + we had a really pleasant time complete with candle on pie  Dear blessed Maurine came home + I went straight to bed.

Saturday, March 11, 1978

“Bubbles” the wandering hippo was killed today hit by 3 tranquilizing darts, she fell in such a way she suffocated before she could be moved.

Called Mary – after several calls back + forth we decided to meet at the Farmer’s Market at noon. I called Katherine who sounded more chipper than last time. Evidently her worst fears have not been realized. Tried to call both M.J. + Drue – neither home. We went by the Safeway for money + dropped the white T-Bird off at the Union Station. Gathered at Safeway at noon. Mary gave me a roll of “tax deductible toilet tissue” – very funny. I treated lunch and parking at the May Co. garage for King Tut – We had to wait in line almost an hour but it went fast. When we first got inside I thought “Oh shit – I’m not going to get to see anything.” And was very cranky with the jam of people including many ladies with magnifying glasses but little by little I found myself getting sucked in and by the time I got to the ceremonial chair with an incredible, delicate carving of a God on the back panel I was very involved. The figures were so beautiful – the boy king harpooning, the boy king being transported through the underworld – And then the goddess [Selket] who was one of four to guard the tomb. It was really an overpowering experience  After we went to see a film on the treasure + then bought the catalogues. We drove Mary + Les back to Farmer’s Market and after waiting in McDonald’s over coffee Hack + I went to Mom’s for a couple of drinks with Bill Cummings – Brian, Gary, Mark + Lou all there. I miss that place – we got home about 8 after a sudden downpour – had steak + brocolli + potato – all very good – Watched some TV + late news –

Friday, March 10, 1978

Felt rather hung over today. Called Peggy – Long talk. She’s becoming settled  Got her phone working yesterday. Then I called Bill Tregoe to see if he could join Hack + me + Maurine for Maurine’s Birthday dinner. (He can’t) We talked for an hour. It ended up becoming very involved about income taxes. Next hour – long conversation (really) was Al Henderson who’d had sudden qualms about whether or not he really wanted to get involved in the stock market + with other people’s money. Left it that we’ll be in touch when I get back. I spoke to Dick Rund who had heard that Harold Sterns estate is still alive (?) I went out finally to the bank, to Safeway, and to Gemco where I got a mattress cover. I also picked up laundry and left photos at pharmacy near Ralph’s. I called Marcel + left a message. Changed sheets, washed kitchen + bathroom floor + vacuumed. Fixed Roastbeef sandwiches – Hack home about 9:30 – Still not been paid. Alot of things in the offing – Sigh. Ate and drank + went to bed about midnight or one o’clock.

Thursday, March 9, 1978

One of those on + off days emotionally – the [crossed out letters] “Rescue-rooter” guy came out around 9. He spent 25 minutes fooling with the john and it worked almost everytime. He said it did not need to be rooted out and would not charge me – I gave him $5 for his time + then fretted about Dad coming out + using the toilet when it didn’t work. I wrote Dick Kneeland and Liza Stuart and paid Doug Forde as well as asking him about autorization[sic] for mammography + describing the strange tingling in my right arm. I also enclosed my obituary. I paid Dr. Korchek, Am. Express, Avalon, D.W.P., Gas Co, B.O.M.C., Health Spa, mortgage, Readers Digest + the L.A. Times. Also filled out several warranties  I washed blankets and mattress cover and then burned the effing mattress cover in the dryer. It rained all morning but tapered off. I took Lottie to the Safeway + P.O. with me and we gave young Greg next door a ride to Gemco. When I got home there was message from Al Henderson – I called + he’s back in the stock market + wondered if I was interested in investing $500 to a thousand. I told him I’d think it over + call tomorrow. We talked almost an hour. I called Mary to say yes about the shoes for St. Erne’s + Hack called to get the figures on the Beta Max[sic] from Don Allison. Jackie came by to get me + we went to Two Guys From Italy. Hysterically funny dinner. We cut class as neither of us had done anything and although we’d planned to talk writing we didn’t. Came back and went through my old interviews but didn’t come to much conclusion  I drank too much

Wednesday, March 8, 1978

Up at 7:30 – mildly hung over + still half asleep. Called Chuck Neighbors + sure enough he’s coming out on Friday + will be here til the 21st – I asked him to bring Jackie’s and my manuscripts + told him I was going to New York on the 17th – crazy! Called Jackie immediately to take her off the hook   I called Roto Rooter who will come tomorrow. Called Jean R. Lottie came over + I gave her huge pile of books including the “Family Bible” I’d bought in Las Vegas. I found Vida [McGaughey’s] card – the handwriting analyst and called Maurine to tell Roger Price  Left message. Also left message for Chuck Naighbors because I realized later that in my initial rush of disappointment + still half awake I hadn’t been too coherent and if he needs a place to stay for part of his visit he can stay here. I went out to Saint Erne’s + took clothes from Mary + some art supplies + my trowel to transplant the marigolds – unfortunately Katherine had thrown them out Saturday. I talked w/ Philip Freed first – told him Katherine’s birthday was on March 23rd – also that she needed to see a Doctor etc. + gave him my address + number. I took Katherine to the Jolly Roger – she doesn’t seem well – very frail – no energy huge pouches under her eyes, waxy look, terrible cough (from smoking) and has lost 9 lbs. She’s sure she has cancer and is going to die imminently + I [crossed out letters] brought her the table of the [crossed out word] swallow (“if you are warm + happy in a pile of shit keep your mouth shut”) + she liked it so we got several copies for her to give out. We sat in the patio for a bit + then I had to go. Saw Philip + again who gave me a hysterical astrology parody. Home – did laundry – put out garbage. Maurine called + the call was broken into by Bell Buckley w/ an “emergency” – I never heard from her again + wonder if it’s her mother – Chuck Neighbors called – still has not been paid – the really bad part of this is that by the time he is paid it will all have to go out again. I’m not very enthusiastic about Dick White.

Tuesday, March 7, 1978

Up early. Called Katherine + made date for tomorrow. Called the Breast Cancer Detection Clinic + made date for April 4th. Met Jackie at Casa de Cadillac some time after 9:30 – traffic horrendous + we came in on Ventura Blvd to Don Allison’s – traffic pretty bad in Don Allison’s + we were there til almost 12:45. I bought some patio furniture – 4 chairs, a table, 2 chaises + an umbrella for $535 which I know is a good price and yet it was more than I had in mind – esp. since the $500 for Hack. We couldn’t reach Peggy because her phone isn’t working. Only outgoing calls – no incoming calls. We had lunch at Ships + then went out to the Palisades – Pacific Coast highway closed so got off at Lincoln and took Sunset – Jean Pearson was there. Peggy told us “the kitchen is more than I can handle” – everything wrong – no hot water, oven not working etc. We [set] in and after buying some stoppers for the sinks cleaned up the dirty dishes, put away all the surface stuff and managed to get it liveable. Peggy said at one point “oh how I’d like to run through your houses saying “this has got to go! “Throw this out”!” Willie Mercer came over – such a nice funny person. We put some stuff in the garage for storage and threw out the trash. We had to leave at 4 + felt badly because there’s so much to do and not enough time + Peggy looks exhausted. Dropped Jackie at Casa de Cadillac + crawled home on the F’way (car fire at Desoto). Home about 5:30 – wiped out. Read Hitchcock magazine. Jackie called + we decided to go out for dinner. Peggy’s words began to haunt me + I decided to start throwing out some things – made a pile for Lottie + a box for Ellen + dumped some stuff in the trash (only making a dent)  We went to Yellow Fingers for dinner + had [snails] home about 10 – Message from Chuck Neighbors in New York. Huge excitement. I called Jackie although I said it might just be that he’s coming out. Watched the tail end of Sybil.

Monday, March 6, 1978

Up at 6:15 – Hack off by 7 – He called at 8:20 to give me Dick Campbell’s name at Casa de Cadillac for Jackie. I called Jackie who sounded down – evidently more of a delay in store with the divorce proceedings + sharing a room is beginning to get to her. I called [Aeromar] travel and to go to Florida would be an extra hundred dollars so no way. Had a long letter from Susan Enelow who said she’d tried to call but hadn’t been able to get me. She + Robert have made a “contract” for while they’re sharing the same house. Tried to call her but no answer. Dressed (washed hair + made up w/ contacts) first and drove into H’Wood – Freeway traffic heavy. My tickets were all ready and the fare is $327.50 which is not bad. I saw Joyce + Ed and then went to buy a card for Roger Price who’s birthday it is (My gift a signed copy of “The Lion is Busy”). Went to Universal Studios and to the casting office to meet Maurine – glimpse of Bill [Buckley] and then to the commissary. Roger Price an intense, amusing, literate + opinionated person. Dodie McLaine joined us for lunch and I really enjoyed her company. She has a very appealing sense of humor and a rather shy little girl side. Don’t know if the lunch accomplished anything but I enjoyed myself. Came back + had a message from Family Planning. Called and they opened an office in Woodland Hills today + thought it might be more convenient for me. I went right over + the test which took about 5 minutes was negative. Talked with the counselor there and not much doubt about it – it’s the menopause. Felt very mildly depressed. My right arm has been [tingling] off + on since my physical 3 weeks ago – should see Doug before going back. Came home + called Liza + tried Susan – Robert answered + we chatted about weather. I watched part of a very interesting film on James Dean by Wm Bast + then Susan called + we talked for almost an hour. I felt very good about it. I watched the first installment of Sybil afterwards and then to bed.

Sunday, March 5, 1978

I got up about 8:30 – Still raining but the front porch okay. I called N.H. Hilary answered and I talked with her + Daddy + then with Jimmy. Everyone seemed pleased that I’m coming back + Jim is going to make reservations for me from New York to Lebanon on Friday before Thursday night before Easter. After I hung up Mike McCarty called + we decided to make a date for next Sunday. I called Newcomb to say I wouldn’t be coming through Tulsa this trip and we had a funny conversation (my [crossed out word] “safekeeping money” is now up to $2200 + he wants a full accounting.) Talked with Jackie after hearing some “eleven houses in the Tarzana area were lost during the night” (it (after) turned out to be two houses to tally demolished + the others just damaged by the mudslides. We made a brunch date for 12:30 at El Torrito. Then Hack + I had coffee + He showered + shaved during which another downpour occurred (It had cleared slightly) – We [crossed out word] pumped the porch + postponed brunch 15 minutes. Went to Safeway for money, wine, cigarettes + bingo tickets + then to El Torrito at Balboa. Amazing how many people there. Pleasant time. According to Jackie – a huge hole in Van Alden + the road closed for a block. On the way home we mailed letters to Mary [Parker], Mary Haas, Jimmy + Eddie Royce – then back to the house + to bed. Rain lifting but no sun. Maurine called with instructions for tomorrow’s meeting. Hack called Jerry + Edna. Both okay. We watched the news – had a barbecued steak + asparagas[sic]. And then after “How the West Was Won” we took “The National Love + Marriage Quiz on TV – We got 280 + 290 out of a possible 310. Both of us confused by the wording at times but it was fun in a simple way. Bed at 11:15 –

Saturday, March 4, 1978

Storm.

Good God – What a day. I woke about 7:30 – the rain was up to the front door sill – I got out and swept but there was no place more to sweep it – the ground is totally saturated. Mike called and things were as bad there as here. Hack finally managed to rig up something with the [crossed out letters] pump Greg gave us and we were able drain off the water into the back  horrific reports from everywhere – I called Doug Forde – his [bulwark held] last night but the house was leaking and he told me Pacific Coast highway was closed in both directions. Later during the day the stories coming out of malibu were ghastly. And by evening they’d called the National Guard in to help shore up houses + sandbag etc. – Tales of disaster everywhere including a mudslide in Woodland Hills that killed a woman trapped in a bedroom. When there was a slight break in the rain I washed the furniture blankets – they’ve stood me in good stead  We went to the hardware store + Safeway and an auto parts place. Fixed my cigarette lighter + Dome light and got a socket to fit the [crossed out letter] lugs on Hack’s mag wheels. I fixed pork chops for dinner and wrote Mary Parker and Mary Haas while Hack wrote a re-cap of the [Ed-Gray] situation for David [Loude] in Denver. We watched the evening news and while we were watching Bill Tregoe called + then Mary called them both back after – mudslide on the San Diego Fwy and the Queen of Angels parking lot fell on to the H’Wood Freeway. There was another torrential downpour about 8pm while we were looking at TV – Burbank Blvd is under 10 feet of water near the Sepulveda basin – It’s all unreal.

Friday, March 3, 1978

Rain began late afternoon.

Crazy day in the beginning – Got up about 7:30 – because of early appt. with George Spicer  Phone rang at 7:45 – piano tuner who wanted to come out. I said okay + that my neighbor would let him in . Called Lottie who had a Doctor’s appt but would be here til 10:00. Went to George’s met an actor named Paul [Sorenson], got good [cut]. Went to Safeway + to [Sully’s] for Roast beef. Got back to find the tuner here – nice man + I left him here quite comfortably. Got to Peggy’s at 10:40 – We talked for a bit. Jackie late + Barbara + Beverly also, I got started and did one or two boxes. Peggy’s ceiling in the old classroom had fallen in – I couldn’t help thinking it served the owner’s right. The mother + daughter team who were supposed to do the shelf lining paper + drawer lining came late too – after all of us had mustered + Peggy took them over to the new house. I labelled + loaded the car while B+B+J packed – We really did an enourmous amount in almost no time. Made sandwiches and then Peggy came back – the shelves had been measured wrong and nothing had been done. B+B+I went over while I stayed with Peggy who was eating. Jackie called to say they were all 3 worried about the house + the cracks in it + the wavy floor. I couldn’t say much but I knew Peggy knew. I went over with her about 2 – the shelf [labels] duds – B+B had to leave at 3 + Jackie + I stayed til 4:15. We got almost everything packed + put away as much as we could. Home about 5:30 – so tired. I called Peggy about 7:30 – She’d fallen down outside the [Milhouse] + was soaking in a bath. Hack here about 8:30 – We went to Canary Jones + had a good evening  I’d called Mike McCarty earlier to say, if the rain which started this afternoon kept up we’d call off tomorrow.

Thursday, March 2, 1978

Up around 8 – Tackled the phone bills – itemizing the long distance business calls, the taxes + 1/3 the message units – Lottie called mid-way to see if she could use the dryer and then at my invitation came in for a cup of coffee. We had an interesting coonversation – she’d been crying yesterday after a series of petty frustrations that culminated in her son-in law’s father screaming at her over the phone  We compared our Safeway Bingo tickets + then she went her way + I finished up the income tax stuff. I called Daisy in L.V. and Hack + I can stay there Sat. + Sun. night (Apr. 8th + 9th)  I called Alice and I called the Showboat to make reservations for the 10th, 11th + 12th. I called Marcel + we had a good chat + I said I’d be in next week to see her. I made an appt with George Spicer for 8:30 tomorrow morning for a haircut + then I went to the Safeway for groceries + cashed a check, the P.O. where I mailed my tax stuff + Hamburger Hamlet for lunch at 2 o’clock. Read McCall’s magazine + tried to see what the prevailing problems were – in terms of [crossed out word] class. – Communications – Values – frustrations – were the pervasive ones. Home at 3:30 – Went to Lottie’s for coffee – home at 4:30. Caught up diary – Les called – cleared up (that’s CLEARED NOT CLEANED) some of the paper crap, bathed + went to class. Feeling in a rebellious (? – against what?) mood. Jackie in reactive mood against yesterday’s ecstasy about Dave’s buying the boat etc. However class a gas. We got hysterical per usual – Jackie “Balls” Powers (J.B.) She’s got a really great villain. We went to the Glue Factory after + it’s now midnight + I’m to bed.