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today. Boys were skating on the Roatina. I did not enjoy this writing day as I always used to for I was too troubled to feel its quiet as such days always addressed themselves to me. We sat down to dinner at 2 oclock, my father, Sara, Mary, Downing and I. Last year we had Gussie with us and the year before my mother and Maurice. O the sad changes! and how these festal days emphasise them in our hearts

Friday Nov. 28, 1884. Awoke with a head ache which has clung to me all day, still I have been busy doing many things about the house. Put in three panes of glass in the outside windows and put the sash in place. Put weather strip on the front door, made a new box for the outside drain and arranged a door to keep the cats out of the upper part of the carriage house. My father, Mary and Sara took a ride this forenoon as the weather was very mild. It began to rain this afternoon and now is coming down steadily. Mrs. Col. Cogswell sent us cards for Susie's wedding Dec 3" and I wrote her this evening. 

Saturday 29" Have felt much better today bodily but mentally not greatly improved, a sense of dread and alarm uppermost and all on account of material things. I marvel at their power for unhappiness. This evening I read Saint Beuves admirable essay on Cowper, a sweet fine life clouded with sorrow and ending in despair.- This morning I went down to Rondout and arranged with Henry Abbey to renew a note of $230 with an added bill of some $30 more. It humiliated and galled me but I put the dreaded thing three months in the future when I dare say it will find me even less able to meet it than now. I live from day to day in a thick cloud and am more than unhappy, almost in despair. Have been getting my things together and packing my trunk to go back to N.Y. Monday. I wish my lot were contentedly cast here for I dread the great remorseless, lonely city.

Sunday 30". I commenced an inventory of our effects in the house today  Girard recommended me to do so so as to know what we have in case of fire. I catalogued the parlor, South Hall, sitting room, long hall, my mothers room and the dining room. It is no small task, and I have not got half through. After dinner Sara and I went down the hill and called on Sam Coykendall and his wife. Sam and the Mayor have had an open rupture in the newspaper but nothing was said about it today. We also called on poor old Aunt Ann who seemed very feeble to me. John & Nannie were here when we came home. I have felt more serene and quiet today a feeling which I hope will last. Sara and I are going to N.Y. tomorrow and Mary is to stay here with my father. I hope to get settled in my room this week.

Monday Dec. 1. 1884
Sara and I came down by the Hudson River road, leaving Mary to take care of Father. I went directly to my studio. The carpenters had finished and I got Annie to mop out the room and get rid of some of the dust. I took down my bed and moved it up into my new bedroom which is about as commodious as a steamers state room. Also carried up my bureau and wash stand. Am distracted to know what to do with all my things, but time will settle that. In the evening Calvert, Sara and I went up to Columbia college to hear a lecture on the Iroquois language by Mrs Erminie Smith. Genl. Ely Parker an Iroquois also spoke very interestingly. I spoke with Mrs. Smith a moment after the lecture.

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