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we get back. I think the effort was too much for me. I received an interesting letter from Mary Gifford and one from Janette anxious to hear about me. She has Sara's letter by this time.
 
Wednesday June 22, 1887. Jamie was to have gone to N.Y. by the Powell this morning to consult Dr. Taylor. He is very timid and I could see last night he would like to get out of it. I called him this morning but found him awake. He said it looked like rain, as it did, but I told him not to mind that. He did not go however and says now he will go tomorrow. I did not sleep after half past two. I feel very weak today. It is damp and misty. We have had several violent thunder showers through the day and it is closing in a steady rain. I have felt miserably all day, weak and "swimmy".

Thursday 23 It rained hard most of the night and poured this morning and has been dark and gloomy all day. I do not feel that I am improving. Reading in a life of Sir Joshua Reynolds in the "British painters" which dear Gertrude gave me for our wedding anniversary in 1874 I see that he had a stroke of paralysis when he was my age 58, from which he recovered and lived 11 years. He too was in perfect health when it occurred. I am very weak on my left side and certainly am not improving in that respect. I think the weather is very unfavorable and hope I will be better when the weather clears. A letter came from Eastman last night regarding the Santa Barbara property. I communicated its contents to Mrs. Capt. Anderson Wrote to Mary Gifford. Jamie did not go to N.Y. this morning as it rained hard. The time drags heavily to me. I am disappointed that I do not hear from Booth, but I presume he is occupied in his disposing of his house. Mrs. Folant came to see me about her house. She has let the contract and is going on to build at once.

Friday 24 The sun at last came out this morning and it has been a breezy, beautiful day. A part of the day I fancied I felt a little better but on the whole I do not think I am improved. A letter came from Miss Nesmith who had heard through Lucy that I was ill. Our cherries are rotting on the trees because there is no one to pick them. Girard finally found a man by the name of Sapp who would give 4 cts a quart on the tree. Today he sent a number of children to pick them and they have been a nuisance. I wish we had no fruit and will be glad to see the last of the cherries. Our fruit is only a nuisance to us. This evening there were fine effects opposite the sun with great cumulus clouds which I could have painted, they staid so long; but I am not able to paint and the conviction came to me most sadly. Sometimes I doubt if I will ever be well again and the thought is a most unhappy one. I can see no reason why a man of my good constitution and regular and temperate habits should be paralyzed. I have thought a great deal today of what has gone, the friends, the members of our own household, my dear Gertrude and life seems to me very uncertain and very sad. I had a letter from Alice. George had gone to see his father whose mind they fear is unsettled and all her company had gone and she was feeling lonely. Also a letter from Cousin Charlie McEntee.
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Saturday 25th Jamie at last got off to N.Y. to see Dr. Taylor by the 7.50 train Hudson River. It is a fine cool day. I think I feel a little better but not much. The weather is really cool in the shade. Jamie returned by the Powell. He saw Dr. Taylor who prescribed certain exercises for him. Was not sure he had Hernia but it might be or develop into that. A letter from Mary. She is coming up next Friday. 

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