Letter introducing 1931 diary. Berta Day. 1981.
Letter introducing 1931 diary. Berta Day. July 17, 1981.
Letter introducing 1931 diary. Berta Day. 1981.
Transcription.
Corte Madera
July 17, 1981Dear Zohmah,
I had not intended to copy my diary in toto, but got so interested in it I went on. It brought back many memories that have been buried for years. It was a wonderful summer, but I can't believe I was ever that young. I only hope that it helps you at all in whatever it is you are doing.
I hope you will forgive the typing, but is in immeasurably better than my handwriting. Fortunately, I have never had to earn my living typing.
I am so enjoying my little grand-daughters. They are a joy. Sue's sister and nephew are with them at this time—the ones who live in Honolulu.
I would like to hear from you—what your children are all doing, and what you are doing, and hope that you are able to come to this part of California before too long.
Love,
Berta
1931 diary. Berta Day. June 18–August 16, 1931. Mexico. Transcribed by Berta Day in 1981. Nine pages.
Page 1. June 18–24, 1931. Text begins:
Mexico. 1931
June 18. Arrived after five nights in the train, tired, but thrilled. Aohmah [sic: Zohmah] met me, the dear, and I was so glad to see her. We took a rickety taxi to Coyoacan, met Ione, and slept three in a bed, and got the first installment of fleas, was thrilled to death with Mexico and love it very much.
Page 2. June 24–29, 1931. Text begins:
evening, Oregon, Crespo, ad Enrique, and discussed Communism with Mr. Crespo. Very interesting.
Page 3. June 30–July 7, 1931. Text begins:
June 30
To town with Ione. Doctor sent her to the hospital. Lunched at Sanborn's with Carleton. In the evening, Carleton, Dan Orospie, Enrique, and later Charlot. All to protect us. ery interesting even;ing. Talked.
Page 4. July 8–17, 1931. Text begins:
July 8
Zohmah into the hospital. Spent a few hours qith Carleton, Zohmah came home, and I went to di,ner with /Carlton, to a darling German restaurant,
Page 5. July 18–25, 1931. Text begins:
July 18
Charlot came over with an invitation from the Sequieros [sic: Siqueiros] to an exhibit. Then to call of Bill Sprattling, who has a very interesting house, but I don*t care for him. He writes about Mexico. Wa;ket to a church. Ckarlot [sic: Charlot] sketched me, back to lunch. Went to the children's exhibition, then to Mr. Spenz' home. He is a very influential political leader, to see his painting collection, then to the cathedral. It broke Zohmah's heart to see what a good Catholic Charlot is. Back to Sequiros [sic: Siqueiros] for dinner. Drank Haberera. Home.
Page 6. July 25–August 3, 1931. Text begins:
shopping. Met Charlot. Shopped for boxes. Came home, had dinner, and then I got drunk on Scotch and talked fo three hours without intermission while Zohmah and and Charlot laughed at me.
Page 7. August 3–8, 1931. Text begins:
Eli fort, fht king pin of art critics, a Frenchman. Zohmah was a pal, and valled Dan to tell him I had broken my let, and couldn't see him that night, and I played chess with Emily and Pablo. Charlot brought us home.
Page 8. August 9–14, 1931. Text begins:
Aug. 9
Slept late, Jean for breakfast. While he went to mass, we took a sun bath, then before lunch to San Angel to the petrogal to see the cprpses of people who were caught in the lava flow about four thousand years ago. Home for lunch, then to the movies. In the evening to on Carleton. Had tequila in ginger and real ice.
Page 9. August 15–16, 1931. Text begins:
Aug. 15
Downtown to cash money, were too late, as the money changers were closed, but fortunately ran into Father William and a newspaper mwn who took us to lunch at Lady Baltimore. Zohmh [sic: Zohmah] to Charlot's, and I home to see about diner, which the dog ate while I was waiting for them. Art and Rudy called and took us all over to their home for supper, played billiards and danced.
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