#deborah coltonoff

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Part 179: Sunday, 19th December 1965, 9.50p.m.

… perhaps my letters had some effect. [Sam & Lily] have been round together twice since my last entry, and once together to Mum’s. So all is well, that is to say one is on one’s guard for the next blow to fall. E. has just returned from the laundrette, she finds this better than using the washing machine. It’s good in so far as had she been using the washing machine the vrombissement would have…

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Part 170: Monday, 23rd August 1965, 10.10 p.m.

Susannah has chicken pox. No pain, temperature, but Dr Covington, who came in on Sunday, said to try to stop her picking the spots on her face, or they would leave scars. Rushed to Golders Green to get prescription, after schlepping poor Max – not so much poor Philip, he seems to be able to take it – down to Tally Ho! and back to see if any local chemists open, which they weren’t. Then rushed…

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Part 167: Wednesday, 11th August 1965, 10.30 p.m.

Part 167: Wednesday, 11th August 1965, 10.30 p.m.

A break-through. Philip rode his bike without stabilisers. I had been apprehensive, visualising repeated falls, encouragement and perhaps tearful requests to have the stabilisers put back. But even up Mayfield Avenue, on the way to the park, I let go of the bike and Philip found himself riding on his own. Once we got to the ground – the “waste”, [Swan Lane Open Space -only called “the pits” as I…

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Part 168: Monday, 16th August 1965, 9.30 p.m.

Part 168: Monday, 16th August 1965, 9.30 p.m.

Mr Winegarten died to-day. A merciful release, I suppose. This was his second or third stroke, and he had been non compos for some time. Mike Horn also died, the other day. Sam found out purely by chance. There is to be an inquest. Golda says she blames herself; they had been living apart. Still, I feel certain that Golda would not have left him had he been livable with. He was on National…

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Part 166: Monday, 9th August 1965, 10.00 p.m.

Part 166: Monday, 9th August 1965, 10.00 p.m.

I am a swine. Talking about asking Edith in cutting tones. She went into hospital this morning. One doesn’t want to dramatise, she is having a routine varicose-vein operation, though the ulcer is a little disturbing. Aunt Debby is staying, and all three terrors are out of sight and sound at a creche for three hours in the morning. Perhaps longer for the rest of the time – Mrs White-Howells gave…

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Part 167: Wednesday, 11th August 1965, 10.30 p.m.

Part 167: Wednesday, 11th August 1965, 10.30 p.m.

A break-through. Philip rode his bike yesterday, minus stabilisers. I had been apprehensive, visualising repeated falls, encouragement and perhaps tearful requests to have the stabilisers put back. But even up Mayfield Avenue, on the way to the park, I let go of the bike and Philip found himself riding on his own. Once we got to the ground – the “waste” [usually known locally as “The Pits”, as…

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Part 82: Friday 1st September 1961, 2 pm

Part 82: Friday 1st September 1961, 2 pm

In the event [right charge for a translation job, see Part 81] I charged for 4000 Hebrew words at the Institute of Linguists top rate: £10-17-6 per 1000 words. No cheque has come as yet, but presumably this is just a question of office routine. Still, I shall be happier when the cheque does arrive, money seems to be poured into a bottomless barrel here.

Made a successful get-away yesterday, to…

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Part 67: Wednesday 2nd November 1960, 2.10pm

Part 67: Wednesday 2nd November 1960, 2.10pm

A week’s mid-term holiday. Apparently, we can get a week for each of the three mid-terms, in addition to six weeks in summer. I had thought one would get only two mid-term days in the secondary school. Presumably there will be very few, if any, “occasional closures.” Anyway, it’s just as well. Even the five days hardly gives one a chance to breathe and look around – another tiff with E.…

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