Excerpts From a Physics Student's Extensive 1950 Diary (Part 50!!!)

Hey all!

Welcome to Part 50(!!) in the series detailing William's life in 1950. Truly a milestone that I'm proud to finally reach.

Today, we have an action packed sequence of entries from learning of the dating life of Bob Pickett, hearing news about the Korean War, seeing a fiery encounter that William has with Jan, and a surprise L. Ron Hubbard cameo of all things. This entry has it all and I'm sure you'll find it interesting.

Again, a picture of William is included at the end of the slideshow, a transcript is in the comments, and, for any new readers, anything in italics is me adding onto or commenting on William's writing

Thanks for all the support on this project!

by EnclaveAxolotl

EnclaveAxolotl on March 11, 2026 6:35 pm

**Transcript:**

**Sunday, July 16th (Clear)**

Up at 6:30. I packed, of course, in about 5 minutes. Helped carry things out to cars. There was more room than when we came over because D.D. *[Dearest Dad]* and Marny *[his sister]* weren’t included. Ma and I left at about 10:10 AM. Stopped at Danny’s for 10 minutes to return several things, see Dick’s adopted dog “Pup”, etc. :-). Right off on schedule *[lol!]*.

Home without mishap, cruising 50-55mph on highways. Jeanne beat us by 10 minutes, even though they didn’t leave the beach until 10:30, forgetting bathing suits, gassing up, etc.

[H.H.](https://imgur.com/a/EMTUPGI) *[Howard Higgins]* called up. [B.P.](https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/1080050/robert-leo-pickett?_gl=1*1pdhdgz*_gcl_au*OTg5NTA2ODcxLjE3NTY3MzkyNzg) *[Bob Pickett]* too. I waited a while for them, then rode uptown (in a car yet!) after a steak sandwich here *[Yum!]*. Watched some tennis doubles for 15 minutes. The [Macs](https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/116136106/raymond-w-mckibben), [Seymour](https://imgur.com/a/skY3Ise), [Coleman](https://imgur.com/a/dqJft0O), [Swan](https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18843021/thomas_burnett-swann), and another. Home. Waited longer. H.H. called, said he was tired of waiting and that he was coming over. B.P. here in meantime. Joy. *[lol!]*.

We went in B.P.’s car to watch tiny pram fleet for a while. Not very spectacular even with field glasses :-). Home. Played canasta. **H.H., playing debonairly, won with B.P. second.** H.H. and I are now tied for 1st with 7 points each and B.P. is 3rd with 4. They left. Nibbled some. Sat out in yard.

Oh yes. **B.P. said yesterday he had a date Friday night with** [**Laurel Norden**](https://imgur.com/a/B5VkvNJ)**. He describes it as “luscious”, though he admits he didn’t try to court, but he did kiss her goodnight (I even wonder about that!). B.P. likes to boost his ego :-). Don’t we all, though.** *[Love these little peeks into people’s lives!]*

H.H. by. We rode around. Ended up in movies. Think I heard [Jan](https://imgur.com/a/20Bh02G) laughing again. Saw a beautiful dream in a blue, off-the-shoulder job. Wonder if it was she? Saw Julie too, I think.

By Swift’s house. His routine nights includes Field’s house and Sundown. He leans toward Julie he says. I think H.H. and B.P.’s attitude toward him unreasonable *[Interesting!]*. **It’s a fine world, isn’t it?** Let him do as he damn pleases. :-). To Sundown. Home. Bed at 11 PM.

Excerpts From a Physics Student’s Extensive 1950 Diary (Part 50!!!)

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