June 21st
Started early in the morning to put letter to Nena in shape. Had made so many corrections and insertions of thoughts that came to me in the middle of the night that had to write all over again. In a way it is good as in this manner I retain a copy of the letter for file in case the original does not any reason go through or we are repatriated to the Philippines before the censored mail gets there. Did not go out for morning exercise for this purpose but kept on finishing and polishing the letter——must be careful not to appear to take things too lightly nor yet to give impression of too much sophistication. Moreover must consider mother’s feelings in the matter as she and other children will undoubtedly read the letter too. Finished the letter, 8 pages just in time for deadline before exercise at 3 in the afternoon. Do not intend to let anybody here read or know about it, except perhaps Ossie for possible critical review.
At afternoon exercise Ossie and I went for some violent sitting up calisthenics, and afterwards I tried old time tricks on a tree on the yard, pulling up pushing body down, flagging –almost sprained my clavicle muscles— pain all day and slight all night. Osias started to sing “The Old Gray Mare she ain’t what she used to be, many many years ago.” However perhaps with continued practice the muscle will limber up again. At any rate the bending exercise with feet up I do in bed arising I can do much easier now with a more acute and than when I started some time ago. Must not permit the pound to cross the Rubicon.
Sent Nena a clipping for Pepito Abad Santos about Kawakami’s suicide. Suppose however they know about that too in Manila. One of the press services may have sent it over.
No grass pulling again. Probably no more hereafter as yesterday we saw Japs pulling the grass in the areas we were cleaning last week. Serves us right for not doing the job properly——most of the Nazi’s just go out to sit and talk among themselves or to the Nazi girl prisoner or even to Rose.
Went to bed early because of fatigue from whole day writing and violent exercise in pm. Was asleep already at 7. Woke up during middle of the night—the wind had changed direction and was blowing into my room with spattering rain. Had to get up to close the windows so that rain would not get in to wet my desk and trunk. Also mosquito bothered still in spite of another spraying in the morning. Had to splash around with small towel now and then during the night.