I scribble away as perhaps you care to hear even minor affairs—sent off Mrs: O'C[onnor]'s letter to me describing the situation wh' you must have rec'd—My poor dear friend Wm O'C—my brother in affliction—I have been out & had a thorough bath in the tub, (with Ed's assistance,) & complete clothe change, specially under—
Saturday 22d—9 a m—Feeling pretty well—& shall tackle my breakfast presently, had a fair night—sent big books off, (by express) to Boston yesterday afternoon to Kennedy, Baxter, Mrs. Fairchild, Harland & Frank Sanborn, (for Christmas presents)—yours of 20th rec'd this morning—
Noon—cold & bright—bowel movement, decided—(first in four days)—my brother George comes every day—bro't from Lou a good quilted lap robe to go over my knees & feet as I sit, very useful & acceptable—
Evn'g—Well I believe this has been, upon the whole, the nearest approximation for a tolerable day for six months and more—I am fearfully weak yet but the feeling & the comparative ease are like something toward sanity—I may fall back—but O that I can keep up the standard of to-day, moderate as it is—had my mutton-broth & couple of good raw oysters for my supper, 4¾ (no dinner)—as it is I am sitting by the wood fire—comfortable—Ed is snoozing on the couch—every thing is quiet—Christmas is near at hand & seems to be made extra much of here—Hope it will be a merry one with you all—
Walt Whitman