Carolyn Gay Taft Farm Letter - December 1, 1924

Old Mission, Mich Dec. 1st 1924

My Dear Miss Taft: -

Received your letter and thanks for Joseph's check. It was very kind & thoughtful of you to send it early.

It began to storm Friday morning a little & Sat. morning when we got up there was 15 in. of snow & last night 4 inches more fell it is still storming some & blowing a gale pileing the snow up in large drifts. This is the most I ever saw this time of the year. I surely hope it does not stay as there was plenty of work left to do before winter set in for good.

Joseph finished taking the corn inside Tuesday & has it all husked there was not much to husk but had to go all over it. There was 45 bu. good corn & 60 bu. of small ears that are not filled well. That new land corn was mostly soft so Joseph had to use it up right away. I feel sorry to tell you how slim the corn run. But Ledger & Will Marshall & all of the neighbor's had the same horrid luck. Am glad there is that much of it.

Your Alfalfa field looked fair the last time I saw it. And if this snow stays the way it is now & does not blow off I think it will survive through the winter. This snow came on in the mud after a rain so the ground is not frozen at all.

There was some fall plowing Joseph intended to do but can't now. Also wanted to get our wood under cover & small stuff picked up in the woods. It is a waste of fuel to try & burn if all snow & ice. And there is none to waste or throw away. Wood will soon be a thing of the past on this penn.

There is enough material in that black cloth you gave me for Hazel & dress & bloomers. Am going to make her a sweater out of an old scarf of mine it is one of those fuzzy kinds & I never liked it. But will make her a good warm sweater & save buying one. Roger & Joseph both need new foot wear so Hazel & I will manage with less. And still be comfortable.

I like the way you help Mrs. Stutsman. It is so much better to do things to help people while alive than to heap costly flowers on them after they are gone & can't enjoy them. It is lovely the way some sisters cling to one another. Am sure Rebecca will enjoy her pretty new dress and it will be as pretty as though it was made of the present day materials. It is hard to find pure woolen cloth now. Unless you pay an enormous price for it. And that does not pay for growing children as nothing fits them very long. Can hardly keep Hazel's knees covered up any more. You will be surprised to see how Roger has grown since you left.

It is a pity poor Mrs. Stutsman has to suffer first one thing & then another. Altho she is always patient about everything. How I wish I could run in & do some of her work. It is too much for Alberta along with her school work. And at her age she should be careful. She is a very healthy fine girl. We all love her.

I intended to take that basket of potatoes in with me when I went to T.C. but can't now & don't know how I will ever get there.

Have not did any thing for Xmas yet & can't do much for any one it takes most all we can get to keep warm clothes on & not freeze to death. I enjoy my sheep skin coat.

The little calf is growing fast & is a fine looking young lady.

Well can't think of any thing more. Will we sell any of that corn or keep it all? Will not let any go until we hear from you.

With love Essie K.

P.S. Had to finish up on different paper.