Carolyn Gay Taft Farm Letter - March 30, 1926

Old Mission, Mich. Mar. 30th 1926

My Dear Miss. Taft: -

Letter was received and thanks for the same Also check.

We had a few thawing days & now it turned real cold again. Went down to zero Sat. night a little warmer tonight. There is lots and lots of snow here the cars run but it would frighten you to see the dreadful roads people tear their cars to pieces & risk their necks now days just to go, go and go.

The ice is good and solid out in the bay & promises to be for some time yet unless we have a dreadful storm of some kind. Here it is nearly April & still winter yet. There will have to be more feed bought for this kind of a Spring means no grass for nearly 2 months yet. I dread to mention hay Jos. thot' there would be enough but 3 cows & 2 horses eat quite a little. I know how bills creep up it is enough to drive one insane always something. I earned $5.00 sewing and there is 10 places for it. Sometimes I think the woman that takes life easy comes thru' just as well or better than the one that is always on the move every minute.

Hazel has had an ulcer on her left eye had to keep her home from school a whole week.

You said something about your clothes. I am going to wear the same old ones I have. And try not to have any-thing new at all. Maybe a penny Store hat and that will be all.

Rosie and her whole family has T.B. They may have to send them all to a sanatorium she isn't able to do the work for her whole family let alone earning her living. That is what ailed them for this long time but the poor sleepy Traverse City Doctor's couldn't see it. The children can't go to school am so glad in a way that they went down there for here they would have exposed all of us.

I hope we can at least have a good Summer this year so there will be feed for the stock & not have to buy so much. Have you any idea when Mr. Moe is to come down here. Jos. can't get enough water now for the stock. It may be there is a small stone or something under the check valve that keeps the water from coming up.

Hope your dear mother is better by now. Maybe as the weather gets warmer her health will improve Perhaps she is like Joseph's father. Since mother has gone he isn't contented any where has been away all winter. It is dreadful to be parted in the last few remaining years after your family is grown up and then all alone. We must all come to that time some day if we live to be old.

Joseph may get his block knocked off for he took a key and got the phone from the other place. The wasn't in any hurry to let us have it so if you haven't any man to work the farm you will know what happened.

There is seed oats here those that Jos. got of Kauer's were lovely so is saving them to plant. It will take about 1 1/4 bu. to the acre. Hope the snow goes soon so he can start Spring work.

Most go to bed as it is late. Try not to worry.

With love Essie