Carolyn Gay Taft Farm Letter - April 6, 1930

Old Mission, Mich Apr. 6th 1930 My dear Miss Taft: The last time I wrote to you it was snowing and today the sky looks so over cast and heavy that it may start all over again. We have had two days of real spring weather and the out doors is full of song from little birds. The swamp choir has started also so suppose we will have all kinds of concerts for a while. There is very little snow left in the fields but considerable in the woods and lots of ice in the bays so far. I hope it turns a little cooler soon as we have lots of time for warm weather later in the season. The buds on fruit trees have had little chance so far to grow but a few warm days makes a quick change in all growing things.

You mentioned the little garden plot back of our house all I have planted there is two rows of fox gloves Mrs. Mills gave me last fall. I doubt if any thing would grow well there on account of shade but you are welcome to try it if you wish to. We would like to raise a few potatoes here as its too hard to care for such big gardens up there. Will there be room in the cherry orchard? If not perhaps we can manage some way. While I think of it Mrs. Mills wanted Jos & I to ask you about buying some old straps & harness & of no account but she wanted $5.00 for them it wouldn't be a wise buy so never mentioned it in fact I forgot about it until now. We find it dosen't pay to buy trash it dosen't last & money wasted.

I found on cleaning up the other day that those pieces of sheets or strips I gave 1 or 2 the carpenters some way or other tramped them full of dirt. Joseph layed them on a chair but men never see womens belongings all else is all O.K. its what you had up to the kitchen windows. I thought I had better mention it so you wouldn't think I would destroy any thing you have. One thing mice aren't chewing things up like they did before.

The horses should have shoes on this Spring as Jos. didn't have it did last Fall thought by being [saving????] they would need it most now. Their hoofs need to be taken care of and Jos. has neither tools or things to work with. He couldn't do any thing with Bird she is so wild.

Mrs. Franklin gave me a bird & Hazel is nearly wild with joy she hardly knows where to put her cat now as birds and cats don't & can't get on together. He must stay out side. We bought 3 gold fish last of all & Roger watches them by the hour.

I can't write any longer as I must start dinner. Please come & share it with us. Have a nice chocolate pie. Roger is bringing company home to dinner. He & Hazel are at church just now.

Received the garden seeds and thanks many times will see that Miss Taft enjoys them if the cut worms don't first.

Lovingly, Essie

P.S. Monday Morning. Having a blizzard today and quite cold. Suppose they may have to dig us out of snow banks again.