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My Dear Miss. Taft:-

The snow has mostly gone now & the cars have been going to T.C. for over a week. But the weather is quite cold & sharp a lot of the time. The bay has frozen over several times but always breaks up in a day or two. The alfalfa looks very poor as the snow in the fields has been gone for over a week now. It turned nice & warm & then rained. [But] has been cold for a number of days since,

I intended to write before but was out of stamp['s] and the roads are very poor for horses to travel over. Jos. got me some today so will make use of one right away.

I think most every thing you attempt to do is a success. So what people say is very true. I am always glad to have you mention your school work to me. It reminds me of what I might have done. Maybe if I try my children can do the things I dreamed of instead of me. Every thing seems to be laid out for each one of us and we can't seem to change it any.

The little Heifer is growing nicely. There is plenty of hay & more fodder than your animals will consume. Would you consider Jos. selling what is not needed. As it will only lay ar[r]ound until anothe[r] winter & have to be stored. If You are willing. I think Jos. could find sale for it now. But if we wait too long it would not sell as easy as now. Please mention in your next letter[.] people that has a lot of hogs can't get corn to fatten them[.] You oughto see some of the horrid lean pork in the meat markets. It is like trying to cut rubber.

Mr. Hunter was here Sat. & looked the barn over from top to bottom. He has every thing to do with & will get help to do things right up & no fooling around. The barn roof is spreading apart the two drive way posts on the east end of the barn are split & letting the roof down. Mr. Hunter said he would have to sho[re] the roof up & brace it before raising the barn. He also said that it would not be safe to raise it first as it would break the roof. He thot' the barn had been nicely done in its day. But needed repairing now after yrs. of use. In a way I hope he gets the job because he knows his business & will not botch it all up. And his men carry their own meals so unless it is the gravel & stone haulers I won't have any extra to feed. That means considerable. Of course I am willing to feed any help you have here if it is necessary.

Jos. wants to know what to do with Mrs. Stutsma's trees. If they are to be kept here or set out over there.

Well I am very tired & sleepy as I have cleaned ironed & mended all day long. hope I have answered all questions. With love Essie K.