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Old [?] Mich. Jan. 18th 19-26

My Dear Miss. Taft:-

I have wanted to write for several days but have had considerable company so couldn't find the spare time.

At the present time are having fine weather the snow is nearly all gone people are still driving their cars. The roads were plowed out again today so cars could keep going. I see where there will be a lot of poor farmers in the Spring unless some-thing happens.

Fay Dohm & family has gone to Detroit to spend the winter he is working there so many of our neighbors are gone this winter that we feel kind of alone.

Am so glad Mrs. Stutsman has sold out at last of course it was hard for her to part with the farm but it is all she could do under circumstances. Mr. Holmes & Pratt have been here at least 6 or 7 times & tried to sell us the remainder of the farm but we don't think we will take it. Of course they could sell it to Mr. Tompkins or rather give it to him as they won't pay much for any thing they buy. We removed your belongings over here last Friday the day after your letter arrived to us. The chairs table & beding was put in Roger's room we couldn't put it in the spare room on account of mice. [?]hey would [?] it up. The trunks & boxes are out in the wagon shed.

Joseph says if we don't have a long winter & the grass starts up in the Spring we will have enough hay. But we may need more. At present there is no sleighing. If we have a chance & go to Traverse will we get some more bran for cows & horses. You oughto see how nice the animals look after having pleanty bran. We are just out of it now. He took some oats & corn & had it ground which cost 1.50 It hardly pays to feed it whole the stock gets so much more good out of it this way. Also had to have new batteries for the phone. Central said the reason the batteries didn't last was because there was a leakage in the other phone. We had him change it after you wrote but you didn't say any-thing before so wouldn't let him do it. We can get more hay if you send the order in as soon as enough snow comes on.

Am very glad to hear Rebecca is better. Hazel is having her trials now. We may have to keep her out of school all together the vision is going down in her left eye & she is useing the right one to do her wook. We have to cover the good eye 3 hrs. a day with a dark pad & make her use the left eye but not do any close work. It is very hard on her & makes her dreadfully nervous. But with good care we hope she will improve before long. She has been under Atropine for 3 days at a time.

Am so glad you enjoyed the apples they were small but some that Joseph saved last fall just to send to you at Xmas time. Well it is time for me to get busy so must get at it. With love Essie K.

$4.10 on hand $ .50 for grinding grain $ .90 Batteries _____ $1.70 left on hand.