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Old Mission, Mich. Oct. 15th 1929

My dear Miss. Taft:-

Your nice letter reached me today and thanks many times I wish I had the ability to write good letters like that perhaps I would feel different and you would hear more often from me.

Joseph sorted the crabs very carefully for Mrs. Stutsman and I have some very fine pickles, jelly too. Am so glad she thot' them so fine.

I haven't mailed the bank receipt for your apples but will enclose it in this letter. Jos. took the pippins down to the Harbor they came to $3.39 will take the slip in when the others are ready they are very small on account of so little rain. We haven't had enough to make them grow. The corn is fair but not so large and [rank] as most seasons. Your cherry trees are green as can be and autumn every where else. That looks fine for another year. Your count was correct for apple trees the grimes golden apples are fair this fall.

We will inquire about hay and let you know as nearly as we can Jos. and I like Henry Lardie best for our selves we though he got very good hay this Spring. Its very difficult to say exactly how much hay you need but will estimate as closely as we can.

The new seeding is coming on pretty qood.

Miss. Taft talk about expenses it makes me feel sick. Jos. wrecked the kitchen and hired a carpenter to build the frame part and he said we should have the house raised and a foundation put under it. We are having a cement block foundation put under the whole thing can you imagine the expense it will be. Jos. hasn't the time to do it all and not the right tools either so will have to hire a man for a few days his charges are $10 per day. There will be a nice little kichen there with plenty of light and I hope with a level floor this time. We hired J. Christopher to haul our sand and gravel. Here I am telling you every thing about our affairs. Perhaps the mice won't have quite so much freedom from now on. We can't afford to complete the out side of the house this year but maybe another fall we can do a little more on it. By raising the house up it will save the sills and the floor will be much drier. We may put some new windows in the front part and a new door.

Every thing on the farm is fine so you need not worry. I made my blanket over as I told you I had planned on. Used a plain blue and quilted it with rose colored pearl cotton no.5 It is quite pretty altho' I should have made it a little larger than I did. Would love to see your rugs progress have you finished the pretty one I was so fond of. I would like to undertake one my self but even sewing has brought the pain back to my shoulders. Well its bedtime for tired little girls so must get ready to retire. Lovingly Essie

2 picking baskets $0.40 nails for back porch 0.60 Fence staples 0.45 1.45 rip saw 2.50 3.95

10.23

3.95 expenses

$6.28 to your credit