Dear Daddy – The Farm Letters

Dear Jim,

We received your letter this morning. Thanks for the ” Fiver “. I’m glad Jim is going to room with you, it won’t be so lonesome. It’s nice to have this big pile of wood. We carried a lot of it into the shed today as it looked like snow. Saturday it was way below zero. The car battery is still OK. I have the meat packed in a box and keep it in the car.

We went skating on the lake Sat. afternoon and Sunday. The ice was a little rough near shore but we found some nice smooth stretches and had lots of fun. John tried Ruth’s skates for a while and did pretty well and then we pulled him around on the sled. Mr. Peterson said they would start fishing thru the ice this week and he would bring us some fish. Mr. Shaw asked if he should cut us some wood and I said yes. I’ve heard him working all day. I suppose he will cut the ten loads for each of us.

We walked to the schoolhouse and got the children’s books. The teacher never said a word and neither did I. The children miss going to school but I believe things will be better when they go back. I wish we could get to town so the children could go to Sunday school. We get dreadfully lonesome for someone new to talk to sometimes.

We haven’t kept fire all night yet. It doesn’t take long to get the place warm in the morning. We are well supplied with groceries. I wish you could send me some woolen cloth for a dress for Ruth. I have a pattern. It calls for 1 and

Questions by James		Answers by Martha
1. About how much snow have you?		3 inches on the level
2. How far did you get with the painting		1 coat of green(mostly oil) on the windows and door outside and the 2nd coat on the N window and the door. Two coats of white on the windows inside.
3. Have you any paint left?		Yes, over half
4. Did you take the long chair out of the attic to use to lock the car?		No
5. Did the stove pipes stay in place?		Yes
6. Do you get my letters the next morning when I mail them downtown at night?		Yes
7. Did you use all the tar paper and lath?		There is a little of each left.
8. Did you get the windows in the lean-to fixed on the outside?		No, and it would be much warmer if that part were papered with the pink rosin inside.

Please send larger envelopes.

Dear James,

Winter is here. It is snowing again and the North wind is blowing hard. The children put on all the heavy clothes they could find; 2 pairs of mittens, heavy socks and scarfs. They have a cold stretch the first half mile. I knit Ruth a warm cap and shall make her a winter dress out of my black one. I have pajamas to make for John. It was cold when we got up this morning but it doesn’t take long to warm the place. We have dry kindling and wood in for both stoves and also water. The children are very good to help and don’t complain about anything. I am busy every minute of daylight and evening. Am baking rye bread for the first time today. We’re very short on supplies.

The other day 6 fat pigs were rooting around in the yard. I chased them out with a long stick. I didn’t want them to root up the flowers. I am sorry your mother is so bad but can appreciate her wish to be at home. Send me some papers with election news. Write us a long letter soon. What do you do on Sundays?

The children send lots of love and kisses,

Martha

Requests.

1. 2 suits long underwear for Ruth, size 12, with dutch neck and short sleeves
2. ditto for John, size 10
3. one lb. coffee
4. bottle of vanilla
5. package of brownies
6. try to get some egg powder for baking
7. lard
8. macaroni
9. cheese
10. dried fruit
11. baby limas
12. crackers
13. I would like a sweater fine, coat style, brown or heather
14. A nice long letter from Jim.

(Tuesday evening)

It is 5 o’clock. The children are out playing with the sled and having a great time judging from the shouts. Monday morning I got up to build the fire at 6AM and it was 4 degrees above zero and the water in the water pail had ice on it. Last night we put on a lot more clothes so slept warm except for our heads and it was 12 below at 5:45 AM. We will wear caps and put coats and things over us tonight. Is there anything I should do about the car?

(Wednesday morning)

Below zero again this morning, but the sun is shining bright. I hope you’ll send my coat soon. Take good care of yourself and if I ask for too much let me know.

Love from us all, Martha

Dear James,

Glad to get your letter. John is trying his new laces now. There is a cold south wind blowing but it is snug and warm in the house. The teacher came home with the children yesterday and stayed for supper and the evening. Then about 8 o’clock Shaws came over and stayed until 10. After they left I took the lantern and walked down to Jenson’s corner with the teacher and it was 11 before I got back home. John had gone to sleep on the couch while the company was here so I just covered him up and Ruth went to bed while I was gone and both were sound asleep.

Shaw asked about when to cut wood. He said some of the neighbors are having wood sawed the first of next month. There are deer tracks leading into our woods. I can vote up here, the law is 6 months in the state and 60 days in the county. We vote at a schoolhouse 3 miles south of here.

I hope all goes well with you. The children send their love and a big hug and kiss.

Love, Martha

(Thursday evening, Nov. 2nd)

We received your surprise package and the $5. I stayed in school with the children yesterday and we drove to Park Rapids afterwards. The road was not bad and it was real warm again today. We all got a haircut and I bought a dozen eggs, 5 cans of milk and some gas. I may not be able to send your clothes until Monday this time. It takes longer when I dry them in the house. I’d knit John a sweater if I had the yarn. Can you get me yarn like your sweater? 2