Dear James,
I just got in after a session with the pump. It was all right when we got up but it grew colder and a strong wind began to blow and when I went out after a pail of water the pump had frozen. There was a cup of water in the wash basin and I heated it to boiling and thawed the pump with it. I brought in a pail of water before going to bed so as to be sure to have some for morning. Not many cars have gone by here but folks are going to Park Rapids by car. The roads are icy but by using chains and driving carefully we can make it, I’m sure.
I sent the children to school yesterday to find out how things are. Several of the children have had the flu. The teacher is just the same but the children stand by each other so I may send them next week too. The ditches are full of water when it thaws. One of the boys went barefoot day before yesterday and I made our children promise faithfully to keep their feet dry before I would let them go and they did.
We were glad to get your letter yesterday. I took a long walk north thru the corn and buckwheat field and back by way of the South road. There are big drifts on the north side of the woods but the south side is bare. Jenson still has some corn in shock.
We had mashed potatoes, fried eggs, buttered onions and oatmeal cookies for supper last night. I am boiling the last of the ham and cooking a big pot of beans today. Yes, I got the money. We have one lamp-full of kerosene left but we’re going to make that do by going to bed early and be rested for your visit. I must get busy at some mending I have piled up here.
Love from us all, Martha, Ruth and John