Irene Dixon Bamford

16

Friday 22 Sept 1894 A very fine day. Grace goes to Evelines to make mustard pickles carrying all kinds of spices, onions and vinegar. Hubert & Muriel came up for their groceries, sugar, tea & spices. After a while Muriel came back for Maud to go with her to Sam's for vinegar but they had none for her and were sorry for Aunt Ruth had let me have all they had to spare so I sent them up to Mrs Niles but she has none. A very good outlook three great orchards Niles, Bamfords and Woodmans, and barrels of cider made from the three orchards every fall and not vinegar enough among the trio to make pickles. I suppose the barrels leaked at the tap. Oh well cider is more proffitable [sic: profitable] than vinegar, cant drink vinegar very well and cider slips down very easily. Well I told Muriel if they could not get any from Rube, Grace and Eveline may have the vinegar I am keeping for cucumber catchup. Arthur brings in 6 eggs which makes over 10 dozen laid down for winter. I make pumkin pies and use two eggs for pies. I wrote a letter to V and one to Sr. Evening mail Whig, Family Herrald, two from England, News of the World and comic, a letter from Voltie, one from Bob, postal from

Sunday 7 April 1895 Sitting by the front window looking out upon the fast receding and disapearing snow. Yesterday a stick lay upon the snow bank in front of the window towards the oak tree, now the stick lies upon the ground the snow having melted away and left it there. An abundance maple of sugar made this year but none for us. I hope to get some when next marketing is done. Maple sugar has this spring been sold for 4 cts per pound in Kingston. William Irvine made us a short visit. Thought he was going to stay to dinner. So we stewed a pot full of fresh beef, best he gone now and tis 20 minutes past one Oclock p.m. Sr at the barn. Voltie in the rocking chair reading the Yankee Blade. Grace making biscuits for dinner & Maude tearsing around outdoors yelling like a wild cat. Welly, Will & Rube made us a short visit towards evening. They came up from Jr's lots of wind to walk in. Old gobbler chased Maude. Guess she wont' run out in mud any more while the gobler is around.

10

Wednesday 18 February 1903 Whew! what a snow blizzard from S.W. cant see an inch for wind and snow which lasts nearly all day. Dont water cattle till towards eve, nor horses. Lennie here for cider for Charley Woodman. Voltie working in shop nearly all day on bobs. Bob G went visiting at Niles and from there rode with Wall to the foot to see Rube & Mary's Bably. Evening Voltie & B go to Niles to play cards and return 1/2 past 10 pm which finds us all abed.

Thursday 19 February 1903 A clear bright cold morning. Wind West. Charlie D came early from S Woodmans where he had staid over night after driving back from Elginburg last night starting at 4 pm from Reids. Frank came towards noon and loaded Rachels traps in, took over the river pancake griddle, and bed. V & B lunch at 11 am and go to Lindys isle for baswood to carry to garden isle to have sawed for lumber. They return at 3 pm; gave them early tea; Abberson Moore here. I churn and make 10 lbs butter, send one to Grace which leaves 9 for market. Volties got toothache. Evening I write 2 letters 1 to Grace, 1 to Belle

[various addition scribbles]

Sylvie 4 baskets p .50 R 2 p 20 Grace 24 " 2,40 Rube 20 paid 2,00 R Mc 18 1,80 Louise 26 2,60 Kehoe 24 2,40 Hiram 5 .50 Sylvie 2 paid .25 Sylvie 2 paid .25 Sylvie paid Rachel 6 Jim Morgan 13 Denny 24

Tuesday 3rd Nov 1914 A cloudy drizzly day. Edith at School. Emma done big washing and hung them all on the line. V plowed all day only stopped to chop wood for Rachel. Voltie up twice to drive Woodman's cows out of our garden. I sent a letter to Reginald by William Ranous. Edith carried it to school house and gave it to him at noon. No letters for me

Wednesday 4th November A terrible South wind blowing all day. The heaviest blowout this year. Voltie plowed all a.m., drew cheese to dock in p.m. cleaned up a grist for hogs feed. Emma dug dahlias, gladiolias and Salsify. Emma likes to listen at the telephone and learn the neighbours business. Edith at school. Emma brought in all the clothes early this morning. We churned and began packing our butter for winter. A boat lying under sea of Carleton island

Thursday 4 November 1914 A cloudy morning West Wind and blowing some. Voltie drove to dock with grist for hog feed and send by Rube for a few groceries and butcher knives. Finished the croched [sic] tidy this morning. Edith lazy as ever. Voltie plowing. Emma making salisfy soup. Voltie up again last night chasing Woodman's cows out of our garden, they went away around Niles water fence and off up in Niles field where the Woodman's got them this morning. Churned again to day.