Irene Dixon Bamford

Thursday 2 January 1896 Wind South, bare ground. Wellie drives in here for pig feed and cheese. Beatrice and I go home with Wellie on jumper, found Renbe McFaden there eating dinner while waiting for Wellie to come and cut his hair. Eveline washing and not expecting visitors. Nor was Hubert expecting company but cried bitterly because Beatrice had come till his eyes were red & swollen "Afraid of girls" he says. Some day he'll not be afraid of girls, more the pity. Weather growing colder. Ed at a well stoning bee at Nesbits. Bamford Sr came down towards night. I intended to return home but stayed all night. Will & Charley at W Jr's in the evening. Lazzy Bates came home after dark.

Friday 3rd Jan 1896 Stayed to Wellies till after dinner then Wellie brought Bee and I home again on jumper. Cold and Wind

for kerosine. V says if the wind blows he will not return till the crossing is good. Well the wind does blow and I'll not worry for the Lord is merciful & good. Charley & Flora came for kerosine but we have none for them. They were very cold so after warming themselves, they went home leaving their bottle behind them till V comes back from River View. Ed Bates came up for V to help him pitch hay in the stable but he went to the Bay. We gave Ed the letters for Eveline. Frank Woodman here for shingle nails. Clear and growing colder. I'm sorry for Jen and the poor little ones this night if they come down from Marguerites in the waggon. Towards night Charlie came again for oil. But Voltie & George not come and we do not expect them thoug [sic] we keep looking out across the river throug the cold fog that arises from the

173

Stanley Woodman, George Woodman, Wall Niles come. They play phonograph awhile, go to the shop to look at the launch that V is building Then go away home or somewhere else. Nex comes Ray McIntyre and Jim Johnson and two Malony boys. Morris and Ed and a lot more in another launch. Crouse and his gang looking to buy sheep and pigs. Well after dinner I went to bed for a nap was soon awakened by a voice saying "Get up" Charley and Flora are here. When I came out found Charley, Flora, Lottie, Ada Hart and her brother Bert Hart. Then Art Vincent and his hired boy came. 7 beside our own family ate supper including Johnson and McIntyre. There was some whiskey around beside cider in the cellar. H. Halliday persuaded Bob to go home with him in the launch; they are going up above the island tomorrrow to the ducks. My opinion is, Robert had better stay home and away from Hank's companionship. H said he would bring R home tomorrow evening. We will see. At last all are gone except Lottie; she is going to McClarens to visit Ethel whenever she can get the oppertunity to go. Wells Sr 74 years old to day.

34

I called the girls to the house. Emma done all the chores after they drove away but Edith is to dirty and lazy to do anything excepting eating her meals, obstinate and quarrelsome. Boat left at 2 p.m. V drove home quite early. 6 eggs to day.

Friday 9 Jan 1914 A misty soft day cloudy. Voltie drove over to dock for lumber and things. Anglin sent a door to many. Rachel rode over when V came from dock. She brought towels to hem on machine and a tick to make for a pillow. George W Woodman came and he & V worked on Geo's sleighbox. Geo & R here to dinner. I pare apples (sweet) for preserves. R paid ,52 cts to me for the eggs. Wallace here also. George, Wallace bigger than ever. Standard & Herald and a letter from Lena also and from Genevieve. 3 eggs.

Saturday 10 Jan 1914 A cloudy snowy morn. Edith working some but quarrelsome. Emma cleaned all the floors, churned & salted the butter. George W Woodman here again to dinner. Emma finished her apron & Ed's under garment sewed any thing and done a very good job on Edith's blue calico dress, sent R's mail to Will Dignam. finshed Trail of Lesson

Thursday 7th Sept 1916 A very fine day. Wish it would rain. Rachel went to town with eggs. Sylvia didn't go. Edd cant get a room to move too.

Friday 6 Sept 1916

Monday 28 Aug 1916 The days a little cooler. V building fence around stacks. Emma washed and dried the clothes on the line and they are flying in the S.W. wind. No rain every thing drying up. No potatoes of any account this year. Reginald & Everet Dullhead drove to factory