Irene Dixon Bamford

Monday 1st January 1917 Not so very cold. no frost on windows. This is first day of the week, first day of the year, first day of the month. I wrote and sent a letter to Grace also to Charlotte Gibson. Emma sent a letter to Sylvia. V and W finish the sheep barn and V went down to the Frank place for the sheep (27 of them) and put them in the new sheep barn, going to churn and we are cooking meat and hogs head for mince meat or head cheese, in the big aggate [sic] kettle on the kitchen stove. Snows again. Emma made rolled jelly cake and cookies for dinner. Emma made head cheese. Will N drove over to Rs carrying for straw for beding and straw. Card playing going on this eve and noisy. Oh!

Tuesday 2nd January 1917 Cloudy and warm 30 deg above zero; bare spots showing through the snow in pastures and meadow. Voltie phoned central to learn how the crossing is to Kingston. The boat is going to try and cross if she can get through the ice. V intended butchering 8 pigs and take them to Kingston market. Then he phoned to F Briceland but he not at home. Then he phoned George Woodman to enquire about getting sand and and pine roots for kindling but Geo not at home. So he puts shoes on Old Ben. Work in house goes slow. Emma baking bread, made prints. A bee at school house moving the closets. V sent Will milling corn to day and cooking beef for mince pies. Played cards.