Irene Dixon Bamford

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Saturday 13th December 1902 A cold blustering snow storm from the North, increasing in velocity as the day advances. But no matter what the day is there is always so much to be done both in door and and out. I awoke this morning to find I had left the pan of bread sponge behind the kitchen stove to freeze up but I brought it in to the dining room, thawed it out and made very good bread of it. I doctored Maud's cookies with more flour and another egg. And they are tolerable. After dinner Frank came up and helped Voltie butcher two pigs which V is going to sell to Marshall & Guernsey on Hickory. I churned and picked the lard. Tis a cold stormy day. Frank says Dave has gone up to cut wood for R. River steaming; vapor rising up mile high, our apples and potatoes freeze in the cellar last night.

Tuesday 17 March 1903 Rained hard all night not a drop caught in tub because it was not set and I want to wash bed quilt. Grandad sending two letters one to Capt Denis and one to his young woman, "Miss" Adams in Montana Great falls. I told

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Sunday 14th December 1092 [sic: 1902] Clear, cold morning wind North; frost so thick and heavy on the windows, we scratch the frost away to see out. Voltie built the fires this morning long before day light. V and Maud get the breakfast. Voltie fried beef which was tougher than Bull tripe. I gave my piece to Prince. The cows went without milking last night Voltie rather discouraged about the chichen he has grown for selling. He says they have not been half fed or taken care of. They are poorer than Jobs turkey with frozen feet, and yesterday he wrung off the heads of 5 and threw them away ("Plymouth Rocks") Maud went to church & after dinner and the dishes were washed, went up to see shell Niles accompanied by Leanardo whom she met watering their horses at consession. Voltie, after weighing his pork, loaded it in the sleigh, and his dad went with him to the foot thinking V could go in the Hickory and I am left alone for a few hours to sit by the coal stove and go fast asleep while reading when suddenly I am awakened by Volties step and voice and he comes in to tell me there is no crossing in skiff to Hickory. He left his pork in Wm Gillespie house and the Marshalls & Guernseys will not fry any of our pork for a few days at least. After a while saw R washing; said her old cow had a swelled "bag" and V goes back with her and carries spirits of turpentine. R returns with Voltie and stays to supper and all night. I retire early and am disturbed several times through the night by several causes.