Just a line or two to let you know I am
busy running to mailbox nowdays and writing letters. …. There are
lots of chinks around here this winter. I counted 20 in one bunch and some got
away before I counted them. Merry Christmas. From Dad -- Jack Dobson
The traveling minister wasn't
present at the church service again today, but the Gilbert church felt blessed
that he would be with them next Sunday to share the glad tidings on the last
service before Christmas. For today, Aunt Bertha taught Sadie’s class about the
Three Wisemen and the Flight into Egypt. Aunt Bertha insisted that people
should think about these things all year through, not just at Christmas. “Keep
Christmas in your heart,” she said.
Ina left chicken and vegetables
stewing on the wood cookstove when they left for the church, and when they
arrived home, the house was filled with the wonderful aroma. Sadie was hungry,
too, but told she must wait for dinner. Ethel mixed dough for dumplings while
Ina removed the meat from the chicken bones. A hearty dinner of chicken and
dumplings was served early afternoon with apple pie for dessert. Other meals
during the week might be light, but Sunday dinner was a big meal. 
The afternoon was quiet. Jack, Ina,
and Ethel wrote letters to far-away family members and friends for inclusion in
their Christmas cards. Ernest read this week’s copy of the Clearwater Tribune
from cover to cover while Sadie built the old jigsaw puzzles she found in the
cupboard. Ina reserved Sunday hours after the meal for quiet activities, not
because of her religious beliefs but because her work as a farm wife was
structured. Sunday was her day of rest.
In the evening bread and milk was
provided for Sadie and anyone else who needed a snack. Ethel thought it wise
that Sadie review her part for the play. Ernest, Jack, and Ina were entertained
as Sadie recited her part in her clear young voice.
On Sunday evenings, Ina and Jack
liked to listen to a program of good music on the radio. Tonight, Ina found a
program of Christmas carols. It was hard for seven-year-old Sadie to sit still,
so Ina allowed her to look through the basket of Christmas cards already
received. KW
2 comments:
What are chinks?
You'd think Chinese Pheasants, but your dad says that just isn't possible. The climate and terrain isn't right for pheasants, and in fact, Fish and Game told us it would be useless to try to encourage them. The occasional pheasants we see are escapees from the hunting club in the canyon.
Grandma also writes about "native pheasants," and your dad says those are grouse. We're wondering if they called the quail "chinks."
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