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Wednesday, December 5, 2018

DAY 5 -- ANOTHER SKIMPY CHRISTMAS WITH INA


Out of the welter of Christmas plans comes this letter and how I wish I were coming to you with it or better still that you were coming home. No use to think of these things though, and I hope and trust you’ll be with friends and be cheered and happy. – Ina





Morning came early at the farm. Jack rose first to stoke the fires. Ina dozed along for a while, waiting for the kitchen to warm before she arose to dress near the stove. Then she began to make a hearty farm breakfast of bacon, eggs, oatmeal, and toast, the tantalizing aroma of which aroused the rest of the family. Ernest appeared already dressed, but Ethel and Sadie also dressed in the kitchen. Jack worked outside long enough to allow the womenfolk to dress. Then he was in and out with various chores. The family ate breakfast as daylight grew stronger. Then Ethel and Sadie washed and dried the dishes, fed the chickens, and gathered eggs before Sadie went to school.

Mid-morning, Ina, her sister Bertha, and Ethel gathered at the little table in the warm kitchen. Ethel opened the discussion by explaining Miss Johnson’s idea for the school pageant. She then suggested that the three of them work together to help. I only wish you could hear members of the Dobson clan in conference. They had deep voices that carried and no reservations in expressing opinions.

“WELL – I don’t know about this pageant, Ethel,” Ina began in her best authoritative voice. “It seems like a large undertaking.”

“Oh, Mama! It’s a make-believe play with make-believe costumes in a make-believe story. What can go wrong?”

And suddenly the three women were laughing merrily. Jack, coming in from the barn, sidled past them, poured a cup of coffee, took a cookie from the jar, and went on to warm himself by the wood stove in the dining room. They didn’t notice him, and he didn’t interfere in their mirth. Let them have their fun.

“I’ll help,” said Bertha. “I’ll send out the request for refreshments and there will be plenty. I’ll also search for fabric scraps to make the costumes.”

Already things were shaping up. Ina would help Ethel make the costumes. Ethel had patterns in mind, she said. KW

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