DAY 21 – A FARMHOUSE CHRISTMAS

 

Did I tell you that our teacher, Miss Dorothy Johnson, has organized a singing group and that we’ve been meeting at Wilbur’s to practice? We sang two Christmas anthems for church Sunday and they went very well, though they could have gone better, but it helped the service anyway. – Shirley Dobson, 1932

Ethel cooked breakfast this morning while Ina prepared the pot roast for dinner. Shirley did the morning chores with little Sadie in tow. Then they hurriedly cleaned the kitchen and dressed for church. 

The circuit minister was there today, and the sermon on the birth of the Christ-child was inspirational, full of peace, hope, and the world’s need of goodwill. A group of young adults, including Shirley, sang several Christmas anthems, and of course, the congregation sang Christmas carols. In fact, they stayed after the service for a rousing carol sing. Christmas cookies, coffee, and hot chocolate were served.

 

After dinner, Ina licked and affixed stamps for the last of her outgoing Christmas cards. She was finished now and could settle down to enjoy the season. She moved to her rocking chair by the window and soon Sadie climbed up to join her. It had turned colder and Sadie’s favorite blanket provided welcome warmth for them both against the draft. Before long they were both sound asleep.  

In the evening, Shirley tuned the radio to Christmas carols performed by a renowned church choir in a distant city. Ah, technology! But as beautiful as the music was, Ina thought that it wasn’t more meaningful than the fellowship of singing carols with one’s friends. KW

DAY 20 – A PRESENT-DAY REPORT

 

Today we let our farmhouse family of 1930 continue their Christmas preparations while I tell of real-time trials.

Road blocked

At 5:30 a.m. Wednesday morning (Dec. 17), my phone warned of tornado-force winds for the next 45 minutes. As Mike and I sheltered in our cozy bed, we also thought of those tall pines at the farm and worried about damage, especially to the house. Yesterday (Friday, Dec. 19), we drove in to check.

Looking back toward Jeep

“Hallelujah!” exclaimed Mike as the farmhouse came into view. We could see that she stood free and had sustained no damage, but as we rounded the bend toward the lane, our progress was abruptly blocked by a large downed pine tree and branches. As I disembarked from the Jeep, I heard the neighbor’s generator running and knew that we had no electricity.  We walked up the lane to the house, where we discovered the electricity had been off for some time, evidenced by thawing food in the freezer.

Tree blocks lane

Mike was immediately in “git ‘er done” mode. He set up the generator to run the fridge, and as he pulled on his coveralls, he assigned me to call Clearwater Power and the county road department. “Don’t even ask for an estimated time of restoration,” said a recorded message at Clearwater Power. “We are swamped with multiple outages throughout the region.”

Technically, the downed tree was lying on a county road, so my next call was to the county road department. The dispatcher sounded young. I was polite as I described the problem and asked if it would be all right for Mike to begin removal. The dispatcher contacted her supervisor and called me back. To my surprise, she reported that two men would drive out to help us but meanwhile, we could start on it ourselves. I admit that I was dubious that they would come, but she assured me that workers were on their way.

Cutting into sections

So, as Mike cut the downed limbs, I piled them. “What a pity to waste these good fir boughs,” I thought to myself, remembering how my dad decorated our house with DIY wreaths back in the day. Then Mike began to cut the trunk where it blocked the lane.

We had worked the better part of an hour when the county guys showed up in an old pick-up with a plow on front. One guy commenced to stack limbs while the other got his saw and made further cuts on the trunk. Then the three men rolled the trunk sections out of the road so that the lane was accessible. The county finished by pushing remaining tree parts to the roadside with the old pick-up, and with a hearty “Merry Christmas,” they drove out of sight.

Pine tree in grove snapped off

But this tree was not the only damage. A pine on the north end of the grove snapped and fell into the north field. There are limbs in the pond, and the yard is littered with limbs and various tree debris. But we are so relieved. It could have been so much worse. The house is fine, and even though the electricity is off, the poles and lines are intact. And Mike, who has been worried about where his next firewood would come from, is almost gleeful. He even ordered a new saw.

Limbs in pond

Mike lit the stove for me, and I warmed soup for lunch. Then he worked another hour at the tree in the lane while I packed up the perishables from the freezer and refrigerator. Thankfully, nothing spoiled and is now safely stored in town.

In the past, the farmhouse saw many Christmas celebrations, but we aren’t sure it will happen this year. Without electricity, we don’t have water either. Grandma Ina never had electricity or plumbing in this farmhouse, and she kept her perishable food in a cold house. I hear her laughing at us all the way from 1930. KW

DAY 19 – A FARMHOUSE CHRISTMAS

 

Our imaginary family is busy today. Ethel made fudge on the old wood cookstove while Shirley and Ina put the finishing touches on the last of the packages to be mailed. A little late, you say? Ina expected to have Christmas at Christmastime. No amount of pressure to mail early could dissuade her. And little Sadie trotted along beside her Grandpa Jack to the barn to visit the animals. In the afternoon, she helped him carry the boxes to the mailbox.

 

Tomorrow I will tell of our real-time visit to the farm and the problems we found there. Stay tuned.

DAY 18 – A FARMHOUSE CHRISTMAS

 

Even a dark, rainy day could not quell the excitement in the farmhouse because today was the day of the much-anticipated arrival. They would have loved to meet Ethel and Sadie at the depot, but Jack didn’t have an automobile (and never would have one). It wasn’t an easy trip, you know – ten miles up a steep and winding grade to the top of the ridge, but neighbors were willing to help each other when they made the trip. Shirley had asked around and found a neighbor willing to arrange his errands in town so that he could meet Ethel at the train depot. He was really happy to help out. Besides, Ethel was an interesting conversationalist. The trip would be enjoyable.

And then in the early afternoon, a car pulled into the yard. At last! Ina and Shirley ran out to meet Ethel and Sadie while Jack sauntered along behind. Ina handed a freshly-baked apple pie to the neighbor by way of thanks, and Jack and Shirley carried suitcases and satchels to the house. Of course, the three women talked at once, but Jack and Sadie just grinned at each other.

Ethel and Sadie were famished. Shirley had already set the table, so Ina hurriedly dished up the mid-day meal. Ethel was a good cook (she was!), but as she settled down to the roast chicken, potatoes, beans and fresh bread, she couldn’t help but think how good it felt to be home with her folks and eating Mama’s cooking once more. KW

DAY 17 – A FARMHOUSE CHRISTMAS

Yes, the weather has been terrible. The snow is all gone off in a rain and dreadful reports from California over the radio last night – 12 inches of rain in 30 hours, lives lost, damage to houses, bridges, roads, etc. We never had such work before at this time of year. – Ina (Christmas, 1933)

The wind whistled and blew around the house all night long. At times it was just a little scary. Dick the Dog whined at the kitchen door, and Jack allowed him to lie beside the stove in the kitchen.

After living twenty years in the tiny log cabin, Ina was again grateful to have a solid farmhouse.

So many last-minute things to do today in anticipation of Ethel and Sadie’s arrival tomorrow. They were so busy that it felt like Christmas had come a week early. Shirley made diapers and little jackets and gowns for the baby doll while Ina finished an apron she had made for Ethel. Then they wrapped these gifts and hid them in the fabric stash under the stairs. “I hope we remember where they are,” said Ina.

Mid-afternoon, as daylight was waning, they made up the guest bed for Ethel and Sadie and made sure the room was in readiness.

 Jack brought more Christmas cards from the mailbox this afternoon, and after their light evening meal, they admired the cards and enjoyed the various letters. It was beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. KW

DAY 16 – A FARMHOUSE CHRISTMAS

 

As always, Jack was up before daylight to "feed the chores," as he called his barn work, but Ina and Shirley slept later than usual. While Ina made a light breakfast – no point to cook a big breakfast since they were making a late start – Shirley dashed out to feed the chickens and made quick work of the breakfast dishes. By noon, she had finished tacking curls on the baby doll’s head and pronounced her finished, and Ina secretly heaved a sigh of relief. After all, Ethel and Sadie were due to arrive day after tomorrow.  

Shirley’s critique of her work was that her workmanship was very good but the doll didn’t look much like the picture and not at all like a baby doll. Maybe some baby-like clothes would help, so after lunch she took scraps of whatever textiles Ina would let her have from the box under the stairs to make diapers, gowns, and blankets.

It’s an odd thing, thought Shirley to herself, that the drawing from which she copied this doll made her look so babylike and appealing, while the reality was so much less. What was the world coming to?

Meanwhile, Ina finished packing the box for Pearl – remember, Pearl lives in northern Alberta – and sent it to the mailbox along with a dollar to cover postage. The rural mail carrier would leave her change in the mailbox tomorrow. It meant that Jack had to make two trips to the mailbox today – one to deliver the package, the other to retrieve the mail. I don’t think he cared too much. He didn’t have much to do these short winter days. KW

DAY 15 – A FARMHOUSE CHRISTMAS

 

“Fiddlesticks!” exclaimed Shirley as she realized she should have left an opening in the doll’s side for stuffing instead of trying to do it from the top of the doll’s head. It was an unfortunate error but only a minor setback. She closed the opening on the doll’s head with neat stitches and carefully made an opening in the doll’s side. Then she resumed stuffing the doll with the old stockings she had shredded.

Ina didn’t knit or crochet, so they had no yarn on hand to make the doll’s hair and were at a loss to find a substitute. In the end, Shirley called a neighbor, Mrs. Boehm, and shyly asked if she might have a few hanks of yarn she could spare. Shirley needn’t have felt so timid. Mrs. Boehm said she was glad to share her yarn scraps – pieces too small for any purpose anyway. (And to be sure, the Boehms were glad to have Shirley call on them.)

So, on this windy December afternoon, Shirley walked briskly to the Boehm’s house, just a mile distant, where she was warmly welcomed. Mrs. Boehm presented her basket of yarn pieces, and Shirley chose a light yellow wool yarn – exactly what she needed. After a cup of tea and a sugar cookie, Shirley hurried home, and since she was going right past the mailbox, she picked up the day’s mail – half a dozen Christmas cards. KW

DAY 14 – A FARMHOUSE CHRISTMAS

 

It’s another pre-Christmas Sunday, and it was Bertha’s turn to present the program at Sunday school. Last week Ina spoke about the Old Testament prophecies of the coming of the Christ. Her sister Bertha’s presentation today was on the three wisemen and the meaning of their gifts to the Christ-child.

After an early-afternoon dinner of roast chicken, potatoes, green beans, and apple pie, the family settled down to a quiet afternoon of reading, contemplation, and dozing. A snack supper of bread and butter was available at suppertime. Then they got ready for bed and enjoyed several good programs on the radio before turning in. 

Enjoy these vintage Christmas card interpretations of the wisemen. KW

DAY 13 – A FARMHOUSE CHRISTMAS

 

We’re on the second half of our December countdown to Christmas.

Today, Mike and I made a run to the farm with goods for our present-day Christmas celebration. In my imagination, Ina and Shirley were there working at the dining room table. Ina was signing and addressing Christmas cards. Shirley was stuffing cotton balls into the cloth baby doll she’s making for Sadie.

I could tell that Ina knew I had come into the house. She stopped writing and looked up, her demeanor pensive. She felt my presence, but she couldn’t see me.

“Is something the matter, Mama?” asked Shirley.

“No. No, it’s nothing,” Ina responded and resumed her writing.

But it definitely was something. Across the decades, Ina and I shared a brief moment. Did she know I was Kathy, or did she think I was Sadie?

Well, never mind. The moment passed. Ina and Shirley faded from my consciousness as I’m sure I faded from Ina’s. I went on with my work, unpacking crates, hiding gifts, checking the pantry for supplies, making beds, etc., but I would have loved to watch Aunt Shirley bring that doll to life. KW

DAY 12 – A FARMHOUSE CHRISTMAS

We are “about as usual,” (blessed phrase!). We sleep late and “eat hearty.” – Ina

It was the era when most women took pride in housekeeping and the rural home arts, and Ina was no exception. She kept a tidy house with a place for everything and everything in its place. If an item didn’t fit in, she tossed it out. Books and magazines were handed on and didn’t accumulate. She had no patience with dirt and dust, and that’s saying something in the farm environment.

After her regular chores – feeding the chickens, doing the breakfast dishes, and some light housekeeping, Shirley settled down to work on the doll she was making for Sadie. She had drawn a pattern and cut it from muslin yesterday, so she was ready to proceed with the sewing. First, she embroidered an adorable baby face. Should the eyes be open or closed? Shirley opted for open eyes and a little bow mouth.

Meanwhile, Ina checked her store of preserves to see what they could spare as gifts. She would give June a jar of huckleberry jam and send a jar of strawberry preserves to Earle and Bernice. They had harvested plenty of navy beans, so she would share with various ones of the community. And she would send some popcorn to daughter Pearl in Alberta. Jack was proud of the popcorn he grew.

Then it was time to fix dinner. The noon meal was the main one of the day, and I guess they ate heartily of the meat, vegetables, and fruits that Ina put up. Today they had bean soup, bread, cheese, and apple wedges.

Shirley quickly washed the dishes and got right back to her handwork. She was absorbed in the work of stitching by hand, backstitching with precision as Ina and Aunt Bertha had taught her. With short lengths of thread and taking the tiniest of stitches, she worked around the doll’s shape, leaving an open place at the top of her head for stuffing.

Jack returned from the mailbox this afternoon with two Christmas cards from Iowa relatives. “So early?” observed Ina in a tone something like disapproval. As sunlight began to wane, Jack opened the cards and Ina read the enclosed letters aloud while Shirley continued her stitching. When it was too dark to continue sewing, Shirley carefully put the unfinished doll into a little sewing basket and helped Ina prepare the house for the evening.

[In real time, yesterday’s high was 60 while the low this morning was 50. Such strange, unseasonable weather. It was breezy yesterday, but the predicted high winds did not develop here and we’ve had only a little rain, compared to the west (wet) side of the state where they experience devastating floods.] KW  

DAY 11 – A FARMHOUSE CHRISTMAS

We’ve been very busy making so many things but it has been fun to see what we could do without money. – Shirley

“Mama,” exclaimed Shirley suddenly, startling Ina who was deep in thought, “let’s make a doll for Sadie. It would be such fun and even more fun to see her enjoy it while she’s here.”

Shirley thought she had presented an excellent idea and was disappointed at Ina’s long pause.

“I thought we were going to make an apron,” answered Ina at last.

Now it was Shirley’s turn to pause thoughtfully in order to form a diplomatic reply. One had to take care in standing up to one’s mother. So, she pointed out that while serviceable, an apron wouldn’t be much fun for a four-year-old. And since no one could afford a store-bought doll this year, why not make one?

The real Shirley Dobson, c. 1928

“But Ethel will be here in just a week. The time grows short,” Ina reasoned.

“Oh, but Mama,” Shirley pleaded, “I can make a doll in a few hours, and we only have to make the doll. If we don’t have time to make clothes, we can do that after Christmas while Sadie watches.”

“Yes, that’s so,” said Ina, finally catching Shirley’s enthusiasm. So, together they dove headfirst into the scrap box in that cubby under the stairway and came up with a piece of muslin, perhaps a piece of an old dish towel or apron, that was just right for a small doll.” Shirley set to work that very afternoon, drawing a pattern on the order of a cloth doll she had seen in a magazine and carefully cutting the muslin.

And now, we can’t write more because we’re busy. KW

[In real time, we’ve had record-setting warm temps – officially 65 in the Valley on Dec. 10. A farmhouse Christmas will be possible this year for sure. The imaginary family of 1930 is waiting for us.]

DAY 10 – A FARMHOUSE CHRISTMAS

 

[I can just hear you asking, “Is anything ever going to happen in this story?” To which I say, maybe not. Perhaps this December is a time of quiet contemplation. And if you’re like Mike, you wonder where fiction leaves off and fact begins.]

Jack gave a sound that was half sigh, half groan as he refolded the newspaper and tossed it onto the table. The news out of Washington D.C. was terrible, and he had just finished reading dire predictions for the years ahead. The depression would deepen, they said. Across societal lines, men would be without work. Many had lost their savings. The good thing, thought Jack to himself, was that here on the farm, they would at least have enough to eat.

Meanwhile, thought Jack, womenfolk everywhere were preparing for Christmas as if nothing had changed from the more prosperous years, but he was on board with Ina’s plans. As he saw it, they needed the diversion. Ina was capable of making somethings out of nothings, and it was not more than they could afford to have a Christmas Eve meal and celebration with friends and family.

And on that note, Jack took himself out to the barn. KW

[In real time, it's a balmy 61 here today. Wind is predicted but hasn't happened yet.]

DAY 9 – A FARMHOUSE CHRISTMAS

Ina pulled packing boxes saved from last year from the “cubby” under the stairs. Let’s see – she would need four altogether – no, three. She sat down at the dining room table and commenced to think of her children, the gifts she would give them, and the boxes she would pack:

1)  The first box would go to eldest daughter Pearl who farmed with her husband, Albert Sanders, in northern Alberta near Stettler. Their one child, Stanley, was now ten years old and outgrowing toys. She would have to think about what she could send to Stanley. And while Ina didn’t believe in mailing until the week before Christmas despite the pleas of the Post Office, Pearl’s box had to be mailed early owing to the distance.

2)  Daughter Myrtle, who preferred to be called Lynn, lived in Portland where she worked as a photographer’s assistant. She would be home for Christmas. No need to send a box.

3)  Son Earle and his wife Bernice lived in Idaho Falls where he taught shop and mathematics at the junior high. They came home in the summer so that Earle could help Jack with the farm work and harvest. They needed him then, and Ina was grateful, but it meant that they didn’t come home for Christmas. It was just as well, Ina thought to herself. Winter travel over the mountains was treacherous.

4)  Ethel is the fourth child. Her husband was a G-man, a newly coined title for a federal agent, and they moved wherever his assignments took them. This year, as we pretend, Ethel and her daughter Sadie would spend Christmas on the farm, and Ina paused to reflect on what a joy that would be.

5)  Since 1926, son Vance had been a private piano teacher in Raymond, WA, where he also played with jazz ensembles in nightclubs. He had not been home for Christmas since 1925 and would not be home this year either. But he would send a box of wonderfully creative gifts and holiday decorations which added so much to their Christmas, and Ina would reciprocate as well as she could.

6)  The last child, Shirley, was ever Ina’s “righthand man.” She was cheerful and energetic as she helped with chores, and Ina would supply a few of Shirley’s “wants” to make her Christmas special.

So, just three boxes would do it, and Ina lined them up against the wall in the dining room plus one extra to collect the gifts for those who would be home. She would keep Shirley’s surprises in the bottom drawer of her chest. Yes! Her Christmas giving was shaping up nicely. KW

DAY 8 – A FARMHOUSE CHRISTMAS

The first week of December has slipped away, and a new week begins. Technically, it was washday again, but Ina had already decided to keep it light and just rinse out a few “unmentionables” so that she and Shirley could get on with Christmas doings.

Frankly, Jack was relieved to be released from laundry duty. It was time to deliver a tree to the schoolhouse, so he went up the hill to June and Bertha’s house where Bertha and her daughters were busy doing a full load of laundry. Bertha was reluctant to have June leave, but he promised to scrub the floor when he returned. After all, everyone wanted to support the school, which was the heart of the community.

So off went Jack and June to search for a nice 7- or 8-foot tree. It must not be too lopsided nor too large at the base. They found one that was just a little flat-sided, but they deemed it good and carried it to the school.

The teacher, Miss Dorothy Johnson, was glad to see the tree coming and hurried the students through their lessons. Jack and June found the makeshift wooden stand used from year to year and nailed it to the base of the tree. Then they set it up in the corner near Miss Johnson’s desk and made sure it was stable before they left.

That afternoon, Miss Johnson had the older students cut strips of red and green construction paper and then she asked them to help the younger students make paper chains to decorate the tree. The youngest children had to be watched closely to keep them from nibbling the paste.

It was a fun day at school, and the children were glad of this diversion from their studies. Miss Johnson was glad, too. The children were distracted these December days before Christmas vacation.

[I can only imagine what school was like at the one-room schoolhouse prior to rural electrification, which was still in the future. At any rate, there were no strings of lights on the tree. It would have been dangerous to burn candles, but did they do it?]

“Oh!” said Ina that afternoon as Jack reported on setting up the tree at the schoolhouse, “that reminds me. I must order candles for the tree. We burned them down to nubs last year.” KW

DAY 7 – A FARMHOUSE CHRISTMAS

 

Here we are at Sunday, and Ina was busy as soon as she arose. While Shirley washed the dishes after the customary breakfast, Ina prepared a pot roast for Sunday dinner and slipped it into the oven. Then she dressed in her Sunday best for Sunday school at the church.

The congregation at the little Methodist church had dwindled over the years. Many of the early homesteaders had sold out and moved on. Farms were now larger and there were fewer families. With just a small congregation, a circuit minister was assigned to visit once a month, weather permitting. But Ina and Bertha believed in nurturing the Christian spirit, so they took turns presenting a Sunday school lesson when the minister was absent.

Today, Ina presented an early Christmas lesson on the Old Testament prophecies of the Christ child’s birth. It was an inspiring message and the congregation was attentive as Ina spoke. They closed by singing, “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear.”

After the dinner dishes were finished, the three of them pursued quiet activities. Jack napped before the fireplace while Shirley and Ina wrote letters and addressed Christmas cards. In the evening, Shirley tuned the radio to a Portland station and they enjoyed listening to programs. Radio -- the coming thing! They marveled at the technology that allowed them to hear voices and music from far-away places. KW

DAY 6 – A FARMHOUSE CHRISTMAS

 

All night long the wind had whistled and howled around the house, and they felt the effects of the chill in the house as well, but the day was bright and beautiful even though breezy.

Shirley tried a new recipe for gingersnaps, but they all agreed that Ina’s old family recipe handed down from her mother was still best.

The operator at the Western Union office called mid-morning to read a telegram from Ethel providing the details of her pending visit. She briefly explained that Ernest would be on assignment during Christmas, so she and Sadie would come to the farm for Christmas and an indefinite stay. They would arrive by train from Spokane on the 18^th.

“The 18^th! That’s less than two weeks away,” exclaimed Ina, suddenly startled again by the rapid passage of time.

Hearing the rising panic in her mother’s voice, Shirley hastened to reassure her. “Never mind, Mama,” she said. “Let’s look at your lists and take first things first. After all, we don’t have to finish everything before Ethel arrives. She would love to help us.”

So, they sat down and revised the lists. They could postpone Christmas baking until Ethel and Sadie were there. Ethel was a good cook and always brought new recipes when she came. But they must finish Sadie’s Christmas presents, and they were still undecided on just what to make. As for decorating, Ina did not allow it until Christmas Eve. 

“So you see, Mama, it’s not so much. We can do it!” KW

DAY 5 – A FARMHOUSE CHRISTMAS

 
The Christmas doings were women’s work as far as Jack was concerned. For the most part, he stayed out of the way. Still, several important tasks were entrusted to him – carrying mail to and from the mailbox, including outgoing and incoming packages, and cutting the Christmas tree. Last summer, he had spotted a nice little fir tree out on the canyon rim, but he now had second thoughts. He wanted to take Sadie with him when he cut the tree, and the canyon rim was too far for a little girl to walk.

So, after a hearty lunch, Jack set off to the draw on the northern boundary of his property with his faithful companion, “Dick the Dog,” at his side. Before long he spotted a young fir that would make a perfect Christmas tree to set on the library table. It would still be a good stretch of the legs for little Sadie, and he hoped Ethel would allow her to go. He smiled to himself as he thought of Sadie.

Jack & June -- which is which?

Having accomplished the task at hand, Jack walked up Plank’s Pitch to the mailbox. He pocketed the mail – no Christmas cards or packages yet – and walked home by way of June and Bertha’s house where he stopped in to warm himself and chat a spell with his twin brother and family. The coffee was good and so were the gingersnaps, which tasted just like Ina’s. He and June made plans to cut a tree for the schoolhouse next week, and then he ambled on home. KW

DAY 4 – A FARMHOUSE CHRISTMAS

 

[Author's note: Please understand that this story is based on life in a remote rural farmhouse. As family history, it may or may not be true. I call it fractured family history. To continue:]

After a light supper of beef vegetable soup and bread, the three of them – Jack, Ina, and Shirley – sat reading under the Aladin lamp at the dining room table. Shirley was delighted to discover the next installment of a serialized novella she had been following in the most recent batch of shared publications. Ina was pondering an inspirational article in the Christian Herald, and Jack was reading political opinions in an outdated newspaper. Just then the jangling telephone startled them, and Shirley, being closest, rose quickly to answer it. 

“Shirley,” she heard her sister Ethel say, “let me talk to Mama.” 

Ina quickly took the receiver and stepped up to the mouthpiece while simultaneously turning over the three-minute egg timer that she kept near the telephone to time long-distance calls. 

“Mama,” Ina heard Ethel say, “Ernest . . . on assignment during Christmas.  . . . Sadie and I . . . to the farm for Christmas.” 

Ina could barely hear Ethel for the static on the line. “Yes, do come,” she shouted into the mouthpiece.

“What, Mama?” answered Ethel. “I can’t hear you.” 

Further communication being impossible, they each rang off. Ina had no idea when Ethel would arrive, but it was no matter. Ethel would make her plans known in some way. For the time being, it was enough to know that Ethel and Sadie would be home for Christmas. She and Shirley were both too excited to sleep, and while Jack said little, he was pleased, too. Ethel was always a lively addition to the household, and four-year-old granddaughter Sadie was the delight of their hearts. Sadie’s presence would make this Christmas.  

Ethel with her daughter Shirley Jean

[Ethel and Ernest Robinson had one child, a daughter named Shirley Jean after their respective sisters. However, I call her Sadie in my story because apparently two Shirleys in one blog is confusing, even if one is Shirley Jean. Even back in the day, the family would call her S.J. to avoid confusion. The real Shirley Jean, my cousin, was born in 1926 and passed away in 1996.]