MANAGING WINTER IN INA'S WORLD

Ina writes to Vance on February 16, 1936:
Well, I wish you were here right now. The hill east is a marvelous pink and the shadows fall blue to its top. We have about three feet of snow and it is cold. It began piling up week before last and we have had sub-zero weather off and on ever since. Week ago Friday at 9:30 p.m. it was 12 degrees below. That is the coldest we have noted. The last few days are colder – yesterday a.m. it was 8 degrees below, this a.m. 6 degrees below and the highest today we noted was 4 degrees above. Dad keeps a lantern in the cellar “of a nite” and nothing has frozen. At Musser’s it registered 19 degrees below. Reports from Saskatchewan are as low as 55 degrees below, Montana 40 degrees below. I dread to think of Pearl [living the farm life in Alberta] . . . The front door is corked up. We have been using the dining room evenings this cold weather. It is so much warmer, but I’m going back to the other room as soon as possible. I make a little fire in the bedroom every evening now and then the bed is warm. I hang up some things by the stove so keep comfortable. . . Now I must go and build the fire in the bedroom and wash my late dinner dishes and do all the little things to make the evening comfortable. . . . Monday, a.m., and 4 degrees below but clear as a bell. Dad has Earl Plank here and they are sawing down a tree by the pond for wood. We have plenty of limbs but snow too deep to get to them.

Imagining myself in Ina’s house, I can hardly fathom the inconvenience! In a world where hot and cold running water and indoor plumbing are standard, this lady never had such convenience in her own home. The difficulties of carrying water for everyday use and keeping it from freezing she doesn’t mention. Having grown up on the farm, Vance undoubtedly understands the winter routine. Also, Ina’s house wasn’t insulated, and it was cold and drafty no matter how many rooms they closed off. As Ina grew older, she would leave the farm in the winter, visiting family in Idaho Falls, Seattle, Portland, and Drain (OR).

(This picture of Grandpa Jack and Dick was taken by Ina in February 1936.)

30 ON THE 30TH

HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY TO MILO.

BRATZ

Mike had an appointment at TaxTyme yesterday (Sat., 12-29), so I took advantage of the opportunity to ride along and shop in Lewiston. Mike shops an agenda. I like to poke along and look at things, so I enjoy a certain amount of shopping alone. I have things on my mind and sometimes I don’t like to say what they are.

So, I went to Wal-Mart – clear back to the back corner where they keep the crafts – yarn, fabric, patterns. I’m thinking of the Bratz dolls. The little girl who came to our Christmas loves Bratz dolls, and I was just wondering if they had patterns to dress these brats – er, Bratz (dolls with attitudes). I found nothing for the Bratz but was totally captivated by the vintage doll patterns, specifically for the 8-inch Vogue Ginny, Muffy, Madame Alexander dolls. Now we’re talking my favorite dolls! I have those original patterns, but it’s a foregone conclusion – I will buy the reprints if only to encourage the market. My dolls look old now but I still love them and they would like to have new clothes.

Back to the Bratz – An online search confirmed that commercial patterns for Bratz clothes do not exist. One site encouraged me to make my own patterns but to be sure that I’m relaxed and free of stress before beginning in order to keep frustration at a minimum. Do these people know me or what? Another site offered crochet patterns using bits of leftover lightweight yarn. Maybe I’ll give that a try. Tough to do when you don’t have a doll on hand. Not sure I want a brat – er, Bratz.

Today’s highlights – Clinton and Elisha came over. Clint watched football with Mike while Elisha and I visited. I showed her the photo album Hallie organized for my 50th birthday. They left about 4:00. Clint will drive back to Hagerman tomorrow. Then brother Chuck called from his home in Ivins, Utah, to visit for a while.

UPDATE ON BENNIE

The info below was extracted from Carol's email message:

With the kitchen remodel (everything is still not back in the new cabinets!) and Mother's need for more of my time and care, I've neglected some other things I needed to do.

Each morning I go over to help her get dressed and give her breakfast and return each evening to get her ready for bed. She has so much difficulty breathing that she pants and struggles whenever she moves any part of her body--sometimes even with her oxygen in her nose. When I'm not there, she often forgets to put the oxygen on, which makes it all much worse.

This picture of Carol, Mother Bennie, and Hallie was taken in Memphis in May 2007.

BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN

Well, the foot surgery kept me out of the saddle 3 weeks. As Kathy mentioned, we went to the bike shop yesterday and picked up a set of big platform pedals off a mountain bike. I put them on the Schwinn road bike and did a little session on the stationary trainer. That went well so this afternoon I hit the road. I found it's easier to cycle than walk. It went well with my foot and not too bad on my shoulder but I did have a flat. At least now I know I'll be able to get at least a little exercise. M/W

A GREAT DAY!

By pre-arrangement, Clinton came over yesterday morning (Thurs., 12-27). He brought with him new clothes that he needed for weekend activities. I washed, shortened and pressed while he helped Mike set up the TaxTyme operation in a Lewiston office. Then after lunch, he designed a tool pouch out of an old pair of jeans and I stitched as directed. He insisted the end product would be serviceable. I think it’s a good idea that needs refinement. We agreed we have no dearth of worn out jeans; we can try again.

After Clint left, Mike and I ran errands. He is ready to return to more vigorous exercise, i.e. cycling, so we went to the bike shop and bought secondhand pedals broad enough to fit the big sole of his walking shoe / sandal. I have started an old-fashioned “farm” shawl for myself so we stopped by the craft shop for yarn.

What a surprise to find Chris and Dan from Moscow here at the house upon our return! They declined to come in as they still had more stops to make, but we were so glad we hadn’t missed them. Chris left a gift from her workshop / sewing room on our door – a pair of holiday pillowcases (a head start on my collection of holiday linens, she said) and a little tree ornament (a lace angel). While we had an early Christmas celebration, they are having theirs this weekend.

And Ken took Nellie hunting, giving that bundle of energy a needed outlet.

All in all – a great day!

HOLIDAY RECAP IN REAL TIME, 2007

It’s back to town time after a wonderful Christmas on the farm. Mike and I left Clarkston Thursday morning and drove to the farm. The Magnum was packed full. When I asked if I could take a coffee pot, Mike said no, and I suppose he was right. One more thing might have caused an explosion. Ordinarily we would make several trips in preparation for Christmas, but due to Mike’s foot surgery we stayed in town. We had to take provisions for a four-day stay in the country plus decorations and gifts. After unloading the car, I set up the tree (a pre-lit artificial) and tried to coax the house into looking as though Christmas were coming. Holiday stuffed animals, candles, and holiday throws helped me out. By 5:00 p.m. I was ready to start my baking – Chex mix and festive fruit squares. That’s what “baking” means these days.

Friday evening Hallie and Nick arrived so Saturday morning our holiday games began. We started with Scrabble, then moved to Chinese Checkers in the afternoon and Dominoes in the evening. Somehow I found time to roast the turkey and make a mystery pecan pie. It snowed in earnest during the afternoon.

Sunday both Mike and I were up bright and early. He was in some pain and I had to be sure that Santa’s work was in order. About noon, Clinton arrived with his friend and her little girl. It was snowing again so we enjoyed some time outdoors watching Nellie try to figure out why snowballs disintegrate on impact and doing some sledding. We opened our stockings and gifts late afternoon and Clinton left to return to Lewiston.

Monday morning, Christmas Eve, Hallie and Nick left about 9:00 a.m. for Connell, WA, where his parents live. By that time the county had plowed all the way to our gate. Hallie reported that she had to make two runs at Plank’s hill but had no other problems getting out. When we left during the noon hour we had no problem in the Magnum – again packed full, this time with the remnants of our holiday.

That same morning -- Christmas Eve -- Mike and I spent in preparation to close the house for the winter. I took the tree down while he cleaned the kitchen, gathered laundry, etc. Arriving in town about 1:30, I unpacked boxes and started laundry while Mike washed the filthy car. Our neighbor came over with a gift, a more meaningful gesture than he will ever know since our celebration was over. We also found a gift from the Denver Warnocks at the door and saved opening it until Christmas morning.