Wednesday, May 6, 1868

This has been a Cloudy, and windy, cold day! It has rained some.

Mrs. Harper came over this morning and brought us some milk and some calico for me to make Mary Ann a skirt and a dress and sleeves. I have got most done.

Pa and Billy have been planting potatoes, and Rob has been sharpening hop poles.

I have commenced to take Iodine to day, and it is very nasty!

***

Neice Notes: I think Mary Ann was Mrs. Harper's daughter. From all I can gather, Celia was a talented and passionate seamstress and frequently helped friends and family with their sewing projects. This hobby has most definitely run in the family! Another note is that Celia's brother William goes by many different nicknames: Bill, Billy, Will, and William all refer to him!

Tuesday, May 5, 1868

A very pleasant day. It has been so warm I could not stay out doors long at a time! Melia and I have been at work in the flower garden to day, and I made the yolk to my Chemise.

Rob did not come home last night, so I have not got any meds to take to day, but he has just come with it to night. He got a letter from Clara and Add.

Monday, May 4, 1868

A warm day, but cloudy and windy. Melia washed this forenoon, and this afternoon she made cookies and pies. Mother and I went and got some dandelion roots to make some bitters. Pa sowed his oats to day.

Dr. Brown was here to day, and Mother went out and spoke to him. He said he would send my medicine by Rob to night. He is at work for Mr. Clark.

Sunday, May 3, 1868

A very pleasant day. I got home about noon to day. Mr. Briggs brought me home in the buggy. Maria came with me, but she is gone again. Her and Rob and Melia have just gone down to meeting.

Melia and Rob went this morning. It was quarterly meeting to day.

Mr. and Mrs. Lyon were here to day with the children.

Saturday, May 2, 1868

This has been quite a pleasant day—cloudy but warm. I and Rob and Maria went to the Mr. Briggs’ this afternoon to see Maria. We went by Dr. Brown, and he did not think it was a fit day to be out, so I staid all night with Maria. Rob went to get his pig.

I am taking some drops to keep me from sweating nights. I think it has helped me some.

Friday, May 1, 1868

Quite a pleasant day until afternoon, and then it commenced to rain and thunder and lightning and it is raining now.

Rob has been setting hop poles to day, and Will is ploughing for oats. I have been sewing on my new Chemise to day. Melia and Ma have been setting out a bed of straw.

Melia got the plants to old Mrs. Spencer’s last night. Melia got some lawn [?] for a waist seam.

***

Niece Notes: With all the traveling that took place over the summer, families needed a way to set up a large number of quick and disposable beds for farmhands and guests. Straw was cheap and easy to handle!