Thursday, April 30, 1868

This has been a very cloudy day and cold, but it has cleared of pleasant to night. I had to take a dose of salts to day, for my pills are all gone that I have been taking.

I finished Rob’s other shirt.

Melia and Rob have gone to choir meeting to night.

The boys has been setting hop poles to day, and Pa has been planting the garden.

Melia went over to Mrs. Harper to get some butter this forenoon.

Wednesday, April 29, 1868

This has been quite a pleasant day until the afternoon, and then it commenced to rain, and it is raining now. It rained very hard last night, and everything looks beautiful. It is such a warm rain!

I have been sewing on Rob’s shirt to day. We have got one done, and he is wearing it now. He came home this morning and has been setting his hop poles.

Tuesday, April 28, 1868

This has been a very pleasant day. I worked out in the garden a little while this morning, and this afternoon we all went down town. We went with the team. I got out at Mrs. Houchen’s and staid a while, and then Lavina Shepherd came and wanted me to go home with her. So I did. Ma got some cloth to make a new chemise, and she got a new broom. It was 30¢. The cloth was 18¢.

***

Niece Notes: Visiting was a common past-time in the nineteenth century, and could easily last days (or even weeks!) at a time. Everyone kept a spare bed open for sudden guests, and a trip to town would often involve one person going home with a friend to stay a while before going home.

Monday, April 27, 1868

Another pleasant day. I think it has been warmer to day than it was yesterday. I have been sewing on Rob’s shirts to day. We have got one of them almost done.

Pa and Billy have been drawing much [?] and some wood to day.

Melia has been washing to day. She got through at noon.

Rob is down at Houchen’s to day at work.

Sunday, April 26, 1868

A most beautiful day. I have spent most of my time out in the sweet and refreshing air. I feel better for it, I think.

Maria came home last night. She has just gone to evening meeting with Rob and Melia.

Rob and Melia went down this morning. Mrs. Houchen came up this afternoon, but they did not stay but a short time.

Maria brought us some more plants last night. One was a ___sa!

Saturday, April 25, 1868

A pleasant day, after the snow storm we had last night! There was about 4 inches fell last night but it is all gone to night. I have been sewing some to day. I have made 3 blocks and commenced on Rob’s new shirts. Melia cut them out this afternoon.

Pa came home last night about 7 o’clock. He got 1 dollar per bushel for his potatoes.

The boys have been setting hop poles this afternoon.