Friday, April 3, 1868

This has been another cold and windy day. I can not go out again to day. I am trying to sew a little. I have been piecing some blocks.

Melia went down town to night, and she got me 2 yards of calico to make me a waist. It was a shilling a yard and she got 9 yards of another hand [?] to make aprons.

***

Niece notes: A "waist" was a blouse.

Thursday, April 2, 1868

This has been rather a wintry day. There was about 2 inches of snow fell this morning, but it is all gone to night. It has been rather lonesome for me to day for I could not go out any.

It has been so cold, but Melia and Rob have gone to Choir meeting to night.

Mr. Briggs came up to night for Rob to go to Work.

***

Niece Notes: Rob's worked as a farmhand in the area. Farmhands often traveled through the year, living on each farm and moving around in rotation.

Wednesday, April 1, 1868

This has been a very warm day, but cloudy. Nellie Stevens has been here most all day to day, but she is not very well. Dr. Brown was up to day to see me. He said I had got to go to taking quinine and breaking the fever that I have every other day and again to stop taking the iron.

***

Niece notes: Quinine was a popular malaria medication. The disease was still prevalent in the United States in this time

Tuesday, March 31, 1868

This is another beautiful day. The sun is almost as warm as Summer!

I have got the blues to day, I think, for I feel very dull for all the fine weather.

Melia is iorning.

I have nothing to do to day but look at the folks passing by, and that, I think, is rather dull, for I don’t see very many.

Ana went over to Jane Harper this morning to get some milk.

***

Niece Notes: Celia's spelling is generally excellent considering her social status in that era, but there are two words that she consistently misspells: iorn for iron and moping for mopping.

Monday, March 30, 1868

I am just able to get around again after being sick 7 weeks to morrow!

This is a beautiful day. Melia is washing. I am trying to work a little. I am Crocheting an edge on some tapestry forward [?] for Mrs. Harper. I have got it almost done.

Mr. Briggs came for Maria yesterday.

***

Niece Notes: As for the shift in dates, I just realized that 1868 was a leap year. Very handy--now we're right on sync!

Sunday, March 29, 1868

This has been a beautiful day. The sun has shown all day clear and nice. Mrs. Houchen was up a little while to day. They brought us up a rooster for our old one froze to death.

Melia and Rob have both been to Church.

I feel some better, I think, but I don’t know. I think I came very slow.

Maria had to go away to day. Mr. Briggs came for her this afternoon.

***

Niece Notes: Celia's recovering at last! Also, I've noticed that there seems to be a shift in dates. I don't know why or whose mistake.