Weather was a major pre-occupation for the Whirlwind Hill farmers. Each year in June and July they looked for sunny dry days to help make good hay. Journal keepers often start entries talking about what kind of day it was. Lydia was no exception. I do it myself when I write in my own diary. It eases me into the recollection of the day and makes each entry part of a bigger cycle of life and living.
“July Window,” Carol Crump Bryner, monoprint
Tuesday, July 28, 1914 – “Rainy. Men working around home. Pa went to town in afternoon. Agnes ironing, etc. All done at three o’clock, a busy day for housekeepers, quite a large ironing for us. Am willing to help but think I am more in the way than I can do good, but never mind, they will all get old if they live long enough. It is hard to grow old and feel that your usefulness is gone.” – Lydia Jane Hall
Saturday, July 16, 1921 – “Nice hay day. All very busy. The busiest of all. Agnes took the children to town in morning. Emily [hired girl] busy doing the work, righting the upset rooms, washing dishes – scrubbing the floors, doing chamber work. Agnes doing the baking when home, also helping rake the hay and drive the horses for unloading it at the barn. They got in most of the hay that was cut.” – Lydia Jane Hall
See also: April Window, May Window, June Window
On Friday: Independence Day
I’m so glad Lydia kept a diary 🙂 Does it mention how many “hayin’s ” per summer? Three’s a good season here. Imagine all that ironing with a hot flat iron! In Olives girl scout book I have a great pic of this ha ha ha. & scrubbing wash in a tub 😉 I’ll take pics for you …The window’s lovely as always! Carol <3 Hugs
Thanks, Donna. No. She didn’t mention how many “hayin’s,” but three sounds about right. If they were lucky. Soon I will do a post about washing the clothes. It was such a big part of every week.
I learned about your blog when I visited Alaska and now follow you. I enjoy your stories and your pictures a lot. What a wonderful family history you have to tell. Anyway, you inspired me to start me own blog so many thanks!
Thanks Joyce. So glad to hear that you were inspired to start your own blog. Please let me know the address of it so I can read. It’s so much fun to do, and I’m tickled that you are enjoying my stories. Such a small world isn’t it!
I always love the window posts. And thinking about you carrying on Lydia’s diary habit.
Thanks Katy. I love putting them together. And I love carrying on this tradition (or maybe it should be referred to as a “habit”).