Diary Of A Central South Dakota Farm Woman - October 26 - October 29, 1929

Welcome to the Great Depression!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26 (1929)

Not as good a day for our roofing labors as yesterday. The wind blew briskly, so each time we laid a new strip, I had to sit on it and act as weight to hold it down until Dan could fasten it in place. It took us until four o'clock this afternoon to finish the job. I had visions of completing it by noon, cleaning up while Dan went after a load of hay, then both of us driving to town, but things generally take longer than one expects and "the best laid plans of mice and men gang aft agley." However, we are glad to have the shed watertight from above, even if we didn't get the other things done, for I wouldn't be surprised if we were due for some weather change soon, which may include moisture.

Nancy and Dave are invited out for dinner tomorrow, so I expect Dan and I will be alone. James went home tonight; is not sure whether he. will come bade next week or not, but I hope he win be able to pick a few days more for us.

Had thought I might hear from mother today, but was disappointed. I had such a nice panful of doughnuts from Mrs. Ford yesterday, and we have been enjoying them for every meal, starting with breakfast. I always think doughnuts and coffee are a pretty good combination as "top-off" for breakfast.

Diary Of A Central South Dakota Farm Woman - Friday, October 25, 1929

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25 (1929)

This has been a fine, mild day and I've spent most of it up in the world. First thing after breakfast Dan and I had a big bonfire of tumble weeds. What a lot of heat there is in the Russian thistles! If one could only crush them up into briquettes, they would be wonderful fuel for a cold day.

After we had cleaned up around the garden I did up my housework then we ascended to the shed roof and proceeded to lay the roofing. The strips had to be cemented as well as nailed and I got myself pretty much tarred up in the process. We got along very well. It was an ideal day for the work, but it will take at least a half day longer to finish. The roofing is covered with crushed slate which is rather had on one's anatomy generally. My knees and elbows feel as if they had been sand papered and my fingers are somewhat mutilated too - both from the slate and from using the hammer on them occasionally instead of on the nails. Dan doesn't say much but I suspect he is a trifle sore physically too. Hope tomorrow is as quiet so we can finish the job.

Diary Of A Central South Dakota Farm Woman - October 22 - October 24, 1929

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22 (1929)

Mother's trunk is packed and ready and this time tomorrow night she will be well on her way to Chicago. She is only staying there a few days then will head for Kansas City and Pueblo, so will be on the road most of the time until she settles down in Denver next month. Nancy and Dave have just gone home they won't get in to the train in the morning so came to say their good-byes this evening.

I roasted the bird and we had him for supper as we were out for lunch this noon. I made an angel food cake too, for mother's lunch and baked up a couple of pies -one for home use and the other for our picnic club hostess. We had such a delicious luncheon and a pleasant afternoon of bridge and visiting and mother had several packages to bring home with her -journey gifts from the friends, which pleased her very much. Now we must go to bed for we will have to turn out early in the morning.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23

Mother got off this morning. It has turned off very cold, with a stiff wind blowing all day. Perhaps it is as well she is started for a warmer neighborhood, though she may meet with quite as chilly weather in Chicago and Kansas City as here. However, it will be only about a month until she will be heading for California. It seems lonely enough without her.

Nancy came over and spent the afternoon with me for she knew I'd be feeling a trifle forlorn. We sewed and visited by the fire -I repaired my fur coat for this kind of a day makes me realize I'll soon be needing it.

I've been following mother mentally all day on her journey. Separations are always hard but we live in hopes of another meeting next year. Mother and I always try to say goodbye cheerfully because tears at parting do not help any —only make it harder. There's always a let-down feeling for me when the train pulls out, but I can look back on our happy hours together and forward to her next visit.

Dan didn't do any work on the shed today. It was too chilly. We brought home the roofing from town but will have to wait for a milder day to put it on.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24

I suppose mother landed in Chicago this morning. The papers say they had snow there. It is still cold here but not as bad as yesterday.

I didn't feel up to the mark today so haven't much to my credit. I did churn but making the week's supply of butter could scarcely be considered a day's work. Dan carpentered on the shed this morning and brought up a load of cane after dinner. I didn't feel equal to helping him with it, but he managed to get it stowed away in the barn without my assistance.

James picked corn as usual. I hope he will stay with us until it is all out, but wouldn't be surprised if his father would be wanting his help at home any time.

The poor little lame kitten is dead and the other one seems dopy. It does seem as if we never can raise our kittens. I think Skippy has been rather hard on them as he delights in wooling them around in spite of my remonstrances. But they must enjoy his attentions for they do not offer to run away from him.

Diary Of A Central South Dakota Farm Woman - Wednesday, October 16, 1929

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16 (1929)

We didn't do any gadding today except to drive up to the mail box. As soon as the morning work was done, Dan mixed the paint for me and I started "saving the surface" of the shed. Got almost all the east end done before dinner and in the afternoon I did a good bit of the west side. It was really hot working in the sun.

Dan started up the tractor just before chore time and ground barley for the hogs and a grain mixture for my chicks.

Skippy seems to have settled down to life with us and apparently is perfectly happy helping -at times a bit too vigorously - to drive up the milk cows -squabbling with the cats over the table scraps, breaking up fights between the roosters and trailing the family around devotedly. He is a nice little dog and we are all getting very fond of him - so glad our neighbor turned him over to us.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17

I did a little baking this forenoon -and thought I would get around to finish the west side of the barn, but seems it will have to wait until tomorrow.

Just before dinner Dan and I loaded up the crate with chickens and in the afternoon we all went to town and marketed them. We took the trailer for Dan had to get roof sheathing. He tore down the old corn crib and used the lumber from that as far as it would go but it didn't quite complete the job. He wanted to get the roof finished while the weather holds good, but there is quite a bit of work still to do on it.

It has clouded up some this morning. Shouldn't mind it being a trifle cooler, but I hope we do not get bad weather for some time yet. Mother has asked a few friends for dinner at the hotel Sunday. I hate to think it is her last Sunday with us for this season.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18

It thundered and lightened quite a bit in the night but I was too dead to the world to heed it much. No rain fell so the corn ??spcxing?? could continue as planned today. It would be better for the corn ??spll?? if the weather were a little colder, but we will be feeding up all we have right away, so it won't have much chance to spoil.

I finished my little painting stint this morning then as there was a small amount of paint left in the can, I proceeded to decorate the ??evenarm?? and tongue of the ??ceultivator??. Dan had put in a new tongue and hadn't gotten around to painting it, so he thought that would be a good place for what I had left.

The house had to have the usual Friday cleaning too, so my morning was pretty well taken up. The afternoon was devoted to odds and ends of the week's work.

There is always a bit of mending to finish, usually coveralls to patch and a few buttons to sew on, but at home tasks are all attended to and I feel I'm even with my work. I very seldom can get ahead, in fact, more frequently fall behind, so when the end of the week finds me evened up I'm pretty well satisfied.

Diary Of A Central South Dakota Farm Woman - Sunday, October 13, 1929

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13 (1929)

It has been like a summer day, and I've had a very happy celebration. Our dinner was not one that required a lot of work beforehand, but we all enjoyed it the more, perhaps, because of its ease of preparation. Nancy wouldn't let me do any of the dish washing, and as getting the meal is always much easier than clearing up afterward, I felt I was having a real treat. Nancy washed and Dave wiped and they both had a good time over it.

Callers came in the afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Writer and Mrs. W's father. We had a pleasant visit with them. They live quite a distance from us and we do not see them very often. After they left, we all got in the car and drove out the Lake Byron road. We saw several pretty good looking cornfields - imagine they were blessed with more moisture than came our way.

When we got back to town we found we had a puncture Dan's pet abomination so, of course, the tire had to be changed, which made us late getting home. I think some of my chickens went to bed without their supper. However, they can always fill up at the mash hoppers, so I don't imagine they suffered seriously.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 14

Another summer day almost too warm for corn picking; James went home over Sunday but was back on the job this morning. Dan has been working on the shed all day, I washed this forenoon and mother and I drove to town after dinner.

Mother expects to leave us in about a week saying she is beginning to feel the call, to march, and much as we hate to have her go, we know it is no use urging when she makes up her mind he is ready to leave. She wants to get in a little visit at my brother's before going to Denver When I'm looking forward to her visit I count the days until she gets here. Now I try to hold them back to keep her as long as possible.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15

Ironing and cooking took up most of my morning. After dinner mother and I made another visit to the metropolis. I'm not trying to do a great deal of work this week expect to play around with mother as much us I can. I think perhaps I'll do a little painting on the shed tomorrow though, for this is good spring weather for painting and the new wood should be covered as soon as possible. I got some linseed oil in town; we have paint on hand.

A letter from Jean today -the first since they left. We were beginning to get a trifle uneasy and were glad to learn all was well with them. Of course they are enjoying being with the grandchildren again.

Diary Of A Central South Dakota Farm Woman - Wednesday, October 9, 1929

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9 (1929)

A little cool today, but not at all unseasonable. Dan cleaned out the stock tank this morning. I helped him tip it on end so he could scrape it well. It had to be moved to a little different position so it was good chance to give it a thorough scrubbing. The new mill pumped it full again without any expenditure of either muscle or gasoline.

Mr. and Mrs. Cope drove out for a little call just before we went over to Nancy's. The child had such a nice dinner prepared for her families and presided with very pretty dignity at her own table. Mary and I helped clear up afterwards and got in our share of visiting. The men of course, did the usual wandering around inspecting things generally.

Before we came home we drove over to see the fine new chicken house Mary is building. (Bob is doing the carpenter work, but it is Mary's project.) It is going to be very complete and if Mary's birds don't pay for it, it certainly won't be her fault, for they will be exceptionally well housed and she always gives them every care and attention.

Dave and Nancy have been over here all evening and we have been listening to the radio; haven't had much pleasure from it for some time for we've been using the batteries in the pump engine.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8 (1929)

It has settled down cloudy tonight has been quite windy all day and has turned off really chilly this evening so a little fire feels good.

I dug my carrots this morning then made some butter as I hadn't enough on hand for dinner. Mother and I each tried to drink a glass of buttermilk after the churning was done. We managed to down it, but cannot say we enjoyed it. I gave Dan a glassful when he came in from picking corn and he thought it was good, but some way I've never been able to work up any enthusiasm for it.

After the butter was done and the churn washed I picked up another lot of cobs. Skippy accompanied me to the hog lot and "shooed" the pigs away from my baskets.

After dinner we went to town with the trailer as Dan had to get some siding for the shed. Mother and I did our errands while he was loading. On the way home. I discovered I had lost my wrist watch and I feel so badly for Dan gave it to me several years ago and I thought so much of it. I haven't an idea where I lost it either.

Diary Of A Central South Dakota Farm Woman - Friday, October 4, 1929

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4 (1929)

The weather behaved properly, the helpers arrived in good season, and before noon the mill was in place. It was rather interesting to watch it raised. Mother and I went out and viewed the proceedings. I held one of the guy ropes, but didn't actually do any work. I scribbled around more or less earlier, preparing food, as I supposed of course the three extra helpers would be here for dinner but they finished about eleven and went off to a sale so there were only the four of us to eat, after all.

After dinner Dan and the man mixed and poured the concrete around the anchor posts and filled in the holes so our mill is in running order, I'm glad to say. Dan says it took quite a bit longer to set it up than he had expected but they made a good job of it.

It is quite cloudy this evening and has turned somewhat colder.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3

We drove in this morning with cream and eggs, did our marketing, and brought out a couple of sacks of cement to use in concreting the anchor posts of the mill. They thought they would be able to raise it after dinner, but the wind came up and they decided to wait until tomorrow. They want to have it well anchored so the winds won't topple it.

One of the neighbors phoned this morning offering me a stray dog that had come to them. Mother and I stopped for him on our way home from town. He is a nice little pup- collie, I'd say, and promises to be quite intelligent. I hope he doesn't run away.

Mother and I had planned on going to a show this afternoon, but Dan thought they might need me here on a guy rope when the tower was raised so we decided we would wait until another day. They did not use me but I found enough to keep me busy. For one thing, I stocked up with cobs, just in case we get a rain. Some extra men will be here in the morning, weather permitting, and I hope the mill will be upright on its four legs this time tomorrow.

Will got back from his trip last night and he and Jean drove out for a little visit this evening.

Diary Of A Central South Dakota Farm Woman - Sunday, September 29, 1929

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 (1929)

Will left this morning for a brief trip to the western part of the state. I asked Jean to come out for dinner with us, but she decided she preferred staying at home and resting. I had an easy time o£ it myself as the remains of yesterday's luncheon were ample for our dinner today.

Dan worked on the shed all forenoon and I helped him get up some of the roof rafters. It has been a beautiful fall day and it was nice to be out in the sunshine.

Some friends called in the afternoon and we visited with them until chore time. Just as we started milking the man came to arrange about setting up the windmill. He will come to work on it Tuesday, so I hope our hand pumping days are about over. The engine has continued on its good behavior however. '"Twas ever thus!" Probably if the windmill hadn't been ordered, the engine would have been on a strike most of the time. Inanimate things are about as "contrary" as animate.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

Some of my spring chicks have been showing signs of cold lately, so I decided I'd better clean and spray all the houses today. The washing had to be done first but as soon as that was on the line, I armed myself with broom, pitchfork and spray gun, and set out to wage war on the roup germs. Tonight I feel quite as if I'd been in some kind of a fight! I shut the east coop off and am using it as headquarters for all sneezers, and have instructed Dan if he hears any bird coughing or sniffling, he is to capture it and shut it up, so I hope to cut short any serious outbreak.

Dan went out to dig potatoes this afternoon. He did his corn picking before dinner. About 4:30 a brisk shower came up and it rained until we were through milking. Mother and I are due in town for a party tomorrow - hope it doesn't get too sloppy.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1

A glorious day. Everything looked so pretty in the sunshine for the grass is greener now than it has been all summer and the trees are all bright yellows and reds. Last year at this time, mother and I were in Denver making trips to the mountains and reveling in scenery and gorgeous coloring. She would like me to go with her again this year, but I tell her I can't indulge in such dissipations every year, much as I would enjoy it.

Our windmill expert didn't show up this morning - got here about the middle of the afternoon and when mother and I got back from town, he and Dan were busy putting the tower together.

I got the ironing out of the way this forenoon and found time for a little mending too. I wish all this month would be as beautiful as the beginning. Already we're beginning to hear prophecies of "the worst winter in years." But I suppose there is no use crossing the bridge until we come to it. If one had heaps of feed for the stock it wouldn't be so bad, but when haystacks are few and there is a shortage of everything else, one hopes for an open winter.