Butchered three hogs this week. Our “lazy” days are almost over! We will be busy now with spring work. March 4, 1932

Mother has been sick and I have been making the wheels go ‘round here.

Snow and wind today. Very pretty drifts but surely is cold. Wrote a poem “Song of the Snow.”

Went over to Lewis’s to cook dinner for corn-shellers. It was rather a long day but not exciting. 

Ginda Jensen came to practice her song for her Thanksgiving box supper. I’m to finish the music.

Met Shambaugh’s hired man. He is certainly not the least bit shy. Name is Ralph McKevitt from Detroit.

I wonder if Ralph tried to pick up on Grandma - is that what she’s trying to say here?

Mrs. Tyler and four youngsters over to stay all night last night. Mose and dad went over to Ralph Springer’s.

One can see miles from the hill where the granary is. A wide view, a broad view, a view of all the world.

Daddie is feeding 54 steers this winter. About seventy hogs. I’m getting quite well acquainted with them all.

Ironed. Getting real domesticated. Going to club over to Veda’s tomorrow. Will I learn to quilt?

It surprises me that Grandma is 16 and just now doing these sorts of chores. I wonder if her parents encouraged her schoolwork so much so that they protected her from some of these tasks? I mean, I know she was busy on the farm, but clearly these are new chores for her.

Makes me question my assumptions about being a girl in the 30s, at least in terms of her experience.

Audrey and Maxine came up to stay all night. We “ganged up” and went to the show ‘n’ what “A Holy Terror.”

I love the image of Grandma and her friends tearing up the town.

I forgot and went into the cow lot with dress on instead of overalls. Steers just about mobbed me.

Forgot what? Ah, this is a key piece of information I wish I knew because I’m not going to have any luck finding this out on the Internet. Imagine a search of “cow + dress” and you know what I mean. Maybe I can ask my dad. 

Seriously, I really want to know how and why cows care about what you’re wearing. It’s a delightful idea! Although, this does also sound a little scary.

Shambaugh’s little puppies have their eyes open. Am going to have to go see them again.

Ah! As someone who is eager to adopt a dog or two, this cuteness makes me ache!

“Work is a laughter in the skies, a flight among the clouds, a rapture in the sun.” Quayle

Clearly this was the Great Depression. I mean, I like work too (usually) but this is a little over the top for me. I can’t find the quotation out there in internet land, so I’m not sure of its history.

Shopping at Superiors. Actually spent 12 cents. Gee, I’m getting pretty extravagant. Have to see about this!

Years later, when Grandma was married to Grandpa they were the classic great depression survivors who saved much (like found nails they collected in coffee cans) and spent little (like on updated clothes).