Tag Archives: hospital

happiness

A note from Grandpa (FGK-37)

This is the first letter I’ve found to mom from Grandpa. Like me, Grandpa was born left handed, except in his era left handed people were not allowed to be left handed and he got his knuckles rapped regularly to force him to write with his right hand. I have to say, his penmanship is quite spectacular, especially considering he wrote with his non dominant hand.

Grandpa died when I was only seven, and given the short amount of time I had with him I have many happy memories. I realize now as an adult that means that he must have gone out of his way to spend a lot of time with me (and his other grandkids) to make such an impression. My favourite Grandpa memory is of the time we drove up to our cottage (only steps from their house) and Grandpa was standing on the driveway. As soon as I got out of the car he called me over all excited to show me something. I was maybe 5 or 6. On the driveway was a garter snake, and Grandpa looked at me with a huge smile on his face and told me that I should take it inside and show Grandma and her friends because they loved snakes and they’d be very happy to see it. Grandma was having a tea party in the dining room with a few ladies and I danced into the room holding the snake up for all to see. I remember screaming and people running, and then the snake slithering across the kitchen floor while Grandpa laughed and Grandma yelled at him. Turned out the snake didn’t want to leave the kitchen either, and Grandpa had to sweep him out the kitchen door several times before he finally went on his way.

March 10, 1953

Hello Margie

Here is Dad at last with a note. Have been thinking of you a lot, seeing that I can’t see you these days. I was up in the hills yesterday to see if I could find any more cattle but did not find any. Len, Clarence, and Frank was with me. We put our horses in the truck and drove up past the ranger station and rode from there. Sure is a desolate country this time of year. Just snow and not a track of anything.

Anne is gone now so Mom and I have an awful time deciding who is going to get up in the morning and prepare breakfast. So far I think I have been getting the worst of it.

Rees is in the Hospital for a minor operation but is getting out on Thursday. So I had Jimmy Patterson to feed the steers in Grand Valley.

Marshall and I were riding on Saturday and the hound caught another coyote. Buster and Rex helped and between us all we got him killed. Rex chewed on a front leg.

Hope you are doing fine and didn’t catch any more chicken pox.

Am sending you a card to mail to anybody you care to.

Dad

I included his letter so you could see his penmanship. I love this letter, I wish I’d known Grandpa for longer.
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happiness

Hospital Friends, Lightening, Toothaches (FGK-35)

These letters from friends mom made while in the hospital must have been kind of bittersweet. I’m sure they built extremely close friendships, and they would have understood each other in a way that no one else could. Their shared experience would have bonded them because no matter how hard anyone else tried, it would be impossible to fully understand what life was like for these kids isolated from family and friends in the hospital. I feel for mom being one of the kids who had to remain in there after some of her friends were well enough to go home and return to their lives. Grandma talked of mom’s loneliness and I feel it in my soul even though I know I don’t understand but a small part of it. Mom was in the hospital almost 3 years when this letter was written.

Based on the handwriting (and I know I probably shouldn’t make assumptions), it seems that Anne is younger. And Janet, if you’re out there, I find you anything but an old bore!

I wonder what happened to these old friends. I don’t recall mom ever getting together and visiting with them in my lifetime.

Stavely, Alberta

August 15, 1954

Dear Margie;

I guess it’s about time I wrote eh? You’ll think I’ve dropped off the face of the earth again.

How’s life at JRCH? Same as usual I suppose. Do you have an y idea at all about when you’ll get out? I just can’t wait for you to get out of that place and we can see each other again without having some nurse’s permission, and then only being able to say “hello” and “good-bye”.

I at last got my results the other day, and I was even pleasantly surprised. I got 4 H’s , and A, and a B. My B of course was in math, but was better than I expected at that! If you happen to see Mrs. Aiken, you might tell her my marks. She may want to know. I should write her myself I guess, but I very likely won’t get around to it. You know me and my letter-writing well enough to agree with that.

I’m in Stavely at present – have been here since last Wednesday. Anne is with me and we’re staying at Broomfields. You remember Mrs. Broomfield don’t you? The one I called Auntie Ella. They know George Lane quite well. Now you know!!

Auntie and Uncle took us to the drive in last night. While we were there it started to pour rain. We had the windshield wipers going, making it awfully hard to see, and the lightening was blinding. We left before it was over and had an awful trip home. The lightening was the worst I have ever seen, about six streaks would come at once, and it was mixed with sheet lightning. Every time a flash would come it was as bright as day only it looked like kind of a blue light.

I just got Anne going and she’s going to put in a note too. I’ve had a time keeping her mind off homesickness. She had a bad toothache off and on since we came and last night we noticed that one side of her face was swollen. It must be abscessed to make it do that.

We’re going home tomorrow on the bus. I think Anne’s glad. I just noticed her telling you the same thing.

We wanted to get home for the fair on Tuesday, and anyway, we’ve bothered these poor long-suffering folks enough.

I hate to disappoint you dearie, but this is all the news I’ve got. I’ll write as soon as I can and tell you about the fair.

Start putting the pressure on Dr. Walsh and Miss Olsen and fly out of there one of these days.

bye, and bushels of love,

Janet (that old bore)

Stavely, Alberta

Aug. 15 1954

Dear Margie

I hope you can get out of the Red Cross Hospital quite soon. When you get out you have to come and see us. I really should write to you more often, I’ll try.

Auntie Ella bought me a new doll and a dress. Janet bought me some other new clothes, including a pedal-pusher outfit so Ill be well dressed for a while.

We went to a drive-in last night.

I’ve had a bad toothache the last few days. My face was swollen this morning.

We are going to leave Stavely tomorrow morning early on the bus.

Love Anne

Hope to see you soon.

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happiness

Teepees and First Nations Celebrations (FGK-34)

I feel like anything I could say would ruin the perfect beauty of this letter. I am simply going to make the statement, as I do every time this terminology comes up, that I think Aunt Gertie would want to use culturally sensitive words, and this was the language they had at the time. There has always been a lot of respect for our First Nations neighbours to the west of us (and elsewhere).

Cochrane, Alberta

July 23, 1953

Dear Margie:-

Well Margie Sumer is certainly well underway. Haying is in full swing. Last night we had a lot of fun setting up the teepee for the Indians crew in our yard. The children helped us make the wickets and pickets and set up the poles. Afterwards they ramped through the doorway and had pillow fights on the beds. You could hear the giggles everywhere I thought I never would get them in the house to go to bed.

We surely enjoyed the Indian Day celebration at Banff. I wouldn’t have missed it for anything. It was held on the grounds of the Banff Springs Hotel. The enclosure was made to resemble a theatre stage and the walls were made of small pine trees set close together. Three gaily painted teepees and a microphone were the main stage feathers. The Indians wandered in leisurely and squatted in groups around the tents. Their beautifully beaded costumes and headdresses lent the whole scene a gay colourful note. The announcer was the best I’ve ever heard. He was from New York and had been made a blood brother ie his wrists had been slashed and his blood mixed with Indian blood. Not many white people have had this honour. He was so witty and interesting that he held us all spellbound.

I wish you could have seen their dancing: the elk dance, the deer dance, chicken dance etc. Each Indian is doing something different and yet all are keeping perfect time. Even the little children join in. Two were only about 3 years old and they were so comical. They kept pulling their gum in and out of their mouths watching the crowds with big brown eyes and keeping the step perfectly. One little boy of the “Ear Family” was only 4 1/2 years old and he was a wonderful dancer. He spun hoops on his arm and both thighs all the time he danced. The crowd kept cheering and he came back three or four times to give solo dances.

I saw the famous dancer “Saddleback”. He is supposed to be the best Indian dancer in Alberta and I can well believe it. You just couldn’t help but notice him. He had a beautiful powder blue suit with rose heading and more snow white fox skins at his waist and one he held over one arm like a muff. He put his feet down so carefully and lightly and they were never still a moment. The many bells on his ankles tinkled merrily. You could almost imagine the deer’s movement as he danced. He also danced with hoops whisking on both arms and legs. One thing I noticed particularly in the Indian dance it is the play of the muscles in the shoulders. It was a steady rhythm and must take quite a while to learn.

Eddie “One Spot” sang some cowboy songs. Another “One Spot” boy played the guitar and sang. Music takes on an added charm in the mountains as it seems to almost echo back. I was sorry we hadn’t taken all the children as they would have enjoyed it so much.

At one point in the program the announcer asked which people thought they had come from the longest distance. Some were from South America, Switzerland, Sweden, England, Germany etc. One girl called “Karen” came from Sweden. Another gentleman was from Switzerland. These were considered to have come from furthest away. As a keepsake of their visit to Canada each was given a beautifully beaded pair of moccasins. They surely were pleased.

Last week my aunt Mina and uncle Ed and 3 cousins were here from Toronto, Ontario. They were motoring through northern USA and back through Canada. They seemed to enjoy western Canada albeit uncle Ed was sure fed up with mountains. He was so funny describing his driving on mountain roads.

I guess Shirley is leaving me in another couple of weeks. She is going to get her old job back as secretary. She can earn a lot more money that way. I’ll miss her as she has sure been a good worker and i really need the help with a hay crew. Alvin is going to try and get a job with the oil wells as it pays well. It’s too bad young folks can’t learn to wait to marry till they have a bit of money saved up. They seem to have to learn the hard way.

My peonies have been just grand this year. I’ll still have bouquets of them for another week I think .The garden looks so nice since we used our new rototiller.

I’ve been busy canning fruit and making jam. It’s nice to get the shelves filled again.

We all send best wishes

Lovingly

Aunt Gertie

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happiness

Skipping Assembly, New Shoes, School Stress (FGK 33)

I was quite a ways into this letter before I realized who it was from. Before I throw my aunt too far under the bus, I’d like to say that compared to some of the teenage naughty school behaviour, hers is really pretty innocent. For example, the year my parents made me go to boarding school on Vancouver Island they had a Terry Fox Run and I think we had to go at least 10k. We were to run up the Malahat (seems super safe right?) turn around, and come back. I was with a group of kids who thought it was total BS and had no desire to run. We made it to the turn around spot and spent the entire time back to the school trying to hitch a ride. Fortunately no one actually stopped to pick us up or goodness knows where we’d be now! I never told my parents that story, so if there are sudden rumbles of thunder and lightening tearing across the sky today, it’s just them reading my blog in heaven!!

I miss my aunt a lot, reading these letters reminds me of how when I was younger and went away to both the boarding school and University of Lethbridge she consistently sent me letters to remind me I was loved. The letters I received were not nearly as hilarious as the ones she sent mom, but I suppose then she was an adult, I would send much different letters to my niece than to my sister. I’ve always had a special place in my heart for her because of that, and reading these letters to mom is like reading a letter she would have sent to a good friend of hers. It makes my heart smile. This is also the closest I have ever heard her use “bad” language. It’s nothing like my “bad” language, but that’s like comparing apples to pineapples.

Assembly period Tues

Dear Marg

I have just gotten into trouble I think. Five of us girls, Sheila Stephen, Evelyn Heinrich, Rita Holms, Pat Mrstik(?), and myself were sneaking up the stairs with the intentions of skipping assembly, and guess who was talking on the phone at the top of the stairs, that’s right Mrs Stevie. We kept right on going. Wonder what’s going to happen.

Yesterday Barbara and I went into the library to study during assembly and guess who walked in but mr Schula. He never said anything.

5:40

Well Mrs Stevie hasn’t said anything yet. I was just in her room buying stamps and it wasn’t mentioned.

I bought a pair of shoes today, black suede shoes. They haven’t got the toe out so I hope Marsh is satisfied.

Two of the girls from the college ran for the Teen Queen for Calgary. There as one from every high school. Anyways, one of the girls that lives in the dorm (Irene Stowell) won and the other girl from MRC got second, so we feel pretty happy. Irene got a real Hudson Bay coat and then tomorrow she’s going to Edmonton to compete against Queens from all over the Province.

I saw Aunt Irene, Heather Scott, Gina (?) McDougall, Mrs armstand, and Mrs Charlie Robinson. Aunt Irene is getting another baby! Honestly!

Must get ready for supper

Love Sheila C

Wed

Dear Marg

Went to assembly this morning for a change. Bored silly.

I have to read a take the minutes at the Council meeting today. Marilyn’s Modeling at a fashion show.

Love Sheila

8:15

Mum came in after 4 and went into speak to Mr. Collette. Wonder what they talked about. Then she took Marsh and Wayne downtown and they had supper out. Doggone that meeting anyways!!

Talked Marsh into going to the dance at Glendale so I’ll be able to wear my new shoes.

I sent in a request on Hospital Hour for you so you’d better listen. Don’t know whether you’d like it or not. You’ll have to hear it to appreciate it.

Must get to work.

Saw Anne Monday. She might come out during the latter part of the Easter Holidays.

Thurs 12:20

Dear Marg

Boy am I ever mad!!! I was under the impression that all the biographies for the yearbook were in and even written out, now I just found out that only half of them were in and some lost them. Gad. What a mess!!

Sure have a lot of studying to do. Exams next week you know!! Where does time ever go!

Marilyn and Peggy are eating ice cream. Slurp Slurp

4:10

Dear Marg.

I have just disgraced myself. In French this afternoon I was reading a part out loud and I couldn’t say ‘monsieur’ finally I got the giggles and I couldn’t say anything. I felt like crawling through the nearest window. Another girl had to finish. The teacher just laughed and thought it was a great joke thank goodness. Still haven’t got those GD Biographies.

Must get to work

Love

Sheila C

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happiness

A Day in the Life at the JR Red Cross Hospital (FGK-31)

This letter was written by four of mom’s friends in Ward 13 at the Jr. Red Cross Hospital. Mom must have been home for a visit – by this time she’d have been in the hospital for a little over a year. This letter makes me both happy and sad. I’m happy that these kids seemed to have a genuine friendship with each other which must have helped immensely, I’m sad because there were so many children in that hospital isolated from their friends and family.

I appreciate this letter immensely because I feel like it provides me with better insight as to what mom’s daily life was like in those years. As I’ve been studying for my Masters in Counselling Psychology the last year and a half or so, I have a much better understanding of the effects of trauma and it must have been incredibly difficult for these children, as well as their families. The constant outpouring of love Mom received from her family and community surely must have helped balance out some of the trauma, but with no psychological help available it was a lot to overcome.

My mom’s inner strength and will to live continues to amaze and impress me. The same goes for these other children.

Jr. RC Hospital

Nov 18,/52

Dear Margie

We promised we’d write to you so here goes. There hasn’t been anything very exciting happening around here to tell you the truth.

I got my packs discontinued at night a week ago (about time eh!) at eleven and from tonight on I get them off at nine. I have also been walking at the tank of course. Miss Mason says I’m still to weak to walk all the time. Boy it sure felt good to have your feet on the floor once again.

How are you getting along? Fine I sure hope, we sure miss you here but I’ll bet you’re having a good time at home. We sure get into trouble, the other day we just couldn’t wake up in the morning and Mrs. Hope came in and said if we couldn’t wake up for our breakfast we couldn’t have a nurse in the wards, baths, or anything so we all stayed wake this morning.

The boys have sure been bad lately, they were throwing hard boiled eggs around last night. Alfred broke the Polio power jar, by throwing it at the wall. They are sure good to us, they send us candy quite often etc.

Clifford got his packs discontinued, it shouldn’t be too long before he can go home.

Laurie also got her shoulder pack off.

Gwen has a new Physio now, Miss Olson. Mis Evoy is finished. Gwen said to tell you she sure likes it by the window.

Rose goes to the schoolroom in the wheelchair now, she’s sure proud of herself. She and Dale fight over the wheelchair.

Mrs. Smith the night nurse is sick with Polio. Poor old Mrs Boyce was on along for three nights. (Boo!hoo!)

Remember Miss Fairly, we had her bring us milkshakes on Sunday, were they ever good.

They showed us a picture last night about the Post Office, concerning the guides, Scouts etc.

Miss Durand just came in to say “good-bye” – she’s leaving to get married on Sat.

Gerald Nickle went home since you left.

Dorthy Fawkes is getting along real well, she’s out of the respiration for good. Gwen thinks she may be coming over here, she’s not sure.

We are all looking forward to Christmas, seeing we are going to spend it in here. Do you think you will be home for Christmas?

We sure have a lot of fun but Mrs. Baker is sure getting strict.

We have a promise for this ward, ‘Be Prepared For Anything” How true, eh?

Gwen said to say that Mrs Boyce is still as noisy as ever.

Mrs Baker, Mrs Haworth, Mrs Moulton, and Miss Steiner are all on 3-1/right now.

Right now Rose is in the boys room as usual, talking to Willard and Alfred.

The blind fell down again, only this time it fell on me, my leg is sure sore today.

Well, I guess we’d better close for now as it is about time to go to bed, and we want to send this with Mrs Moulton.

Love and Best Wishes

Marguerite Robinson

Rose Lamothe

Gwen Fawkes

Laurie Snyder

PS (with an arrow drawn upon to Rose being in the boy’s ward) Don’t believe her Marg. Rose

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Christmas Party Drama (FGK-29)

I recall hearing stories from community members of Mom’s generation about what a big deal their Christmas Concert was. If I remember correctly, there was a lot of excitement a couple of weeks before they were set to put it on as they all got to go to the Hall to practice instead of having to do school work. As a child, I loved having to go and “preform for my present” at the Hall Christmas party (especially the year I played Mary and just had to sit there rocking the baby Jesus while my cousins had to sing and do all the work), and it’s been revived in recent years by the Hall board (which I am fortunate enough to be on, but take no responsibility for being the brain child of) as a potluck and Christmas Carol party with Santa as the Grande Finale.

Box 58

Cochrane, Alberta

Nov 14, 1953

Dear Margie,

Well, I suppose it’s about time I returned your letter! Gosh I just don’t get around to writing letters!

I have quite a bit of news that won’t make you overjoyed. The usual Jumping Pound Christmas Show will be a thing of the past. A little school party will take its place. Darn! That’s where we really miss you, Margie. The main reason is that there aren’t enough large pupils to carry on a real show. A thing we have always done in yesteryear. However I believe that one big reason is that Mr. O’Brien is tired of putting on such a big show. He claims that he will do all in his power for a concert if people want it, but I notice he has tried with success to kill the spirit. I guess it’s best though because if we put on a poor job this year from lack of talent it would sure wreck our reputation.

How is your school work? I’m finding that I’ve really got my hands full. I have finished my first unit in Science and am finishing up my Social unit now but I am badly behind in Math and I am on about page 110. I’m behind in that too!

We have some baby kittens at our place. They arrived a few weeks ago. Dave and Mary say that they are big enough to purr. However I have not heard them.

Gee! It’s about winter isn’t it? There isn’t any snow or ice around here yet. I guess it won’t be long before there is though and it will be time for toboggans and skates.

I’m running a little low on news. Reckon I’ll have to go.

Wishin’ you health and wealth

Lawrence

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Worms, Parties, Well Wishes (FGK-25)

Mom always talked about how much she loved Aunt Annie who lived in the old house (so basically next door) until she got married. Auntie Gertie was another bright light in the world, I remember her as a kind woman who always had a smile on her face.

I’m not sure in Aunt Annie’s letter if mom had some sort of relapse, and if she was in the hospital or not. Her card didn’t have an envelope, but it’s a really cute card, as is Auntie Gertie’s.

Oct 3rd 1953

RR No1, De Winston

Dear Margie,

At last I have found my pen so here is a wee letter with your birthday card.

I was so glad to hear from you and to know that you are well and happy and just getting along fine. I know you’ll lick that thing and that you’ll not be too long about it now that you are over the hump.

Clarence is growing and changing a lot. You aren’t going to know your little cousin when you see him again. He is seeing all sorts of strange things himself. He was shouting and calling the other day so I went out to see what all the excitement was about. He was down and his hands and knees with his little face right down on the ground, and pointing to something. I had to get down too, to see what it was. I surely laughed I discovered it was a big __ worm. So if you hear about anybody looking under a worm’s tummy you’ll know it can be done.

We are going up to the Birthday Party for the Buckley boys, we will all miss you Margie, but we’ll really throw a party when you are able to be up and about again and can join in the fun. I hope you’ll be able to read this as I am rushing so that I wouldn’t be surprised if you had some difficulty. Clarence is asleep and I have my dinner dishes yet to do.

So I’ll close for this time and you’ll be hearing from me again.

With heaps of love and kisses

Aunt Annie xxxooo

This is a small card from Auntie Gertie – there was no date on it so I’m not sure exactly when it was sent. It’s a beautiful card, makes me feel like I’m home (which of course I am).

Dear Margie,

I’m still thinking of you. It’s wonderful to hear you’re improving. Keep up the good work. I’ll try to send you a letter next week.

Love from Aunt Gertie

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Have Some Compassion (FGK-23)

I’m really glad we’ve had some lovely letters to share that are full of love and good wishes from mom’s family and the community. Today’s letter reminds me of some of the challenges that mom and my grandparents faced while mom was in the hospital – loneliness being up there with her physical condition.

In our home using the word “crippled” was akin to any of the racially charged words that are out there, or the worst of the degrading terms that could be used regarding another person. It is a word that makes me visibly cringe when I hear or read it, and I can truly see why mom refused to let that word into her life.

Now, I am not saying that the staff wasn’t doing their best, but their best and the future that Grandma envisioned for her youngest daughter I think were quite different. I am so impressed by Grandma’s tenacity – she never gave up believing that mom was going to surpass what was expected of her physically, and she clearly cared about her emotional well being as well.

This letter made me really sad, it’s taken me a bit to write out because my eyes kept leaking. And I really wanted to balance it out with a happy letter, but that seemed wrong. I don’t want to take away from what this letter is saying. And I wonder if this is around the time that Grandpa started building that Physio table for mom – letters show she was in the hospital for several months after this, but I’m not sure exactly when she came home yet.

Grandma for me was always “Grandma”. I knew she could be strong and stubborn (this can be a good thing when used properly) sometimes but I’m seeing strength, faith, and determination like I never imagined. I am so impressed at how she stood up for mom and advocated for her care all the way through. It was a powerful lesson because I watched how Grandma’s children cared for her once the dementia took over and loved her all the way until God took over. Watching my parents, aunts and uncles care for Grandma like that was what taught me how to care for my parents as they were preparing to return to God as well.

I’ll attach the letter at the end, but I wrote it out so that it would be easier to read.

State Services for Crippled Children

State University of Iowa

Iowa city, Iowa

Office of the Director

January 12, 1953

Mrs Percy Copithorne,

RR2 Calgary

Alberta, Canada

Dear Mrs. Copithorne

We have your letter of December 29th in which you told about your daughter’s loneliness in the hospital where she was being treated for polio. you asked for the book on the Care of Infantile paralysis in the Home. We are glad to send it to you.

Our doctors here would quite agree with you feeling, that your daughter should be receiving medical care. They would not agree with you, however, in humouring her to the degree that you allow her to decide on what is best for her. If there is anything to be done for her, it should be done now and continue as long as her doctor recommends it. She will be grateful to you in the years to come.

We have inquired about medical resources in Calgary, and have been advised that there is nothing better from there to the coast. However, your family doctor is in a better position to know about resources in that area.

We are truly sorry about your child’s crippling condition. But we should strongly advise that you not allow your compassion for her to take precedence over your better judgement, regarding what is best for her.

Very truly yours,

R.R Rembolt M.D., Director

State Services for Crippled Children

(Mrs.) Cecilia H. Robert

Supervising Medical Social Consultant

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Haying and Strawberries (FGK-21)

Thanks to some of you, I now know who the Barkleys are. I sure wish I’d known Mrs. Barkley, her letters sound so thoughtful and loving. And I know that I keep commenting on the handwriting, but hers is really quite fantastic. I can’t explain why exactly, but I really liked this letter, it made me feel warm and happy inside like a good cup of tea. Oh, and while I am thinking about tea – notice where she says they broke a saucer. Honestly, it never occurred to me when they’d bring food to the men in the field that they’d have tea cups with saucers. I don’t know what I’d imagined, but I just never thought of cups with saucers. So much work, but it does make tea taste better!

Although this letter is about daily life in Jumping Pound, the letter itself was mailed from Phoenix Arizona – it cost 6 cents to mail a letter from Arizona to Alberta in 1954 apparently.

So, where was Auntie Sheila off to that was giving her butterflies? Interesting to see that there was yet another polio outbreak in the area at this time – mom had been in the hospital just a few days short of 3 years by now. Kind of puts things in perspective for me with our current situation.

Sunday August 30 (1954)

Dear Margie

We haven’t heard any report of you lately and surly hope you are moving around now.

Sorry, I have been so slow in writing lately. Hope everyone else hasn’t neglected you so.

We are still at this hay job but hope to be finished in a few days. Our garden is producing a little now so it makes my job a little easier. Mr. Barkley’s brother from Longview came and helped us and we have had quite a good boy to drive the tractor or the bailer. Carmen and I had to get pulled thru a creek at the Kaster place one day and I got stuck in a creek in Mr. Wallace’s field yesterday. Just broke one saucer hitting the bumps in all our trips that really was not too bad the way we had to go at times. I guess they will come to the house for the few dinners left.

Have been expecting some more good strawberries but as yet they haven’t arrived. The raspberries I believe were better than ever. I just had to go to Cochrane for them. Irene and Clarence met the at the school to get theirs.

Have there been many new patients coming in? Surely too bad there are so many cases again this year. The man and wife we know are in isolation yet but are evidently showing good improvement already.

My niece and her husband were here for a few days a week ago and expect some friends from Vancouver for a few days this week so hope this haying is finished before they arrive

Guess Sheila will be having butterflies today. Sure hope she likes her choice. We’ll all miss seeing her at the weekends. She really looked well and nice when we saw her a couple of weeks ago.

Hope to get some barely swathed this week. Plenty of green grain around yet. My men are talking bailing some hailed crop at the Kaster place.

Be a good girl Margie and hope I hear another “forward” report on you soon.

Best Wishes,

The Barkleys

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