July 1943 - A Letter From Janet McAdam Waning

This is an undated letter from Janet McAdam Waning.  Based on the farming topics I place it to have been written in July of 1943.

Letter - Page 1

{There are notes all around the edge of page one - here they are in no particular order}

"Egg day tomorrow & my letter goes too"


"Tomorrow - corn on cob, cream carrots, beet pickles - rest of noodles roast pork canned peaches cookies coffee - Potatoes of course"


"Will send Ellen's1 letter & pictures - return pictures some time"


"Vivian M. was picking beans - Rhoda will bring her ironing & iron tomorrow PM"


"How's Bill2?"


"Dexter, Oregon
Wed - 11 PM 1943

Dear Children -

Well you'll not get a very long letter tonight for we're threshing and got up early - We began yesterday noon was to bed here - about 10 or 10-30 (but didn't get over till after dinner -- I fixed dinner but had 9 with my two - Rhoda3 didn't expect them & had to go to Dexter for meat so guess she was a little late but Bill Raush & a Larson boy -bro of the one that was here last yr - went to his place & ate - so she didn't have many -  This year we have lust 3 teams so it will be a bit slow - Walter, Lew, & Bill W - Billy would have used that sled & the tractor but no men - Walter - the lame fellow from the Grayhum place, Rust from Tom Cruzan place, & two fellows from up Lost Crk Rd - Benke is one but I don't know the other - Billy went over to Hurzlers & bot(sic) 300 sax(sic) & has 200 so he is putting the grain (oats & vetch) in them & having them sewed at the machine so he won't have to sack it in the granary but just haul it in from the straw pile.  He has the cows in the south pasture & the horses either in the barn or barn yard -
Mon - I canned 22 qts of beans baked on Sat I baked bread & a big batch of ginger..."

Letter - Page 2

"...cookies - Mon the beans & dressed 3 roosters & had them yesterday & today. You see my men didn't eat any - I had cooked (roast) pork to day but didn't use it because the chicken was enough - I was done yesterday but Rhoda came to day & will help me thru I expect it will take a good part of Sat so that will make 5 dinners this yr. Today we had mashed potatoes - good gravy noodles with the broth & meat from the gizzards & necks & ribs of the chicken  I boiled.  They sure are fat & it made nice noodle flavor - (bot(sic) noodles) string beans cabbage salad with some grated carrot slices cukes onion, sweet pickles, apple sauce, cookies orange jello with whipped cream coffee & water.

Dexter Ranch - July 1941

Grain is quite good - Have threshed the hill the piece above the ditch north of the spring & most of the oats from north of the house New'm4 hasn't worked - but may tomorrow for Rust can't come - Of course the Kittel boys are here too - Kenny thinks he can pitch but Billy sent him to the house this PM - for it makes it hard for Billy to get his bundles laid on any old way - He takes Billy's wagon because it's low - I know he was mad when he came in (Kenny) & Billy told me tonight.  Got letter & card will send horse radish just as soon as I can won't matter for a week or so as I'll just put in some taps to plant too - I'm not going to answer your letter tonight - Glad you are all OK - & had a good visit with June5 - Billy was saying tonite he wished we had Barbra(sic) for a while.  You're right about where she gets the imagination.  Billy is putting linement(sic) on his leg, cramps.
Love, Ma -"   

   
1 Perhaps Ellen Upton Hall
2 Billy Hucka - boarding with Waning family in Portland
3 Rhoda Kittel
4 Newman Hall - Billy Waning's partner
5 Perhaps Margaret's cousin - June Gantenbein Suckow