April 11, 1924 letter to Nancy Brown from Louese Harris

April 11, 1924

To: Nancy Brown

From: Louese Harris, Shelbyville, MI

She has trouble doing things and mornings are the only time she is free from lameness and pain. Mildred is hustling to get the spring sewing and house cleaning done before she and Fred take a three-week vacation. Aunt Kate is piecing a quilt for Blanche and is planning a trip to Detroit in August. Louese is amazed that a woman her age wants to do so much traveling alone. Jim is suffering from asthma again and can’t lie down or work.

Shelbyville Apr. 11-1924

Dear Sister:

I am writing this card to let you know I do not owe you a letter, but it’s alright. I know you are busy as well as my self and it is most impossible to do any thing out side of housework and every thing that goes with it. If I could only move swift but it’s no use. To day some of the time I was’nt sure whether I could keep my feet moving or not to morrow may or will be better. Only when I first get up in the morning am I the most free from lameness & pain. Mildred[1] hustles all the time trying to get our spring sewing done. Then the house cleaning before she & Fred[2] have their vacation the very last of May. Have their passes now, going to his sisters at Bourbon Ind. with auto so can have it to use while there. From there go to Washington D.C. – dont know where next but expect to be gone three weeks. The roads are settled now so Fred goes to & from work with car, leaves home at 2.15 P.M. returns at 11.30 eve. A letter from Aunt Kate[3] last week asking me for silk pieces she is piecing quilt for Blanche.[4] I could not get at it to pick up more for her until this week, sent them to day. Now I have to write a letter. Sent card last Mon telling her I’d rec’d hers. She writes as if she thought Fred was not working. I can’t understand it as he has’nt missed a day since he came here. She’s planning on a trip to Detroit in Aug. will visit us and the folks at home of course. Can you imagine a woman of her age[5] wanting to do so much traveling and alone. Jim[6] has been having asthma again. Can’t lie down – can’t work. The Star runs just the same. No Mrs Harding has not sold and is not going to. A partial bargain made but she had’nt told Ruby & ____ they could have it & now she has sent word they can’t. Ruby has a baby boy two weeks old. Dorothy does not go out unless after dark. She looks like seven mos. Evry one thinks six or seven. Mrs H- feels just awful. She looks very bad and is pretty near a nervous wreck. Every body feels sorry for her. LaVerne[7] rec’d your letter and will ans. soon. I will too. Very sorry for you all.

Love to all

Lou

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[1] Louese’s daughter, Mildred (Harris) Cripe

[2] Mildred’s husband, Fred Cripe

[3] Katherine (Atcheson) Crawford, widow of Louese’s and Nancy’s Uncle Hiram Crawford Jr.

[4] Kate’s daughter, Blanche (Crawford) Hessey

[5] Kate was 83 years old

[6] Louese’s and Nancy’s brother, James Keith

[7] Louese’s daughter, LaVerne (Harris) Boyer