17-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today:
Monday, June 24, 1912: I got so tired a working today. I am about well nigh used up.
Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:
Sounds like Grandma had a rough day. After hard days I enjoy relaxing in my yard and enjoying my flowers.
I know that Grandma enjoyed gardening when she was older. Maybe she also enjoyed relaxing amongst flowers when she was young.
Here are some hundred-year-old drawings of flower gardens in the April, 1912 issue of Ladies Home Journal.
A Hundred Years Ago 
“Well nigh used up” Now I just may have to use that phrase…like it. I certainly like your personal notes and photographs also, Sheryl.
Thanks for the nice note. It’s always wonderful to hear when someone enjoys the diary and my blog.
Ditto with the “well nigh used up.” I do love Helena’s vocabulary, she did have a way with words.
I agree. 🙂
“Well-nigh”…Well it has been along time since I have heard that expression. Little higher up the mountains they would have said “purt-near”
People were more isolated by geography back then. My sense it that the slang was slightly different in each valley and highland.