18-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today:
Friday, November 7, 1913: Pa’s away now and we kids have the things to look after. I ought to practice my music more than I have, so I may have it in a better condition than what I do.
Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:
Where did her father go? . . . and why did he go there?
Maybe he was going somewhere to buy something. The previous day Grandma cashed a check for $400. Maybe she was cashing a check that her father wrote for “cash” so that he would have money to buy something. . . . But what?
A Hundred Years Ago 
I wonder if it means that “Pa” passed away? But you may have a death date for him so I could be way off! I sure enjoy your grandma’s journal.
I’ll bet he went to buy a new piece of equipment…
How many were there in “we kids” ?
Another mystery from Grandma!
Maybe he was going to buy her a new piano? 🙂
I find it fascinating that the diary says both so much and so little.
The frustration mounts as Grandma keeps leaving little hints about things and the plot thickens.
It must have been a surprise for someone.
I suppose at this time of year he may be looking at farm stuff or maybe early Christmas shopping 🙂
More mystery. And more wistful thoughts about practicing that piano.
That sounds right about the money. The entry sounds like something in Little House on the Prairie.
Maybe we’ll find out when he gets back.