18-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today:
Friday, December 19, 1913: Ruthie returned home this afternoon. The same Ruthie that went away last Monday. Wonder what she got me for Xmas.
Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:
I think that Grandma’s sister Ruth attended professional development meetings for teachers while she was in Sunbury—but it sounds like she also found a little time to go Christmas shopping.
What Did Ruth buy Grandma? . . . maybe some face powder?
I bet that Grandma was glad to have her sister home. Ruth had gone to Sunbury four days earlier and left Grandma with “all of the milking.”
Not unlike any young woman of any generation, she is very curious about what people will be giving her for Christmas. What did she get or make for others?
You’ll have to wait and see. 🙂
I like her comment, “the same Ruthie…” I’m sure she missed her.
It always seems like she missed her sister when she’s gone, but often got frustrated with her when they both were at home. I guess that’s just the way it is with sisters.
I never had a sister, but maybe that is how it is.
I bet Grandma was glad Ruthie was back home. (Notice she didn’t refer to her as Rufus….!)
You’re right. . .and you have a good memory to remember Rufus. 🙂
I was fascinated by the *warning* re: dangerous “substitutes” and was remembering that arsenic, etc., were once used in face powders. Found this rather interesting info: http://www.vintageconnection.net/ModesInMakeup.htm
Thanks for sharing the link. Whew, some of the make[up years ago sounds absolutely toxic.I’d definitely want a safe make-up.
Ha! The face powder ad sounds like snake oil! Very velvety inducing. 😉
It does. . . Of course some of today’s make-up ads also sound like snake oil. 🙂
How true. I’ve given up on their wild promises And now buy a relatively cheap and natural ingredients moisturiser!
I love Helena’s way with words–at times she’s quite sly–“The same Ruthie that went away . . . ” Not sure what it means but I love it!
I’m not sure what it means either. . Did she hope that her sister might be nicer to her? . . . less self-centered? . .
Ruthie came home unchanged and Helena sounds grateful for that. The Christmas excitement seems to be building too – with Helena wondering what her Mom got for her and now wondering the same about Ruthie. I wonder what Helena got for them. The face powder sounds lovely.