18-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today:
Wednesday, January 7, 1914: Went on an errand this afternoon, but didn’t accomplish anything as the people weren’t at home. Ruthie and I went up to Oakes’ this evening.
Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:
What was the failed errand? . . . an attempt to return something? . . . an attempt to buy or borrow something? . . . an attempt to give a message to someone? . . .
The Oakes lived on a farm near the Muffly’s and had several children close in age to Grandma and her sister Ruth. Rachel Oakes was a friend. And, there were at least two boys in the family–Jim and Alvin. Back in n 1911, Ruth dated Jim Oakes.
She didn’t waste words, your grandmother! Very tantalising.
A picture postcard for rural America.
I agree with Margaret! Grandma didn’t give out much information!
I like your photos of how the places look today.
I love that you have a photo of the farm where they lived! Really adds a special dimension.
Should have texted ahead to make sure they were home.
🙂
When she says “the people” weren’t home it makes me think they weren’t in her regular circle of friends and family or she probably would have named them, as she did the Oakes family. A mystery!
Oh, Helena, you leave so many gaps in the info you give us!
Interesting info you had to share regarding the Oakes.
It’s times like these that we wish Helena had elaborated more. 🙂
More questions than answers in this one.
I remember when I was young we would often stop to visit friends unexpectedly or have them drop by. We don’t see that much today.