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PROGRAMMING NOTE from the Author and Archivist


So obviously I just stopped blogging on this platform. I'll get back to it eventually. Or not. I'm taking a break from all social media. It seemed necessary for my mental health.

The last few years have been busy and … challenging:

- 2015 Happened.
- 2016 Let's call it The Lost Year. (Obviously words failed me.)
- 2017 about broke me. Literally. Mentally.
- 2018 was ridiculous, proving 2017 was just a warm up. (Good thing I was already broken so it couldn't hurt as much.#2018TrashCanFire I thought things were going okay, but maybe not?)

- 2019 was such a blur. I know there were highlights, but then stuff happened and carried into the next year...

- And then in March#2020 really took a turn. Who can even categorize 2020? Do we dare?


I kinda want a do-over of some of the last few years. But life doesn’t work that way.


So for now, I'm hunkering down. Regrouping. Trying to stay safe and sort some stuff out.


Stay safe everyone. Stay well.

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Friday, April 30, 2010

Letters from Ollie J - April 30, 1995

By 1995 I was done with college and settled into an apartment and working through my first season at Caramoor. I must have sent some of the literature down to her when Mom went to visit.

I haven't really edited too many of these letters. I've tried to preserve her voice, syntax, and idiomatic writing style. There will be a few instances, however, when I do censor a bit. While I've gotten approval from most family members to be mentioned, some parts of Auntie Nettie's story do not have a place on this blog. That stuff goes somewhere else.

30 Apr 1995

[The Farm
Pikeville, NC]

Dear Granddaughter,

Past dew[sic]. Surely seems hard to settle down to write any one.
Its now 7 May 1995.

Had a beautiful sunny day and some warmer than past few days.

Church and Sunday School and Relief Society were all up lifting.

After ate my dinner. Went over to Visit a neighbour[sic] for a while.

Thanks so much for the letters I haven’t answered. The Book, Pamplets[sic] and letter your mom brough[sic] when she came- All appreciated lots.

I have been quilting for ladies – six or more already – Have one in now about ¼ finished. Not big pay but does help out – and I love the work. Yard has been mowed 3 times already. Tobacco is set in field and growing. Not sure what else will be planted.

Have a new set of shingles on house. Job looks nice. Hope last at least twenty years.

Haven’t done much on garden. Hoe and shovel don’t work easy So I’ll think about it. My freezer is full still.


[next part edited out]

Let me know how you feal[sic].

Please.

Your work sound exciting and fast moving. Find joy in it and it will go soothly[sic].

Maybe a little high class for me but get some joy from high clasial[sic] music. Don’t understand all of it.

Give it your best.

Did have a good time with your mother while she was here. I taged[sic] along every where she went – to Judy’s, Linda [Mary's college friends], Henrys etc.

Missed here[sic] all next week. Me here all alone.

Had mowing to do which kept me busy all day to get it all but Even moved the Road too next day.

Hope you are adjusting to Ballancing[sic] your pay check with expences[sic]. Me too. Find best not to want to[sic] many things.

Bluebirds have made a home in box near light pole and may even have babies by now. Some times have two batches of babies in one year. They add color to earth. Blue stands out.

8 May
Another slightly cool Sunny morning. I have been up quilted some.

Talked to Lucille A--. Carol brought over 3 hens so I have been out and fed them. Had 2 eggs to gather yesterday.

I should cut out some quilt squares so can make another quilt top. That way will get rid of some of the scrap material which lays around here.

Be good to your self and God bless you.

Love

Grandma

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