February 7, 1932
I finished a nice doily, diameter 22 inches, has 35 shaped crotched points, will give it to my niece Elenora Venis Owens[1. I believe Mary was referring to her niece Eleanor (Vennes) Owen, who was the daughter of Mary’s sister Maud.] at Bridger, Mont.[2. Bridger is located about 45 miles south of Billings.]
The doily pictured above – probably more of a hot pad than a doily – is about 7 inches in diameter. It was made by my great grandmother Mary and given to me by my Aunt Stella Dalin.
February 11, 1932
I rote 3 letters concerning the Shokopee mine & quarreled with Albert until I was all in with heartache & everything else. He couldn’t rite it himself & then we had a round of words.
February 13, 1932
Mr. & Mrs. Jess Cannon, Mrs. Nyaski & Mrs. Korting[1. This is most likely a reference to Mary’s good friend Lizzie Korting.] were here & we played cards after. Jerry Lauller & L. Sandish came in feeling their oats.[4. According to Wiktionary, “feeling one’s oats” is “to feel energetic or frisky; to behave in a vigorous or bold manner.” Not sure if this is what Mary meant, though.]
February 14, 1932
Last nite, C. Beaver. C. Schenck[3. This is Mary’s son Christie Schenck.], Ranta, Farrell, J. Spurzem[sp?], L. Sandish were at Beavers feeling good[5. “feeling good” second night in a row . . .] & the horses out side in the storm. A little chickadee bird sat on Albert’s shoulder while he was cutting wood last week.
February 16, 1932
It makes no difference what I say or do, Albert and Christie argue I am wrong, [several words crossed out], both are ready to make me mad. I am mad, nervous, dissatisfied, discontented and sure hard boiled at everything. I had nothing but unkindness, beatings, quarreling up to when I got married[6. By all accounts, Mary’s parents had a very difficult and contentious marriage. They separated when Mary was young and eventually divorced. Based on court records, I believe Mary and her siblings were caught in the middle.], then things were not much lovable, worked terrible hard all the time &, after George died (1916) the children and I drifted because they felt I was so stern, I looked at things in life different to them and to-day I am so hard boiled with the past I can feel it hurt me all over and those by me call me crazy. God and I understand that subject and no one else. Have also been wronged by others with all my body suffering I went thro with it, & the worries I still suffer when my flesh and blood suffer in themselves. I pray for help but it don’t seem to come my way. I am left with not much patience on that to others. A few years ago I suffered terrible in my head, now my body or head burns up with heat, heat I can’t stand, the noise or roaring of a fire drives me mad. I suffer and others ridicule me and call me crazy & say what ought to be done to me. No one is going thro that stage but myself. I alone feel the hurt it gives me.
NOTES
March 1, 1932
