== 1881. == 12. MONDAY. [255 - 110] Finished the field at dark tonight. Father sowed 2 bags and got over 2/3 of it. This is thiner than our usual seeding so we will see how it will do. Willie was picking up this forenoon & coming home found the ewe we call Blackleg dead in the fence corner. We plucked off the wool and put her beneath the sod at noon. Her breathing has been laborious for more than a year & I suppose grub in the head also -- Cloudy and slight showers just like fall 13. TUESDAY. [256 - 109 ] I was harrowing until Father finished swwing then Willie harrowed till night. I was scraping in Garden got it pretty level now but it has taken quite a while. Evening I hung gate at barnyard to open into calves field to let horses to water. Bright blue sky today with big white clouds floating on a cool northern breeze 14. WEDNESDAY. [ 257-108 ] Willie harrowing all day. I and father were digging stones and leveling in front of house. Afternoon had more picking stones off orchard scraping and removed parliament building to the shade of plum tree at the end of log house. Evening picked up a little in follow and lit f4 log heaps 15. THURSDAY. [258 -107 ] Willie finished field at half past 10. Father & I lighted a lot more heaps & picked up. The wind got up very high from South East so the fence caught three or four times but we put it out. Got Orchard at back of house sown at dinner time & I ganged it in. I was at fire evening. Willie harrowing ganging. The wind is still high but we have got a fine shower so I think we can go to bed 16. FRIDAY. [259 -106 ] I was up looking at fire between 12 & 1 as we have the equinoxial gale. The spark were being whirled along with every gust, but I thought nothing fresh had caught so I went to bed till 5. Still a very strong gale. Fire spread a little among old logs but fence did not catch. Logged up piece to keep fire from spreading among logs. Then took off 4 big stones at creekbed. Picking up all afternoon and finished it heavy rain at supper time and is still raining. Threw off last load of harvest tonight 17. SATURDAY. [ 260-105 ] Rained last night & off & on all day today. Cleaned up barn floor had 1 1/2 bushel oats from drawing in. We were to cut up in follow but rain put us home. Thrashed 6 bus peas cleaned them up and put them in bin. Papers report terrible fires in Michigan sweeping towns & villages and everything for miles. people taking refuge in the lake. Disastrous gale on Saturday last to shiping on our lakes. 18. SUNDAY. 14 after Trinity [ 261 -104 ] We were at our S.S. 9 Scholars and all 4 in my class. The service in our church was conducted by Mr James Duncan from the Northwest. Text 11th Ch of Matt at the 28th 29th and 30th verse. Come unto me all ye that labor and our heavy laden and I will give you rest. The Church was full Mr Duncan being a general favourite before he left for the N.W. 9 years ago. He has since he left qualified himself for the ministry & he's held appointments there but is home on account of sickness and is now so far restored.