Diary 1925

T.B. Barrett

Donnybrook. Port Dover Ontario

From January 1st 1925 to November 1925

Thurs day January 1st, 1925

At the time of the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto last November Frank & Jonas sojourned for a few days in the city ostensibly to have a look at the fat cattle & high jumping hunters, but no doubt as far as Frank we are concerned there was a fairer attraction than an attractive Fair. Whatever his prime motive was the point in this connection in that he brought home this book for me and it resembles very closely the books that I was wont to keep diurnal records in prior to the war, but which up till now I have been unable to get. The possession of it inspires me to resume my old practice of diary writing and so I make a start with the New Year. We are still in the grip of a very cold snap which has lasted with scarcely a break now for about two weeks. The wind to-day was in the east but it has been fairly sunny. I have done very little all day but the chores, went over to Willie {Shoud's?} this morning to pay him back for the sink we got from him last fall, and this afternoon went over to the woods for awhile to find some fuel but didn’t have much luck. I started milking Mary to-day as Garnet came out Coleman came yesterday & took the calf.

Friday January 2nd

We contemplated going to town to-day which would have necessitated my walking over home and getting Queen or the team, but the weather altered our plans. It was snowing hard when we got up this morning and had snowed hard during the night keeping it up till this after noon. It has been getting steadily milder all day and I think is almost thawing to-night. As we now have a nice lot of skim milk on hand I began feeding the cockeels out in the colony house their fattening mash and had to make a trough for them. They have just been getting grain and I {illegible} lost flesh during the very cold weather of the last couple of weeks. I did some more fixing to my cow stable this afternoon battoned up more of the cracks and put a window in. It was quite comfortable working bare handed which was a great relief. Mrs. Tupper and Clara were in to-night for a few minutes to return the little house scales which Mrs. Tupper borrowed a couple of weeks ago to weigh her geese. Must wash up the tea dishes now and get after Rob Roy. We are reading it aloud.

Saturday January 3rd

This has been a busy day for me. I did the morning chores as quickly as possible and started to walk over home but got a ride on a load of lumber from the Winding Hill. Dad helped me harness & hook up the team (Queen and Joe) and we then loaded up my potatoes and buckwheat. Dad & I both got potatoes from Jim Dixon and he left mine over there. It was noon when I got home and as Marj was hoping to leave for town by one o'clock I fed the team and gobbled my dinner without much ceremony. Marj fed the chickens while I unloaded the potatoes and emptied them into {bushe?} hampers down cellar. I unloaded the buckwheat before dinner. I then put the cows in and looked up. It was nearly two by the time we started. We unloaded the kids at Aunty's by way of a birthday party for her and I drove Marj up town, left Jim Dixon's bags at Walker Evans according to instructions and drove right back to {illegible name} Walker's where I loaded up five bags of wheat and took home. Neither {illegible name} nor the man were home but the boys were there and superindended the business. I unloaded the wheat and then {illegible} across to the woods where I found a little wood. Our nice little maple

stick, but I had quite a job of getting it. as it was green and heavy. I fell down with it once and got covered with snow getting out from under it. by the time I got my word home and unloaded and the chickens fed it was nearly five so I then returned to town for the family. Frank was there too so he came home with us and took the team back. Snowed most of the day and is still mild. The sleighing is good.

Sunday January 4th

The peaceful and quiet observance of the Sabbath at Donnybrook to day was uninterrupted by any excursions abroad on our part or visits from others. I just did what was necessary outside this morning helped Marj wash the dishes as she didn't feel very well and she beguiled the times and lightened the tasks by reading Rob Roy to me while I worked. We had a late breakfast and an early tea and dispensed with a middle meal and gained what ever energy such meal would have afforded us by napping. Marj insistson my writing my share of the Christmas letters of thanks, a task which has formerly devolved entirely on her so I spent about two hours this evening writing a note to Grand Daddy. Southwest wind - cloudy now but quite mild.

Monday, january 5th

School opened again this morning and as I had a lot of snow shovelling to do over there I got around pretty early and did most of my morning chores by latern light. I saw Mabel to-night and she said every pupil was on hand and glad to get back after their long holiday, owing to the measles. I had intended going over home, getting the team and getting a load of coal this morning but put it off till after dinner. When I got there I found Frank going off with the Pick for as to help them load straw or something so {Dad?} advised me not to take the team to-day as it would be so late before I could get out with the coal and back with the team, and they want Joe to-night as they are taking in the evangelical meetings of Mr. Robinson a friend of Mr. Cornish's. I borrowed his cutter and drove down town, posted some letters got a can of coal oil and went to interview Mr. Carpenter & Al. Faulkner about cutters which they had advertised for sale. Mr. Carpenter was in Port {Ryerse?} voting I suppose but Dr. Bicknell said he didn't think he wanted to dispose of the cutter without selling his horse buggy and harness. Al has sold one of his cutters and is keeping the other but has a pair of light bobs for sale, they have no shafts on them

lethal slumber that have all the qualifications of the greener months besides a few peculiar to them selves to implant in a fellow that very happy sensation. the {illegible} joy of being alive. Just such a day was this especially the fore noon of it. I was in an excellent position to enjoy it as I walked from here over home to meet Frank with my load of coal. There was not a breath of wind and the sun was not bright which would have been dazzling in that night's fresh snow, but {differed?} a {genius?} caught through the lightest of cloud high floating wealth of smoke. The northern part of the sky was blue, but not the steel blue of Winter but the soft hazy appearance of Late Autumn while the air might have been that of May except for a certain energizing zest to it not comparable to the chill of Spring nor its longious warmth which has a {illegible} lethargy. The roads are excillint trim for sleighing and apparently too deep for the pesky cars to spoil them. No mud of Spring. no bugs of Summer, no {illegible} of work as with fall. if all Winter weather was like this, tourist resorts in the South would have to go out of business, but what makes this weather truly appreciated is that it is a very small nugget in a large rock of quartz and the

realization that for all we know an 80 mile{illegible} may be the programme for tomorrow. When I got to the tavern I found Frank had gone down for the coal and Dad was preparing the scene for the execution of his pigs He was very distressed that I had walked over as he said Frank would go right out the side road with the coal and I would have to walk back. Frank however had forgotten to take a scoop shovel and remembering that I didn't have one came back by the farm with the coal so I rode out with him. He took the train right back so as to be on time to help with the pig killing this afternoon. Pickford and {name?} are going to help. I spent the afternoon lining my chicken house with tar paper and at May’s suggestion shifting the roasts so that they are not in such a direct draft from the windows. {Ina?} was here washing today and she walked home with Mabel who came over for a while after school.

Wednes day January 7th Another very mild day and so nice that May: wanted to go to town. I was anxious to finish fixing my Chicken pen but as she was afraid we might not get another nice day this week. I told her that if she would go over and

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borrow the haup cutter and Houi {illegible}would go right after dinner.

May: went over and made the necessary arrangements and Mrs. Lampkin offered to keep the {haby}. I worked at the chicken pen till noon then right after dinner we loaded hay into the hand sleigh and I handed her over, left her with Mrs. Lampkin and came back with flour & the cutter for May: & the niblits. It was cloudy when we started with a raw wind but thawing more than it has any day yet. We left Harry B. at Cutep and I drove May: up to see Glad. Law who has been very much worse since Christmas. I then came back. put {I larie} in the barn and went in and had a visit with hila who has not been out of bed for the last few days although she feels pretty well. She has become fascinated breathe. much talked of and ridiculed cross- word-puzzles. Aunty & Aunty Alice are greatly elated after the courage & skill they displayed this morning in tracking down & killing a rat. They have inspected his presence for some time in the little room off the kitchen so this morning organized a hunting party. They searched through various homes, bales, baskets, bags trunks, etcetera and finally unearthed their quarry in a valis through which he had chewed him self {illegible}

entraves and also helped himself to pieces of all the contents for the construction of his nest. The {puj} discovered was only half won as the real chase began, and was carried on, in, out, between, under, over, across, through and “apast” every object in the room until finally they brought him to bay and Aunty Alice, with certainly more courage than a great many women and some men poses attacked him with the hammer. {I her} onslaught though friree was not sufficient mortally wound him not to quell his cries, but {bushe} had him pinned down she feared to risk his escape by raising the hammer for another {Llaw} so she called to Aunty to come to her rescue with another weapon. She knew the sickle was in the kitchen and thought it would do the deed but in the {teuse} excitement of the moment could think of no other name for it but cutlass, for which she called. Aunty was at a loss to know where in their peaceful surroundings she could lay hands on a cutlass or any other buccaneering accouterment so failed to render the assistance so sorely needed. The case become desperate for although the crocking cries of the enemy betrayed the flitting of the vital spark, the strength of the hand that held the hammer was also waning and Who could tell what reserve of strength might he mustered

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if that crushing weight were {reloned} for a moment.

Eventually Aunty come to the scene of action without arms or ammunition but relieved Aunty Alice of her hold on the prisoner while Aunty Alice went in search of the hatchet with which she presently returned and dealt the death blow almost severing the wicked head from the ugly body. No wonder theey are exultant after having triumphed so gloriously over the forces of evil the perpetrator of nocturnal destruction and predatory invasion. They can not rest secure and happy in the memory of their hard fought but well won field. I walked over to Jim. Jannisten to see a cutter which Mrs. Lamp kin told me he had for sale but there was no body home so we stopped on our way home and I asked Jim not to sell it until I had a look at it. Dad drove Euah down and left her at Aunty’s while I was there. They are taking in the revival meetings regularly I think, Frank says they had a poor house the night of the hockey match but that was to be expected, the first intermediate O.H.A. game of the season. Dover beat Brantford. 6-5. It began to snow while we were away and kept it up all the after noon Big flakes of heavy snow coming straight down. We are certainly getting plenty of this winter. It was dark

by the time I got back to the hamp kins with the {hane} and cutter after taking May: & the Niblits home and there I had to load qay up and haul her home. It was still snowing hard but very mild and she seewed to thoroughly enjoy the trip I was afraid all the time she would pitch her self out and when we turned into our lave where the track was not beaten the fresh snow came to the top of her sleigh box she gurgled with joy when she could stick her little mitt out and draw them through the soft snow until we got about half way up the lave either she gave a lurch or {que ranner} went suddenly deep a but over the sleigh went and qay went face down into a snow drift. I grabbed her up as fast as possible and tucked her under my arm, evidently none the worse, she seemed to take it as part of the fun. When we got to the house, she was as rosy, cosy and happy as any ten year old kid who has been jumping into snow banks. We put in an awful evening. Aunty Alice but May: his her new Sabitine book “The Gates of Dorm" and we started to read it out loud but I couldn't keep awake so we bath dozed far awhile and then May: sent of her book alone and read the whole thing. We got to bed almost half past two.

Thursday January 8th I spent about two hours & a half in bed last night and consequently didn’t feel much like working today. So didn't do any thing but the chores it was a little too cold any way to do Carpenter work in the chicken pen. It has been a beautiful sunny day but the wind was quite strong and sharp. I went over to the school house before we had breakfast and William Reqise came back with me to look at the bull calf as he thought of buying him but he thinks he is too small. for service now so I think be won’t take him. We were pretty late getting through break fast and {illegible} Sat around the kitchen most of the after noon which May: told her the story she read last night. This after noon I washed the dishes while she read a little mace of Roh. Ray to me and to night we went to right after tea. but by the times we got the kids settled It wasn't very early. May: got qay a pair of stiff {souled} shoes yesterday & hopes she will soon walk alone with them

Friday January 9th it was a cold night and has been sharp to day but little wind and sunny so that it is ideal winter

weather. I did chores most of the forenoon and this after noon walked down town to see Jim Jannisten cutter. I met John Patterson on the road with it and as he was driving out here partly to show me the cutter and partly to exercise his horse he turned around and drove me into town. It is a shabby looking affair but seems perfectly sound and has new shoes on it which Jim says are worth four dollars so I don't think I lost anything by paying him ten dollars for it. I saw Dad. & Frank down town. Frank was all furred up in coon skin ready to start for Selkick with his theatrical troupe. I got my hair cut and walked back home getting here about seven. It was a beautiful night moonlight & sappy. I had tea which was all ready and did chores afterwards. May: has not felt well all day. The shaft boys brought down four loads 15 yards of gravel for me to day which I home to make a {caustakes} flour of when the frost {illegible} May: says qay is developing a temper like a yellow jacket with a {sore com}. She let her feed herself pudding today and the performance was so comical May: couldn't refrain from laughing where at. Miss qay flew into a passion screamed a {scudded} and made a scene like a regular picture show lady.

Satur day January 10th This has been another beautiful day but is frosty to night I puttered around at the chores this morning and tore down a big {comshack} and got all the inside of it into the barn and stacked the outside along the chicken house to melt the snow & off it. Karry B was out with me and was disturbed the cosy winter qualities of several mice which interested him greatly. It seems sort of hard lines to turn them out in the cold after they had get fixed up so comfortably for the winter: The cats got some of them later I went over and swept the school house after dinner and while I was there Dad. & Jim came out in the {bob}. straight to get Queen’s harness. They came over to the school and I went back with them and waited at the farm while Dad drove Queen & my cutter down to get Aunty Alice and Miss {Qruenest} the pianist of the evangelicas company, whom he brought over for tea and their I drove my cutter straight home. Dover intermediate 416.4. team went to {Srin} we last night & beat them 8-0

Sunday January 11th We harried around this morning doing the usual chores and getting dressed up leaving about noon to have dinner at the Bugley’s. It was very bright but a cold east wind I left May & the kids at the house, then drove down, and put Queen on Aunty’s barn. This after noon Mr. Bagley and I went to meeting Mr. Robinson was having in the town hall for men only. I was averse to going but Mr. Bagley assured me we would be out early and so I couldn't very well get out of it. There was a good crowd there and Mr. Robinson spoke very well and as nicely as his subject permitted but as I heard it or read it all before and as far as I can see ann in no position to either help or hinder his work, and as the hall was cold and as it was after five when we got out I was very sorry I went. I hurried back with Mr. Bagley and got my sweater and then hurried down to get Queen as it was getting very cold. Mrs. Bagley was going to get tea for us but I wouldn't wait but thought she would give May: a cup which I was gone but she didn't. We got home about six and I guess I was the coldest of the party but I got warmed up doing chores

Monday January 12th It has been milder to day but cloudy. I seem to have felt lazy and didn't do much but the chores. This

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Fore noon I cut down mate to the pine tree that I cut last winter just behind the barn.

I have about seven pines on the hill north west of the barn and they are all beginning to die at the top. This tree was leaning very much towards the barn yard fence but I got the big hay rope out of the barn and tied it as far up the trunk as I could safely reach with my 18 ft. ladder and snubbed the other end to a tree down the bank hoping to be able to pull the pine away from the fence, however I chopped till it began to crack and before I could get down to pull it fell and of course went right across the fence. smashing two or three of the old wires and cutting one strand of the rope when. it pulled taut across the branch if a little ash tree. I didn't do much this afternoon. but kill a little rooster for May: She went over to the school cans after four and mailed Mabel over for dinner to morrow and also swept. Thawing to night

Tuesday January 13th Wilbur Ryan was in this morning to ask me if he could have the bull calf for the summer for his keep, leaving me the option of selling him if I got a chance so I agreed to give me the dollars to pay for his registration and said he would get him to morrow I spent most of this day fixing a hopper for the chickens. Ina was here washing and {maled} {ounce} over for dinner I drove Ina home to night and went on down town to a horticultural society meeting but as uncle Ward was sick, there was now quite mild

Wednesday January 14th Wilbur came in this morning with his stock sack and we loaded the calf. I did up all the chores this morning and we all went down to aunty's {fordrima} After dinner Harry B & I went over to be farm and I filled out the application for the registration of the calf. May: did her buying and I drove back to aunty’s and got her and we called in at the farm and piched {MP} Harry B. Beautiful day but cold evening.

Thursday January 15th Didn't do anything much to day but chores. It was very cold early this morning about the coldest night yet but was a beautiful day and is milder to might I sat around and we finished reading Role. Roy. I did things up early the night and got ready to go