These letters show the spartan simplicity of their lives and their unflinching courage in facing their lives. Uncharacteristically, Grandma seems to have splurged on stationery as these are written on light blue paper of good quality using an ink pen.  Surprisingly they even display joy!  Mother's older sister was still-born in November of this year.  The handwriting is very good in places considering the limited schooling she had received.   I have 'accidentally' [can't help it] corrected some spelling but I have intentionally preserved some of her eccentricities like abbreviations for receive "rec" and a couple of others.

 Jan 31st  Dearest sweet mother and all - Rec'd your sweet letters today and was so glad to hear from you.  Mother you don't know how sorry I am that I failed to ans your letters last week. Please pardon me for I have been so busy I haven't wrote a line to anyone since the last one you rec'd from me - only those cards I sent you Saturday.  Yes we rec'd the box last Thursday.  Many, many thanks for the two quilts and your trouble and listen Dear Mother and Dada please don't worry about the way I had to leave for I was perfectly satisfied with everything you did and really, I think you have both done your part for me, yes I would have appreciated the broom, sure because I haven't got one yet only a borried one from Mrs. Baker   [the 'a' looks like an 'o' but since my grandpa Higgins worked for Baker Dairy she must mean his employer's wife]  Mae and myself went to town last Thursday and I spend 8 dollars for my sheeting and two sheets and a few other things.  Everything sure is high over here.  I got me two nice sheets already made for $1.36 a piece and I put lace all around them  Got enough sheeting to make me two sheets and one set of pillow cases.  Guess I can make out with that for a while.  

Mr. Chandler has him a job here at Baker's.  He come and stayed till bed time with us last night. He's worrying about his folks.  Said he had not heard a word from them since he left home.  Mother we don't live but just a very short piece from Mrs. Baker.  Mae says she's going home Saturday, ...wants me to go with her but I can't leave my sweet little hubby to pay for all these things and me off enjoying myself.  I must stay here till summer anyway.  Maybe he can come with me then

No Myrtie has not been yet.  Had another letter from her last week stating that they were coming soon but I haven't saw them yet.  Mother I'm so sorry for sweet little Lois.  The tears had to come when I read about Lois calling me to play the organ.  Oh how I do miss you all.  Please remember me and give my love to everybody.

From your loving Daughter Lola

February 6, 1923

My Dear Momma and papa, just finished reading those precious lines from my sweet momma.  What a great thing it is to have dear parents like you are, you don't know how incouraging it is to rec such sweet letters from you.  So glad to know you are all able to be up and enjoying your sweet selves.

For me, I'm quite a bit lonesome since Mae left, only while Houston's away, but he's with me about two hours during the day, one at 8:30 and one at dinner.

Gee, we are having some bad weather now.  It rained here all day Sunday and yesterday everything was frozen over so you should know I have been spending  a few lonesome hours.  Have to stay closed up by myself and our lights went out on us Sunday night.  They are doing their work at the barn by lantern lights.  Houston come in Sunday night and found me in the dark and I had to hold a torch for him to eat supper,stayed here alone from 6 till 6:30 in the dark but I'm not doing nothing like that any more.  We are going to get us a lamp some time soon so when our lights goes wrong I won't have to stay in the dark.  I'm writing this by lantern light now.

It's still cold and raining but I'm enjoying it the best kind [possibly "the best I can?"].  My sweet hubby keep me plenty of wood and good fires.  He is just as good to me as he can be.

Mother, I don't know just when I will come home now some time this summer though.  Houston says i can go just anytime I want to but I want us to get nearer out of debt before I leave him.  Guess I'll just wait till August or September and we will both make you a little visit.  Don't you think that would be nice?   I'll close and get some dinner ready.

From Lola

Lola wrote a note on the side of this letter saying "Thursday morning: Houston is sick in bed this morning.  It's 8 oclock.  He hasn't eat anything, Just bullion and headache."

February 6th (same day as the above letter)

to Miss Lois Boatright (My dear little lover) at this writing I'm feeling fine and I do trust that [zip] shall find you the same.  Was pretty much delighted to hear from my sweet little Lois this morning, I just felt like all morning that I was going to receive a sweet letter and you see I was rewarded as well.  We rec'd a letter from Agnes yesterday. Mc McElveen and her got married Sunday.  She already had her rooms furnished when she married.  She is off from her work till tomorrow.  Guess she will have a nice time today if its not bad weather like it is here.  

Oh Lois how I do wish you could come over here and meet some of these good looking people.  Thres lots of beautiful boys at the barn that I'm sure you would take a liking to if you were to meet them.  I tell Houston that Tom Young is my sport- ha ha,  but I've got nothing on him .  He teases me about his good looking Mary Bell.  She sure is sweet.  She come up to see me a while this morning.  You should know that I'm having a grand time over here.  

Listen when have you all heard from Myrtie.  I haven't heard from her in about two weeks.  Don't know what to think about the way she's done anyway.  Her and Earlie both are treating me real mean by not writing I think.  Well I'll have to close.  Wish I could see you, could tell you lots that I can't write.  Please write to me often with all the Wayside news [?]  I dream of seeing [?] last night.  ha ha.  Lola