One day in April the Ladies Aid met at the home of Mrs. Deweese. That is a good place to get the neighborhood gossip. Each one knows something about what all the others are doing. So one hears all that has happened for miles around. Mrs. Deweese's daughter, Anna May, had just married a while before. But we had seen right away that she was expecting a baby. So there were many stares and sly glances among the ladies.
The time soon passed and it was time for us to go home as it was nearly time for the children to get out of school and our husbands to come home from work. Mrs. Dobs and I walk home together.
On the way home she said, "I should think that Clara would be ashamed to have the Ladies Aid at her house with Anna May there as big as you please, and helping to serve, besides!"
We came to Lillie's gate so I said goodbye and hurried on home.
Dick was there already and he couldn't wait to tell me old Spottie had twin calves. Well, I could hardly wait to see them. One was red and the other was red with white spots like their mother. She looked so proud of them.
That was Wednesday. Dick said wait and see what tomorrow will bring. And sure enough, we went to feed the hogs and one of the sows had ten of the cutest little red pigs I had ever seen. They were thoroughbred Duroc Reds. A few days later another had eight baby pigs, making eighteen in all.
The ewes had been lambing for some time. So far there were fifty-five lambs. And I had four hundred little chicks to care for. It would soon be time to plant a garden. So you see I had enough to keep me busy for the being.
We had a very nice summer and the grain was all thrashed and in the barns, corn is the shocks. Time seem to pass quickly.
Summer was gone and fall was here. We had both worked hard but everything had went along very nicely. We had been too busy to go much. So we did not hear much about the neighbors.
Then one day in September Mrs. Deweese called me on the phone and said that Anna May had triplets. She was excited. She said, "Oh dear me, Polly Ann, now what will I do? That poor child can't take care of three babies."
I said, "Well, Clara, it looks like she will have to."
The next day I went over to see them. Richard weighed three pounds, Robert three and a half, and Randy three pounds and ten ounces. They were all very nice babies. Ann May was worried and wondered what she would do with three babies to care for. I told her to cheer up. They have a big world to grow up in and they will soon be running around. So just think of how nice they are now.
By now it was getting well on into Fall and I began to think of the holiday season and our reunion. I was so happy that our family had been reunited. I still had so much to do before Christmas.
Then I received a letter from Ben telling me he would come early so he could help me get things ready for our big dinner for the holidays.
When Dick came home I told him about Ben's letter and that he was coming the fifteenth. We were looking forward to that date in December when Ben would come. He was just as excited as we were. We all took time out to go to town for a tree and presents for each one.
After we got home, Dick went out to do chores and Ben brought the tree in and trimmed it while I was working the kitchen. At last every thing was ready; for the big day.
Jennie came with her family. Sam came a little later. Then Christmas morning our children and their families came for the day. The children sang some songs. Ben offered a prayer of thanks to God for everything. Then we exchanged presents.
As everyone got in his place at the table, we were surprised to hear Jennie's little Tommy say, "Aunt Polly Ann, doesn't anyone say grace here?"
Well, we had a very nice dinner that everyone enjoyed.
They all made ready for their trip home. Sam said we will all be back next year. Ben said he would go home with Jennie for a few days. They got in their cars and we all said goodbye. The children waved their hands and hollered, "Goodbye, Aunt Polly and Uncle Dick," as far as we could see them.
Well now, so long until we meet again!
