[Letter starts on page 2, Mrs. C.D. Tidd stationery, Mayo Landing crossed out]

1938

…very happy either – over the recent slump. I do hope things are picking up by now.

We are really managing alright – it is still cold (30 below tonight) – but we know we can't have so very much more extreme cold weather – and – anyway – our wood is in!

Now that the holiday season is over I hope to have more time for sewing, writing letters, etc.

Do you remember the camel's hair blanket you sent us when we were first married? The finding was all ragged so I re-bound it with sateen, last week. It makes it look like new, and I am so pleased to have done it at last – I've wanting to, for months.

I must make some new pillows next. I've had the ticking for nearly two years so I guess it's about time I do it.

There is a satisfaction in going over these things which haven't been done properly since the flood in Mayo. Of course, I don't know how long we shall use them – or what we shall do with them when (if) we ever do leave the North – but at any rate – they are useful to us now – and that is something.

Our supply of meat is running low – indeed it is the same with everyone in town. So far we have been using what we got in the fall (after freeze up) – but now we shall have to live on canned meat, I guess – unless we could shoot a moose or caribou. No game seems to be moving around much – there haven't even been any tracks all winter!

However – we've been lucky to have had enough to last this long. Feeding Spud is quite a problem. This surely isn't any place to keep a pet dog. He eats as much as a work dog – and dog food is so hard to get.

Well Mumsie – I think I shall have to leave off with this now – I can't seem to write anything very cheerful tonight – or very interesting. I have set bread tonight (I do it about once a week) – and that means starting early in the morning – so – as it already past midnight – Good night, my dear, and happy dreams.

Love

Mary

Tuesday Afternoon

Hello Mamma,

This makes the third “go” at this letter, so I surely ought to finish this time.

It was 43 below this morning – but Claude was up and had the house nice and warm before I ever stirred. He brought me my coffee in bed too! He always does. The bread turned out fine, though I always am more concerned with it during the cold weather.

Did I tell you that since we are living here – I have an afternoon “off” each week? We have a waffle supper on that day, and Claude does every thing to [for?] it. Isn't that grand? I surely do enjoy the change and I think he does too! I usually dress up and go calling. Today I made two calls – one at the Barracks to go and to see Joe and Lillian [Kessler]. We played a game of Cribb [?} and I just returned a short while ago. Claude is busy in the kitchen, and says he has already made the tea – so I guess I'll finish this after supper – he just called me this minute.

Supper over and now Claude is washing up. He won't even let me help him – so I guess I'll go on with this, though I don't feel quite comfortable about it!

I was reading articles from the December Reader's Digest tonight to Claude while he manipulated the waffle iron. It is a great little book and we are so glad to have it. One of the men here gets the “Time Magazine” – so we are able to do fairly well with our reading on current topics, though I miss the English periodicals we used to get in the Mayo Reading Room.

One day not long ago, Mr. Shultz came in here and said “While I was staying the night at my trapping cabin up in the Forty Mile – I pulled out a bunch of old magazines that were piled on a shelf there – and was surprised when I came across and article in an old “Western Stories” magazine” – and handed me that enclosed page. We found it most amusing.

Many thanks, Mamma for the article in the Sunday News, about Anne Graff. Every word you said about her visit with you was most interesting and I am more than glad it happened. I feel very sorry to have missed her again – she and Jessie Kruder are the two I seem bound to miss, every time.

I should have loved talking to Anne about China – particularly after reading “Yang and Yin” – which suggested so many things to me. We all enjoyed reading that book up here – though I thought the ending very depressing.

I worry a lot about Anne and Betty. I think Anne is perfectly wonderful to return there – now. Really – her courage is magnificent, I think. I would think her brave – even if she had no idea of what she was going back to – but knowing it so well – it seems to be she is a real heroine. I feel proud to be on that Calendar with Anne and Betty – tho I'm sure I don't know why I'm on it! I never did anything.

Thanks for sending it, Mamma. I've hung it up in the kitchen – mainly to look at the girls when I am at work there.

I was sorry to hear about the deaths of Mr. Pellinger and Mr. Lintner, I know they will be greatly missed. I can remember Mr. Lintner so especially well – though it's been many years since I last saw him.

I am so glad you had such a nice Thanksgiving Day – though by the time this reaches you – it will seem so out-of-date to be mentioning.

We are looking forward so much to hearing about your Christmas – and wish to thank you again for the lovely letters, cards, gifts and money orders you sent us – they were more than appreciated and we shall never forget your kindness.

Perhaps my next letter will contain more news – it is too cold for much to be happening here these days – and for over a week the radio has been awful – no one is getting a thing – not even the broadcast from Dawson .

I hope you are all well, dear. Tell Bud – and Hon – and Anna – when she comes home – that I am thinking of them all the time, too – and will keep on writing when I can.

With a world of good wishes – hugs and kisses to you all, I am yours with love

Mary