Ross River
June 4, 1931

Dear Anna

I've been wanting to write to you for such a long time – but just lately I've been too busy – and then I'm not so much in the mood – just now. Seventeen days since my sweetheart chugged down the Pelly – and not the remotest rumor concerning him – since. I do hope he is feeling better and that he is in Dawson – for I know he must be enjoying it there - if he feels fit enough. The dogs still gaze down the river and set up a wail in his behalf at intervals – but they don't know how good they have it! I give them more to eat than Claude did – which I shouldn't do – for they are much too fat now – but I can't resist doing so – they always seem so ravenous. I've also been exercising them – one at a time. I don't know whether it does much good – but anyway it makes me feel better to know they've been off their chains for a bit.

We've been having bright days since June 1 st – and they certainly are a relief – after that miserable May. Things are just now beginning to grow. I've spent hours lately in the flower garden. I want to get everything transplanted as soon as I can now – because the season is so late – and I want the plants to be as far advanced as possible – when the boat comes. The mosquitoes are descending upon us too – and they are a pesky nuisance when at work outdoors – so I must hurry. The trouble is – Roy dug me so many beds- it will take ages to fill them all.

There seem to be absolute millions of things to do just now. Really – though I've been at work morning, noon and night ever since Claude left – I don't seem to get on so fast as I'd like. I baked bread today – I bake for Roy in the summertime - so I have to do it as often as ever – even though I am alone.

Roy – and every body else – have been perfectly wonderful to me – they just don't do enough – and are so considerate and thoughtful. They are always bringing me a bit of fresh meat – or fish – or rhubarb or something . I certainly do appreciate it. The Martin children have helped me rake and clean up all around the house- and it was a big pile – for Claude couldn't do any of it this spring. I'm still working at it though it looks much better than it did.

Roy fixed up my window boxes and is always doing some little carpenter's job about the place. He is very good at anything like that – and it certainly is grand of him. Indeed – we've all been working on the place. Roy says Claude won't recognize it when he gets back.

I think it's a good thing I'm planning for Honey – really the mere thought of her coming is inspiration enough for me to really do things I've been wanting to do for months – some of 'em for years! Even at that – I'll bet I won't be half ready I know. I'll just keep plugging way and when she comes! Oh! – I won't care about anything then.

If the boat brings our Honey – and my sweetheart safely back to me – I think – I'll just about die of happiness – if I don't die of anxiety before. It's funny – but in this big – free – open country – there is so much to keep me on this one little spot just now – that I feel for all the world like a caged thing – imprisoned somewhere – far away from everyone I love. I can fret – or worry - or be optimistic and cheerful – hopeful or discouraged – and it makes no difference – there is no answering response. However – it is merely a temporary state – something has got to happen – in the course of a few weeks – and I trust that good luck is in store.

Tomorrow is Mamma's birthday! I wonder if she still has her bird – the one she got on her birthday two years ago – and I wonder if Honey is still with her – But I just daren't start wondering – it leads to sleepless nights – and they are all too sleepless now – when it never does get dark and the birds keep twittering about the place every hour.

I'm not going to tell you anything about what I have done about the place – for I am too much with it – I'll let Honey give you her first impression – they will be so much more vivid. I wish though – that my house plants would save some of their blooms – they are so wonderful now – just perfect – and I'm afraid they will be over by the time she comes. It is ten o'clock now – (evening) – and I am sitting by the kitchen window. It is very light – I can see all the kennels and – for a brief moment – all the ‘boys' are settled. They'll be up and barking in a moment I am sure. Just a while ago I was (from the window) Frank Etzel and his boys crossing the river in their boat. The dogs were all excited about that. Frank landed at his vegetable garden – so I suppose he is going to start work. Doesn't it seem strange – people mostly work at night up here in the summer time – it's so much pleasanter. They travel at night too. Billie Atkinson came

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