JEAN TELLS ABOUT SUSAN AND KATIE

Thank you for all the compliments.  I have enjoyed working on New York State of Mind and hope to continue being here.  It is so kind of you to think of me.

Anna will be on and off when she can.  Her Mother has alzheimer and has problems.  Sometimes she thinks she is in their house back in Pennsylvania and can't understand how she got in Hannah and Moses house.  Most of the time she still knows who everyone is, but does have times when she can't remember who someone is.  Some days she is fine, but these days are getting further and further apart.  So Anna feels she should help Hannah for whatever time they have with their parents.

I have been telling about the boys, but haven't been telling about the girls.  Susan's school, that Marilyn had pictures of, will be closing for the summer shortly.  We will have the annual graduation for those in the eight grade.  Also, we will have a picnic.  The Father's play the boys a soft ball game.  Last year the Father's won, which is rare.

Already Susan has plans on what she wants to do this summer.  Katie also has plans on what she wants to do with Susan, now that school is closing.  Of course there are chores for them to do, too, like garden work, plant work, feeding the chickens and collecting the eggs and more.  So the summer will not be all play.

Katie will be going to school when it starts again.  She went to school with Susan for a half day.  Susan and the teacher both said that Katie has a problem sitting and being still.  David and I could have told them that.  She is anxious to do things and doesn't like sitting still at a desk.We have worked with her with meetings (church) and home.  She does sit still when Grandmother Olive tells her too, but she can't send her to school with her.  Teacher said Katie will not be the only one.

In our school, when Katie enters she will be going right into first grade.  We don't have any classes or programs for younger students.  She will go a full day.  No half days here.  What we think is the best about a one room school is that subjects that she excels in, she can move ahead in that subject and yet a subject she is not so good in - can get extra help.  When an eight grade girl has time, she will help a younger student.  So if, say Katie, needs help in a subject she will be helped.  Some of the eight grade boys will help too, but they only want to help the boys where the girls don't care if it is a boy or girl.

Susan will be moving up into fifth grade in August.  Our school lets out in May and goes back to school in August.  When harvesting comes in the fall, some take time off , usually boys, to help at home.

This summer, like I said, there will be chores to do, but we will have fun activities, too.  We all like to go fishing, picnics, and more.  The children like to play soft ball, volley ball, and more.  So it is not a time spent all at work.  Even a nice buggy ride is great with the family together.

The girls also want to help the young fellow's at Edward's Grandmother's House, but we think they might be more trouble than help.  Although Thomas said, he would let them mow the lawn.  We use a push mower.  Even if they mow just part of it, it would be a help.  They also could help in the garden.

Susan is learning sewing better.  She knows how to sew, but wants to get better this summer.  Katie is learning how to quilt. She practices the quilt stitches, but does not have patience.   Susan said maybe she and Katie could get together and make a wall quilt for Thomas when he marries.  They will also need some throw rugs, too.

Susan and Katie want their job back selling when we set up our stand.  David has set the rule that neither Susan, Katie or myself are to be out there without a man.  If there is no man around, just leave the jar for people to put money in.  After those two girls being kidnapped upstate last year, he said we are not to be out there without one of them with us again.  He said he will try to have a man at home with us, but with planting, Edward's house, Thomas planting,  Michael and Edward's land and more, it will be hard.  We all promised we would obey him.

We wish all you ladies a Happy Mother's Day from Elmer, Anna, David and myself.  Our Old Order Mennonite and Amish meal will be at our house this year.  Hope it doesn't rain.

Be With God,
Jean