Friday, February 24, 2012

Farmer's Wife Friday: The Lure of Mother Earth

Today's farmer's wife is from Massachusetts. And another feisty wife she is! I think that is what I am enjoying the most about reading these letters from the 1920s. She starts by refuting current false statements regarding a woman's life on the farm, such as "no modern improvements" and "too isolated....They are in a class with the bogy man and similar imaginary terrors."

Alrighty then...

She goes on to prove her point by citing "one-pipe furnaces, farm lighting systems, septic tanks and the expert knowledge of rural sanitation...." She also likes alliteration. "The other bugbear, isolation, can be answered in the key of 'F', as it were--Flivvers, Fones and Free Rural Delivery." She feels that the bright daughter, "who might be a nobody in a large city, can be a real power in a small farm community...." She and her husband probably spend hours talking about the business of running a farm, sitting at their kitchen table and having a cup of coffee.


#25 Cups & Saucers


"It is upon the farm that her mind may be kept broad and alert by much reading, much thinking; her heart kept sympathetic and warm by communion with God's out-of-doors..." She probably kept in touch with what was going on in the world through periodicals and letters brought by the mailman. Don't forget that she mentioned "free rural delivery." Free, you say? And here we are in 2012, with postage that continually goes up in price, and contemplating delivery service going from six days per week to five.

#68 Postage Stamp

All these farmer's wives constantly inspire me with their spunk and love of life on the farm. They certainly are able and willing to communicate their thoughts in an articulate way.And I'm happy to have a little bit of insight into their lives.
Don't forget to check out Carla's thoughts. She always has great blocks, and fascinating insight into the letters as she actually lives on a farm!

11 comments:

05 08
Cindy Sharp said... #

Your blocks look great.

You should put a meter up for you blocks like the one you have for hexis. It would be fun to watch it grow.

Carla said... #

Once again your blocks are lovely, Cindy, and your interview so "right on". But, you city girls, don't you realize that living in the country does not equal living on a farm!! (I did live on one growing up though.) ;)

Needled Mom said... #

I love seeing how the blocks look in solids and then seeing the prints. Both are lovely.

Carla said... #

These blocks are so fun to do. I am enjoying your friday posts. (and all others)

Katy Cameron said... #

Great choice for the week, love the postage stamps

Mrs Flying Blind... said... #

Your postage stamp looks so modern - brilliant x

FlourishingPalms said... #

I know you're using solids in your FW blocks, but is the cups and saucers block shot cotton? It looks like it, and I like it a lot! Haven't used any myself, but it intrigues me.

felicity said... #

What are you plans for this beauty when it's done? It's going to be a stunning quilt.

Katy McCoy said... #

Free Rural Delivery - don't forget there is no free lunch - this service was subsidized by the government (meaning you and me) due to the dominance of the ag interests in Congress at that time. Not judging, just sayin'....

A Rancher's Daughter

Letterpress said... #

While that rich earthy block really reeled me in, I love the postage stamp block, too! And of course, reading their words add to the enjoyment of these posts. How many blocks are done? How many do you plan to do? I don't need a "meter" but it might be fun at the bottom of the post to indicate where you are on this--your industry inspires me!

E.

Rene' said... #

Cindy, another pair of fabulous blocks! So glad you are still enjoying making these. I love the pictures of the Color Box quilt and am in awe of the quilting! Enjoy your retreat this weekend!