The Small Courtesies that Make the Going Easier

Some thoughts written in 1931 by a woman in Wyoming– Recently I bought a dress and hat at a local shop kept by a women who, early in life, was suddenly and without preparation thrust into the position of breadwinner for herself and husband. Through the various ups and downs of her career in our…

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Being a Loyal, Not Critical Wife–Observations from the 1930s

Letter 1, 1937– It seems I am never with some of my married friends–girls my own age as well as those of the older generation–but they are complaining about their husbands, or criticizing them, one way or another. Perhaps you would not call that a lack of loyalty, but I feel that it is. I…

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I Shall Forget Me and Think of Others; 1923

When I was a little girl at home, I was unsatisfied. I had lots of troubles and disappointments, brooded over them and could never see the bright side of life. An old lady who had lost all her relatives came to live with my folks. She had her share of troubles, the poor old soul.…

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Knowing How to Stay Home

“I have observed that we are now faced with a lesson our ancestors never even dreamed of having to learn–that is the lesson of knowing how to stay at home and enjoy the blessings of home culture.” -1905 The writer goes on to mention the early 1900s trends of “rapid transit, cheap rates, and easy…

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