July 1, 1914

Dear diary,

My was yesterday ever a busy day for it was Hazel’s 14^th birthday. Mama and I were busy fussing over the house and making the cake in preparation for her evening party. Hazel wanted a Devils food cake which has been all the rage around here this year. Mama made the pies and I made the cake. Here’s the recipe I used.

“Devil’s Food“
1/2 cup of milk
4 ounces of chocolate
1/2 cup butter
3 cups pastry flour
1 1/2 cups of sugar
4 eggs
2 teaspoonfuls of baking powder
Put in a double boiler four ounces of chocolate and a half pint of milk; cook until smooth and thick, and stand aside to cool. Beat a half cup of butter to a cream; add gradually one and a half cups of sugar and the yolks of four eggs; beat until light and smooth. Then add the cool chocolate mixture and three cups of pastry flour, with which you have sifted two teaspoonfuls of baking powder. Beat thoroughly for at least five minutes; then stir in the well beaten whites of the eggs. Bake in three or four layers. Put the layers together with soft icing, to which you have added a cup of chopped nuts. The success of this cake depends upon the flour used.”
—Mrs. Rorer’s New Cook Book, Sarah Tyson Rorer [Philadelphia: 1902] (p. 619)

Boiled icing
One cup of sugar (granulated), quarter cup of water (cold), one egg (only white, beaten stiff). Put water on sugar in a saucepan and let it boil until it threads. Then remove from fire and pour over the stiff white, beaten until it thickens. Put on the cake at once.”
—The Oracle: Receipts Rare, Rich and Reliable, The Woman’s Parish Aid Society of Christ Church, [Tarrytown: New York] 1894 (p. 88)

And if I do say so myself the cake turned out mighty fine. And since not a speck of it is left I’d say others thought so too.

We had a nice crowd over. Since the weather was warm and fine we pot-lucked it outside. And of course, everyone brought something to share. So many good things to eat, smoked ham, biscuits and bread, fresh garden vegetables as well as pickled canned goods, my cake and Mama’s pies. Hazel proudly showed off her new middy blouse Mama had made her. Everyone said it was better than store bought. I’d embroidered some tiny red rose on a new hanker-chief to remind her of all the rose beads we have been making. Ha, Ha. And Daniel saved a couple of his pennies to buy her some chocolates. And she loved the scarf Roy sent her. It was so thoughtful of him to remember her birthday. He is such a good man.

As the sun set the men lit a bonfire and we all sat below sky of twinkling diamonds swatting mosquitoes, talking and singing.

Two of the neighbors brought their violins and played some tunes while we all visited. Vera played her guitar some too, and everyone sang along to it. All the music made Hazel very happy as she loves it more than anything. “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” seems to be the favorite of everybody, not that we sound so awfully good but it’s fun just the same. And as always when the word Irish or Ireland comes up Papa and his siblings have to remind us all the Phillips money woes will disappear once their Irish ship comes in. Honestly even if was and true and his Great Grandfather, Patrick O’hara, was entitled to some great Irish estate, it would be divided so many ways by now it wouldn’t amount to much. Papa himself is one of 13 siblings and then there are all of his many cousins.

The coyotes were yowling at us by the time the party broke up, it must have been at least midnight.

Makes it hard to get up the energy to do much today. I think we will just have some leftover ham and cold biscuits for supper tonight.

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Mona, Wyo
July 4, 1914

Dear friend,-
I have not received your letter yet but don’t supose I’ll get it until Tuesday or Wednesday so thot I would write any way, so you could get it.
Well I wonder what you are doing today, this is the 4th. I will tell you how we are spending it. Yesterday we started up to my Uncles who lives about twenty five or theirty miles from here. We started at seven in the morning and got off the right road and went so far out of our way. At twelve thirty we stopped for dinner and then we drove about two miles when here we meet them coming down to our place. I guess we were all sure surprised and it was fifteen miles on to their place and the roads were so rough that we decided to all come back here so started, and we ate our supper on the river then came on home got here about ten oclock last night and I was never so tired in all my life. We all were. I have not felt very good so I guess that made me worse. Today Grandpa and Grandma came over and we had ice cream and so spent the fourth at home. Aunt Sadie and Bert were not here tho. I wish they could have been. My I was surely glad to see all the folks they have a baby we had never saw and they named her Zeta Mae, so I have name sake.

Well it is getting dark. I don’t supose you can read this so will write more later, good night.

Well here I am today this is Sunday. We are still pretty tired yet. I don’t know when we will get over that trip. We made ice cream again today. I wish you were here. I supose you will be going back to Nagrom today or tomorrow.
I gave every body I saw and some I didn’t see some cherrys and I counted them all up that had some and there were forty, so you see how good they must have been. McDonald’s and Clara and all them said they sent their best regards and would like to see you and have you come see them and they had not forgotten you.
Well I will close. I hope your arm is well.
As ever,
Mae

Authors note: This photo is of a portion of the actual letter and dried flowers still with the letter.

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July 6, 1914

Dear Diary,

Well the fourth has come and gone. We never did get to Hulett as they came here instead. I could have gone back with them but decided not to. The folks can use my help and I hate to have Uncle Will have to go to all the trouble of taking me back.

Oh, and I must tell you if anyone ever tells you that rattlesnakes always rattle before they strike, don’t believe them. I know because one almost caught me this afternoon. Mama had asked me to fetch some cold water from the spring so I grabbed two pails and marched off to get it. I was so busy hoping I’d get a letter from Roy today I didn’t notice the rattler until it was inches from the toe of my boot. I jumped backwards just in time.

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July 9, 1914

Dear Diary,

Today I finally got up the courage write to Roy and tell him some moths got into the beautiful fur cape he gave me and damaged it in a couple of spots. Fortunately, they didn’t get into the hat or muff. Vera said I should tell him for she thought the place he purchased them at could repair the damage. I hope so and I hope he isn’t too mad. It was very careless of me not to take better care of them.

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July 10,1914

Dear Diary,

Our old neighbor John came by today with the mail from Mona and a couple of Jack rabbits he had shot. My they were so nice and plump. Mama thanked him and invited him to stay for dinner which he accepted. Then he and Daniel went to work to dress them while we fixed up some baked beans, corn bread and coffee to go with them. Trust me when I say it all smelled so good and tasted good too.

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July 11, 1914

Dear Diary,

The folks left this morning to go to Belle Fourche for a few days. I probably won’t get much of chance to write in you with just me to hold down the fort. Well I will have Hazel and Daniel here for some company. We have had quite a few lightning storms; I sure hope we don’t get another one while they are gone. I worry so about getting a lightning strike on one of the outbuildings or worse the house. It’s hard to be the brave one for Hazel and Daniel when the truth be told I am more scared than they are. I know I have said it before but I hate lightning storms.

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June 19, 1914

Dear Diary,

My I have been working so hard helping Mama and then Papa with the crops. More than I have ever done before. So far this is the busiest season I remember. My hands look so stained and rough. I’m going to ask Mama if she has any healing cream she uses to spare as I could surely use some.

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June 20, 1914

Dear Diary,

It’s a quiet evening. We had a cold supper tonight so there wasn’t much to do for clean-up. I am sitting out in my garden watching it grow. Hazel says I am crazy but it’s growing so fast this week I really do think I can see it grow.

For a change Papa is done for the day and enjoying one of the many periodicals we subscribe to and Mama is working on a new middy blouse and skirt for Hazel to wear for her birthday. Supposedly the blouse is the latest in middy styles. Hazel picked it out of the Sears Catalog and Mama is copying it. She’s incredible, she can just look at a picture in the catalog and then make one like it. She’s teaching me her secrets and I have to say I am getting pretty good at it. This middy will be a tan color with a red sash belt and bow tie.  The belt goes around the hip and is kept in place by slits in the fabric which the belt is threaded through. It also features a squared front collar and is rounded in back and a red bow tie. She’s going to love it.

Vera was over this afternoon; we sure had a good chat. She says the new ranch hand working at the place across the road from them is smitten with me. She thinks I should pay him some attention. So handsome she said and more importantly lives here not in Washington. I did talk to him for a bit at the young people’s meeting and he is easy on the eyes but I absolutely am not interested in courting him or anyone else around here. I told her she could have them but she laughed and said no way she has has found her guy. Clarence is her one and only. I told her it was the same with me, Roy is my one and only.

I’m kindy afraid I feel another one of those sick headaches coming on again. I hope not, I can’t stand them and have been having them too often lately. When they get bad I can’t do anything, not study or even eat.

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Mona, Wyo

June 22, 1914

Dear Roy-
How are you today? I surely hope you are fine and that your arm is well am sorry you are having so much trouble with it. I am pretty well except have a terrible headache today but will get over it I guess.
Bert and Sadie were here today they just left a little while ago they are going down home. Aunt Sadie is some ancious to see how every thing look in her garden. She just planted it and came up here. Bert just go back from shearing, Saturday. I am alone just now Mama went over in the field to where Papa is working and Hazel and Daniel are at school. I got a picture of Lillian and their big boy Saturday.
I really almost went crazy over it. Was so glad. I also got a letter from Lida, she wrote a nice letter.
Vera was up day before yesterday and I was down there the day before that.
I helped Papa in the field a little last week and want to help him some more soon as I can. My garden is looking fine, I stay in it half the time. I just have lots of comfort watching it grow.

 I suppose you are working hard today in the woods. Grandpa has a great time looking throu his glasses at that big tree in that picture. I wish I knew where to get a few pictures of some more large trees he enjoys looking at them so much. Justin said in his letter he was thinking of going to Buckley to work, so perhaps he is there now.

 Got your letter of course Saturday. I guess we will get our mail at Mona from now on and then I don’t know when we will get as we won’t be so handy but perhaps John will get it for us as he is always going.

Well my headaches so I will have to stop for now will write more tomorrow as this is only Monday. Good by until later.

Here I am this morning but don’t feel like writing very much so you will just have to excuse me this time. hope I can write better next time. Will not be sure of the mail either way from now on as you can never tell when you can get the mail or send any. I have a dreadful headache over my left eye. Well I will close now.

Best Wishes as ever Mae.

P.S. Don’t get worried if you do not hear from me regular for it is not always I can send a letter, but always do the best I can.
Excuse this poor letter.

(China letter included with this letter translate to : “Don’t say anything about me not feeling well but I must have to tell you I have felt pretty bad for a week, have got the blues too but don’t worry about me just think of you and I will be fine.”  

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Nagram, Wash.

June 26^th, 1914

Dear Mae:

Well here I am again to bother you for a fiew minutes with my foolishness as I have nothing else to do this evening. Wish I could see and talk to you for a little while instead of writing. I think it would be much nicer and I can talk better than I write and I am not so very much on the talk either.

Well how are you getting along by now? I got your last letter last Sunday and of course I was glad but sorry you were not feeling very well and hope you are better now. You must be careful with yourself and not get sick any more than you can help for you don’t know how it hurts me to here of you being sick.

Richard isn’t here now, he got hurt last Monday and went to the hospital. It isn’t anything serious tho. He got hit on the leg with a cable, which bruised his leg quite badly. Haven’t heard from him since he left so I don’t know how he is getting along. I think he will be alright again in a couple of weeks. We sure miss him here, for he was playing for us on the violin every evening, and it has seemed awful lonely since he went away.

Tell Hazel I would like to be there to give her a good threshing for her birthday. Hope she will like her scarf. It seems funny to give a present like that in the summer but it is something that will last until cold weather come around.

I am not feeling so well this week as usual. Have had a pretty bad cold for a fiew days and it makes me feel pretty bum I tell you, and the weather is still pretty bad, rains a good share of the time, has been raining and early all day today and is coming down like sixty or sixty-five just now. I wonder if we are going to ever have any summer, it sure doesn’t look like it now. If we don’t has some sunshine pretty soon I am afraid it will be bad for the rasp-berries. They have begun to ripen now and should have some dry weather. I had a letter from Mother the other day and she said they had picked quite a fiew already.

Lida has been sick with mumps but is just about over it now. Blanch Stockton is staying with the folks now she is picking berries. Mother said that Lillian and you’re your Aunt Ann were going to pick also. So guess that Justin and Lillian must be back in Puyallup. I would sure like to see them and I suppose I will in a fiew days now. I hear that the camp is going to close down next Friday, that will be the second of July, and it will start up again the following Tuesday so we will have only three days to do our celebrating. But guess that will be plenty of time for us to get drunk and blow in all our money.

Don’t expect to do any celebrating this year. I think I will stay home and have a good rest. I have been at home so little in the past two years that it is pretty nice to get to be home for a while. Think I will enjoy that more than any other way I can spend the time that I will have to spare.

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Mona Wyo

June 28, 1914

Dear Roy –

This is only Sunday but I thot I would write a letter to you as I a kindy lonesome. I wonder how you are today. I hope your arm is alright by now. I am afraid you did not take good care of it did you, you must be careful. I have surely been on the sick list for a week or more, think I am some better today. I am alone today Papa is hunting horses and Mama, Hazel and Daniel went to church. I didn’t feel like going today. I sure hate to miss going but I just could not today.

Vera is alone too, so she said maybe she would be up. I hope she does, for then I would have good company. She was up yesterday to see me, but I was so sick I didn’t get to say much to her but if she comes today I will make up for lost time. Wish you were coming.

Well I got your letter also those other things. And oh how good those cherries are they are the best I ever saw they just kept fine and there was not one mashed or nothing wrong with them they just came in time as I had not ate anything yesterday and I ate quite a few. My there were fine. I sure wish I could help you pick them but I am afraid I would be more bother than good, as I would eat so very many. Well here comes Vera so will stop and write more later. Good by until then M.E.P

Monday 29

Well here I am to bother you some more. I wish I knew how you was this fine day. I am pretty good, feel better than I had that is for several days.

I will send this up Nagram as I think you will be there by the time this gets there. I suppose you will be home for the forth I hope so as it won’t be so lonesome there. Am glad Lida got along so well.

I think maybe we will go to Hulett for the forth. My uncle and Aunt lives there. I hope we can as I am anxious to see them, it has been a long time since we saw them. We are going Friday if we go as it is about 25 miles from here, I may stay a week or so as I think I would feel better if I stayed there a while as I may stay. All the folks want me to. Mama’s aunt and Uncle were here today and I gave them some cherries and they nearly went wield, over them.

Vera and I had a fine time yesterday as the folks did not get home until late.

Oh yes I have been going to tell you for the last several time how Aunt Sara Waddington is, she is not well by all means as she is in town yet. And Uncle Will has been awful poorly this spring and summer, he could scarcely stand to take treatment at all. I feel so sorry for them all. They have had quite a bit of trouble.

Hazel and Daniel are hunting for strawberries as they have to hunt for a hour or two for a cup. But they are sure good when we do get them.

I am glad your berries are so nice but sorry your Uncle got hurt. Your cherries must be nice too this year, those you sent were fine. I believe they saved my life as I have been feeling better ever since. I got a letter from Frank Risher, he is doing fine I guess.

Well I wish you was going to be here the 4^th but you are not so must make the best of it, I will try to write while I am up there if I can.

Well I will close as there is a terrible storm coming Thank you very much for everything you sent.

As ever, Mae

June 2, 1914

Tonight, I hiked across the road and up a little hill to my favorite spot to go on summer evenings when I can spare the time. It’s a big old rock I started calling my pet rock when I was a little girl and Mama and I would go there. It’s the perfect shape to sit and enjoy the view. The prairie isn’t all flat like a lot of folks think at least not here in the Bear Lodge Mountains. Here the land slopes and rolls gentle-like until it bumps into the tree covered Black hills.

Last night’s sunset was spectacular. As the sun set behind the mountains the sky filled with yellow, reds and purples. Grazing on the nearby hills I must have counted 40 antelope and deer. So many rabbits were hopping around too. I’d sure like to catch the ones responsible for eating some of my garden.

I got up to scurry back down the hill as the sky began to darken and the meadow larks sang their last sweet song. Once back in view of the house I saw Hazel sitting alone on the porch hugging her knees.  I joined her and together we watched the moon rise and the sky fill with twinkling stars. It was so beautiful it moved us to start singing a bad rendition of, “Home On The Range.”

It’s evenings like last night that make me glad I’m a Wyoming girl if only my logger was beside me. And yes, I do mean logger, not a cowboy.   

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June 4, 1914

Dear Diary,

Today is Daniel’s 11th birthday. Mama had me make his favorite sour cream chocolate cake. The heavenly smell of chocolate baking drifting out the door to where I sit writing, is enough to drive me wild. When it cools I will make a rich vanilla cream frosting to go on top. My mouth is watering now as I think of tasting it. Can you tell it’s one of my favorites, too?

Mama is out in the yard plucking a chicken. Yes, another favorite of mine, we will have chicken and dumplings for our supper. After supper a few of the neighbors promised to come over and help us celebrate. And on our last visit to Aladdin we got some lemons so we will have lemonade to go with the cake.  

Hazel and I pooled our money together and bought Daniel a new baseball as his old one got lost. Mama and Papa got him a baseball mitt and we already have a bat. He won’t get to open them until after supper. I guess we all spoil him a bit but he is the baby of the family. Right now, he and Hazel are still at school.

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June 5, 1914

Dear Diary,

We had a nice little crowd at the house last night and it was nearly 11 before everyone left. The folks exclaimed about how good my cake was and one of the neighbors brought warm cinnamon buns and a batch of her famous oatmeal cookies so there were plenty of goodies to go around.

Most of the menfolk went out in the yard for a game of baseball so Daniel could break in his new mitt. You should have seen him when they finished, his red hair sticking up every which way and smiling from ear to ear. I guess you could say his new mitt was a homerun.

I was up early as usual this morning so I am kind of tired but must get to work on my garden. It’s a real chore to keep it weeded but I’ll have a nice crop if I succeed in keeping those pesky rabbits out. I’ve had to reseed a few things because of them and I do hope we have enough rain to keep it all growing, too. I tell you being a farmer is not an easy business.

Papa is still so busy with farming both here and in Donald. There are no hired hands to be found anywhere around here. When Mama can spare me, I try to go out and help him the best I can which means I have very little spare time. I guess it’s just as well as it keeps me from thinking of you know who quite so much. Except, it also keeps me from studying and that’s not so good.

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June 10, 1914

Dear Diary,

I just got a letter from Roy and I’m some worried. He was writing because he had the day off due to a sore arm but he didn’t say what was wrong with it. He just got over that bad infection in his arm so I’m afraid it might have come back. Logging is such dangerous business almost anything could have happened. Hopefully it’s just a pulled muscle or something simple like that and he’s already back to normal as I write these words. Still I’m going to fret over it until I hear he is well.

Lida sent me a box of the loveliest rose petals. The sweet scent was intoxicating as I opened the box. Vera called me a bit ago she said she could come over and we could talk while I work on making some more beads.

June 14, 1914

Dear Diary,

Well today was the day Miss Kendall and I held our first young people’s meeting. Let me tell you I was some nervous about it but I guess it turned out all right. Yesterday we carried buckets of water and a broom over to the Mona schoolhouse and mopped and dusted everything good. We even washed the windows, cleaned the blackboard and polished the stove, so everything looked very nice. We made lemonade with the lemons Miss Kendall ordered up from Belle Fourche. We also took up plates and glasses for around 20.

Both of us made cakes. I put some pink coloring Mama bought from the Watkins man in mine and it turned the batter a lovely pink color. But when we cut into the cake we found the color has sunk to the bottom. So instead of being pink it was red on the bottom and white on top. I felt my cheeks turn red as the bottom of that cake, I was so aghast, but it tasted fine and everyone loved it and thought I’d done it on purpose.

We had a pretty good crowd. I think everyone enjoyed themselves but many said they were too busy to commit to coming to regular meetings. On top of that Miss Kendall and Clay Massie announced they are getting married soon. I doubt she will be able to help me with meetings much longer so wonder if we will ever have many.

June 17, 1914

After I did my morning chores for Mama I went out to the fields to help Papa. The hot sun beating down on my poor head made it hurt and now my head aches so bad especially over my left eye. I do hope this isn’t one of those nasty ones that last for days. It hurts so now; I can write no more.    

May 22, 1914

Dear Diary,

I feel so bad, I must write in you. Just a little while ago Aunt Sadie called hysterical. It seems Mrs. Marchant, Bert’s mother, just got up from her lunch at her daughter’s and keeled over on the floor, dead.

Mama is in Donald with Papa today, so I was all alone when she called. Thank goodness it didn’t take long for the rest of the folks on Mona line to listen in and start to act, because I didn’t know what to say to comfort her.  Grandma and Grandpa Smith are going to Aladdin and are going to pick up Mama in Donald on the way. So, it looks like I am left here alone to hold down the fort.

 I feel so bad, I really liked the dear lady. I wish there was something I could do. Bert is out sheep shearing somewhere it might take a while to track him down. He will be devastated when he hears the news. She seemed like such a vigorous lady too. Guess one really needs to cherish the good moments, as nothing in life is for sure.

Hazel and Daniel will be back soon from school so I best get my chores finished.  

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May 23, 1914

Vera came and spent the night with me last night so I wouldn’t have to be alone with my sad thoughts. I was sure glad as we had a terrible storm.  And you know how bad those scare me especially with Mama and Papa away. She had to leave first thing this morning and then Hazel and Daniel came back from the barn and said Betsy, our milk cow, had disappeared overnight. They searched the yard everywhere but she was nowhere to be found. So, after a quick breakfast I sent them to search for her on their ponies. I am going to write Roy a quick letter and if they aren’t back then I will have to saddle up Drummer and see what they are up to. I certainly hope they find her well and chewing her cud.    

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Donald, Wyo
May 23, 1914

Dear friend,-
I will write you a few lines as I am kindy lonely. I am alone this afternoon. I am pretty well and hope you are very well.

Mama went down to stay with papa Wednesday so there for I had to stay alone in the day time. I got kindy lonesome but I kept pretty busy and that keeps one from getting to lonesome, doesn’t it?

Vera was up and stayed all night we sure had a good time never went to bed until eleven oclock and then there was a terrible storm.

This is Saturday but Hazel and Daniel are hunting for our cow we can’t find her no place they have ridden all day and are not back yet.

I am busy with the Saturdays work but I am so tired or (lazy) I don’t know which I can’t do much.

I took a nice big ride on my dear horse yesterday went over to our neighbors about four miles and back.

I thot Drummer was to mean for me to ride but I rode him any way and got along fine. I wish I could ride oftener and I think perhaps I might from now on.

I may go down and stay a week with Papa for I don’t think I can let Mama go very much it is to lonely for me here.

I think Holly Barber got the mail contract I am not sure. Well I will get a letter from you tonight and you will get one from me.

Mama says I got a letter from Sade Henry. I am anxious to get it too. I hear that Henry and Amber are going to be married soon.

I suppose you will get the beads today and oh how much trouble that will be for you. Well I must go and get to work again have got to scrub and churn by.

Well I will write a few more lines while I rest I just got finished scrubbing two floors.

Mrs. Marchant the old lady died yesterday morning. Oh dear I feel so sorry for Bert and Aunt Sadie and all the rest of them. I am awfully sorry, I liked her so well. She was so nice.

I have been so nervous since I heard I can hardly stand it. It was so sudden she just fell dead. Bert was away shearing and had quite a way to come.

I wish I could see you Roy but it don’t do much good to wish does it when one is so far away.

Clara and Holly are living on her place now.

We are having there is Vera calling ———–

Well here I am again today.

My we had the dreadfulest storm last night and just Hazel and Daniel and I here. I was some scart, it was the worst storm I ever saw.

I got your letter last night and a box of nice roses from your mother and Lida, my but they were fine. I am going to make some beads out of them. I also got a card from Lillian and Justin and telling about their baby boy. I got a letter too a few days ago.

You said you wished you had been to the dance but might have spoiled my good time. What made you say that Roy? I would have had a lot better time if you had been there. I would have liked joined that fish fry you spoke of.

Lida never wrote but I believe she has her beads or she would say so. My I sure enjoyed my flowers they were so pretty and smell – so nice makes me lonesome for Wash. and to see all the people.

I bet you did miss Joe. I hope you send me that picture you spoke of.

Well I have written a book so will not bother you no more

as ever,
Mae

(The China note in this letter decodes to “I was afraid by the                             
way you wrote in your letter you was mad or  something. Tell me”)

Note: Mrs. Marchant mentioned in this letter was Bert’s mother and died in Aladdin, Wyoming May 22, 1914 at age 67.

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 May 25, 1914

Dear Diary,

Yesterday was a busy day as we all went to Aladdin to attend Mrs. Marchant’s service and what a nice one it was too. The church was filled with so many friends and family. Her husband once managed the coal mine there and he was also on the county commissioners board so they knew all the folks for miles around. The floral arrangements were so lovely and full of the springtime flowers she loved. And Rev. Tracy spoke such a nice tribute of her.

They ran a special train to take the family and friends who wished to go and see her laid to rest next her husband in Belle Fourche. It was coming back the same day but we didn’t go as Papa is still so busy with the farming.

Sadie looked so sad. I wish I could have had some alone time with her. But that was impossible with all the friends and family constantly surrounding her and Bert. Maybe later in the week, I hope so anyway.