Mt. Arlington, N.J.
Dec. 30. 48Dear Bessie:
I was so surprised and pleased to get Barry's lovely picture at Christmas. It is a wonderful picture and Barry appears to be a very bright child. He looks as though he were full of fun. How I should like to see him before he gets to be a big boy.
Perhaps if I get down to Brooklyn in the Spring I could run out to see you for a few hours some day. Of course I never know what I can do or when I can get away. It all depends on mother's health. I doubt if I shall be able to leave her alone very much any more. I don't think it a very safe thing to do.
I was happy to get your mother's letter but sorry she has been so ill during the past year but I am glad she is now feeling better. She has been unfortunate in having such illnesses. Tell her I'll answer her letter later.
I hope you keep well, Bessie, and also that you are very happy with your little family. May you continue for a long time. My regards to Howard.
Mother and I are quite well but will be glad when the winter is over. It is, as you know, hard to dig out of snow storms and keep paths open. It always seems to snow when we need fuel oil, so that I have to dig out a path to the street for a delivery. We are glad to have the oil furnace, as it saves an awful lot of work. We couldn't keep a coal fire and shovel coal for it, as neither one of us is able.
We had quite a time this Fall with water. Our well was almost dry. We had to catch rain water for washing as there was only enough for use in the bathroom. We had to carry drinking water from our neighbor across the street. There were ever so many wells that were dry for weeks and that was quite a sad state of affairs.
Mother & I spent Christmas day with her sister across the lake and on Sunday we went to Livingston to my niece's. We had two wonderful days. My Aunt Mrs. Bray has been with us but went home to-day.
The big snow storm rather upset plans for some of the activities for the holidays but I managed to get out to several. It has rained all night and all day to-day and practically all of the 13 inches of snow has disappeared and we are glad. I hope we don't have a whole lot more.
After the Christmas & New Years Activities are over I have to take the paper off the walls of the bathroom and a bedroom and get them ready for repapering. Last winter the snow was so heavy on the roof that when it started melting it came through & ruined our walls. Some places up here the whole house leaked fortunately we only got it in two rooms. Hope it won't happen again. Well Bessie dear here are lots of wishes for a wonderful New Year to all of you[.]
Love Aunt Emma