Jervis McEntee Diaries

Saturday September 1, 1888

Jervis McEntee Diary Entry, September 1, 1888, from the Jervis McEntee papers, 1850-1905, in the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution

Saturday, Sept 1, 1888 It rained most of the night. On looking at the barn roof which I painted yesterday afternoon, I find most of it was washed off and it will have to be done over. It has however been a good thing for my strawberry bed. I spent the greater part of the forenoon copying a letter I wrote to Dr. Pelton in Feb. 1853 giving him an account of our trip to Balsam lake. Josiah Dubois whom I met yesterday spoke to me about it and I told him if I could find it I would sent it to him. The summer is gone and I feel no more settled than at its commencement. Sara and I have finally decided to remain here for the winter. I have tried to busy myself in doing some necessary work about the place such as the painting the roof and the sash. I see much more that ought to be done, while my own little house grows shabbier and shabbier each day. I feel little heart in doing any thing here in view of the changes which must soon take place. I fear I shall never feel settled again but I try not to think of it more than I can help for it makes me very unhappy. Sara had a letter from Lucy today with discouraging accounts of Gertrude Tomkins who has been spending the summer with her at Fort Bridger. She was greatly improved the fore part of the summer but is now so poorly that Lucy is alarmed about her and fears she may not be able to endure the journey home. We are in the midst of the melon season and for ten days past have had an abundance of the most delicious muskmelons from our garden. We have just begun with watermelons having had two large and delicious ones. The garden has done very well this summer.

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