I am the veriest amateur at typewriting, so please excuse all mistakes. When I read some of the letters that preceded mine, I certainly marvel at the amount some of you have done in War Work and Community work. I thought I was busy- and I know I scarcely have an idle minute from 6.30 A.M. until 10.30 P.M. but I have done comparatively little outside work.

When the war broke out, my oldest girl was sick with inflammatory rheumatism and nervous stomach trouble. She was in bed for three months. About the time she recovered, a third little daughter came to make her home with us. We had so hoped for a little son to carry on the name, for my husband is the last man in the family. He often says, 'Sarah, you're all right but for one thing, you should have been a boy.' She is the pet of the house and the only one with curls as you may see by her picture. The large one was taken in September. I also am enclosing some snapshots of the three taken this summer on our vacation. We haven't wandered far from home since war began, because Mr. Parker has been so short handed at the store. You see in a jewelry store, you need workmen rather than clerks, and it has been almost impossible to find watchmakers and engravers.

When Round Robin came to me the first of the week, I had just been going through a very nerve-wracking experience. Jessie, my ten-year-old, was operated on, Jan. 20, for mastoiditis. She has made a splendid recovery and will soon be home.

Like so many of the girls, I have been going through the siege of a home without a maid for six months. I have never been alone before for more than two or three weeks. The young girl I had, married and I could not find anyone else unless I paid a fortune. Just two days before Jessie had to go to the hospital, I got an old colored woman, who has helped me out of a very tight place. I have a house built in the 70's, with long stairways, long halls, and black walnut woodwork. I have cooked, washed, swept, ironed and sewed until - well, you that have been through it know how I felt.

I am treasurer of our Foreign Missionary Society of 200 members and treasurer of the D.A.R. so you see - I still keep my hand in on that work. Sometimes it is quite a tax to attend it all. Our missionary society handled over $1200 last year.

I have a hobby lately which I am sure few of you have. I've gone back to my childhood and am collecting stamps. I started out to help Ruth with her stamp book and became so interested, I went on and now I have over 3000. I probably shouldn't have done so much, but my interest stimulated my young brother-in-law, Madeleine's husband, and we helped each other out.

I did go on one journey in October, 1919, to Jackson, Mich., to visit my brother, Clarence, who lives out there. I didn't stay as long as I intended for my little niece down with measles. I had Sarah with me, so we hurried away, hoping to escape, but it was too late. She had them, and then Ruth. During the 'flu' epidemic, four of us had it, but none seriously.

I had a lovely visit with Alice Dunning, Olive Mast, and Fan Osterstock at Olive's home in May. Alice and I slept together and talked most of the night. It was so good to be together again.

I wonder if any of your husbands are Knight Templars? My husband is a Past Commander and we go on K.T jaunts once in a while. A year ago, we went to Philadelphia to the Triennial and had a fine time. We are planning to go to New Orleans in April, 1922. If any of you should be there, look up the N.J. delegation.

None of my children are prodigies. Both Ruth and Jessie are in their normal grades at school. Ruth would have been in 8th grade but she lost a year when she was so ill; and Jessie was late starting on account of being such a delicate little child. She isn't delicate now although she has been having a hard time lately. The Dr. says she has made a remarkable recovery from mastoiditis.

It is time this robin flew on to Frances Doherty with all my best wishes for all the class-

Cordially yours as ever,
Mabel Day Parker -
Feb. 3, 1921.