Curtiss, May 13th 1890.

Dear brother,

It has been such a long time since I wrote a letter to you, that I will now try to write one, in order for you to see we are healthy and all is well. I was thinking so you would have received a letter at Epiphany, but then I had more men to cook for, so I did not have time until now. Mathias has cut down the trees from a large plot of land this spring too. His brother Kristian, who has been staying with us a few weeks, helped him. But now he is out working again. When he was done cutting he got two other men with him. And then they have oxen and pull the logs together in a big pile and burn up all of it. It burned both day and night. I often think of those who have to buy their firewood when I see them burning up so much. The stumps are left standing. They do not get burned until they are old and dry. Any earlier that is impossible. As the woods are so dense, with both large and small trees together, one can hardly get through. I have been thinking one should be able to use the forest for something else too. Last fall there was a meeting here in Curtiss to try and organise a charcoal kiln. Nothing became of it then, but they think there might be one this fall. And then the farmers can earn something from their woods. There are those who sell timber and sell it. There is pine, birch, hemlock - it looks like Norwegian spruce. But there are many other kinds of trees too.
Spring was not early this year. The snow lay for a long time. Then we had some good weather, so the snow disappeared, but it has been cold at night. It is green enough for the cattle to feed on. We have had a lot of feed this winter. We sold some and still have some left. May, as our first cow is called since we got her in May last year, had a heifer calf this spring. So now I have another calf. And I have a pig of a few weeks old. Mathias and Eline's husband bought working oxen. They paid one hundred and thirty four dollars for them. They are five year old, fat, enormous animals. One never uses one ox, but always two, which they call an ox-team. Team is the equivalent of 'beite' in Norwegian. It is not so easy, having a farm this size, not to have anything to drive with. Then it is better to have half a team than none at all.
Mathias has earned a lot of money this winter, but we have had such a lot to buy this year. We came to an empty house and had to buy all kinds of things. Math is good at shopping, so I always have enough to last me.
The boy who was here this winter, moved out when Math came home from the woods. And now I mainly take care of the cattle myself. And then I have the housework, and Axel to look after, and that is enough for me. Axel is a good child now. For long periods of time he can sit in bed playing with his toys. He is so big and heavy I can't carry him around when I'm doing something. I must tell you I received Johan's and your letter. They came together. But that was many weeks ago, so I wonder how things are at home. Whether Ida Bakken will be staying on another year, or if you have a new maid. And whether you have the horse Brunen and all the driving horses you had when I left. I wrote to Anders this winter, but have not received any reply. You must give him and his family my greetings, and tell him to write when he finds the time. Please give my greetings to everyone at Elve, Hjelkerhaugen and Voldslid, and everyone else you know knew me well. And all my love to Father and Mother: may this letter reach you in well-being and health. I received a letter from Kristiane Voldslid and have replied to her.
And finally the most heartfelt greetings to you from me, your sister Randi, and also greetings from Mathias.

Write soon.