In the last installment, Lanette started making her rounds through the Appalachian Mountains with the guidance of Mr. Buchanan. This week we will become acquainted with one of Lanette’s patrons that she meets on one of her routes.
Chapter Three
October 13, 1934
Dear Maisie,
Tonight, I am writing this latest letter to you in front of the woodstove in the Lancings’ post office. The warmth of the fire feels good after traveling through a bitter wind all day. Autumn is definitely upon us. Most of the leaves have fallen from the trees and the farmers are soon to be done with their harvest. I have a feeling winter is near. The folks around here tell me the snow could fall any day now. Isn’t that crazy!? Just to be safe, I’ve started packing heavier coats on my saddle whenever I go on one of my routes.
Speaking of my routes, I wanted to highlight one of my patrons, who I recently met. Her name is Ruthaleen Dukater and she lives by herself on the bank of the Cumberland River. I’ve discovered her log cabin is built in a similar design to many of the houses in this area. Her porch faces the river while there are only two rooms that make up the interior. The kitchen and living area make up the largest part of the house while the other half serves as her bedroom. While it is small compared to what I am used to I didn’t feel uncomfortable being invited inside her home. She seems to know her plants really well, for there were various kinds of herbs hanging down from her rafters. I noted rosemary, lavender, and sage, but most of them I couldn’t name. Due to the herbs, it smelled lovely inside her house.
What you wouldn’t believe, Maisie, is that she’s blind! I hadn’t detected it at first because she greeted me from her porch as if she had seen me. It wasn’t until she reached for my hand with her eyes looking away from mine that I realized she couldn’t see. I discovered a filmy layer had formed over her eyes, making them appear almost white. This disability didn’t hinder her any, though, for she welcomed me inside with little difficulty. By the way she moved around the house you would have never guessed she couldn’t tell where there things were. It was as if she had memorized where everything was, which is indeed impressive. She poured me a glass of tea as if she could clearly see what she was doing in front of her.
Ruthaleen and I spent quite a bit of the afternoon talking with one another. After that day I decided she is one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. What I would like to do for her is to find her some braille books. I don’t know much about the language, but wouldn’t it be wonderful if I could make it possible for her to read? I didn’t discuss it with Ruthaleen, but I think maybe I’ll ask her the next time I visit. Yes, I’m still going back to visit her even if she can’t read. I have a feeling she gets very lonely up there in the mountains by herself. She really enjoyed our conversation and if I can make her happy just by stopping to visit for an hour or two I see no reason why I shouldn’t return. Maybe I could even read her a book myself.
I will be staying in Miracle tomorrow because it will be my day off. I will go to Church with the Lancings and then spend most of the day studying. I’m learning so much, Maisie, from my job and my homework. I hope you are still enjoying your time as a seamstress for the Streeters. You should send me sketches of your work sometime so I can see what you’ve been working on. Miss you!
Affectionately,
Lanette
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