Granny traded the farm for a little house in a small town close to a relative, and some money to boot, after grandpa passed away.
She still had some berries and grapes and made jelly, but not much gardening at all, as the yard was quite small. The house had a washer and dryer in a utility area, and an indoor bathroom and tub, as well as modern heating system.
The farm house never had an indoor bathroom, and only cold running water, and wood heat. She did her laundry in town at her mother’s house on an old wringer washer, and hung them out to dry.
Grandpa always chopped down the trees and split the wood, and so much more that she really didn’t feel she could manage there on her own.
My grandparents moved in from the farm in about 1920 but they kept the farms and my sister and I each have one now. The home farm had an outhouse which I have used, gone now, but also indoor plumbing at some point.
My grandmother used a huge woodburning stove in town until my dad went and found her a nice electric stove. She used corn cobs for fuel.
If my tenants move out, I think I will move down to the farmhouse. I never liked it too well but I'm fed up with this place, was really nice once. I will just pay someone to plow in winter, have to pay a lot more here.